MLB 2016 Changes

[SCalderwood]

Because in 1969 nobody cared about things like being set apart from the Dodgers. They only cared about good design.

...but it's not 1969 anymore, it's now 2015.

I agree with Almighty, here. I don't think it would hurt for them to use some more gold in their identity. A gold outline could be a subtle addition that could not only set them apart from the Dodgers, but could just spiffy up their look in general. It's worth a shot, anyway. They'd sell more jerseys, and if it ended up looking bad, they could always revert to their current look.

Besides, this isn't exactly a team that never deviates from tradition. They jumped on the BFBS bandwagon for several years. If they were willing to do that, then I don't think adding some gold trim (which is a team color, anyway) should be considered that wild of an idea.

The only drawback of this, of course, is that then they may start to look like the Brewers. But all things being equal, gold+blue+white > blue+white, especially for a team named the Royals.

I don't hate the idea of adding some gold but I think a gold trim is the wrong way to go. It reminds me of when the Giants added gold to celebrate their championships. A gold trim would look like a special commerative type of jersey for a one time use. It would need to be more than just adding trim.

with that said, I've always like the Royals in white and blue and have never once cared that they have the same color scheme as the Dodgers. Its not like color schemes have to be exclusive. There's enough teams that have the same color schemes that this shouldn't be an issue. Both the Dodgers and Royals look good, who cares that they're similar?

Because teams should try to have distinct identities. That's what creates for an interesting league, and that is, in large part, why this website exists to begin with. That's the whole point of having logos and identities to begin with. For teams to distinguish themselves from one another.

You say that both the Royals and Dogers look good, and therefore, them looking alike is not a problem. Let me ask you this, then. What if we had 5 teams that all looked the same? Or 10 teams? Would you be okay with that, just because they all "look good?"

[ICTknight]

Technically they are in different leagues. I can't remember the last time they played together. Their primary logos are different and the Royals wear alternate uniforms. They are different enough. Plus the Dodgers were on national TV more in the last 2 years than in the last 15 to 20 years for the Royals. I've never known anyone to mix the two up. Neither really need to change.

[SilverBullet1929]

It's time to break out this rough mock-up:

I'm all for making a white version of the above road uniform for the Rockies, with purple caps, undershirts, belts, and socks.

Can I be the one to say maybe a slight reigning of the purple would be best? Say, have the undershirts and socks purple but keep the caps and belts the traditional black? I like that they should go to more purple but I still want them to be a purple and black team and not just an all purple team.

[SilverBullet1929]

Because in 1969 nobody cared about things like being set apart from the Dodgers. They only cared about good design.

...but it's not 1969 anymore, it's now 2015.

I agree with Almighty, here. I don't think it would hurt for them to use some more gold in their identity. A gold outline could be a subtle addition that could not only set them apart from the Dodgers, but could just spiffy up their look in general. It's worth a shot, anyway. They'd sell more jerseys, and if it ended up looking bad, they could always revert to their current look.

Besides, this isn't exactly a team that never deviates from tradition. They jumped on the BFBS bandwagon for several years. If they were willing to do that, then I don't think adding some gold trim (which is a team color, anyway) should be considered that wild of an idea.

The only drawback of this, of course, is that then they may start to look like the Brewers. But all things being equal, gold+blue+white > blue+white, especially for a team named the Royals.

I don't hate the idea of adding some gold but I think a gold trim is the wrong way to go. It reminds me of when the Giants added gold to celebrate their championships. A gold trim would look like a special commerative type of jersey for a one time use. It would need to be more than just adding trim.

with that said, I've always like the Royals in white and blue and have never once cared that they have the same color scheme as the Dodgers. Its not like color schemes have to be exclusive. There's enough teams that have the same color schemes that this shouldn't be an issue. Both the Dodgers and Royals look good, who cares that they're similar?

Because teams should try to have distinct identities. That's what creates for an interesting league, and that is, in large part, why this website exists to begin with. That's the whole point of having logos and identities to begin with. For teams to distinguish themselves from one another.

You say that both the Royals and Dogers look good, and therefore, them looking alike is not a problem. Let me ask you this, then. What if we had 5 teams that all looked the same? Or 10 teams? Would you be okay with that, just because they all "look good?"

They're similar, but they're not identical, and I'm ok with that. I don't know anyone who watches a Dodgers game and goes "Wait is that the Royals?" I'm fine with a few teams sharing color schemes, I didn't say I'd be ok with half the league doing it. That's not what I was getting at.

