“Big Game” was back in the place where he earned his nickname.
James Shields, who still leads the franchise in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, complete games, and shutouts, returned to Tropicana Field to deliver the first pitch of the 2023 season.
James Shields throwing out the first pitch at Tropicana Field. #Rays pic.twitter.com/yLMclDHHAb
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) March 30, 2023
The 41-year-old hurler was taken by the then-Devil Rays in the 16th round of the 2000 draft, and made his big-league debut with Tampa Bay on May 31, 2006. He was traded to the Kansas City Royals after the 2012 season in exchange for outfielder Wil Myers, pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery, and minor-league infielder Patrick Leonard. He would go on to lead the Royals to the 2014 American League pennant.