TAMPA -- A new era of baseball in Tampa Bay has begun.

An ownership group led by executive Patrick Zalupski officially closed on the purchase of the Rays on Tuesday, the team announced. Major League Baseball’s owners voted unanimously last week to approve the incoming ownership group, the third in franchise history following original owner Vince Naimoli and outgoing principal owner Stuart Sternberg.

“It’s an incredible honor to become the stewards of the Tampa Bay Rays, a franchise with a proud history and a bright future,” Zalupski said in a statement. “We are especially privileged to have been chosen by Stu Sternberg as his successors, and we’re all energized by the responsibility to serve Rays fans everywhere and this great game.

“I want to sincerely thank Commissioner Rob Manfred an

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