Tampa Bay 'Devil Rays' Change Name, Uniform

When you watched a Tampa Bay Devil Rays game on TV or listened on the radio, you probably heard the announcers refer to the team as simply the 'Rays'. The organization announced on November 8, 2007, an official name change and uniform update. Details can be found on the team's official site. The move is aimed at setting a new image and a more marketable image for the often overlooked franchise. Former players and current players have voiced their support for the new look.

"This blue and white is pretty sharp. I really like it. I think it's even a step up from the uniforms from last year," commented Dave Martinez former player and current bench coach.

This is the third overall look for the team in their 10 year existence. The predominately blue color scheme features rays of sunshine as accent colors. This look changes the focus of the nickname away from its roots as a tropical sea dweller to an oblique reference to the sun. Principal owner Stuart Sternberg had this to say in the team's initial press release, "We are now the 'Rays' - a beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida."

The Rays franchise has struggled over the years to build an sort of winning tradition. The team finished at 66-96 last season, a three game improvement over the finish in the first year (63-99). This record fell four wins shy of the best ever. The 2004 Devil Rays finished at 70-91 and in fourth place. this is the only time that the franchise has ever finished out of last place in the American League Eastern Division.

To inaugurate the new uniforms the Rays held a special event featuring actor Kevin Costner's band Modern West. One of Costner's most famous roles was as Crash Davis in the baseball film 'Bull Durham'. That film fictionalized the life and times of Minor League baseball players, using the Durham Bulls as the team. The Bulls are currently affiliated with the Rays as their Triple-A affiliate.