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JT from Long Island asks…
“It would be nice if you could bring to light many Met fans’ dislike of the black uniforms, including the awful two-tiered black and blue helmets. To that end, why do the Mets insist on harping on that mid-90’s black uniform fad? 1997 called and wants its black uniforms back!”
…as i have said before, the black uniforms have never bothered me…i prefer the 1980s racing stripes, and the all white with blue caps, but the black is fine by me from time to time as well…
…the thing is, if the team abolished the color blue in favor of black, i’d probably be a little upset…however, they still use blue, they’ve just added the black…so, i don’t get what the problem is…
…the way i see it, the black uniforms are a product of my generation of mets teams…we got the thin pinstripes in the 60s, the fat racing stripes in the 80s, and the black caps and shirts in the late-90s…
…when i see the black caps and shirts and i think Mike Piazza…i think Bobby Valentine…i think of Robin Ventura’s grandslam single…and i love those memories…
…that said, i am far more concerned with who will be pitching for this team, than what they’ll be wearing…
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well put…I don’t really see what the big deal is…I think it’s nice to change it up every now and then
I absolutely hate those two-tiered helmets. Either go with all black or preferably all blue helmets, but please get rid of the two-tiers. They look like a softball or little league team with those helmets. Also, just for the record, I do prefer the all blue cap with any uniform combination.
As for the black uniforms, I actually like them. Not necessarily all the time, but occassionally is OK. I hope they do not bring back the racing stripe uniforms from the 86 Series era. Again, those look to much like softball or little league uniforms. The baseball of that era was great, but the uniforms were not. The arched New York on any of the road jersey’s is perfect!
The two teir cap stink too. The NY doesn’t “pop” on TV….is very muted. The NY on the all blue is fine and it pops on the all black becasue they added a white outline.
As for unis, I do have a sentimental love for the 80s racing stipes….but I am pinstripes all the way.
I personally am a big fan of the pinstripes or the all white uniforms with the little blue strip that runs down the buttons of the jerseys…there is something about the all blue hat with the orange NY that just gives me such a good feeling
the problem that I have with the black is it has become the default. it seems like the all black or the bruise (black and blue) caps are the norm and they only wear blue caps once a week .
I can’t believe 256 people at this point have actually voted for the black uniforms. I can’t stand the black uniforms and black hats. I don’t know any Mets fans that like the black uniforms. The home uniforms should be the all white with the blue hats with the blue brims and the away should be the grays with blue hats.
whats wrong with having more than 1 uni? I agree though that the black has become the default when the default jersey should be the snow white with the classic blue hat.
I can tell you that I like the black unis a lot and, in fact, I always wear a black David Wright jersey to the games–I also wear a black cap with the blue rim, but I understand why some wouldn’t like those. I do not see why anybody would have a problem with the team having attractive looking uniforms. They obviously want to sell a lot of Mets merchandise, so it only makes sense that they would want to have the most attractive uniforms possible. I mean, people–you do realize that the team’s colors are BLUE AND ORANGE, right? Like Matt, for sentimental reasons, I would not want the Mets to do away with the traditional uniforms, but I am also *very* glad that I do not have to wear BLUE AND ORANGE on the streets to demonstrate who my favorite team is. It may not be a beauty contest, but we do not have to look like clowns, either!
I’d love to see them go with a solid Blue Jersey for their alternative jerseys.. add it to the mix, and kill the two tone caps and helmets – talk about a fashion faux pax!
Lots of us think its a big deal, there is something to be said about tradition.
Well, it looks like the Mets might be going back to the pinstripes & blue hats more in the future, as that is the jersey they used for the Santana press conference. (the past few years it seems like they’ve used the black or solid white jersey for press conferences)
Matt Yallof just said “thank god” after describing the hat/jersey combo…he and I think alike on this.
The blue cap/pinstripe combo is THE Mets uniform.
I don’t mind the solid black cap and black jersey combo, if they use it as a true once a week ALTERNATIVE.
But I hate the solid whites, there is no need for them when they have the pinstripes.
Personally I miss the tacky 86 uniforms with the blue and orange stripes down the sleves on the white pin stripes or gray travel shirts. Those uniforms were the bomb. In wish they would bring them back!!!
ugh! I can’t stand those 86 uniforms, or any of the uniforms from that decade – so tacky with some digusting color combinations (see Padres or As from that era). The retro uniforms the MLB has today are the best IMO.
