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On April 18, 2001, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays made an early-season change, firing manager Larry Rothschild after a 4–10 start. The move came after three straight last-place finishes and mounting frustration as the young franchise struggled to find its footing. Just one day earlier, the team had suffered a 10–0 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
Stepping in was bench coach Hal McRae, who brought prior managerial experience from his time with the Kansas City Royals in the early 1990s. McRae (pictured) was also well known for his long playing career in Kansas City, where he had been a key part of the team for more than a decade.
The decision marked the first managerial change of the 2001 Major League Baseball season and highlighted the growing pains of an expansion-era club still searching for consistency. For fans in the Tampa Bay area, it was another reminder that building a competitive team would take time, patience, and steady leadership.