On October 28, 2002, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays hired Lou Piniella as their new manager, hoping the experienced baseball figure could help turn around the struggling young franchise. The four-year contract brought a familiar face back to the Tampa Bay area, where Piniella had grown up.
But hiring the hometown manager came at a price. As part of the agreement allowing Piniella to leave the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay traded All-Star outfielder Randy Winn to Seattle. Winn had led the Devil Rays in several offensive categories during the 2002 season, making the deal a significant sacrifice for the team.
Piniella took over for the 2003 season, but immediate success proved elusive. The Devil Rays finished with 63 wins and 99 losses, remaining in last place in the American League East.
The following year brought a welcome change. In 2004, Tampa Bay won a then-franchise-record 70 games and finished fourth in the division, marking the first time the team had avoided last place. A midseason surge included a stretch in which the Devil Rays won 30 of 40 games and put together a franchise-record 12-game winning streak.
However, the progress did not continue into 2005. The team finished with 67 wins and 95 losses, returning to the bottom of the division. Piniella and the front office ultimately agreed to part ways after the season.
Although his tenure did not produce a winning record, Piniella’s time in Tampa Bay included a meaningful milestone for a franchise still finding its footing. The 2004 season showed that the Devil Rays could move beyond last place, offering fans a glimpse of what the young team might become.
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