Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

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In the fall, the axe falls
Managers, GMs firings start offseason
November 1, 2001

ARLINGTON, Tex. — The Texas Rangers have fired manager Bobby Cox after just one season.
The Rangers went 60-102 this year, leading to Cox's demise.

ATLANTA — The Braves have shaken things up once again, firing general manager Dan Evans and manager Lou Piniella after the team finished last in the division at 72-90.
It was the first season for both with the club.

HOUSTON — The Astros cleaned house today, firing general manager Dan Duquette and manager Paul Daniel after an 82-80 season.
Houston was Daniel's first managerial job, leading the team to a 168-156 record with one playoff appearance in that time.

SAN DIEGO — The Padres fired GM Ed Wade and second-year manager Jose Berragan after a second place finish at 81-81.
San Diego went 159-165 during Berrgan's tenure as skipper.

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Free Agent Frenzy
A recap of winter's signings


November 28, 2001
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins will bring back their ace for another three years. Joey Hamilton, 19-9 with a 3.83 ERA, signed a three-year-deal worth $16.95 million.

December 5, 2001
CLEVELAND — Omar Vizquel has signed a contract extension that will keep him in an Indians uniform through 2004 with a player option for 2005. Vizquel hit .277 with 11 home runs, 59 RBI, 77 runs, and 30 stolen bases this past season. He is owed $3.32 million this year, the last year of his current contract. The new contract will give him $8.19 million annually in 2003 and 2004, with an $8.19 million player option for 2005.

December 8, 2001
HOUSTON — Billy the Kid will be sticking around the Lone Star State as the Astros and closer Billy Wagner agreed to a contract extension that will keep him through 2004 at $4.32 million annually. Wagner saved 37 games last year, posted a 5-8 record and a 3.28 ERA.

December 15, 2001
MONTREAL — Jose Valentin will continue wearing an Expos uniform for another four years after signing a $54.52 million contract. Valentin hit .282 with 23 homers and 86 RBI with Montreal last season.

December 18, 2001
NEW YORK — Jim Edmonds will be moving east for the next few years after signing a three-year, $47.48 million deal with the Mets. Edmonds hit .294 with 38 home runs and 105 RBI with the Anaheim Angels in 2001.

December 24, 2001
MIAMI — The Florida Marlins opened up an early Christmas gift by re-signing secondbaseman Luis Castillo to a contract that will pay out $42.09 million over the next three years. Castillo hit .326 with three home runs, 102 runs scored, and 81 stolen bases with Florida last season.

December 31, 2001
HOUSTON — It wasn't long before the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve that superstar catcher Mike Piazza decided where he would spend the new year, and three additional years. Piazza, who hit .313 with 33 home runs and 84 RBI with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2001, signed a $63.48 million contract with the Houston Astros tonight.

January 5, 2002
ARLINGTON, Tex. — Jim Thome will be bringing his big bat to the Texas Rangers for the next four years. Thome will earn $56.6 million over the life of the contract. He hit .248 with 39 home runs and 87 RBI with the Cleveland Indians last season.

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Free Agent Frenzy
A recap of winter's signings


January 15, 2002
SAN DIEGO — Vladimir Guerrero signed a three-year deal with the Padres worth $43.97 million today. Guerrero hit .336 with 28 home runs, 99 RBI, 104 runs, and 21 stolen bases with the Montreal Expos last season.

January 18, 2002
KANSAS CITY — All Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will be leaving Friendly Fenway and putting on Royal blue for the next five years. Garciaparra, who hit .325 with 16 home runs and 97 RBI with the Boston Red Sox, will earn $70.81 million over the life of the deal.

January 20, 2002
MINNEAPOLIS — Jason Giambi looks to bring his power show to the Metrodome as the slugger signed a five-year deal with the Minnesota Twins worth $80.83 million. Giambi hit .333 with 48 home runs and 127 RBI with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

January 31, 2002
PHOENIX — After an injury-plagued 2001 season, Roger Clemens and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year deal the Rocket hopes will prove his worth. Clemens went 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA in five starts with the Texas Rangers last season. He will earn $13.59 million in 2002.

