Team Uniform Changes For 2014

The 2014 Baseball Season opens up with a host of uniform changes not only with the Oakland Athletics, but with many other MLB teams this year as well.

Here’s a look:
Athletics’ fans noticed at its February FanFest, the A’s changed their alternate green jersey to reflect the same elements as the popular gold jersey that was introduced in 2012. The team went from the gold script “Athletics” logo to a white “A’s” logo, reminiscent of the Finley era unis. Also, lettering and numerals are also white with gold outline opposed to last year’s gold outlined in white. The road cap has also changed, replacing the gold “A’s” with the white A’s outlined in gold piping.

The Rangers have made modifications to the lettering on all their jerseys. The “beveling” and “shadowing” appearance of the “TEXAS” lettering of all their jerseys has been replaced with a more-flat-like appearance. A small change to the cap, the button on top – known as a “squatchee” – has gone from a contrasting color now to the same color as the cap.

The Astros now have an “official alternate” jersey. In reality, it’s just their batting practice jersey, but it’s been designated as an official alternate this season. Last year for some Sunday games, they wore their batting practice jersey which highlights the rainbow/tequila sunrise style they sported in the late 70s and 80s.
When the Boston Red Sox come to Oakland in June, fans will see that they’ve changed the lettering of their visiting jersey from navy to red going back to the same design they wore from 1990 to 2000. They also added red piping going down the pants of the visiting uniform.

The Astros will use their batting practive jersey as an alternate. The design brings back the rainbow-tequila sunrise design fro the late 70s and 80s. Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins have added the All-Star game patch to their jersey, but also eliminated their blue home “Twins” alternate jersey and the “M” loge cap worn in the 90’s through 2010. Other teams adding special patches to their jersey for the season include the Orioles with a 60th anniversary patch, The Cubs with a Wrigley Field 100th anniversary patch, the Padres with a 10th anniversary patch for Petco Park, the Mets and Pittsburg Pirates will both display Ralph Kiner memorial patches, and the Braves will have a patch commemorating Hank Aarons’ 714th home run.

The Royals have re-designed their alternate jersey from “Royals” on the front to a simple “KC” logo.

Across the bay, the Giants’ orange Friday night jersey now is indicative of its 70s design rather than previous years’ lettering that matched its home jersey.

Both the Dodgers and Cubs are adding grey-themed alternate road unis. The Dodgers uni is identical/similar to the one they wore in the 90s and the Cubs jersey will have “CUBS” across its front. The Braves are adding a “star-spangled” red alternate jersey to be worn during five home games this year.

The Mets have added a camouflage design alternate jersey to be worn on Monday nights. The Reds have also added a camo jersey and cap along with bringing back their black alternate cap.

Several teams have announced “throwback games” on their schedule. The Mariners will be hosting the Astros for a 1979 throwback game on May 24. The Padres and Cubs will be wearing 1984 uniforms for a series May 22-25. The Cubs will have nine different dates wearing various uniforms from its 100 year history. The White Sox will continue to wear their 1983 throwbacks but not just for Sunday games, instead designated it as an alternate uniform.

Despite the A’s having seven “Throwback Thursdays” and honoring the 1974 team with a reunion on May 31 and a 1989 team reunion on July 9, no announcement has been made for any throwback uniforms similar to the 1969 throwbacks worn last season in July.

All players will be wearing number 42 jerseys on Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 and MLB has announced the camo design jerseys and caps for Memorial Day.