1999 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season

The 1999 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season was their second since the franchise was created. They finished last in the American League East with a record of 69 wins and 93 losses. Their manager was Larry Rothschild, who entered his second year with the club.

Offseason

 * November 25, 1998: Dave Silvestri was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
 * December 11, 1998: José Canseco signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
 * February 3, 1999: Joe Oliver was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
 * February 19, 1999: Julio Franco was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
 * March 31, 1999: Mike Kelly was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Regular season

 * On August 7, 1999, Wade Boggs had the 3,000th hit of his career. The hit was a home run.

Notable transactions

 * April 9, 1999: Dave Silvestri was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
 * May 27, 1999: Aaron Small was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
 * July 23, 1999: Joe Oliver was traded by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with Humberto Cota to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jose Guillen and Jeff Sparks.
 * June 23, 1999: Jim Morris was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Draft picks

 * June 2, 1999: Josh Hamilton was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed June 3, 1999.
 * June 2, 1999: Carl Crawford was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2nd round of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed June 14, 1999.
 * June 2, 1999: Doug Waechter was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 3rd round of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed June 27, 1999.

Citrus Series
The season series each year between the Devil Rays and the Florida Marlins has come to be known as the Citrus Series. In 1999, the Marlins won the series 5 games to 1.


 * June 4 - Devil Rays vs Marlins: 0 – 10
 * June 5 - Devil Rays vs Marlins: 7 – 9
 * June 6 - Devil Rays vs Marlins: 6 – 11
 * July 9 - Devil Rays @ Marlins: 4 – 11
 * July 10 - Devil Rays @ Marlins: 9 – 8
 * July 11 - Devil Rays @ Marlins: 2 – 3

The Rookie
While coaching baseball for the Reagan County Owls, Jim Morris made a promise to his team that he would try out for Major League Baseball if his team won the District Championship, something the team had never accomplished before. His team won the title, and Morris kept his end of the bargain. At tryouts, the Major League scout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays initially wasn't interested in Morris. But, the scout agreed to allow him to try out so Morris could keep his promise to his students. Surprisingly, Morris discovered that in spite of his age, and having several surgeries on his arm, he was able to throw a 98-mph fastball. In fact, he threw 12 consecutive 98-mph fastballs. After much debate with his family, Morris signed a professional contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization at the age of 35. He started out with the Minor League Class AA Orlando Rays but after a few appearances he moved up to a spot with the AAA Durham Bulls. Thanks to solid performances with Durham, Tampa Bay gave him a chance to pitch with the big club when the rosters expanded, and on September 18, 1999, against Royce Clayton of the Texas Rangers, the 35-year-old Morris made his debut, striking Clayton out on four pitches. His goal of pitching in the majors was finally realized, and he made four more appearances later that year.

Starters by position
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; Sv = Saves

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; Sv = Saves

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Orlando, Hudson Valley