February 1, 2002
ANAHEIM — Having lost Jim Edmonds to free agency, the Angels hope Jeff Bagwell will help the team recover. Bagwell hit .281 with 40 home runs and 135 RBI with the Houston Astros last season. He signed a three-year, $35.93 million contract this morning with Anaheim.

February 2, 2002
CHICAGO — Roberto Alomar will be heading to the Windy City, where he will earn $22.1 million, plus incentives, over two years with the White Sox. Alomar hit .284 with 13 home runs, 75 RBI, 87 runs scored, and 33 stolen bases with the Baltimore Orioles last season.

February 3, 2002
OAKLAND — Will Clark began his career in the Bay Area with the San Francisco Giants, and he just may finish it in the Bay Area with the Athletics. Clark, who won the 2001 American League MVP with the New York Yankees by hitting .370 with 42 home runs and 136 RBI, will earn $12.47 million over two years with the A's.

February 12, 2002
BOSTON — Red Sox fans are flooding the phone lines of the local sports talk radio stations after news broke that Mo Vaughn is heading to the St. Louis Cardinals with a two-year deal worth $21.3 million. Vaughn hit .291 with 35 home runs and 114 RBI with Boston last season. He is the second star to leave the Red Sox this winter. Nomar Garciaparra left the team earlier this winter, signing a five-year deal with the Kansas City Royals.

February 19, 2002
BOSTON — One week after losing Mo Vaughn via free agency, the Red Sox have brought in firstbaseman Rafael Palmeiro in a two-year deal worth $19.54 million. Palmeiro hit .284 with 29 home runs and 83 RBI with the Cincinnati Reds last season.

March 2, 2002
MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have brought in closer Paul Quantrill, signing the veteran right-hander to a four-year deal worth $12.96 million. Quantrill went 2-6 with 29 saves and a 3.83 ERA with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last season.

March 3, 2002
BALTIMORE — The Orioles have brought in veteran slugger Matt Williams fith a two-year deal worth $3.51 million per year, and the thirdbaseman could exercise a $3.51 million player option for the 2004 season. Williams hit .290 with 28 home runs and 87 RBI with the Cleveland Indians last season.

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Rolen, Anderson join club
Quantrill, Mondesi to don new uniforms
March 24, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will have some new faces in the clubhouse come opening day, and a few familiar faces will only be coming to Tropicana Field as visitors.

About a dozen players have left the organization, replaced by about a dozen new-comers.

The biggest losses are that of closer Paul Quantrill and outfielder Raul Mondesi. Quantrill, 33, left as a free agent, signing a four-year deal with the Minnesota Twins. The right-hander went 2-6 with 29 saves and a 3.83 ERA in 50 games last season. In four seasons with Tampa Bay, Quantrill recorded 107 saves. The team expected Byung-Hyun Kim to take over as the closer, but has ruptured his right tricep tendon and will miss the entire season.

Mondesi hit .236 with 33 home runs and 81 RBI in 149 games for the Devil Rays last year, down from his .295, 47 home run, 154 RBI season in 2000. Tampa Bay traded Mondesi, 31, to the Baltimore Orioles for closer Matt Anderson. The trade, made after Kim suffered his season-ending injury, brings Anderson to Tampa Bay. He went 1-3 with 32 saves and a 2.08 ERA in 56 games with Baltimore last season, his first as the O's closer.

The Devil Rays looked to replace Mondesi's bat, signing thirdbaseman Scott Rolen to a one-year contract. Rolen, 26, hit .251 with 28 home runs and 107 RBI for the Philadelphia Phillies last season while playing a strong defensive thirdbase. He will earn $9.48 million this year.

Elsewhere, the Devil Rays non-tendered arbitration-eligible outfielder Ryan Radmanovich, making him a free agent. He hit .207 with one RBI in 29 at bats with Tampa Bay last season, and is a career .235 hitter with 20 homers and 73 RBI in 179 big league games. He has signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox.

