Good morning Uni Watch. A Happy Hump Day to all.
Yesterday afternoon and evening, the MLB Wild Card games began, with four games played. Of course, the biggest story of the Post Season is the gawdawful “STRAUSS” ad which is on both sides of all teams’ batting helmets. The ads, of course, were first announced a little over two weeks ago, and of course seeing them on the field dampens any goodwill Commissioner Manfred may have engendered by letting teams wear their own uniforms in the All-Star Game, and fixing some of the most egregious uniform complaints (small NOB, sweat-stained fabrics, terrible template, etc.) for 2024.
To briefly sum, last month, MLB announced a multi-year partnership with STRAUSS, a German apparel company, that will see the company’s name and ostrich logo adorn batting helmets for the duration of the postseason. The ads measure five inches wide and nearly an inch tall and are on both sides of each player’s helmet. MLB’s agreement with STRAUSS runs through 2027. The company will have ads on helmets for all MLB postseason games and regular-season games played in Europe, and, starting next year, all minor-league games (regular and postseason).
Here’s how the ads look on each team:
TIGERS:
ASTROS:
ROYALS:
ORIOLES:
METS:
BREWERS:
BRAVES:
PADRES:
Obviously, the ad looks terrible — but because the ad’s logo is red, it especially clashes with the colors of teams who do not use red in their color scheme. So, pretty much everyone but the Braves then.
And there’s a bit more: when this ad deal was announced, I don’t ever recall hearing that the ads would also be on catcher’s helmets (for those who go with a mask and helmet, versus, say a hockey mask). But for every catcher who wears that style of helmet/cage, the ad was on both sides of those helmets as well.
Of course, base coaches’ helmets had the ads as well.
There was something else all of the eight teams involved in the Wild Card series have in common as well. Every single team has a sleeve advertiser. (You saw some of them in the photos above.) Of course, since 23 of the 30 MLB teams now have sleeve ads, the odds of all eight in the WC round having them were pretty good anyway.
That wasn’t the only uniform clutter. As you know, all MLB caps are manufactured by New Era, and their logo is on the left side of every hat. But all teams in the Post Season get another patch for the right side (you can see a closer view in the splash photo).
All the fields have bases emblazoned with a “WILD CARD” badge…
…but all the fields have a “POSTSEASON” patch painted onto the field.
Interesting — the caps and fields have “Postseason” but the bases’ badge reads “Wild Card.” I honestly don’t recall — did MLB use this same format last year? I know bases are removed every inning or two and later sold, so perhaps that’s why they have the specific game badge, but I was a bit surprised at the discrepancy.
The first three games featured either white or cream vs. gray. In every case the road (gray) team won the game.
Astros vs. Tigers
Orioles vs. Royals
Brewers vs. Mets
The fourth game featured one team wearing an alternate jersey (the Braves are the away team).
Can you guess which team won? That’s right, the team not wearing the softball top. Never offend the uniform gods!
We’ve only had two years of this specific playoff format. In all eight of those series, the team that has won the first game has won the series. So, if I’m any of the teams who won yesterday, I’d be liking my chances.
In fact, seven of those eight series were sweeps. The only time a Wild Card series went the distance was in 2022, when the Padres defeated the Mets in the third and deciding game. Of the eight series played in 2022 and 2023, five of those have been won by the road team. The two World Series teams last year were the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, 5 and 6 seeds respectively. In 2022, the World Series participants were the Astros and Phillies, a 1 and 6 seed respectively. It’s obviously a small sample size, but if I were a 6 seed, I’d be liking my chances of making the World Series.
I ended up watching a decent chunk of all the games, and while I was very pleased by the uniform choices overall, the helmet ads were really obnoxious — and of course, they were discussed by all the announcers — so at first glance it seems as though STRAUSS is getting a bang for its buck. But with all eight teams sporting uniform ads, coupled with the new helmet ads, it’s getting less and less enjoyable watching the games from a uni watching perspective.
What do you guys think? If you watched any of the games, were you annoyed by the helmet ads, or were you able to ignore the visual noise? Were you pleased everyone but the Braves wore white (or cream) and gray?
