The Worst MLB Team Ever

[@HaydenSimmons44]

I went to a Devil Rays game in 2007 against the Padres. We bought nosebleed seats for like 10 dollars. The staff told us we could sit behind the dugout. There were maybe 100 people there. The Devil Rays lost 9-0. It was sad. But a fond memory.

[@joshnunez5265]

Pretty cool that the staff let you sit where you want though! 9-0 is brutal though, man those were the days 😭😭

[@UpperCumberlandGamers]

​@@joshnunez5265yeah, usually in MLB games if there's a seat below you that is free and unreserved, you can take it

[@Paul-nx3qz]

No you didn’t 😂

[@HaydenSimmons44]

@@Paul-nx3qz Okay... Not really sure what you mean

[@CompWin7Helper]

I believe you, i used to do the same. They don’t allow us to sit in nose bleeds anymore it’s so that the stadium looks more full than it really is. Everyone would just buy the nose bleeds seats for 10 bucks. Now they force u to pay at least 50 bucks for the surrounding seats

[@charliereffettstormchasing]

Huge respect cancelling sponsorship with betterhelp

[@kensuter1441]

Man ik it’s hard to turn it down, but major respect for not following along with the ad. Better help seems sketchy at best

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I'm lucky that I don't NEED that money, because in other circumstances, I def would've taken it. They offer a lot, and that's why so many KZbinrs have taken their ad reads this past year, even after the controversy. It really was a situation where the more I looked into them, the worse I felt about supporting them.

[@cococock2418]

@@AndThatsBaseball They offer a lot because they need to offer a lot to silence people's conscious.

[@fortynights1513]

@@AndThatsBaseballI’ve heard some people in comment sections say that the company is hard to cancel if you sign up for it.

[@savage751]

I mean there a lot of "sketchy" companies out there that advertise..ultimately it comes down to the each individual person to do their own research and decide if doing something is in their own interest

[@wafersmash338]

@@AndThatsBaseball I'll be honest, I didn't know they were a sketchy company. Thanks for your integrity

[@legochickenguy4938]

Trading away a 5 WAR player for a manager should be brought up more often in the many discussions about the worst trades of all time

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I think managers were slightly more valuable at the time, but trading your very good starting CF for a manager instead of for actual prospects is hilarious. They barely got anything for the few good players they had in the first 5 years, then Friedman built a pennant winner by trading Toby Hall and Aubrey Huff.

[@ron4255]

As a Mariners fan i will always appreciate Nintendo’s owner for buying the team. Dude never even saw a Mariners game live. Hated flying but wanted to thank the city for being so supportive.

[@rayge7838]

Nash, Dukes, Franco....the Rays need to have some training on how to stay away from underage girls for their stars 😭😭😭

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Criminal organization

[@fortynights1513]

One thing I will say for the Devil Rays: The hats and helmets in the late 90’s and early 2000’s were pretty cool.

[@bbryant9455]

Came here just for this 💯🥶

[@TheSolidSnakeOil]

I still have a hard time watching video of Tony Saunders. Breaking his pitching arm had to be complete hell but happening again is a just kill me moment.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I have used that clip probably near half a dozen times now in my videos. It's gruesome, but it's so fascinating to me.

[@aron4117]

See the mildly grainy mid 00's Devil Ray's footage brings me back to my childhood in the Bay area.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I tried finding as much high-quality footage as possible, but the grainy stuff will always be part of that era's aesthetic

[@Nick_Valentine2702]

@@AndThatsBaseballit’s nostalgic

[@r4v4g3r]

I was 8 years old watching Orioles games with my parents in MD, so I saw lots of Devil Rays games too. Nostalgic 😊

[@tinypoolmodelshipyard]

Same

[@TheGreatGhost1]

As a Red Sox fan, I always loved the Rays uniform designs. The old rays uniform colors and they’re original name the Tampa bay devil rays will always be badass and my favorite. Tbh I Hope they win a World Series one day.

[@TheOGSticks11]

Let's not forget one the teams top scouts quit when they told him they 'Had no use for a player' like Albert Pujols in '99/00. The scout quit.

