See ya, Devil; welcome, sunburst

The Rays aren't dropping just the Devil. As part of their switch to new blue-schemed uniforms, they have taken the Tampa Bay off their road jerseys in favor of their new Rays logo. They will, however, keep the TB on their caps. Here are the images, leaked on the Internet Thursday:

The uniforms are not expected to be unveiled until November but word of their look has been trickling out.

The leaked images, above, show a clean design, a color scheme of navy and light blue with a sunburst of yellow, and a return to sleeved jerseys from vests.

They'll wear traditional all-white uniforms at home and gray on the road with navy caps, but have "alternate" navy tops and an alternate road cap with a light-blue bill. One new logo features the word Rays over a baseball diamond, and another stacks Tampa Bay and Rays.

The Rays didn't confirm that the leaked designs were the right ones, but they didn't deny it either, instead asking fans to wait for a scheduled mid-November unveiling.

"We are planning an exciting celebration this fall, at which time we will launch the new marks," team vice president Rick Vaughn said. "We will celebrate this occasion with our fans, players and supporters. We are excited to share this event with the Tampa Bay community. It will provide the first opportunity to get a complete sense of our new look and its meaning to our organization."

The images, plus details on changes other teams are making, appeared to come from a Major League Baseball produced document, and first appeared Thursday on the Web site.

The model, for what it's worth, is wearing Rocco Baldelli's No. 5.

[Photos: somethingawful.com. Click to enlarge.]

Comments

[Rays in '08]

I like the new look! This in a new chapter in Rays baseball! I think the jerseys are classy and old school. The new script is a million times nicer than the old script. I'm already getting excited for next year!

[Josh Beckett]

Boorrrrrring.

Swipe the TB from the Rangers.
Swipe the color schemes from the Padres and Royals.
Make the logo as boring as possible.

Not like all the bandwagoners will care.

[David Gobel]

This stinks!!!!!!!!
You can make changes but keep the green/black theme. It looks like the Royal, Dodgers, Padres, etc. Maybe if we steel the Yankee's look we could win more games, Instead we steal from the Royals. Also, the Garamond font stinks.

[JP]

Keep the solid green jerseys and white pants for home and the grey road uniforms they already have. This is the 3rd uniform switch for a team that has finished last 9 out of 10 seasons. Don't make it worse by stealing the 1995 Mariners uni's.

[Ralph Loren]

What a snoozer! I thought it was supposed to be better than what we had. Also, should not drop the word "Devil".

[aki-4-prez]

I've been checking these bad boys on and off all day and the more I actually see of the logo, the more I actually like it. I really like the navy/sky blue combo and the sun isn't that bad. Its a classic look with the straight font and diamond backdrop.

Plus, I hate it when sports teams just go for the new "slicker", "sleeker", "hipper" new logo like the atlanta hawks are doing for next year (http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/newuniform_pr_062707.html)
. Personally, I think thats worse. All in all, I bet the unis will look a lot better once we actually see them live.

[Ray of Sunshine]

This is almost as exciting as the fish tank. And it will have just as much impact upon the teams' performance and the fans' attendance. It's too bad $tu doesn't put as much time and money into improving the team on the field.

[Jim Smith]

I want to see the Rays play the Royals and both teams wear home jerseys. That should be interesting. Check out the Royals jerseys here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ALC-Uniform-KC.PNG

[Yeah]

Those look horrible. And the color scheme has already been done. Why don't you invest more money into TALENT rather then UNIFORMS.

[mario]

this does not qualify at all as old school and its not very modern or cutting edge. In fact its very 1990s. The good news is that the stadium is very 1990s too.

[Pete]

I saw these this morning at Rays Index http://raysindex.blogspot.com/ At first I was skeptical, but the more I see the more I like it. Thanks to "jim smith" for the wikipedia link. After looking at the royals uniforms you realize that the design never looks good as a drawing, but can still be great in real life.

[chase]

Gary Player is going to join the Rays?

[Jeffrey McKenney]

All I see in the alternate jerseys is the Seattle Mariners. Sorry, I don't like the changes. All I can do is hope they grow on me.

[md]

Hideous. The "R" on Rays looks awful. Did they hire high school students to design these? The logo they have now is nice... I don't see a purpose in this redesign. And as many have mentioned, there's nothing here that sets the new uniforms apart.

Keep the green, get rid of that idiotic starburst on the "Rays" and fix the "R"so it isn't lame as hell. Uniforms are supposed to represent the team. These are a joke, let's not set the stage for our team to look like that when they've been trying so hard to get better.

