On this date, March 31, 1998, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays not only began their season but they began the story of their franchise. The expansion draft and spring training were both in the books. It was time for the teams to take the field.
Tampa Bay would face the Detroit Tigers in the first major-league game ever played at Tropicana Field.
Here were the starting lineups.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays Starting Lineup
- Quinton McCracken (CF)
- Miguel Cairo (2B)
- Wade Boggs (3B)
- Fred McGriff (1B)
- Mike Kelley (LF)
- Paul Sorrento (DH)
- John Flaherty (C)
- Dave Martinez (RF)
- Kevin Stocker (SS)
Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup
- Brian Hunter (CF)
- Bip Roberts (DH)
- Bobby Higginson (RF)
- Tony Clark (1B)
- Damon Easley (2B)
- Luis Gonzalez (LF)
- Joe Randa (3B)
- Joe Oliver (C)
- Billy Ripken (SS)
The starting pitchers were Wilson Alvarez for the home team and Justin Thompson for the visiting Tigers.