All-time Rays team

Before we get too deep into the Rays' 16th season, we thought it would be appropriate to acknowledge the first 15, and pick an all-time Rays team from the squads that went a combined 1,102-1,324. The criteria was relatively straightforward — what the players did during their time with the Rays:

Leftfield Carl Crawford

Years: 2002-10

Four-time All-Star, three-time team MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, still leads in many offensive categories. Arguably the best player — to date — in team history.

Runnersup: Greg Vaughn, Desmond Jennings

Centerfield B.J. Upton

Years: 2004-12

Randy Winn was an All-Star, Quinton McCracken and Gerald Williams team MVPs, Rocco Baldelli an all-around standout, but Upton was a key in their long run of success.

Runnersup: Baldelli, Winn

Rightfield Ben Zobrist

Years: 2006-

Tremendous team player is close to perfect fundamentally, and has the requite range, arm and overall ability to be an All-Star, and on this squad, in rightfield or at second base.

Runnersup: Aubrey Huff, Dave Martinez

Third base Evan Longoria

Years: 2008-

Three All-Star selections, two Gold Gloves, Silver Slugger and rookie of the year awards. Often the best player on the field, and always the most valuable to his team.

Runnersup: Aubrey Huff, Wade Boggs

Shortstop Jason Bartlett

Years: 2008-10

Provided stabilizing defense at troubled position, added offense and veteran leadership, was appropriately voted MVP of 2008 team that started the ascension to contender status.

Runnersup: Julio Lugo, Chris Gomez

Second base Miguel Cairo

Years: 1998-00

With Ben Zobrist elsewhere, the toughest spot to fill. Cairo was there first, played the most games (Aki Iwamura played 3B his third season), had a reasonable amount of success.

Runnersup: Jorge Cantu, Iwamura

First base Carlos Peña

Years: 2007-10, '12

Yes, he struck out a lot. And Fred McGriff was pretty good, too, and also an All-Star. But Peña's contributions, with the bat and glove, made more of a difference to team success.

Runnersup: McGriff, Travis Lee

Catcher Toby Hall

Years: 2000-06

Played the most games behind the plate — including five opening day starts — and played the best overall of what is not exactly a deep pool of candidates.

Runnersup: John Flaherty, Dioner Navarro

Designated hitter Aubrey Huff

Years: 2000-06

From the long list of 100-plus players (topped by Pat Burrell) who took their swings and failed miserably, there have been some moments of success, and Huff had many of them.

Runnersup: Jose Canseco, Jonny Gomes

RH starter James Shields

Years: 2006-12

Acknowledged leader, by example, of the pitching staff that became AL's best, was an All-Star, is the franchise leader in wins, innings, starts, strikeouts before trade to Royals.

Runnerup: Matt Garza

LH starter David Price

Years: 2008-

All he's done in four-plus seasons is record 61 wins, post a 3.16 ERA, make three All-Star teams, take over as team ace and win last year's American League Cy Young Award.

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Runnerup: Scott Kazmir

Closer Roberto Hernandez

Years: 1998-00

Fernando Rodney and Rafael Soriano had better single seasons, but Hernandez's body of work is better, with 101 saves, and an All-Star berth, pitching on some really bad teams.

Runnersup: Danys Baez, Rodney

Manager Joe Maddon

Years: 2006-

The three playoff berths, the two AL manager of the year awards, the long list of players raving about him all make it obvious he hasn't done just a good job, but a great job.

Runnersup: Lou Piniella, Larry Rothschild