[Cork Gaines]

The term "alternate" for the 3rd and 4th set is wrong.

Those are actually the spring training and batting practice unis. Look at the Hat. That is clearly a spring training/BP hat with the piping on the side.

there are no "alternate" designs as of yet.

[James]

To any member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Organization who may be reading this: PLEASE do the right thing. Contact MLB and put a stop to this disaster ASAP.

Officially drop Devil from the team name, keep the current logos and uniforms, and never entertain the idea of rebranding the franchise ever again.

[Carol]

Well, although the team itself still stinks, at least these uniforms are better than those ridiculous sleeveless jobs they were wearing...

[Michael]

I hate it! I loved our old uniforms, and was not thrilled to hear they were being changed. But the to find out that this is what they are changing them to is just a slap in the face. I am going to go out and buy as many of the current ones as I can once they go on clearance, and then wear them, because as much of a Rays fan as I am, I would not wear the new ones.

[Raysfan]

Please do not change the uniforms. The ones we have now are the best we have had yet. These new designs are terrible. I know you probably won't listen, but seriously, this team does not need help embarassing itself.

[Rays Fan]

these uniforms look ridiculous...the uniforms aren't a problem, some of the team is. Keep the old logo and colors and spend money on the team instead.

-Speaking for Rays Fans!

[Al]

These are great! I don't know why people are complaning - change is always difficult. Stop whining - at least we have a baseball team and one that will be on top soon. GO RAYS!!!!!!

[Tony]

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of the current Rays uniforms, and feel that they have never gotten their full due. However, what bothers me most about these new uniforms is actually not the new colors but the design. I honestly think that they could have taken the current design and just switched the old green color scheme for the new blue one and it would have been MUCH better.

It has been said on some of the blogs that it looks like an amateur did this on Photoshop. I would agree wholeheartedly. The logos with the baseball diamond in the background look like something a little league team would make up.

The little sun looks completely silly, and leads folks to associate our name with rays of sunshine. This along with the unfortunate decision to remove the word "Devil" officially completes the neutering of our mascot.

Not using "Tampa Bay" on the away uniforms not only looks bad, but could lead some of the more paranoid fans to believe the Rays are leaving their options open when it comes to relocation.

[bill]

Those are the ugliest colors I've seen. Who's the fashion model that came up with those colors. There is nothing wrong with the current colors or name. What's the reasoning behind removing " DEVIL " from the name, To many older people thinking it's devil worship? Leave things alone. Trash those uniforms

[phyllis diller]

i couldn't have picked a better uniform myself! reminds me of some of my tasteful atire!!

[brandon]

i know a 10 year old autistic kid who could design better unis than that, are they really serious??? are people expected to go out and buy a jersey or hat or shirt that looks like that??? jeeeeze, please help us, these are way worse than i could have imagined

[Frank]

How about the Revenue Sharers as the name. Thats all they care about.

[Brandon]

thats it...i quit, if this is the best we can do then forget it. atleast the bucs designed nice new uniforms, these uniforms reflects our payroll. let me design something. our current uniforms are great. there is no way I am going to look at these for 81 games. I will attend a couple games, maybe way up in the 300s so i cant see how ugly these thigns are in person

[Aaron]

The uniforms look boring, uninspired and minor league-ish. As a matter of fact they look like the seattle mariners minor league uniforms.

BTW- get rid of that stupid "RAYS" name. We don't need a team named after Ray Namoli

[Mike Jones]

These new uniforms suck. The green uniforms had character and were unique. People need to boycott buying the new uni's until the DRO changes back to the current uniform or something more similar to the current uniform.

[Mike Jones]

"Rays" is a good name and should be kept.

[Dan]

I hate the new logos and uniforms. There's nothing wrong with the current ones...especially compared to this boring option! If you want to take the "Devil" out of the team name, that's fine...but the unis don't need an overhaul like this. Maybe a little tweak would be better, like the blue trim on the batting practice unis...that would be fine!

[Rick Shaw]

I like the new logo stuff, you guys who don't, have no taste, this stuff is pretty cool, away with the dead fish, bring on the sunshine!

[Mike Jones]

The R on Rays looks stupid.

[Phil J.]

