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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — On Saturday, Tampa Bay Rays legend Evan Longoria signed a one-day contract with the team so when he officially retired from Major League Baseball, he would do it in the same jersey he started in.
Longoria joined the Rays at 18 years old and spent ten seasons with the team as a third baseman, from 2008 to 2017.
“Evan Longoria’s place in Rays history is unmatched,” Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. “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.”
Longoria is also the Rays all-time leader in games, with 1,425, doubles, with 338, and home runs, with 261.
The California-native’s legacy with the Rays was honored in a pregame ceremony where he threw the first pitch before the Rays took on the Miami Marlins Saturday afternoon.
“It was a personal honor of mine to be able to have a relationship with Evan and watch him play,” Rays Manager Kevin Cash said. “His work ethic, along with his performance, defines him as the best to ever put on a Rays uniform.”