As for the Mets black unis, I wouldn’t miss ‘em if they got the ax.
I only have one jersey, and it’s the black one. I LOVE that jersey! That’s my favorite one! What are you bagging on the black for? It’s not the 1986 by any means, but I don’t think they will be making a 1986 Santana jersey any time soon, so I’m sticking with BLACK! Get off Black!
People don’t like the black caps? Its by and far my favorite. And I was actually contemplating getting a black Santana jersey because they don’t show stains and dirt like my snow white home alternate Reyes jersey…
stain-proofness is a big factor when I buy a jersey…I always get something on my shirt. those primios are messy.
Yeah, and my snow white has a few and I have only worn it 3 or 4 times…the cloth of the jersey sucks stains in and they dont come out easy…Im hoping Modells gets some road grey Santanas in with the special two color stiching not found on the same jersey online or at other stores….
ditch the road blacks, ditch the pinstipes:
home: snow white w/ blue cap or black with black
road: greys with blue cap.
Ditch the pinstripes???!?!?! The Mets. Have. Pinstripes. They always have, and always should. Lots of teams have had and will continue to have pinstripes. They are NOT the exclusive property of the Yankees. What’s more, an overwhelming number of voters above prefer a pinstripe jersey of some make. If you prefer the black to the pinstripes, you are nearly alone in your bad taste. Heck, let’s get rid of the script font while we’re at it and write “Mets” in Roger Dean Yes font, or Subway graffiti font.
The black, meanwhile, is dated and ugly. The blue with orange accents on black just looks cheap and nauseating. If it reminds people of Bobby V, Piazza, the steroid era, and Mike Hampton, great. Preserve those memories by consigning the black to that era.
If you want to buy a black jersey because it doesn’t show the stains, go right ahead. The players aren’t slathering mustard all over themselves on the field. They can stick with something that looks decent, instead. If the Mets absolutely must have a third jersey to appease the marketing folks, go with blue or keep the “snow whites,” which don’t look bad.
The new Mets, beginning a new chapter in CitiField should not abandon their identity altogether, and should retain those aspects of the past that are worth keeping, the pinstripe jerseys among them.
I’d just like to go on record that I don’t slather mustard all over myself, either; I just get very excited and jump up a lot, and sometimes that happens while I have food/beer in my hands. :-)
Toomanyuniforms–have you ever seen anybody wear orange and blue together, other than a sports fan at a game of their favorite team which has those colors? Seriously…BIG eyesore!
I think there is a lot of hate for the black unis…spearheaded by Paul Lukas, the guy who writes Uni Watch for ESPN Page 2. I don’t mind them, for the reasons Matt brought up, but they’re probably my least favorite uniform. I’d be happy if they reserved them for one night a week (don’t want them wearing black on hot summer days) and featured the solid white and the pinstripes more.
I’m glad they don’t listen to fans like JT because personally I like the black uniforms a lot. I like them better than the blue pin-striped ones which I’ve never cared for.
Moreover, I believe black is their biggest seller in terms of clothing and caps. So if that also helps them bring in more revenue then I’m all for them keeping that color option.
Hooray for commerce!
I like all of their uniforms, black included. I could care less about being traditional. Everybody has different tastes, variety is good. If you ask any fan what bothers them about the Mets, I think the uniforms would be the least important issue on anybody’s mind….
Absolutely, VCarver. Obviously, people will buy all sorts of uniforms. A lot of people buy retro uniforms–even those hideous Astros and Padres uniforms from the 70s and 80s. But as long as the black shirts and caps are selling–which, judging from the fans in the stands, they are–they will stick around. And, for the most part, the merchandise sold to the fans is going to be the same as the merchandise worn by the players–the whole point is to wear the shirt, or cap, or whatever, of your team, after all. Obviously, there are exceptions–caps, in particular, are sold in all sorts of colors that are never worn by players–but it is true for the most part. The fact is that the 80s are over–as fun a decade as it was–and most teams (if not all of them) have moved on from those hideous uniforms of the era (Astros, White Sox, Padres, A’s).
Snow White > Black > Fat Racing Stripes > Pinstripes.
Enough said.
I second the comment!
Pinstripes are by and far the worst. The 86 styled ones are neat throwbacks, but Ill likely never own one. And no one has mentioned my personal favorite, the road grey New York lettering….that one to me looks the most classic and still gives you stadium protection from the beer and peanuts stains. And the all black hat is my favorite because it matches with anything. No matter what Im wearing I know I can throw it on and it fits…the royal blue home cap…ehh notsomuch.
