Yankees Eye Alternate Jerseys

First it was the beard; now it’s the jersey. A number of Yankees players have suggested the team consider alternate jerseys, which would mark a significant shift in uniform policy, as reported by The Athletic.

Currently, the Yankees exclusively sport their classic pinstriped white home jerseys and gray road uniforms, making them unique in Major League Baseball for not having at least a third option. The proposed new addition would be navy jerseys featuring “New York” across the front.

This new design has been seen during spring training, but, as of now, it has yet to receive official approval for game play.

Owner Hal Steinbrenner seems like someone who might embrace this considerable departure from tradition, especially after he made headlines last year by allowing players to wear well-groomed beards for the first time in nearly half a century.

He recalled how winning was a central tenet for his father, saying, “If someone comes in and suggests that this could help us attract the players we want, I think my dad might be more open to changes than people realize.” He expressed concern about players not wanting to join the Yankees due to outdated policies, which could truly be a legitimate worry.

Though the team has relaxed some rules over the years—removing white piping from road jerseys and adding a patch in 2023—Steinbrenner opted not to approve the City Connect jerseys, which leaves the Yankees, along with the Athletics, without city-themed uniforms.

Interestingly, the Yankees have previously broken conventions during MLB Players Weekend by using jerseys that featured players’ names on the back, showcasing a hint of flexibility in their stringent uniform policy.