MLB players dressing down Nike, Fanatics over new uniforms that look ‘like a replica’

MLB players dressing down Nike, Fanatics over new uniforms that look ‘like a replica’

Interesting bits and Notable Quotes:

Nike claims the new jersey is softer, lighter and stretchier than the previous model. Many players say it’s worse. In clubhouses around the league on Wednesday, they criticized the jerseys’ poor fit, cheap look, inconsistent quality and small lettering.

“It looks like a replica,” Angels outfielder Taylor Ward said. “It feels kind of like papery. It could be great when you’re out there sweating, it may be breathable. But I haven’t had that opportunity yet to try that out. But from the looks of it, it doesn’t look like a $450 jersey.

At his locker, Angels reliever Carlos Estévez was in a tizzy over the new threads. He pulled out a couple tops and pairs of pants to show that the shades didn’t match. He laughed at the spacing and shrunken nature of the lettering on the back of the jersey. And he bemoaned the fact he can’t customize his pants to his preference, the way pitchers once could, tailoring the fit to their big dumpers and tree-trunk thighs.

“I could see Estévez (flexing),” Ward said, “and it just ripping in the back.”

The complaints prompted players to take their displeasure to their union, and the MLBPA is now involved in relaying the players’ concerns.

MLB and Nike ran a joint press release about the new jersey that included rave reviews from Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (“It’s almost like wearing my favorite shirt out on the field”), Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (“much more breathable, with vents on the numbers and better airflow all around”) and reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. (“Feeling free in the jersey is the best feeling in the world”). All wear Nike gear in games. So do several other stars who have publicly praised the jerseys since Nike debuted them at the 2023 All-Star Game: Mike Trout, Kenley Jansen, Corbin Carroll and Jason Heyward.

“Cubbie blue is its own blue, right?” Swanson said. “This blue on the uniform is a little bit different than Cubbie blue. So how can we just recapture that?”

Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle, who fans have given the nickname “Tommy Tightpants,” has leaned into the look. He reached into his locker for his new trousers Wednesday and gave them a “stretch test” with his hands. Not tight enough. Kahnle hadn’t actually put them on yet, but he knew.

Look at the last names, bro,” Estévez said. “I’m 6-foot-6. This is going to look tiny on me.”

“I think the last names look really bad honestly,” a Cardinals player said. “I saw someone on Twitter said this looks like a Walmart jersey.”

Nike will sell three versions of the Nike Vapor Premier jerseys to fans: Limited Jersey (“inspired by the on-field jersey”), Game Jersey (“replica player jersey”) and Elite Jersey (“authentic jersey, as worn by player on-field”). Only the Limited jersey is currently available; an Acuña can be had for $174.99.

“It’s one of those things where there’s good and bad,” Swanson said. “It’s hard to sit here and just blast them about it or praise them for it. There’s stuff on both sides, and I think the beauty is they’re willing to have those conversations. Obviously, if it’s a change of anything, initial reactions are always going to be (strong). But I do think there are some things that could be altered to make it better.”

Reds catcher Luke Maile said changing jerseys is like changing toilet paper. “You notice it at first,” he said, “but after a while, it’s just your toilet paper.”