(and can we bring back the ice cream man hat please?)
I love the black!
I think it has more to do with what generation Met fan you are. I suspect the younger fans like the black.
Yes, us old farts (30s and older) just don’t think black works because, well, black was never a Mets color!
Thank you. The black looks ridiculous and has little to do with the Mets, despite all of the post hoc “it was a Giants’ color BS”. Pinstripes are also a classic baseball design. I rank the black unis up there with the A’s and Royals’ black jerseys — eyesores.
I am 34 and I love the black as well. But to be honest I like all the jersery’s. With some exceptions of course.
I also wonder how many people, besides me, buy jersery’s without a name and number on it. The only jersey’s I have that have a name and number on it are throwbacks.
I buy the ones with the player’s name and number on them. At least once I had my own money to spend. :) First–and for 7 or so years–I had a Piazza “31″ jersey. Since Piazza left, though, it has been a Wright “5″ jersey. Both black.
I prefer the grey ‘road’ uniforms over all the others. But of the home ones, I’d go with the black or white pinstripes.
i own about 4 Jerseys ALL of them black, and will be purchasing the Santana jersey ALSO in black. Keep the black please.
black uniforms aren’t going anywhere. black sports gear outsells other colors by a very large margin.
seaver pinstripes definately represent class and look spiffy too.
those 1986 deals have great memories, but are a bit hideous
I love this poll question! I personally think the black is played out.
I wonder which one Johan will be introduced in today.
BLACK! lol
my guess is snow white with blue cap i feel like thats used at press conferences alot bc its a very nice clean look.
‘86 racing stripes!!! :)
I’ve always thought that the Mets colors where blue and orange, with white as a “background” at home and then grey background on the road. Where black fits in I don’t know. Are the Mets trying to be Dale Earnhardt? So intimidating.
Plus as someone pointed out above black absorbs heat. Please understand this next remark is mostly humorous but perhaps Jose Reyes wouldn’t have been so tired late in the season if he had been wearing a white uniform that reflected the heat more often.
I love how because someone thinks the Black isn’t nice they decide they can talk for the entire fan-base. I get that some people are purist and think the Mets should only have pinstripes but I mean some people have to open their eyes. Look around any game at Shea. It is predominantly black shirts/jerseys with the black cap or the black/blue cap being worn by the fans. It is not just young fans but I see plenty of older fans wearing the black as well.
Personally the uniform I hate the most is the snow white. I don’t understand the purpose of having 2 different white uniforms except to sell more jerseys.
Also my favorite of all time is the racing stripe jersey from the 80’s because A) it is different looking and B) it brings back great memories.
The black and the all white are awful. Not as bad as the black and blue caps, but its awful. For cryin’ out loud…how about wearing the original pinstripes with the blue caps and the grey uni’s with the blue caps more often??? You want retro, THATS retro.
ANTIQUE is more like it!
The black is anything but contemporary. It’s very mid-’90s. Very dated. Reminds me of big slow power hitters and steroid rumors. It’s hideous. And the main reason a lot of people buy black jerseys is that they’re often discounted.
Toomanyuniforms–when have you ever seen the black jerseys selling for less than the others? It does not happen. Prices vary by the item (e.g., jersey w/ name, jersey w/o name, long-sleeve t-shirt, short-sleeve t-shirt, etc.), not by color.
And, not to drag math into this lovely blog, but if something from the mid-90s is “very dated,” the uniforms from the 80s and earlier, which you seem infatuated with, are even more “very dated.” The Mets’ black uniforms are much more similar to other teams’ current uniforms than any other uniform worn by the Mets–that would make them more contemporary than any other.
I love the black.I think the 86′ look is extremely gaudy.
I hate the black ones. Home white pinnies of some kind, and road grays are enough.
I don’t mind the Black uniforms at all, but love the retro 86 numbers they busted out in 06. I would like them to do a Ever Sunday, were the “standard Pin Stipes w/ Blue Cap” deal…what ever they do just don’t go back to the ” ice cream cap and jersey” those made me sick…
They sell jerseys that are all blue with orange font (on the mets website, they are listed under Men’s fashion jerseys…I cant post the link)
I think those are pretty cool, and if they wanted to change up the black they could go here…certainly depends on your taste, but not as garish as those red Braves/Red Sox jerseys you see..
