From Grunge to Camo, here are 19 of the Rays' themed road trips in pictures/video
Last Thursday, the Rays traveled to Baltimore in camo gear -- marking their 25th themed road trip in the past five years. Joe Maddon started the tradition when he became manager back in '08, making us all wish we played for the the team down in Tampa. Well, we're not that good at baseball. So instead of participating on the trips, here's a quick photo rundown for your perusal:
2009
Cowboy, baby:
Photo via FoxSportsFlorida
"Bound, by wild desire, [the Rays] fell into a ring of fire"
Photo via TampaBay.com
2010
Hockey Night!
The Rays were no-hit twice in 2010. Manager Clarence Henry (Pants) Rowland's White Sox had the same thing happen to them back in 1917 and went on to win the World Series. So the Rays held a Loudmouth Pants Rowland trip. They didn't win the World Series, but they still looked excellent:
Blazers + Rays = BRaysers
Golf is OK. Payne Stewart-inspired golf attire is incredible:
2011
Joe Maddon and team (and Johnny Damon's biceps) gave a shoutout to the Lightning, who played their way to the Eastern Conference Finals that spring:
Photo via FoxSportsFlorida
When road-tripping to Seattle, one must grunge:
Photo via Seattle Times
Ballplayers. Rainbow onesies. Whoa:
Photo via sbnation
B.J. Upton and the Rays go back in time for a 1950s-themed trip:
Photo via FoxSportsFlorida
Rookies need to pay their dues ... and sing them:
Photo via TampaBay.com
Letterman sweaters are glorious:
Photo via raysindex
Navy SEAL Team Six took care of Osama Bin Laden on May 2, so the Rays honored the troupe with T-shirts three days later:
Photo via LarryBrownSports
Maddon's minimalist trip: "I'm hoping that everyone just brings their carry-on luggage -- one pair of jeans, three shirts, some socks, those who wear underwear, bring underwear"
The all-white attire has become an annual tradition when the Rays visit Miami. We see you, B.J. Upton:
Wiggin' out:
2013
The lettermans come back, and this time, in jacket form:
Camo-mamo. Francisco Rodney never looked better:
Other themed-trip photos lost to the hands of time:
2010: Soccer jerseys
2009: Cowboy trip
2008: Khakis and blazers, Ed Hardy T-shirts, Hats and Imagination
-- Matt Monagan / MLB.com