In a comment recently posted to the site, reader Robert Brashear said to me, “You might look into whether any [MLB] managers wear a jersey anymore. When’s the last time you saw one? That’s a significant change.”
I immediately countered that managers Dave Roberts (Dodgers) and Luis Rojas (Mets) routinely wear a full uniform. But are they just outliers, as Robert’s comment suggested? I decided to find out, so I looked at 2021 game photos of all 30 MLB managers.
Before I present my findings, I should say here that there are almost no managers who never wear a full uni. Even the guys who usually wear a hoodie or a smock tend to dress up more formally for special occasions, like Opening Day or Jackie Day. Similarly, even skippers who usually wear a full uni can occasionally be spotted in a more casual-Friday getup.
That said, my research indicates that Robert’s assessment was a bit of an exaggeration, and that there’s a sizable contingent of MLB managers who still wear a jersey. Let’s start with the National League, where I’ve identified six skippers who usually go full-uni (all photos are from this season):
Bud Black, Rockies
———
Torey Luvollo, Diamondbacks
———
Dave Roberts, Dodgers
———
Luis Rojas, Mets
———
Mike Shildt, Cardinals
———
Brian Snitker, Atlanta
———
In addition, there are three National League managers who sometimes go full-uni. It’s hard to gauge the exact percentages, but I’d say each of these three guys wears a jersey at least 40% of the time (I’m basing that solely on photo research — if you follow one of these three teams and can give us a better sense of how their managers dress, feel free to do so in the comments):
Joe Girardi, Phillies
———
Gabe Kapler, Giants
———
Don Mattingly, Marlins
That leaves us with six NL skippers who usually don’t go full-uni: David Bell, Reds; Craig Counsell, Brewers; Dave Martinez, Nationals; David Ross, Cubs; Derek Shelton, Pirates; and Jayce Tingler, Padres.
So six of the 15 NL managers routinely go full-uni, and another three do so at least a significant percentage of the time.
The situation in the American League is a bit different. I’ve identified just four AL skippers who routinely suit up in a full uniform, plus two more who do so occasionally. Let’s start with the four guys who are all in:
Dusty Baker, Astros
———
Tony La Russa, White Sox
———
Mike Matheny, Royals
———
Charlie Montoyo, Blue Jays
And here are the two American League guys who sometimes go full-uni. Again, I’d say they do so at least 40% of the time but am happy to defer to fans who follow the team on a regular basis:
A.J. Hinch, Tigers
———
Scott Servais, Mariners
———
That leaves nine AL managers who usually don’t go full-uni: Rocco Baldelli, Twins; Aaron Boone, Yankees; Kevin Cash, Rays; Alex Cora, Red Sox; Terry Francona, Cleveland; Brandon Hyde, Orioles; Joe Maddon, Angels (the rare manager who goes high-cuffed); Bob Melvin, A’s; and Chris Woodward, Rangers.
If you add the American and National League numbers together, here’s how the 30 MLB managers shake out:
• Ten of them — one-third of the MLB managerial corps — routinely suit up in a full uniform.
• Another five of them sometimes go full-uni.
• The remaining 15 MLB managers — fully half of the overall contingent — usually leave their jerseys unworn.
That’s not quite as one-sided a situation as Robert Brashear suggested in his comment, but it definitely indicates that the jersey is now considered optional for MLB skippers.
Let’s shift into FAQ mode:
Why do baseball managers wear uniforms anyway?
The tradition goes back to the days when an active player often served as the team’s manager. (The last time anyone did double-duty like that was in 1986, when Pete Rose served as the Reds’ player-manager.)
Also, while managers and coaches in other sports rarely if ever go onto the field, court, or ice, baseball managers are often on the field to make pitching changes or argue with umpires, so the uniform seems more appropriate. (The same goes for base coaches.)
But didn’t old-time managers used to wear suits?
Some of them did, most famously Philadelphia A’s manager Connie Mack. But suit-clad managers could have worn uniforms if they’d wanted to.
Who was the last manager to wear a suit?
Burt Shotton, who skippered the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 through 1950.
