Tampa Bay Rays

03/28/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays claimed left-handed hitting outfielder Nathan Haynes off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. To clear room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Rocco Baldelli was placed on the 60- day disabled list (Mitochondrial disorder). Haynes will join the Rays for Monday's season opener in Baltimore.    » read more »

03/28/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays named 25 players to the All-Time Al Lang Field Team today, coinciding with the final game to be played at Progress Energy Park, home of Al Lang Field. The team includes 21 Hall of Famers. Members of the Rays front office selected the players from teams that held Spring Training on the site:

Teams:
Boston Braves 1922-37
New York Yankees 1925-42, 1946-50, 1952-61
St. Louis Cardinals 1938-42, 1946-97
New York Giants 1951
New York Mets 1962-87
Baltimore Orioles 1992-95
Tampa Bay Rays 1998-2008

All-Time Al Lang Field Team:
Catcher
Yogi Berra (NYY/NYM) - HOF (1946-50, 1953, 1965) .285 BA, 359 HR, 1,430 RBI
Gary Carter (NYM) - HOF (1985-89) .262 BA, 324 HR, 1,225 RBI
First Base    » read more »

03/28/2008, ANAHEIM -- The Los Angeles Angels on Friday announced outfielder Nathan Haynes has been claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays in an announcement made by club General Manager Tony Reagins.

Nathan Haynes, 28, batted .265 (9/34) with six runs scored, a double, triple and four RBI in 19 Spring Training games. He registered a .267 average (12/45) with 10 runs scored, a triple and RBI in 40 games for the Angels in his 2007 rookie season. Haynes made his major league debut, May 28, 2007 vs. Seattle.    » read more »

03/27/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays' final game at Progress Energy Park, home of Al Lang Field, is sold out, except for scattered single seats and very limited berm seating. The Tampa Bay Rays will host the Cincinnati Reds tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the last game before the team moves its Spring Training operations to Charlotte County in 2009.

"The sellout crowd is another symbol of St. Petersburg's passion for Major League Baseball and its history. It will help provide a fitting tribute to Al Lang Field and its final spring game," said Rays President Matt Silverman.

The final game at Al Lang Field will be the Tampa Bay Rays' third sellout of the spring, matching their most ever.

Source: MLB

Free postgame BBQ, All-Time Al Lang Team, Air Force fly-over to highlight Progress Energy Park finale

ST. PETERSBURG, 03/26/2008 -- The Tampa Bay Rays will celebrate 83 years of waterfront baseball on Friday, March 28 in the final game to be held at Progress Energy Park, home of Al Lang Field. Festivities planned include a MacDill Air Force fly-over, a presentation of the All-Time Al Lang Team, tributes to former St. Petersburg pro teams that called the field home, a free postgame barbecue for all fans in attendance, and numerous giveaways.    » read more »

03/11/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays today submitted a Preliminary Design Consideration Document to the City of St. Petersburg. Concepts highlighted in this document include ballpark roof and façade design, the relationship of the proposed ballpark to the surrounding community, potential public amenities, streetscape improvement ideas and sustainability goals.    » read more »

Total now at 47

03/11/2008, ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays trimmed their roster by three players after today's game, optioning LHP David Price, OF Justin Ruggiano and RHP Jae Kuk Ryu to the minor leagues. The moves bring the Rays spring training roster total to 47 players.

Price, 22, was chosen by the Rays first overall in the 2007 June Draft out of Vanderbilt University. He made two scoreless appearances this spring with the Rays, totaling 2.0 innings pitched, three strikeouts, no walks, and no hits allowed.    » read more »