They would work with the pinstripe pants and blue hat?
Probably this years version of the ST jersey. lol
God, anybody remember those awful orange jerseys.
Favorite of the current uni’s is the pinstripes although the two jerseys I own are an all white Reyes and a home black Wright.
I don’t mind the black, especially for the reason that another poster said (doesn’t show stains as much), but I think it should be used more sparingly.
I think we have too many uniforms actually. I’d go with primarily pinstripes at home, black on occassion and then strictly grey on the road – I rarely see the black road in stores. I know that would make my all-white jersey obsolete but I wouldn’t care.
Of course they’d never eliminate the extra uni’s because of the apparel revenue.
I always forget they have two black jerseys, the white version and the road greay lettering version….
I don’t know that they’d really hurt the revenue. Most people aren’t buying one of each, and I’d imagine almost no one would be unwilling to settle for their second choice if they eliminated one. Heck, sales might even go up if one design became dominant and associated more closely with a given player (and looked better on the field).
At the end of the day the item I enjoy the least is the combo black/blue “bruise” cap.
Amen to that – the bruise cap is horrid.
I like the uniforms they wore around 96-97 the best.
Classic meets modern. Cleanest look they’ve ever had.
I want to add that MLB needs to bring back wool caps. I bought the new one last year and it’s barely broken in. My wool one from a few years ago feels so much better, sweat stains and all.
the new polyester hats are much more comfortable.
and i like the black uniforms to wear myself; i have an authentic reyes one. however i prefer when the mets wear the white uniforms (without pinstripes) and the blue hats. i would also like to see the blue hats worn on the road again with the gray uniforms.
I agree w/ Wall Street…I lost my prized, broken in, fit-like-a-glove wool hat a year and a half ago, and the new one doesn’t feel nearly as good.
I’m glad that someone finally broguth up jerseys. I’m a big collector of mets jerseys and while i have my favorites (the all white) I dont dislike any of the other versions, although i think the mets have way too many alternates. I never understood why the mets need a black and blue cap and an all black cap. I think the black and blue came out in 97′ or 98′ and then the all black came out in 98′ or 99′. And by the way, I also LOVED the blue and white “ice cream man” cap. I wish they would bring that one back! I was able to find one on ebay and snatched it right up. I really like the throwback road grey cooperstown collection jersey with script “new york” written across the front.
I prefer the Black cap with the navy blue visor. Just those two colors compliment each other very well. How could you not love the same combo on the helmets? Not to be bias but our helmets are the nicest in the whole ML.
I like the all black cap, but the black and white batting helmet is tight…it looks way nicer than most other teams helmets.
The worst of all were the ones from the Eddie Murray era…the pinstripe ones with the softball stripe under METS. Those were terrible and made the Mets look like a corner deli softball team.
If only that team would have played as well as a corner deli softball team. :)
I would love if the Mets just stuck with a home look and a road look. They can sell however many variations of the uniforms that they want but the team doesn’t have to wear them all.
You walk around the city and you see pink Jeter jerseys and green Yankees caps but the Yankees have worn the same uniforms forever.
Stay classic, ditch the black (or wear the black caps on the road only) and sell whatever you want.
I keep forgetting everybody that everybody has to follow the Yankees example….pffft
I’m with you, Cyclone. I think the lack of names on the back of the jerseys is ridiculous. If anything, it is tolerable at home, where the fans are more likely to know every player’s number–but how many Royals fans are going to recognize the uniform number of Brian Bruney?
Me loves the home pinstripes with the blue cap. Black is alright, I’m not the biggest fan of the snow white home uni. As for the new hats, I like the wool better as well, these new ones and tough to break in. I need the break in since I’ve got some serious balding goin on and I shave my head every so often. The hat fits then it’s too tight. Nothing fits like a broken in wool cap.
If I had it my way, there would be only two uniforms.
1986 Pinstripes w/ racing stripes.
1986 NEW YORK grey road jersey
NO NAMES ON THE BACK.
Thats just my two cents.
I like no names at home, because the fans are supposed to know who you are, but names on the road so the phans (intentionally misspelled) know exactly who just beat them.
Exactly, Hebner. The Yankees lack of names on the jerseys is no different than their “no facial hair” policy–because they think they are better than everybody else. The couple of other teams that have no names on any jerseys only do it for their home uniforms. The Yankees should take the hint.
“NEW YORK” grey road jersey = 1987.
No names on the back = Against NL rules.
Agree with racing stripes.
Those uniforms are too ugly to work today. They wreak of 80’s excess. Wouldn’t mind them wearing them once in a while, like they do in the MLB the show video game, but not all the time.
Black Uniforms to 90’s = Powder Blue of 80’s.
White Uni, Blue Hat. Simple as that.
I say we listen to our new Ace.
Perfect analogy. It’s Pete Rose in the all blue Expo jersey (very briefly) with the tricolored hat. Anachronism.
Comparing powder blue to black? *Seriously*?
Black never goes out of style, as it goes with everything. It is questionable as to whether powder blue ever *was* in style.
I thought our team colors adopted the Orange/Black from the NY Giants and the Blue/White from the Dodgers.
So whats the big deal with the Black? It’s part of our tradition and I actually feel more comfortable wearing darker Mets gear.
Everyone has their opinion and I like having options.
“Everyone has their opinion and I like having options.”
Well said. I don’t like the black, but I’m not asking that they be banned, just expressing my preference. Given the marketing aspect I know they’re not going away. If anything they will have more variations for us to look forward to (or not).
One could say the black comes from the Giants….but why did we adopted the black from theNY baseball Giants, er, 40 some odd years after they became the SF Giants?
The two stories are: 1.) Orange from Giants; Blue from Brooklyn Dodgers, pinstripes from skanks. and (2.) The colors blue, orange and white (not black) are NY colors as shown on Ny flag, and in unis of Knicks, Isles, Mets, etc.
The black comes from the first NY Team. Before the Highlanders there were a different groups of NY Mets. That lasted for approx. 2-3 years. The first New York Mets were the original professional baseball team in New York in 1883 or 87, I can remember.
-Cal
No, the black comes from Mets’ marketing people’s desire to capitalize on a fad. Anything else is a post hoc justification. They could probably think of similar excuses to use virtually any color.
Historically speaking, the Mets colors are the combination of the New York (baseball) Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers. That being said, I think that the addition of black should have been made from the onset and in the 1990s the Mets merely made up for lost time.
I know many people absolutely love the pinstripes and racing stripes. I’m not one of those folks. I like the snow whites for home (although I do not dislike the black alt jerseys either) and the New York gray uniforms for away (which are based on the old New York Giants road uniforms). I don’t think there should be a black alt away jersey. I dislike pinstripes because neither team from which the Mets are the legacy used them when they left (both teams used them at times prior) and I associate pinstripes in New York with the team in the Junior Circuit. Love the black caps, but not so thrilled with the blue one (the exception being the batting practice cap which is a mirror of the black and blue cap). Just wish that on the black and blue cap that the NY logo was orange trimmed by blue so that it was easier to see. My preference, however is the all black cap with blue, orange and white.
While we are at it, can we get rid of blaring music and bring back the Organ Music!
Nothing against the organ music, but you have to admit…it’s kind of fun when the “blaring music” and cheering fans combine to rock the stadium. :)
The black uniforms are more hardcore and show less stains.
-Cal
Oh, if they’re “more hardcore”, that settles it.
I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me but I couldn’t care less what uniforms the Mets wear as long as they win.
I wonder if it is just a cultural thing with Mets fans or do fans of all teams complain about such petty things non-stop?
Al…if we have a forum to talk about something…ANYTHING…it will be talked about! :)
I’d like there to be some Uniformity with the Uniforms.
From what they have now, I’d go with White (Only) at home and Black and Grey on the Road.
However I think they should go Blue at home and White on the road. I like the idea of fans wearing the same color as the team to show solidarity.
i always prefered the traditional uni’s…..
loose the black. blue and orange tradition is best. i also like the BLUE JERSIES. too many teams also have the black as well.
We’re minutes away from introducing the best pitcher in the game we’ve obsessed over for months…. and some dude writes about black uniforms. Wow. hahaha
1997 may want it’s unis back, but perspective also called and wants you to answer….
I’ve skimmed through the comments and didn’t notice one that mentioned the reason for the black color scheme to begin with. This was the Mets reaction to gang culture (red and black) color schemes. They wanted in and continue to cash in on it. So many teams have gone this way… heck, the Duke Blue Devils have black uniforms. For the same reason, the NY (Big Blue) Giants have red jerseys. This is a the real issue here, changing color schemes to uniforms to cater to what gang members are buying and wearing. The color black looks intimidating (i.e., tougher). Anyone remember NWA with their Raiders gear? The more menacing the look, the better.
