Rays Unis Leaked

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 2:43 PM EDT

Forum link, so these are those long awaited changes:

Logos:

New Rays Home Uniforms:	New Rays Away Uniforms:

New Rays Home BP/ST Uniforms:	New Rays Away BP/ST Uniforms:

Poll

New designs?

Okay/Nothing special

577 votes

Disappointment

508 votes

Disgrace

447 votes

Excellent

112 votes

Pretty good

253 votes

1897 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 56 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

At first, I darn near barfed. But I guess that's just a typical reaction to violent changes.

The uniforms need a different back font. The numbers and names are too generic. The logo is good. Could use to lose the little sunbeams, though...

by Orlando Rays on Sep 20, 2007 2:54 PM EDT 0 recs

Sunbeams

Not sure if that's going to grow on me or not, it's just oddly placed.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 8:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

http://www.floridafreeways.org/newrays-home.jpg

http://www.floridafreeways.org/newrays-away.jpg

http://www.floridafreeways.org/newrays-homebp.jpg

http://www.floridafreeways.org/newrays-logos.jpg

by Orlando Rays on Sep 20, 2007 2:59 PM EDT 0 recs

Nice

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 3:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

I do not like these. They aren't awful or hideous; they are just bland and un-inspiring. I don't think that the designs are bad, but they pale in comparison to the current uniform set. I am very disappointed, this team needed to hit a home run with the re-branding and they hit a weak ground ball. I can most definitely say that I will be stocking up on old merchandise before it goes away. And though I probably will end up buying something with the new colors and logos on it, I certainly don't plan on getting much. This is just a weak representation of our baseball club.

At the very least, I hope they don't continue with the plan to disown our home area. Put 'Tampa Bay' on the road jerseys, that is where we are from. Talk to any Oriole fan who has been slighted out of a 'Baltimore' on their jerseys since Peter Angelos took over, and see how they feel. I root for the Rays because they are hometown team. That doesn't go for everyone here, but I'm still proud of the area that they represent. This matter is very important to me.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Sep 20, 2007 3:02 PM EDT 0 recs

Re: Man

Patrick, I agree with you. If this is an attempt at rebranding the club, the NDRO has made an error. I think this is a jab at all of Florida and an attempt to cater to the Orlando fans as well as the Ft. Myers fans who aren't really part of "Tampa Bay". What I would like to know is why the NDRO feels they can't get solid involvement with fans of Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee as well as Sarasota counties? I do understand the desire for increased marketing, but this for me simply "neuters" for a lack of better term the hostility at the club and may make other more hostile because there isn't enough "civic pride" in regards to the club?

You are very right about Angelos and what you said IS a big issue in the metro Baltimore area. Believe it or not to many, there is pride in the road jersies and saying your team is "Tampa Bay" or "Washington" or "Seattle". I did not list the Angels before because its the intent of the club in my mind to be the Los Angeles Angels and not the Anaheim Angels and they are in litigation with Anaheim over the name.

In my mind, the NDRO took a terrible swing and miss. They had 18 months to come up with that? Please be more bold in branding the club. For me, I find this somewhat demoralizing as a fan and not including Tampa Bay on the road jersies is a major mistake. I will be happy to argue anyone on that issue.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 4:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Man

You sure like to complain alot.... :-D

I like the new BP hats myself and the Devil Ray itself in the new colors.

by Jacob Larsen on Sep 20, 2007 6:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Man

As do I. Note I have kept quiet mostly as of late. I am out of town right now and this was a post I felt was a spot to speak up. I am big on uniforms and I want the Rays to get this right. I do like the hats and the colors and even the font, its neat and professional and has a cool look even if its original and classic.

I am just big on the road jersey deal. I want to ensure the core fans are properly identified, that's all. I think the jersey/uniform more than the player itself is what the fan identifies with the team. That is why I am on this with the road unis.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 6:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Man

Why does having the team name on both jerseys matter? It's just, gasp, displaying the team name. Gee, that's earth-shattering!

by Jacob Larsen on Sep 20, 2007 6:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Man

One, it is just the road jersey.

