From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection containing tens of thousands of artifacts, our curators have created each team’s Starting Nine by hand-picking nine must-see pieces for each of the 30 MLB teams. This limited-time list is the perfect introduction to the Museum for every Tampa Bay Rays fan. Don’t wait to make your visit to Cooperstown to take the Hall of Fame Starting Nine challenge.
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Evan Longoria: 2011 Home Run Bat
Rays third baseman Evan Longoria swung this bat for a 12th-inning, walk-off home run to beat the Yankees on the last day of the 2011 regular season. Coming back from a 7-0 deficit, Tampa Bay's dramatic victory pushed the club one game ahead of Boston and into the sole American League Wild Card spot.
Whole New Ballgame
Wade Boggs: 3,000th Hit Jersey
Devil Rays third baseman Wade Boggs made history in this jersey on August 7, 1999, when he became the first player to collect his 3,000th hit with a home run and the first to reach the coveted milestone as a member of Tampa Bay.
One for the Books
Carl Crawford: Stolen Base Shoes
On May 3, 2009, Tampa Bay’s Carl Crawford ran wild in these shoes, stealing six bases in one game, the first American Leaguer to achieve the feat since Hall of Famer Eddie Collins in 1912.
One for the Books
Randy Arozarena: World Series Bat
Randy Arozarena swung this bat to homer in Game 4 of the 2020 World Series, breaking the record for most home runs in a single postseason with his ninth round-tripper. The Rays outfielder eventually extended his mark to a whopping 10 postseason home runs.
Your Team Today
Willy Aybar: ALCS Home Run Ball
In Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS, Tampa Bay designated hitter Willy Aybar crushed this ball for a home run to deep left field, giving his club a 3-1 lead over the Boston Red Sox. The Rays went on to win the game by that same score, propelling them to their first-ever World Series appearance.
Your Team Today
Matt Garza: First No-Hitter Ball
This ball comes from the first no-hitter ever pitched by a member of the Rays, as Matt Garza faced the minimum 27 batters in defeating the visiting Detroit Tigers, 5-0, on July 26, 2010.
Your Team Today
Fernando Rodney: Record Saves Cap
On October 3, 2012, Tampa Bay’s Fernando Rodney wore this cap while earning his 48th and final save of the year, a single-season record for Rays relievers. His microscopic 0.60 ERA is an all-time record for pitchers who have logged at least 70 innings pitched in a season.
Your Team Today
Blake Snell: Cy Young Award Jersey
Wearing this jersey on Sept. 23, 2018, Blake Snell earned his 21st victory of the year, becoming the first Rays pitcher to win more than 20 games in a season. His 21-5 record and 1.89 ERA earned him the 2018 American League Cy Young Award.
Your Team Today
Melvin "B.J." Upton Jr.: World Series Stolen Base Shoes
Wearing these shoes during Game 3 of the 2008 World Series, Tampa Bay’s Melvin "B.J." Upton Jr. became the first American Leaguer to steal three bases in a Series game. Your Team Today
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Starting Nine
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Starting Nine
Choose a new team and discover more Starting Nine artifacts.
The Museum
Where baseball stories are shared and cherished memories are created.
Visit
Experience all Cooperstown has to offer
Buy Tickets Now
Purchase tickets for your next trip to the Museum.