All Star Game Uniforms: Still Bland, Still Horrible

As we have written in the past, MLB seems insistent on having their finest players now wear the same custom-made uniforms for each and every all-star game.  This year’s uniforms continued the trend of uniformity by trotting out the bland and boring in all-star wear once again.  Not surprisingly, the fans are still not pleased with this year’s version.  It seems almost uniformly across social media that fans have a strong dislike for these jerseys, with even Philadelphia Phillies super star Bryce Harper voicing his displeasure.  Year after year though, MLB insists on designing and creating new disasters for display rather than having players wear their own team’s uniforms at the all-star game.  Why though, based on the obvious fan reaction?

The reason is that the opinion of fans do not matter for MLB and owners, only MONEY.  The opportunity to design and sell a new all-star game jersey each year to the public is what really drives MLB.  We found that this all-star jersey currently sells for $195, but that is now marked down by 25%, so evidently it was previously retailing for $260.

Keep in mind that MLB all-stars were wearing their own team’s uniforms from 1933 through 2019.  Only after 86 years of tradition of players wearing their own uniforms did MLB decide that this was a problem.  In 2021, when the game resumed after the pandemic related break in 2020, MLB signed an agreement with Nike and Fanatics to outfit all-stars with specially designed league uniforms.

Was there ever really a problem or public outcry of players wearing their own uniforms during all-star games or was this simply a money grab by MLB?  That latter explanation seems much more reasonable based upon the facts.  There is that adage that likely applies to this entire uniform debacle, where MLB created a solution in search of a problem.

There might though be a glimmer of hope to this story as MLB is supposedly considering going back to players wearing their own uniforms.  Of course, we will believe it when we see it, but at least there is a chance.

After all doesn’t this…..

or even this….

1998 National League All Stars

beat this…..

2024 American League All Stars

in terms of uniforms.

The answer to us here at BP and the fans seems obvious. Bring back team uniforms!!