/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23150719/josebautista1.jpg "Jose Bautista batted .167 in 15 games with the Rays in 2004. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE TAMPA BAY RAYS.")
With the Rays planning a year-long celebration of their 20th anniversary, the Times is taking a look back – with 20 lists of 20 things about those first 20 seasons.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23150627/RAYSSPRINGTRAINING.jpg "Tampa Bay Devil Rays second baseman Miguel Cairo, left, jokes with teammates as he shares second base with Julio Franco during drills at the team’s spring training facility in St. Petersburg, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 28, 1999. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)")
1 . Julio Franco, first base
YEARS: 1999
Games: 1
In a sentence: One at-bat after spending season in Mexico.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23150719/josebautista1.jpg "Jose Bautista batted .167 in 15 games with the Rays in 2004. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE TAMPA BAY RAYS.")
2. Jose Bautista, infield/outfield
YEARS: 2004
Games: 12
In a sentence: O's, Royals, Mets, Pirates also let him go.
![Dwight Gooden (16) kills time in the Devil Rays bullpen prior to his start Friday night in St. Petersburg. Gooden allowed six runs in four-plus innings and recieved a no-decision in his first home Devil Rays start on April 21, 2000. [Times files (2000)]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//PLIamJwY4Ix9wQaT1ptaCLsZw-g=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23151011/479520-1.jpg "Dwight Gooden (16) kills time in the Devil Rays bullpen prior to his start Friday night in St. Petersburg. Gooden allowed six runs in four-plus innings and recieved a no-decision in his first home Devil Rays start on April 21, 2000. [Times files (2000)]")
3. Dwight Gooden, pitcher
YEARS: 2000
Games: 8
In a sentence: Could have been a happier homecoming.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23152242/DEVILRAYSATHLETICS7.jpg "Tampa Bay Devil Rays starter Hideo Nomo pitches to the Oakland Athletics in the second inning on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 in Oakland, Calif. Nomo is one win shy of 200 career wins.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)")
4. Hideo Nomo, pitcher
YEARS: 2005
Games: 19
In a sentence: Still a pretty big deal in Japan at the time.
![Tampa Bay Devil Ray Jose Canseco with owner Vince Namoli (r) at his introductory press conference at Columbia Restaurant. [Times files (1998)]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//XmEUZwpMvhDID9pQtHX4pS1g_g0=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23152345/canseco113.jpg "Tampa Bay Devil Ray Jose Canseco with owner Vince Namoli (r) at his introductory press conference at Columbia Restaurant. [Times files (1998)]")
5. Jose Canseco, outfield/designated hitter
YEARS: 1999-00
Games: 174
In a sentence: Biggest personality Rays have ever had.
![Tino Martinez at the plate against the Texas Rangers. [Times files (2004)]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//IsLRJH9C7KIiaoTq_gXPzaqdd0I=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23152611/RAYS12MG5.jpg "Tino Martinez at the plate against the Texas Rangers. [Times files (2004)]")
6. Tino Martinez, first base
YEARS: 2004
Games: 138
In a sentence: Tampa's own made a one-season stop.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23152805/YankeesRaysBaseball38.jpg "Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon waves to his teammates after he moved past Lou Gehrig on the all-time hit list, with a second-inning single off New York Yankees starting pitcher Bartolo Colon during a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)")
7. Johnny Damon, outfield/designated hitter
YEARS: 2011
Games: 150
In a sentence: Brought a celebrity swagger to clubhouse.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23152905/467894.jpg "Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Norm Charlton winds up during fifth inning action againct the Cincinnati Reds at Florida Power Park Home of Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg Sunday afternoon (3/5/00). DIRK SHADD | Times")
8. Norm Charlton, pitcher
YEARS: 1999
Games: 42
In a sentence: Wasn't as nasty on backside of his career.
![Cliff Floyd celebrates after scoring a run in Game 2 of the 2008 World Series at Tropicana Field. [Times files (2008)]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//Okm7t7EXL8Z7lMA4mYc9fc0DchE=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23153036/image-11.png "Cliff Floyd celebrates after scoring a run in Game 2 of the 2008 World Series at Tropicana Field. [Times files (2008)]")
9. Cliff Floyd, designated hitter
YEARS: 2008
Games: 80
In a sentence: Did more in the clubhouse than on the field.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23153951/image-121.png "Jason Isringhausen (right) had his only season with the Rays cut short by injury. [Times files (2009)")
10. Jason Isringhausen, pitcher
YEARS: 2009
Games: 9
In a sentence: Season cut short for Tommy John surgery.
![Bobby Witt wore a handwritten #3 on his cap for injured teammate Quinton McCracken in 1999. [Times files (1999)]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//-SsRRdtdQwjQ6dOgwEAierj1J-Y=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23154341/image-13.png "Bobby Witt wore a handwritten #3 on his cap for injured teammate Quinton McCracken in 1999. [Times files (1999)]")
11. Bobby Witt, pitcher
YEARS: 1999
Games: 32
In a sentence: Veteran led staff with 180 innings, 32 starts.