The floor is yours.
Helmet ads for playoff games is so so so bush league. Literally could’ve been a joke in Major League that no one would’ve believed.
It does feel like that time of the month when dorn was the owner and he literally put ads everywhere on the walls.
Speaking of Bush League, the helmet advertiser announcement stated all Minor League clubs would wear the same helmet ads all season starting next year!
Genuine question here (not being snarky) – why are so many people worried that the NFL (and maybe the NBA) is becoming “spy vs. spy”, and yet their preferred look for MLB is white vs. grey (for EVERY game)…?
It’s not so much that the “preferred look” is white vs. gray. It’s that both teams are wearing their regular home and road uniforms, not alternates.
Seems like an insignificant distinction to make. If traditionally, home = white and away = grey, and people want teams in their “traditional” looks, then people want teams in white vs. grey.
What is the connection between white vs. gray in baseball and Spy vs. Spy in football?
It’s not obvious? People are upset about the NFL supposedly trending to every game being white vs. black, and yet they want every baseball game to be white vs. grey.
Each sport has different aesthetics both based on the nature of the uniforms / equipment and the historical design tendencies.
The reason why there is an uproar about mono white vs mono dark (black or otherwise) in football is that it is a significant swing in how teams are usually dressed. Likewise it is a reduction to a minimum of design concept and use of team colors (and team colors have a strong connection to brand identity).
Had baseball used the team-colored softball tops throughout its history people probably would be taken aback if all team swapped from colored tops to just white and gray matching the pants. But that isn’t the case. You seem to be wanting to throw out history and tradition just to make your case, but history and tradition is a key factor in human culture. There are times where “this is tradition” is not a valid reason to keep doing something bad. But likewise, there are times when “this is tradition” is a legit consideration when evaluating changes, especially changes that aren’t necessary and are based around momentary fads.
Not obvious to me at least, ha. I guess my perspective is different since I’m so used to the traditions and customs of both sports.
I agree with everything with Greg said, although I will add that in addition to football “Spy vs. Spy” being a deviation from tradition, it is also the product of two unpopular-with-UW trends: BFBS and “icy whites.” I don’t think the main gripe with Spy vs Spy is that “every game” is black versus white; rather, it’s that BFBS and icy whites are both unpopular trends, so those games are doubly offensive to the senses. Icy whites are the football uni-verse’s newest fad, and BFBS has died and been reborn ten times over at this point.
On the other hand, white vs. gray in baseball is as classic as it gets, and most people would agree that it stands the test of time. Many current baseball alternate jerseys feel very amateurish, bush league, merchandise-oriented, etc., hence the “softball tops” pejorative.
Greg and Paul, I appreciate your well thought out and presented responses! I guess I was distilling two rather nuanced discussions into a simple A vs. B argument, which doesn’t quite work.
For the record, I am a fan of white vs. grey in baseball for some teams, but I also support teams adventuring into non-traditional approaches. And, I definitely don’t want to see white vs. black in every football game, but I don’t think the concerns are warranted, so I’m not that bothered about it. I totally get how BFBS vs. WFWS is doubly offensive to Uni Watchers!
I feel you on the car troubles, Phil. Just this summer I had to spend $1500 on my car to get it road worthy. According to the second place I took it to get inspected meanwhile the first place wanted $3600 for repairs
There were to many ads when watching the games yesterday. Between the ads of the teams the hauss ads then the capital 1 and espn ads on the field then the rotating ads on the backstop. And that’s just watching the pitching motion not to mention the ones in the outfield walls
GTGFTU — 7/8/97, Larry Walker fighting for his life after Randy Johnson buzzed his tower with a 400mph fastball over the backstop at the All Star Game!
Cutesy helmet connection with the lede today, PH!
And I was there! Great moment in the all star game. Curt Shilling also got a standing ovation when he pitched because we were trying to trade for him at the time.
I’ll keep it short and sweet- Those batting helmet ads looks absolutely AWFUL!!
Did the “Don’t Say Braves” policy die with the previous Uniwatch regime?
Surprised to see my team mentioned it all its glory.
