Memories of Rays star Evan Longoria? Team staff, fans have quite a few

TAMPA — Chris Westmoreland remembers his incidental role in a key part of Evan Longoria’s Rays story — his wearing of No. 3.

Longoria had been called up a week and a half into the 2008 season to make his big-league debut. He asked Westmoreland, then the home clubhouse/equipment manager, if he could have No. 6, which was worn by third-base coach Tom Foley.

Westmoreland told Foley of the request and asked him to talk to the hot prospect.

“Foley said all it would cost him is a set of golf clubs. Longo said, ‘No thanks, that’s too expensive,’ ” Westmoreland, now senior director of travel and logistics, recalled. “So I issued him No. 3 — and the rest his history.”

So much a part of history that no Ray has worn No. 3 since Longoria was traded to San Francisco in December 2017. It is likely to be retired next year when Longoria is inducted into the team Hall of Fame.

With Longoria visiting Steinbrenner Field Saturday to sign a ceremonial contract and formally retire as a Ray (a brief pregame on-field tribute and first pitch are planned), we asked longtime team personnel and fans for their favorite memories. Some replies were edited for brevity and clarity.

Kevin Cash, manager

Evan Longoria’s walkoff homer in Game 162 of the 2011 season was his signature moment. [ Times, 2011 ]

My favorite memory was sitting in the stands as a scout for Texas when he hit the 2011 Game 162 home run against the Yankees. If I had $1 for every time I’ve seen that highlight over the last 11 years, I could retire. And for good reason. I look at that hit, and maybe Brett Phillips’ hit (in the 2020 World Series) as being the biggest in Rays history.

Pat Taylor, fan

I’ll never forget the dramatic Game 162 of the 2011 Rays baseball season! It was a wild night, with unbelievable at-bats from Dan Johnson and Evan Longoria. The Red Sox lost, the Rays tied their game with the Yankees, and they won in the 12th with Evan’s fabulous walkoff homer over the leftfield porch.

“Rays win, Rays win, Rays win!!” Favorite. Sound. Ever. (Thanks, Dave Wills!).

P.S.: I was screaming and jumping up and down like a crazy person that night, and my daughter said, “Mom, you’re scaring us!” I relived that memory with her recently, but she didn’t remember any of it. Thank goodness she was not scarred for life by a very distinct memory that I will never forget!

Brian Anderson, TV analyst

One that has always stood out about Longo was his work ethic in the field. This was a guy who won three Gold Gloves and was as accomplished as any third baseman in the game. But every day, before the gates were open, he would be out at third base, starting on his knees then moving to his feet working on his defense — backhand, forehand, straight up, charging, making all of the throws. If anyone could’ve taken a day off, it was him. And he never did.

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Tony Siciliano, fan

My favorite Longo memory is his walk-up song, “Down and Out” by Tantric. The intense violin followed by the intense drums and guitar. The Trop would go nuts for every one of his at-bats.

Andy Freed, radio broadcaster

Evan Longoria’s emergence at third base allowed the Rays to move Akinori Iwamura to second, solidifying the best infield in the league, radio broadcaster Andy Freed said. [ Associated Press, 2008 ]

As much as Evan will be remembered for offensive exploits, it’s his defense that stood out equally. His emergence at third base allowed the Rays to move (Akinori) Iwamura to second base, which with Jason Bartlett at shortstop and Carlos Pena at first instantly gave the Rays the best infield in the league. All the ground balls that so often rolled through the infield were now automatic outs. That helped solidify the pitching staff, and the Rays began winning close games. The biggest difference between the ‘07 and ‘08 Rays was the defense, and Evan was the piece that made it work.

Susan Northcutt, fan

My friend Joyce, a baseball novice, joined me at the Trop for a Sunday afternoon game in 2010. We arrived early, sitting in the top row of Section 110. We watched fans pour in, many wearing Rays shirts and jerseys. Joyce turned to me and said, in wonder, “Longoria certainly has a big family.”

Dewayne Staats, TV broadcaster

Beyond the likes of Carl Crawford and James Shields, it was the arrival of Evan Longoria that transitioned the Rays from expansion team into a legitimate contender. His presence in the field, in the batter’s box and in the clubhouse completed the evolution of the franchise. The comeback win over the Yankees in Game 162 of the 2011 season, eliminating the Red Sox and propelling the Rays into the postseason, sealed the deal. His second home run of the game, a walkoff at that, propelling the Rays into the postseason, was another proof positive.

Scott Wagman, area businessman

Evan Longoria, left, and his wife, Jaime, appear at the Longo’s Cove grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Great Explorations Children’s Museum on October 7, 2017 in St. Petersburg. The Longorias sponsored the 26-foot climber exhibit. [ Times, 2017 ]

Evan and Jaime Longoria made a donation to Great Explorations Children’s Museum that enabled the construction of Longo’s Cove in 2017. This is a Luckey Climber that thousands of children enjoy every year and will continue to enjoy for years to come. More than a memory, the Longorias impact to our community is continual and lasting.

Neil Solondz, Rays and former Triple-A Durham radio broadcaster

My first time meeting Evan was in 2007. It was his first full season of professional baseball. He had dominated Double A and was going to spend the final 5-6 weeks in Durham as a jumping-off point for the next year. He fit in immediately, but what stood out was what he did when it mattered. He hit two homers to close out a playoff series against Toledo, with the distance totaling well over 800 feet. It was only a glimpse of what was to come.

G. David Taylor, fan

As a Rays spring season ticket holder on the lower third-base side, before the first inning started every game I would shout out “Longo!” Longo would pivot, look at me and give that two fingers to the brim salute he would do, with that sly grin — I’m at my home at 3rd base watch me now! Class Act!

Steve Yost, Tropicana Field fan host

Having been a National League baseball fan for most of my life and working for the Atlanta Braves, I came to the Tampa/St. Pete area knowing very little about American League baseball and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. When I first began working for the Rays, I was asked to fill out a survey that included a question as to who my favorite Rays baseball player was Since I didn’t really know the players, I looked around and observed the name “Evan Longoria” was on several coworkers’ surveys. Hence, I wrote down “Evan Longoria.” As history will show, I was very fortunate to have done so. He became a player I followed and enjoyed watching for the years he and I were with the Rays. His baseball stats with the Rays prove that I “selected” probably the best Rays baseball player ever.

Bruce Reynolds, fan host, author of “There Is No Place Like Dome”

Tropicana Field fan host Bruce Reynolds incorporated a team slogan suggested by Evan Longoria into the pizza flag he waved at games. [ Courtesy of Bruce Reynolds ]

For those of you that remember, in 2014 the Rays as a team had their own rally cry — “EAT LAST.” This thought came from a book on leadership that Evan Longoria read. The idea being that by winning the last game of the World Series, the Rays would enjoy the ultimate taste of victory by eating last. (It was a great idea and slogan to eat last, but unfortunately for the Rays, that year it became more of a fast.) Once I became aware of this team focus, I had my wife iron “EAT LAST” in white letters at the bottom of the pizza flag (he held in the stands). They are still on the flag to this day. (Of course, I still have the flag — and hat!)

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