MLB players have a new uniform and it is has gotten a fair amount of attention, but probably not for the reasons that the league was hoping for. The pants are considerably see-through and the players are expressing their opinions about how they feel about that detail.
Bruce Meyer, the deputy executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, confirmed this past Thursday that the organization has communicated concerns from players to the league.
These complaints, which were first reported by ESPN, are a part of a broader dislike for the new uniforms that have been designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics.
But MLB officials point out that the updated uniform was designed optimally, as it improves mobility by providing 25% more stretch and can also dry 28% faster. Also, the lettering, sleeve emblems, and numbering are less bulky, which allows the uniforms to be more breathable and comfortable for players.
Despite these improvements of practicality, the uniforms have mostly generated a negative reaction for their changes.
“I know everyone hates them,” Trea Turner, Phillies shortstop, said last week. “We all liked what we had. We understand business, but I think everyone wanted to keep it the same way, for the most part, with some tweaks here and there.” Commissioner Rob Manfred expects the criticism to fade.
Joe Musgrove, a veteran pitcher on the San Diego Padres said, “We tried stuff on last year, we tried stuff on again in spring, but the samples they gave us, they didn’t have the proper length for anybody, so it’s hard to gauge if they fit right or not.”
Musgrove didn’t express any concerns about the below-the-belt controversy, saying that it was far from the most important thing he’s worried about this Spring season, even if it’s a little annoying to deal with.
“Pants are pants — we’re going to wear them,” he said. “If they don’t fit right, you’ll deal with it.”
Teams in the league that have already received the too-transparent pants include the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Kansas City Royals, and more.