Wasn’t there some fuss over a manager not being in uniform around 15 years ago?
Yes. In 2007, there was a bit of a controversy when Terry Francona, then skippering the Red Sox, was subject to a “wardrobe compliance check” in the middle of a game. At the time, Francona said he preferred to wear a loose pullover due to circulatory issues.
If MLB had a problem with Francona wearing a pullover back then, why don’t they have a problem with all the guys who are doing it now?
For starters, MLB received a lot of negative feedback from the Francona incident. Moreover, it seems to be one of those things that the authorities have given up trying to police, like MLB belt colors, or NBA tights, or any number of other things throughout the uni-verse. At some point, league officials just throw up their hands and let the players (or, in this case, the managers) do what they want.
Do you have a preference for how a manager should dress?
I definitely prefer to see a manager in his full uniform. To me, the hoodie/pullover style looks sloppy, and there’s something unseemly about the boss dressing less formally than his employees. If they insist on wearing hoodies or windbreakers or whatever, I think it would be better for them to stop wearing their baseball uniform pants, which don’t mesh well with the hoodies. Just wear slacks and sneakers, or something like that.
I think a manager wearing a uniform is silly. He’s not going to play, and a lot of these guys are too out of shape to look good in a uniform.
I am aware of that point of view. I just happen to disagree with it.
Would you want coaches in other sports to wear the same uniforms that the players wear?
No, that wouldn’t make sense. Football and hockey uniforms, for example, have all sorts of padding and specialized gear, so it would be silly for a coach to wear those, but a baseball uniform is just clothing. Similarly, basketball uniforms are designed for ease of movement and lots of back-and-forth running, so it would make no sense for a coach to wear that — but again, a baseball uni is just clothing. I see nothing wrong with a manager wearing it.
Do you think Nike is working on separate gear just for managers and coaches?
Shhhh, don’t give them any ideas.
(My thanks to Robert Brashear for sending me down this interesting rabbit hole.)
Photo by Mary; click to enlarge
Awwwww: Temperatures have been in the 90s here in NYC, so Uni Watch girl mascot Caitlin has been keeping cool on our bathroom tiles. Li’l cutie!!
ITEM! Brooklyn Branches first-anniversary raffle: Yesterday marked exactly one year since Branch Rickety — the big, loose branch that had been swinging from the higher reaches of a tree across the street from Uni Watch HQ — crashed to the ground. As you may recall, that prompted reader Ron Ruelle to come up with the concept for a baseball team called the Brooklyn Branches, which in turn led to a series of Branches T-shirts, a spectacular DIY’d Branches jersey by Wafflebored, a bunch of Branches lapel pins (made from the original Branch Rickety!), and more.
Ron says the Branches project was one of the highlights of his 2020. So in honor of the Branch-iversary, he’s generously offered to sponsor a raffle. The winner will have their choice of either a Branches T-shirt (your choice of home white, road grey, green alt, or brown alt) or a Branches-themed Uni Watch membership card. Since the only numeral Ron had designed for the Branches’ font is 7, he’ll design custom numerals if the raffle winner wants any number other than 7 or 77.
This will be a one-day raffle. No entry restrictions for the membership card, but USA mailing addresses only for the T-shirt. To enter, send an email with your choice of either a T-shirt or a membership card to the raffle in-box. If you’re choosing a T-shirt, indicate your preferred color and size, along with your mailing address; if choosing a membership card, indicate which jersey color it should be based on, along with your choice of number and NOB, as well as your mailing address. One entry per person. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow. Good luck!
Cap update: We continue to sell through our remaining cap inventory. Thanks to a few returns and exchanges, a few sizes that were sold out are now available again. Here’s what we currently have on hand:
7-1/8: 1 cap
7-1/2: 1
7-3/4: 4
7-7/8: 2
Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Available here while they last.
The Ticker
By Lloyd Alaban
Baseball News: With a mariachi band on hand to perform the national anthem at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers P Joe Kelly traded his jersey for a band member’s jacket (from our own Brinke Guthrie). … Longtime Uni Watch pal Hal the Hot Dog Guy has written an article in favor of the A’s new stadium-development project (from Attila Szendrodi). … First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff visited the Astros’ ballpark yesterday to view the club’s vaccination efforts. They both received custom No. 46 jerseys with their NOBs, although it’s worth noting that Emhoff is married to the 49th vice president, not the 46th (from Steve, who didn’t give his last name). … Umpire Ted Barrett had a black bandana sticking out of his back-right pocket last night (from @fillupg1).
Football News: Rams OT Andrew Whitworth said on a podcast that the new Rams unis coming out next month will be a yellow throwback of some sort (from multiple readers). … The Colts’ practice field is using the team’s new wordmark (from @thebigDOOKY). … Thanks to a bank merger, the U. of Minnesota’s stadium has a new advertised name (from Erick Kriewaldt). … New helmets for Colgate (from @ColgateFootball).
Basketball News: Bucks PF/C PJ Tucker suffered a jersey tear last night (from Dan Kennedy). … The Fraser Valley Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League draped the jerseys of local sports teams on their home arena’s seats (from Wade Heidt).
Soccer News: New third kit for Argentinos Juniors (from German Cabrejo). … New shorts advertiser for top-level Polish side Wisla Kraków (from Ed Zelaski). … New unis for Portuguese club Benfica (from Mike D.). … New shirts for Haiti (from Trevor Williams). … Two more from Ed Zelaski: New kits for Bundesliga club Hertha, and also for Belgian club KV Mechelen. … New first kit for Scottish club Partick Thistle (from our own Jamie Rathjen). … A Mia Hamm rookie card has sold for over $34K, which is a record price for a female athlete’s trading card.
Grab Bag: NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace will appear on the hood of his own car this weekend after a fan vote on his livery (from Trevor Williams). … Some American stadiums are switching to all-aluminum drinkware (from John Cerone). … A local labor union is poaching the Budweiser logo (from Scott Ross Steffes). … Bowling balls are not recyclable, but people keep trying to recycle them anyway.
Tomorrow: The July Pin Club launch. See you then. — Paul
According to the article linked, Tito was still the skipper of the Red Sox in 2007, when the wardrobe compliance check was performed.
The comment says Terry Francona was Cleveland manager in 2007, but he was with the Red Sox during the 2007 incident.
Francona was still managing the Red Sox in 2007.
Right — brain cramp on my part. Thanks to all who fact-checked me.
I hate managers in hoodies. It looks sloppy, I can’t put my finger on it, it looks worse than the dugout jackets they all used to wear. Some guys like Sparky Anderson you always picture in a satin dugout jacket and they looked SHARP.
Francona was manager of the Red Sox in 2007 when he was subject to the uniform checks. Text implies he was Cleveland manager.
I loved the satin jackets that managers, and pitchers on the bases, wore.
Satin jackets need to be a thing again. My younger self rocked an Expos one and a Mariners one. I even got my mom to put my name on the back of the Expos jacket, just like the players had. I Got It™️, even back then.
That goes back to a time MLB Central didn’t run what the teams were wearing for dugout jackets. Seems like going back to the early 90’s when everyone had the secondary colored sleeve, the dugout jacket/pullover style has been centralized. I hate it. Nothing unique whatsoever. Especially the pullovers that have all the stupid slogans depending on the time of the season…ugh.
Guys like Torre and Cox often wore their dugout jackets on field or off. Sure they had jerseys on underneath but is irrelevant when the issue is the outward appearance. Different trends come and go and alter the game, but some things, like uniforms, remain constant.
Also I read the whole Francona thing was a personal thing with Bob Watson, who snidely referred to the pullover as a “nightshirt, or whatever it is.”
The fleece pullover was, and is, a nice article of clothing. Sleek and simple, and you could wear it on all but the coldest of days. Watson, IIRC, was fine with Francona wearing it, but only if he had a jersey on underneath.