Two, it is representative of where the team is from. An immaterial expression on a baseball cap isn't good enough. Especially when most people know that abbreviation as "tuberculosis".

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Sep 20, 2007 9:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Man

Tuberculosis, indeed. Perceptive comment.

Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.
~George F. Will, Men at Work: The Craft of Baseball, 1990

by webdoyenne on Sep 20, 2007 11:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Man

You guys seem to be a bit more cynical than myself when it came to the no Tampa Bay thing. I noticed it, but didn't jump to the idea of re-branding the team and such, in fact the region is represented by the hat logo no?

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 7:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Man

Its something RJ, I have noted in the past in their attempt to become more regional. It does beg the question. And in the jersey/uniform design, you do at least have to ask the question on why the road jersey does not have Tampa Bay on it and why is there no 3rd/alternate jersey? I think knowing of Matt Silverman and the detail the man has, I belive this act was with deliberation and purpose. I hope at some point the question is asked about the road jersies. To me, its a simple fix, and I as a major proponent of Tampa Bay baseball hope at least Matt is queried on this. Then, I will judge and the rest of the fans will judge if the explanation is legitimate.

Maybe cynicism isn't the right word, but concern is. Its civic ego involved in these road jersies. It may not be the idea you jump to, but its something I do pay note of.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 7:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Man

Maybe they are looking into getting a new stadium in Florida in the future and they're not sure where it's going to be. It'd be easier for the Rays to just have to fix the hat in the future than the entire jersey.

by Jacob Larsen on Sep 20, 2007 7:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Eh

They have the TB, I'm pretty sure that's the future locale so it makes sense on some level, but they're all ready called the Tampa Bay Rays so perhaps not.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 7:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

What?

What does that mean? If they are looking at getting a stadium outside the Bay Area, then they aren't Tampa Bay's team anymore. That is a radical change. You're suggesting that they designed these things with flexibilty in mind so that they could move the team? Because any stadium not in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, or Polk counties is not in Tampa Bay. And no team in those counties will ever call it anything else but Tampa Bay. And if they are not in Tampa Bay, I will not be rooting for them. Moving to Orlando isn't going to happen, so I don't see what you're getting at.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Sep 20, 2007 9:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: What?

For me, and I can be wrong here so jump on me here, but this "gesture" is like putting a foot in the door and leaving it open. For me and I see where some may think its trivial, but the road jersey is symbolic of the civic nature and pride of the team. I am, for one, opposed to the "neutered" uniform that has been proposed. I like the color scheme, fonts and uniforms but its being rehashed right now.

I stand alongside Patrick here and believe that the road jersey is a BIG issue and is something I as a fan will not accept, especially if the reason is that of a broader marketing appeal. I think there are better ways to market if they think by eventually intending to be come the central Florida Rays rather than the Tampa Bay Rays. I stand for civic pride and I think the amount of pride in a ROAD jersey is intangile. As a matter of fact, I bought two Tampa Bay road jersies just for the words "Tampa Bay" on the uniform. Sure, its on the hats and besides Oakland and Baltimore (traditional), name a team that doesn't have a cap reflective of their home city/state?

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 10:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: What?

Leaving Tampa Bay off the away jerseys is all about marketing and it's a very good idea for the short term. I believe the plan for this move are as follows:

Step One - Give fans outside of the Tampa Bay area more merchandise options. Yes Orlando and Port Charlotte both played a major roll in this.

Step Two - Build a winner on the field to make Rays merchandise more desirable.

Step Three - ???

Step Four - Profit

Very simple if you ask me.

www.lakelandbaseballacademy.com

by SeanDubbs on Sep 21, 2007 12:53 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: What?

HAhahaha

That made me think of that South Park episode with the underpant gnomes.

The new unis are ok and they will grow on me and I will proudly wear the old stuff also. I just want to get myself a hat for my head during the off season.

by Flabull on Sep 21, 2007 2:08 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: What?