In the Rule V Draft, the club picked up no players but did lose six minor leaguers. Infielders Alex Arias, Craig Paquette, and Orlando Miller, outfielders Darren Bragg and Mark Little, and pitcher Tanyon Sturtze.

To help replace them, the Devil Rays signed eight players to minor league contracts: infielders Ryan McGuire and Rafael Bournigal, outfielders Marty Cordova and Bip Roberts, utility player Felipe Crespo, and pitchers Butch Henry, Ron Mahay, and Graeme Lloyd.

The Devil Rays also signed backup catcher Carlos Hernandez to a one-year deal worth $550,000.

Tampa Bay's most recent roster move, outfielder Eric Byrnes was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for firstbaseman-outfielder Craig Wilson and minor league pitcher Dan Wright.

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2001 MLB Awards Recap


Aubrey Huff was honored as the American League’s top rookie performer in 2001, winning the Rookie of the Year Award. Huff, 24, hit .325 with 25 home runs and 93 RBI in 157 games with the Devil Rays. He played thirdbase in 151 games this year, but also spent some time at first base, leftfield, and rightfield. He becomes the second Tampa Bay player to win the award as ErubielDurazo won it in 1999.
In the National League, it was St. Louis Cardinals firstbaseman Damon Minor that won the award. Minor hit .325 with 45 homers, 120 RBI, and 111 runs in 160 games with the Cards.


For the third straight season, Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Pedro Martinez has been recognized as the best pitcher in the league, winning his third consecutive Cy Young Award. Martinez went 21-8 with a 3.16 ERA, striking out 309 batters in 239 1/3 innings this past season. The 30-year-old right-hander is now 134-66 with a 3.18 ERA and 2,059 strikeouts in his 10-year career.
In the National League, Chicago Cubs closer Arthur Rhodes took home the Cy Young Award. Rhodes went 9-3 with a 1.89 ERA, picking up 35 saves along the way.


Tampa Bay Devil Rays catcher Charles Johnson won his third consecutive, fifth overall, Gold Glove award as the league’s best backstop. In each of Johnson’s three seasons as the Devil Rays starting catcher, he has taken home the award. He also won the award in 1995 and 1996 with the Florida Marlins. Teammate Garret Anderson won his second straight Gold Glove in the outfield.

He was certainly the Thrill this season, and as a result New York Yankees firstbaseman Will Clark took home the league’s Most Valuable Player Award.
The 37-year-old Clark hit .370 with 54 doubles, 42 home runs, 136 RBI, and 132 runs scored while playing every single game for the Yankees this year. He also drew 103 walks. It is the first MVP award in Clark’s 16-year-career, which included playing first base during the inaugural season of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998.
The NL MVP also spends his summers in the city that never sleeps, as New York Mets outfielder Lance Berkman was honored with the award. Berkman hit .338 with 44 home runs, 136 RBI, and scored 143 runs in 158 games with the Mets.

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Rolen, Anderson join club
Quantrill, Mondesi to don new uniforms
March 30, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will land at Logan International Airport in Boston this afternoon to get ready for Opening Day on Monday afternoon at Fenway Park.

Manager Christian O'Neal told members of the press before boarding the plane which 25 men would be making the trip north to start the season.

Unsurprisingly, Pedro Martinez will take the mound for Tampa Bay in the season opener. Martinez went 21-8 with a 3.16 ERA in 34 starts last season, winning his third straight American League Cy Young Award.

Roy Halladay, 18-1 with a 3.09 ERA in 32 games, will assume the role of the club's second starter, followed by left-hander Mark Mulder (10-8, 5.20 ERA, 22 games). Workhorse right-hander Kevin Millwood (10-14, 4.26 ERA, 31 games) will be the fourth man in the Tampa Bay rotation while left-hander Barry Zito (13-13 with a 4.42 ERA in 36 starts with the San Francisco Giants) opens the year as the fifth starter.