“There’s going to be, for lack of a better term, a Francona Rule, uou can only wear your uniform top or jacket. You can’t wear your nightshirt, or whatever it is. You can wear it before games, or after games, but not during games. You have to have your uniform top at all times.” – Bob Watson
I dont know when the carve out for the jacket happened, how that jibes with managers in tweed and straw hats, pullovers, whatever. If the pullover had a zipper down the middle would that satisfy as a jacket? IDK, but it was Watson directly (in his role as MLB VP of discipline, rules, and on-field regulations) who created the whole official stink about it.
I disagree on the team issue jackets being worn over the uniform. Certainly not irrelevant when it comes to appearance. #1 they are not sloppy,#2 they are uniform in that they would wear the same jacket game after game: Today’s crew wears a different pajama top every other game. #3 they are worn when it is usually cold out. Look back on Google and you’ll find non starters wearing the same team issued *identical* jacket as the manager. So no, it isn’t irrelevant
First time I remember a uniform-less baseball manager in the post business suit era was a California Angels manager (not sure whether it was Fregosi, Mauch, or McNamara) who, whilst being introduced in the pre-game on ABC for the playoffs, wore a pullover with an outline of the state of California on the back instead of a number.
Fregosi is wearing just that for the Game 1 of the ’79 ALCS intro, though it’s a jacket and not a pullover…and it’s an NBC broadcast (6:30 of the video):
link
That clip takes me back. I can remember every Oriole in the starting lineup as elite or to be feared. I met Pat Kelly once in Baltimore at a fundraising banquet. Nice guy.
You don’t think managers are encouraged by MLB to wear hoodies and whatever else nowadays, to sell more and different merch? Probably more likely than MLB “giving up” and allowing it to happen. A shift like that is most likely engineered and not organic.
If it were that simple, then they’d all be doing it. But that’s not the case.
I’m not completely sure but at one time I thought MLB rolled out new bullpen jacket designs for the postseason. Those designs would then carry over to the next regular season.
I’m so used to seeing Terry Francona sans jersey it would be odd seeing him in full uniform. At least MLB hasn’t issued him an officially licensed walking boot with ad creep to wear on the field this year.
Every coaching visit to the mound is essentially a trip down the runway, and I can easily envision the day those coaches are pimping all the latest merch and brands; we’re already halfway there, what with the Doritos mound visits brought to you by Humira.
Paul, regarding managers / coaches, what are your thoughts on the other sports and their attire?
It feels like the NFL has it best (pending weather), with the coach wearing slacks and a golf shirt. To me the NBA and NHL coaches always seemed over dressed, why are you wearing a full suit to coach? I can buy the idea of a NHL coach wearing a blazer given the the temperature of the arenas, but again, slacks, a blazer, and no tie seem more appropriate, or perhaps a sweater?
You don’t see a foreman wearing a suit while supervising his construction crew, why would another onsite manager of employees doing physical labor be so formally dressed?
In the NBA and NHL during TV broadcasts the coaches are on-screen much of the time because of where they sit/stand, so that might factor into their dressed-up looks.
While in the NFL or MLS, the coach only makes it on screen a handful of times per game (unless it’s somebody like Jon Gruden).
That could just be a coincidence though.
“I can buy the idea of a NHL coach wearing a blazer given the temperature of the arenas, but again, slacks, a blazer, and no tie seem more appropriate, or perhaps a sweater?”
Robbie Ftorek agreed on the sweater recommendation back in the days he coached the Kings.
link
I think NHL coach in a suit is the way to go. Looks professional. If they are going to wear a blazer should have a tie. They look good when they need to address the media afterward. Except don’t be wearing that tie on the ice in practice like George Armstrong. Sharp-dressed man taking it too far.
link
I think basketball coaches should wear their team uniforms. They’re also on the court.
Didn’t George Karl do this with the Nuggets once in the early 00’s? (And I think he got fined.)
The link in the Branches raffle section was a wonderful opportunity to reread Ron’s explanation of the elements of the uniform.
I enjoyed revisiting that as well!
Any idea when the alternate tops on managers began? I first noticed them on Mike Hargrove when he was Orioles manager 2000-2003. He wore a black pullover that I took to calling a maternity shirt because it had that sort of fit. But in photos I found, he did appear to tuck them in.
