The Tampa Bay Rays franchise name actually bridges both concepts, having evolved deliberately from its original maritime identity into an atmospheric symbol of the region. When the team was founded in the late 1990s, they were officially named the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, a direct homage to the majestic marine creatures native to the Gulf of Mexico waters surrounding the stadium, featuring a manta ray prominently on their caps, jerseys, and team branding. Prior to the 2008 season, the organization underwent a major corporate and visual rebrand, shortening the name simply to the "Rays" and shifting the primary visual identity away from just the aquatic animal toward a burst of brilliant yellow light representing the famous Florida sunshine, often referred to as the Sunshine State. Today, the franchise embraces both interpretations simultaneously: the manta ray remains a beloved mascot and a nod to local marine wildlife, while the sun ray is reflected in the team logo's bright yellow starburst, the jersey lettering, and the overall energetic branding that defines modern baseball in the Tampa Bay area.