The Dodgers have one of the most recognizable jerseys in Major League Baseball. Its basic script and color scheme have changed little in the post-World War II era. The most notable change has been on the hat, in 1958, when the Dodgers exchanged their Brooklyn “B” for the iconic interlocking “LA.”
That hasn’t changed since Nike took over as MLB’s official jersey supplier in 2000. Subtle changes, like the addition of Nike’s “Swoosh” logo to the front of every uniform, have been universal around the league. Another subtle change is coming to the official jerseys in 2024, but this one will not affect all teams equally.
For the Dodgers, a full appreciation of the change requires a close inspection. Shohei Ohtani’s introductory press conference last week afforded a first look.
Uni Watch’s Paul Lukas was the first to describe the changes in detail:
The script (on the front of the jersey) now crosses the placket at a different point. It used to break at the connector between the “o” and the “d,” but now the “d” is broken into separate pieces.The front number is smaller, and the fabric is perforatedThe MLB logo (on the back of the jersey) is lower, the typography is smaller, and the (name on the back) has a tighter archThe number on the back of the jersey is also perforated
In a follow-up piece, Lukas reports the changes originated with a shift among all 30 teams to narrower piping on the front of their jerseys – the “placket” – resulting in a more visible change on some uniforms than others. The Dodgers don’t have piping on the front of their uniforms.
Lukas concludes:
I think the lesson here is that we’re going to have to wait and see how teams handle the visual challenge presented by the narrower placket. Some may leave their graphics in place and let the new break in the chest insignia fall where it may, as the Dodgers have done; others may adjust the positioning of their graphics, as the Giants appear to have done. We’ll have to wait and see.
A Dodgers source confirmed the details of Lukas’ observations, and said the new look of Ohtani’s uniform at last Thursday’s press conference won’t change between now and the start of the 2024 season. These are the Dodgers’ jerseys now — at least until Nike’s next whim.
Fans are already weighing in on the changes:
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports