PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays will honor multiple-time All-Star Evan Longoria with induction into their Hall of Fame during the 2026 season, the team announced Wednesday.

He will be the sixth member of their Hall of Fame, joining former senior adviser Don Zimmer, third baseman Wade Boggs, outfielder Carl Crawford, first baseman/designated hitter Fred McGriff and former radio broadcaster Dave Wills.

The move to add Longoria was long anticipated, but the team had to wait until he retired. 

The Rays announced earlier this month that Longoria, their first-round draft pick in 2006, will sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Rays on June 7 and then officially retire as a Ray. On that day, there will be a pregame news conference, first pitch and a special T-shirt giveaway for all fans. 

Longoria, 39, did not play baseball last season.

The former third baseman made his major-league debut with Tampa Bay in 2008, and went on to win American League Rookie of the Year while leading the Rays to their first winning season and first AL pennant and World Series berth.  

Among his other highlights during a 10-year career with the Rays was a historic Game 162 home run against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field in 2011 — which is immortalized with a statue outside the Trop.

Longoria made three All-Star appearances and won three Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger Award while leading the Rays to four playoff appearances. 

He is also the Rays’ franchise leader in games played (1,435), home runs (262), RBIs (891), runs (780) and doubles (338).

The Rays said they will disclose more details about his Hall of Fame induction, including the date, before next season. The team hopes to return to Tropicana Field in 2026 after repairs from significant damage caused by Hurricane Milton in 2024.