Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

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Mulder struggles but wins debut
Tampa Bay lefty gives up three homers but victorious
April 5, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For the third straight game, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays scored eight runs en route to a victory. Mark Mulder would need each and every one of those runs to avoid a loss in his first appearance with the team.

Mulder was charged with seven earned runs on eight hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings but was fortunate enough to come away with an 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, as the Devil Rays open the season a perfect 3-0.

"Personally, this was not a game I'd like to remember very well," Mulder said. "The team did a great job to win this one. The W belongs to the guys who put up the runs to stay out of the loss column."

Charles Johnson was the most productive batter for the Devil Rays, going 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. The Tampa Bay catcher hit a single, double, and triple, coming just a home run short of hitting for the cycle.

Carlos Beltran went 0-for-1 with three walks, a run scored, and one RBI.

With the win, the Devil Rays sweep the Blue Jays in a season-opening three-game series at home. The team will open a three-game series with the Red Sox starting tomorrow in Boston.

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Johnson fired by Tigers
Manager canned after 9-25 start
May 12, 2001

DETROIT — After a 9-25 start to the season, the Tigers fired manager Jack Johnson today.

Johnson's Tigers went 287-358 during his five years as manager. During his time as skipper, Detroit finished with a winning record just once, going 82-80 last season, good enough for a last place finish in the American League Central in 2000.

The team is expected to hold a press conference later today to announce who will take over for the rest of the season.

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Tigers shakeup continues
Smith out as Detroit General Manager
May 13, 2001

DETROIT — The morning after Jack Johnson was fired as manager, the Tigers have fired general manager Randy Smith.

Davey Lopes is currently serving as interim manager until a formal decision on who will run the team for the rest of the season is made.

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Bowden hired by Tigers
Detroit tabs former Reds executive
May 15, 2001

DETROIT — The Tigers have hired Jim Bowden as the club's new general manager, and the first order of business will be naming a manager.

Bowden, let go by the Cincinnati Reds from the same position in the offseason, signed a contract that puts him in Detroit's front office through the 2004 season.

The Tigers have gone 1-1 since manager Jack Johnson was fired with bench coach Davey Lopes serving as the interim manager until someone is formally appointed for the remainder of the season, or beyond.

Bowden said he hopes to have that decision made shortly, but would not comment on whom would be considered.

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Beltran homer tops Royals
Millwood, Durazo strong in Devil Rays win
May 15, 2001

KANSAS CITY — After reliever Gabe White surrendered a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, Tampa Bay Devil Rays centerfielder Carlos Beltran put his club back on top.

Beltran hit a solo home run off Braden Looper to lead off the ninth inning, giving the Devil Rays a 5-4 lead over the Kansas City Royals, a score that was held up as Paul Quantrill recorded his 12th save of the season.

"I was just looking to get on base, hopefully in scoring position, to start off the inning and let the rest of the guys knock me in," Beltran said. "I got a good piece and it worked out."

Erubiel Durazo also went deep for the Devil Rays tonight, hitting a three-run home run off Kansas City starter Josh Beckett in the fourth inning.

Tampa Bay starter Kevin Millwood did not factor in the decision after a quality start. Millwood gave up three runs on six hits and two walks, striking out five, in 7 1/3 innings of work. White was given the win, Quantrill the save, and Looper the loss.

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Agbayani injury forces retirement
Tampa Bay outfielder ruptures tendon, career over
May 26, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays suffered a tough 1-0 loss at home last night, but the bigger loss was that of outfielder Benny Agbayani.

The 29-year-old outfielder appears to be heading into retirement after rupturing a bicep tendon, team doctors confirmed this morning.

"Benny's right arm won't ever be the same, at least that's what they're telling me," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "He can have surgery and go through rehab, but it just isn't going to work out to the point where he could play pro ball again. At least that's the track record with this sort of thing."

Agbayani has spent much of the season as Tampa Bay's starting leftfielder. In 41 games this year, the Hawaiin-born outfielder hit .284 with 17 doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI. He was on pace to hit 17 homers, 69 RBI, 59 doubles, and score 76 runs. In 137 games last year, Agbayani hit .310 with 20 home runs, 61 RBI, and 74 runs scored. He is a career .295 hitter with 44 homers and 145 RBI in 307 big league games.

Ryan Radmanovich has been called back to the Major Leagues to fill Agbayani's roster spot for the time being.

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Bochy given walking papers
Toronto fires manager after 5-0 loss to BoSox
May 26, 2001

BOSTON — Just hours after losing this afternoon's contest against the Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays fired manager Bruce Bochy.

