
Evan Longoria Signing One-Day Contract To Retire As A Tampa Bay Ray
His impact on the team was felt from the first season he played. After being a franchise mired in struggle and very little success, he became a ray of sunshine to the team. He was drafted in the first round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. And spent his first 10 major league seasons with them from 2008-2017. Now Evan Longoria is signing a one-day contract to retire as a Tampa Bay Ray. The club will honor Longoria during a pregame ceremony before the Rays take on the Miami Marlins on Saturday, June 7 at 4:10 p.m. E.T. at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Longoria’s contributions to the team’s culture and success were noted by the owner who stated:
“Evan Longoria embodies what it means to be a Tampa Bay Ray. From the moment he stepped on the field, he brought excellence, leadership and a competitive spirit that shaped the identity of this franchise,” said Tampa Bay Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg. “He, more than anyone, helped transform the Devil Rays into the Rays, and we are honored to welcome him home as he retires in the uniform where it all began.”
In 2008, the same year Longoria started playing, the Rays posted their first winning season. Along with their first AL East championship, and their first American League pennant. They had defeated their rival and powerhouse Boston Red Sox to claim the pennant. Despite losing the 2008 World Series to the Phillies, the Rays had achieved a level of success they never had before. During his tenure with the Rays Longoria amassed a collection of awards and accolades.
He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and was tabbed as the 2009 AL Silver Slugger recipient at third base. He became the second player in team history to earn a Silver Slugger award along with Carlos Peña in 2007 (first base). And he helped guide the Rays to the first four postseason appearances in franchise history.
Evan Longoria Signing One-Day Contract To Retire As A Tampa Bay Ray
Rays’ manager Kevin Cash spoke glowingly of Longoria’s contributions both to the team and the community. Cash made the following statement:
“It was a personal honor of mine to be able to have a relationship with Evan and watch him play,” said Rays Manager Kevin Cash. “His work ethic, along with his performance, defines him as the best to ever put on a Rays uniform. The teammate he was and the way he and his wife, Jaime, supported our community, illustrated how much he cared. It is only fitting that he ends his career as a Ray because of all the contributions that he made to the organization over his career.”
Longoria had made it known back in July 2024 that he was unlikely to continue playing professional baseball. Therefore, we have come to the one-day contract signing with the Rays. Allowing him to finish his illustrious career where it all started. Congratulations and best wishes to Evan Longoria on his retirement!
**Want Even More Sports, News, Hot Takes, Stats as well as Athlete Celebrity Sighting Updates; Insights as well as Trends? Well, be sure to join all of us Sports Feens over on Youtube to get an additional sports fix; and also don’t forget to check out all of our new Podcast topics and episodes. Plus, get fast highlights and trivia daily by following us on TikTok. Just Click HERE**
Thoughts on Evan Longoria Signing One-Day Contract To Retire As A Tampa Bay Ray? Well let’s connect! We are always around on social media posting as well as chatting away. And we would love to hear some POV from you. Therefore, join the discussion and talk all things Sports Feen; athletics as well as breaking industry news related with us by dropping a comment or two. Get into our comment section on YT; or also hit us up on our TikTok page or tweet us @SportsFeen.