Uniform poll

Images of the Rays new uniforms, left, and logos leaked onto the internet on Thursday, showing a clean design, color scheme of navy and light blue with a sunburst of yellow, and a return to sleeved jerseys from vests. Tell us which of the following you like best in the poll below:

Current:

Original

Rays uniforms
Which do you like best?
Original
Current
New

Comments

[pigbroker]

This is a joke. The current uniforms are great, better in fact than the product. It's just another scam to get more cash out of idiots like me who have already doled hundreds for jackets and hats. What about brand identification? You will never have it if you keep changing.

[sam ruskin]

So we are the Royals now? This stinks. Keep the current uniforms!

[michael mirra]

I like the new uniforms. They give a fresh new image for the team that will come out of the box & kick butt next year.
People used to hate the green uniforms & then got used to it.
It is like when the Bucs suddenly
chaned their image & aquired winning ways.

[John Dobbs]

Are we the Rays, the Royals, the Dodgers, mid 90's Blue Jays? Without looking at the name on the uniform, it's hard to tell which team is wearing which uniform. Also, why is Tampa Bay not on the road jerseys?Boycott the new uniforms. I thought it was going to have a San Diego Chargers look. That would be awesome!

[John Dobbs]

The first uni's are better than the new one's because at least they had team character. Let's move forward by taking almost the exact same jersey as other teams. Great idea!?

[Jeff]

We might as well have the worst designed logo to go with the team record. But I do feel a great weight has lifted been lifted off the organization by removing the "Devil" from the logo. Whew! Funny the Bush era ends at the same time?

[Taylor]

Just when we start to garner some respect on a national level, the Rays are gonna drop right back down with these boring uniforms. We already get laughed at a lot we really don't need to dress bad too. And why drop the 'Devil'!? It just flowed so well, "Tampa Bay Devil Rays", but these awful new uniforms aggravate even more.

[Jeff]

We might as well have the worst designed logo to go with the team record. But I do feel a great weight has lifted been lifted off the organization by removing the "Devil" from the logo. Whew! Funny the Bush era ends at the same time?

[Chris]

One word: terrible. What's with the "glitter" star on the "R". I will NEVER buy another D-Rays item again...Oh sorry, we're not the D-Rays any more, just the sorry Rays.

[Derek]

This is pathetic. How Generic can you make a Uniform? I was hoping for colors that might represent Tampa Bay a little better. I agree with Sam Ruskin, They're nothing more than reproduced KC Royals Jerseys. I wish they would've kept the Greenish look and added some Orange and Red. Its such a plain pathetic Jersey.

[Lisa]

"Leaked" I don't believe that for a second - how about controlled PR and hype? Who cares about the new logo, let's focus on how pathetic this team is and how they desperately need pitching. The new owners have been nothing but a dissapointment. We've seen other ball clubs turn around (Tigers, Mets, Philies) and this team can too, but there needs to be an investment.

For what it's worth they should have renamed them the St. Pete Sting Rays and made the colors original, not recycled from other teams as previous posters have pointed out.

[Chris]

I agree, they are almost a step backwards. It needs to say Tampa Bay on the road uniforms and they need to make them stand it from the other teams in the league. We already need another major re-design.

[eddie]

What does it matter what they play in? Will it make them a better team? Will it attract Grade-A pitchers to want to come here to play? This is just another example of pro-sports team owners capitalizing on changing uniforms to generate $$$.

[Blow Me]

How Gay can you get?

Some College idiot in the admin orafice just had to make a change.....yet had absolutely NO imagiantion or creativity.

And you wonder why attendance and allegiance is low.

Just another reason to say the rays suck.

[Dick Stevens]

Being a retired graphic designer and photographer, I think I am somewhat qualified to voice a professional opinion - Ugh! Horrible, boring, dull,etc. Total lack of imagination!
Also, keep the current TB logo and the vest uniforms. The new color scheme is attractive and is a welcome change. Finally, keep the Tampa Bay name on the road uniforms. Come on Rick Vaughn, you're better than this effort.

