Pitching led the way for the team in 2013 as the Rays led the Major Leagues with a 3.19 ERA while also setting an American League record with 1,383 strikeouts. The Rays struck out 10-plus batters in 61 games, which was the most in Major League history.

The facility, which was originally called the "Florida Suncoast Dome", was built in the late 1980s to attract an MLB team through either relocation or expansion. In 1993, the stadium was renamed the Thunderdome and became the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team and the Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football League team. After St. Petersburg was awarded an MLB franchise in 1995, the dome underwent extensive renovations and naming rights were sold to Tropicana Products, which was based in nearby Bradenton.

On 29 October 2002, Winn was traded to the Seattle Mariners as compensation for Lou Piniella being hired to manage the Devil Rays. Under Piniella's leadership, the team won a franchise-record 70 games in 2004. This was also the first season in which they did not finish last in their division.

Kazmir pitched the 14th inning and got the win for the American league.

Upton was twice disciplined in 2008 by Rays manager Joe Maddon for lack of hustle. On August 6, Upton was held out of the lineup for failing to run out a ground ball the night before. On August 15, Upton was benched in the sixth inning for not running out a double play ball. He was replaced by Justin Ruggiano.