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We are approximately 624 hours from Rays pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, if that sounds like a long time, (it’ll certainly feel like it) it’s really only 26 days.
So, to commemorate the date, here are all the players in franchise history to have worn the number 26.
Tim Laker (1998), Tony Graffanino (1999-2000), Andy Sheets (2001-2002), Jared Sandberg (2003), Brook Fordyce (2004), Scoot Kazmir (2005), Delmon Young (2006-2007), Dan Johnson (2008), Gabe Gross (2008-2009), Stephen Vogt (2012), and Brad Boxberger (2014-2016).
Some of the memorable moments to come for these players in these uniforms
Andy Sheets helped turn the first triple play in franchise history back in 2002
Gabe Gross captures some 2008 magic, launching a walk-off homer against the White Sox
Brad Boxberger makes himself known with an immaculate inning (after coming in with the bases loaded)
The Number 26 in Rays Statistics
James Loney blasted 26 home runs over his three years with the Rays, including this walk-off shot against Baltimore
It’s also the same number of starts made by Nate Karns in 2015, one of those starts he made some history by homering for the only run of the game, as he held the Phillies scoreless for five innings
The countdown continues tomorrow as the days keep ticking away until spring training commences