[John Dobbs]

From the uni standpoint, if we win or lose I hope we look good and unique doing it, not like the second coming of the Royals.

[Steve]

If your going to make a name and uniform change.....then make one. The uniform is sorry looking. I thought for sure they could come up with something exciting , like the "Bucs" did with there new logo. The "Rays" logo or name has no excitement in it.

[Mike]

The current vest uni's are great- the double green line piping rocks. Though they should have used just one color for the border on the numbers, names, etc., not the white and green. Looks tacky when teams do that. The logo on both the green and blue jerseys looks too "corporate," not baseball-y. Regarding the new uni's... see, in baseball, you would want to put "Tampa Bay" across the front of the road uni's. You don't want to remind fans in other cities that you are afraid of the word "devil."

[Sal]

That new "Rays" logo is just horrible.

[Stan da' Man]

The current vest uni's are great- the double green line piping rocks
-----------------------------------

He said "PIPING"....

Ha-Ha......Ha-Ha.........(Beavis & Butthead voice)

Give me a break.......Piping is exciting and new?

You must be the boyfriend of the guy who came up with this.

[Mike]

To Stan dah Man: Put down your pipe and check your scalp - is there a "666" up there?

[Stan da' Man]

Mike MUST be the gay b-friend........

He got upset.

[Mike]

LOL. I'm not gay but... good comeback.

[Stan da' Man]

Whenever you call a Gay Guy out......

They act apologetic and give you Kudos....

FYI for the thread.

[Bob]

They can't be serious right? Perhaps is this just a way to get us ready for something truly horrible coming along later?

[Jerry Kelly]

You need to go back to the drawing board on this deal. As scenic, colorful, diverse, not to mention the fact that this area is a mecca for fun and sun, this is ridiculous! The new uniform does not show much imagination nor interest on the part of the organization. We need something with PIZZAZ that reflects our area. Why not open up the uniform change to the public for suggestions? After all, isn't it suppose to be OUR TEAM? If that is the change why not stay with what we have? GEEZ!

[Marlene Romani]

I liked the starburst as an additional concept of the Rays 'stars of the future' along with the stingray image. I do hope some of the other uniforms will have a stronger color image. Leaving off the "Devil" part is all part of the new image but we should never forget that we are Tampa Bay.

[Todd]

They're just doing this to drive a bigger wedge with the fan base, so they can move the team and come up with better uniforms in a new city.

[Zenny]

BLAH. The new logo looks like it belongs to a beach restaurant catering to elderly upper-middle class caucasians: "Come to Rays, were children are prohibited and the early-bird special is always $5.99!"

The team may think it will sell more merchandise with the new unis, but I'll still with the black and green over the new retirement-wear, thanks.

Back to the drawing board, Stu!

[rusty]

im not liking the new uniforms. there to plain and the current ones look a lot better then the new ones. i like the green and blue.looks alot better.

[Bo]

Why Do These UniForm Decision Makers Think They Are So Smart?

I Work A Blue Collar Job For A Living, And Can Tell "Right-Off-The-Bat" That These Uni's:

ARE A BUNCH OF SHlT....WHERE IS THE CREATIVITY AND "POP"?????

Educated AssssHoles GET YOU NO-WHERE.

[Hawk]

Anything other than green is great! I was surprised, though, as I had anticipated everything was going to be new from the team name to the uniforms to the mascot, but I have no problem with the new threads.

[Zoran Tomasevic]

This is pathetic! They need something classy and serious ... And I'm not thinking only uniforms!

[kb]

the new unis are horrible. vote against them, people. stu & co. never seem to care what the fans think, but we can at least make a statement. VOTE AGAINST THESE UNIFORMS!

[kb]

oh yeah and let's beat the freaking red sox up during this series. send a message. i can't stand either the red sox or the yankees but i possibly hate the red sox more. kick em when they're down!!!! there will be tons of sox fans there tonight. send them home UNHAPPY!

[Matt]

Glad to be just the "Rays". I thought the green unis were the most attractive in baseball, but the owners favorite color is blue. We all knew this was coming. I'll get use to it. Now let's sweep the Bosox & Yanks!