OK. Speaking as a professional in the graphic design business these are the most GOD AWFUL UGLY uniforms I have ever seen. I'm including those multi colored unis worn by the Houston Astros in the 70's and those dark colored tunics worn by the White Sox years ago. These are BAAAAAAD. I hope this is some kind of joke. There is nothing wrong with the current uniforms. Drop the "Devil" if you must but these are HORRENDOUS!!! Put the money into a decent bullpen instead of these little league rejects. My 5 year old could design something better!
Uggghh! BAD!

[Cliff]

Gotta love it........But I kinda liked the "tampa Bay" on the away jerseys as a style switch for the road. The Rays current logo woiuld have looked great in blue instead of the longer barded tail "R" on the Rays. I will own one whatever they look like anyways. I still have a 1998 jersy in the wild purple hue...............Go Rays.
New uni's New attitude

[Jake]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ted]

Thank for dropping the Devil. I hope the colors are more vibrant. I like the uniforms having sleeves. Go Rays!

[Ted]

Has anyone thought of how nice it would be to see the team contrast the inside of the Trop just a little bit? I happen to love the colors and the scripts. Its nice to see the team embrace some classic baseball looks in the new unis. For those of you that do not like the colors, I bet you see them on the players in the Trop you will be shocked at how much better they will look.

[Bill]

I just remembered where I've seen these colors before The Toronto Blue Jays had them. Nothing but bush league colors. The owners need to get a clue.

[Ben]

You all know this is a hoax right?

[Finnley]

wish we had the old uniform besides when will the rays be good

[Mike]

If these are the uniforms they are terrible. Dull lifeless colors that look like several other teams are not what this team needs in a fresh start. Go back to the drawing board and start over

[ColorMeGreen]

I think they should have changed to a more yellow-green of Shrek and make that ogre be the logo (like the ol' Mighty Ducks). It would bring the youngsters out. They'd snap up every thing with TB Shrek. And they might actually see the Rays have a winning record in their lifetime.

[Kevin in St.Pete]

This isn't good news guys. Nothing exciting here at all. The Christmas Star thing is a bit odd.

I know its been said, but the T in TB is a rip off from the Texas Rangers.

The Blue and light blue looks very Padres-esque. These are also similar to Royals and Dodgers uniforms.

They should have used blue and yellow evenly, or blue and green - like the ocean.

[Josh]

Looks like garbagem, at least they kept the player white! Go Rays!

[Nail'Er]

Looks like a Sun City Center retirement softball teams logo, The Tampa Bay SUN Rays? Is that what they are trying to imply with the little sunburst in the "R"?

This is worse than Bucco Bruce, and if they think we are the laughing stock now, wait till the rest of the country sees this baloney.

This is absolutly pathetic!

[Dave]

Vice President Rick Vaughn? The same guy that pitched the Indians to the '87 ALCS?

[What the devil?]

I've seen these on pony league teams. Looks like they're trying to be the Yankees and Dodgers at the same time. Unfortunately, they look like the Royals, Probably the same geniuses behind their current ad campaign behind this. Fans don't go to the games to look at other fans. They go to see a great game of baseball. Here's a clue DEVIL Rays, get some people with actual sports marketing knowledge involved with this stuff.

[What the devil?]

Geez. You think the first post by Rays in '08 came from either a) the Rays marketing department or B) the sorry design team that created these?. Grey? Blue? And a star that belongs on top of a Christmas tree? Maybe after hearing the fans yell "Jesus Christ!" game after game they thought "hey, we could use that."

[George M.]

The fashion police just saw the new logo & the verdict is in - THEY SUCK !

[DJ]

Wow. This is not good. The weak design might have been ok if it wasn't teamed with such an aweful color scheme. It's just bad all around.

[don]

Unis look ok but c'mon, the current green unis kicks butt! Why change then? How many teams are in green versus how many in blue? Blue and black are overdone. Now what would be really cool? Adopt the Old Buccanner orange creamsicle colors!? Hee, hee. Just kidding of course. Keep the Green!!

[Bailey]

Wow. Just wow. They spent two years "trying to get it right" and ended up with this?

They should have hired a real design firm or multiple firms as this was their shot to right so many wrongs. How much you want to bet this was designed in-house on the cheap? Boy did they blow it.

Now get ready for the ultimate spin job as they try to BS us all by telling us how much meaning and thought was put into the design. They'll talk about how they wanted to carry over the old Ray as a way to pay respect to the past of the organization. "We were going for a classic, established look. A new day has dawned, as we, the Tampa Bay Rays, glide on rays of light towards the World Series."

At this point there is nothing that can be done about this for next season. They're probably already producing the merchandise, which many will buy. The team will ignore our critism and claim that a lot of market research and focus groups went into perfecting this masterpiece of crap.

