When was the team established?

The Tampa Bay Rays were established in 1998. Originally known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the team was founded as an expansion franchise, becoming one of the first Major League Baseball teams based in Florida. The franchise played its inaugural season in 1998, competing in the American League East division. The team faced a challenging start, experiencing difficulties both on the field and in terms of fan engagement during its early years. However, they gradually began to develop a more competitive roster and made significant improvements in the following years. In 2008, the franchise underwent a rebranding and officially dropped "Devil" from its name, becoming the Tampa Bay Rays. This change marked a turning point for the organization as they achieved their first division title and advanced to the World Series that same year. Since then, the Rays have continued to develop a reputation for strong player development and innovative strategies, becoming a competitive presence in Major League Baseball. For additional details about the team’s history, exploring the webpage dedicated to the Tampa Bay Rays may provide more extensive information.