TAMPA, Fla. – Though he hasn’t worn a Tampa Bay Rays uniform since the 2017 season, Evan Longoria’s Rays career is officially coming to an end.
The team announced Monday that Longoria, the team’s 2006 first-round draft pick, will retire as a Ray.
What You Need To Know
- Former Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria will officially retire from baseball as a Ray
- Longoria, 39, will sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Rays on June 7 and then officially announce his retirement
- Longoria is the Rays’ franchise leader in games played (1,435), home runs (262), RBIs (891), runs (780) and doubles (338)
Longoria, 39, will sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Rays on June 7 and then officially announce his retirement.
Traded to San Francisco after the 2017 season, Longoria spent five seasons with the Giants before playing with the Diamondbacks in 2023, helping Arizona reach the World Series.
He did not play last season.
Making his major league debut with Tampa Bay in 2008, Longoria would win American League Rookie of the Year honors while leading the Rays to their first winning season and first AL pennant and World Series berth.
He became a fixture in the Rays lineup at third base during a 10-year Tampa Bay career.
Among his other highlights was a historic Game 162 home run against the Yankees at Tropicana Field in 2011 - which is immortalized with a statue outside the Trop.
‘Longo’ earned three All-Star appearances, three Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger Award while leading the Rays to four playoff appearances.
Longoria is also the Rays’ franchise leader in games played (1,435), home runs (262), RBIs (891), runs (780) and doubles (338).
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