In the ten years of their existence, the Tampa Bay Rays have finished above .500 exactly once, this year, 2008. This year, they finished at .599 and won the East Division championship. They beat the Chicago White Sox to advance to the American League Championship Series. And they beat the Boston Red Sox to win the American League pennant. They will be playing the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.

Before this year, they finished in last place every year except once, in 2004, when they finished . . . fourth. But hey, it wasn’t the cellar.

And this year they are the hottest team in baseball.

From the beginning of the team through 2007, they were known as the "Tampa Bay Devil Rays." The name was shortened to the "Rays" before the start of 2008. And they won the pennant. Is it because they took the “Devil” out of their name?

At least one guy in a Rays jersey has gone to the All-Star Team every year in the history of the team. Here are the Tampa Bay Rays All-Stars:

2008

• Scott Kazmir, LHP
• Evan Longoria, 3B
• Dioner Navarro, C

2007

• Carl Crawford, OF

2006

• Scott Kazmir, LHP

2005

• Danys Baez, RHP

2004

• Carl Crawford, OF

2003

• Lance Carter, RHP

2002

• Randy Winn, OF

2001

• Greg Vaughn, OF

2000

• Fred McGriff, 1B

1999

• Jose Canseco, OF
• Roberto Hernandez, P

1998

• Rolando Arrojo, P

The Tampa Bay Rays have some great offensive players. Here are the team's batting leaders for the 2008 regular season:

Batting Average

1. Akinori Iwamura, .274
2. BJ Upton, .273
3. Evan Longoria, .272

Home Runs

1. Carlos Pena, 31
2. Evan Longoria, 27
3. Eric Hinske, 20

Runs Batted In

1. Carlos Pena, 102
2. Evan Longoria, 85
3. BJ Upton, 67

Some of the best pitchers in baseball wear a Tampa Bay Rays jersey. Here are the team's leaders.

Wins

1. James Shields, 14
2. Edwin Jackson, 14
3. Andy Sonnanstine, 13

ERA

1. James Shields, 3.56
2. Matt Garza 3.70
3. Andy Sonnanstine, 4.38

Strikeouts

1. Scott Kazmir, 166
2. James Shields, 160
3. Matt Garza, 128