To do that at the sake of the core fans? I hope not. I think fans as a whole are smarter than the perception you think the ownership and Matt Silverman believes. I will instantly become more desirable of the merchandise if the home area/base of the team was incorporated/is incorporated with the uniform like 92% of the rest of MLB has.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 21, 2007 8:07 AM EDT up 0 recs

So people outside the area will now buy more crap?

I don't follow. I don't think people outside the area particularly care, it is only the people where the team is based that care about that. And some of them, Joe and me included, care a lot about that. I just don't see what there is to be gained by this.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Sep 21, 2007 6:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

I do like the hats

And as previously promised, the navy alts are pretty nice.

The sparkle? Eh, not thrilled by it, but we'll see what they look like on B.J. Upton's chest in a few weeks.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 3:16 PM EDT 0 recs

The Navy alts are bland

But they are a slight improvement over the other elements.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Sep 20, 2007 3:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: The Navy alts are bland

For some of you this may be no biggie, but its a subtle thing that goes a LONG way by me. Why doesn't the road jersey say "Tampa Bay" or "TB" on it? This is an attempt to neuter the Tampa Bay fan base by the ownership and I will not be happy until the words "Tampa Bay" or "TB" appear on the road jersies. Only Baltimore, Milwaukee and Philadelphia do not have this phenomenon and I would like to know why this has to be the case here? Again, its subtle to many but very telling to me. The name of the city/team should be on the road jersey and I would like an explanation or clarification on why not even "TB" could appear on the road jersies or even the alternate 3rd jersey?

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 4:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: The Navy alts are bland

Remember the Cubs did the same thing a few years back. We'll see.

I agree a little TB would be nice.

by thebaddancingraysfan on Sep 20, 2007 4:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: The Navy alts are bland

Correct, they did, and they went to Chicago on the road jersies because of a lot of pressure to do that. For me, I am in this mode because it wasn't about the NDRO doing the right thing, it was a marketing decision, and it was against 95% of the fans who support the team on a nightly basis. Hey, I am on the box right now, but more Tampa Bay and even TB on a alternate 3rd jersey or a road jersey would be nice for me. Unacceptable in its current form.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 5:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: I do like the hats

I don't think those were alts RJ. I think those were the BB/ST jersies along with the BP/ST hats. I haven't seen a 3rd/alt jersey offered yet.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 21, 2007 8:08 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

They'll grow on me. The uniform looks okay. But, it doesn't matter what on the uniform, it's who plays underneath it that really interests me.

The hats are more classic and simplistic. The logo screams Mariners rip off, just being honest.

by thebaddancingraysfan on Sep 20, 2007 4:54 PM EDT 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

You know who says "it doesn't matter what's on the uniform, it's who plays underneath?" A fan of a team with an ugly uniform, that's who.

That blue jersey with the light blue on the sides is a war crime. Only the Rays would decide to go "blue" while in the same division as the Blue Jays. Wow...

by stpetelawyer on Sep 20, 2007 4:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

Wouldn't say they're ugly. Generic? Somewhat, but they're still better than some of these new unis out there and they do have a classic feel to them.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 7:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

That may be true to you as a baseball fan, but for some of the fans who have lived here for 20 or so some odd years, I take pride in where I live and the tickets and merchandise I have spent. You are correct from a moralistic standpoint its about the players but where the players come from is where pride and esprit de corps forms between the player and the fan.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 4:58 PM EDT 0 recs

I agree completely Joe

You have stated my point to a letter on that matter. It might seem stupid to some people, but it means a lot to people like you and me.

I will come clean. I plan on moving out of the Bay Area once I go to college. I have no intent on remaining in the State of Florida for college, and if I do it won't be in the Bay Area. I simply need a change. I love to travel, I want to get away, and I want to experience new things. I don't want to be stuck in the same old routine for the rest of my life. But with that being said, Tampa Bay will always be my home. I was born here, I was raised here, and nearly everyone that is dear to me lives here. The local teams will always remain my favorites no matter where I go. And the Rays will always be chief among them. I have a tremendous amount of pride in where I am from, and when the Rays hit the road and display 'Tampa Bay' in big letters on the front of the jersey, I make note of it. Because win or lose, the Rays are from Tampa Bay and they represent us. They represent an area that means a lot to me.