[kb]

good job already guys -- i notice that EIGHTY SIX percent of the total votes are in favor of either the "old" or the "current" unis.

(EVERYBODY can see that these new ones SUCK!)

[Carlos Solis]

Horrible....Sleep wear does not belong in baseball. Why the change in color?

[Mike]

Shut up, Stan. Closeted guys go around calling everyone gay. We all know that.

[sean]

Maybe they should have the front office execs break out the bedazzlers to spruce up the old uniforms, lol

[sean]

Maybe they should have the front office execs break out the bedazzlers to spruce up the old uniforms, lol

[Unknown]

NEW UNIFORMS AND NAME ARE BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Karllee]

I think I have seen the new uniforms before....yeah on the Seattle Mariners. C'mon guys, let's get something better then this!

[Stan da' Man]

Shut up, Stan. Closeted guys go around calling everyone gay. We all know that.

Posted by: Mike | September 21, 2007 =====================

Once again, If you think the "Green Colored Piping" Rocks.........your Gay.

Readers.....Please review the posts from this gay guy to my posts.......and you will come to the same conclusion....

Even though Mike feels the need to post over and over to the contrary.

The "NEW" Gays......eerrrr...RAYS uni's suck, and show absolutely no imagination or passion.

...................Out

[Sal]

These uniforms belong in a christian baseball league. Not MLB.

[Ryan]

This is horrible. Why the new uni's? I will not get one of those shirts even if they give them to me for free.

[Michael]

I like the current alternate green uniforms top. I hate the stupid vest.

[Whatever]

They should have at least shaded in some nuts on the player modeling the new drawing to at least give the impression there are some balls to this design and team.

[Paul]

The name Rays is better than Devil Rays. Tampa Bay Rays...sounds awesome, more marketable, etc. Green/black jerseys are the best. sleevless vest/jerseys are always horrible! The older/current logo is fine the new logo is bad (period).

[Joe]

It seems obvious and simple to me. Maybe with all of the feedback, Ryan's Family Steakhouse can become a new "partner" for the Rays and they can consider becoming the Tampa Bay Ryans instead of the Tampa Bay Rays!! Its so close its scary!

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.

[Techsan]

For two years I have heard about the new unis and a new name. I was looking forward to what these new young owners would come up. Man, am I ever disappointed. I know the seats in the Trop are blue, so we might need to add this color to the unis, but do we have to look like the Royals? Let's do better than this for the new unveiling in November!

As for the Team, we finally have a good core of young players and one of the lowest team salaries in baseball. How about we keep the team and BUY some more pitching without trading away the guys we have watched develop.

[birdie]

They are going to do much better without the devil in their name. Go Rays!

[Amanda]

I'm alright with the name change, and even kind of like the new logo. The colors, though? UGH. Incorporating more blue and/or yellow would be one thing, but this new color scheme is just horrid.

And moderators, could we get something done about the sophomoric "gay jokes" and homophobia here? Thanks.

[Concerned Fan]

These new jerseys are absolutely HORRIBLE..whoever designed them needs to be FIRED IMMEDIATELY..we already have one of the best and unique jerseys in the game and if u wanna change something than use the template that we already have and just switch it to blue lettering and a green outline..As a matter of fact, dont even change the name because that is the name that we were born with and it should be the one that we ride through THICK AND THIN..it seems cowardly to change it up all of a sudden..a new identity is not needed, just a few more wins and people will be fearing the DEVIL RAYS..PROTEST, START A PETITION, LET YOUR VOICE BE KNOWN AND LETS DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS

[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.

[J Simon]

They need stripes on the home and "Tampa Bay" on the away (and get rid of that 80's, odd light blue wave on the alterante hats)

[John]

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

[Zac]

the dark green was extremely over rated, our former look was extremely messy and the colors together (Dark green, Light Blue) would never pass on anything else so why jerseys? and come on anything is better than the vests. if this is the new logo, im not disapointed, it looks sharp and the new TB is a classic clean look which is what we need. only complaint would be to have tampa on the away jerseys other than that id say they did a good job cleaning up the mess

[Allston Family]

How can you not have Tampa Bay for our away uniforms? It's like even the owners are ashamed to be from the Tampa Bay area. Now, we'll just look like any other team. We have the most unique uniform in all MLB and our players look great in them. Why can't you just change the team name instead of everything?

