What Is 2000 Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2000 Tampa Bay Devil Rays were the team's third season in Major League Baseball, finishing with a 69–93 record under manager Larry Rothschild, playing home games at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Key Facts

The 2000 Tampa Bay Devil Rays finished the season with a 69–93 record
They played home games at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida
Manager Larry Rothschild led the team for the full season
Shortstop Rey Ordóñez hit .236 with 7 home runs and 45 RBIs
The team drew 1,186,605 fans, ranking near the bottom of MLB in attendance

Overview

The 2000 season marked the third year of play for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Major League Baseball. As an expansion team that began play in 1998, the Devil Rays continued to build their roster and identity during this period, struggling to find consistent success on the field.

Playing in the American League East, the team finished well below .500 and placed last in the division. Despite individual performances from young players and veterans, the club lacked depth and consistency, which was typical for an early-stage expansion franchise.

Record: The Devil Rays finished the 2000 season with a 69–93 record, placing them last in the AL East, 30 games behind the division-winning New York Yankees.
Manager:Larry Rothschild managed the team for the entire season, maintaining leadership through a challenging rebuild phase before being replaced after 2001.
Home Field: All home games were played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, a retrofitted domed stadium originally built for indoor football.
Attendance: The team drew 1,186,605 fans for the season, averaging just over 14,500 per game, among the lowest in the league.
Notable Player: Shortstop Rey Ordóñez hit .236 with 7 home runs and 45 RBIs, providing defensive stability despite offensive limitations.

How It Works

The 2000 Tampa Bay Devil Rays operated as a Major League Baseball team within the framework of the American League East division, following standard MLB rules and scheduling.

Roster Construction: The team relied heavily on players from the 1997 expansion draft and subsequent trades, with 12 of 25 starters having less than three years of MLB experience.
Starting Rotation: The pitching staff was anchored by Joe Kennedy, a 21-year-old rookie who started 27 games and posted a 5.47 ERA over 158 innings.
Bullpen Usage: Closer Fernando Rodney recorded 20 saves, but the bullpen had a collective 5.12 ERA, one of the worst in the league.
Offensive Strategy: The team ranked 13th out of 14 AL teams in runs scored, averaging just 4.5 runs per game, reflecting limited power and on-base ability.
Defensive Alignment: Despite strong defensive players like Ordóñez, the team committed 102 errors, tied for the fifth-most in MLB.
Front Office: General Manager Chuck LaMar oversaw player development and trades, focusing on long-term rebuilding rather than immediate contention.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is how the 2000 Devil Rays compared to other AL East teams in key performance metrics:

Team	Record (W-L)	Runs Scored	Team ERA	Attendance (Total)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays	69–93	745	5.40	1,186,605
New York Yankees	87–74	820	4.23	3,297,054
Boston Red Sox	85–77	845	4.74	2,799,896
Toronto Blue Jays	83–79	820	5.00	1,651,759
Baltimore Orioles	74–88	792	5.22	2,378,943

The data shows a clear performance gap between Tampa Bay and its division rivals. While the Yankees and Red Sox competed for playoff spots, the Devil Rays lagged in nearly every statistical category. Their high ERA and low attendance reflected both on-field struggles and limited fan engagement during the early 2000s.

Why It Matters

The 2000 season is a representative example of the challenges faced by expansion teams in their developmental years, offering insight into the long-term process of building a competitive MLB franchise.

Foundation Building: The season helped identify core players and weaknesses, guiding future drafts and trades under GM Chuck LaMar.
Player Development: Young pitchers like Joe Kennedy and Paul Shuey gained valuable experience despite subpar results.
Market Challenges: Low attendance highlighted difficulties in attracting fans in a non-traditional baseball market with competing entertainment options.
Competitive Gap: Finishing last emphasized the disparity between expansion teams and established franchises with deeper resources.
Historical Context: The 2000 season preceded a full organizational shift, culminating in the team’s rebranding as the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.
Legacy Impact: Struggles in years like 2000 eventually led to strategic changes, including the hiring of Andrew Friedman in 2005, which transformed the franchise’s trajectory.

Though the 2000 Tampa Bay Devil Rays did not achieve on-field success, the season contributed to the long-term evolution of the franchise, setting the stage for future competitiveness and a new team identity.