The Tampa Bay Rays retired Evan Longoria's No. 3 and inducted him into the team Hall of Fame this past weekend [1], [2].
The ceremonies mark the first time the franchise has retired the number of a player who spent the bulk of his career with the team. Longoria served as the face of the franchise for over a decade, establishing a standard of excellence for the organization's infield.
The events took place at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida, as part of a celebration called "Longo's Legacy Weekend" [2], [3]. The festivities began on Saturday, July 11, 2026, with Longoria's induction into the team Hall of Fame [1], [2]. The weekend concluded on Sunday, July 12, 2026, with the official number-retirement ceremony [1], [2].
Longoria's No. 3 now joins a small group of honored numbers at the stadium [3]. Previously retired numbers for the Rays include 12 for Wade Boggs, 42 for Jackie Robinson, and 66 for Don Zimmer [1].
The celebratory atmosphere coincided with a game against Seattle. While the team honored its former star, the Rays fell to Seattle with a final score of eight-two [2].
The retirement of the number serves as a permanent tribute to Longoria's impact on the Florida-based team. By placing No. 3 alongside figures like Boggs and Robinson, the organization recognizes Longoria as a foundational pillar of the franchise's history [1], [3].
“The Tampa Bay Rays retired Evan Longoria's No. 3”
The retirement of Evan Longoria's number signals a shift in the Rays' organizational identity, moving from a focus on short-term roster churn to celebrating long-term franchise icons. By elevating Longoria to the same status as Jackie Robinson and Wade Boggs, the team is codifying the legacy of its most successful era of play.
