Tampa Bay Devil Rays
In short
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays was the original name of the Major League Baseball franchise now known as the Tampa Bay Rays. The team rebranded in 2008 to reflect a new identity.
In plain words
This was the first name used by the baseball team in Florida. They played at Tropicana Field under this name before changing it to the Rays.
A simple example
A fan who watched baseball in Florida during the late 1990s would have seen the team wearing Devil Rays uniforms.
Why it matters
The name change marked a significant shift in the team's branding and marketing strategy. It helped the franchise move away from its early struggles to find a more modern identity.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse the Devil Rays with the current Tampa Bay Rays, as they are the same organisation.