“Rise of the Rays: A Devil of a Story” is an epic telling of the twisting, wacky, emotional events that finally brought Major League Baseball to Tampa Bay.

• Tampa Bay waited long for Major League Baseball.  Here's the story. | Tampa Bay Times
• Rays documentary tells a 'Devil of a Story' | Catalyst
• Documentary chronicles how Tampa Bay got the Rays | 10 Tampa Bay
• New Rays documentary features fight to bring baseball to Tampa Bay area | Fox 13
• "Rise of the Rays" Now on WEDU | WFLA
• 'Rise of the Rays' Tells the Incredible Story of Fight to Bring Baseball to Tampa Bay | ABC Action News

In the 1980’s, Tampa businessman Frank Morsani emerged as a man who not only wanted to keep a major league baseball team in Tampa all summer, he had the means and savvy to make it happen.  

Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg it was an assistant city manager, Rick Dodge, who took the lead as the two groups tried to find a team, any major league team, to relocate to the Bay Area. 

What followed were years of lies, double-crosses, questionable civic decisions, public proclamations and behind the scenes negotiations, a white elephant stadium, time-bending political shenanigans, hope, contracts, and always in the end, disappointment. 

The Twins, the White Sox, the Giants, the A’s, the Mariners… it seemed like half of major league baseball was imminently moving to Tampa Bay, but each April Fool's Day, each left town again, returning home to a shiny new stadium and a sweetheart tax deal. 

Until… baseball finally agreed to grant a new franchise to play in the St. Petersburg Dome, now more than 10 years old. 

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays debuted on March 31, 1998 and became the first major league franchise to stick around past April 1st.  

Don't miss a special letter from WEDU's CEO, Paul Grove, covering his perspective on "one of Tampa Bay's most frustrating and intriguing stories".

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