In the early years, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays faced low attendance, many triple-digit loss seasons, and a struggle for a stable homegrown player core. During this challenging period, Aubrey Huff rose from the minor leagues to become the franchise’s first true middle-of-the-order hitter. Debuting in the summer of 2000, this left-handed infielder gained recognition for his smooth, natural swing, which allowed him to excel against major league pitching more effectively than most of his teammates at the time.

By 2002, Huff had emerged as the key player in the Tampa Bay offense. He had a remarkable season, hitting 23 home runs and achieving a career-best .313 batting average, demonstrating his place among top hitters. The following summer, he surpassed these achievements, delivering his most outstanding performance in a Devil Rays uniform. In the 2003 season, Huff was immensely effective at the plate, smashing 34 home runs, driving in 107 RBIs, and maintaining a superb .311 batting average—a bright spot in a year that saw the team lose 99 games.

Despite Huff’s continued offensive productivity with two consecutive 20-home run seasons over the next two years, his overall value was often diminished by his defensive shortcomings. The coaching staff frequently moved him around the field, trying him at third base, first base, and right field. However, he lacked the range, agility, and glove skills necessary to be effective at any of these positions, making him a significant defensive liability whose glove often cost him runs that his bat helped generate.

Beyond just his defensive stats, Huff’s time in St. Petersburg grew marked by a difficult and prickly attitude that began to strain the team. While his reputation as a toxic locker room presence would become more evident later, the signs of discord with teammates and management appeared during his final years in Tampa. As the franchise aimed to build a younger, more disciplined culture, Huff's leadership style and attitude increasingly conflicted with the front office’s long-term goals.

In July 2006, Huff, nearing his fifth consecutive 20-home run season and batting .283 with 128 home runs over six seasons, was traded by the Devil Rays to the Houston Astros for prospect Ben Zobrist. The deal signaled a major shift in Tampa Bay's philosophy as Huff left, leaving his mark on the franchise's early leaderboards.

After leaving the Gulf Coast, Huff would wander through several organizations as a mercenary bat before eventually finding late-career redemption as a key contributor to two World Series championships with the San Francisco Giants.

Strategic voting. What you have to do when you have too many choices and not enough time or opportunities to realize all those choices.

Sounds like voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame for the last few years, doesn't it?

The good news is that since the Shutout of 2013, when the eligible members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) could not muster the 75 percent of the vote necessary to elect any one ballot candidate to the Hall of Fame despite a wealth of candidates from whom to choose (I counted 14), the BBWAA has sent a dozen players to Cooperstown. Based on that trend, and barring any unusual or unforeseen wrinkle, the writers are certain to elect at least one player for 2018.

A relatively good hitter throughout his career, Aubrey Huff record 1,699 Hits in his Major League career, and showed decent power with 242 Home Runs and a Silver Slugger Award in 2008. In his final three seasons, Aubrey Huff won two World Series Championships with the San Francisco Giants which isn’t a bad way to close off a career.



The Bullet Points:
Country of Origin:
U.S.A. (Marion, OH)

Eligible In:
The 2018 Vote

Position:
First Base, Third Base & Outfield

Played For:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Houston Astros
Baltimore Orioles
Detroit Tigers
San Francisco Giants

Major Accolades and Awards:
Silver Slugger (1) (AL) (2008)
World Series Rings (2) (San Francisco Giants, 2010 & 2012)

Other Points of Note:
Top Ten MVP Finishes:
(NL: 2010, 7^th)
2 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
1 Top Ten Finish (On Base Percentage)
2 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
2 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
1 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
2 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
2 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
2 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
2 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
2 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
1 Top Ten Finish (Walks)

Notable All Time Rankings:
None