THE DEVIL'S REJECTS
AP

The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times is reporting that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are considering radical changes for the 2007 season, including a possible name change.

At a minimum, it seems likely the word "Devil" will be dropped from the name. Then the team will decide whether it still wants to be associated with the sea creatures or focus on the sun's rays. New colors and uniforms also could be on the way.

No word on whether one of the ideas being considered is to stop losing.

I've been in contact with a member of the St. Pete media. One of the names being talked about is Tarpons. A slip of a consonant, and...

The name change was part of the talk when Sternberg purchased the club.

I see good things for the DRays.

Nah. Keep the name. If the Marlins can win two World Series in 13 years and the White Sox one 88 years after the Black Sox scandal, certainly the DRays can have ONE winning season.

The Florida State League's original Tampa team WAS the Tarpons, and I believe "Tampa Bay Tarpons" was the name that was preferred. However, in one of those ridiculous web-domain schemes, some guy anticipated that and registered "Tampa Bay Tarpons" (along with several other potential names) as his domain, even though he neve intended to put a thing on it, and then told the owners he'd SELL them the right to the name! Guess it's legal, but it sure isn't ethical (IMO). Anyway, Vince Namoli told him where to go and said they'd come up with their own name, hence the "Devil Rays" - which is a real fish, by the way.

I like it and hope they keep it.

The D-Rays are starting to look pretty decent-talent wise. HOWEVER-they have the ugliest hats ever created (close second-the Rangers).

Change the uni's, keep the name.