Evan Longoria to Sign One-Day Deal, Retire with Rays on June 7

One of the most iconic figures in Tampa Bay Rays history is officially coming home. On June 7, Evan Longoria will sign a one-day ceremonial contract with the Rays, formally retiring from Major League Baseball as a member of the franchise that drafted and developed him into a cornerstone of their identity.

The celebration will take place ahead of the Rays’ game against the Miami Marlins at George M. Steinbrenner Field, with a pregame tribute planned to honor the third baseman’s career and legacy.

Longoria, now 39, spent the first decade of his 16-year MLB career with Tampa Bay after being drafted third overall in 2006 out of Cal State Long Beach. From the moment he stepped on the field at Tropicana Field, he became a transformative figure, both for the club and for the league. Longoria was the face of the Rays’ first era of relevance, helping guide them to four postseason appearances between 2008 and 2013, including a stunning run to the World Series during his rookie campaign.

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That same year, he was named the American League Rookie of the Year, kicking off a run of accolades that would define his Rays tenure: three All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger Award in 2009, and six top-20 finishes in AL MVP voting. His consistent production and leadership set a new standard for the franchise.

Of course, no memory is more enduring than his walk-off homer in Game 162 of the 2011 season, one of the most dramatic moments in modern baseball history. The extra-inning blast sent Tampa Bay to the playoffs and knocked out the Boston Red Sox in one fell swing, etching Longoria’s name into postseason lore alongside legends like Bobby Thomson.

From a statistical standpoint, Longoria’s decade in Tampa Bay ranks among the most impressive ever by a third baseman. He recorded 618 extra-base hits in his first 10 seasons, trailing only Nolan Arenado (668) and Eddie Mathews (648) at the position. His 338 doubles tie Arenado for third all-time among third basemen over that span. And with nine seasons of 20 or more home runs, he trails only Graig Nettles (10) for the most such campaigns by an AL third baseman.

But his impact is most clearly seen in the Rays’ record book, where he stands atop nearly every major offensive category. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1,435), runs (780), doubles (338), home runs (261), RBI (892), total bases (2,630), walks (569), and extra-base hits (618), among others. He also holds the club mark for walk-off RBI with eight.

Longoria now joins an elite group of players, Hank Aaron, George Brett, Cal Ripken Jr., and Todd Helton among them, who lead their respective franchises in games, doubles, home runs, extra-base hits, and RBI.

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Though his career included stints with the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, Longoria’s legacy is inseparable from Tampa Bay. And on June 7, that bond becomes official once again.