What Is 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season

Overview

The 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season marked the franchise's debut in Major League Baseball as an expansion team. After years of anticipation and preparation, the team took the field for the first time on March 31, 1998, becoming the 13th MLB expansion team since 1961.

Despite high hopes, the Devil Rays struggled throughout the season, finishing with a 63–99 record, the worst in the American League. The team faced challenges common to expansion squads, including limited player depth and a roster built largely through the expansion draft.

• Vincent Nava became the first fan to purchase a season ticket, symbolizing the community’s early support for the new franchise.
• The team’s first official game was on March 31, 1998, a 11–6 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field.
• Walt Weiss was the starting pitcher in that game, becoming the first Opening Day starter in team history.
• Their first home run was hit by Fred McGriff on April 3, 1998, against the Seattle Mariners.
• The Devil Rays finished last in the AL East, 40 games behind the division-winning New York Yankees.

First Games and Early Roster

The inaugural season was defined by historic firsts and the challenges of building a competitive roster from scratch. The team relied heavily on players selected in the 1997 expansion draft, supplemented by free-agent signings and minor-league call-ups.

• Wilson Álvarez threw the first pitch in franchise history, a strike to Lou Whitaker of the Tigers.
• The team’s first win came on April 3, 1998, a 11–8 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
• Kevin Stocker recorded the first RBI in team history during that same game.
• The roster included veterans like Wade Boggs, who joined the team at age 40 and hit his 3,000th career hit that season.
• Chris Gomez was the first player to hit for the cycle, achieving the feat on April 13, 1998.
• The team used 34 different pitchers during the season, reflecting the strain on the pitching staff.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1998 Devil Rays to other expansion teams and the AL East reveals performance trends and organizational challenges:

The 1998 Devil Rays performed slightly better than the Padres in 1969 but worse than the Rockies and Marlins in their debut seasons. Their .389 winning percentage placed them among the more competitive expansion teams, though still far from playoff contention.

Why It Matters

The 1998 season laid the foundation for baseball in the Tampa Bay area, establishing a fan base and organizational structure that would evolve over time. Though the team struggled on the field, the season was a milestone for the region’s sports culture.

• The season marked the beginning of MLB in Florida, joining the Florida Marlins as a second team in the state.
• It provided early data on expansion team performance, helping future franchises anticipate challenges.
• The team’s struggles highlighted the importance of draft strategy and player development in long-term success.
• Wade Boggs’ 3,000th hit became a historic milestone tied to the franchise’s early identity.
• The season helped establish Tropicana Field as a major-league venue, despite ongoing attendance issues.
• It set the stage for future rebranding, including the eventual name change to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.

The 1998 season, while not successful by win-loss standards, was a crucial first step in building a sustainable MLB franchise in a non-traditional market.