Oh, and by the way, I've been a DEVIL RAYS fan since day one.

[JTM]

The Rays will be like the Jays! Why Blue? The Green was so much better!! At least the fans will be camoflauged in the empty blue seats. They should have paid a little respect to their past and kept some green somehow. The water in our area is more greenish than blue anyway. Are we supposed to be a sun ray or sting ray? BOYCOTT THIS NEW STUFF.

I don't mind the Devil going away.

[Tony]

Here's an idea for tampabay.com: put a poll question on your front page and Devil Rays page for the next week asking whether folks like the current uniforms or the new uniforms better. The organization says they care what the fans think, so let the people speak.

[Shoop]

2 years........2 years and they come up with THAT?!

The money that i WAS going to spend on new Rays merchandise is going to be spent elsewhere.

I couldnt BE more disappointed in this.

[kb]

un-credibly tacky. looks like they hauled in some hungover college kid who knows a couple things about photoshop, handed him $200, and said "make us a new design!"

i can't decide what's worse -- the curiously-placed "starburst" or the horrible typeface. did somebody spend too long playing with fonts in MS Paint or something?! jeesh!!!!

i hope this is a hoax (as someone said), but it's JUST bad enough that it's probably not. hope Stu's listening: THIS SUCKS! it's a reflection of our payroll and our lack of commitment to winning! everybody is embarrassed!!! back to the drawing board!!!!

[Hawkeye]

Looks like I won't be buying any "new" uni's with this color scheme.

Put me down as one that like's the current colors, just get rid of the Devil.

In fact, I don't mind the Devil in it either. Just get a few other players and let the kids show what they can do.

[DEAR GOD!]

I can't imagine anyone will like these. Please God, tell me this is a hoax. WHY IS THERE A CHRISTMAS STAR ON THE UNIFORM??????????? IT LOOKS LIKE A SEATTLE MARINER THINGY ALL LIT UP! Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

[sam]

PLEASE tell me this isn't true. KEEP THE GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Horribly unimaginative and boring. Just get rid of the "Devil" and keep everything else the same. Why do we need to change the uniforms? REALLY BAD!!!

[Adam]

Borrrrring!!!!

The current uniforms are one of the few good things about the franchise. No need to ruin that.

[Brandon Cooke]

I don't really care for these uniforms. I like the Rays because they are the home team but some things they do make it seem like they are more a minor league team. Lets' put the money into something else, for instance, raising the team salary. Stick with the uniforms we have, because nobody really has green except for Oakland and that is a different green. Most teams in the majors have some type of blue in them, and what's with the star?

[Fred]

Here is the man more than likely responsible for this disaster.

http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/tb/team/exe_bios/raymond_darcy.html

Darcy Raymond
Vice President of Branding and Fan Experience

Darcy joined the Rays in January 2006 in the newly created position of Vice President of Branding and Fan Experience. He is re-sponsible for developing a breakthrough fan experience at Tropi-cana Field, as well as overseeing the team's branding strategy.

Nicknamed "D-Ray", he has extensive consumer products and branding experience includ-ing five years with Procter and Gamble, the last two as a Brand Manager. He also led all marketing efforts as Vice President of Marketing for Mamma.com, a search engine company. In the summer of 2005, he developed marketing plans for Warner Home Video.

Darcy has an MBA from Harvard Business School. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University's John Molson School of Business, in Montreal.

A proud native of Montreal, Darcy is fluent in French and was a hardcore Expos fan.

[Jay]

Absolute ocular vomit.

[Jay]

Absolute ocular vomit.

[andrew]

One major flaw in the new uniforms - instead of a baseball cap, what they should be wearing on their heads are dunce caps.

[Raymond]

At least with these uniforms the team will finally look like a major league baseball team - even if they don't play like one.

[Blaze]

who are we the frekn seatle mariners?

[Marino]

Looks like Tampa Bay is 0-2 in the new uni department. First the Lightning's juvenile comic book look, now this completely sterile, unimaginative look from the Rays. What, is bad taste contagious in this area?

[Ray]

So we are going to change to uniforms that have the same color scheme as two other teams in our division (NY and Toronto)? It's already hard to tell the difference between the Rays and the Jays, and this makes it worse, Come on, be creative, not sterile...