The Bochy-led Blue Jays went 12-36, baseball's worst record.

"We were not doing the things you've got to do every day," said Toronto General Manager Gord Ash. "We saw that things were not going to change unless we made a change."

Bochy's time at the helm of the Blue Jays ends with a 267-267 record from 1998 through today's firing. He previously managed the San Diego Padres for three seasons, leading the friars to a 231-247 record.

Ash said bench coach Gene Tenace and pitching coach Jim Cranney will work together until a manager is hired on either an interim basis or permanently. Tenace served as interim manager of the Blue Jays for 33 games in 1991, leading the club to a 19-14 record over that time.

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Yankees deal Rivera for Boone
Diamondbacks acquire veteran closer in trade
June 4, 2001

NEW YORK — The Yankees surprised their fans today by trading popular closer Mariano Rivera to the Arizona Diamondbacks for infielder Aaron Boone.

Boone, who missed most of May with a knee injury, has hit .292 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 25 games for Arizona, coming off a 2000 season in which he hit .294 with seven homers and 38 RBI in 118 games. Boone has spent 89 innings at shortstop this season, 78 1/3 innings at third base.

Boone will take the starting thirdbase job for the Yankees, replacing Tyler Houston at the hot corner. Houston performed reasonably well for the 31-24 Bronx Bombers, hitting .283 with six home runs and 23 RBI in 50 games this year.

The move was a big surprise for Rivera, who had been a career-long Yankee. Rivera had two more years remaining on his contract with New York and was, by all accounts, happy with the team. The 31-year-old closer went 1-1 with 10 saves and a 2.22 ERA in 20 appearances for the Yankees this year, following a 2000 season in which he saved 32 games in 59 appearances. During his Yankees career, Rivera has gone 27-27 with 146 saves and a 3.23 ERA in 316 games.

Rivera will take over the closer's role in Arizona, pushing southpaw Chad Zerbe into a setup role. Zerbe, 29, is 0-3 with 15 saves and a 4.35 ERA in 22 games this year, and has 18 career saves in 132 relief appearances.

Jim Mecir has been named the new closer in New York. The 31-year-old is 5-2 with one save and a 3.09 ERA in 24 games this year. He owns a 3.67 career ERA and has 21 saves in 289 career relief appearances.

Yankees manager Joe Torre said the organization trusts Mecir will be able to close out ballgames for New York, and said he wished Rivera well in Arizona.

The move is a puzzling one to many baseball insiders. The second-place Yankees, currently 3 1/2 games back in the division and Wild Card, gave up a veteran and battle-tested closer in Rivera for an infielder who many scouts believe to be fairly equal to incumbent thirdbaseman Houston.

The 26-30 Diamondbacks are a longshot to contend for the postseason, but Arizona fans hope Rivera can help the fifth place team move up in the standings of the National League West, where the 31-25 San Diego Padres lead the pack.

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Devil Rays, Braves make trade
Lo Duca, Wall swapped for Ausmus, Byrnes
June 5, 2001

ATLANTA — The Braves and Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to a four-player trade this morning, swapping back-up catchers and two others.

Tampa Bay sent catcher Paul Lo Duca and right-handed reliever Donne Wall to Atlanta for catcher Brad Ausmus and outfielder Eric Byrnes.

"We thought it was a good way to add a young outfielder who can play at the big league level to help replace Benny [Agbayani]," said Devil Rays GM Shaun Moriarty. "We get a good game-caller in Brad Ausmus in the deal, and it really doesn't effect our payroll any."

Byrnes, a 25-year-old corner outfielder, hit just .179 with two home runs and six RBI in 67 at bats with the Braves this year. In 31 games with Atlanta's AAA affiliate, Byrnes hit .202 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He has a reputation for playing hard and with great intensity, and Devil Rays scouts believe his offensive numbers will improve as he matures.

Ausmus, 32, is a veteran with a solid reputation across baseball. In 34 at bats with Atlanta this year, he hit .324 with one home run and two RBI, scoring nine runs. He is a career .249 hitter with 33 homers and 210 RBI in 760 big league games with the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, and Braves.

For Tampa Bay, Wall never quite fit into the clubhouse and struggled in the bullpen. Acquired in a trade with Houston in May of last year, Wall has posted a 6.69 ERA with the Devil Rays since being acquired. He had gone 0-1 with two saves and a 3.65 ERA with the Astros before being traded last year.

The Braves believe a change of scenery will do the reliever well as he returns to the National League. Prior to going to the Devil Rays, Wall had spent his entire career with Houston. In seven big league seasons, he owns a 24-22 record with a 5.01 ERA.

