The Milwaukee Brewers are just one win away from clinching their first-ever franchise championship, putting pressure on the Tampa Bay Rays as they head into a do-or-die matchup at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The Rays, looking to keep their championship hopes alive, are turning to franchise legend Evan Longoria for inspiration, as he is set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The iconic third baseman was selected third overall by the Rays in the 2006 draft. During his decade-long tenure with Tampa Bay from 2008 to 2017, Longoria collected numerous accolades and consistently delivered standout performances both at the plate and in the field.
His impressive resume includes being named the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year, earning three All-Star selections and capturing Gold Glove Awards in 2009, 2010, and 2017 for his impressive defense. Longoria also finished sixth in AL MVP voting in both 2010 and 2013, and he claimed a Silver Slugger Award in 2009.
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Longoria’s legacy is also cemented in Rays history. He is honored with a statue outside Gate 4 at Tropicana Field, commemorating his iconic celebration after hitting a walk-off home run in the 12th inning of the final regular-season game in 2011, a moment that propelled Tampa Bay into the postseason.
Now, the Rays find themselves facing an uphill battle, trailing the series 3-0 after the Brewers dominated Game 3 with a commanding 10-1 victory. With their championship hopes hanging by a thread, Tampa Bay will look to rally as they fight to keep their World Series dreams alive.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Evan Longoria to throw out first pitch before World Series Game 4