Try Not to Suck by Bill Chastain & Jesse Rogers

Author:Bill Chastain & Jesse Rogers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Triumph Books LLC
Published: 2018-01-16T05:00:00+00:00

11. 9=8 Magic

After absorbing two losing seasons, the Devil Rays’ new regime was more than ready to turn the page and go for it.

Part of that go-for-it attitude dealt with exorcising the past. That meant re-branding the team, complete with a name change and new uniforms.

They commemorated the change by holding a party at St. Petersburg’s Straub Park.

The name change wasn’t complicated, they simply dropped the “Devil” from the name, going with a simple “Rays.” A bright yellow sunburst icon, to celebrate life in the Sunshine State, accompanied the change.

Navy blue and light blue were adopted for team colors, pushing Devil Rays green to the wayside. Eighteen of the team’s players went on stage to model the new uniforms in front of the crowd of approximately 7,000. Former Devil Rays Fred McGriff and Wade Boggs also modeled the uniforms, as did the coaches. Fireworks followed, and actor Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West, entertained.

Carl Crawford could be found among the group, and he was excited about the changes, noting he was the most optimistic he’d ever been while playing for the team.

Stu Sternberg noted they felt changing the team’s identity was a must.

“It was something where we were tied to the past and the past wasn’t something we necessarily wanted to be known for,” Sternberg told MLB.com. “Nobody’s running from it or hiding from it, and we’re proud of certain aspects of it. This is something the organization has really been able to put their arms around and I’m hoping the fans will see it as a new beginning.”

Maddon liked the timing of the changes.

“Because you’re always looking for that symbolic moment to really move on to that next area where we want to within the standings, getting to the playoffs, etc.,” Maddon told MLB.com. “There are a lot of things coming together at the right time.”

Maddon didn’t let the losing take him down. The smile never went away.

“I promise, I never despaired in any way, shape, or form,” Maddon told the Tampa Tribune. “You get your teeth kicked in a little bit, but if you just keep going, there’s going to be a nice reward at the end of it.”

Changes on the field would soon follow.

On November 28, 2007, Delmon Young and infielder Brendan Harris were shipped to the Twins, along with minor league outfielder Jason Pridie, for right-hander Matt Garza, shortstop Jason Bartlett, and minor league right-hander Eduardo Morlan.

An external factor that helped make the deal attractive to the Twins was the fact their Gold Glove center fielder, Torii Hunter, signed a five-year, $90 million free agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels. That left the Twins with a hole in their outfield. They believed Young could fill that hole.

On the flip side, the Rays were ecstatic with their haul in the deal. Garza had electric stuff. He could be penciled in alongside Scott Kazmir and James Shields in the starting rotation, leaving just two spots open in the rotation for competition. Bartlett brought an immediate upgrade at shortstop.

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