Puneet Varma (Editor)

1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Record
  
63–99 (.389)

Owner(s)
  
Vince Naimoli

Manager(s)
  
Larry Rothschild

Divisional place
  
5th

General manager(s)
  
Chuck LaMar

Local television
  
Sportschannel Florida WWWB WTSP (Joe Magrane, Dewayne Staats)

The 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season was the first season in franchise history. This season, they finished last in the AL East division and finished the season with a record of 63-99, 51 games behind the World Champion New York Yankees. Their manager was Larry Rothschild.

Contents

Miguel Cairo was the last active player remaining from the Opening Day roster, until retiring after the 2012 season.

Offseason

  • March 11, 1997: Luis Polonia was signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • May 10, 1997: Pete Laforest was signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • June 3, 1997: Jason Standridge was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1st round (31st pick) of the 1997 amateur draft. Player signed June 6, 1997.
  • June 3, 1997: Kenny Kelly was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2nd round of the 1997 amateur draft. Player signed June 12, 1997.
  • November 11, 1997: Mike Kelly was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for a player to be named later. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays sent Dmitri Young (November 18, 1997) to the Cincinnati Reds to complete the trade.
  • December 9, 1997: Wade Boggs signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • December 16, 1997: Scott McClain was signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • December 18, 1997: Josías Manzanillo was signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • January 27, 1998: Dave Silvestri was signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • January 27, 1998: Jerome Walton was signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

    • Regular season

  • June 22, 1998 – The first interleague game between the Florida Marlins and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays took place at Tropicana Field. The rivalry would be known as the Citrus Series. The Marlins won the game in twelve innings by a score of 3-2.

    • Opening Day starters

  • Wilson Álvarez
  • Wade Boggs
  • Miguel Cairo
  • John Flaherty
  • Mike Kelly
  • Dave Martinez
  • Quinton McCracken
  • Fred McGriff
  • Paul Sorrento
  • Kevin Stocker

    • Notable transactions

  • May 26, 1998: Jerome Walton was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • June 2, 1998: Aubrey Huff was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 5th round of the 1998 amateur draft. Player signed June 17, 1998.
  • July 1, 1998: Josías Manzanillo was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

    • Starters by position

    Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

    Awards and honors

    1998 MLB All-Star Game

  • Rolando Arrojo, Pitcher

    • Team leaders

  • Home runs – Fred McGriff (19)
  • Runs batted in – Fred McGriff (81)
  • Batting average – Aaron Ledesma (.324)
  • Hits – Quinton McCracken (179)
  • Stolen bases – Randy Winn (26)
  • Walks – Fred McGriff (79)
  • Wins – Rolando Arrojo (14)
  • Strikeouts – Tony Saunders (172)
  • Earned run average – Albie Lopez (2.60)
  • Saves – Roberto Hernández (26)

    • References

    1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA