How odd that two major league sports franchises would announce possible name changes on the same day. Okay, so “major” is a bit of a stretch when dealing with Anaheim’s hockey team (more a slap at hockey than the OC) and Tampa Bay’s baseball team (slap at everybody involved), but it’s oddly coincidental.
The Mighty Ducks won’t be Mighty anymore. After purchasing the team from Disney, new owner Henry Samueli decided to cut ties with all lousy movies starring Emilio Estevez. Though I doubt they spent nearly enough time considering “Freejack”. Man, if you wondered if Emilio Estevez dropped off the planet, he sure seems to. His IMDB page dies around 1999. Anyway, I like this move. “Mighty Ducks of Anaheim” was always exceptionally goofy, and with “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim” still around, the city has gone through enough.
I don’t like the idea of Tampa Bay dropping the “Devil” from their name. While “Devil Rays” isn’t perfect, it’s a hell of a lot better than Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay Ray sounds like a bad pool hustler. Just make the D-Rays a better team and the name will be fine. If you must, change the name completely. How does “Las Vegas Devils” sound to you?
Hey, a second shot at Tampa/St. Pete? Was that really called for?
Posted by Frinklin at January 27, 2006 11:20 AM | TrackBackI actually think Tampa Bay's on the right track here. "Devil Rays" is a dumb name. I don't like "Tampa Bay Rays" particularly better, but one suggestion, to rename the team "Tampa Bay Tarpons", I liked. ("Las Vegas Devils" also has a certain ring.)
I do kinda like their current green-based uniform scheme. Particularly since I've always thought green was a strangely underutilized color in baseball. Other than the A's and Rays, who's using green?
Posted by: Mediocre Fred at January 30, 2006 02:04 PMAnd there's no redeeming Anaheim's hockey team, "Mighty" or otherwise. No offense to Richard, but Anaheim is one of those cities that (in my purist mind) has no business with a hockey team.
Posted by: Mediocre Fred at January 30, 2006 02:08 PMHmm... dunno about Tarpons. Way to close to "tampons" for my taste. I like the D-Rays uniforms and logo just fine right now. I'd say make the damned team better and not to worry about the name.
As for the Ducks, I'd have to disagree. When the Ducks are good, the Pond is a great place to watch hockey. The fans aren't like those in Toronto or Detroit, but they're more knowledgeable than you think.
Posted by: frinklin at January 30, 2006 02:20 PMI agree that Tampa Bay's first priority should be improving the team on the field (in particular developing some reliable arms to support that passel of position-player talent in the pipeline). In general, name changes are silly and cosmetic and probably hurt more than they help (ask poor Arte Moreno).
In this particular case, though, I think a change might be worthwhile. And a more substantial one than "Rays." Simply because the "Devil Rays" name has become so firmly associated with the spectacular botch that has been made of that franchise from start to finish.
Let me be clear: If the name is the only thing that changes, that would be silly and unproductive. But if the name change (as appears to be the case, from what I'm read) is part of a makeover that includes an expanded payroll, improvements to the stadium, changes to the management structure of the team, and a general sense that the team is actually going to take baseball seriously, then I'm for it.
Posted by: Mediocre Fred at January 31, 2006 08:43 AM