The early days of the Tampa Bay Rays, when they were known as the Devil Rays, were filled with a lot of losing. There wasn’t much success being found on the field early on for the expansion franchise.
Larry Rothschild was the first manager to lead the team. He went 205-294, getting relieved of his duties only 14 games into the 2001 season, and was replaced by Hal McRae.
He did enough over the final 148 games of the campaign to be brought back as manager for the 2022 season. The Devil Rays would take a step back that year, setting a franchise record for losses with 106.
Unsurprisingly, McRae was let go after that season. What ensued next was a shocking turn of events, with Tampa Bay going big game hunting for their next manager.
Lou Piniella signs with Devil Rays on this date 23 years ago