Lo Duca will take over as Atlanta's backup backstop. The 29-year-old hit .197 with three homers and 10 RBI in 66 at bats with the Devil Rays, playing behind Charles Johnson. Lo Duca can also play first base and outfield.

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Injured Cone added for insurance
Devil Rays sign veteran right-hander for stretch run
June 10, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays signed 38-year-old right-handed pitcher David Cone for the remainder of the season, in hopes the veteran can contribute down the stretch.

"David Cone is one of those guys that has a great reputation, great character, great presence, and we think that he can really help us as we make a push for the playoffs, and hopefully as we make a push for the World Series," the Devil Rays front office said in a press release. "He's pitched in good times and bad, meaningless games and some really big games, and he'll be able to help out this team on the mound and in the clubhouse."

Cone is currently suffering from a ruptured tricep tendon injury suffered last July. He is expected to begin rehabilitation shortly after the All-Star break, and could be on the Devil Rays active roster for the start of August.

"Once the doctors give me clearance to start rehabbing, that is what I will be doing so I can get out there and help out this team," said Cone. "We're going to do our best to take this team into the playoffs and deep into the playoffs."

Cone went 8-4 with a 4.60 ERA in 19 starts with the Florida Marlins last season before suffering the tricep injury. He went 11-8 with a 4.11 ERA in 23 starts with the Marlins in 1999, and 16-8 with a 3.65 ERA in 33 starts with the New York Yankees and Florida in 1998. In his 15 year career, Cone has posted a 178-101 record with a 3.27 ERA in 387 games.

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Devil Rays lineup adds Anderson
Indians trade leftfielder for Graffanino, Nady
June 13, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have added a big bat to their lineup, acquiring outfielder Garret Anderson from the Cleveland Indians.

Cleveland initiated trade talks with the Devil Rays about Anderson, and a deal was quickly struck between the two clubs. The Indians sent Anderson to Tampa Bay for infielder Tony Graffanino and minor league outfielder Xavier Nady.

"We were not really expecting any sort of discussions with Cleveland about Anderson, or anyone for that matter, but they came to us with a trade proposal and there wasn't a whole lot of negotiating that took place," said Devil Rays GM Shaun Moriarty. "We get a really good ballplayer who is locked up for quite awhile, and while we definitely lose some talent, we have a guy in Jimmy Rollins that we're comfortable can assume the day-to-day duties at shortstop."

Anderson, 28, is a left-handed hitting leftfielder. He hit .330 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI in 59 games with the Indians, putting him on a pace for 33 homers and 103 RBI. He hit .308 with 30 home runs and 96 RBI in 142 games for Cleveland last season. He is a lifetime .300 hitter with 117 home runs and 480 RBI in 887 games with the Anaheim Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland. Anderson won a Gold Glove in 2000.

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MLB DRAFT
June 15, 2001

Round 1, Pick 1: Baltimore Orioles — RHP Mark Prior
Round 1, Pick 2: Boston Red Sox — RHP Jae Weong Seo
Round 1, Pick 3: Philadelphia Phillies — OF Austin Kearns
Round 1, Pick 4: Texas Rangers — LHP Jeremy Affeldt
Round 1, Pick 5: Colorado Rockies — RHP John Lackey
Round 1, Pick 17: Tampa Bay Devil Rays — RHP Francisco Rodriguez
Round 2, Pick 17: Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 2B Marco Scutaro
Round 3, Pick 17: Tampa Bay Devil Rays — RHP John Stephens
Round 4, Pick 17: Tampa Bay Devil Rays — RHP Dennis Tankersley
Round 5, Pick 17: Tampa Bay Devil Rays — LHP Erik Bedard
Round 6, Pick 17: Tampa Bay Devil Rays — RHP Delvin James
Round 7, Pick 17: Tampa Bay Devil Rays — RHP Josh Hancock

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Johnson signs extension
Gold Glove catcher re-ups for two years
July 3, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Charles Johnson has enjoyed his time with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and will remain in town for at least another year or two after signing a new contract with the club.

Johnson, 29, will earn $640,000 next season, and could earn $660,000 in 2003 if he and the organization exercise their mutually-held option. Winner of four Gold Glove awards for the league's top defensive catcher, Johnson has hit .262 with seven home runs and 25 RBI in 66 games this year. He is on pace to hit 14 home runs, drive in 49 runs, and score 63 runs in 130 games, while continuing to play Gold Golve-caliber defense.

