It was the year of the Rayhawk hairstyle, a sometimes-blue flop of hair down the middle of an otherwise shaved head. The Tampa Bay Rays had just dropped the “Devil” from the team name, and cowbell was all the rage. Plus, fans could actually pack into Tropicana Field (remember seeing live sports?)
The Tampa Bay Rays entered the World Series for the first time in franchise history in October of 2008 after defeating the Boston Red Sox in the American League baseball championship series. Rays fever seized Tampa Bay as the team advanced to face the Philadelphia Phillies.
Ultimately, the Rays lost the World Series during game five. Still, it was a memorable run. Here are some snapshots of the historic season.
The grounds crew gets Tropicana Field ready for the Major League World Series Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 in St. Petersburg. [ MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER | Times (2008) ]
John Keiley of Denver and owner of Johnny's New York Pizza, poses for a portrait before game 2 of the World Series at Tropicana Field on Thursday, 10/23/2008. [ CHRIS ZUPPA | Times (2008) ]
Charlie Gerdes, 52, of St. Petersburg, sells fauxhawks outside Fergs Friday afternoon before the start of the Tampa Bay Rays versus White Sox ALDS game 2 at Tropicana Field. [ JASON BEHNKEN | Times (2008) ]
Cary Strukel brought his big blue wig and camera to Straub Park to help celebrate the Rays making it to the World Series. [ JAY NOLAN | Times (2008) ]
Luisa Willingham, of St. Petersburg, sports 2008 glasses while watching the fifth inning of game 1 of the World Series at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, 10/22/2008. [ CHRIS ZUPPA | Times (2008) ]
Nemo, a male white German Shephard, 9, (background) and Roxy, a female American Wskimo, 15, (foreground) were each given blue mohawks, a Rays bandana and blue nail polish. [ Times (2008) ]
Rays fans show their support prior to the World Series experience at Tropicana Field as the Rays take on the Phillies. [ Times (2008) ]
Rays fan Betty Roberts tailgates prior to the game against the Philadelphia in World Series game 2 at Tropicana Field. [ JOSEPH BROWN III | Times (2008) ]
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/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XVTHS4DCPZHJPM4XKDZKGBCRNY.JPG "Tracy Turbeville of Tampa holds a sign she made for the 2008 World Series at Tropicana Field.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GVPQCIE4U5HVROGZXBHNQ6R7VQ.JPG "The grounds crew gets Tropicana Field ready for the Major League World Series Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FR4B4MOPOBFRVJEOBTVJWFSBGQ.JPG "John Keiley of Denver and owner of Johnny's New York Pizza, poses for a portrait before game 2 of the World Series at Tropicana Field on Thursday, 10/23/2008.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IJNDNS7CVBATZI764RV46EMFLI.JPG "Charlie Gerdes, 52, of St. Petersburg, sells fauxhawks outside Fergs Friday afternoon before the start of the Tampa Bay Rays versus White Sox ALDS game 2 at Tropicana Field.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JCXRLYXJZNDPDD7K7AYDUBWOKI.JPG "Cary Strukel brought his big blue wig and camera to Straub Park to help celebrate the Rays making it to the World Series.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ITDCQFTARRAYDFGSX55XZ5QCP4.JPG "Luisa Willingham, of St. Petersburg, sports 2008 glasses while watching the fifth inning of game 1 of the World Series at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, 10/22/2008.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ICY3AXBCQ5EFRHP45IOTR6NDLQ.JPG "Nemo, a male white German Shephard, 9, (background) and Roxy, a female American Wskimo, 15, (foreground) were each given blue mohawks, a Rays bandana and blue nail polish.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/76QOP6CJB5BIDKHXGST64S5ZWM.JPG "Rays fans show their support prior to the World Series experience at Tropicana Field as the Rays take on the Phillies.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HVDS6KXOGNGVPDUQH542DSIBYQ.JPG "Rays fan Betty Roberts tailgates prior to the game against the Philadelphia in World Series game 2 at Tropicana Field.")
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