When fans enter a Major League stadium to take in "America's Pastime," one of the first things that they notice are the freshly laundered bright home white or visiting grey uniforms standing out in a never ending sea of emerald green grass, and perfectly manicured dirt. The front of the jerseys are emblazoned with the team name or city they represent, and the fans see this with a sense of pride of who to root for or against that day. The reverse side is the fans identification of and connection to their heroes-the names and numbers of the players that they fill the stands to see. Uniforms are as unique a piece of baseball history as are the players who wear them.
Uniforms have been in baseball since the mid-1800's and were first worn by the New York Knickerbockers. By 1882, the uniforms included different colored stockings so the fans could differentiate between clubs. The caps and shirts were designed with different patterns and color schemes, each representing the players' positions on the field. For example, the opposing pitchers on a given Sunday afternoon would wear matching light blue shirts and caps, even though they played for different teams. This was understandably confusing however, and only lasted one season. By the turn of the century, all Major League teams were wearing uniforms. They were made of wool and cotton, and must have been almost unbearable in the summer heat compared to the synthetic and more breathable fabrics of today. The home team wore white and the visiting team grey. There were no names, numbers, or designs until 1907 when pin striping was introduced. This was the start of a gradual process of trends that eventually led to modern baseball uniforms.
Numbers first appeared on the back of major league uniforms worn by the New York Yankees in 1929. Prior to that, many players were opposed to the idea because they said it made them feel like convicts. That did not stop the Yankees however, and the numbers represented the players' positions in the batting order (i.e., Babe Ruth wore number 3 and batted third in the Yankee line-up). The fans embraced this idea, and by 1932, all Major League uniforms included numbers. This idea also boosted teams' revenue from the sale of scorecards; fans in attendance could now match the players names to the numbers on their jerseys. Names on the back did not exist until 1960 when Chicago White Sox owner and baseball visionary Bill Veeck introduced the concept, and many teams quickly followed. Veeck felt it was unfair that fans watching the games on television could see the players' names on the screen, but the fans in attendance at the ballpark could not.
Color schemes, graphics, patches, and gimmicks have also been around since the early 1900's. Though they were not as flashy as the trends of the 1970's and 1980's, they were just as important in identifying the different clubs. Could you imagine Babe Ruth striding to home plate wearing the White Sox Bermuda shorts that were introduced (and phased out nearly as fast) in 1976? Fans could now better identify with their team's logo. Patches are still used to this day to commemorate special events. From the patriotic pride patches during World Wars I and II, to the initials of passing members of an organization, patches have been a part of Major League uniforms since 1907. They were first worn by the Chicago White Sox to brag about their World Championship in the 1906 series against the cross-town Cubs.
Big league uniforms have come a long way since the original baggy, wool ones, but the sense of pride and accomplishment players derive from wearing it remains the same. Fans flock to purchase their favorite team and player's jerseys and caps. It has become a huge source of revenue for ball clubs and has helped spread the popularity of "America's Pastime" to other parts of the world. Whether it's Bill Veeck's sometimes ridiculed Bermuda shorts idea, the Houston Astros' often criticized rainbow scheme or the traditional Yankee pinstripes, the basic concept has not changed. Uniforms are a simple way for fans to identify one team, and one player from another.
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