"I'm a Florida guy, born and raised in Florida, I've played most of my career in Florida, and I'm happy to know that I'll be staying in Florida for a few more years," said Johnson, a Fort Pierce native who came up with the Florida Marlins.

"We've got a solid defensive catcher who knows how to handle the bat, so I'm happy to know he's going to be on my roster for a little while longer," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal.

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Rays rally late, win in walk-off
Nen loses control, loses ballgame for Blue Jays
July 5, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Toronto Blue Jays closer Robb Nen couldn't find the strike zone tonight and the end result was a bases loaded walk, and a loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The Devil Rays, trailing 2-0, got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning with an Aubrey Huff RBI double, and then tied the game in the eighth with a Carlos Beltran RBI single.

As Tampa Bay closer Paul Quantrill warmed in the bullpen, Nen came on for Toronto to hold the fort in hopes of going to the tenth inning. Nen walked Erubiel Durazo to open the inning and let up a first-pitch single to Raul Mondesi. Huff drew a walk on four pitches to load the bases with nobody out, bringing Charles Johnson to the plate. After throwing a first-pitch strike, Nen nibbled around the strike zone and threw four straight balls to walk Johnson and force pinch-runner Ryan Radmanovich home from third base.

The loss is Nen's first of the season. Devil Rays starter Pedro Martinez earned the win, his eleventh of the year, with two runs on two hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts.

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Senior Circuit wins All Star Game
Drew, Clark go deep in Mid-Summer Classic
July 10, 2001

NEW YORK — The National League won the All Star Game at Yankee Stadium, 3-2 over the American League.

New York Mets outfielder J.D. Drew hit a solo home run off Buddy Groom in the third inning for the NL, while New York Yankees firstbaseman Will Clark hit a two-run shot off Tom Gordon in the fourth inning.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa hit a pinch-hit single to score Houston Astros outfielder Bobby Abreu in the top of the ninth inning with what would prove to be the game-winning run.

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Cone struggles in Devil Rays debut
Tampa Bay recovers, but nearly blows lead in ninth
July 15, 2001

ATLANTA — David Cone's first inning with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays was impressive: a 1-2-3 performance. The second and third innings, not so impressive.

Cone was hit for six runs on four hits and four walks in just three innings of work in his first start with the Devil Rays and first start since suffering an arm injury last July.

"I felt good out there, and after that first inning I was pretty confident going forward," Cone said. "I just lost that control when I went back out there in the second inning and I left some pitches up in the third inning, and those guys made me pay for my mistakes."

Roy Halladay came on in relief for Cone, working five innings in which he gave up one run on four hits and three walks, striking out six. Halladay earned the win, improving to 10-1 on the season with a 3.55 ERA.

"Roy came up big for us when we decided to pull Coney," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "With Coney coming up and Mulder going down [to AAA], we planned on giving everyone an extra day of rest, but because Roy had to work today, it will mean everyone will go back to their regular rest for now."

After the Braves took a 6-0 lead in the last of the third inning, Tampa Bay fought back in the fourth with a big six-run inning highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Garret Anderson.

Atlanta regained the lead with a Chipper Jones sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, but Tampa Bay tied it up once more when Adam Kennedy hit a solo home run off reliever Kerry Ligtenberg in the eighth inning.

The Devil Rays took the lead for the first time in the ninth inning when Erubiel Durazo hit a bases loaded double, knocking in all three baserunners.

Paul Quantrill came on to close it out for Tampa Bay but made a throwing error on a play that ultimately allowed two unearned runs score on a Jeff Blauser two-out double. With Blauser representing the game-tying run on second base, Quantrill got Chad Allen to ground out to third base and end the ballgame. It is the 22nd save of the year for Quantrill. Ligtenberg was hit with the loss, falling to 7-1 on the year.

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Devil Rays rally, overcome Blue Jays
Tampa Bay two back in win column
September 21, 2001

TORONTO — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are staying in the hunt after a three-run eighth inning spurred the team to a 5-4 victory.

After falling behind 4-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Devil Rays picked up a run with an Aubrey Huff RBI double in the seventh inning, making it a two-run ballgame. In the eighth, the club tied it up and Huff pushed the go-ahead run across the plate.

Carlos Beltran opened the inning with a double, and soon scored as Garret Anderson hit a routine grounder to Marcus Giles that the secondbaseman fielded cleanly but threw away on his throw to first base. Paul Konerko followed with a single, and Erubiel Durazo tied the game with a RBI double. Huff then hit a RBI single, giving Tampa Bay a 5-4 lead.

