The premise that the mascot of the Tampa Bay Rays is a cat is actually a common misconception, as the official mascot of the Major League Baseball franchise is not a cat at all, but rather a famous furry, blue, sea-creature-inspired character named Raymond. Raymond is officially described as a "freak zoological specimen" or a whimsical coastal creature native to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, aligning with the team's nautical and marine-themed identity as the Rays (originally named the Devil Rays). While fans sometimes playfully mistake Raymond's oversized ears, whiskers, and amorphous blue physique for a feline or an imaginative combination of various land and sea animals, the organization designed the character specifically to represent a unique, friendly sea monster that entertains crowds and children at Tropicana Field throughout the baseball season.