Tampa Yankees change name to Tarpons

Just two days after the Giancarlo Stanton blockbuster trade, one of the most iconic franchise names in sports, the Yankees, are making another change.

This time, the change is to their Florida State League affiliate.

The Tampa Yankees, a high-single A club, announced Monday that they are changing their name to the Tampa Tarpons in time for the 2018 FSL season.

“We have great fans in Tampa,” Tampa general manager Vance Smith said in a press release. “This is Tampa’s team and this name and brand identity honor the community and celebrate Tampa’s rich baseball history.”

That history dates from 1957-1987 when Tampa’s FSL team was called the Tarpons. Back then, though, the franchise was a Cincinnati Reds affiliate.

The name change means the FSL is down to four of its 12 clubs keeping the parent franchise’s nickname.

They are the Dunedin Blue Jays, Lakeland Flying Tigers, Palm Beach Cardinals and St. Lucie Mets.

Tampa, a division rival to the Bradenton Marauders, last won an FSL title in 2010.

As the Tarpons, the new color scheme for uniforms will be legends navy, tarpon silver and gulf blue.

The club is scheduled to unveil its new caps and uniforms in January, according to the press release, and fans seeking merchandise with the new Tarpons’ logo can find it online at tarponsbaseball.com.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Tampa Yankees change name to Tarpons."