I don't know whether this move was a result of their desire to be inclusive of Orlando or Southwest Florida. But it doesn't matter. The Rays aren't based in those locations. They are from Tampa Bay. And they shouldn't be hesitant to say show. And what this move ultimately shows me is that they are, in some way, reluctant to broadcast their location. It certainly isn't for aesthetic reasons.

There is only one thing that makes me "angry" about this change, and it is that. I can live with the rest, as poor as it may be. But I root for the Rays because they're Tampa Bay's team. I wouldn't have nearly the emotion invested in them otherwise. And I want my area to be front and center when the Rays hit the road. Because I want everyone else in the other 29 locales to know whom it is that they are playing. They're playing our team. The Rays aren't a baseball team that is from Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is a baseball team that is called the Rays.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Sep 20, 2007 5:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: I agree completely Joe

Bingo, and that is why I will FIGHT this to the hilt if it goes down this way. MLB is different than most any other sport and tradition. When you think of the team, in most sports it is synonymous with the city or state or region. I love to travel myself, and I am currently in New England right now, and I have logged on to a computer not to voice my displeasure or pleasure of the Rays recent winnings, but the importance of making a civic stamp to the rest of North America that the Rays ownership is not afraid to call "Tampa Bay" their club and ownership. Your reflexive point is perfect and I get the analogy in regards to that point. Sure the Bucs and Lightning get more kudos but in a matter of speaking and this is very loose, but there is some dishonement in regards of "neutering" the road jersies. I don't think of Tampa Bay in the same terms of Baltimore, Milwaukee or Philadelphia. I think when this club is playing on the road, the words "Tampa Bay" or even "TB" should be markedly and prominently displayed. You are right, when the Red Sox come to the Trop this weekend, they don't play the Red Sox, they play the Boston Red Sox. I do want better identification for the club.

I too like the color scheme, I can live with the colors and the font. I get what they are trying to accomplish even though it was an attempt to appeal at the "non devil worshippers" out there. But an explanation of dropping Tampa Bay or even a lack of a 3rd alternate jersey with Tampa Bay or TB is something I would like explained? Is there time still to address this issue and get Tampa Bay on the road jerseies or come up with an alternate jersey?

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 5:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

It probably isn't set in stone

One thing I heard mentioned was that this leak might have come from the DRO in order to get some buzz. I seriously doubt that based on my observations of what this organization is like, but it is something to think about.

Another possibility is that the DRO might have "leaked" this as a decoy to throw off people. That might be a very real possibility as well. It very well might be the case, and we might all be duped. But I tend to think not.

Regardless, I don't think this change is unflexible. I think that they can make changes between now and next year based on feedback. After all, what good organization isn't willing to make changes in their product if massive consumer demand calls for them? Hopefully there will be support to have 'Tampa Bay' put back, and hopefully the team will oblige.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Sep 20, 2007 5:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

The more important issue here

Joe's in New England? I don't envy you one bit.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 7:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: The more important issue here

I am making the best out of it:) All of the talk up here is on "spy gate" rather than the folding of the Sox:) Funny you look at it that way. Clever as usual, my friend.

As for my reasons on the road jersey deal, there are several of them. Its not just one point of view but several. Its more than just tradition. I could argue the traditional argument that its the "right thing" to do, but its more than just that. There are real reasons why a strong majority of teams have the name of their city or state on the road jersies and its beyond aesthetics. Philly makes sense because the name of the city is long and the name of the team is incorporated with the city too.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 7:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Nothing like

A New England legend being caught as a fraud, almost as funny as Brady wearing a Yankees hat.

As far as tradition you can argue that following tradition isn't always the best way. Not necessarily in this case, but perhaps these are somewhat older templates? Who knows.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 7:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Interesting

"The Rays aren't a baseball team that is from Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is a baseball team that is called the Rays."