Jim Fregosi would often would wear something other than a jersey throughout his managerial career.
The first one I remember was Pete Rose. Sometimes he raggedly cut off his long sleeves. He looked like a slob, but he obviously didn’t care.
It is somehow extra funny for me, that the Yankees are so anal about their players’ haircuts and facial hair but their manager can’t be bothered to wear a damn uniform.
As a White Sox fan and staunch Yankee hater, I kinda like the grooming standard they have for no reason. It contributes to the Yankee’s status as villains.
– Other Evan
“Mattingly, get rid of those sideburns!”
“What sideburns?”
“You heard me, hippie!”
Uni Watch girl mascot Caitlin angling for that Puma sponsorship
Almost a direct copy of the speed cat silhouette
I’ve always understood the tradition of managers and coaches in uniforms. The thing that has always struck me as odd, is why are they assigned numbers?
Again: Managers used to be active players.
And a jersey would look weird without a number, no?
I understand the active player part, and it’s doubtful that would ever happen again.
As you state the jersey is just clothing. If the backs were left blank (no name or number) would that really be that weird?
The only thing I can think of negatively, is has a team ever retired a number of a manager?
has a team ever retired a number of a manager?
Many, many times. This page lists 23 of them (search on the word “manager”):
link
These manager numbers should be retired:
7: Chuck Tanner (Pirates)
13: Ozzie Guillen (White Sox)
47: Terry Francona (Red Sox)
70: Joe Maddon (Cubs)
Had the g-d Mariners won an f-ing World Series, I would add No. 14 in honor of Lou Piniella. 3B coach Manny Acta has worn that number since being part of Scott Servais’ staff.
The last M’s player to wear No. 14 was Tino Martinez in 1991.
More importantly, who is Mike Shildt to claim a single-digit number on the Cardinals? A lot of managers wear their number from their playing days (Dusty, Girardi, Roberts), I am actually more surprised that other guys don’t. I associate Don Mattingly with 23, not 8, and the Marlins don’t have a history so steeped in tradition that he couldn’t have 23.
Speaking of single-digit managers, the Reds in the 60s used to have a numbering system where catchers had single digits, infielders 10-19, outfielders 20-29, and pitchers 30 and up. In that system the managers and coaches also had single digits. Ones I remember include Fred Hutchinson #1, Dick Sisler #2, Dave Bristol #4, Sparky’s coaches George Scherger and Alex Grammas #3 and #4 respectively. Sparky himself broke the system by wearing #10.
Same with the Cubs of that era. Single digits for manager, coaches, and catchers. Teens for infielders. 20s for outfielders. 30s and up for pitchers. There were exceptions: e.g., pitcher Phil Regan wore #27.
Bobby Cox’s #6 is retired in Atlanta.
Mattingly wears #8 as a tribute to Yogi Berra:
link
Paul, you mentioned a big announcement, is that today?
Joe Torre #6 retired by the Yankees.
Was the photo of Servais intentionally chosen to show off Duggar’s excellent stirrups?
Yes!
It seemed like Mike Scoscia ALWAYS wore that red pullover, even in the dog days of summer. I wonder how he kept from overheating.
I always thought it was a rule that anyone in fair territory on the field was required to wear a uniform. Obviously, its not enforced if managers are wearing hoodies and wind breakers. Also, training staff is exempt.
Paul, are you still expecting a major announcement today? Just wondering if we should be checking back later today
No, I updated yesterday’s post to say that the announcement had been postponed again. It will definitely happen, but I’m no longer sure when. Waiting for confirmation from other parties. Sorry for the tease!
I think baseball managers in uniform makes even more sense when you consider the relative “dirtiness” of the sport compared to America’s other Big Four; hockey and basketball are clean and indoors hence the suit, and football is sideline grass only which lends itself to casual wear. Baseball dugouts are dirt-adjacent dustbowls so the specialized uniform seems appropriate.
I remember a Cubs game broadcast back when Bob Brenly was the team’s TV analyst, he mentioned that when he was managing he, being a former catcher to whom such a thing would be important, wore his cup every day. He said to him, “It’s part of the uniform.”
