1999
While there was a shadow of disappointment over the poor showing in the inaugural year there was still the hope of things getting better.
The buzz was on with the February 13-14 Tampa Bay Devil Rays FanFest, newly signed Jose Canseco would be the beast of the ball, with the longest line for autographs. ESPN's Peter Gammons was a special guest appearing at a round table baseball discussion. A clean slate once again, the excitement that comes with a new season, for the DRays faithful it begins at the dome. For most of the players and coaches there wasn't the awkwardness of the first season, especially for manager Larry Rothschild. He now had a home, his family had settled in and there were many familiar faces from the 1998 season. Just a few changes and some tweaks.
Wade Boggs had laser surgery on his eyes, no more contact lenses. Fred McGriff reported to camp early, unusual for such a long time vet. Wilson Alvarez had a pitching mound built at his home to work out on a daily basis. Some of the facilities had gotten upgrades as the usually spendthrift owner Vince Naimoli spent over $8 million for improvements on their workout camp at old Busch complex (former home of the St. Louis Cardinals), Al Lang Field and the minor-league camp at Huggins-Stengel Field.
When the first full squad workouts were held on February 23rd there were 75 players in camp. Like the first season the number was more daunting then helpful, two weeks in and Larry Rothschild was already tired, double workouts and what he felt was low energy during drills and games, he was vocal. The DRays were at the bottom of the spring standings, though in the majority of cases that doesn't reflect on the regular season, but it was the way they were losing, sloppy baseball was frustrating. Then there were the injuries again, at one point there were so many to the outfield contenders that Double-A kids were getting a legitimate look.
There were the murmurs of possible re-alignment, commissioner Bud Selig had been pushing it for years. The Devil Rays and Diamondbacks agreed to waive any rights to block being moved after the 1999 season, before their expansion drafts. Naimoli publicly invited the idea, though he sang a different tune years later. While Arizona managing general partner Jerry Colangelo opposed the idea. When Selig made his appearance in Tampa Bay he also spoke about the possible move of the Montreal Expos and though it didn't happen for several years it was clear that it was on his agenda. There was talk of changing the inter-league format as well as the issue of the NL adopting the designated hitter. The Expos did move becoming the Washington Nationals, there has been re-alignment with the Houston Astros to the AL and the inter-league format was shaken up, but the DH issue is still divided. Bud Selig is stepping down, Rob Manfred takes over as the new baseball commissioner on January 25, 2015.
The slogan for the 1999 season was "Off the Wall." Trying to keep the euphoria of the brand new team, they wanted to keep the tone of the season upbeat. They wanted to put more effort into the marketing and promotional side of the team by hiring a new director.
They made a couple changes to the minor league system. Returning were:
Hudson Valley Renegades-NYPL-Short-Season A
Princeton Devil Rays-APPY-RK
Durham Bulls-IL-AAA
Charleston River Dogs-SALL-A
St. Petersburg Devil Rays-FLOR-A+
DSL Devil Rays-DOSL-FRK
The Gulf Coast Devil Rays were no more and the Double-A Orlando Rays of the Southern League were added. 1999 was the first season that the Devil Rays fielded all levels at the minors and all affiliates were exclusive to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
The 1999 Opening Day 25-man roster was announced just days before the first game of the season scheduled on April 5th against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
Pitchers: Scott Aldred, Wilson Alvarez, Rolando Arrojo, Mike Duvall, Roberto Hernandez, Albie Lopez, Jim Mecir, Julio Santana, Tony Saunders, Rick White, Esteban Yan.
Catchers: DiFelice, Flaherty.
Infielders: Wade Boggs, Miguel Cairo, David Lamb, Fred McGriff, Bobby Smith, Kevin Stocker.
Outfielders: Jose Canseco, Danny Clyburn, Dave Martinez, Quinton McCracken, Paul Sorrento, Randy Winn.