Actual New Threads: Players not a Fanatic

[MFS62]

I see it as part of a plan that says that smaller lettering means there will be more room on the unis for advertising (a la NASCAR).
Follow the money.
Later

[A Boy Named Seo]

Having now seen some spring innings, the NOB lettering is too damn small and doesn't work for TV at all.

[A Boy Named Seo]

In a possibly related universe, FC Barcelona is thinking of kicking Nike to the curb due to quality and supply issues. No clue if Nike actually manufactures Barça's kits (or someone else does) but here's more proof that simply slapping a goddamn swoosh on a shirt does not make it a good shirt.

https://theathletic.com/5323188/2024/03 ... niversary/

Barca sources — who, like all those cited in this article, wished to speak anonymously to protect relationships — say they have been talking to other brands in the industry, with the intention of finding a better package.

They said Barca’s relationship with Nike has hit something of a rough patch over the past year. They also said there was a feeling within the club that Nike had not met all the standards they agreed to in their last deal.

Senior figures claimed there had been some supply problems over the past two seasons. In 2020, there were also reported complaints from the club about the quality of some products Nike supplied. The Athletic approached Nike, and they declined to comment.

[Edgy MD]

Here's to allowing teams to contract out the supplying of their own gear.

[A Boy Named Seo]

Barça's thinking of making their own kits. They're not entirely sure they can do everything perfectly, but whatever that looks like, they're pretty certain it will be better than Nike.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

The MLB cartel willingly jumped into bed with Nike, I can't imagine a team turning away. Best we can hope for is they ask nicely for a change.

[metirish]

It should be noted that Barca are in near financial ruin , and this is likely them trying to maximize $$ too , they probably sell a few million replica shirts a season so it does make sense if they can pull it off

[A Boy Named Seo]

It should be noted that Barca are in near financial ruin , and this is likely them trying to maximize $$ too , they probably sell a few million replica shirts a season so it does make sense if they can pull it off

Money's always a factor with them, huh. The same article said their 10-year deal with Nike is worth somewhere between €85m and €105m annually. I'm sure they're trying to squeeze more money out of another brand first before going at it themselves. If Nike's proved anything it's that lots can go wrong if you don't know what the hell you're doing.

[nymr83]

Lots can go wrong, but the money still comes in.

As a Mets fan with Money Bags now in charge I would love to see the Mets forge their own path. However, if the Nike contract is another decent player the Pirates or Twins could* afford, is it worth it?

*Nevermind that they will just pocket the money and not improve the roster. They COULD afford more with deals like this and the mechanism to make them spend it is a separate convo.

[Cowtipper]

They are the Woll Smoth of uniforms.

[metirish]

Wow ,side by side looks so bad

[Fman99]

They ruined baseball

[metirish]

Hold on, there is some controversy as to weather the Alonso on the right is an actual MLB jersey

[Edgy MD]

Lots can go wrong, but the money still comes in.

Just one of the reasons that monopolies are the worst.

[Frayed Knot]

Has there been any reason given for the decision to go to agate type for the names?
MLB's call or the uni manufacturer?

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Nike but MLB is their biggest cheerleader. The idea is to showcase a lighter, more athletic jersey, so stitched on things like numbers and patches and embroidery has no place. Everything is small and iron on. MLB is about emphasizing their players as athletes in need of the latest equipment so are on board.

[Frayed Knot]

Everything is small and iron on.

Oh I get it, they're like my college intramural team unis!!

[Benjamin Grimm]

I predict that this will be the New Coke of sports uniforms.

[Edgy MD]

Coca-Cola had professional rivals to force them to zag off their zig. MLB has none.

They can do stupid thing after stupid thing and suffer few consequences, feeling little in the way of market pressure to reverse field.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Well, yeah. The only thing I can think of that would make them reverse course is if fewer people were buying the replica jerseys.

[Edgy MD]

Look at the big, gorgeous letters on the backs of the 1979 Reds, particularly their manager.

Let 'em know who you are!!

[metirish]

[batmagadanleadoff]

Nothing new to add here --- just chiming in. But this year's unis are disgusting. It's not just the microscopically tiny NOB nameplates that look so disproportionately out of scale next to the much larger uni numbers. The front of the jersey wordmark, especially on the Mets road unis, and the front numbers also look smaller and thinner. WTF? Who the hell thought this look would be aesthetically pleasing?

Then there's the Bud Harrelson memorial patch, which is crammed in with the skyline logo patch so that the two patches are practically touching each other, they're so close to each other, because the best sleeve real estate is now reserved for .... wait for it ... Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Because Steve Cohen needs more money and apparently, he has no qualms about fucking up the uniforms to get it. Wondering where they're gonna put the Jerry Grote memorial patch? There's some space on the players' butts, last I looked.

[Benjamin Grimm]

UniWatch reported that Bryce Harper has been wearing his 2023 uniform (pants and jersey) and that others have been seen wearing 2023 pants. It would be nice, a kind of silent revolt, if more players started doing this. Obviously, players who switched teams over the offseason won't have this option, although I think if I was a player who was with a new team in 2024, I'd buy some custom authentic 2023 uniforms from a sporting goods retailer.

[Edgy MD]

That's great, and particularly great that an untouchable like Harper is out front.

I hope it's universal by June.