On this date in 2012, the Rays ended one era and began another as they sent RHP James Shields, along with RHP Wade Davis and a player to be named later (INF Elliot Johnson) to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for the No.3 top prospect in all of baseball, OF Wil Myers as well as RHP Jake Odorizzi, LHP Mike Montgomery, and INF Patrick Leonard.
James Shields had been a longtime staple at the top of the Rays rotation, helping to guide the team to three playoff runs and also served as a mentor to all of the other pitchers in the organization.