Hello Uni Watchers and Happy Labor Day.
Before we get to the uniforms worn in last night’s All-Star Game, I wanted to bring your attention to a few “late” posts from yesterday, as I know some of you are only tuning in during the morning. We had five MLS clubs unveil “throwback” alternates, ticker Jamie Rathjen gave us a sneak peek at Virginia’s new soccer teams, and there was talk of the MLB All-Star Game returning to its old format, where all teams wear their regular uniforms during the game itself. Oh, and earlier today, Paul made a triumphant return to UW. So if you missed any of these, please read them. Thanks!
NOW.
Since the ASG caps and jerseys were released, we’ve been trying to figure out simple things like the actual colors used and what type of pants the teams would wear with the jerseys. I speculated when the jerseys were released that both teams would go with monochrome jerseys/pants, and I was right (unfortunately). We’ve also wondered why this particular font was chosen, among other things. Well, it seems we now have our answers.
Given that the game was played in Arlington, Texas (home of the Rangers), the jerseys were designed by Nike and MLB and the typography and graphics are said to “reflect the classic vibe” of Texas with a “contemporary aesthetic.”
Yeah. Storytelling!
The uniforms are meant to represent Texas, or at least the part of Texas where the Rangers play. According to MLB/Nike, “the design also includes bold color blocking, modern finishes and vibrant highlights intended to represent a bridge between the past and the future.”
Let’s look at these universities now.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Nike/MLB describe the American League jerseys as having a “sand base” (so they are tan). The sleeves of both the American and National jerseys are raglan, and the American uses red sleeves. The words “AMERICAN LEAGUE” are also in red spread across the placket, in a sort of “Old West” type font. The ends of the sleeves have light blue hems. NOB is also in red block letters, in a radial arc, with a red number in the same font style as the letters on the front. On each player’s left sleeve is a team logo, and on the right sleeve is the ASG 2024 logo nestled atop a credit card advertisement.
The AL team pants have thin red piping along the seams. The two back pockets have been reinforced with a thick red hem.
We had seen both caps before, but the AL had a cap with a red brim and back crown, with a tan front panel that featured each team’s logo in red and blue, above a red and blue stripe. Each cap had a single star in white, placed on the player’s right side on the front panel. The ASG logo was on the right side of the cap.
Aside from the pants and socks, we didn’t know what the helmets would look like. It turns out that each league had a custom helmet designed to mimic the cap, but with a few differences.
It’s a little hard to tell, but the batting helmets were painted red with a beige bell shape, and instead of a specific player’s cap logo, each helmet simply had “AL” in blue on the front.
There was apparently only one sock option for those who wanted to wear high-cuff socks. The pattern, seen on Aaron Judge below, had (from top to bottom) off-white (a different shade than the AL uniform) fading to light blue, red, dark blue, then red, light blue, and off-white. Both teams were offered this pair of socks, which were (I assume) meant to match both uniforms. I’ll let you be the judge of that.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Although different in color, the National League uniforms were actually carbon copies of those worn by the junior circuit. The National League jerseys were a “base navy” (according to MLB/Nike, I would call it midnight blue, otherwise black), with light blue raglan sleeves. “NATIONAL LEAGUE” was rendered in the same font as the AL, and the back followed the same style as well.
Here’s what the same socks Aaron Judge wore in his National League uniform looked like, as seen on rookie phenom Paul Skenes.
Here’s a good look at the helmet design on the NL from the side.
And a look at the top of the helmet. Also notice the player’s team logo on the left sleeve.
Most receivers also wore custom equipment, including the helmet and chest protector seen here on William Contreras.
Or Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals.
And here’s a much clearer look at the caps worn by the National League. (A Closer Look)
On each player’s right sleeve was the ASG logo with an advertisement for a credit card.
Shut up, if you dare.
Players, of course, took the opportunity to wear custom belts and shoes to the game, and they didn’t always match the uniforms.