Bobby Cox always wore spikes IIRC.
Hi Paul,
Not trying to be argumentative, or play devil’s advocate, but asking a serious question about the manager’s apparel topic. You mentioned about windbreakers, hoodies, etc not meshing well with uniform pants. What do you think would be a good solution for someone in uniform wearing something over their uniform to legitimately keep warm, such as in the dugout, or a pitcher running the bases? If the manager has their uniform on under the jacket/hoodie etc, I think it’s reasonable for them to remove their outerwear before they go on the field (similar to how a football player sheds the oversize coat before going in the game), and then put it back on in the dugout. Or do you even take issue with uniformed personnel in the dugout wearing a non-uniform top with uniform pants?
What do you think would be a good solution for someone in uniform wearing something over their uniform to legitimately keep warm, such as in the dugout, or a pitcher running the bases?
A standard dugout jacket has served nicely for many decades. That works for me! (When I said “windbreaker,” I meant something like this: link)
I’d say we’re on the same page then! I agree about the “dugout jacket”. I thought that’s what you were calling a “windbreaker”, but the picture you shared set me straight.
Even better…bring back dugout cardigans…
Seeing the coaches in the NBA going with mono gray warm-up gear on the sidelines now is a sad sight. Perhaps it makes no sense, but in the world of team sports, where player uniformity holds appeal, it’s lousy to see coaches lose their individuality of dress. It’s all so sanitized and communized, so to speak.
I miss the days of Chuck Daly’s double breasteds, and even Doug Moe’s sloppy off-the-racks. I also miss seeing coaches express themselves in their dress on the sidelines I the NFL. Landry…Bum…they’re all gone.
Well, in a weird way, at least we have Belichek and his cutoff hoodie…
-C.
If this has already come up, my apologies
Interesting story, Canada’s basketball team is playing in a Olympic qualifying tournament in Victoria BC. This is actually getting some significant attention here. The basketball floor being used is the same Golden state floor that the Raptors clinched their NBA championship
link
Looks like we are going to be getting some fans in the stands in Victoria with pandemic restrictions being adjusted on July 1. Moving into stage 3 reopening in BC.
I think it seems so one sided due to the ammount of assistant coaches that wear the pullovers. You hardly see pitching coaches, bench coaches etc… wearing a full uniform. It’s happening in football too, seems more coaches are wearing pullovers as opposed to polos
Football coaches should wear uniforms too
I remember, 20 years or so ago the A’s were doing a 1901 TBTC day. Art Howe asked if he could wear a suit and hat like Mack. The league shot it down.
For what it’s worth, Bob Melvin does seem to go about half and half with the hoodie/warmup vs jersey these days. Not full uni as frequently as in the past, but he’s known to be very superstitious so I imagine that plays in.
I highly recommend reading Hal’s piece about the Howard Terminal project for the A’s. I’ve been following that situation through the website Field of Schemes, a must add to daily reading for all sport fans. Good work Hal! I don’t like the idea of that much of a taxpayer contribution, especially when teams usually find a way to get more money out of them, but it would be nice if it worked out for the city and team to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
I did so…I agree that Hal did a fine job making the case.
I’m not highly optimistic that this plan will get the support needed to become a reality and can see the A’s relocating once again. I’m OK with that prospect so long as they retain the branding and the green and gold.
It’s not just that managers used to be players; some of them still do player-like activities before the game. Many coaches and managers hit infield practice, it’s common at lower levels but you see it in the majors too. Clint Hurdle used to pitch BP when he was manager of the Rockies and so did Lasorda with the Dodgers. You don’t HAVE to wear a uniform when doing that stuff but it makes sense to do so.
Issue is …players don’t use unis for these activities anymore. It’s all hoodies, pullovers,etc…for pregame..
Re: Bubba Wallace on the hood of his own car.
Oddly enough, last night, a winning iRacing car had the face of the driver on the hood, drinking a Dr. Pepper. Apparently the Wallace livery has been known amongst the virtual racing community.
