The Tampa Bay Rays have announced plans to sign third baseman Evan Longoria to a ceremonial one-day contract ahead of the 16-year veteran’s official retirement from Major League Baseball. Longoria’s legacy and impact with the club will be honored during a pregame ceremony before the Rays take on the Miami Marlins on Saturday, June 7 at 4:10 p.m. E.T. at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
“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,” said Tampa Bay Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg. “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.”
The 39-year-old spent his first 10 major league seasons with the Rays from 2008-17 after being selected by the club in the first round (No. 3 overall) of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of California State University, Long Beach. During his stint in Tampa Bay, Longoria was tabbed for three All-Star selections and three Gold Glove awards while earning three top-10 finishes and six top-20 finishes in American League (AL) Most Valuable Player voting. He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and was tabbed as the 2009 AL Silver Slugger recipient at third base, becoming the second player in team history to earn a Silver Slugger award along with Carlos Peña in 2007 (first base).
“Evan Longoria’s place in Rays history is unmatched,” said Rays, President Baseball Operations Erik Neander. “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. He also delivered one of the most unforgettable moments in baseball history with his walk-off home run in Game 162. Evan leaves the game as our all-time leader in nearly every major offensive category. He not only defined an era of Rays baseball—he helped put us on the map. His impact, both on and off the field, laid the foundation for our success, and it’s a privilege to celebrate his legacy.”
The California native helped guide the Rays to the first four postseason appearances in franchise history, including a World Series run during his rookie season in 2008. Longoria delivered a walk-off home run in “Game 162” against the Red Sox in 2011, becoming the second player to send his team to the postseason by hitting a walk-off home run in the final game of the regular season along with Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” for the New York Giants in 1951.
“It was a personal honor of mine to be able to have a relationship with Evan and watch him play,” said Rays Manager Kevin Cash. “His work ethic, along with his performance, defines him as the best to ever put on a Rays uniform. The teammate he was and the way he and his wife, Jaime, supported our community, illustrated how much he cared. It is only fitting that he ends his career as a Ray because of all the contributions that he made to the organization over his career”.
Longoria recorded 618 extra-base hits during his Rays tenure, third most by a third baseman over his first 10 major league seasons behind Nolan Arenado (668) and Eddie Matthews (648). His 338 doubles are tied with Arenado for third most behind Wade Boggs (400) and David Wright (345). He recorded nine 20-homer seasons with the Rays, tied with Kyle Seager for second most in AL history by a third baseman behind Graig Nettles (10).
Longoria is the Rays all-time franchise leader in games (1,435), runs (780), doubles (338), home runs (261), extra-base hits (618), RBI (892), walks (569), intentional walks (77), total bases (2,630), sacrifice flies (76) and walk-off RBI (eight). He is one of eight players leading one of the 30 current major league franchises in games, doubles, home runs, extra-base hits and RBI, joining Hank Aaron (Braves), George Brett (Royals), Todd Helton (Rockies), Stan Musial (Cardinals), Luis Gonzalez (Diamondbacks), Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles) and Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals).
