Feb 08
[Update] The jersey has already been pulled from the website, which is silly. The cat is out of the bag and now all MLB and the Rays are doing is costing themselves money. After the new jersey was linked here, several other sites, including The St. Pete Times, linked to the MLB Shop. Most of the people that click through to the jersey are Rays fans and all are potential customers. There will be no reason to link back to the shop after today.
[1:46pm] We’ve been sitting on this for a while. But now that MLB.com has them on sale, we guess it is ok to tell you that the Rays will be introducing a new alternate jersey in 2010 (thanks Josh).
Hello powder blue. And like the other three jerseys, this one does not say “Tampa Bay” across the front. In fact, not only does it not say “Tampa Bay,” but the “Rays” logo is now much larger ginormous.
Also notice that there is no fish patch on the sleeve. Let’s face it, this ownership group wants nothing to do with the “Devil Rays” past, which leaves us wondering why they didn’t just scrap the “Devil Rays” altogether and start fresh with a new logo.
Feb 08
Last week, the Rays announced an agreement with The Mosaic Company to rename the Rays spring training park in Charlotte. In the press release, the Rays said they were looking for a partner “with a strong presence in our region and a demonstrated commitment to local communities…The Mosaic Company has an exceptional track record of community engagement.”
Well, that “community engagement” may include destroying local wetlands and some in the community are not happy with the partnership.
“It’s an outrageous slap in the face,” says longtime Charlotte County Commissioner Adam Cummings. “For years we fought Mosaic’s efforts to expand strip mining in the Peace River Basin. We spent $12 million doing it. Now the Tampa Bay Rays want to put the Mosaic name on our sports center. It’s as if Mosaic is going to get the naming rights for Florida Field and change its name from the ‘Swamp’ to the ‘Clay Pit’ because that is what they do to natural wetlands.”
According The Mosaic Company’s website, they are “the world’s leading producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash, two of the primary nutrients required to grow the food the world needs.
So Mosaic produces the two of the main ingredients in fertilizer that is then used to help grow crops in areas that otherwise might not be able. But they do this at the cost of strip mining in the Charlotte area and possibly damaging local wetlands.
Fair or foul? We don’t know, but if the voices behind this story get any louder, the Rays could have second-thoughts on their new partnership.
Feb 08
The Rays short-season affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades have introduced a new blog, The Renegades Rundown…
Here you’ll get a glimpse into what the Renegades are doing on and off the field. By keeping up with the blog you’ll get the latest news regarding players, schedules, promotions, events, and more! This will be your one-stop shop for all things Renegades!
The blog is part of a new effort by the ‘Gades to be more active in social media. An effort that includes a very active Twitter account (@HVRenegades). And the voice behind the new fronts is Megan Ogulnick, the ‘Gades manger of new media.
As much as minor league teams depend on promotion, we are amazed that so few teams are this active in new media and these new ways of reaching out to current and potential fans.
So, if you have a moment, go on over and welcome Megan to the organization.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- David Price spoke to a Nashville paper about life in the spotlight, his charity work and money, including a bizarre story about some overaggressive autograph seekers. [Nashville News]
- Marc Topkin hears that Pat Burrell “has been working out extensively at the Athletes’ Performance Institute in Arizona, specifically strengthening his back, and is in tremendous shape.” [St. Pete Times]
- Devil Rays blast from the past…Joel Guzman has signed a minor league deal with the Orioles. [Baltimore Sun]
- Durham manager Charlie Montoyo was named sports person of the year during the Greater Raleigh Sports Council’s “Evening of Champions.” [Carolina Newswire via Biscuit Crumbs]