Matt Anderson, acquired in the Raul Mondesi trade with the Baltimore Orioles, will begin the year as Tampa Bay's closer. Veteran right-hander Paul Quantrill left the club as a free agent, leaving the door open for Byung-Hyun Kim. Kim suffered a season-ending injury shortly being named the closer for the 2002 Devil Rays. In the aftermath, the Mondesi trade was made. Anderson, 25, saved 32 games and posted a 2.08 ERA in 56 relief appearances with Baltimore last year.

"We have high hopes for Matt," said O'Neal. "If he can do what he did as a first-year closer with the Orioles last year, then we're going to be all set at the backend of the bullpen."

Bridging the gap between the starters and Anderson will be left-handers Randy Wolf, Benj Sampson and Gabe White, and right-handers Joe Fontenot and Livan Hernandez.

Wolf will open the year as the club's long-reliever and situational starter. Wolf went 2-5 with two saves and a 3.94 ERA in 33 games, 11 starts, with Tampa Bay last year. Hernandez will also work as a long-reliever who will make starts at various points throughout the season. The Cuban-born hurler went 14-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 30 games, including 22 starts.

There will be a number of familiar faces in the batting order this year, with one big new addition.

Charles Johnson, a five-time Gold Glove winner and winner of the last three awards in the American League, will return as the club's starting catcher. He hit .247 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI in 133 games last year. Carlos Hernandez will open the year as Tampa Bay's backup catcher. Hernandez, 34, hit .315 with two homers and 17 RBI in 162 at bats over 86 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres last year.

Erubiel Durazo and Aubrey Huff will split time between first base and the designated hitter's roles. Durazo, winner of the 1999 Rookie of the Year award, hit .287 with 31 homers and 97 RBI in 151 games last year. Huff, the reigining Rookie of the Year winner, hit .325 with 25 home runs and 93 RBI in 157 games last season.

The year will begin with a platoon-of-sorts at second base. Adam Kennedy will be the starting secondbaseman after hitting .273 with five home runs and 55 RBI in 131 games. Cora will get the nod against left-handed pitching.

Scott Rolen is the big addition to the lineup. The 26-year-old thirdbaseman, and two-time Gold Glove winner, hit .251 with 28 home runs and 107 RBI in 159 games with the Philadelphia Phillies last year.

After an up-and-down rookie season, the Devil Rays hope shortstop Jimmy Rollins is a more productive member of the lineup. Rollins, a 23-year-old switch-hitter, hit .236 with eight home runs, 56 RBI, 60 runs scored, and 37 stolen bases in 140 games with Tampa Bay in 2001.

The starting outfield to open the season will feature Garret Anderson in left, Carlos Beltran in center, and Wilton Guerrero in right. Anderson hit just .243 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI in 89 games with Tampa Bay last year after hitting .330 with 13 homers and 40 RBI in 59 games with the Cleveland Indians to start the 2001 season. Beltran hit .288 with 27 homers, 94 RBI, 115 runs scored, and 40 stolen bases in 153 games. Guerrero played in just 16 games with Tampa Bay last season, hitting .389 in 18 at bats. He is a career .311 hitter with 11 homers, 110 RBI, and 143 runs in 321 big league games.

Rookie outfielder Milton Bradley will open the year as a back-up outfielder. Outfielder Jay Payton, who spent last season in Tampa Bay's farm system, will also work as a reserve outfielder. Payton is a .317 hitter with five home runs and 20 RBI in 104 big league games with the Cincinnati Reds in 1999 and 2000.

"We think we have a pretty good club, and we're going to make some noise," said O'Neal. "I'm optimistic."

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Pedro K's 11 Sox in shutout
Devil Rays ace in mid-season form in opener
April 1, 2002

BOSTON — Pedro Martinez showed this afternoon that he wants a fourth consecutive Cy Young Award by opening the season with a complete game shutout of the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Martinez held Boston to seven hits and three walks while striking out 11 in nine scoreless innings as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays picked up a 7-0 win over the Red Sox on Opening Day.

