The Los Angeles Dodgers have released several photos and a video showing their white home jerseys with the 2024 World Series patch, which is located on the front of their jersey, on the left side, just above their iconic “Dodgers” wordmark. The Yankees had previously unveiled their WS home uniform, with the jersey patch in the same location.
Here’s how the patch will look on the Dodgers (as modeled by their “Bullpen Dawgs”):
The Bullpen Dawgs. pic.twitter.com/aGoSNTHZNb
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 24, 2024
And here’s the short video the the team produced as they prepare to face the Yankees in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium tomorrow evening.
Eyes on the prize. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/lPwb4Wo1ir
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 24, 2024
I’m not sure when those videos and the accompanying photoshoot were created, but the time stamp was after the unfortunate passing of Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela, who died earlier this week. The Dodgers released several videos showing Fernandomania and some of his classic games shortly after has passing, as well as the following tweet showing Valenzuela’s importance to the Dodgers.
34 forever. 💙 pic.twitter.com/Sp0vw6D6VI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2024
So one might expect the Dodgers to memorialize Valenzuela in some way on their jerseys, but as yet, only the World Series patch has been added to their jerseys.
Dodgers players, coaches and managers who have been honored with commemorative patches include Jim Gilliam (1978), Tim Crews (1993), Don Drysdale (1993), Roy Campanella (1993), Pee Wee Reese (1999), Duke Snider (2011), Don Newcombe (2019), Tom Lasorda (2021), Don Sutton (2021), and Vin Scully (2022), among others. One would think the Dodgers will likely have a patch for Fernando as well — and indeed they still might — to be worn for the World Series.
Of course, all those memorial patches were worn before the Dodgers got a sleeve advertiser — so their jersey for the 2024 World Series has an ad and their “LA” logo on either sleeve, which is why the World Series patch is on the chest. So, if (and when) the team adds a Fernando memorial patch, there’s not a lot of real estate left for it. Of course, the team could simply add a memorial band with his No. 34 (much the way some some NBA teams are now doing). But no matter how they choose to memorialize Valenzuela on the uniform, they haven’t yet done so for the World Series.
I’m certain the Dodgers will do a tribute to Fernando prior to tomorrow night’s first game in Los Angeles. Will they also be memorializing him somehow on the jersey?
Do you think the Dodgers will add some form of uni-memorial for the World Series? Or, especially due to the relatively short time frame, do you think they’ll simply acknowledge and tribute him, but wait until 2025 for an official patch/band?
If I were in charge, moment of silence/highlight video pre Game 1, #34 on the back of the mound for all Dodger Stadium games, save the patch for 2025.
I’d rather they wait until 2025 for a proper tribute than rush something cheap looking and try to fit it on a uniform that’s already pressed for patch space. The other alternative is on the side of the caps that don’t have the WS patches.
Can’t tell from the pictures, Is the WS patch embroidered or sublimation? The Yankees WS patch in the post on Tuesday looked stitched, the Dodgers one in this post does not.
I think the team ought to all be wearing #34 jerseys during the game or at least during Pregame
I love the World Series patch, major upgrade.
Lose the superfluous LA patch and there’s your Fernando space. Then forget you ever wore the LA patch.
They just announced a memorial patch! Small black circle with a blue outline, and Fernando 34 in white. Above the LA sleeve patch. Wearing it for the WS and in 2025
I am old enough to remember Jim Gilliam died 2 days before the 1978 World Series and the Dodgers wore a patch during the series. So there is precedent. Memorial patches were much rarer back then and there were of course no ads or World Series patches to compete for space.
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It would be best if they would punt the Nike swoosh – isn’t the fact that Nike makes all jerseys until proven otherwise? – and put the WS patch there.
I misspoke in my.post on the Yankees’ WS patch about putting it on the right breast. Maybe my own brain lapsed about the swoosh owning that space. Shame on me!
I recall the Jim Gilliam 19 patches being rushed onto the Dodgers’ WS unis in ’78, pre series patch days, and without checking I think they kept the 19 patches for the 1979 season; at least I hope they did.
I am with Marc in the first post about the Dodgers waiting on the 34 patches until next season but memorializing Fernando before Game 1 and duly decorating the back of the mound for all home WS games.
My only complaint about the WS patch/logo is I liked it better when there was some fall theme incorporated, many of the logos in the past have had like, leaves. It’s a really little thing but I’ve always liked it.
I know Paul said last year that the World Series patches were put on the front of the jerseys because teams had sleeve ads and you said the same here. Is that just speculation or is there confirmation the sleeve is still the preferred location for these patches? I would think the front of the uniform is standard at this point regardless of whether teams have ads since everyone has the space on the front available.
I’m not sure there is an “official” patch location, but I do think that the front of the jersey has become the de facto position due to the sleeve ads. Prior to 2023, teams did wear the patches on sleeves, but some teams had them on the right and others on the left (much of which was dependent upon whether the team had a logo or number on one of the sleeves). I’d guess that every WS patch going forward will be on the chest, even if the team doesn’t have a uni ad. That was the case with the Rangers last year. No ad, but the patch was still on the chest. There was space on the vacant right sleeve, but still put it in front.
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