Spring training presents the perfect opportunity for MLB players to address and correct any on-field issues. Yet, the biggest issues from this season's spring training is making players want to undress.
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On Tuesday, an X post from St. Louis Cardinals beat reporter Jeff Jones displaying Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas' new jersey went viral. The post wrote, 'This 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.
This 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.
“They look cheap,” another player said. pic.twitter.com/UoH4vVHTfd
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) February 13, 2024
'"They look cheap," another player said.'
While these new jerseys are called Nike Vapor Premier, and are indeed licensed by Nike, the uniforms themselves are actually produced by Fanatics — which is the first time Fanatics has been tasked with creating on-field MLB jerseys.
Although Nike claims the new jersey is softer, lighter and stretchier than the previous model, the general consensus in MLB clubhouses is that they're much, much worse than last year's jerseys.
Earlier this week, a post comparing the Seattle Mariners jerseys from last year and what is being presented this season made waves on X.
Last year vs this year’s replica jersey offerings from the fine folks at MLB, Nike & Fanatics. Last year’s being on the left and this year’s on the right.
I have a lot to say, so bear with me here.
Let’s just rip the bandaid off right away with this year’s new jersey offerings pic.twitter.com/3IShhlj0nL
— Bobby Mullins (@TheBobbyMullins) February 11, 2024
It doesn't take a jersey expert to see that the new Nike/Fanatics jerseys pale in comparison to the previous uniform.
An article posted by The Athletic this morning noted other player complaints about the new jerseys, such as Angels outfielder Taylor Ward saying, ""It looks like a replica. 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."
Another common complaint about the jerseys is the letter sizes of last names on players' backs. Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estévez said, "Look at the last names, bro. I'm 6-foot-6. This is going to look tiny on me."
While the MLB did launch a press release that seemed to be their way of addressing these pitiful uniforms — noting all of the engineering adaptations that make the "more athletic and form-fitting" Nike Vapor Premier jerseys — nowhere in the press release does it address how bad these jerseys look.
Given that spring training is already underway, it seems that teams will be stuck with these jerseys for the season.
While this isn't ideal for players, at least us fans will have something to laugh at.
