For almost ten years, Major League Baseball uniforms had remained virtually unchanged until the end of the 2023 season. Despite the league’s switch from Majestic to Nike in 2020, the official on-field MLB jersey’s materials and fabrication remained the same. However, Nike had promised a redesign, and now, in 2024, they have officially unveiled the alterations. Unfortunately, the response has been overwhelmingly negative.
The introduction of the new product began with the 2023 All-Star game in Seattle, where the National League and American League jerseys showcased the new fabric and design template. However, these designs were one-time occurrences and not based on the traditional jerseys worn by each team. As pitchers and catchers started reporting to spring training facilities, photos of the new product surfaced, leading to real-time reviews. Unfortunately, the feedback has been largely unfavorable.
According to reports, St. Louis Cardinals players are “quite dissatisfied” with the new look. One player even described the changes in fabrication and design as appearing “inexpensive.” The new Seattle Mariners jerseys have also received criticism, particularly regarding the placement and appearance of names and numbers. Overall, it seems that the initial reception has been less than ideal.
Interestingly, the league issued a press release on Tuesday, highlighting the debut of the new template and the introduction of nine new City Connect jerseys. The release included positive comments from two players, including Cardinals star Nolan Arenado, who praised the designs. However, these statements contradict the off-the-record criticisms expressed by players.
Much of the fan criticism revolves around Fanatics, who have taken over the production and fabrication of the new jerseys. As is often the case, the emphasis on “sustainability” has resulted in a decrease in quality and an increase in cost. The on-field “Vapor Elite” jerseys now retail for $395, despite players claiming they have a “cheap” appearance. Additionally, the placement of the new MLB logo on the back of the jersey and the extreme curvature of the names raise questions, especially for certain teams and players.
While we will soon witness the on-field product, the early reviews have been overwhelmingly negative. It is worth noting that these new jerseys are set to be the standard template for at least another 5-6 years.
According to the Source outkick.com