The Rays essentially abandoned the words “Tampa Bay” when the team rebranded to Navy and Columbia Blue, but with the new ownership group has come a clear intent to listen to the desires of the Rays fan base, and that includes the re-introduction of a road grey jersey that reads TAMPA BAY proudly across the chest.
Given that the new season is a matter of days away, these jerseys would not be able to be ready in time for 2026, but given the energy and quick decision making we’ve seen from the new ownership group, there’s a real possibility the TAMPA BAY Rays could be back in 2027.
Accordingly, the team has released four possible mock ups, and have taken to social media to inquire on the public’s preference.
Option 1 – 1998 Devil Rays Throwback Jersey / 2023 Throwback Hat
One important note here is that the Rays throwbacks we know today use Navy as a primary color, and not Black as was seen from 1998-2000. This jersey uses that same concept to imagine the 1998-2000 road jersey in the current color scheme. When the decision was made in 2023 to bring back the Devil Rays jersey, the Rays debuted the Angry Devil Ray, which is paired again with this combo, as we see in the current throwbacks on Saturdays at home.
Option 2 – 1998 Devil Rays Throwback Jersey / 2024 City Connect Hat
This combo imagines the same away jersey, but brings over the brilliant 2025 City Connect Skyray hat, re-imagining the color scheme from a black to blue. This combination is a clear standout for me personally, as I am biased toward the Skyray over the Angry Ray.
Option 3 – Columbia Blue 1998 Throwback Jersey & Hat
This version drops the rainbow gradient for light blue lettering, and brings forward the 1998-2000 TB hat script, also without the traditional rainbow gradient.
Option 4 – Navy Blue 1998 Throwback Jersey / Columbia Blue 1998 Throwback Hat
And finally, at least for this initial concept, is the same hat as Option 3 with navy blue replacing the gradient on the jersey.
In order to gather this initial feedback, the Rays posted a poll to social media and you should definitely vote there because that’s where the votes count (early signs point to Option 1), but I’d also love to take a vote here, because we can turn this into a conversation.
Please rec comments below to indicate your vote, but if you have an idea not seen above, vote OTHER instead and drop your ideas in the comments. There’s a good chance folks from the team will be reading!