Do any of them wear spikes still? I believe Bobby Cox was the last
Counsell of the Brewers wore a full uniform on the road this past weekend, which I thought was strange since he’s only a “special occasions” guy usually.
link
I remember hearing somewhere that managers liked to have a different top so that players can quickly identify them in the dugout when they are looking over for signs.
But that may have just been an excuse to be more comfortable.
I wonder if the Oakland A’s giving white caps to their manager and coaches back in the 70s was done along the same line of reasoning?
As tough as it is to reach the big leagues and be able to wear a Major League uniform, and knowing how temporary most managing jobs are, I would expect managers to proudly wear a jersey and preach to the players at the end of the roster how hard they need to work so that they can have the honor of continuing to wear one.
So what do the non-uniform managers do in the dog days of summer?
I couldn’t imagine wearing a hoodie, pullover, or jacket on a humid 90 degree day in Atlanta.
They just go shirtless. There’s a gentlemen’s agreement not to show them on camera.
That got a literal LOL. Well played, good sir.
This is why seersucker & a snappy straw boater should be permitted options.
This topic today brought to my mind the famous George Carlin bit about the tonal differences between baseball and football. It was one of the rare bits he did at various points in his career, so I recall him using different football coaches for the punchline where he asks you to imagine them in full player getup on the sidelines.
I went to the same place…
In most sports the team is run by a coach; in baseball the team is run by a manager. And only in baseball does the manager or coach wear the same clothing the players do.
If you’d ever seen John Madden in his Oakland Raiders uniform, you’d know the reason for this custom.
Since Shotton didn’t wear a uniform, he wasn’t allowed on the field to make pitching changes — a coach did it for him.
Up above there was a discussion about retired uniforms.
Funny/interesting that Steve Garvey’s #6 is retired by the Padres, but not by the Dodgers.
This topic always reminds me of a segment in Sport magazine in the 90’s. They photoshopped Mike Holmgren, Phil Jackson, and Scotty Bowman (as a goalie) in the uniform of their respective teams. I believe they put a baseball manager in a suit, but I can’t remember who it was.
I much prefer MLB coaches in full uniforms.
As well as NHL, NFL and NBA coaches in suits.
I think the Astros should have given Douglas Emhoff a jersey numbered 49 since Kamala Harris is the 49th Vice President of the United States. Seems like a missed opport”uni”ty.
Ah, but some VPs weren’t married. So should Emhoff’s number be based on Kamala Harris being the 49th VP, or should it be based on him being the 43rd (or whatever it is) VP spouse?
For that matter, is Jill Biden the 46th First Lady, or just the First Lady to the 46th President? According to this article, some women who were not the president’s wife have served as first lady, and James Buchanan was a bachelor.
link
Since first/second lady/gentleman is not a formally elected or appointed position. So the number of the spouse’s service makes more sense to me. Also, while we do enumerate vice presidents, the history of that office prior to the 25th Amendment is so weird that it’s probably best to stick with the president’s sequential number.
Sending cool thoughts Caitlin’s way!
Terry Francona ruined the look into the dugout. He looked like a slob then and the current batch is no different. Could you imaging Billy Martin, Sparky Anderson, Earl Weaver going out to argue with an umpire in a sloppy pullover that looked like pajamas? And I agree with Evan, if the Yanks can ban facial hair, they can make Boone and his coaches look somewhat professional. That was one of the features that made baseball different from the other sports. I hate the slobs that ruined it. And I call BS on Francona and “circulatory issues” Major leaguers can get their uniform any size they want.
I’m a traditionalist…or at least beholden to the images from sports in my youth. I love Baseball managers in uniforms. I wish NFL Head Coaches still wore suits. I love the major international soccer tournaments when we see (for the most part) Managers in suits and ties.
Everything else looks sloppy, effort-lacking, even somewhat disrespectful to the event.
I feel the same when people show up at the Opera in their camping attire.
If you don’t know how to dress properly AND comfortably…then you never learned how to dress, at all.
Aaron Nola has the makers mark on his hat to tonight.