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From their inception in 1998, the Devil Rays played sub-standard baseball, finishing in last place in the Eastern division every year from 1998 to 2003. In 2003, the team signed manager Lou Piniella, a proven manager who helped the Seattle Mariners become competitive in the mid-1990s. Expectations were low for the team entering the 2004 season, but the team surprised most baseball experts by compiling a 42-41 record (.506) in their first 83 games, staying within 5 games for the American League wild card, a remarkable feat considering the team was 18 games below .500 at one point. However, the team soon returned to its losing ways, finishing the 2003 season with a record of 70-91, the best in team history, and in 4th place in the American League East, also a team best.