![Eric Hinske, right, cheers with Carlos Pena during Game 2 of the 2008 American League Divisional Series against the Chicago White Sox on October 3, 2008. [Times files (2008)]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//P6wOTXfg_hWiXZPr51hH-iMahuA=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23154438/image-14.png "Eric Hinske, right, cheers with Carlos Pena during Game 2 of the 2008 American League Divisional Series against the Chicago White Sox on October 3, 2008. [Times files (2008)]")
12. Eric Hinske, outfield
YEARS: 2008
Games: 133
In a sentence: Like Floyd, added a lot to '08 clubhouse.
![The Rays haven’t given a start to an over-30 pitcher since Erik Bedard in 2014.[AP Photo/Chris O’Meara]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//fp9vMChjhpTpUi4-aa_GGSdP-Bo=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23162632/image-15.png "The Rays haven’t given a start to an over-30 pitcher since Erik Bedard in 2014.[AP Photo/Chris O’Meara]")
13. Erik Bedard, pitcher
YEARS: 2014
Games: 17
In a sentence: Still last over-30 pitcher to start for Rays.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23162717/image-16.png "Gregg Zaun rounds the bases after his grand slam against Toronto on Aug. 16, 2009. DIRK SHADD | Times")
14. Gregg Zaun catcher
YEARS: 2009
Games: 34
In a sentence: Wasn't quite as colorful as he is on TV now.
![Designated hitter Hank Blalock grounds out in the second during the Rays spring training game against the Orioles at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, FL Thursday, April 1, 2010. [JAMES BORCHUCK, Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//uHBwnFAxWzw6dFYg3xNLIsXXbJ0=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23163104/image-17.png "Designated hitter Hank Blalock grounds out in the second during the Rays spring training game against the Orioles at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, FL Thursday, April 1, 2010. [JAMES BORCHUCK, Times]")
15. Hank Blalock, designated hitter
YEARS: 2010
Games: 26
In a sentence: End came quickly for former Texas All-Star.
![Devil Rays General Manager Chuck LaMar smiles in the background (R) as Rey Ordonez meets the press for the first time as the new Rays shortstop. [Times files]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//jb9mcrSevgy6hLKiSOq07JRHT2U=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23163217/ORDONEZ216.jpg "Devil Rays General Manager Chuck LaMar smiles in the background (R) as Rey Ordonez meets the press for the first time as the new Rays shortstop. [Times files]")
16. Rey Ordonez, shortstop
YEARS: 2003
Games: 34
In a sentence: There was still some gold in glove of ex-Met.
![Ben Grieve came to the Devil Rays in 2001 as part of a three-team trade. {Times files (2001)]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//DD0LhZtYQ9lBmROwsBkuojJPSwI=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23163330/image-18.png "Ben Grieve came to the Devil Rays in 2001 as part of a three-team trade. {Times files (2001)]")
17. Ben Grieve, outfield
YEARS: 2001-03
Games: 345
In a sentence: Didn't have much of a fan club with Rays.
![Jerome Walton played 12 games for the Devil Rays in 1998. [Times files (1998)]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//0ZN0BYQR9q-BUQVENHPNg05UwAQ=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23163413/image-19.png "Jerome Walton played 12 games for the Devil Rays in 1998. [Times files (1998)]")
18. Jerome Walton, outfield
YEARS: 1998
Games: 12
In a sentence: A long way from '89 top NL rookie level.
![Before his broadcasting career, Eduardo Perez was a Devil Ray. {Associated Press, 2005]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//HNPCOGwUhHbYSv3lz6Cx8f3I-4M=/620x0/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23163454/image-20.png "Before his broadcasting career, Eduardo Perez was a Devil Ray. {Associated Press, 2005]")
19. Eduardo Perez, first base/designated hitter
YEARS: 2004-05
Games: 90
In a sentence: Was already working on his future TV career.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/23163542/image-21.png "Rays’ pinch hitter Felipe Lopez looks to the sky after making it to first on a base hit during the seventh inning against the Angels Tuesday, April 5, 2011 in St. Petersburg. CHRIS URSO | Times.")
20. Felipe Lopez, infield
YEARS: 2011
Games: 32
In a sentence: Ninth of 10 stops for failed first-round pick.
Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays
Check out the rest of Marc Topkin's coverage here, on:
–20 words on the 20th anniversary
–20 numbers to remember
–The 20 weirdest moments
–Tampa Bay's 20 'Forrest Gump moments'
–20 years of Rays and 'the things we've loved' about them
–Greatest moments in franchise history
–Best signings, trades and deals
–20 players who surprisingly finished with them
–20 most notable draft picks
–20 Things we've hated over the years
–The 20 best players
–The 20 best quotes
–Recounting the 20 most memorable injuries
–The 20 worst players
–Worst signings, trades and deals
–Ranking every season
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