Opening Day for the Devil Rays

On March 31, 1998, Vince Naimoli was everywhere. It was Opening Day for the brand-new Tampa Bay Devil Rays franchise.

The Rays’ managing general partner moved from the bowels of Tropicana Field to the spotlight without missing a step. One minute he was prying off a wall panel with a dime, the next he was on national radio explaining how he scraped together $10 million to keep the franchise alive.

By mid-afternoon, he stood on a red carpet outside the rotunda, applauded by thousands as he toasted the moment with orange juice. What most did not see was how he got there, picking up debris, peeling tape off the concourse, checking light bulbs, clearing trash, and making sure hundreds of concession stands were ready.

Naimoli kept a close eye on everything, even inspecting newly delivered palm trees. “Are they happy?” he asked.

“Our fans are our customers,” he said. “Without them, we don’t have a business.”

His day began before sunrise and did not slow. He greeted fans, signed autographs, and answered the same question again and again.

He had one goal.

“I’ll relax,” he said, “when the first pitch is thrown and caught.”