In baseball, some players become synonymous with the team that first believed in them. Their careers might take them elsewhere, to new challenges, to that elusive championship. But a special bond often remains with their original club. Now, a beloved third baseman who earned his reputation as a fearsome hitter and dazzling fielder is metaphorically coming home. He plans to hang up his spikes with the franchise he helped build into a contender. This move offers a fitting honor for an amazing career.

Evan Longoria, the legendary third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays, is going to retire from Major League Baseball. The news comes courtesy of Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Evan Longoria did not appear in 2024 and suggested in some interviews in the summer of that year that he was effectively retired. The official announcement came on Monday, May 12, 2025. The Tampa Bay Rays organization announced that Longoria would officially retire in a pregame ceremony in celebration of his career on June 7, 2025. The ceremony will take place at George M. Steinbrenner Field prior to the Rays’ game against the Miami Marlins.

The timing underscores that this event is less about the decision to stop playing—a conclusion reached gradually after the 2023 season—and more about providing formal closure and celebrating his legacy with the team and fanbase that defined his career.

Longoria’s decision to retire as a Ray brings his career full circle. The Tampa Bay Rays originally drafted him third overall in the 2006 MLB Draft. His presence was a turning point for the young franchise. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in his memorable 2008 rookie season. And he also guided the Rays to their first World Series. He was the face of the team for his 10 years in Tampa Bay (2008-17), when he was a three-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove winner.

The Giants traded for Longoria in December 2017 after his standout career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He played for five seasons (2018-2022) in San Francisco. There, he contributed veteran leadership and steady play at the hot corner. He did help the Giants to a franchise-record 107 wins in 2021. Although his power totals were down just a little bit, he was productive. He never hit more than 20 home runs in a season with the Giants.

The final chapter of his career played out with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023. The 37-year-old Longoria was a key part of their surprising run to the World Series. It was his second World Series appearance. Longoria hit 342 home runs and drove in 1,159 RBIs in his 16-year career, with a .264 batting average. He consistently showcased his power, hitting 30 home runs four times, and fielded his position with a .966 percentage, truly a remarkable run for the Rays legend.

Honoring a Rays icon: Longoria’s symbolic return

Longoria had already indicated he was ready to move on before this formal announcement. In July 2024 interviews, he candidly shared his mindset. “I waited long enough to know that I was done,” Longoria said, going on to say, “I just felt like the last couple of years it was getting closer and closer.” He also mentioned that reaching the 2023 World Series with Arizona made it “a pretty easy decision for me going into the offseason.” His priority shifted towards family, expressing a hope to “be a present dad.”

While Longoria prepares for his ceremonial farewell, his former team navigates the 2025 season. As of mid-May, the Tampa Bay Rays hold an 18-22 record. That makes them fourth in the ever-challenging AL East and 4.5 games behind the leader. They are 3 games back of a Wild Card spot, too. They’re 18th in batting average (.241) and their pitching ERA (3.74) is 11th. The first baseman, Jonathan Aranda, has been a bright spot, hitting .342 through 36 games.

Evan Longoria‘s retirement, marked by nagging injuries in recent years, such as a difficult 2022 season with four injured list stints, isn’t entirely unique in its nature. Many of the greats suffer for it. Think of stars who went on to play elsewhere but then received honors or signed one-day contracts with their defining teams, making that symbolic return. Longoria’s ceremony is a testament to such enduring legacies. His story adds another chapter to how baseball cherishes its icons. How will Rays fans celebrate their returning hero?