As the 2024 MLB season gets off and running, one of the biggest topics of conversation is not the players but rather what they’re wearing. The new MLB uniforms have created a major point of controversy as the season begins.
Fanatics, the producer of the new MLB uniforms for this season, and Nike, who designed the new threads, have left players and fans everywhere upset with the changes to a new fabric and the decreasing sizes of player names and jerseys. The jerseys are extremely easy to sweat through and sometimes the jerseys and pants don’t match. Some uniforms still have yet to be delivered.
The altered appearance of the uniforms took everyone by surprise when they were used during Spring Training. Now, as more issues arise, MLB and Nike are responding to the outpouring of criticism.
According to Stephen J. Nesbitt and Tyler Kepner of The Athletic, Nike said that the company is “testing different options to lessen the moisture-related aesthetic color differences” and that it is “exploring a solution to minimize” the variation in colors on the same uniform.
Nike responds to criticism of new MLB uniforms
“It’s a downgrade this year, that’s all I’ll say — it’s a downgrade,” said Minnesota Twins pitcher Brock Stewart to The Athletic. The 32-year-old righty asked if the old uniforms could be retrieved from a closet.
“They’re not bad jerseys. Just, in my opinion, they’re not big-league jerseys,” said Detroit Tigers pitcher Andrew Chafin.
Those two join the chorus of other players who have expressed dissatisfaction with the new uniforms. While some players aren’t too bothered by the change, it's big enough to leave players and countless baseball fans upset. MLB also issued a statement to The Athletic, standing by its business partner while also acknowledging that change is needed.
Part of MLB's statement to The Athletic reads as follows: “Nike chose the letter sizing and picked the fabric that was used in these jerseys. Fanatics has done a great job manufacturing everything to the exact specifications provided by Nike. As part of this significant transition, Nike will continue to explore necessary adjustments to certain elements of the new uniforms to meet the needs of MLB Clubs and players.”
Fans have spent months pointing out how different the old and new uniforms look side by side. The Twitter/X account @FanaticsSucks used to be solely for pointing out problems with Fanatics' merchandise and customer service. Now, it exposes issues that official MLB uniforms have with their colors and design. Even the replica jerseys look much different.
Difference between old and new jerseys @FanaticsSucks pic.twitter.com/8IIKjruAlU
— Sam (@deucemcbrideszn) March 31, 2024
The MLB season will continue as usual but the issue over the uniforms will persist.
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