Next: People who say the team is in Tampa

The Rays are showing determination and a sense of humor in trying to make sure the world remembers they dropped the Devil from their name.
To remind people of the change, and that they are known now as just the Rays, the team is fining "violators" for using the old name - sending a letter from team president Matt Silverman requesting a donation of $1 to the Rays Baseball Foundation, the charitable arm that supports youth and education programs.
The folks at the baseballmusings.com website shared their letter, and the team has sent out others, including the addendum that "repeat violations may carry a steeper penalty."
There has been a similar program in the team offices since the November switch, where employees have to put $1 in the "Drop the Devil" boxes if they utter the old name.
"Though costly for a forgetful few,'' Silverman wrote, "it has been both fun and instructive, while also benefiting a worthy cause.''

Here is a link to a copy of the letter sent to baseballmusings.com .

Rays unveil new logos, uniforms

The Rays have a fresh look as of this afternoon, as the team unveiled its new uniforms and logos, blue-themed colors, and shortened name.

The Rays showed the new uniforms off at St. Petersburg's Straub Park on Thursday afternoon, and will be in downtown Tampa Friday for a free event at Gaslight Park starting at 11:45 a.m.

Players will be at area Champs Sports stores this evening from 6-7:30, with the new merchandise available for purchase.

While the idea of dropping Devil from the team name is new, this is the second time the Rays have changed uniforms, but new ownership touts this as the start of a new era as the struggling team begins its second decade.

The Rays changed the name of their website to raysbaseball.com.

"We are now the "Rays" -- a beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida," principal owner Stuart Sternberg said. "Tampa Bay and the Sunshine State are beautiful places. We want the Rays to reflect the best our region has to offer."

(Pictured: Pitchers James Shields, left, and Scott Kazmir, right, show off the Rays' new home white and road gray uniforms. Photos courtesy of Tampa Bay Rays. Click to enlarge.)

-- Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

 

Now appearing ...

[Kevin Costner and Modern West iperform Thursday night at Straub Park. Getty Images]

There will be Rays all around the Tampa Bay area Thursday-Saturday as the team celebrates the official unveiling of its new uniform, logo, colors and shortened name.

Here is the latest schedule of events and appearances as provided by the Rays. All events are free.

THURSDAY

4 p.m. Interactive activities, including Rays Street Team and mascot Raymond, begin at Straub Park (next to Vinoy Renaissance hotel in downtown St. Pete)

5:30     Fashion Show featuring Rays players, Manager Joe Maddon, Rays coaches and former Rays Wade Boggs and Fred McGriff modeling new uniforms. New merchandise will be available for purchase starting at 5:30.

6:30     Kevin Costner and Modern West in concert performing original rock and roll.

8        Fireworks show

FRIDAY
7 a.m.   Players visit local TV and radio stations

10         Players visit MacDill Air Force Base

10:30    Manager Joe Maddon and team president Matt Silverman present jersey to St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker at City Hall

11:45    Picnic in the Park at Gaslight Park, downtown Tampa. Free hot dogs, peanuts Cracker Jack, sodas, water and autographs from more than 15 players and manager Joe Maddon. Radio announcers Andy Freed and Dave Wills will emcee. T-shirt giveaway. New merchandise available at team store at 400 North Tampa St.

12:30 p.m.    RHPs Gary Glover and Jason Hammel visit participants in Pediatric Cancer Foundation's Kids Fishing Derby at Vinoy Marina adjacent to hotel.

1:45     Carl Crawford, Maddon and Silverman present jersey to Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio at her office.

5:30-7:30 player appearances at Champs Sports stores (subject to change, according to the team.)

Tyrone Square Mall, St. Petersburg
Rocco Baldelli, Brendan Harris, Josh Wilson

International Plaza, Tampa
Scott Kazmir, Dioner Navarro, B.J. Upton

University Square Mall, Tampa
Grant Balfour, Jon Switzer, Delmon Young, Ben Zobrist

Brandon Town Center
Carl Crawford, Gary Glover, Edwin Jackson

DeSoto Square Mall, Bradenton
Jason Hammel, James Shields, Andy Sonnanstine

Southgate Plaza, Sarasota
Al Reyes, Dan Wheeler, manager Joe Maddon

SATURDAY
1-3 p.m. Additional appearances at central Florida Champs Sports
Florida Mall, Orlando
Dioner Navarro, James Shields

Lakeland Square, Lakeland
Dan Wheeler, manager Joe Maddon

 

 

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