MLBPA's Tony Clark: Players 'Frustrated' with New Uniforms, Want Fix Before Season
February 20, 2024
Fans and analysts aren't the only ones who think the MLB uniforms designed for the 2024 season are a problem.
MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark told reporters on Tuesday that players are "frustrated" with the uniforms, and they're hoping to get them fixed before the start of the regular season.
"We are on the phone with the requisite parties that are involved in making that decision because we aren't. We're trying to make sure our guys have what they need in the fashion that they need it. And it's reflective of what being a major-league ballplayer should be reflective of.
"It's an ongoing dialogue. Hopefully, we can get some things done over the course of the next six weeks of spring training. Because I'd hate to be in a place where we're still having conversations about some of the challenges we have in that regard once the lights come on."
When players started reporting to spring training last week, one of the main topics involved changes that were made to the jerseys for virtually every team.
The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans posted a side-by-side image of what the Cincinnati Reds' uniforms looked like in 2023 and 2024.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas said the jerseys "look cheap" and explained the pants are no longer customized to fit what each player wants.
Jeff Jones @jmjonesThis is what the back of the white jerseys look like with the new template. Players are pretty unhappy. Miles Mikolas says they also don't fit right; pants are no longer as customized, and the fabric is a very different consistency. <br><br>"They look cheap," another player said. <a href="https://t.co/UoH4vVHTfd">pic.twitter.com/UoH4vVHTfd</a>
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward echoed Mikolas' comments, saying the jerseys look "like a replica" and feel "kind of like papery."
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred was asked about the response to the jerseys last week while speaking to the media.
"The jerseys are different. They're designed to be performance wear as opposed to what has traditionally been worn, so they are going to be different. … I think that they're going to be really popular," he said.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi told Juliette Arcodia and Sam Brock of NBC News representatives for Nike and Fanatics will be visiting spring training facilities in the coming weeks to "find ways to work around the margins and modify the jerseys."
Morosi also said his impression is that "most players" are on board with the new-look jerseys, but MLB, Nike and Fanatics will keep an open mind based on the feedback that will be given.
Nike and Fanatics entered into a 10-year partnership with MLB in January 2019 to make Nike the official uniform and footwear supplier of the sport starting with the 2020 season.
Majestic Athletic had been MLB's official jersey manufacturer since 1982.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will play the first spring training game of the season on Thursday. Saturday will mark the first full day of games with all 30 teams in action.