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The 2008 Tampa Bay Rays Trivia Quiz

How much do you know about the Tampa Bay Rays?

A multiple-choice quiz by azgator14. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
azgator14

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
298,090

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
642

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What year did the Tampa Bay Rays first join Major League baseball? Hint

1997

1998

1999

1996

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Question 2 of 10

2. How many times did Tampa Bay reach the postseason in their first 10 seasons as a team? Hint

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What is located at the back of their ballpark? Hint

A tank full of manta rays

The dugout

The bullpens

A petting zoo

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 2008, who was on the five-man starting pitcher rotation towards the end of the season? Hint

Shields, Jackson, Kazmir, Garza, and Sonnanstine

Shields, Kazmir, Garza, Percival, and Howell

Upton, Kazmir, Jackson, Wakefield, and Balfour

Bradford, Balfour, Percival, Sonnanstine , and Wheeler

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was benched halfway through the 2008 season for a lack of hustle? Hint

Evan Longoria

B.J. Upton

Carl Crawford

Carlos Pe�a

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which three important players went out with injuries in August 2008? Hint

Pervical, Pe�a, and Barlett

Longoria, Crawford, and Percival

Upton, Baldelli, and Crawford

Iwamura, Longoria, and Zobrist

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who became the Rays manager in the 2006 season? Hint

Larry Rothschild

Lou Piniella

Joe Maddon

Hal McRae

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who pitched for the Rays on opening day in 2008? Hint

Scott Kazmir

James Shields

Andy Sonnanstine

Troy Percival

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following Rays players is Australian? Hint

Gabe Gross

Willy Aybar

Grant Balfour

Rocco Baldelli

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Question 10 of 10

10. In the 2008 season, who replaced Jason Barlett for the majority of his starts at shortstop, after he was injured in early July? Hint

Willy Aybar

Ben Zobrist

Cliff Floyd

Eric Hinske

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What year did the Tampa Bay Rays first join Major League baseball?

Answer: 1998

The Rays were created in 1998, along with fellow expansion team, Arizona Diamondbacks, bringing the grand total to 30 MLB teams.

2. How many times did Tampa Bay reach the postseason in their first 10 seasons as a team?

Answer: 0

For the first 10 years of play, the Rays never made it to the playoffs. The never finished higher than fourth place. The 2008 season was the first season they made it to the postseason.

3. What is located at the back of their ballpark?

Answer: A tank full of manta rays

Even though the Rays dropped the "Devil" from their nickname for the 2008 season, their mascots remained in a tank at the back of the field.

4. In 2008, who was on the five-man starting pitcher rotation towards the end of the season?

Answer: Shields, Jackson, Kazmir, Garza, and Sonnanstine

The Rays began using these five starting pitchers in a deadly rotation that ended up helping push them into the playoffs. James Shields had the best record, going 14-8.

5. Who was benched halfway through the 2008 season for a lack of hustle?

Answer: B.J. Upton

Rays manager Joe Maddon decided to bench B.J. after he failed to convert easy plays in the outfield. This caused him to play much harder in the second half of the season and begin to play up to his manager's standards. Upton's numbers were drastically down compared to 2007.

6. Which three important players went out with injuries in August 2008?

Answer: Longoria, Crawford, and Percival

In early August, Evan Longoria suffered a broken wrist, and Carl Crawford tore a tendon in his finger. A week later, Rays closer Troy Percival went out with knee and hamstring related problems.

7. Who became the Rays manager in the 2006 season?

Answer: Joe Maddon

Joe Maddon was hired in the 2006 season, and took them from their last place season in 2007, to their first place finish in 2008.

8. Who pitched for the Rays on opening day in 2008?

Answer: James Shields

The Rays' 2008 opening game was on March 31, and they won 6-2 against the Baltimore Orioles. Shields went on to go 14-8 for the season.

9. Which of the following Rays players is Australian?

Answer: Grant Balfour

Balfour was born on December 30, 1977, in Sydney. He is a right-handed relief pitcher that was aquired by the Rays during the 2007 season. He went 6-2 with four saves in 2008.

10. In the 2008 season, who replaced Jason Barlett for the majority of his starts at shortstop, after he was injured in early July?

Answer: Ben Zobrist

After Barlett was injured, two-year player Ben Zobrist filled the gap for him, playing very well and earning himself a place on the Rays roster. He played in 62 games and hit 12 home runs.

Source: Author azgator14

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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