David Price: Greatest Opening Day Pitcher in Tampa Bay Rays History

David Price was given the nod as the 2011 opening day starter for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays franchise is entering its 14th season of existence and Price will be the 10th pitcher to be given the honor to take the mound to start the season.

It wasn't a surprise that Price was named the starter for when the Rays start the season April 1 against the Baltimore Orioles. Price is entering his third full season with the Rays and is the ace of the staff.

There also wouldn't be much argument that Price is the best of the 10 pitchers to start the season in a Tampa Bay uniform.

Wilson Alvarez: 1998 and 1999

Craig Melvin/Getty Images

1 Mar 1998: Wilson Alvarez #40 of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in action during a spring training game against the Houston Astros at Ai Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Craig Melvin /Allsport

Wilson Alvarez was the first opening day pitcher in Tampa Bay Devil Rays history. He took the mound for the organization's first game March 31, 1998 against the Detroit Tigers and became the first pitcher to start two seasons for Tampa Bay when he took the mound again to start the 1999 season.

He started on April 5, 1999 against the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays lost 10-7, making Alvarez the only pitcher in Rays history to lose twice on opening day.

His career stats with the Rays include a 17-16 record, 4.62 ERA and 291 strikeouts.

Steve Trachsel: 2000

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

10 Mar 2000: Pitcher Steve Trachsel #46 of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays gets ready to pitch the ball during the Spring Training Game against the Cleveland Indians at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida. The Giants defeated the Devil Rays 12-8. Manda

Steve Trachsel took the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on April 3, 2000 against the Minnesota Twins. He led the Rays to win on opening day for the first time, defeating the Twins 7-0.

His career stats with the Rays include a 6-10 record, 4.58 ERA and 78 strikeouts.

Albie Lopez: 2001

David Seelig/Getty Images

24 Mar 1998: Pitcher Albie Lopez of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in action during a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, Florida. The Blue Jays defeated the Devil Rays 8-6. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /All

Albie Lopez took the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on April 3, 2001 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He led the Rays to their second opening day win, defeating the Blue Jays 8-1.

His career stats with the Rays include a 26-31 record, 4.27 ERA and 262 strikeouts.

Tanyon Sturtze: 2002

Al Bello/Getty Images

07 Apr 2002 : Tanyon Sturtze #49 of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays winds up to pitch against the New York Yankees during the game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees won 7-2. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Tanyon Sturtze took the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on April 2, 2002 against the Detroit Tigers. He received a no decision, although the Rays won the game 9-5.

His career stats with the Rays include a 19-30 record, 4.58 ERA and 285 strikeouts.

Joe Kennedy: 2003

Al Bello/Getty Images

BRONX, NY - APRIL 12: Pitcher Joe Kennedy #17 of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays throws against the New York Yankees during the game at Yankee Stadium on April 12, 2003 in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Devil Rays 4-3. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty

Joe Kennedy took the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on March 31, 2003 against the Boston Red Sox. He received no decision, although the Rays won the game 6-4.

His career stats with the Rays include a 18-31 record, 4.98 ERA and 264 strikeouts.

Victor Zambrano: 2004

Junko Kimura/Getty Images

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 30: Victor Zambrano #47 of Tampa Bay Devil Rays throws the first pitch to start the season-opening game of Major League Baseball against the New York Yankees at the Tokyoi Dome March 30, 2004 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/

Victor Zambrano took the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on March 30, 2004 against the New York Yankees. The game was played in the Tokyo Dome, and is the only time the Rays started a season outside of the United States. He received no decision, although the Rays won the game 8-3.

His career stats with the Rays include a 35-27 record, 4.47 ERA and 372 strikeouts.

Dewon Brazelton, 2005

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Dewon Brazelton pitches against the Oakland Athletics April 10, 2005 at Tropicana Field. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Dewon Brazelton took the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on April 4, 2005 against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays lost 5-2, after five consecutive opening day wins.

His career stats with the Rays include a 8-23 record, 5.98 ERA, and 136 strikeouts.

Scott Kazmir: 2006 and 2007

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 14: Pitcher Scott Kazmir #19 of the Tampa Bay Rays shows off his 2008 AL championship ring before play against the New York Yankees April 14, 2009 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Scott Kazmir took the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on April 3, 2006 against the Baltimore Orioles. He received no decision in the Rays 9-6 loss.

Kazmir returned to the mound on April 2, 2007, to open the season against the New York Yankees. The Yankees defeated the Rays 9-5.

His career stats with the Rays include a 55-44 record, 3.92 ERA, and 874 strikeouts. He also represented the Rays in the All-Star Game in 2006 and 2008.

James Shields: 2008, 2009 and 2010

J. Meric/Getty Images

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 06: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the home opener game at Tropicana Field on April 6, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

James Shields holds the Rays record for the most opening day starts with three. He took the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on March 31, 2008 against the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays defeated Baltimore 6-2 and ended a three year losing streak on opening day.

Shields returned to the mound on April 7, 2009 to open the season against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox defeated the Rays 5-3

Last season, Shields started the season for the Rays on April 6, 2010 against the Baltimore Orioles. Although he received no decision, the Rays defeated the Orioles 4-3.

His career stats with the Rays include a 56-51 record, 4.25 ERA and 802 strikeouts.

David Price: 2011

Elsa/Getty Images

FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 22: David Price #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a portrait during the Tampa Bay Rays Photo Day on February 22, 2011 at the Charlotte Sports Complex in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

David Price is scheduled to take the mound on opening day for Tampa Bay on April 1, 2011 against the Baltimore Orioles. Price finished the 2010 season winning 19 games, making the All-Star Team and was the AL Cy Young award runner up.

His career stats with the Rays include a 29-13 record, 3.31 ERA, and 302 strikeouts.

The Rays won the American League East in 2008 and 2010. Price and the Rays hope a good start could result in a similar ending.