The Mets can spin this anyway they want to. The Yankees announced several months ago that they were shocked to find out their logo was being used on green, yellow, red, black and plaid (of all things), colored hats used and purchased by gangs as a way to identify themselves with a particular gang. No one believed them. The money was made. I’m surprised Mr. Met still has a smile painted on his face instead of an Ice Cube type sneer complete with lowered brow. When that happens, and it probably will, remember you heard it here first.
I wish they wore the blue hats, blue socks and the pinstripes more often. i dunno where i read it but its rare because they have black jackets and the blue hat doesn’t go with the jacket.
the dolphins did it…turned their smiling dolphin mascot into a “bad” dolphin. of course, they need to try everything they can.
I think it was a response to wider cultural changes and changing tastes that arguably drew some indirect inspiration from “gang culture,” such as it was. But no one on the Mets wanted to tailor jerseys to meet the tastes of gang members, specifically. To portray this as the Mets “cashing in” on gang violence is overly cynical and — I hate to say it — absurd.
I hate to admit it but I find the idea of “Menacing Mr. Met” kind of intriguing. “Now the Phillie Phanatic is dead, stuck in a puddle of red.” Pop Pop!
The pinstripes uni’s are the best the Mets currently have. I think Oliver Perez wears it the best with the traditional blue cap and with the large stirrups/stocking. Elduque is sharp as well.
I wish D. Wright and Reyes would show their socks a bit. I hate that loose pants over the shoes look. Kind of like Barry Bonds. Ball players don’t wear their gear that way!!
Didn’t Wright wear his sock all the way up last year?
He did that off and on. Perhaps as a superstitious thing.
Personally, my favorite uniform is the current road greys. That said, I would be happy if they went back to pinstripes at home, greys on the road, and that’s it. Two uniforms is enough.
Well, it looks like the Mets might be going back to the pinstripes & blue hats more in the future, as that is the jersey they used for the Santana press conference.
Matt Yallof just said “thank god” after describing the hat/jersey combo…he and I think alike on this.
The blue cap/pinstripe combo is THE Mets uniform.
I don’t mind the solid black cap and black jersey combo, if they use it as a true once a week ALTERNATIVE.
But I hate the solid whites, there is no need for them when they have the pinstripes.
Fun to read everyone’s preferences but I think we lose the whole concept here. Its all about marketing. The Mets org. dosen’t place much weight on our opinions but on the bottom line which is $$$$$$. If black is selling off the racks that is what they are going to wear.
The indulgence of Brittany Spears/Lindsay Lohan type of behavior by our media is a “wider cultural change” as well, does that to need to be responded to with favorability? The Mets jumped head-long into the Beanie Baby craze too for what reason? Profit. Is that an “overly cynical” observation too?? They enjoyed the cash those sold-out games brought in. No one will ever say they were exploiting an questionable opportunity having Beanie Baby nights. It was family driven. Kudos to them.
There was no call from the fans to have new jerseys created that had “street cred”. The Mets came up with that one on their own. They went into it knowing full well why they were doing it. Trying to make as much money as you can, when you can is not the issue. The issue is this was a move to create more interest in their product by an element of our society it should never covet in the first place and is as anti-family as can be. Call it absurd if you want to, appealing to the lowest and most base instincts (the lowest common denominator) is something that should be avoided, not indulged for profit.
We’re talking about black baseball jerseys. That’s all. They didn’t have “gang night” at the stadium or wear bandanas on the field. They provided what people wanted, as evidenced by the sales of other black jerseys at the time. Although I don’t find them aesthetically appealing, they were popular at the time (mid-late ’90s) — not only among gang members or people who wanted to look like gang members.
Let me get this straight — the Mets are supposed to decide that a certain uniform color in some way tangentially associated with a style of dress similarly tangentially associated with gangs is too close for comfort, otherwise they’re socially irresponsible? Just because they — gasp — profit!!?! How dare anyone “profit” without an extensive study into all of the possible social ramifications or associations of their product!!! I suppose they should stop wearing baseball jerseys altogether because gang members wear those now? They should probably just head out to the diamond dressed like mopey, “socially aware” college students, right?
Give people a little credit and a little freedom to buy what they want. It’s not up to the Mets to play parent and decide whether people’s tastes in uniform color are acquired for the right or wrong reasons.
