What a long, strange trip it has been. It was a baseball trip that took Evan Longoria from St. John Bosco High School in California to Long Beach State, where he played college ball, to Tampa, San Francisco, Arizona, and finally back to Tampa, where he will sign a one-day contract and retire as a Tampa Bay Ray on Saturday afternoon before their matchup with the Miami Marlins.
Longoria was drafted by the Rays with the third overall pick in the 2006 MLB Draft. After much success in the minor leagues, Longoria was promoted and debuted on April 12, 2008 as the starting third baseman. Longoria would be a mainstay for the Rays at third base for the next 10 years until his off-season trade to San Francisco in December 2017. He played four seasons for the Giants but struggled to stay healthy. At the end of the 2022 season, the Giants declined to pick up the option on Longoria’s contract, making him a free agent. Longoria would ultimately sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2023 season, his last season in the MLB.
Longoria hit .264 throughout his career with 342 home runs and 1,159 runs driven in. With Tampa, his career high in homers was 36 in 2016. He also had two seasons driving in over 100 runs. The 39-year-old leads the franchise in hits (1,471), RBI’s (892), runs (780), and home runs (261).
Longoria was selected to three All-Star games, won three Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger award, and was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2008. In his 2008 rookie season, Longoria hit .272 with 27 home runs and 85 RBI’s. Longoria also earned MVP votes in six seasons and hit 30+ home runs four times.
Most fans will remember his walk-off home run in game 162 at Tropicana Field in 2011 to send the Rays to the postseason for the first time in franchise history. That would culminate in the Rays’ first World Series appearance, in which they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
In a statement, Rays President of Baseball Operations had nothing but praise for Evan Longoria. “Evan Longoria’s place in Rays history is unmatched,” he said. “Evan leaves the game as our all-time leader in nearly every major offensive category. He not only defined an era of Rays baseball, he helped put us on the map. His impact, both on and off the field, laid the foundation for our success, and it’s a privilege to celebrate his legacy.”
Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said that Longoria embodies what it means to be a Tampa Bay Ray. “Evan Longoria embodies what it means to be a Tampa Bay Ray,” he said. “From the moment he stepped on the field, he brought excellence, leadership, and a competitive spirit that shaped the identity of this franchise. “He, more than anyone, helped transform the Devil Rays into the Rays, and we are honored to welcome him home as he retires in the uniform where it all began.”
When you think of the Tampa Bay Rays, one of the first players to come to mind is Evan Longoria, one of the best to ever wear a Rays uniform. Next season, Longoria will be inducted into the Tampa Rays Hall of Fame when the Rays return to Tropicana Field.