[Joe]

Seems to me that Matt Silverman (or Darcy Raymond) personally felt that he/they had to cater to a bunch of interest groups in changing the logo of the team rather than be bold and identifying and branding the club in a proper manner. In short, not only do the road jersies lack Tampa Bay, but there is also the stinging Ray on the sleeve but a ray of sunshine symbolic on the jersey. Seems to me that there is a lack of boldness and too much compromise in this design.

For me, TB and Tampa Bay goes beyond the player, its the identification with the team and the area. I hope the team reconsiders this or I will be furious. I would love an explanation why there is a continued effort to "neuter" this club locally and to become "Florida's team"?

[Joe]

By the way, those are not the alternate jersies or hats, those are the Batting Practice/Spring Training jersies. I have yet to see a mockup of a 3rd/alternate jersey or a 2nd cap.

Once again, I beg the team to reconsider and put "Tampa Bay" on the road jersies. The fans HERE are the core fans and deserve recognition that the Rays play here in Tampa Bay.

[Brandon Lee]

They are absolutely awful. What are they trying to do? Look like the Kansas City Royals? Because that's a model franchise? Maybe they should pay some real money to a creative marketing firm, instead of designing the uniforms themselves with Microsoft Paint. Oh well, this is just the fist part of a 2 stage uniform change. The second phase calls for changing the TB on the hat to LV for LAS VEGAS!

[Jim in Tarpon]

This is the running scared look.
It's Bucco Bruce in a baseball uniform.
In my opinion this is what happens when you let the ultra-sensitive religious fringe make the decisions.
Afraid of "Devils"?
Well now you're just a "Ray of Sunshine" are you. At least you can wear them to church and not offend anyone.
You had a good name and you had a good look. All you needed was good pitching.
It is WEAK and it gives up on what little tradition you've been able to muster.
IDIOTS!

[Carissa]

Yuck.

[Joe]

The Rays have indeed ran scared with this change. I cringe at the thought of Nov. 11th when they have their "fashion show" and if they pull these uniforms out, there may be some boos and catcalls on the catwalk instead of a proper celebration that the front office intended.

This is very telling of these men, the three amigos of Stu, Andrew and Matt and how they view baseball. Oh, when is Stu himself going to call "Tampa Bay" home still when he live up there in Charles Xavier's mansion up there in Westchester? All kidding aside, if these are the uniforms, it would be a horrible mistake and would not get the desired effect. They had a chance to embrace the area and hit a PR home run, but with the "identity crisis" these uniforms create with the sunlight and the fish and the lack of "Tampa Bay" on the road jersey, its nothing but a weak ground ball back to the pitcher.

[Jon Pinto]

I am begging God that this is wrong information being leaked. Those new uni's are AWFUL!! As a professional artist myself I have to admit I really like the current colors and design. Drop devil. Fine. It hasn't really been there for years anyway but to give us these is just too much. I wonder if I will stop rooting for the team because the uniforms are so ugly. I think I need to go buy some hats and jerseys in the green variety before they are gone!

[Kickie]

I think the pants need to be a little tighter!

[Nadie]

Some of you are insane! I can't believe you would get so angry over uniforms. Geez, don't take it personally! It's not like you have to (or could) wear the thing. If you think you would do a better job managing/owning/marketing a team, go apply and quit your whining!

[Russ]

This Color Scheme is AWFUL ! NOBODY wants light blue on the uniforms.These will NOT sell you more unis.Drop the Devil if you want but don't go with this debacle that will COST U money and not make it

[Toss This Idea]

These designs are BRUTAL!!! Hopefully these "not confirmed nor denied" designs are going to be "denied"!!!

[Judy]

I liked the first black!! I can't believe "Baby blue"? Gosh! We're trying to give these players a mature image! How can we in these blues? Please keep Tampa Bay. I'm heading to St. Pete tonight!--I hope I won't picture the players in baby blue! The green is masculine--that's what is needed MEN--not babies running around!

[Jeremy]

Anyone who likes that is absolutely out of their mind. It is nothing special at best. Change is supposed to be made for the better, you know that old phrase, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it...well wise up. I think I read every post and counted like 10 total if that many that actually like this new look. Chances are those guys (and trust me, they'd do it) probably released it to see what kind of reaction it would get before they castrated themselves. From the response here, I'd say don't worry. The whole uniform and name change thing came from people they've long ago fired. They're likely thinking, hey, if this goes over, we'll do it and take credit for it...if not, we'll drop the Devil from our name and be the RAYS...which is the only name on home or away uniforms currently anyway. The word Devil hasn't appeared in anything since Jose Canseco was shooting up roids underneath the Trop in his Rainbow Bright "Devil Rays" jersey which truly is the ugliest uniform in sports history. Maybe we should take solice in that...at least the new ones aren't worse than the first ones. WHAT A JOKE!