WOW!!!! I don’t know where you pulled that out of but it was impressive. Black jerseys weren’t to establish street cred and doesn’t signify “gangs” or anything of that sort. How the Mets creating a black jersey is a sign of our deteriorating society is beyond me.
Plain and simple like Toomanyuniforms said, it was a trend that the Mets cashed in on. Oakland did it, KC did it, Cincy did it. At a certain time, it looked cool and people bought it. Hell, look around at Shea and you’ll still see tons of people with the black jerseys. If you do some poking around on the Internet, I think you can find a quote from a Mets executive saying that they won’t get rid of the black because of the consistently high sales they bring in compared to the rest.
The various renditions of the black uniforms should unquestionably be relegated to the dust bin of history. Heck, even the shameless Atlanta Falcons have discarded their hideous 1990’s era black uni. Shouldn’t we?
At this point, if Johan said he liked pastel pink I’d say go for it.
That said, my fav is the road greys followed by snow white and black.
God the one thing I can’t stand is the orange button on top of the blue cap. It drives me nuts.
II have no trouble with the Mets or any other business making money. I do have trouble with them making money pandering to an anti-family, ultra-violent element of our society. Why would any business want to be associated with such an element except for the money. The Mets colors since their inception have been blue and orange. When did that become passé? Why was black added to the uniform? Who demanded this? The demand came but it did not come from its fan base. That is the point. There was no demand from the fans. There was no clamor from the rafters shouting we have more money to spend give us a new jersey to buy.
The Mets organization does a lot of good in the New York City community and elsewhere. The goodwill it extends comes back to them in many good ways, I’m sure. They claim to be family focused and fan-friendly. In this regard they would do well to get rid of the black jerseys.
“Anti-family”? “Ultra-violent”? I’ve got news for you — not everyone favoring black sports jerseys in 1998 was a gang member. Hardly anyone was. That’s a pretty warped view of American society. These are baseball jerseys that are colored black. That’s all. They’re very far removed from something truly “anti-family”, and if the Mets start making decisions that speculative on the basis that a certain style of clothing is “anti-family,” they’re opening up a can of worms they don’t want to open. Should we not wear suits because members of criminal organizations wear them?
I don’t think anyone’s kids are being corrupted by seeing the Mets run out on the field in black jerseys. That’s silly. The entire world is not going to put on the brakes on the off chance your kid makes an erroneous association between the Mets and gang violence. It’s tough to be a parent these days, I’m sure, but black baseball jerseys have essentially nothing to do with that.
I’ve noticed that they’ve definitely cut down on the usage of the black jerseys. Seems like the often used combo is the snow whites with the two-tone caps. I’ve read that the Mets equipment manager, Charlie Samuels, doesn’t go with the blue caps as much because it clashes with the dugout jacket, which is primarily black. And if you’ve noticed over the years, since Majestic took over, they’ve had nothing but black jackets with blue trim. Remember in ‘99 when Starter made two dugout jackets? One all-blue and one black and blue. I miss that. Plus the Majestic jackets look hideous.
What’s even better is listening to Keith Hernandez’s wax nostalgic for those ‘86 pinstripes. He has definite preferences when it come to the unis.
I’ve only heard Hernandez and Darling say bad things about the “racing stripe” on the ‘86 uniforms (and the white shoes Darling had to wear with his A’s uniform, but I digress). If I recall correctly, they (or at least Hernandez) do not care for the black uniforms either, but they definitely didn’t like the uniforms they had to wear. Hernandez seems to prefer the ‘69 Mets era uniforms.
The marketing decisions made by Corporate America that affect our society are w/o doubt a mayor concern among those of us who are not so vain and shallow. C.A. will hear you concerns and opinions but their decisions will be dictated on the customer purchasing decisions and patterns ala the “Universal Code”. You think Exxon/Mobil cared that many people in this country could not make their mortage, car, and/or credit card payments last year?
Conspiracy Theorists Against Black Unis!!!! CTABU!!! — go for it, guys — use your trust funds to get T-shirts made up!
Boo corporations! Yay professional sports teams!
Hooray self-contradiction!
Not to sound corny or anything but I love every Met uniform. …How could anyone hate the black uni’s?….. The blue and black helmets are cool too….. My least favorite would have to be the road uniforms with the New York in script text….. Other than that all systems go.