Never thought of it that way.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 7:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

I don't doubt these are real. Generally when things get leaked they're legit. Like earlier this year, the Eagles cut list got leaked early. The team denied it was real, but funny story about that: It was real.

by Kevin Gengler on Sep 20, 2007 6:53 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah these are likely legit

In fact didn't Paul Lukas confirm them? If not Matt could.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 20, 2007 7:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

I as well would prefer a TB or Tampa Bay on the Road Uni's especially since that is a baseball tradition. Other than that I really like the new colors and logo especially the TB on the caps (those block letters were pretty lame). They have plenty of time to put TB or Tampa Bay on the road stuff and after reading our responses I would hope that they would do just that!!

SC raysfan

by SC raysfan on Sep 20, 2007 7:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

-To whoever thinks TB or Tampabay should be on the jersey, ITS ON THE HAT.

-I think the new jerseys are excellent and a major upgrade from the current jersey.

-Ownership and research did a great job

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Jake on Sep 20, 2007 7:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

Jake,

Give it time and see. It simply goes beyond the hat. The Brewers are associated with brewing beer in Wisconsin and the Orioles changed their roadies back in the early 70's when the Senators left for Texas. I don't want to see the NDRO make an unnecessary wrong. For me its an easy compromise. Why no "TB" 3rd jersey like with the sweet greens they have ad the last 2 years at the very least?

Its MORE than the hat in identifying the club.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 20, 2007 8:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

Thank you Jake. It's nice to see ownership actually make this team their own. It's no longer Vince's team. Its nice seeing the light rays incorporated in the design too. The green and blue blended into the Trop way too much. It gave the team such a dark, unappealing look. When you see how the jerseys look on the players in the Trop, you will see how different (and better) the team will appear.

by Rays in 08 on Sep 20, 2007 7:42 PM EDT 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

I think it's passable. I'd prefer a bland uniform to one that they tried too hard on. I'll absolutely be buying a hat and I can't wait to see what they look like on the players.

by sattp on Sep 20, 2007 10:50 PM EDT 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

....but why? Why do this change, besides the $$ they can take in by selling a third (? or have there been more?) major uniform revision in ten seasons? I can understand taking the "Devil" out of the name, I suppose, but why go away from a color scheme unique to MLB (and, imho, a pretty snazzy one even if the team has been underwhelming) to what looks like nothing more than an over-focus-grouped knockoff of the Padres' unis? I mean, I guess you can't argue with their results, having made the playoffs in what look to be 3 straight years since changing unis, but does anybody think their pastel blue + sand have helped define that team's identity better than, say, their 90s brown pinstripes or the awful yet semi-charming 80s mustards?

Sorry, but I have to agree with Lukas and Patrick on these. These look to me like the Rays are trying way too hard to be one of the big boys, without realizing that not even we dedicated DRBers will no longer be able to ID our own team at a glance anymore. Today, if you catch a glimpse of a highlight and see that Rays green, you know that is our team. With these unis, I honestly looked at the back of the home jersey "PLAYER 5" and thought "...Nomar?"

Could anybody here, from a distance, actually tell these unis apart from those of the Dodgers, Royals, Padres, or even the Mets/Yankees? To me the green is a big part of the team's identity, the only part of it left from those crazy rainbow opening years, and something that makes the Rays unique in all of MLB. This looks to me to be exactly the same as what the Diamondbacks did this year, unveiling a cool new market-tested design that looks exactly like 5 other teams already do. I sincerely hope that the product on the field defines these unis more than the opponents they play, but for a team that looks to become a potential powerhouse over the next few years and develop a true national identity for the first time, a weak generic been-there-done-that design like this is exactly the wrong way to go.

Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

by das411 on Sep 21, 2007 2:54 AM EDT 0 recs

Something to consider...

...somebody got paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to come up with this!

Matt Sammon, draysbay columnist and professional bump on a log

by Matt Sammon on Sep 21, 2007 8:44 AM EDT 0 recs

Re: Something to consider...

