The Latest on MLB Jersey Controversy
There's a lot of talk and hoopla over the new jerseys and pants for MLB players this season. From them not fitting their dumpers or tree-trunk thighs to the lack of customization, there have been plenty of words written and worries shared among players, teams, and fans. The Diamondbacks unveiled their new jerseys this past winter to a lot of love and praise. Their jerseys seem to be in the minority leaguewide among fans liking their team's jerseys. The same is true for the players. Corbin Carroll has been particularly been vocal in liking the new jerseys and their material/lightweight feel.
First, let's take a look at what the jerseys looked like last year compared to this year.
Last year's jerseys were designed by Nike, just like this year's. However, last year's jerseys were a different kind compared to the brand-new Nike jerseys. Nike unveiled their new Nike Vapor Premier jersey. If you remember last year's All-Star Game, those jerseys were the new Nike Vapor Premiers. It's claimed to be softer, lighter, and stretchier than the jerseys of old. Yet, according to the Athletic, players say it's "worse...cheap...inconsistent...and small lettering."
Nike designed these jerseys but they aren't manufacturing them. The contentious manufacturer Fanatics is mass-producing them. They are using the same Pennsylvania factory that Majestic used to make their MLB jerseys back when they held the license before Fanatics bought them.
The colors on many team's jerseys have changed especially in terms of the white being used from regular white to off-white. Teams are losing elements that make their jerseys stand out or unique. This was evident with the D-backs who went from a normal white to a new off-white color for their home jersey.
Beyond the color issues, there are concerns about whether or not the jerseys will even be ready for MLB players to wear come Opening Day. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "As teams shift to new Nike-designed, Fanatics-manufactured jerseys, they are not certain if the alternate jerseys will be available on time for the start of the season." This is eye-opening because how can teams not have their full complement of jerseys to wear come the regular season? This will mean that some teams will be forced to wear just their road grays or home whites if they can't get their jerseys on time.
Speaking of jersey delays for teams, if you have wanted a new D-backs jersey from the team shop, you might have noticed that it says they are sold out on the red, gray, and black. How can that be when they are brand new and there's tremendous demand? Well, shipping and manufacturing delays are the reason why. Speaking with the team shop about when they will be in stock, the new Red and Gray jerseys were supposed to have already been here and being sold. Due to shipping and manufacturing reasons, they are late and the team shop does not know when they will arrive. The Black jerseys, which seem to be fan's consensus favorites, will not arrive or be available for sale until early April.
Speaking with various D-backs players, here are their thoughts. One said, "Most of the guys seemed less than pleased overall." Another said that he liked the jerseys because they were really lightweight. One agreed that the names and lettering on the jersey are far too small to read from far away. He said "Jerseys feel fine, just the name is too small. If you don't know numbers, you won't know who's playing."
How can a jersey be designed without the fans in mind? Fans don't want to have to use binoculars to be able to see who is on the mound or hitting or in the field. Yet, Nike opted to go for a smaller nameplate. Multiple players have said that these jerseys look like replicas. One player said the nameplate looks like a "Walmart jersey."
Then, there are issues with the pants for the pitchers and players. Before, the pants used to be fully customizable to where tailors would take measurements for how you wanted the inseam, flare, if you wanted them baggy, tight, etc. Now, tailoring isn't available at all. This has led some clubhouse managers to take on the role of tailor to make players happier.
Now, there are three or four buckets for players to choose from to design their pants from tight, baggy, or standard. Inside of those options lies a couple more choices that allow for some differences and adjustments, but not the adjustments that allow players to have extremely tight pants like Robbie Ray or to be very loose. Although, a D-backs player said that for him, the number of choices in the pants was fine.
Now, the heavyweight MLBPA is joining the fray to speak to Nike and Fanatics on the player's behalf due to how disliked the jerseys are. The MLBPA is focusing on the lettering, cheaper look, customization, and coloring because of how upset the players are. According to the Athletic and MLBPA Union President Tony Clark, "It’s an ongoing dialogue. Hopefully, we can get some things done over the course of the next six weeks of spring training. Because I’d hate to be in a place where we’re still having conversations about some of the challenges we have in that regard once the lights come on.”
Only time will tell if this is just the latest hot-button issue that affects the MLB world or if it will pass once again with no changes as players and fans are forced to get used to it. One thing is certain, right now, fans and players agree on their displeasure with how the jerseys look and feel.
