As the 2024 MLB All-Star Game began, the uniforms were once again a topic of criticism among fans and media. No one appears to be a fan of the generic American and National League uniforms that players and coaches are wearing for the Midsummer Classic.
Besides the clunky logos on the front of the jerseys, the jerseys and pants being the same color (beige for the AL, black for the NL) resembles pajamas or softball league fits to many fans. It works for white and gray with home and road uniforms, but not so much with other colors.
I’m 100% convinced MLB purposely makes players wear the ugliest All-Star Game uniforms possible to get social media engagement. pic.twitter.com/Dc2GEz7ZJE
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) July 16, 2024
The All Star Game hats and uniforms look like the kind of things you’d find at Wal-Mart on the clearance rack
— Ben Meyer 🔥💨🍖 (@PastorBenMeyer) July 17, 2024
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred even addressed the topic earlier Tuesday, saying that changes might be made for the 2025 All-Star Game. He also said he prefers the All-Star jerseys, rather than players wearing the uniforms of their respective teams.
“I’m aware of the sentiment on this issue,” Manfred told reporters, via The Athletic’s Tyler Kepner. “I think where my head is on it, it’s something we’re going to have a conversation about coming out of the All-Star Game.”
What that I liked about players wearing their own uniforms in the All-Star Game was that it allowed you to get to know players from teams you did not watch often.
You would know right away who was the Rockies selection or the Devil Rays pick. That is no longer the case today.
— Gershon Rabinowitz (@GershOnline) July 17, 2024
One All-Star who wants MLB to go back to individual team uniforms is Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper. During Monday’s workout day, the eight-time All-Star said the generic league uniforms ruin something he enjoyed about the All-Star Game when he was growing up.
“If we could change back to that, I think it would be really cool,” Harper told the Los Angeles Times’ Bill Shaikin.
The Nike All-Star uniforms are not a big hit for everyone. Growing up, Bryce Harper said he loved watching All-Stars take the field in their team uniforms.
“If we could change back to that,” Harper said, “I think it would be really cool.”
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 15, 2024
MLB went with the AL and NL uniforms as part of its deal with Nike and Fanatics in 2019, according to Shaikin. In an attempt to attract young and new fans, MLB asked its partners for suggestions, and league uniforms for the All-Star Game was one of them. The league reportedly did not consult with players before making the change, which was implemented in 2021.
Nike has already drawn intense scrutiny for this season’s uniforms, which had different shades between jerseys and pants, smaller nameplates and material that players easily sweat through. The athletic apparel company and MLB will make changes to those for next season. But for now, uniforms remain an unflattering topic of conversation that has carried into baseball’s midseason showcase.
“We’ve got a lot of uniform things going on,” Manfred said. “Obviously, the conversations have to involve the players, first and foremost, and Nike and some of our partners, but I am aware of the sentiment, and I do know why people kind of like that tradition. There will be conversations about that.”
