ECKERD DRUG JOINS DEVIL RAYS' SPONSORSHIP TEAM

          The Devil Rays "have added Eckerd Drug to their lineup
     of major corporate sponsors," agreeing to a five-year deal
     with the FL-based company, according to Marc Topkin of the
     ST. PETERSBURG TIMES.  Eckerd will work with the team "on a
     number of promotional projects" beginning next month "when
     official entry blanks for a 'Help Name the Devil Rays Mascot'
     contest will be available exclusively at" Eckerd.  Eckerd
     will also receive signage at Tropicana Field, advertising in
     team publications and on team broadcasts, and the opportunity
     to stage in-stadium promotions.  Eckerd joins Tropicana, A-B,
     PepsiCo, First Union, the St. Petersburg Times, First USA,
     and JumboSports Inc. as sponsors.  The team "reportedly" has
     deals with Southwest Airlines and the St. Petersburg-
     Clearwater Int'l Airport, and it is "seeking to reach deals
     with a restaurant chain, a hospital, a grocery chain and one
     or more" telecom companies (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 8/13).