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26 Days Until Spring Training Begins

Dan Johnson’s first Rays jersey, a triple play, and Nate Karns makes history

Tampa Bay Devil Rays v New York Yankees Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images

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