[@elijahechicagobearsboyd5734]

YIKES..

[@moronsaltable]

Josh Hamilton went #1 overall by Tampa Bay Kyle Snyder went #7 overall by Royals Tampa Bay pitching coach=Kyle Snyder

[@WhatHappenedtoBaseball]

I don't know how, but this was the first time it clicked for me that the Marlins won a World Series before the Devil Rays debuted

[@AndThatsBaseball]

When I researched the original video, it shocked me that the DBacks won 100 in their second season. These expansion teams all had pathways to instant success.

[@zhife310]

the thing that makes it the hardest to be a ray fan is the fact that you can’t get attached to players because they more than likely will be traded or won’t renew their contracts in less than 5 years.the one long term contract we give out happened to like children too

[@kenw2225]

Marlins too. 1997 was the best moment of my life probably before turning 10yo. But they tore it down within months. I wasnt even a fan anymore in 2003, but did cheer for them vs yankees in ws. Rays need new stadium location and $ will improve via attendance

[@fortynights1513]

After seeing the whole video, I definitely would say that this one turned out a lot better than the older video. Way more engaging.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I've learned a lot since then

[@kyleOWillFixIt]

Having a chronically low payroll definitely makes things hard on any franchise. But constantly wasting picks and development time on guys with serious off-field issues that destroy their careers definitely doesn't help. At least they got over that problem. Oh wait...

[@AndThatsBaseball]

The low payroll is part of the problem. It’s tough to be picky about talent when you’re playing with the small stack. Turning a blind eye to character concerns, injury concerns, etc. is how they field good teams, but also why they have these cases more than most.

[@Samitien]

Idk what else to say, could you talk about how Milwaukee went from a punching bag and missing the playoffs for 26 straight years to being a model organization that has found ways to win. As a Brewers fan I'd appreciate it. Thanks, loved the vid!

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I’ve LOVED some of the brewers teams in my lifetime, so I’d be open to this type of video.

[@foramoreperfectamerica8490]

The Rays have been my AL team since their inception when I was 10. I liked the bright colors of their og unis lol

[@AndThatsBaseball]

The OG unis are so nice. I bought the Wade Boggs Mitchell & Ness BP jersey cuz I was looking at them so much while editing this.

[@slinky_malinki5330]

Would love to see a video on how they turned it around so quickly. From the worst team in 2007 to making it to the World Series in 2008, and becoming regular playoff contenders until the early 2010s, going through a "mid" stage when Kevin Cash cane on board, and then making the playoffs 5 years in a row. And all while having a bottom 3 payroll. Definitely gonna have to highlight the insanity of 2011 game 162 and rhe buildup to it.

[@MrLatrunks14]

They are basically the little bit more Successful version of Oakland A's Money ball. But they can never win the ring.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

If they keep making the playoffs at the rate they've done so in the last 15 years, they're bound to win some eventually

[@MillerArant]

Ask the Mariners

[@ghostofyou9721]

I have a feeling they will at some point. Maybe not in my lifetime but they will.

[@ILoveMisty1985]

The Devil Rays may have been terrible, but they sure seemed to have the number of one of the greatest pitchers out there. Randy Johnson has managed an ERA below 4.50 against 29 of the 30 Major League teams, the one exception being the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His 5.43 ERA against the Devil Rays is more than a run higher than the team against whom he had the next highest ERA, and his 3-5 record against Tampa Bay is worse than against any other team. And it's not like the he faced them when they had their exorcism, his last start again the Devil Rays came in 2006 when they went 61-101. It's one of the most enduring mysteries in my years of studying the Big Unit's career. Anyways, thanks for the fun video.

[@adamhustler3639]

Makes no sense to me to allow them to take guys from other teams just to trade them. Should had some rule where you had to hold them for at least a year or something

[@AndThatsBaseball]

With mlb expansion expected within the next decade, I wonder how the format of the draft will change.

[@LeanMrfuzzles]

Teams have always been allowed to trade for players and immediately flip them. That happens in every North American sport.

