The news in Sunday's Times is that Rays have all but officially dropped plans to change the team name, uniform and colors for next season. Official word is expected this week, but it will be merely a formality.
While some eager for change may consider that disappointing, it actually could be a good thing. By 2008, the Rays expect to be a better team, which means a team that draws more fans and attracts more attention, so the name change could have a much bigger impact then. (And they could sell much more merchandise with the new logo on it, more replicas of the new uniforms, etc.)
Plus it means the Rays will have more to time to get it right. They are going to put a lot of hours, effort, research and money into the process. Principal owner Stuart Sternberg made it very clear, standing on the Fenway Park field before Saturday's game, that he realizes the significance of this type of action, and that it is a once-in-a-franchise opportunity.
No one ever quite understood how Vince Naimoli and Co. came to settle on Devil Rays intially. Sternberg said they are talking about dramatic and ""wholesale'' change, and that being said, he and his stable of bright and creative executives obviously want to make sure they make the right choice. More importantly, they want to be sure their selection is more warmly received than Devil Rays was. Tarpons? Tropics? Sting Rays? Barracudas? Let the guessing continue for another year.
The other weekend news is that the Rays are once again taking a cautious approach with an injury, placing Casey Fossum on the disabled list rather than risk further injury due to the nagging soreness in his groin. To take his place, the Rays have summoned James Shields from Triple-A, and he will make his debut on Tuesday in Baltimore. Shields is the third of the Rays young Durham starts to be called up this season. Jason Hammel didn't do too well in his two starts, and Edwin Jackson recovered from a rough beginning to have a decent outing in his one start. They chose Shields this time for the simple reason that he was throwing the best.
Aubrey Huff looks very much in need of a day or two off after getting ejected from Saturday's game for comments he made after arguing a call, then punching the bat rack in the dugout.
Follow the Rays through spring training and the season with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the Times sports staff. We invite your participation in the comments area.
Entering his sixth major league season, Fossum has a career ERA over 5. He gives up more hits than innings pitched, plunks batters with regularity due to funky mechanics, and wears out early. If not for his lefty delivery (and Tampa Bay's desperation), he'd be out of the league, wasting away in long relief, or serving it up in the minors.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 29, 2006 at 03:59 PM
Change the name to simply DEVILS out of spite. I see nothing wrong with the name DEVIL Rays and any bible thumper that is upset because of it can become Angels fans. I personally thing a name change, while it may get some fans to buy stuff, will only get dedicated fans like myself that have spent money on Devil Rays (actually Rays) items upset. Leave the name alone. If you want to do anything to make the team more appealing get rid of Upton he's a bad seed
Posted by: lillapoyka | May 30, 2006 at 07:47 AM
I think you mean Delmon Young.Anyways, it just adds another year of poor merchandise sales... I'm certainly not dropping anything on soon-to-be-out-of-date gear.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 30, 2006 at 10:19 AM
So is the tank for the Rays still getting built?I'm still waiting for the outside of the stadium to get stuccoed from 1997. (It even stayed on the team web site through 1999) The expenditure of those stadium improvement funds was among the more irresponsible things Vince ever did. Sternberg's number 1 problem is the "tomorrow" culture. Since day 1, no sense of urgency to win. Waited an extra year to get started with the D' Backs. Waited for draft picks. Waited for crowds to spend money. Waited. Waited.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 30, 2006 at 01:26 PM
there is absolutley nothin wrong with the name. keep the team tampa bay and not st petersburg. people would think were a team from russia. the team is showing signs of improvemnet and i for one do not want 2 buy new merchandise. keep the name and trade seth mcclung
Posted by: Anonymous | June 18, 2006 at 08:59 PM