What Is 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays were a Major League Baseball team that finished the season with a 55–106 record, placing last in the American League East. It was their fifth season since the franchise began in 1998.

Key Facts

The 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays had a win-loss record of 55–106, the worst in MLB that year
They played home games at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida
Manager Hal McRae was fired after a 12–25 start; Joe Maddon served as interim skipper
Shortstop Devin Gross was the team’s top draft pick in 2001, but did not play in 2002 due to injury
The team ranked last in MLB in runs scored with just 624 for the season

Overview

The 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays represented the franchise’s fifth season in Major League Baseball since its inception in 1998. As an expansion team, the Devil Rays struggled to find consistent success, and the 2002 season was one of their most difficult, finishing with a franchise-worst 55–106 record.

Competing in the American League East, the team faced strong division rivals like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Despite high hopes for player development, injuries, poor offensive production, and managerial changes defined the year, making it a low point in early franchise history.

Record of 55–106: The team’s 55 wins were the fewest in MLB that season, and their .342 winning percentage was the worst in the league.
Tropicana Field: All home games were played at the indoor stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, known for its artificial turf and dome environment.
Managerial shift: Hal McRae began the season as manager but was replaced by Joe Maddon in May after a 12–25 start, marking a mid-season leadership overhaul.
Offensive struggles: The team scored only 624 runs, averaging just 3.85 runs per game, worst in the American League.
Defensive issues: They committed 118 errors during the season, contributing to a team fielding percentage of .978, below league average.

Season Performance

The 2002 campaign was defined by underperformance across nearly every facet of the game. Despite a few bright spots, the Devil Rays failed to build momentum, losing 10 or more games against every division opponent.

Starting pitching: The rotation posted a collective 5.49 ERA, highest in the American League, with no starter recording more than 10 wins.
Brent Abernathy: Led the team with a .274 batting average, though he played only 97 games due to injury.
Carl Crawford: In his rookie season, Crawford showed promise with a .228 average, 7 home runs, and 10 stolen bases in 69 games.
Ben Grieve: Acquired in a trade, he led the team with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs despite a low .248 average.
Wade Miller: The team’s best pitcher, finishing with a 7–10 record and a 4.98 ERA in 26 starts before being traded mid-season.
Draft position: Due to their poor record, the Devil Rays earned the second overall pick in the 2003 MLB Draft, which they used on pitcher Delmon Young.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2002 Devil Rays compared to other AL East teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Record	Runs Scored	ERA	Manager
Tampa Bay Devil Rays	55–106	624	5.49	Hal McRae / Joe Maddon
New York Yankees	103–58	897	3.91	Joe Torre
Boston Red Sox	93–69	856	4.33	Grady Little
Baltimore Orioles	67–95	719	4.80	Mike Hargrove
Toronto Blue Jays	78–84	756	4.79	Bob Brenly

The table highlights the significant gap between Tampa Bay and its division rivals. While other teams competed for playoff spots or finished near .500, the Devil Rays lagged in every major category, particularly in run production and pitching effectiveness. This disparity underscored the challenges faced by a young franchise still building its foundation.

Why It Matters

The 2002 season is remembered as a turning point that emphasized the need for long-term rebuilding and smarter player development. Though painful at the time, the poor record helped the team secure high draft picks critical to future improvement.

Rebuilding phase: The dismal record led to a full organizational reassessment, paving the way for future investments in scouting and analytics.
Draft leverage: The second overall pick in 2003 allowed Tampa Bay to select Delmon Young, a key piece in later trade deals.
Managerial evolution: Joe Maddon’s interim role in 2002 foreshadowed his eventual promotion to permanent manager in 2006, leading to future success.
Franchise identity: The struggles of 2002 highlighted the need for a rebrand, which culminated in the name change to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.
Player development focus: The season underscored the importance of nurturing young talent, leading to the rise of players like Evan Longoria and James Shields.
Historical context: The 55–106 record remains one of the worst in modern MLB history, serving as a benchmark for future progress.

While the 2002 season was a low point, it played a crucial role in shaping the long-term strategy that eventually led to the Rays’ emergence as a competitive team in the late 2000s.