The Tampa Bay Rays are throwing back to a past that never was, wearing uniforms from their fictional 1979 season tonight at Tropicana Field versus the Detroit Tigers.
Tampa Bay has gone all out, you know, other than wearing a belt which they certainly would not have done with a uniform like this, by matching up their helmet with their retro cap design.
Detroit on the other hand has gone the opposite way, wearing the button-up elastic waistband but maintaining their current helmet design.
The game is being shown nationally in the U.S. and Canada on the Fox Network, but for those unable to tune in, here’s a look at how their faux-back appears when on the field, in action:
Over the past week we also received some detailed photos of the cap the Rays are wearing in tonight’s game courtesy Twitter user @Brian_Fletcher, thanks Brian!
Oh yes, the Tigers are wearing throwbacks too… real ones, for serious this time.
We’re loving this idea, even if the Rays didn’t go with the elastic waistband, and eagerly await future promotions with other teams throwing back to seasons which never existed!
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Chris Creamer is the founder of SportsLogos.Net and has been maintaining it since June 1997. You can follow him on Twitter at @sportslogosnet or contact him via email at ccreamer@sportslogos.net
Brian Fletcher
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 20:06Glad to help with the pics, CC!
Lee Barrett
Monday, July 2, 2012 at 16:27Dude, were you able to purchase that Rays hat?
The Vocal Minority
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 20:10Those are 1978 San Diego Padres uniforms with the colors switched out, and I sure wish someone would acknowledge that fact.
J.B.
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 23:23You are correct, sir. It's still a good looking "fauxback" uniform. http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/uniforms.asp?league=NL&city=San+Diego&lowYear=1978&highYear=1979&sort=year&increment=9
Fletcher Keel
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 20:14Does anyone know if/when/where those TB hats will be available?
Agent New Era
Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 14:07Fletcher - I know Lids website had them but they went fast, MLB shop or other sites like Hat Club should hopefully have them soon for those who might want one. I'm guessing...
Evan
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 20:19Will these be on sale anywhere other than the ball park?
Anthony O'Neill
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 20:28I'm liking the retro uniforms. I think TB should change to this style.
Agent New Era
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 20:32Will these Tigers caps be made available anywhere and are they produced by New Era or EFF?
Jimmy
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 20:36The Tigers caps are sold on their website and made by American Needle, I am disappointed New Era didn't make em because I believe the American Needle cap is made of wool, I hated the wool caps and how they would shrink. I didn't start buy caps until they changed in 2007, before then it wasn't worth spending that kinda money on something that wasn't gonna fit right in a couple months.
Agent New Era
Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 14:09Thanks Jimmy - but I still wonder because the American Needle cap on the tigers online shop has no Batterman logo in the back. I checked out pictures of the game and I can see a Batterman logo on the back of Miguel Cabrera's cap. It still could be American Needle caps but the addition of the logo in the back makes me wonder. Then again, sometimes, even if the throwback hats are New Era, never go to retail, unless at the stadium shops.
tigerfanjoe
Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 18:00I have the tigers hat and it is new era they sold it at comerica park, It was team issued but not used in the game. It costs $40
Jj
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 20:49Nice new homepage banner!
Tom
Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 17:26Do you have a close up shot of the patch that the Rays wore on their left sleeve?
thomas
Monday, July 2, 2012 at 04:54puke !!
ingmar66
Monday, July 2, 2012 at 06:18Not a swimming ray in sight on the sleeve, which is such a pity, as this sun motif still looks too much like a grapefruit or the spokes of a bicycle wheel. It does not work Otherwise the uniform (be it a Padres ripoff) is still OK and the idea of inventing yourself in another era is nice. Next time TB should go all the way back to the fifties: flannels with skinny lettering and piping
ingmar66
Monday, July 2, 2012 at 06:20The grapefruit sun design should work for the Japanese National baseball team, however, as it reminds me of the chrysantheum of the Japanese emperor.
Pod
Monday, July 2, 2012 at 13:45BIG fan of TB's throwback uni's. They look pretty awesome.
dnites
Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at 15:39nice retro rays unis.. but of course it's a Padres' late 70's unis just switched to powder and navy blues. i wondering if the rays plays another "Turn back the clock" game, they should wear that uniform but in white.
cm
Monday, July 9, 2012 at 21:00they should change their uniforms back to the devil rays uniforms and use these as their alternates.
Leonard
Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 16:47The retro unis Tampa Bay wore are so cool!