[GW Simpson]

I am absolutely SICK !!!

I've been a baseball fan for 62 years and I finally started to get really exited about this baseball team......

Then this visual assault !!!!!

This poke in the eye !!!!

I wouldn't buy, wear or burn trash with this "new uniform"....

It's not even acceptable for a Halloween "experience".

The Green Blue and White combination is a great distinctive look....if this is what D-Ray came up with, they should fire HIM because he and his "Design" team, doesn't have a clue !!!

Dear GOD Help Me - I am greatly Distressed !!!

I was planning on season tickets for next year but I will NOT buy a season ticket and be assaulted visually each and every game !

[Jeremy]

Even better, they should have etch-a-sketch night at the Trop, give away a sketch pad to each fan entering (do it for a Yankees or Red Sox game so there will be enough samples) and let them doodle out a new logo, might come up with something better...ahhh, scratch that, they WOULD come up with something better.

[Chris]

The Rays management needs to stop wasting money on a new look for their uniforms and logos and start using it to go after better players and to hold onto the ones that are making a difference with the team already. The new look isn't all that bad, but now they are going to have to spend cash with new signage at the Trop, new marketing materials, new advertisements, etc.

I personally liked our old jerseys. The colors were unique. Now, we look like the Royals, Padres, Rangers with the blue/white scheme.

They could have said to the media and general public, "Please do not refer to us as the 'Devil Rays', 'Rays' will be just fine" and called it a day.

[Dave]

I have to say I like the current uniforms better. They must have run out of time and designed the road uniforms to be the same as the home, but in gray. The road uniforms are supposed to have the location of the team, not the nickname, if you want to stick with tradition. We should decide if Rays means the fish or the sunlight, as we can't seem to decide in the new design.

[me]

The new uniforms look fine. It may not matter anyway, this team will move to Orlando in five years anyway. They should have never built the stadium in downtown St. Pete. I doubt Tampa will be build a new ball park for them.

[Nadie]

"I've been a baseball fan for 62 years and I finally started to get really exited about this baseball team......I was planning on season tickets for next year but I will NOT buy a season ticket and be assaulted visually each and every game !"

Posted by: GW Simpson

Um, GW, you say you're a baseball fan. Why do you watch the games, for the pretty colors on the unis? Or for the skill and competition of the game? You're probably one of those fans who only knows the mascot's name. And have any of you bothered to look at the other teams' new jerseys that were leaked? They're pretty frickin' similar to the Rays new ones. At least our boys won't be wearing Toronto's new pajamas jerseys.
You do know that MLB has to approve this stuff, right? Good riddance to you picky fans. Get back on your bandwagons and leave this exciting young teams to the real fans!

[Jim Dietrich]

It's so pathetic and atrocious that I bet $100 it's a PR-test to gauge fan reaction. There's no one in their right mind, even in Stu's House, that would consider this a viable option. I guarantee come mid-November, when it's "officially" announced, that it's something so amazing, so dazzling, that we're all gonna be stunned and feel like fools for believing this garbage was real; it's not...it's a test to whet our appetites and see how passionate we are...right, Stu?
"........"
.......Stu? C'mon, Stu, stop playing and tell everyone it's a joke.
"........"
.......please?

[Bobby]

People like Nadie and Ted make me sick. If you actually think these uniforms look good, I don't even know what to tell you. Your taste is so poor it's actually humorous. But there's a bigger point here...

The most annoying thing is when people keep saying to relax, and that "it's only the uniforms, what's more important, that or winning?".

What these people don't get is that we all care about winning of course, but we all care about THE TEAM most importantly. That means all aspects of the team. That's why we're so upset in the first place. A team's uniforms and logo are its brand, its identity. It's a sacred thing, and the (Sting)rays have taken it and made a complete mockery of it with these new uniforms, which are so outlandishly pathetic that I thought it was a joke when I first saw them. I still hope deep down inside that it is.

Pathetic. Darcy Raymond, Matt Silverman, and Sternberg should be ashamed of themselves.

