Tampa Bay Rays unveil hypothetical throwback uniforms

The Tampa Bay Rays don’t have a particularly long history to draw from when it’s time for a “Turn Back the Clock” game since they’ve only been a franchise since 1998. This has led the team to get creative when coming up with ideas on what to take the field in the day of the special game. In the past the Rays have worn uniforms of teams that have called the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg area home over the years. They’ve paid homage to the Tampa Tarpons, University of Tampa, St. Petersburg Pelicans, and the Tampa Smokers last season.

The organization’s creative minds were at work once again for this year’s “Turn Back the Clock” game to be held June 30 against the Detroit Tigers. Next weekend’s game will have a 70′s theme and while the Rays were not a franchise in 1979 that didn’t stop the think tank from designing the jersey in the above picture to mimic what the team’s uniform might have looked like had they been around the year their opponent finished 85-76 and fifth in the AL East.

For a better look, here’s manager Joe Maddon modeling the threads.

The jerseys will be auctioned after the game at the Rays’ official site with proceeds going to the Moffitt Cancer Center and Rays Baseball Foundation. Beginning June 25 retro merchandise will be available at the Rays’ online store, Tropicana Field, and select shops in the Tampa area.

Photos via Jonathan Gantt