[SilverBullet1929]

Because in 1969 nobody cared about things like being set apart from the Dodgers. They only cared about good design.

...but it's not 1969 anymore, it's now 2015.

I agree with Almighty, here. I don't think it would hurt for them to use some more gold in their identity. A gold outline could be a subtle addition that could not only set them apart from the Dodgers, but could just spiffy up their look in general. It's worth a shot, anyway. They'd sell more jerseys, and if it ended up looking bad, they could always revert to their current look.

Besides, this isn't exactly a team that never deviates from tradition. They jumped on the BFBS bandwagon for several years. If they were willing to do that, then I don't think adding some gold trim (which is a team color, anyway) should be considered that wild of an idea.

The only drawback of this, of course, is that then they may start to look like the Brewers. But all things being equal, gold+blue+white > blue+white, especially for a team named the Royals.

I don't hate the idea of adding some gold but I think a gold trim is the wrong way to go. It reminds me of when the Giants added gold to celebrate their championships. A gold trim would look like a special commerative type of jersey for a one time use. It would need to be more than just adding trim.

Not really, because the Giants didn't add gold trim, they added gold letters and numbers. And, more importantly, you do realize that the Giants use gold trim on their home jerseys, right?

I said they reminded me of the Giants' championship jerseys, not that they were exactly the same. And yes I know what the Giants have on their home jerseys. If the Royals added trim, it would look like a fashion jersey or a special commerative jersey... to me.

[Jungle Jim]

It's time to break out this rough mock-up:

I'm all for making a white version of the above road uniform for the Rockies, with purple caps, undershirts, belts, and socks.

Can I be the one to say maybe a slight reigning of the purple would be best? Say, have the undershirts and socks purple but keep the caps and belts the traditional black? I like that they should go to more purple but I still want them to be a purple and black team and not just an all purple team.

Cap, undershirts, socks, and lettering should all be the same color for all teams, in my opinion. I suppose exceptions could be made for teams that have two color caps, such as the Orioles and Braves. The second (and third, if used) colors are only for accents, outlines, etc.

[FiddySicks]

Because in 1969 nobody cared about things like being set apart from the Dodgers. They only cared about good design.

...but it's not 1969 anymore, it's now 2015.

I agree with Almighty, here. I don't think it would hurt for them to use some more gold in their identity. A gold outline could be a subtle addition that could not only set them apart from the Dodgers, but could just spiffy up their look in general. It's worth a shot, anyway. They'd sell more jerseys, and if it ended up looking bad, they could always revert to their current look.

Besides, this isn't exactly a team that never deviates from tradition. They jumped on the BFBS bandwagon for several years. If they were willing to do that, then I don't think adding some gold trim (which is a team color, anyway) should be considered that wild of an idea.

The only drawback of this, of course, is that then they may start to look like the Brewers. But all things being equal, gold+blue+white > blue+white, especially for a team named the Royals.

I don't hate the idea of adding some gold but I think a gold trim is the wrong way to go. It reminds me of when the Giants added gold to celebrate their championships. A gold trim would look like a special commerative type of jersey for a one time use. It would need to be more than just adding trim.

Not really, because the Giants didn't add gold trim, they added gold letters and numbers. And, more importantly, you do realize that the Giants use gold trim on their home jerseys, right?

I said they reminded me of the Giants' championship jerseys, not that they were exactly the same. And yes I know what the Giants have on their home jerseys. If the Royals added trim, it would look like a fashion jersey or a special commerative jersey... to me.

Well, I'm not sure if I agree that they would look much like the Giants championship jerseys, because they used a TON of gold

But, the Red Sox have done this as well, and it was much more subtle.

I'm thinking it would look more like that. More subtle and not as over powering.

It's kind of a shame the Royals didn't add the gold outline before the gold championship jerseys became a yearly event for the championship team.

[SilverBullet1929]

Because in 1969 nobody cared about things like being set apart from the Dodgers. They only cared about good design.

...but it's not 1969 anymore, it's now 2015.

I agree with Almighty, here. I don't think it would hurt for them to use some more gold in their identity. A gold outline could be a subtle addition that could not only set them apart from the Dodgers, but could just spiffy up their look in general. It's worth a shot, anyway. They'd sell more jerseys, and if it ended up looking bad, they could always revert to their current look.

Besides, this isn't exactly a team that never deviates from tradition. They jumped on the BFBS bandwagon for several years. If they were willing to do that, then I don't think adding some gold trim (which is a team color, anyway) should be considered that wild of an idea.

