Report: 'Devil' may be dropped from team name [Tampa Bay Devil Rays]

ESPN ^ | January 27, 2006 | ESPN.com

[LurkedLongEnough]

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are considering a name change, the Tampa Tribune reported Friday.

"When [new owner] Stu Sternberg came in, he said there was a need for dramatic change. One way for dramatic change is to change the name," team president Matt Silverman told the paper.

Silverman said that one option is to remove the "Devil" from Devil Rays after meetings with focus groups revealed a negative association with the with word "devil," the Tribune reported.

"When they liked something we did, they would refer to us as the Rays. If they were discussing a complaint or gripe, we were the Devil Rays," Silverman told the paper.

While the deadline for name changes to be submitted to the Major League office is at the end of May. Silverman says he expects a new name for the team to be announced in June or July, according to the Tribune.

[MikefromOhio]

"Rays" is 150% better than "Tarpons" but it's still a stupid name.

[Petronski]

Tarpons?


Oh, that's an "R" in there.....nevermind.

[armymarinemom]

How abou the Freds?

[WKUHilltopper]

I like the Tampa Bay Minnows

[pissant]

How idiotic.

[Petronski]

How about the Tampa Bay Raving Scientologists?

[BenLurkin]

Wait until the Mighty Ducks unveil their new identity as "The Los Angeles Mighty Ducks of Anaheim."

[AbeKrieger]

Why don't they call themselves the Los Angeles Rays of Tampa and go play some home games in San Antonio?

You want dramatic change, you got it.

POOF! World Series.

[nuconvert]

Sting Rays?

[MikefromOhio]

LOL

you know that would be the take off on the name....

[AmericaUnited]

focus groups revealed a negative association with the with word "devil,"

Maybe they should have tried "Those Cute Little Devil Rays" to make the groups feel warm and fuzzy :)

[MikefromOhio]

Wait until the Mighty Ducks unveil their new identity as "The Los Angeles Mighty Ducks of Anaheim."

Actually you have that wrong. Ironically enough, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim will change their name next year to become the Anaheim Ducks.....

[MikefromOhio]

they don't have minnows down there I don't believe....

what they REALLY need is a new stadium to get out of the POS they are currently in, and they need to get out of St. Pete.

[Petronski]

I'm trying not to picture the Tarpons' mascot: the Comfortable Plastic Applicator....

[Mr_Moonlight]

That would make them the "Tampa Bay Rays"
I suppose at this rate of PC'ism then oceanographers should rename the fish of the same name, and the NHL hockey team in Joiysey should rename themselves simply: "New Jersey _____'s"

[EGPWS]

"When [new owner] Stu Sternberg came in, he said there was a need for dramatic change. One way for dramatic change is to change the name," team president Matt Silverman told the paper.

Perhaps "No Name" would be an appropriate name to dramatize a change.

[Mogengator]

WELL, I certainly hope so.

Where I live the most prominent terrain feature is Mount Diablo. Maybe we could change its name to just Mount.

Uh,oh! Sexual connotation alert!

(Sirens, bells, klaxons, flashing red lights etc.)

[MikefromOhio]

LOL

somehow I just don't see Selig going for it...

wait a second....Selig's a buffoon.....I am sure he could be convinced.....