The 2023 Major League Baseball season is officially one week away. Next Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays will host the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. Of course, not all Major League Baseball players from Tampa Bay play for the Rays. According to baseball almanac, there sixteen currently active MLB players from Tampa Bay.

Manager Kevin Cash starts his 9th season as the manager of the Rays. Cash is a hometown guy. Hailing from Tampa Bay, Cash was part of a local team that made it to the 1989 Little League World Series. He then went north to play for Florida State University better getting into the Toronto Blue Jays system as a catcher. Cash’s first stint back in Tampa came when he was traded to the Rays in 2005. His second round with his hometown club came when he was hired to be the manager in December of 2014. At the time, Cash was the youngest manager in MLB, solidifying his presence in the Tampa baseball once again.

In fact, the region has a deep history with breeding major league ballplayers. The roster of MLB players from Tampa is quite impressive.

Here is a look at some of the most recognizable names that came from the Tampa, FL area.

• Pete Alonso

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  Before heading to the University of Florida, Alonso, who was born in Tampa, was a high school star third baseman in the area.

• Matt Joyce

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  Tampa native Matt Joyce got to play for his hometown team from 2009-2014. Joyce grew up going to Rays games before joining the team.

• Dwight Gooden

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  Dwight "Doc" Gooden went to Hillsborough High School in Tampa. He was then drafted in 1982 at 17-years-old by the New York Mets and is a two-time World Series Champion.
• Fred McGriff

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  Big #29! Growing up in Tampa, McGriff had some memorable local moments on the ball field. Rumor has it he was first cut from his high school team before hitting a home run off another Tampa star, Dwight Gooden.

• Tony La Russa

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  A legendary name that has been synonomous with MLB since the 60's. Tony La Russa could often be found at park in Ybor City and West Tampa before playing at Jefferson High School. A three-time world champion and four-time manager of the year.

• Dave Magadan

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  With a rare bats left, throws right combination, Magadan was drafted right out of Tampa's Jesuit High School. He then spent from 1986-2022 in the big leagues as both a player and a coach.
• Tino Martinez

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  Tino is still a Tampa resident. Born and raised in West Tampa, he attended the University of Tampa. He later spent one of his 16 MLB seasons with the Rays. You can't think of MLB players from Tampa without #24!

• Lou Piniella

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  Growing up in West Tampa, "Sweet" Lou played alongside Tony La Russa. He is also a Jesuit high school and University of Tampa alumni. After a 20 year run in the majors as a player, Piniella became a highly respected manager. He chose to come home and manage the Rays in 2003. Perhaps the most recognizable of the MLB players from Tampa.

• Gary Sheffield

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  One of the most unique swings the game has ever seen comes from Tampa and Hillsborough High School. He mastered this swing by taking batting practice with his uncle... Dwight Gooden.

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