The Phillies on Monday made an interesting announcement about the upcoming 2016 regular season:
For the first time since 1979, the #Phillies will wear red jerseys during regular season: https://t.co/cuV0dGsja2 pic.twitter.com/qYat445TVg
— Phillies (@Phillies) February 1, 2016
Oh yeah. The Phillies have a new alternate jersey. It’s red. It’ll be worn six times – all home weekday games (Businessperson Specials) – and will pair with the home pinstripe pants. Here are the games where you can watch the boys don red shirts:
- April 14 vs San Diego
- May 18 vs Miami
- June 8 vs Chicago Cubs
- June 20 vs Arizona
- July 6 vs Atlanta
- Aug. 4 vs San Francisco
The jerseys are part of Majestic’s Flex Base uniform system, which feature “lighter weight twill technology and mesh panels on the sides of the jerseys, which reduce the overall weight of jerseys by 10-20 percent and enhance freedom of movement,” according to a press release. In fact, says the release, all of the Phillies jerseys will be Flex Base jerseys.
So apparently Aaron Altherr and Peter Bourjos can soar to catch fly balls at an even faster rate.
This will be the second time the Phillies will ever wear red jerseys. The first time was May 19, 1979. That night the Phils wore burgundy jerseys *and* pants, and called the ensemble the “Saturday Night Special” uniform, which was planned to be the alternate uniform starting in 1979. They were extremely special: public outcry was loud and strong, and the Phils dumped the jammies after one game.
As for these things? I’m not a fan of bright red (maybe the Reds can get away with it, but that’s it), but I can understand the urge to introduce a new look for an entirely new, youthful crop of ballplayers. I’d rather them try something totally different than the simple “Phillies” branding in a new color, or instead, just bring back the classic burgundy-era home pinstripe jerseys for special games.
The good news is the Phils will be retaining their sweet cream-colored alternates, which they introduced in 2008 and wear at home on weekend afternoons.
Although it is unlikely the Phillies will make the playoffs this season, the young team has talent and fans have a few things to get excited about. If you think other teams have a good chance to win it all, consider placing a bet on the World Series winner. The NL East was represented last year in the Fall Classic, will another team from the Phillies’ division make it back?
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