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The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have always been looked at as the AL East doormat, but they’re optimistic that 2004 will be different. “Sweet” Lou Piniella goes into his second season as the manager of the Devil Rays and his 18th overall, and he expects nothing but the best from his players on and off the field. The honeymoon experienced by both the organization and Piniella is surely over by now, after Piniella left perennial world series contender Seattle in an attempt to turn his hometown Devil Rays into a true contender.
The Devil Rays are led at the plate by their leadoff man Carl Crawford, known for his amazing speed on the bases. Aubrey Huff and Rocco Baldelli will carry most of the responsibility of getting the runners in. The biggest off-season acquisition was the signing of Danys Baez from the Cleveland Indians. Baez will close games for the Devil Rays, forcing all-star closer Lance Carter into a set-up role. The Devil Rays could have two potential all-star starting pitchers in Victor Zambrano and Jeremi Gonzalez, and their farm system is rated one of the best in all of the majors. John Halama and Jorge Sosa will be asked to move from starting pitching to middle relief in hopes that they will recapture the ability and talent they displayed in the past.
The Devil rays actually play their home games in Tropicana Field, located in nearby St. Petersburg, Florida. It was also named the Florida Suncoast Dome and the Thunderdome at other times. The name is in accordance with an agreement between the organization and the popular beverage drink of North America. It can hold almost 44,000 people and features an orange tinted roof after a win by the home team.
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