"He never ceases to amaze me," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal of Martinez. "He's the best in the game."

Boston starter Scott Downs, 17-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 33 starts for the Red Sox last season, was not so sharp. Downs was hit for six runs, five earned, on seven hits and one walk, striking out two in five innings.

Leftfielder Garret Anderson led the offensive attack for Tampa Bay, picking up three hits, including a two-run double. Carlos Beltran hit a solo home run to chase Downs from the game in the top of the sixth inning. Erubiel Durazo had two hits, including a double, and two RBI.

Scott Rolen went 1-for-3 with a double, a run, and a run batted in during his Devil Rays debut.

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Durazo dinger sinks Mariners
Martinez, Johnson hurl 16 1/3 scoreless, K 20
April 23, 2002

SEATTLE — Erubiel Durazo may have been the guy mobbed at home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the 11th inning, but it was the dominant pitching of Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson that really earned headlines tonight.

In a late April game that will long be remembered as a classic, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Seattle Mariners played an exciting extra inning game where the starting pitchers combined for more than 16 scoreless innings and 20 strikeouts with neither factoring in the decision.

Martinez threw nine innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits and three walks while striking out 14 Seattle hitters. Johnson worked 7 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks, striking out eight Devil Rays.

"That was the best pitchers' duel I've ever seen," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "It's rare enough to see a scoreless game go into the eleventh inning, but what these two guys did was unbelievable. I'd be happy to pay and watch a performance like this."

Left-hander Gabe White and closer Matt Anderson combined for two shutout innings in relief of Martinez, while lefty Ron Villone had pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief before giving up the decisive home run to Durazo. Villone had retired the first two batters of the eleventh inning before giving up back-to-back singles to Scott Rolen and Garret Anderson. Durazo took a first-pitch fastball deep to straightaway centerfield for a 420-foot three-run shot to put Tampa Bay on the board and give them the lead.

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Martinez is April's best pitcher
Tampa Bay ace honored after red hot start
May 1, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Devil Rays ace Pedro Martinez was named the American League's pitcher of the month for April, picking up right where he left off last year when he won his third straight Cy Young Award.

Martinez went 3-0 with a 1.39 ERA in six April starts, striking out 53 batters in 45 1/3 innings, holding opponents to 28 hits and 16 walks in that time. It is the fourth time in his career that Martinez has won the pitcher of the month award.

Martinez is currently on pace to go 18-0 with a 1.39 ERA and 318 strikeouts in 272 innings. He will next take the mound Saturday as the 9-17 Anaheim Angels comes to Tropicana Field.

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Big Mac hits big homer
A's slugger hits 600th home run
May 19, 2002

CHICAGO — Oakland Athletics firstbaseman Mark McGwire joined an exclusive club today, hitting the 600th home run of his big league career.

McGwire's big hit was a solo home run off Chicago White Sox left-hander Jarrod Washburn in the fourth inning, a 401-foot shot to left-center field.

McGwire is only the fourth player in history to hit 600 career home runs behind Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Willie Mays. The 38-year-old, in the final year of a two-year contract, is hitting .257 with three home runs and four RBI in 18 games this season.

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Millwood dealt to Cubs
Devil Rays deal from strength
May 25, 2002

CHICAGO — The Cubs added to their starting rotation today, trading firstbaseman/outfielder Mike Lamb to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Kevin Millwood.

Millwood, 27, could be on the mound as early as tonight's game in St. Louis. The right-hander opened the year in Tampa Bay's rotation but struggled in three starts before being shifted to the bullpen in favor of Livan Hernandez.

"Kevin has been a big part of this team the last four or five years and we're sorry to see him go," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "I certainly wish him luck over there and hope he finds success in the N.L."

Millwood is 0-4 with a 6.83 ERA in 29 innings this year. He owns a career record of 52-54 with a 4.29 ERA in 167 games, 147 of which have been starts, with the Devil Rays and Atlanta Braves. While with Tampa Bay, Millwood posted a 35-41 record.