[Fenway]

That team is a complete joke

When Steven Porter tried to get the expansion team back in 1991 the name of the team would have been "Tampa Bay Whitecaps"

I think the name should be the "Fighting Seaweed"

[Don]

New uni's look softball team like. The point about being like the Royals is well taken, but not likely by the Rays

[Shawn P]

I still can't believe anyone has ever been put off by the word Devil in the team name. How dumb are some people? The new uni's are absolutely terrible. Seeing the Rays logo with the shiny sun would have me believing we are sun rays rather than fish. The current uni's are some of the best in baseball and this new look definitely feels stale.

And with the Bucs comparisons, their winning ways were not due to any uniform changes. They got better on defense and used good special teams and opportunistic offense to turn the franchise around. It's pretty simple. What we need are better players.

[David]

I just read a comment that says that now that "Devil" is out, the Rays will now be a winning team. This is rediculous. Altough i have no problem with making the name just the "Rays", i do have a problem with the idea that taking out the "Devil" will actually make the team better. The team is getting better because of better players, not because the devil is gone.

[David G.]

The new uniforms are awful!!!!!!! TO THE NEW OWNERSHIP OF MR. STERNBERG: If you CARE about your FANS you will keep the current green and get rid of this idea of switching to blue! Blue just has us conform to the rest of MLB. Green at least gives us a unique color that stands out among other teams. Green gives us a unique color scheme, giving us our own identity. KEEP THE GREEN! DON'T CONFORM TO THE REST OF MLB.
TO THE OWNERS: IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR FAN BASE: RESIGN CARLOS PENA, AND BRING IN A BULLPEN AND DON'T SWITCH TO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tampabaysportsfanatic]

The only good thing about this uni change is that I can buy all the current unis for a discount very soon and where those, becuase the new ones are hideous

[Tony]

It became obvious that the front office was timid when they decided not to call the team the Stingrays because they were afraid people would call them the Stinkrays. If you build a winning ballclub then you don't have to worry about such things. I don't think the Red Sox sit around worrying that someone might call then the Red Sucks, and I don't think the Yankees give a second thought to people calling them the Spankees. Stingrays would have been the best choice, but they were too afraid to pull the trigger.

These uniforms are just another sign of how timid they are. So afraid to make a mistake or offend someone that they come up with something so utterly bland and boring that it turns into a complete PR disaster.

I hope they have something up their sleeve, because there is a very real possibilities that their unveiling celebration will be ruined by the chorus of boos from the angry fans.

[TT]

When the Bucs changed uni's the creamsickle jerseys pretty much disappeared overnight (then started coming back in smattering about the Super Bowl year).

I think the Rays Green jerseys will be mixed in equally or in greater numbers with the blue next season.

[George]

I've been a loyal fan from day one. That being said, I just can't believe how the Rays mgmt keeps trying their best to make me or anyone else not care anymore.

The current look is just fine... AS IS THE NAME... leave it all alone.

These new uniforms are HORRIBLE. And not to have "Tampa Bay" on the road greys?.... There's a great way to promote the area and demonstrate commitment to community.... NOT!

These guys better get a refund from all the big $$ they've been spending on "focus groups" and "marketing panels", because obviously whoever is consulting them has no clue.

Ask a real fan. Follow the real fans. Aren't THEY the customer? Then you'll at least have a shot at building some TRADITION. Instead, they are diluting the small group of loyal fans they have with the homogenized corporate BS that will eventually be their downfall.

I want to be positive, and I hope I'm wrong, but I've seen it in business too many times. Let's keep our fingers crossed.... unless the decision has already been made and we just don't know it yet.

Go DEVIL Rays!

