ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Fans of the Tampa Bay Rays now have more merchandise to get their hands on after the team announced their new "Grit x Glow" uniforms.
The new Nike MLB City Connect attires celebrate the Tampa Bay area's counterculture scene in skating, street art, streetwear, tattoos and music.
“There's an energy and a vibe that makes this region unique,” vice president of creative & brand Warren Hypes said in a statement. “The untold stories of our community are compelling, and the City Connect program gives us a chance to share them. We’re especially excited to celebrate Tampa Bay’s skate culture and shine a light on its role in history.”
Grit x Glow jerseys read "Tampa Bay" on the front, the first time the Rays uniform has done so since 2007. The lettering style is inspired by the team's time as the Devil Rays, with flame accents that are reminiscent of skate imagery and street art.
New caps dubbed the "SkyRay" feature a logo that combines the team's ray with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to represent the connections across Tampa Bay area counties.
Attires featuring pelican and palm logos are nods to the histories of both St. Petersburg and Tampa.
The pelican is a reference to the city of St. Pete's flag, as well as a reference to the Florida State Negro League's St. Petersburg Pelicans in the 1940s and '50s.
The three palms are an ode to the Perry Harvey Sr. Park in Tampa, the first public skatepark in the southeast.
The Rays will sport their new gear during their three home games this weekend against the New York Mets.
Fans can now buy the Grit x Gear merchandise at the Bay Republic Team Store at Tropicana Field.