Tampa Bay Rays All-Stars: Building the Best Rays All-Time Lineup
Everything changed when Tampa Bay cast aside the “Devil” and became known simply as the Rays. They faced tough challenges in their early years, finishing last in the AL East each year from their debut in 1998 through 2007. However, in 2008, the Rays turned their fortunes around, claiming the top spot in the AL East with a 97-win season. They went on to defeat the defending champion Red Sox in the ALCS and reached the World Series. While the Rays have yet to clinch a championship, they have come a long way: going from an average of 34 games behind first place in their first decade to making the postseason nine times in the subsequent seventeen seasons, including two World Series appearances event open. They’ve fostered their own stars, influenced other teams, and remain a force to be reckoned with in the league.
Manager: Joe Maddon
Kevin Cash may have since surpassed Joe Maddon as the franchise leader in games managed and career wins, but Maddon was at the helm during the pivotal transformation of the Rays. Without Maddon’s influence, the success of the Cash era might never have occurred. Maddon was the first to post a winning record, lead the team to the postseason, guide them to the World Series, and win the Manager of the Year award. He is fundamentally responsible for all significant positive milestones in the franchise’s history, aside from winning a World Series — something that has yet to be achieved by any manager in Rays history.
Starting Pitcher: David Price
David Price began his career with the Rays and spent half of it there, despite pitching for teams like Detroit, Toronto, Boston, and Los Angeles later on. The towering lefty, standing at 6-foot-5, made a remarkable debut, notably embarrassing the Red Sox as a rookie reliever in the 2008 ALCS with pitches they couldn’t handle. Just a few years later, he won the Cy Young Award while leading the AL in earned run average (ERA). Although Price’s performance post-Rays was impressive by ERA and Wins Above Replacement (WAR), he remains the best pitcher in a surprisingly deep history of Rays pitching.
Reliever/Closer: Fernando Rodney
Fernando Rodney played just two of his 17 major league seasons with the Rays, yet he packed remarkable statistics into that short time. phlwin apk Over the course of 141 innings and 144 games, he secured 85 saves and finished 120 games with an outstanding 202 ERA+. His production peaked in 2012 when he recorded a jaw-dropping 0.60 ERA and finished fifth in the Cy Young voting, achieving almost a four-win season by WAR. Such figures would be impressive for a starting pitcher, but they are astonishing for a reliever.
Catcher: Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro was once a highly touted catching prospect. While he never quite developed into a star hitter or elite pitch framer, he excelled at calling games. His pitch-calling ability was consistently cited as the reason he remained behind the plate despite his batting struggles sabong. bet. Navarro spent five years catching for the Rays during their rise to prominence, largely attributable to their successful pitching staff.
First Base: Carlos Peña
Originally a first-round pick by the Rangers, Carlos Peña was traded multiple times before joining the Rays in 2007, coinciding with his and the team’s resurgence. Peña became a crucial player for the Rays over his five-year stint, hitting 163 home runs (second in Rays’ history) and boasting a .360 on-base percentage (third in franchise history). His standout 2009 season saw him lead the American League with 39 home runs while earning All-Star honors.
Second Base: Ben Zobrist
Selecting just one position for Ben Zobrist seems unfair, as he played in 1,201 defensive games for the Rays across numerous positions. His versatility saw him play 547 games at second base, plus stints in the outfield, at shortstop, DH, first base, and third base. Over nine seasons, Zobrist compiled a .264 batting average with a .354 on-base percentage and a . đại lý bk8429 slugging percentage, showcasing his immense value to the team.
Third Base: Evan Longoria
When Evan Longoria was drafted third overall in 2006, the Rays had never posted a winning record or made the postseason. He debuted in 2008, batting .272 with 27 homers and earning AL Rookie of the Year honors. This marked the end of the team’s playoff drought, establishing Longoria as the first homegrown star of the Rays and ultimately ranking first in various offensive categories in franchise history.
Shortstop: Julio Lugo
Julio Lugo’s .287/.350/.421 hitting line with the Rays may not seem impressive by today’s standards, but it’s essential to consider the context of the shortstop position during the mid-2000s. Lugo’s average OPS during his tenure with the Rays was .770, contributing effectively with his glove as well. Despite a brief four-season stint, he remains among the top-10 in franchise history for various offensive stats.
Outfielders
Carl Crawford: Carl Crawford may not have achieved everything expected of him in his post-Rays career, but his nine-year tenure with the team was remarkable. Starting as a speedster at just 20 years old, he quickly became a genuine All-Star, leading the AL in steals and triples multiple times while hitting m.8k8.301/.344/.461 during his peak years.
B.J. Upton: Drafted second overall in 2002, B.J. Upton initially played shortstop but later found success in center field. Known for his speed and occasional power hitting, Upton peaked before the franchise’s turnaround, with his best season in 2007 consisting of a .300 average and 22 stolen bases, contributing an average of 3.8 wins per year from 2007-2012.
Kevin Kiermaier: Kevin Kiermaier’s batting stats fluctuated, but his defensive prowess was undeniable. Known as one of the best outfield defenders in franchise history, Kiermaier’s defensive contributions totaled an impressive 17.5 wins above replacement, making him a valuable asset to the team.
Designated Hitter: Randy Arozarena
Randy Arozarena possesses a surprising power-hitting ability considering his size. Despite being 5-foot-10 and under 200 pounds, he hit seven homers in just 23 games in his initial stint with the Rays, following up with 78 home runs over the next three seasons. His on-base percentage outstripped his batting average by 90 points, showcasing his effectiveness at the plate.
Honorable Mentions:
- Kevin Cash (manager)
- Blake Snell (starting pitcher)
- James Shields (starting pitcher)
- Scott Kazmir (starting pitcher)
- Jake McGee (reliever/closer)
- Alex Colome (reliever/closer)
- Wilson Ramos (catcher)
- Fred McGriff (1B)
- Brandon Lowe (2B)
- Jason Barlett (SS)
- Willy Adames (SS)
- Greg Vaughn (DH)
Check out the other MLB all-time All-Star teams. What do you think about the Rays’ all-time lineup?