By Alfredo Echenique
24 Feb 2024, 09:37 AM EST
Spring Training in the Major Leagues begins this Saturday, which means there is one month left until Opening Day of the 2024 season and the league’s 30 franchises are already playing preseason games.
However, during these preseason training sessions, a complaint from the players regarding their new uniforms began to circulate. Well, Nike, MLB clothing supplier since 2019, wanted to innovate for this season and implement a new technology called “Vapor Premium”, but it seems that the players do not like the quality of these new uniforms.
At the beginning of training some players already expressed their displeasure. The newspaper The Athletic had collected some statements from the protagonists and many concluded that “they look like replicas” and that the quality is not the same as before.
Recently, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner also expressed his discomfort with the new clothing. “I know everyone hates them,” the infielder began by saying. “We all liked what we had. We understand business, but I think everyone wanted to keep it the same, for the most part, with a few adjustments here or there,” the player concluded, claiming that they prefer last year’s uniforms.
And it seems that the quality that Nike uses to make these garments is very far from usual. Even a few days ago a photo went viral in which the players’ pants seem completely transparent.
At the time of the launch of this new “Vapor Premium” line, Nike argued that they improve mobility by providing 25% more elasticity and also dry 28% faster. But light and translucent garments seem not to be liked by the vast majority of baseball players.
For now the MLBPA is collecting testimonies and evidence to try to help in the case. Its deputy executive director, Bruce Meyer, confirmed that the organization is relaying player concerns to MLB about the new pants.
On the other hand, the manufacturer Nike also sent some representatives to preseason training centers in Arizona and Florida, trying to resolve the players’ concerns. “We always put the athlete at the center of everything we do. “We worked closely with MLB players, teams and the league to create the most advanced uniforms in MLB history, which are lighter and more flexible,” the company said in a statement.
For now, players will have to wait for Nike to offer them a solution to this discomfort regarding uniforms. He even proposed wearing last year’s pants for Opening Day, at least until the company has another solution.
Keep reading:
· Major League players disapprove of the new uniforms made by Nike for this season
· Nike and MLB presented the uniforms for the 2023 All-Star Game with new mobility technology (Photos)
· Four Latinos appear in the top 10 of the best players in the Major Leagues