Huff finished the day 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI, pacing the offense.

"The kid has been such a big part of our success this year," Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said.

Paul Quantrill was called on to shut the door and retired the side on nine pitches to pick up his 27th save of the year.

[Moriarty9]

Devil Rays rally, overcome Blue Jays
Tampa Bay two back in win column
September 25, 2001

NEW YORK — The American League East is a three-horse race that features a big two-game series opening tonight in the Bronx between the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The Devil Rays and Boston Red Sox currently share first place with identical 88-68 records, just a half-game ahead of the 88-69 Yankees.

"We've got six games to go and every single one of them is like a playoff game for us," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "We're hoping the Orioles and Tigers pull some upsets against Boston, and we need to take care of business on our end."

There is a good chance that only one of those three teams will make the playoffs with the 92-64 Cleveland Indians sitting four games up on Boston and Tampa Bay in the Wild Card race.

"We want the division every year, but we'll be more than happy to play in October by taking the Wild Card," said O'Neal. "We got Pedro going tonight, so that puts us in good position but [Yankees pitcher] Andy [Pettitte] is pretty good for them too."

After the two-game road set with the Yankees, the Devil Rays will head home for a four-game series with the 59-97 Toronto Blue Jays, whom Tampa Bay just swept in three games at SkyDome.

The Yankees will have an off-day Thursday and wind up the regular season with three games at home against the 68-88 Baltimore Orioles.

Yesterday, the Orioles lost the first of four games at Fenway Park in Boston. Once the Baltimore-Boston series comes to a close, the Red Sox will travel to Detroit for three games with the 61-95 Tigers.

"We're all big Orioles fans this week," said O'Neal. "Let's go O's."

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Pedro wins 21st game
Devil Rays top Yankees 3-2 in Bronx
September 25, 2001

NEW YORK — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are back in sole possession of first place in the American League East after defeating the Yankees 3-2 at Yankee Stadium tonight.

Pedro Martinez was solid, giving up one unearned run on just four hits and one walk, striking out seven Yankee hitters over seven innings of work. With the win, Martinez improves to 21-8 on the year.

Andy Pettitte danced through danger for much of the game, giving up 10 hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings, but holding the Devil Rays to just three runs. Ramiro Mendoze worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, holding Tampa Bay to just two hits in that time.

The Devil Rays took the lead in the third inning. Jason LaRue, a September callup making the start behind the plate, delivered a leadoff single off Pettitte. Left-handed hitting Adam Kennedy battled the southpaw in a nine-pitch at bat, ultimately drawing a walk. Jimmy Rollins followed with a sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners to second and third for Carlos Beltran with one out. Beltran grounded out to second base, allowing LaRue to score from third. Garret Anderson followed with a RBI single, giving Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead.

Back-to-back one-out doubles by Aaron Rowand and LaRue in the fourth inning led to a third Tampa Bay run.

The Yankees picked up their first run of the game, and only run with Martinez on the mound, in the fifth inning. Nick Johnson was hit by a 1-2 curveball and advanced to third base on a subsequent error by Martinez on a Tyler Houston come-backer. Former Devil Rays backstop Dan Wilson pushed Johnson across the plate with a groundout to second base.

After retiring the two men he faced in the eighth inning, Devil Rays southpaw Benj Sampson came back out for the ninth inning to face left-handed hitter Will Clark. Clark took the first pitch offered to right-centerfield for a 402-foot home run, putting the Yankees within one. O'Neal brought closer Paul Quantrill on to finish the game and the veteran retired the side in order on eight pitches for his 28th save.

With the win, and a Boston Red Sox loss to the Baltimore Orioles, the Devil Rays now hold a slim one-game lead over Boston and 1-1/2 game lead over the Yankees.

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Devil Rays come up with big win
Sweep Yankees in two-game set in the Bronx
September 26, 2001

NEW YORK — Livan Hernandez did his job, putting together a quality start to help lead the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a 6-3 win over the Yankees.

Hernandez improved to 14-10 by holding New York to three runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings, striking out five Yankees. Bruce Chen worked a scoreless eighth, striking out three, to bridge the gap to closer Paul Quantrill, who threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his 29th save of the year.

Aubrey Huff led the offense with two hits and two RBI, hitting a solo home run off Yankees starter Kenny Rogers in the seventh inning.

The Boston Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles tonight, holding Tampa Bay's lead to just one game. The Yankees are now 2 1/2 games back in the division and have been eliminated from the Wild Card race. The Red Sox are one loss, or one Chicago White Sox win, away from also being eliminated from Wild Card contention.