Sternberg took over the ballclub as principal owner in 2005
TAMPA, Fla. – An era reached the finish line when Jonathan Aranda – it was nice to see him in the lineup for the final series – grounded out to end Sunday afternoon’s 13-4 loss to the Blue Jays in Toronto.
It was the final game of Stu Sternberg’s two-decade tenure as principal owner of the Rays. The team is transitioning to a new ownership group headed by Patrick Zalupski, CEO of Jacksonville-based Dream Founders Homes.
Sternberg joined the organization as general partner in 2004 after spending 25 years in the financial securities field. He became the principal owner in 2005. Here is a numerical look at how the Rays fared during Sternberg’s 21 seasons as the face of the franchise.
$1.7 Billion – Reported amount of the Rays’ sale to the Zalupski-backed group.
$1.25 Billion – Value of the Tampa Bay Rays in March 2025, according to Forbes.
$145 Million – Value of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when Sternberg took over in 2005, according to Forbes.
3,300 – Games the Rays played with Sternberg as principal owner.
1,717 – Wins
1,583 – Losses
.520 – Winning percentage
.398 – Winning percentage (1997-2004) prior to Sternberg taking over
1 – 100-win season (Exactly 100 in 2021)
2 – American League pennants (2008, 2020)
3 – Times Baseball America named the Rays its MLB organization of the year.
3 – Managers. Lou Pinella (2005, the final year of a three-season tenure), Joe Maddon (2006-14), Kevin Cash (2015-present).
4 – American League East titles (2008, 2010, 2020, 2021)
4 – Last place finishes (2005, 2006, 2007, 2016)
9 – Postseason appearances
9 – 90-plus win seasons (First was 2008 and most recent was 2023)
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