The Tampa Bay Devil Rays may now be labeled as the worst major league baseball expansion franchise of all time. Now, in their 10th year, the D-Rays have compiled a winning percentage of .3988 and established a new record for futility. Tampa Bay has had the worst first decade of any of the 12 expansion franchises added since 1962. The D-Rays will finish with a worse winning percentage than the San Diego Padres, who were 651-959 in their first 10 seasons.
Manager Joe Maddon just received an extension of his contract through the 2009 season, and the D-Rays do have some excellent talent on their roster. Attendance is improved when the Yankees and Red Sox come to Tropicana Field (12 home dates averaged 26,802 per game) but except for the D-Rays first season in 1998, the team has never surpassed the 2 million mark and regularly falls 600,000 to 1 million fans short of the Americn League average. In fact, since the 2001 season, the Devil Rays haven't averaged 17,000 fans per game.
Devil Rays Season-by-Season Results
2007 66-96
2006 61-101
2005 67-95
2004 70-91
2003 63-99
2002 55-106
2001 62-100
2000 69-92
1999 69-93
1998 63-99
10 seasons: 645-972 .3988
By contrast, the Arizona Diamondbacks entered the Major Leagues in the same year. They have 818 wins, 802 losses, a World Series championship and won the NL West this year.
Most recent expansion teams: The First Decade
1998-2007 (through games of Sept. 18)
Arizona Diamondbacks 818-802 .5049
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 645-972 .3988
1993-2002
Florida Marlins 706-847 .454
Colorado Rockies 740-817 .475
1977-1986
Toronto Blue Jays 711-850 .455
Seattle Mariners 641-924 .409
1969-1978
San Diego Padres 651-959 .404
Montreal Expos 705-907 .437
Kansas City Royals 835-776 .518
Milwaukee Brewers 707-905 .439
1962-1971
New York Mets 660-957 .408
Houston Colt .45s/Astros 713-905 .440
Of course, attendance across the state in Dolphin Stadium for Marlins games is a joke. But, the big question is: Do the Devil Rays have a future in Tampa-St. Pete? What's your take?