[@adamhustler3639]

@LeanMrfuzzles An expansion draft isn't a trade situation. We're talking about just taking a player from another team to fill your new teams roster, and then flipping him.

[@rackstraw]

Vince Naimoli...I remember the furniture store that leased space in the Trop, complete with price tags hanging from the furniture. George III had some petty feuds, but his with Naimoli was probably justified.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I didn’t mention that in the video, but reading about how he made the “luxury box” basically just a furniture store made me laugh

[@rackstraw]

@@AndThatsBaseball I wonder how much furniture they sold. Who goes to the ballpark and thinks "You know what I really need today? A dresser!"

[@VACATETHE48]

I'm currently trying to imagine a Crawford, Hamilton, Zobrist OF for the 2008 Rays. Good grief. That's a dynasty core right there.

[@zach7193]

Man, this is something. It's the Bad News Bears.

[@bradmarepublic]

Seeing Hamilton in the old "sleeveless" Renegades jersey is just a hit of nostalgia as a Hudson Valley local

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Love finding rare footage like that

[@ronanaviation9520]

I refuse to believe that the Rays are worse than the Seattle Mariners

[@Danielvogelbachstan]

Rays never had no Griffey or Ichiro

[@ronanaviation9520]

@@Danielvogelbachstan Mariners never won a pennant, took 15 years to finish above .500, only went to the playoffs 5 times, choked a record season, and had a 20+ year playoff drought

[@8stormy5]

I didn't even know Tampa Bay had a baseball team until I'd started getting into watching baseball in 2019. I played little league in Orlando...

[@whereisspacebar2991]

I saw this video in my subscriptions but wanted to wait to sit back and enjoy it. Fantastic video, I've always been a sucker for the Rays.

[@DarkRookie]

Man. I remember them asking me in First Grade on what the teams name should be. It was the whole class. We had two lines. Devil Rays or Sting Rays. Most of us picked Devil. That was 30ish years ago.

[@patti873]

I’m 40 and grew up in South Tampa and I remember that too!! Devil Rays was the obvious choice 😂

[@richarddash6654]

As a life long devil rays fan born and raised in Tampa you did a great job on the video bro! Loved seeing all that old footage!

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Appreciate it!!

[@bk_goatkim679]

I remember your devil rays history videos. This rays content honestly is the best glad you did a newer version of it with more data

[@tonygonsolin8588]

Love your videos mate

[@matthicksxx]

Wow, very well put together video!

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Glad you liked it!

[@STICKGUYMB]

Having an outfield of Crawford, Baldelli, and Hamilton also batting 1-2-3 would've been legendary

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Could’ve easily been a 15 WAR per year outfield

[@Bc232klm]

Legend. Love your videos. Feels like home

[@hectorolivas7122]

imagine drake wants to learn about the history of the rays and this video gives him flashbacks

[@dr.cornwater2886]

🎶he a fan he a fan he a fan🎶

[@dpglounge4900]

Do a video like this on one of the worst ran sports franchises in the Milwaukee Brewers been around since 1970 one world series appearance in 1982 and lost then 26 years without a playoff appearances and 10 total in the entire existence brutal

[@Godishim1]

This an awesome documentary, shout out to u for making it! I’ve been a rays fan since day 1 and always find out so hard to believe how many times things have gone wrong from reading away Bobby Abreu, to Josh Hamilton never panning, to failed Vinny Castilla, Jose canseco, Greg Vaughn season, to somehow ending up in multiple World Series… truly been a crazy journey

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Much appreciated!

[@kyleolson8977]

On the checklist for starting the team in 1998, you forgot "creating awesome 3D TV graphics" as seen at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="354">5:54</a>.

[@MalWave]

I remember going to a Blue Jays game YEARS ago....maybe 2001-2002 or so. We sat near what I thought was a private box and started making fun of the Devil Rays as they proceeded to get spanked. I eventually turned around and saw a bunch of angry older gentlemen glaring at me. Our seats were in front of the box for membera of the Rays' management. Iirc the GM was in there 😂😂😂

[@bananawatcher1655]

I don't have the money to join for 4$ but wanted to show support by commenting, really enjoy ur vids and the membership is a good way to avoid certain sponsers. Great idea

[@chrisg334]

What is crazy is they improved dramatically but still have next to no fan support. Every game is empty unless they play a team with a large fan base.

