For Wendy Wilson, Evan Longoria's walk-off home run against the New York Yankees in game 162 in 2011 was "just wonderful."
Lining up to see his retirement ceremony Saturday, she said she was thrilled to support him.
"[Because of] his actions, the way he played, the way he was in the community," Wilson said.
The former third baseman signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a Tampa Bay Ray, ending his 16-year major-league career during a ceremony prior to the Rays' 11-10 loss to the Miami Marlins at Steinbrenner Field.
His induction into the team's Hall of Fame will come in 2026, after they move back into Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
"Once we get back into the Trop, I'll be able to properly speak to the fans on the field and get inducted into the Rays Hall of Fame and do it where we all started — at the Trop," Longoria said.
The Rays are playing the 2025 season in Tampa as Tropicana Field undergoes repairs to damage from Hurricane Milton.
Longoria played the first 10 seasons in the majors with the Rays. He was the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year, a three-time Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger and a three-time All Star – all while winning the hearts of Tampa Bay fans.
Years after he left, Longoria still holds a slew of team records, including most games played, RBIs and home runs.
Of those 261 home runs, one stands out to fans, such as Wendy Wilson.
It was 2011 and the Rays needed a win to clinch the American League wild-card spot. Tied with the Yankees in the 12th with one out, Longoria drove his iconic Game 162 walk-off homer over the left-field wall, giving the Rays an 8-7 win and sending them into the postseason.
"Everyone stayed in the stands and just got there and waited. So that was just one of the greatest experiences, getting out of there after midnight and just celebrating," Wilson said. "It was beautiful."
Longoria's celebration as he rounded the bases was commemorated with a statue outside Tropicana Field in 2023.
He said his memories of his decade with the team are fuzzy and, while he may not remember every play, what stands out to him are the people.
"For me, it's the players that I played with, the friendships that I made, both on and off the field," Longoria said. “This organization has been so great at creating this culture.”
Longoria joined the Rays as they were transitioning — not in just their name, but in their play.
Before he joined the team, the then-Devil Rays were last in the American League East.
Then in his rookie year, Tampa Bay made the playoffs for the first time and advanced to their first World Series.
"I think that was just a very pivotal moment in the franchise," Longoria said.
Watching Longoria play was one of Chip Watfore's first memories of baseball.
"You could tell the guys in the clubhouse respected him. It was just amazing," Watfore said.
That respect goes far beyond Longoria's teammates from 2008-17. Current Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe said Longoria is still the role model for the team.
"It was always somebody that was brought up to us," Lowe said. "... He enjoys doing this. He doesn't miss ground balls."
Now a lifelong Rays fan, Watfore said he was excited Longoria chose Tampa Bay as the team he retired with.
"I wish he could have played his whole career here," Watfore said.
In 2017, after earning that final Gold Glove in Tampa Bay, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants.
"He knew it was coming," Wilson said. "If you're a true fan, you understand ... but it still hits you in the gut."
Teral Walker has been a Rays fan since the team debuted in Tampa in 1998.
He said Longoria exemplified hard work, showing up to the stadium early and putting in extra practice.
"Evan was probably what a lot of young players need to have a leader or example for," Walker said.
Longoria anchored the Rays' defense during his time in Tampa Bay, but he was also an anchor in the community.
From signing balls before games to reading with kids in public libraries, Longoria touched fans on and off the field.
Before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday, Longoria met fans coming in droves for signatures, photos and to thank him for the impact he had.
Cathy Pearson, another longtime fan, said it was special to see her grandson get a signed ball and picture with Longoria when he was playing.
"He was just a really cool dude," Pearson said.
Walker said he was glad to see Longoria come back to Tampa Bay to hang up his hat.
"It's so special because that means that he loves Tampa Bay, he loves the team," Walker said. "Even though we have fun memories of him, that means in his heart, he has memories of us."
After the stint in California, Longoria played his last season in 2023 as an Arizona Diamondback.
Then, on June 7, he was a Ray again and said his final farewell to baseball.
"I already knew what I wanted to do," Longoria said. "I knew I wanted to come back here and end my career somehow as a Ray."
