The history of the Baseball Uniform

The baseball uniform has long been an iconic part of the game. Since the 1920s there have been changes in everything from the shoe quality to the length of hemlines and the jerseys. The standard uniform has historical consisted of a sleeveless jersey that features a number and the surname of the player though there are some intricacies that draw attention.

The Early Days

The early days of the baseball uniform were significantly different to those we see today. Before the 1920s any type of attire was typically allowed on the baseball field, but special uniforms eventually began to be marketed to players. Spalding was one of the first companies to have baseball pecific uniforms in their 1901 catalogue. There were initially three styles of pants; full length pants similar to those used for football, knee-length padded shorts and shorter pants. The jersey was made of wool and also varied with a quarter-length sleeve and a sleeveless version. 1950s saw thick polyester jerseys and belter short satin shorts, the belts were replaced with elastic waistbands in the 60s. The 1970s saw an increase in short length in which pin-hole mesh polyester was introduced as a much more breathable material.

Modern Styles

It wasn’t till the 1990s when the MLB started allowing the customization of shorts, which lead to the modern long shorts we see today. This also led to extravagant graphic designs but was toned down in the early 2000s as teams opted to more traditional simplistic designs. Sleeveless jerseys have been the norm for decades though in 2013 The Warriors became the first modern baseball team to revert to sleeved jerseys.
In the modern incarnation of the game, the home team generally wears a lighter color. As the MBL have increased in popularity more attention has been drawn to the sport of baseball. It should however been noted that there has been competitive women’s basketball for nearly as long. Women’s uniforms today do not differ significantly from men’s. In the 1890s women had to wear long skirts, shirts and slippers but this was changed to bloomers to prevent injuries.

Profitability

As MLB has grown to be watched by millions each year, there has been apt opportunity for profit, whether through game tickets, advertising and sponsorships or merchandise such as imitation jerseys.
High top sneakers were introduced to prevent ankle injuries but have become increasingly popular over the years. In the 1960s and 70s Chuck Taylor All-Stars were the shoe to have, followed by Adidas and Nike high tops in the 70s and 80s. But there has been no shoe more influential than the Air Jordans which from 1985 onwards has gone on to make over $1 billion in sales. In the 1990’s Michael Jordan pushed the commercialization of the Baseball memorabilia to new heights as millions world-wide flocked to buy imitation jerseys and shoes to try and share in a piece of his greatness. Everything from his Air Jordan sneaker brand to NBA headbands were popularized and Nike in particular made a fortune.

These days the top baseball l teams engage in deals with brands to display their logos on uniforms. Some deals have reportedly been upwards of $15 million a year. But it isn’t just the NBA profiting greatly from basketball uniform sales. Even college team are sponsored by the top brands; Nike, Adidas and Reebok. Whilst in the past teams would have purchased their uniform from vendors, nowadays it is the vendors who fight to provide free gear for the best teams. In return they profit from the sales of jerseys to fans and the exposure of their brands on national television. The contracts between universities and these brands often go on behind closed doors and their value is difficult to decipher. There was however some information that leaked between Nike and the University of Memphis in 2008. This telling report revealed that the University was receiving $1.5 million in uniforms and equipment and $660000 in cash payments annually. This was also topped off with a $500000 bonus for the initial agreement. Ultimately, the contract appeared to work out to about $11.3 million over 5 years and reveals the vast amounts of money that go into modern day college sports endorsements.

As baseball uniforms cycle through styles, it is often the simple retro or traditional uniforms that maintain popularity. Professional basketball is a lucrative industry, and as uniform styles come and go, looks like it will continue to be so – though it is unlikely that anyone will top Air Jordan’s commercial effort anytime soon.

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