The Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Success From Dropping Devil From the Name?

The Tampa Bay Rays are the 2008 Major League Baseball story of the year. Prior to the 2008 season, the team was known as the Devil Rays. From their inaugural season in 1998 through to the 2007 season, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays finished in last place each season with the exception of a fourth place finish (out of five teams) in 2004. During these first ten seasons of the team’s existence, not once did they finish with a winning record.

In 2008, the team decided to drop the word Devil from their name and officially become the Tampa Bay Rays. The result: Their first winning season in their history and a division championship, beating out the reigning World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

Many believe that it was the divine intervention of removing the satanic reference from their name. A simple explanation? Perhaps. However, there is no historic evidence to substantiate such a revelation.

There have been several teams of national prominence with the devil reference in their team name that have achieved success.

New Jersey Devils – The NHL welcomed several teams into the league in 1974 adding to their league expansion. One team was the Kansas City Scout. Financially struggling, the team left after only two poor seasons to Denver and were renamed the Colorado Rockies. Not seeing much success in Denver, the team moved again in 1982 to the state of New Jersey and renamed The Devils, after a famed legendary creature of the Jersey Pine Barrens. After nearly a decade of subpar seasons, the Devils eventually rose to elite status in the NHL with three Stanley Cup Championships (1995, 2000, 2003). The team continues to be competitive challengers to the Cup moving into the upcoming season.

Duke Blue Devils – Duke University is best known for their Men’s basketball team led by coach Mike Krzyzewski. The Men’s basketball program under Coach K has won three NCAA Championships (1991, 1992, 2001) and numerous other final four appearances. Not to be outdone, however, is the Duke Women’s Golf team with five NCAA Championships (1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007). Add a 1986 Men’s Soccer NCAA Championship and together it makes 9 National Titles all together for the Blue Devils. With the Women’s Golf team continuing their dominance and Coach K keeping the basketball team primed for a run at a title each year, the Duke Blue Devil remains a major force in collegiate sports.

Arizona State Sun Devils – Arizona State University adopted the name Sun Devils in 1948, changing it from the previous name Bulldogs. Since then, ASU collegiate sports holds 21 NCAA Championships including 5 College World Series Championships, the third most by any university. ASU football holds claim to a Rose Bowl victory in 1987 and remains a competitive force in one of the toughest conferences in the country. One of the most impressive ASU achievements is their national dominance in both Men’s and Women’s Archery winning a combined 36 National Championships.

DePaul Blue Demons – Not quite Devils, but close. DePaul University is best know for their Men’s basketball program. The program’s success includes a 1945 NIT Championship and a 1992 Great Midwestern Conference Championship. Not as storied as the other teams, but then again, their name is only the Blue Demons. Perhaps a name change is in order, unless Duke objects to them having the same name.

In conclusion, I find no evidence that the success of the Tampa Bay Rays is due to the name change that eliminated the Devil. While many religious beliefs may claim otherwise, I stand on the history of these fine sports organizations that have found success despite their team name.

Perhaps the Tampa Bay Rays organization learned that player development, proper drafting and careful free agent signings leads to success. In either case, congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays on their division Championship.