[Joe]

I don't think a lot of people understand or rather underestimate the connection of the uniform with the team rather than the individual player. Reading from everywhere unfortunately, I have every reason to believe that these are the uniform marks and logos or the club would have strenuously denied this. I am one voice of many but I am happy other fans hate noted this displeasure in regards to the uniforms. At least its not the Padre mustard jersies of the early 70's! I would pray and hope the Ray hierarchy heed these opinions and take value of them. It isn't sarcastic, but sincere. You spend 24 months and who knows how many dollars to come up with that? Its preposterous and an act of pure unadulterated lunacy. It seems to me the club tried to cater to the "non devils" out there than brand it to be bold. Its a statement of who these men may be unfortunately.

Regardless, my last time, I will say it. Please, I beg of whoever is making this decision to please put "Tampa Bay" on the road jersies. Its not subtle, its sincere and serious. I bet on any given night, 96-98% of the fans live within 30 miles of the Trop. Why can't you brand and identify the club with OUR region? The road jersey is symbolic of that relationship.

[neededreliever]

A lot of excellent points made. I didn't care for the "Devil" being dropped but as it turns out, that's the most benign faux pas in a bevy of mistakes. It all adds up to the same thing as the product on the field: a complete disregard for the fan. As long as Stu gets revenue sharing, the fans can collectively be known as BOHICA. I think this guy Darcy didn't go to the John Molson School of Business. The article should have said he drank Molson while giving fans the business. I've been around for a while and have seen the likes of Culverhouse, Bud Adams, Bill Bidwell, and Naimoli but this owner--BAR NONE--is the absolute worst in the history of American professional sports.

It would have been cheaper and the result would have been better if the uniform had been designed on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,

[Robert]

This change is even worse than the Angels design of the late 90s..we are already being laughed at for not winning so lets not be a laughingstock for being a team that is so poor that we have to steal from other teams designs just so we could look generic..its like we just gave up trying to be legit altogether..memo to the owner and the powers that be: WE DO NOTICE THAT YOU GUYS EXIST..if this is a prank to gain ATTENTION then i admit to being PUNKED..WE DO CARE ABOUT THE TEAM and if u care about us, DONT CHANGE ANYTHING.

[John]

I'd much rather PAY for parking than to see this CRAP

[kortney]

wow the rays couldnt come up with anything original huh? so we are the tampa bay padres? why dont we have the sand road jerseys to? i personnaly think the green is good, we are only 1 of three teams to have green in our uniforms.
i have a good idea for unifoms. red and yellow with a sun on the hat and we can be the (sun)rays. this is the sunshine state isnt it?

[bob]

So the twinkle left Bucco Bruce's eye and showed up on the Devil Ray's new jersey? It's fitting that the new colors will include powder blue.

[x-ray]

Hey Rays, put down the crack pipe for two seconds and take a good hard look at this crap swirling around the bowl. Not as bad as the N.Y. Islanders' "fish sticks" debacle in the '90s, but pretty damn close. You guys didn't do your homework -- the comments are at least 9 - 1 against the new look. Imagine my surprise. A second-rate makeover for a third-rate organization. Pass the air-sickness bag.

[BB4evr]

You guys had a chance to do something truly special and you blew it big time. What a train wreck.

[John Dobbs]

The more I see this uniform, the more I realize that it must be a big joke to distract us from the development of the actual new uni's. Or maybe, this whole thing is a hoax to test fan interest, and we will keep the current uni's. One can hope!

[A Concerned Rays Fan]

This is the biggest mistake the Rays have made and will make, and they make many mistakes. Just like all of our good players, the franchise is trading away the only reasonably good thing this team has. Hey they may suck, but at least they are fashionable. If they actually go out onto the diamond looking like that, the City of St. Pete wont have to worry about comming up with new ways to draw in a bigger fan base to Tropicana Field..... because there wont be one left. After seeing these, it almost makes me want to be a Yankees fan.... almost.

[blaylip]

Yeah, I remember those horrible Islanders uniforms - I think they switched back two years later. And in the early '90s the 49ers announced a new helmet logo in a press conference. The fans were so enraged that the team shelved it a day later. I see the same thing happening to the Rays. It would be much better to regroup and try again than go with a concept that will almost assuredly be a disaster.

[Eddie Welker]

Reminds me of the Mariner's old (and parts of current) uniform. Couldn't they have tried to get a little more original?

[Rays fan]

I prefer the current logos and uniform styles. Actually, I think the originals were the best we have had. The proposed logos and uniform styles are not nearly as dynamic as the current ones.

By all means, please keep "Tampa Bay" on the road uniforms.

Rays fan since opening day 1998

[eric]

sp times, if you can get dukes off the team, surely you can get this changed. this looks like the KC royals. ugh.

[Doug Payamps]

The Rays need to come up with another design. I would never wear that looks like that. It looks like something out of a Dick and Jane book.

