Tampa Bay Rays

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Lore & Background

The story of this franchise is defined by its adaptability and strong ties to the Minnesota Twins, who first moved their Charlotte Hornets affiliate to Orlando following the 1972 season. For nearly two decades (1973–1992), they were known as the Orlando Twins, playing at Tinker Field near the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. In 1990, a name change to the Orlando Sun Rays coincided with their final years under Minnesota ownership. The partnership shifted dramatically in 1993 when the Chicago Cubs took over, renaming the team the Orlando Cubs. This affiliation lasted until 1996, after which the team rebranded as the Orlando Rays in 1997. A unique one-season stint followed in 1998 with the Seattle Mariners before the Tampa Bay Devil Rays assumed control in 1999, marking a full circle connection to their original name.

In Their Own Story

The team's final chapter at Tinker Field concluded in 1999, prompting a move to Kissimmee for the 2000 season. There, they played in the state-of-the-art Champion Stadium at Walt Disney World Resort, a facility built in 1997 that had previously hosted Atlanta Braves spring training. Despite the modern amenities, the Orlando Rays struggled with attendance, trailing the Southern League in multiple years. The owners terminated their 10-year lease with Disney after just four seasons, announcing a move to Montgomery, Alabama for the 2004 season. This relocation transformed the franchise into the Montgomery Biscuits, ending an era of Orlando minor league baseball that had spanned three decades.

Reader's Guide

Fans looking back at this franchise can note specific dates and transitions that define its history. The team played home games at Tinker Field from their inception in 1973 until 1999. In 2000, they moved to Champion Stadium in Kissimmee, remaining there through the 2003 season. The affiliation timeline is precise: Minnesota Twins (1973–1992), Chicago Cubs (1993–1997), Seattle Mariners (1998), and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1999–2003). Even after the franchise moved to Montgomery, the Orlando legacy remained relevant; on June 17, 2016, the Tampa Bay Rays wore Orlando Rays caps during a charity game following the Orlando nightclub shooting. They repeated this tribute in a spring training game on February 28, 2023, at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Did You Know?

• The franchise played at Tinker Field for most of its existence before moving to Walt Disney World Resort's Champion Stadium from 2000 to 2003.
• In 1998, the team was affiliated with the Seattle Mariners for exactly one season before switching to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999.
• The team terminated its 10-year lease with Disney after only four seasons due to attendance falling below expectations.
• On June 17, 2016, the modern Tampa Bay Rays wore vintage Orlando Rays caps for a charity game against the San Francisco Giants.