The only drawback of this, of course, is that then they may start to look like the Brewers. But all things being equal, gold+blue+white > blue+white, especially for a team named the Royals.

I don't hate the idea of adding some gold but I think a gold trim is the wrong way to go. It reminds me of when the Giants added gold to celebrate their championships. A gold trim would look like a special commerative type of jersey for a one time use. It would need to be more than just adding trim.

Not really, because the Giants didn't add gold trim, they added gold letters and numbers. And, more importantly, you do realize that the Giants use gold trim on their home jerseys, right?

I said they reminded me of the Giants' championship jerseys, not that they were exactly the same. And yes I know what the Giants have on their home jerseys. If the Royals added trim, it would look like a fashion jersey or a special commerative jersey... to me.

Well, I'm not sure if I agree that they would look much like the Giants championship jerseys, because they used a TON of gold

But, the Red Sox have done this as well, and it was much more subtle.

I'm thinking it would look more like that. More subtle and not as over powering.

It's kind of a shame the Royals didn't add the gold outline before the gold championship jerseys became a yearly event for the championship team.

Good point. I think I originally meant the Red Sox gold trim but used the Giants as an example since they came to mind first (didn't they do it first anyways?). The point still stands though... gold trim = championship celebration.

[Silent Wind of Doom]

It's time to break out this rough mock-up:

I'm all for making a white version of the above road uniform for the Rockies, with purple caps, undershirts, belts, and socks.

Can I be the one to say maybe a slight reigning of the purple would be best? Say, have the undershirts and socks purple but keep the caps and belts the traditional black? I like that they should go to more purple but I still want them to be a purple and black team and not just an all purple team.

Cap, undershirts, socks, and lettering should all be the same color for all teams, in my opinion. I suppose exceptions could be made for teams that have two color caps, such as the Orioles and Braves. The second (and third, if used) colors are only for accents, outlines, etc.

I agree, short of the lettering. Like I mentioned a couple days ago, there's plenty of exceptions to the idea of script matching hat, and I've never heard anyone complain about any of them.

[FiddySicks]

Because in 1969 nobody cared about things like being set apart from the Dodgers. They only cared about good design.

...but it's not 1969 anymore, it's now 2015.

I agree with Almighty, here. I don't think it would hurt for them to use some more gold in their identity. A gold outline could be a subtle addition that could not only set them apart from the Dodgers, but could just spiffy up their look in general. It's worth a shot, anyway. They'd sell more jerseys, and if it ended up looking bad, they could always revert to their current look.

Besides, this isn't exactly a team that never deviates from tradition. They jumped on the BFBS bandwagon for several years. If they were willing to do that, then I don't think adding some gold trim (which is a team color, anyway) should be considered that wild of an idea.

The only drawback of this, of course, is that then they may start to look like the Brewers. But all things being equal, gold+blue+white > blue+white, especially for a team named the Royals.

I don't hate the idea of adding some gold but I think a gold trim is the wrong way to go. It reminds me of when the Giants added gold to celebrate their championships. A gold trim would look like a special commerative type of jersey for a one time use. It would need to be more than just adding trim.

Not really, because the Giants didn't add gold trim, they added gold letters and numbers. And, more importantly, you do realize that the Giants use gold trim on their home jerseys, right?

I said they reminded me of the Giants' championship jerseys, not that they were exactly the same. And yes I know what the Giants have on their home jerseys. If the Royals added trim, it would look like a fashion jersey or a special commerative jersey... to me.

Well, I'm not sure if I agree that they would look much like the Giants championship jerseys, because they used a TON of gold

But, the Red Sox have done this as well, and it was much more subtle.

I'm thinking it would look more like that. More subtle and not as over powering.

It's kind of a shame the Royals didn't add the gold outline before the gold championship jerseys became a yearly event for the championship team.

Good point. I think I originally meant the Red Sox gold trim but used the Giants as an example since they came to mind first (didn't they do it first anyways?). The point still stands though... gold trim = championship celebration.

I think the Red Sox in 2005 were the very first, but then nobody else did it till the Phillies in 09 (just on the jersey, though). The Yankees had a gold championship hat in 10, but they never wore it on the field. The Giants gold set in 2011 started the consistent use of it, but that's only because they've won three titles since and have worn the gold jerseys three times now. The Cardinals and Red Sox really bought into it in 2011 and 2013, but who knows if it'll be used again next year.

I think it probably will, because like you said, gold trimmed jerseys and caps have become somewhat standard.