"With the pitchers we have, some guys just weren't being utilized properly so I think its a good move for Kevin and for our ballclub," O'Neal said.

Lamb, a 26-year-old left-handed hitter, is a career .288 hitter with 13 home runs and 71 RBI in 223 games with Chicago since 2000. He hit .327 with three home runs and 20 RBI in 44 games with the Cubs this season.

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Chicago cans Camacho
Cubs, 14 games back, fire manager
July 4, 2002

CHICAGO — After falling to 36-47 on the season, the Cubs fired manager Marcos Camacho after last night's 8-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"We've decided to go in a different direction," said Cubs General Manager Ed Lynch. "We'd like to thank Marcos for his service and wish him well in the future."

Camacho led the Cubs to a Wild Card berth last year with an 85-78 record. Since taking over as manager in 2000, Camacho's Cubs have gone 202-205.

Pitching coach Phil Regan will serve as interim manager until a formal replacement is hired. Among the candidates rumored to take over the team is bench coach Bryan Simpson, former Seattle Mariners manager Lou Piniella, and long-time minor league manager Howard Barnes.

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Wells fires no-hitter
Mariners hurler shuts down KC
July 6, 2002

SEATTLE — Nine shutout innings, one walk, no hits.

That was the line for Seattle Mariners pitcher Kip Wells this afternoon as he threw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field.

"I was getting my offspeed stuff over so they couldn't sit on the fastball," said Wells. "The guys in the field made some nice plays and took away a couple hits to make this happen."

With the win, Wells is now 7-6 with a 3.69 ERA in 17 starts for Seattle.

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All Star rosters finalized
Five Devil Rays named to squad
July 6, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With the All Star Game just a few days away, the final rosters have been set and there are five local players that will be making the trip.

Centerfielder Carlos Beltran, thirdbaseman Scott Rolen, corner infielder/outfielder Aubrey Huff, and pitchers Pedro Martinez and Mark Mulder, were each named to the American League All Star team.

It is the second consecutive All Star selection for Beltran, who is hitting .295 with 13 home runs, 43 RBI, 58 runs, and 12 stolen bases. It is the first nod for Rolen. Along with playing solid defense, Rolen has hit .328 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI and 50 runs for Tampa Bay this year. Huff, who has spent most of the season splitting time between first base and designated hitter, will appear in his second All Star Game. Huff is hitting .317 with 15 home runs and 65 RBI.

After winning the last three Cy Young awards, Martinez was all but a sure thing for this year's All Star Game. Making his fifth appearance, Martinez has earned the honor with a 9-4 record, 2.08 ERA, and 151 strikeouts in 134 innings. Mulder has finally looked to be the pitcher scouts had originally forecasted him to be. The left-hander, who has struggled as of late, is 9-6 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts for the Devil Rays.


The Chicago White Sox are also rich in representatives, sending pitcher Troy Percival (1-0, 22 saves, 1.76 ERA), pitcher Keith Foulke (7-1, 4 saves, 2.07 ERA), firstbaseman Frank Thomas (.282, 28 HR, 64 RBI), and outfielders Torii Hunter (.329, 21 HR, 57 RBI) and Cliff Floyd (.279, 19 HR, 44 RBI, 63 R) to the game. The Seattle Mariners are sending four players: pitcher John Riedling (1-0, 16 saves, 1.01 ERA), secondbaseman Jeff Kent (.282, 13 HR, 48 RBI), shortstop Alex Rodriguez (.317, 13 HR, 51 RBI), outfielder Jay Gibbons (.325, 17 HR, 58 RBI). The New York Yankees are sending pitchers Terry Adams (10-2, 2.29 ERA), Andy Pettitte (8-5, 2.50 ERA), and Antonio Osuna (4-2, 25 saves, 3.28 ERA).