[Airborne8282]

The new uni's look too much like the Royals for me. And YES extremely bland. Funny that is how the manager and front office are. If someone doesn't like the name "Devil Rays", then they can just not support the team. I think that, due to their most recent decisions, they are going to be turning away many fans that have put up with a team that shows no interest in getting better. We are just a farm team that plays in the bigs. You know, get good here and get delt somewhere.

[Joe]

Another bingo by George. Folks, this uniform debacle is a galvanizing issue. Beside the payroll issue, if this uniform BS goes down this way without any compromise, I promise everyone who reads this that I will be heard and Stuart Sternberg and Matt Silverman will get an intellectual earful from someone who has gone to 6-8 games a year on why the merits and the pride of the uniform are a reflection of its paying customers and core fans.

Let alone Mr. Topkin's comments in the Sunday paper, for me "Tampa Bay" is essential and pride in liking the club to you and I and every anonymous individual that cares any iota about this club. By stripping the road jersies, let alone any other atrocity I won't comment on, you are not rebranding the team, or should I say you are blanding the team!

So, hence, if this goes down this way on November 11th, regardless of what is planned by the club in the Hot Stove, if at the very least Tampa Bay is not reinstalled on the road uniforms, I will lead a call to action against the ownership group, regardless of how positive their intentions may be. Maybe they want to be here long term and maybe they don't, but its the principle for me. Unneccessary and irrelevant questions are asked because of this calcuated and deliberate gesture to strip the road uniforms. And I will get an answer regardless.

[Rays Supporter]

To start, I like the current uni's BUT we are not Duke or Marshall, we are a PRO sports team. Devil NEEDS to go and if you want to blame an ownership group blame the original one for putting it in there to begin with. Also, in baseball classic is better. Yanks, Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, etc..all classic and "boring" but also timeless. As for the colors, not necessarily my favorite but much better than the famous black and rainbow scheme we started with. The only thing to get outraged by is Tampa Bay being taken off the road jerseys.

[you're all stupid]

Wait a minute. Taylor says the rays have started to garner some respect on a national level. Michael Mirra says the team's gonna come out of the box and kick butt next year. Are all people in Tampa this stupid?

[Michael]

Ownerhip Fouls Out on the uniform change. First off, I like you guys and I like the effort you are putting in here. You've done a lot of things right and some change is good. But:
The AL is tradition-bound and our club: the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, have been around for 10 (long) years. Furthermore, we have tradition in St. Petersburg and Green has been associated with this city, which IS a part of the TB area, marketing geniuses, for a lot longer than 10 years. And, it's not all about being old and sittin' on the Green Benches. It means more than that: The Forest Green color has depth, a solid, steady, powerful feel to it. There is a cross Bay connection too. The USF Bulls share the same Green along with their gold. Hey, add some Blue, that's cool, but get rid of the Green totally: Strike One.
Okay, Okay, the devil made me do it, but really this is one thing that can go. It makes for a lousy, awkward cheer anyway: Let's go Rays! A long fly, but, just foul. Strike Two.
The last strike is simple disrespect. You got caught looking; you got no eye. For ownership not to tip the hat to Our fans and Tradition by eliminating our regional name from our road jerseys and all of the Green is a total diss. It leaves a bad taste. Hey, we wouldn't go and sit in the stands and bear the numerous, loudmouth, yahoo visitors to root for OUR team if we didn't have pride. RESPECT IT! It is a misjudgment, as well, to create a National League look in the holy AL East. If you don't have the "eye" to see this you are much less astute than I thought, or you are already preparing for stadium arbitration and to 'land' in Orlando and you are tipping your hand. In either case, if this change, as proposed, stands, proving you haven't listened to your fan base, then there is plenty of what you can go pound at our area beaches. Strike three - You're OUT!!!

[Phil Niekro]

The new uniforms are an improvement as they are conservate and traditional. Glad to get the DevilRay off the cap.

Would like Tampa Bay on the road uni ...

[James]

Those uniforms suck. At least the green was original. What kind of name is sunburst rays? it sounds like something a gay person would make up. If you don't like the the sleveless jerseys just add sleeves. Damn spend the money on some decent pitching if you want a real fanbase. These uniforms remind me of a created team from an nintendo game 10 years ago. What's with the hat det a damn logo on that s#@$. With other teams that have letters on their hats, at least its not so plain.