And as they did in 2023, all six match officials wore custom ASG caps, but their regular uniforms.
I couldn’t find a good close-up of the caps, but they had a black brim and back crown, with a white front panel and red and black stripes.
And that’s about it. I’m sure I speak for almost everyone when I say it’s time to end special uniforms. for the game itselfand return to the simpler days of the 2010s (and the 1930s) when participants wore their regular home or away uniforms to the game. And if you clicked the link at the top of this page, at least the commissioner is at least willing to discuss it. It’s time for MLB/Nike to listen to the fans who hated the game being turned into a MasterCard commercial with suits. We may never get rid of the corporate bullshit that now permeates the game, but at least we can get the players back in their regular uniforms.
In all fairness, of the four MLB uniforms in each league over the last four games, these might have been the “best,” but that’s a very low bar to clear.
I hope that next year when I write about ASG 2025, we will be complaining about the length of pants and custom shoes worn with players’ home or away uniforms, and not another fashion show designed around an exhibition game.
This may vary.
Dear readers, the floor is yours. What did you think of the individual teams and should the game go back to individual teams versus individual teams?
Reminder: Big Uni Design Contest – LAST DAY TO ENTER!
In case you missed it, the University of Hawaii and Uni Watch are teaming up for a women’s basketball uniform design contest.
All the details are here.
Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, July 17, which is today.
The grand prize winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize, round-trip airfare to Honolulu and accommodations for the basketball game scheduled for January 25, where the winning design will be worn and showcased to hundreds of thousands of fans around the world.
Sixth time on the HOVG podcast!
Last week I made my sixth appearance on the excellent “Hall Of Very Good” podcast, where I chatted with hosts Shawn Anderson and Lou Olsen about a variety of college-related topics, including my replacement by Paul’s Uni Watch, the City Connect uniforms and caps, and the All-Star Game jerseys (when we recorded it, we hadn’t seen the pants or socks yet), and more. I didn’t even get a chance to listen to it, so I hope I didn’t sound like an idiot. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Just click below to listen.
You can also check out the special podcast breakdown, where you can also access the audio.
Big thanks to HOVG and Shawn and Lou for letting me ramble on about uniforms, which is my usual thing!
Guess the game from the scoreboard
Guess the game…
…According to the notice board
Today’s bulletin board comes from Brad Shore.
The principle of the game (GTGFTS) is simple: I will publish a scoreboard and you simply identify the game represented. In the past, I don’t know if I have Never I have you completely stumped (some are easier than others).
Here is the scoreboard. In the comments below, try to identify the match (date and location, as well as the final score). If something remarkable happened during the match, please add it (and if you were AT the match, well, bonus points for you!):
Please keep sending me those pictures! Feel free to send me pictures of bulletin boards (with answers please), and I will keep posting them.
Guess the game from the uniform
Based on a suggestion from a long-time reader/contributor Jimmy CorcoranWe introduced a new “game” on Uni Watch, which is similar to the popular “Guess the Game from the Scoreboard” (GTGFTS), except this one asked readers to identify the game based on the uniforms worn by the teams.
As in GTGFTS, readers will have to guess the date, location and final score of the match from the clues provided in the photo. Sometimes the game should be quite easy to determine, while in other cases it can be quite difficult. generally be a visual clue (something odd or unique about one or both uniforms) that will allow positive identification of one and only one possible game. Other times, there may be something significant about the game in question, such as the last time a particular uniform was worn (one of Jimmy’s original suggestions). It’s up to YOU to determine the game and date.
Today’s GTGFTU comes from Fred Trabold.
Good luck and feel free to post your guess/answer in the comments below.
And finally…
…that’s it for the first installment of the morning. I’ll have at least a few more articles today, as well as Anthony’s Ticker (and all the latest university news), so check back regularly!
Have a great Wednesday everyone, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow morning.
Peace,
PH