Worst to first.
It is a cliche that is too often used now in the sports world. Even the Boston Red Sox seem to constantly recycle that tagline.
But, when it comes to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, it just feels right.
With the completion of the 2007 season, most people around the game felt the Devil Rays were on the verge of playing respectable baseball. Years of turmoil had finally given birth to a strong, solid core that featured excellent starting pitching and a decent offense.
But playing in the toughest division in baseball, the Rays still seemed a few years short of truly contending.