Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred, in collaboration with Nike, the league's official uniform supplier, announced adjustments to the new uniforms introduced this season. The changes are set to be implemented for the 2025 season in response to feedback from players and clubs.
Manfred emphasized the significance of player and club input, stating, 'Player and club feedback is extremely important to us.' The decision to modify the uniforms was a direct result of listening to the concerns raised by the players.
During spring training, players raised issues such as see-through pants and the perceived low quality of the uniforms, which were described as 'cheap' by some. The New York Yankees drew attention in March when players' sweat became visible through their uniforms.
The problem resurfaced recently when Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene tore his pants while sliding to home plate in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
MLB had initiated uniform changes in collaboration with Nike and Fanatics back in 2018. The new designs were intended to offer 25% more stretch and dry 28% faster. Nike handled the design aspect, while Fanatics took charge of production.
Despite the initial intentions, the response to the new uniforms was underwhelming. The league acknowledged the primary concerns, which include enlarging lettering on the back of jerseys and introducing 'individual pant customization.' Additionally, efforts will be made to address discoloration caused by player sweat.
For an immediate resolution in the current season, MLB is working on rectifying the 'slight color difference' between pants and jerseys, particularly for teams with gray uniforms. These adjustments are expected to be rolled out to the respective teams by the second half of the season.
Manfred expressed the league's commitment to collaborating with Nike to refine the uniforms, aiming to deliver a visually appealing and performance-enhancing uniform for MLB players.