[@sneakdisser5204]

Aside from the many opinions i have regarding Rocco Baldelli as a 28 year old MN born and raised diehard twins fan, ignoring all that history and everything, This is a excellent piece of baseball content, the music and the tone and the vibe and everything about it seeps with passion and you should be proud of the video you created regardless of any of the context. You are an artist man! Well Done!!!!!!!

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Glad you enjoyed and I truly appreciate the kind words! I’m glad the effort isn’t going unnoticed.

[@ghostofyou9721]

I didn't know they traded for Ben Zobrist who is a Cubs hero. I love the guy.

[@thatoneoshawott5826]

Welp, time to get the beer. This is going to be painful for me

[@TB3SportsTalk]

Dude! That video was amazing! That was such a good telling of the Rays story. Life long Rays fans and first day Rays fans should watch this

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I appreciate that, thanks for watching!

[@TheSputerbaugh]

Thank you so much for this. It brings me joy.

[@despiracy9151]

I asked you 2 years ago and I am asking again. Would you please do the second decade? BTW. This is better than the first version and I thought that the first one was strong.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I don’t think there’s as interesting of a story arc over the second decade. The team gets pretty boring and robotic. Not as many wacky stories to tell.

[@despiracy9151]

You do have a point because it becomes more of a numbers story. In the second decade if the Rays trade you one of their pitchers, there is something wrong with that pitcher. The Rays also had incredible luck with other teams cast aways like Fernando Rodney. There is also game 162. One of the most insane days in baseball history.

[@SkaterTrainer]

Much respect for turning down better help. Its not easy to turn down that money and I think its appropriate to plug yourself instead of a predatory company

[@hitchikerspie]

Brilliantly done, almost inspires me to make a video for my favourite team

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Go for it

[@xavierjc94]

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1208">20:08</a> the music is from some game I played in my childhood and I can’t remember lol. Has to be a Pokémon one

[@sealeo5772]

This is the third time in one of your videos you have shown that Tony Saunders injury and every time I have just paused and skipped to where it's over because it genuinely creeps me out.

[@DNSKansas]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="745">12:25</a> Great catch by Gerald Williams, who threw the ball to second to complete a double play. The batter? Some guy named David Ortiz.

[@RetroBaseball]

The goat is back.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

GOAT commenter is back

[@curtvona4891]

Great vid!

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Thanks!

[@booradley6832]

2000 opening day payroll, orioles 4th in the league. I hate it when Baltimore fans say Angelos didnt do anything for the team. He didnt have a lot of success but that doesnt matter when measuring their personal dedication, only one team wins every year out of 32 giving everything to do it. He spent money on stars and then once the payrolls became astronomical he built the best farm system in baseball. He also broke the owners ability to present a united front in 1994 because he refused to side with them and bring in strike breakers, being both a labor leader and protecting Ripken's record. That actually takes a lot of integrity, as hard as that is to say about a lawyer.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I think Baltimore fans generally like Peter Angelos, but hate his children

[@jopilot4126]

Great video didn’t know about Tampa wanted to draft mark tex and cutch

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Imagine those 2008-12 Rays teams with those two guys

[@sethkinslow674]

I can't imagine the pirates without mccutchen

[@kylenickelberry1602]

New subscriber and looking forward to seeing more content.

[@DarthPlagueisTheWise620]

Perna was talking about receiving all that backlash during a recent stream of his

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I love Perna I felt awful for him reading those comments

[@Zamoraxd]

Jorge Cantú Mentioned 🗣🗣🗣

[@BT1919]

I’m confused, why did other sports KZbinrs get negative feedback for doing Better Help ads?

[@wussup12345]

In short, the company is one big giant scam

[@TheCoopMan]

It bills itself as a call in therapy/psychology service. But they are a lot of bad stories about the service they actually put out. I would recommend doing research on it but a good example is they put someone on hold for HOURS who was having suicidal thoughts before ending the call.

