TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa Bay Rays veteran Evan Longoria will sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the team before his retirement.
The third baseman will end his 16-year career next month and will be honored in a pregame ceremony before the Rays face the Miami Marlins on June 7.
“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,” Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said. “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.”
Originally from California, Longoria was with the Rays from 2008 to 2017 and helped put the team on the map.
“Over his tenure in Tampa Bay, he established himself as the cornerstone of our franchise, earning three All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger and becoming the first Ray to be named American League Rookie of the Year,” Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. “He also delivered one of the most unforgettable moments in baseball history with his walk-off home run in Game 162.”
