Rename the Devil Rays?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

From the St. Petersburg Times:

]Name could be big change By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer Published January 15, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ST. PETERSBURG - The team on the field might not reflect it, but the Devil Rays organization is undergoing significant change. With a fresh approach and attitude under the new ownership and management, there are millions being spent to upgrade the facility and improve the fan experience. There are creative executives being hired, and holdover ones being empowered. There are all kinds of innovative concepts (clean restrooms! a decent sound system!) floating around along with new ideas, such as plans for a huge touch tank of live rays on the right-centerfield patio. Bigger news might be coming. Top officials are privately talking about ideas that would change the entire look and identity of the team for the 2007 season - from the name to the colors to the logos to the uniforms. At the least, it seems likely the word "Devil" will be dropped, as it already is in some official team references. Then a decision has to be made whether to continue associating Rays with the sea creatures or to connect with the sun. Or there could be a new name, such as the Tampa Bay Tarpons. The name issue likely will drive the others, and it reasons that if one is changed they all will be, and done neatly to commemorate what will be marketed as the 10th anniversary season. Discussions are very much preliminary. Concepts have to be designed. Focus groups need to be convened. MLB officials have to be consulted. Procedures must be followed, including a March31 deadline to notify MLB of a possible change and details by May31. Decisions have to be made. The team on the field in 2007 is expected to be considerably better. From the sound of the whispers, it will look considerably different too.

[Guest sharpie]

The Tarpons will, of course, be derisively called the Tampons.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I thought that too, immediately.

If the Tampa Bay ownership doesn't see that, they're nuts.

Which means, of course, that I'm hoping they name themselves the Tarpons. Then ten years later they'll have to come up with something else.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

This, by the way, is a tarpon:

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

And this...

[MFS62]

I have heard from some friends in Florida that part of the reason for the name change is pressure from some fundamentalist groups. They wouldn't have group outings to the games or buy things with a logo that includes the word "Devil"

Has anyone else read or heard that?

Later

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Yes, I suspect that's probably one of the driving issues behind this change.

There was a blog site I heard about that's polling fans for their preference, and one of the choices is "Tampa Bay Jesus Rays"

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Heavyweight Christian Phantom Met Russ Joghnson at one time spoke out agaainst the "Devil" in Devil Rays.

From the start it shoulda been Stingrays. That's a great name.

[metsmarathon]

wouldnt it be easy enough to change the name to "Sting Rays"?

or perhaps the Tampa Bay Manatee. those things are oddly loveable. but do they live in the gulf? hmm...

is the Tampa Bay Citrus Grove not manly enough? Tampa Bay Orange(s)?

would the Tampa Bay Jesus Freaks be a tad bit offensive, maybe...?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Or Orange Sox?

[Elster88]

Let's just contract the fucking team and be done with it.

[Guest Bret Sabermetric]

And they could stock their roster with guys named Ray. You'd think there'd be more of these, wouldn't you? Even if one of them is nicknamed "Sting" Ray.

[Guest Edgy DC]

They could be the Tampa St. Petes and wear golden keys on their breastplates.

I understand some Christian folks being sketchy about endorsing diabolical metaphors, but Russ Johnson was also losing his mind at the time. Being torn between Mary Ann and Ginger can do that to a fella.

That trade has to be one of the most aggressive dumpings ever, moving Rey and the bulk of his salary for a guy that, if I recall correctly, was housed in a mental health facility at the time of the trade.

[soupcan]

I vote for Jesus Rays and Orange Sox.

I remember when the D-Rays first came into existence there was not only an uproar from the religious right about the 'devil' portion of their name but it was also related that the word 'Yar' which as we all know is 'Ray' spelled backwards also is a reference to Satan.

This team is doubly demonic.

[Lundy]

]I remember when the D-Rays first came into existence there was not only an uproar from the religious right about the 'devil' portion of their name but it was also related that the word 'Yar' which as we all know is 'Ray' spelled backwards also is a reference to Satan. This team is doubly demonic.

By this logic I suppose Drake's split the difference when they named the Devil Dog.

[patchyfogg]

Edgy DC wrote: but Russ Johnson was also losing his mind at the time. Being torn between Mary Ann and Ginger can do that to a fella.

That, Edgy, is some good stuff

[nymr83]

Sting Rays makes more sense anyway, but i'd hate to see them constantly changing their name. Whatever they pick now should be something they can live with permanently, so choose wisely.

[Guest old original jb]

After dropping it, they can immediately revive the theme as the Tampa Bay eX-Rays

[A Boy Named Seo]

Yikes. Anyone looked at their official site lately (ever)?

They're motto for this year is "Rebuilding the Dream". Rebuilding implies that the dream at one time was completely assembled, I thought. Even better, though, is the logo: a tattered, yellow, square road sign with the "TB" logo and the phrase "Under Construction" scribbled underneath.

Nothing says optimism like a sullied "Under Construction" roadsign. Go Rays!

[DocTee]

Two of their affiliates are also known as the "Devil Rays"... and then there's the AA Montgomery Biscuits. Really.

[Methead]

Tampa Bay Famous Original Rays?

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Tampax Bay Tampons will be great.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Personally, I don't see how any team could, in good conscience, use Devil as part of their name or as their mascot.

[nymr83]

i didnt get the sarcasm until i looked at your avatar. damn.