<P> Their first decade of play , however , was marked by futility ; they finished in last place in the AL East in all but the 2004 season , when they finished second - to - last . Following the 2007 season , Stuart Sternberg , who had purchased controlling interest in the team from Vince Naimoli two years earlier , changed the team 's name from `` Devil Rays '' to `` Rays '' , now meant to primarily refer to a burst of sunshine rather than a manta ray , though a manta ray logo remains on the uniform sleeves . The 2008 season saw the Tampa Bay Rays post their first winning season , their first AL East championship , and their first pennant ( defeating the rival Boston Red Sox in the ALCS ) , though they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in that year 's World Series . Since then , the Rays have played in the postseason in 2010 , 2011 , and 2013 . </P>
<P> Their first decade of play , however , was marked by futility ; they finished in last place in the AL East in all but the 2004 season , when they finished second - to - last . Following the 2007 season , Stuart Sternberg , who had purchased controlling interest in the team from Vince Naimoli two years earlier , changed the team 's name from `` Devil Rays '' to `` Rays '' , now meant to primarily refer to a burst of sunshine rather than a manta ray , though a manta ray logo remains on the uniform sleeves . The 2008 season saw the Tampa Bay Rays post their first winning season , their first AL East championship , and their first pennant ( defeating the rival Boston Red Sox in the ALCS ) , though they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in that year 's World Series . Since then , the Rays have played in the postseason in 2010 , 2011 , and 2013 . </P>
when did the tampa bay devil rays change their name
when did the tampa bay devil rays change their name
Following the 2007 season
Following the 2007 season