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 »

03/11/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays announced today that a detailed transportation and parking study has concluded that the Al Lang site in downtown St. Petersburg is well suited for the Rays waterfront ballpark. During the team's 81 home game season, disruptions to the traffic and parking infrastructure would be minimal.    » read more »

Carlos Pena wiffle ball bat, Upton and Shields figurines among premium items

02/21/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- For the third consecutive year, the Tampa Bay Rays have increased the number of dates on the team's promotion schedule. The 2008 schedule includes 42 dates, five more than a year ago and more than twice as many as 2006.

The Tampa Bay Rays will feature a promotion at every Friday, Saturday and Sunday game at Tropicana Field and will offer $1 hot dogs at every Friday home game except the April 25 game against the Boston Red Sox.    » read more »

02/20/2008, ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays 2008 Fan Fest, presented by MetroPCS, will be held Saturday, February 23 at Tropicana Field. Rays single game tickets for the regular season will also go on sale that day.    » read more »

"Rays on the Road" program to visit Sarasota/Manatee, Charlotte County, Brooksville and Lakeland

02/04/2008, ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays will kick off their "Rays on the Road" program this month traveling to Sarasota/Manatee County, Charlotte County, Lakeland and Brooksville.

Rays players, front office executives, broadcasters and Raymond will reach out to fans across the region as the team celebrates the imminence of spring training and the 2008 baseball season.

Friday, February 8, Charlotte County    » read more »

01/29/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays are searching for a talented emcee to co-host Rays home games this 2008 season.

Talented hopefuls should submit a demo reel, photo and resume to Tropicana Field between January 31st and February 14th. Ten finalists will be invited to a live audition held at Tropicana Field on February 21st (invitation only). Applicants will be judged on personality, baseball knowledge and public speaking skills.

Those interested should submit their DVD demo reel, photo and resume to:

Tampa Bay Rays
Attention: MC Auditions
1 Tropicana Drive    » read more »

01/28/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays are pleased to announce open casting for the 2008 Ray Team! There will be two dates for candidates to audition at Tropicana Field.

* Thursday, January 31st (Open Call from 6:00pm to 9:00pm)
* Friday, February 1st (Open Call from 6:00pm to 9:00pm)    » read more »

Infielders Willy Aybar and Chase Fontaine to Tampa Bay Rays

01/17/2008, ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-player trade today, as the Braves acquired left-handed pitcher Jeff Ridgway from the Rays in exchange for infielder Willy Aybar and Minor League infielder Chase Fontaine.    » read more »

01/17/2008, ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to terms with outfielder Jonny Gomes on a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Jonny Gomes, 27, totaled 17 home runs, 20 doubles, 49 RBI and stole a career-high 12 bases last season. The right-handed hitter batted .313 against left-handed pitching in 2007 and owns a lifetime mark of .292 versus lefties.    » read more »