[@isaacshaver6218]

Good job broski 👏

[@smolitj]

DO let this distract you by the fact that Dallas Keuchel in back

[@AndThatsBaseball]

He was dealing through 3 innings

[@theheckler6891]

Being a Rays fan, this video couldn’t have made me happier to get as much history in this vid. Much love 💙

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@foramoreperfectamerica8490]

Pokemon music remix, nice.

[@RobertoHernandez-eb5ms]

Damn no mention of the great 1998 season Closer Hernandez had 43 saves for a god awful 69 win team.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

He was one of the team’s only good relievers in the early years. Probably should’ve written a couple lines about him, seeing as he was an all star

[@kenw2225]

Your acct blowing up. I think you had 3.54k subs when i subbed. Good work

[@booradley6832]

Josh Hamilton ABSOLUTELY had to go to somewhere else to make an impact. Being young with money and bad influences around him in Florida there's no way cocaine wasnt going to find its way to him. Its already pretty available in the rest of the country but especially there.

[@wesjones565]

Good job! I’m not a Rays fan but I love baseball. This video had the right amount of stats and info to make it entertaining.

[@Andrew_John_28]

I appreciate the tlou2 and gtaIV music featured throughout the video

[@John_Smith_Smith_John]

I was a bat boy back in 2004-2008 for an AAA team and we would face the Durham Bulls and at the time Elijah Dukes and Delmon Young were on that Bulls team lmao both HUGE douche bags to say the least.

[@YourUncleShan]

Great video dude

[@YourUncleShan]

Appreciate the guaranteed rate dig. Even my team can’t avoid slander 😂

[@Alpha-du4on]

You always pick the best background instrumentals for your videos

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I try, so I’m glad you like them

[@sneakdisser5204]

yea kid you got the voice and the editing and the talent you're gonna go far

[@richardtherichard26]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1318">21:58</a> Record not withstanding devil rays is a bad ass name and the purple and green unis are some the best mlb unis ever

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I can’t believe the OG unis only lasted 3 years

[@KennyFrierson]

More Devil than Ray back in the day

[@almostkinda]

Great video.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@eduardourenda3244]

The music you used in minutes <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1230">20:30</a> seconds is from Pokémon 😅😅😁😁

[@saml302]

I'm looking forward to part 2

[@sneakdisser5204]

my old man always said: there's 2 types of people, those who get baseball and those who don't.

[@GeeEm1313]

Also, Wade Townsend *puke* The Orioles drafted him in 2004, but he didn't sign with them.

[@PopOutPaulie]

Yeah, somebody's lyin', I could see the vibes on Ak' Even he lookin' compromised, let's peel the layers back

[@Mostillist]

Its actually insane how much of a curse the devil rays name was 10 losing seasons in 10 years and these weren't normal losing season their best win total was 70 wins yikes Even Crazier i as the rays they have had 12 winning seasons out of 16 and only one season where they didn't win 77+ games even there bad seasons are solid. As a yankee fan i think i liked them better as the devil rays

[@AndThatsBaseball]

As a fellow yankees fan I couldn’t agree more

[@mmrion0]

"Future alpha male, Aubrey Huff" LOLOLOLOL nicely done

[@alexjessop5330]

Maybe they had some of the worst rosters in their early existence. But I can easily say they are not the worst mlb franchise ever. I don't really know who it would be, one that refuses to contended or punish contenders. I'm a Blue jays fan I hate the rays, But I can easily say they are not doing a bad job. They are a throne in lots of teams sides. It's fun underdog team unless you have to play them all the time. then they are todd flanders mini putting, " I'll do this but it won't go in, oh it did". Yes they havent won a world series. But GM's are not clairvoyant. All they can do is build a yearly contender. The Marlins everyone says are the worst organization, they have two world series. So make up your mind.