Not sure if this has ever been discussed,
Don’t watch many Braves games till last night, but is it intentional for the blue caps not to match the blue on the jerseys ? That kinda annoyed me as much as the helmet ads
You’re telling me! This happens for every team that pairs a navy hat with a navy jersey, at least until the Twins updated their whole site.
GTGFTS – Game 6, Western Conference Quarterfinals, April 28, 1996, at Winnipeg Arena. The final game of the original Winnipeg Jets before their relocation to Phoenix, the photo actually captures the end of the game as the Detroit Red Wings advance.
Obviously, 4-1 Wings as shown in the photo is the final.
Thinking about it, though, this moment represents one franchise headed for glory, and another headed for ignominy. The Red Wings wouldn’t win the Cup that year, but had a barn-burner of a semifinal with Wayne Gretzky and the Blues, and kicked off one of the most intense rivalries ever with the Avalanche, and they’d be back to win the Cup the next two years, and twice more in the following decade. The Coyotes, however, would make the playoffs but not win a series while playing in an arena inadequate for hockey in Phoenix, and would struggle greatly in Glendale, having only one “great” season in 2012, when they won the division and advanced to the conference finals despite all their ownership issues, but they would never come remotely close to that high again.
Wonder what became of those banners and the portrait of the Queen.
The Queen’s portrait location in 2022:
link
For once, for the first time ever, I will claim Phil’s bonus points for being AT the game.
It was a weird one. Teams facing relocation usually suck so the final game usually the last regular season game. This was game 6, so the sense of “this is the last game” was pretty strong. We we had to win two in a row and then we’d get a second round of playoffs. Which obviously didn’t happen.
But on the other hand, there was the same feeling around game 4 (which Winnipeg lost to go down 3-1, we won game 5 on the road to force a game 6 at home.
I wonder how many other relocating franchises said goodbye in a playoff game?
The 2 that I remember are the Nordiques in 1995 (they were the 1 seed in the East before losing in the 1st round to the Rangers), and the Hornets in 2002 (made the 2nd round of the playoffs)
The postseason patches on the hats is nothing new–I think they started this in 2012 or 2013, though there was likely a gap in 2020-21.
I know the cap patches aren’t new (didn’t say they were). But they are additional clutter.
Sorry, I misread. I don’t mind the postseason patches on the jerseys or the caps, but everything else should go!
These ads are abhorrent, I will not be watching.
Looks very cheap to have ads on your helmet. The NFL looks at it very interested I guess: first the NHL, now MLB. I wonder when Adam Silver will introduce NBA headgear in order to prevent injuries but really meant as an extra ad platform.
One of the (few) good things about Roger Goodell is that he seems adamantly opposed to uniform ads. I imagine that, when he eventually leaves, his replacement will be more open to them.
Do they REALLY need yet another revenue stream? They’re cramming advertising in every other conceivable avenue.
No they don’t, but neither do the other professional leagues. They do it because they know that they can. Their motivation is more, more, more there has to be more.
Chas McCormick appeared to not have the helmet ad yesterday?
Those helmet ads are beyond bush league. Tacky, embarrassing and pathetic. Hope MLB enjoys that extra cash for desecrating its team’s uniforms. Between the uniform ads, postseason patches, mismatched belts, cleats and elbow wraps, as well as those gawdawful pajama bottoms and whatever cheap tissue-paper material Nike continues to use, baseball style has never been worse. Brutal.
Could not have said it better myself. Thanks, T.
What I find sad are the folks who see nothing wrong with any of this. Where are their standards? What are the limits to their relativism? -C.
That’s for sure. Mismatch cleats and belts look especially sloppy.
I’m guessing the anti-ad crowd has to be pulling for a Yankee World Series win. Except they’ll have the helmet ad…soooooo…
The Yankees have a uni ad.
link
So do the other three teams not yet playing.
Guardians: link
Dodgers: link
Phillies: link
So every team in the 2024 Playoffs has uni ads — perhaps you meant “anti-alternates” (or “anti-City Connect”) crowd?
Phil…..Thank you for the out….I was thinking white/grey
I still can’t unsee the mismatched greys between the jerseys and pants. Ugh.