[TheOldRoman]

The Cardinals used gold outlines on opening day 2007. I have photos of a White Sox prototype from 2006 with gold instead of silver, but they never wore it on the field.

As for the Royals, we'll just have to live with them looking strikingly similar to the Dodgers, since they've been this way for almost 50 years. Adding blue-white-blue stripes would help them here, to the detriment of the people who bitch about the White Sox and Phillies' road looking like they're stuck in the '80s. But gold is wrong for them. Metallics don't work well in baseball. In football you can have a painted metallic helmet and shiny metallic pants (at least before Nike came around). Basketball and hockey can make metallic through dazzle mesh materials. Plus, on football/basketball/hockey uniforms, you have plenty of area for large trim, stripes and accents.

However, it goes against the aesthetics of baseball. There's barely any trim on a traditional baseball template, and number/letter outlines are just such a small area that they wouldn't be worth adding gold to the scheme. And you also have the issue of the color disappearing on the jerseys from a distance. That's not a problem for the Giants since gold isn't really one of their colors and shouldn't be on the jersey to begin with. It's superfluous, and if you don't see the gold, you're not missing anything. And gold blends in more on the gray jerseys, which is why the Twins don't use it on their roads. The Giants didn't originally, but added it after a few years just to be consistent. The only team which tried to use gold as more than a slight trim color is the Brewers, which gave lead to beige jerseys. It's fine that the Royals don't use it. It's just not for baseball. I'd rather they just own being blue and white (with no red numbers) than have a gold outline on their home jerseys and cap.

[Quillz]

I just don't think gold is a good color, period. It doesn't contrast well with white at all. It only works on a dark gray or black, I think. It didn't look gold as a thin trim color on the Red Sox, and it doesn't even look good on something larger like the Giants' word mark. I think any team that has gold as an official team color should limit it to their logos, it doesn't need to be on the uniforms.

[WSU151]

I have a sneaking suspicion the Mariners are going to introduce more royal blue and yellow elements in 2016. Just a hunch, based off of inventory of certain items on internet stores.

Also, metallic stitching (like gold and silver) always looks far better in person than in pictures. The gold trim might look bad on this board, but in real life I bet it looked halfway decent

[FiddySicks]

I absolutely think baseball sets with metallic thread can work, and my absolute favorite look in baseball history used it just fine.

One of my other favorites also used metallic thread (albeit a different shade) damn near perfectly.

[Dynasty]

I have a sneaking suspicion the Mariners are going to introduce more royal blue and yellow elements in 2016. Just a hunch, based off of inventory of certain items on internet stores.

I remember there being rumors about a year ago that they were leaning towards old gold. Maybe that isn't the case anymore? Or maybe they meant yellow gold.

[Quillz]

I'm sure we're all tired of talking about the Royals by now, but I do agree that I would like them to use the slightly brighter colors they had prior to 2002 (i.e. when they introduced black into their identity). The gold they have now is a bit drab. But this is a common complaint I have about many teams, which seemed to move towards darker colors in the late 90s and early 00s. (I'm looking at you Royals, Rams, Jets, etc.)

[The_Admiral]

As for the Royals, we'll just have to live with them looking strikingly similar to the Dodgers, since they've been this way for almost 50 years. Adding blue-white-blue stripes would help them here, to the detriment of the people who bitch about the White Sox and Phillies' road looking like they're stuck in the '80s.

Yeah, exactly, the Royals get to look stuck in the '80s when they have their first/only world championship in the '80s and still play in a park that rewards '80s-style station-to-station ball.

Agree on metallics not working, though the White Sox make silver work.

[Quillz]

Nothing wrong with small ball, IMO, but that's another topic for another time.

[WavePunter]

Gold outline on home wordmarks/numbers would be a fine addition for the Royals.. It could be added to the roads in a similar capacity or slightly different application, and also a road cap with the gold KC could be used (similar to the tigers).. I don't think it's a bad color or bad for the Royals.. It can be subtly and tastefully done and look good without being in your face

[Silver Shamrock]

I loved the Dierker-Bagwell-Biggio era Astros uniform. Just navy blue, gold and white. I think the metallic worked well for it. Just my opinion.

It got me thinking about the Astros, and all the looks they have had. Did that particular look, with the use of metallic gold, the futuristic font, and the abstract star logo, convey their brand better than anything else they have ever worn? Is it the "Astro-iest" Astros look ever? For me, I think it is. At least it goes to show what a great font and logo can do for an otherwise very simple look.