2024 MLB uniform pants: Mookie Betts, other stars spurn see-through trousers for last year's slacks

David Suggs

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2024 MLB uniform pants: Mookie Betts, other stars spurn see-through trousers for last year's slacks image

Drip or drown?

Nike and Fanatics attempted to set the world ablaze with its most recent design for MLB teams' jerseys, crafting seemingly elegant slacks to accompany the more traditionally-themed hats and shirts that litter the concourses come midsummer.

Instead, the American apparel superpowers left a trail of pouting faces in its wake. The masses of fans and players alike have not taken to the new kits. And they've been vocal in their displeasure with the companies, which appear to have cut corners when producing the latest addition to the closet.

MORE: Players, fans express displeasure for 'cheap' Fanactics' distributed uniforms

The see-through nature of the pants has made it extremely controversial among those trotting onto the field. So much so that some players are avoiding the pants altogether, instead choosing to sport the traditional opaque offerings MLB presented to them last year.

To the untrained eye, the difference between the hazy accessories and their much-maligned translucent counterparts is tough to decipher at first glance.

The devil is in the details, though. The belt loops in this year's selection are drenched in a murky color. Their predecessors, however, were fashioned using a bleached white colorway.

It's the latest in a series of team-led alterations to the Fanatics-distributed livery. Throughout spring training, the Royals have attempted to find treasure from the cavern of trash, substituting the puny lettering spattered across the back of players jerseys with a more prominent and confident font. The team reportedly petitioned the league and Nike and were allowed to use alternate lettering on its jerseys, according to Uni Watch.

It's seemingly made a world of difference, too.

We've only just begun figuring out quite how teams will handle the uniform snafu. One thing is for sure, though. If you're watching a game in KC, you might notice thicker, bolder letters on the back of uniforms. It will be interesting to see if other teams follow the Royals' lead as the regular season approaches. 

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.