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Exciting news for baseball enthusiasts as Spring Training kicked off this week with pitchers and catchers reporting. However, the biggest buzz surrounding this event is the disappointment expressed by fans and players regarding the Major League Baseball uniforms provided by Fanatics this season.
On Tuesday, a wave of controversy hit Major League Baseball and Fanatics when fans and some players took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the new uniforms.
The first player to publicly voice his concerns about the uniforms was Mile Mikolas, a pitcher for the Cardinals. Mikolas not only criticized their appearance but also pointed out that they do not fit properly anymore, the pants are no longer customized, and the fabric feels completely different.
Another player in the Cardinals’ clubhouse simply stated, “They look cheap.”
Many have questioned how Nike could produce such subpar uniforms. The answer is that while Nike may have designed them, Fanatics is responsible for their production. Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise as Fanatics has a history of creating inferior products, as many disappointed fans who have purchased replica sports jerseys can attest.
However, this time the situation is more serious as it directly affects the players themselves. Fans everywhere can relate to their frustration.
Angels outfielder Taylor Ward shared his thoughts with The Athletic, saying, “It looks like a replica. It feels kind of papery. It could be great when you’re out there sweating, it may be breathable. But I haven’t had that opportunity yet to try that out. But from the looks of it, it doesn’t look like a $450 jersey.”
Angels reliever Carlos Estévez was visibly upset with the new uniforms, showcasing the mismatched shades of the tops and pants. He laughed at the poorly spaced and shrunken lettering on the back of the jersey. He also expressed disappointment that he cannot customize his pants to his liking, as pitchers were once able to do, to accommodate their unique body shapes.
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson criticized the shade of blue on the Cubs jerseys, while Cardinals players lamented the loss of chain-stitching for their names. A Tigers player described the new pants as “terrible.”
As more players voice their complaints about the uniform changes, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has become involved.
Ironically, Major League Baseball and Nike issued a joint press release on the same day the complaints surfaced, praising their new uniforms and including positive quotes from players such as Nolan Arenado, Adley Rutschman, and Ronald Acuna Jr.
The Athletic reported that neither Fanatics nor Nike have commented on the issue. It is possible that they are waiting for position players to report to camp next week to gauge if the complaints will intensify before addressing the matter.
According to the Source brobible.com