Tampa Bay Rays Team History
Shorten Name to “Rays”
Prior to the 2008 season the team unveiled new uniforms along with a name change. After considering other options such as the “Aces,” “Bandits,” “Cannons,” “Dukes,” “Stripes,” and Stuart Sternberg’s personal favorite, the “Nine,” the team’s new name was officially announced to be the “Tampa Bay Rays.” The new team colors were “navy, Columbia blue and a touch of gold” and a new team logo featured a bright yellow sunburst symbolizing the Sunshine State of Florida. Following a front office promise to increase the team’s payroll, it was raised to $43 million.
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) East division. Since its inception, the team’s home venue has been Tropicana Field.
Established
1998
City
Tampa Bay
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1998 – 1999 / American League
Team History
2008 – Present / Tampa Bay Rays
1998 – 2007 / Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Nickname
Rays – On November 8, 2007, the club announced that they were dropping the “Devil” part in order to identify themselves primarily with the rays of the sun, Florida being the Sunshine State.
Championship
World Series 0
Stadium
1998 – Present / Tropicana Field
Owner
2005 – Present / Stuart Sternberg
1998 – 2005 / Vince Naimoli
Retired Number
12 Wade Boggs
42 Jackie Robinson
66 Don Zimmer
Mascot
2013 – Present / DJ Kitty
1998 – Present / Raymond
*Blue is this team’s history