Formerly called the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, The "Rays" were a disappointing Major League
Baseball franchise until 2008, when manager Joe Maddon and his
baseball team with many young players suprised the whole league by clinching a spot in the 2008 Playoffs. They were better than their
popular division rivals Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The Rays are 2008 American League Champions.
However, the team is virtually unknown to the United States because their games are not usually shown on national television.
"What is the team that is playing the Phillies in the World Series??"
"Oh, those are the surprising Tampa
Bay Rays who finished from last place in
2007 to first place in
2008."