[Doug Payamps]

The Rays need to come up with another design. I would never wear anything that looks like that. It looks like something out of a Dick and Jane book.

[Patrick]

Make the away uniforms sleeveless and please put Tampa Bay on them or Please move them to ORLANDO ASAP

[RaysFan#1]

Wow, the weird thing is that a homosexual (nothing wrong with that), mysogynistic (lots wrong with that) video gamer blog aggreagator was selected as the place to "leak" this information... and even more interesting that the St. Pete Times is reading this for it's information...

[Tha Chief]

The new jerseys are boring ... and i think its the DUMBEST thing in the world to Drop the DEVIL from the team name....I hate the Fact they are giving OUR team such a soft Image,... WHO ARE THEY CATERING TO!!!! ... this is really making me angry... ridiculous,...specially if they are changing the name becuase they think its offending some people.... im Offended they are changing the name,... ITS A FISH NOT SATAN...

the Yankees arent changing the team name to the Yank's, boston isnt changin the team name to the sox,... its not the cubbies in Chicago... just cuase people shorted the name does not mean you should change it .... PLEASE AS A PLEA FROM ALL DEVIL RAYS FANS RECONSIDER!!!!!!!!

[Voice of Reason]

Will anyone who says they liked the original black and rainbow jerseys the best please refrain from ever speaking about taste again. You are worried about team image and you want rainbow as part of our color scheme? And those who liked "Devil" please remember that we are not naming a little league or college mascot but a professional sports team. Only the "Mighty Ducks" had something as stupid as the "Devil Rays" and getting that off our name like they did is LONG overdue. The new regime is changing our losing identity just like the Bucs did. No matter what they look like a change was needed. They MUST get Tampa Bay back on the road jerseys though!

[agatha]

Some voice of reason. If the new, inept ownership wanted to shed the loser image, they would have:

1) Protected Josh Hamilton after investing so much time in developing him.

2) Traded for decent relief pitching.

3) Signed or traded for a starting pitcher.

4) Signed or traded for a major league catcher (there's NONE in the entire organization).

5) Hired a manager who is not totally clueless. Having a track record would have gained the respect of the players.

Of course, all of that would have cost $$$ but as long as these Wall Street neophytes get revenue sharing, they'll never improve this team and will lose a decent nucleus to free agency.

[Voice of Reason]

Did you read the article Agatha? We're all talking about the uniforms, but I'm sure you'll be a fabulous GM in your next life.

[NY]

OK voice, agatha is right. It is their play, the roster, and the actions of ownership that give the rays a loser image, not their uniforms.

[Ken]

Arizona is still the DBacks, cant we be the DRays...come on people. Dropping the Devil is stupid.

Our new colors look just like every other team.,, i.e Mariners and Padres.
-Thanx Sternberg.(u suck at marketing)

I agree with all of you...maddon is clueless and we had potential this year, unrealized due to poor management.

[Greg H.]

Now's the chance to change the name altogether. I think we should be called the TAMPA BAY MAKOS or TAMPA BAY MAKO SHARKS or TAMPA BAY OSPREYS.

The new uniforms are bland, but I am glad they are getting rid of the sleeveless jerseys. They should not trade the dark green for the navy blue.

[Carmen]

You can change the uniforms, but until you change the players they will still be the doormats of the AL East.

GO DEVIL DOGS!!!

[Greg H.]

I detect a Red Sox fan in the room. But hey, TAMPA BAY DEVIL DOGS. I like it. A tribute to our fine Marine Corps.

[whatupyo!]

i LOVED the all green uniform. The use of blue, already used by 19-yes, 19--other teams, is EGREGIOUS. I WANT MY UNIQUE GREEN BACK!!! I AM DISGUSTED!! I AM A DIEHARD RAYS FAN WHO CAN RELUCTANTLY ACCEPT THE SILLY NEW "RAYS" ONLY NAME, BUT NOT THAT UBIQUITOUS GENERIC BLUE...UGH...

[Mr. Vegas]

I'm sad to see the green go. All teams are now all primarily blue, black, or red. The D-Backs made the switch to red this year, the Astros made the move from orange a few years back . . . the Pirates still hold fast to the yellow, but their uni's are mostly black and gray anyhow.

Welcome to MLB: you will be assimilated, resistance is futile.

[Jimmy]

I like the new name and new colors. I thought the green was UGLY and the new blue ones look like a real baseball team. Maybe change will be good for the team.