Was I crazy or was Tatis wearing a glossy finish helmet and the rest wore a matte finish?
I think it has a matte finish: link
But he’s got a ton of pine tar on it, which, oddly makes it appear a bit more “glossy” than his teammates: link
Those helmet ads were very intrusive. As were the digital ads on the mound that frequently changed.
Hi Phil!!
Just wanted to say I was glad the Royals went gray. Afternoon games on the road usually calls for blue softball top.
Also, it seems there may have been two photos in “guess the game”. The photo of Harold Carmichael & Roman Gabriel was December 16, 1973 vs Washington. This was the day OJ got 2003 in NY, snow all up and down the east coast.
Hi Larry!
You’re probably looking at this on your phone — on a PC/Mac that’s a much smaller “splash” image (and was actually Jimmy C’s first every “GTGFTU” photo). The “second” photo (which will appear at full size if you’re reading this on a computer/tablet) is the one that’s actually the “GTG” photo.
Cheers!
I hate uniform ads so unbelievably much.
The helmet ads are gross and the uniform ads are still worse, especially when the colors clash with the rest of the uniform. It’s so just so cheap and tacky. Soon enough there will be: cap ad, helmet ad, pants ad, belt ad, etc.
I think after that they may tattoo the ads to the players directly.
Terrible *Charles Barkley Voice*
Noticing that the Astros have been wearing their road caps (orange brims) with their home whites lately. They wore them in the Division clinching game and in the first game of the Wild Card series yesterday. I like this as a home cap–but I’ll need a matching batting helmet to complete the look :)
The white vs gray is better than anything else and is good for the post season. The solid color jerseys look amateurish. The advertising on the helmets is stupid in a sport like MLB that already has so many revenues.
I hate the helmet logo so, so much.
as far as uniform and helmet ads, as the artist formerly known as Prince once said “Sign O’ the Times”. I guess I am used to them, but I don’t really notice them anymore.
I hate the ads on the helmets, and the jerseys, and the backstop, and the mound, but I’m going to watch. The ads aren’t making buy Strauss clothing, or use T Rowe Price, or T-Mobile. (They’re not entering my conscience, they’re on the screen in front of me as I type.)
It sucks, but MLB is just so ugly to watch now. Ads covering more and more of the screen every year and commercials shoved into every break they can get. Baseballs probably my favorite sport asthetically but it’s hard to enjoy as much now
Maybe if they had a salary cap and could control their spending on players salaries they wouldn’t be so money hungry.
I had to listen to the Tigers game on the radio until the 6th-7th innings of both games so far and I honestly didn’t notice the helmet ads. I only took note of them in the later games and even then you can really only see them in batter closeups. That’s not to say that I like them; of course they shouldn’t even be there.
I know the ads are not ideal but it’s not going to make me turn off the game. That’s a little dramatic. Obviously it’s a better look without them but it’s not THAT bad.
Also, I’m not sure if it has always been this way but I noticed (specifically on KC’s uniforms) that the ad placement on the sleeves differ player to player. It looks like the righties have the ad on the left sleeve while lefties have the ad on their right sleeve. I imagine it’s for more visibility while they are in the box but I hadn’t noticed this before.
Not sure what Strauss makes but these helmet ads will keep me from buying their products, should I see one.
They produce work clothing, like Carhartt and Dickies used to do before they went fashionable.
Helmet ads are absolutely awful. I’ll boycott the product for sure.
Also awful is the Braves’ inability to match the navy blue on the uniform with the caps and helmets. This is like 80’s NY Giants football bad.
Apologies if someone already mentioned this here, but I could’ve sworn I saw Lindor and Alonso wearing snapbacks with the Postseason patch on the side during WC game 3. I’ve never seen an MLB player wear a snapback during play. The exception being NYPD and FDNY caps worn on 9/11.
I think that was the “Ready For October” or whatever the hell it is merch they were handing out to the players after the game. Lindor was wearing the snapback over his on field cap while being interviewed on ESPN.
Is there a comprehensive list anywhere of all the companies who have ads “featured” on MLB uniforms?
I would like to avoid giving money to any of these companies if possible.