[@mistahswags]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="376">6:16</a> beat in the background is so elite

[@llbigwave]

I remember the Tampa Bay Double A’s.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Frank the Tank ahhh nickname

[@spoogtastic]

They will always be the devil rays to me. I would of been sbout 10-11 years old when they started and the name has just stuck with me. Also, as a red sox fan its great to watch the devil rays get whooped 😊

[@jacobthomas8598]

dan wheeler was my top tier coach down in clearwater fl hes a really nice guy who cared about his players

[@AndThatsBaseball]

For a 34th round pick to make the league as young as he did, he must be an incredibly hard worker, as well

[@HangingGarden606]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="355">5:55</a> This is everything

[@weakestlink20]

That 2007 Rays bullpen was so incredibly bad.

[@sambub]

yo I really enjoyed the deep dive but mad respect for turning down the sponsorship and promoting yourself in its place. that is so cool and you got a sub from me. cheers and thanks, you really produce some excellent material!

[@slinky_malinki5330]

Been a Rays fan my whole life. Those first 10 years weren't fun lol

[@GeeEm1313]

Hideo Nomo was on the D Rays? I remember luminaries such as Jason Tyner, Brent Abernathy, and Jared Sandberg. But Nomo?

[@AndThatsBaseball]

A ton of 90s vets had a minute with the d rays. Doc, Nomo, Denny Neagle and Robbie Alomar (spring training)

[@JessCatlessi]

Massive respect for turning down BetterHelp. Your integrity is worth more than anything they could pay you. 👏👏👏👏

[@AndThatsBaseball]

Idk, they offered a lot

[@JessCatlessi]

@@AndThatsBaseball I've heard $100 per referral.

[@tweezerjam]

Screw BG they scammed my Mom and I. Lame

[@terminator6950]

I will say, there are teams (or eras of teams) that were way worse. You just have to go back really far. The Expansion Washington Senators with only one winning season in their eleven miserable seasons in the MLB. The St. Louis Browns; who only won ONE pennant in their 52 years of existence. And TWELVE winning seasons total. The Philadelphia Athletics (who followed a formula of having a dynasty, then falling off a cliff and being absolutely horrible for years), The KANSAS CITY Athletics were awful; never winning more than 74 games in a season. The Phillies from 1916 to 1949 were horrendous (a grand total of TWO winning seasons during that span of 33 years [1916 and 1917, which after they won the NL pennant in 1915. Then they went 33 years without a winning season, before a a miraculous pennant win in 1950. The Boston Braves won two pennants and one World Series tile in 41 years, twelve winning seasons overall. And four of those came during the late 1940s and 1950 where they were carried by Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain. And a span from 1915 to 1945 where they had 8 winning seasons and 23 losing seasons. Their winning seasons came in streaks of either two or three, before having MORE (sometimes way more) than three losing seasons. So yes, there were teams, either still around or defunct, who had stretches worse than the Devils Rays, but the Devils Rays awful seasons are probably more well-known because they happened recently, and there was more sports coverage and more media coverage, so people were able to see firsthand how dreadful the team was, and how horrible/ troubled some of the players were as human beings. And also how incompetent the ownership of this team was.

[@AndThatsBaseball]

I do think it’s more difficult to be this bad in the modern era. The draft, tv revenue sharing, and ease of access to data have leveled the playing field for smaller teams. So even though the title is slightly disingenuous, I think there’s still an argument to be made that the decade of the devil rays is a mix of the worst management and luck for any era of a ballclub. But just as you say, there were plenty of crazy stories that went unreported on the most awful teams of past eras.

[@swadizzy]

Massive W for turning down better help

[@tweezerjam]

For some reason I thought Jose Canseco was Tony Saunders. Made sense to me that he blew out his arm pitching. 😂

[@SconnerStudios]

So many prospects with hall of fame level potential who turned out to be busts. The "best" I guess would be Aubrey Huff and Carl Crawford, but dozens of prospects from Delmon Young to BJ Upton ended up being nobodies when they looked like they were going to carry their team to the world series at a point. Oh, Scott Kazmir was pretty decent too, given the fact he was always on bad teams, so his stats are a little warped (like trying to compare Zack Greinke to Verlander)