Really? I was just reading a comment from somewhere that maybe someone in the front office had fun throwing colors and schemes into a Microsoft paint program and just threw it on a wall:)

You are correct, only in America, as Don King would say. Some special interest group or benefactor really got Matt or Darcy Raymond on this color and uniform scheme. Once again, I like the scheme and colors, even though its a cross of the Royals, Dodgers and Mariners, but they have really neutered the pride of the jersey. Its the identity crisis and we want to have it both ways with the neutered road jersey and combining sun rays with the stinging ray that irks me at this time.

We got about 50 days for these uniforms to be unveiled and maybe the criticism can be enough to get at least the road jersey tweaked.

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 21, 2007 8:58 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Something to consider...

No Joe, THIS is an ugly jersey!

Matt Sammon, draysbay columnist and professional bump on a log

by Matt Sammon on Sep 21, 2007 2:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

Looks like a Filet o Fish sandwich

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Sep 21, 2007 6:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Something to consider...

You are right, the mustard yellows. I wonder if Ray Kroc was doing a cross promotion with Mickey D's out in SD with those things way back when.

Anyways, speaking of cross promotions, maybe the Rays can do a cross promotion with Ryan's Family Steakhouse?! They look like they could become the Tampa Bay Ryans instead of the Rays! Maybe someone can do a photo shop and put the Ryans instead of the Rays on CC's jersey there!! The R looks like Ryan's Family Steakhouse!

Joe

by joedobr on Sep 21, 2007 7:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

I honestly Hate the new uniforms

I think they look ugly. I love the Green color scheme and by ditching that we lose a large part of what makes our team and colors unique.

At least save the GREEN! Yellow is ugly and they look like generic Royals Uniforms.

Devil Rays World Series 2009

by Japhei on Sep 21, 2007 11:16 AM EDT 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 21, 2007 2:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

My first thought was that the new uniforms are very similar to the Mariners and Royals uniforms.

While I do wish the ownership chose to stay with the unique green color scheme and give the logo a more classic look, the new uniforms and colors are by no means ugly. They do have some classic baseball class to them.

They could be worse, much worse (example: http://www.angelfire.com/blues/new_yorker/images/Devil_Rays.jpg ). These new uni's will grow on me. Not bad, but kind of a let down.

by floridaroar on Sep 21, 2007 11:34 AM EDT 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

Agreed that these new unis are a bit too similar to the Mariners (especially)... also very reminiscent of the old Blue Jays uniforms. So I have to say I'm not terribly impressed for the same reason I thought the new Diamondbacks jerseys this year were unimpressive; it's more of that homogenized look where all teams seem to be determined to morph their colors into blue/white, red/white, or red/white/blue no matter what they were before. Where the D-Rays and D-Backs used to be distinctive immediately for the hunter green and purple/teal color schemes, now they just look like Seattle/KC or Cincy/DC.

Also, I know I've been hearing for at least a couple seasons about the team's plans to drop the "Devil" from the name -- why the change and why did it take them several years?

Finally, Joe made a very interesting comment upthread about the elimination of "Tampa Bay" anywhere on the uni... you may think him paranoid, but take it from me... I live in SoCal and it did not escape my notice that three years ago the Angels removed all mention of Anaheim from their website, uniforms, and official team items. In their case, even the "A" on the hats was ambiguous -- did it stand for "Anaheim" or "Angels"? This was obviously all a precursor to the team's "move" to becoming the LA Angels... obviously not the same as the very real possibility that Rays ownership is looking for another stadium elsewhere, but the principle is quite the same.

brink

by brink on Sep 25, 2007 2:03 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rays Unis Leaked

Not as bad as the abortion that is the Blue Jays uni's, but nowhere near as elegant or cool as the current rays uni's, which don't look out of place at all playing against the classic Sox or Yanks duds. Definitely inspires thoughts of "health care industry" or "bible reading club." Not that either are out of place in florida, mind you.

by rethcir on Sep 25, 2007 2:33 PM EDT 0 recs