[James]

I figured it out. The Rays hired the Queer eye for the straight guys on the team and they design those uniforms. GAY!!!!!! im not wearing that s$%#

[pissed off fan]

Why this? you think that the rays could be a little bit more original than this. i mean they were the only team to have a winning record at home and STILL come in last place. Instead of spending the money on boring uniforms, spend it on some talented veteren pitching and a veteren catcher till Navarro rises to his so called "potential."

[pissed off fan]

If you are desiding to change uniforms make them stand out. It so boring and bland. What about those old black jerseys? those were original. What kind of team has white and a little bit of yellow for a uniform. We sre going to look like the Bad News Bears out on the field.

[WHY?]

instead of spending money on uniforms spend it on a retractable roof or something. The best ball parks have a retractable roof. This is Florida and we're playing it in a dome. If it gets too hot just close the roof. But u'll still see the Florida sun.

[WHY?]

hpefully the uniforms look better in real life. But if they look like that computer version its going to be a long year. I think every minor leage team has better uniforms than that. AAU teams have better uniforms than that for crying out loud.

[Like this?]

Nice colors, way too much white and get rid of that teal color. Maybe the jersey should be more blue with gold rays letters. Kind of like the Mongomerey Biscuts.

[shrinkie shrinkie]

A 19-day lull on this thread and then seven posts in 33 minutes---all by the same person you can bet.

[muffy]

I think Stan 'da' Man is the real gay guy. He has to be wittier than everyone. Sounds like Oscar Wilde to me! The new unis suck. Personally I would have liked Royal blue and Forest green (minus the black trim), with some type of new design and Tampa Bay on the road uniform. These unis look like the Padres home uniform circa '03. Look for yourself at Dressed to the Nines on the Hall's website

[muffy]

I think Stan 'da' Man is the real gay guy. He has to be wittier than everyone. Sounds like Oscar Wilde to me! The new unis suck. Personally I would have liked Royal blue and Forest green (minus the black trim), with some type of new design and Tampa Bay on the road uniform. These unis look like the Padres home uniform circa '03. Look for yourself at Dressed to the Nines on the Hall's website

[muffy]

I think Stan 'da' Man is the real gay guy. He has to be wittier than everyone. Sounds like Oscar Wilde to me! The new unis suck. Personally I would have liked Royal blue and Forest green (minus the black trim), with some type of new design and Tampa Bay on the road uniform. These unis look like the Padres home uniform circa '03. Look for yourself at Dressed to the Nines on the Hall's website

[Alt Geist]

I would imagine that there's been plenty of postings regarding the name change and the colors, but I just had to add a couple of cents.

I had begun to notice over the last few seasons that the boys in my son's baseball league seemed to always want to be on the Devil Rays. My own son seemed a bit disappointed this season when he discovered he was drafted onto the Yankees instead of the Devil Rays.

But it really hit me when, one day, a kid traded his Braves hat for another boy's Devil Rays hat at a birthday party. We're in Braves country here. Apparently these boys didn't care so much about the performance of the team, but liked the name and marine green color of the uniforms. When I saw this, I thought to myself "they are pretty unique colors...I think Tampa is on to something here". It really did amaze me how much the kids here seemed to like that name/color combination.

Well...my son and his friend were watching ESPN up here, and recently saw the new uniforms (and new name). The boys truly seemed sad about the fact that the "cool colors" had now been replaced with 'boring colors'. I suspect that they could have survived the name adjustment, but the change of colors seems to be a deal killer.

Looks to me like the Rays have lost an opportunity to capture an out-of-the-market young fanbase - and any money they might have spent on "green Devil Rays" merchandise. I guess, for me, it's money saved....I doubt that my son's going to ask me to go out and buy him that green Devil Rays jersey and hat now.

Certainly, it looks possible that there could be a bit heavier - and broader (geographical) - impact to this simple color/name change than perhaps they might have initially calculated in that front-office of theirs?