Filling out the American League roster: Anaheim Angels secondbaseman Alfonso Soriano (.323, 20 HR, 75 RBI), Boston Red Sox pitcher Matt Herges (3-6, 19 saves, 2.14 ERA) and outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (.359, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 46 R, 20 SB), Cleveland Indians catcher Jorge Posada (.261, 17 HR, 42 RBI), Detroit Tigers utility man Rob Mackowiak (.292, 13 HR, 43 RBI), Kansas City Royals catcher Paul LoDuca (.287, 8 HR, 35 RBI), and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (.309, 15 HR, 49 RBI), Minnesota Twins pitcher Tomokazu Ohka (9-2, 2.92 ERA), Texas Rangers firstbaseman Jim Thome (.323, 32 HR, 71 RBI), and Toronto Blue Jays pitchers Javier Vazquez (9-6, 2.69 ERA), Robb Nen (2-4, 25 saves, 2.38 ERA)

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Wounded Wolf
Lefty out for season
July 26, 2002

BALTIMORE — Tampa Bay Devil Rays left-handed pitcher Randy Wolf will spend the rest of the season at home, and hopes to be ready before the All Star break next year.

Wolf suffered a major back injury while pitching in relief of Mark Mulder against the Baltimore Orioles. The 25-year-old lefty finished the year at 4-3 with one save and a 3.17 ERA in 22 games, including seven starts.

He has been placed on the 60-day disabled list, but the Devil Rays have not announced their plans to replace him on the roster. The team does have several options in their minor league system, including Josh Fogg (10-0 with two saves and a 2.18 ERA in 24 games, 16 starts in AAA), Jason Marquis (10-4, 1.97 ERA in AAA), John Stephens (19-2, 2.71 ERA in AAA), left-hander Bruce Chen (13-5, 3.03 ERA in AAA), Kyle Farsnworth (4-2, 2 saves, 1.97 ERA, 34 AAA relief appearances), Dan Murray (0-0, 2 saves, 1.55 ERA, 29 innings in AAA), Ben Weber (7-2, 1 save, 2.27 ERA, 71 1/3 innings in AAA), left-hander Takashi Kashiwada (1-1, 1 save, 2.57 ERA, 35 innings in AA), Jay Powell (4-0, 1 save, 1.53 ERA, 47 innings in AA), and southpaw Ron Mahay (3-0, 2 saves, 0.95 ERA, 28 1/3 innings in AA).

There are also four days left until the trade deadline, meaning the club could pick up an extra arm through a trade.

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O'Neal signs for four years
Devil Rays sign manager to extension
August 2, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will hold onto the only manager the franchise has ever had for at least four more years, signing Christian O'Neal to a contract extension today.

O'Neal signed a four-year extension worth $570,000 annually, keeping him in the manager's office through 2006.

O'Neal is the only manager in Devil Rays history, bringing the expansion club to the playoffs twice in four seasons. The team is currently in a tie with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East as well as the Wild Card. During his tenure with the team, Tampa Bay has gone 405-351.

The 44-year-old O'Neal had several years as a minor league manager who got his first big league job as manager of the Devil Rays before the franchise played its first game in 1998.

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Devil Rays win division
Clinch AL East crown with 6-2 win
September 20, 2002

DETROIT — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be back in the post-season as the American League East champions after securing the division title tonight.

The Devil Rays won the division by beating the Detroit Tigers, 6-2, while the second-place New York Yankees lost 7-1 to the Boston Red Sox.

Pedro Martinez pitched seven strong innings to lead Tampa Bay to their win. He improved to 18-5 with the win, giving up two runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts in seven innings.

Offensively, there were a number of players who chipped in with contributions. Adam Kennedy hit a two-run home run off Carlos Hernandez in the third inning while catcher Jason LaRue took Hernandez deep for two runs in the fifth inning. Paul Konerko picked up two hits and drove in one run.

The win was the 99th of the season for Tampa Bay with nine games remaining on the schedule. Only the Florida Marlins (102) and Chicago White Sox (101) have more wins so far this year.

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2002 at a glance
Season Standings
September 30, 2002

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2002 at a glance
Offensive leaders
September 30, 2002

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2002 at a glance
Pitching leaders
September 30, 2002