Updated: Check out 2005 and 2008 Unveiling Photos and Video
According to sources, and confirmed at least in part by DC Sports Bog, the Washington Nationals will make changes to their uniforms for the upcoming season.
According to sources, and confirmed at least in part by DC Sports Bog, the Washington Nationals will make changes to their uniforms for the upcoming season.
One of the widely rumored changes involves the removal of the block lettering and gold trim on the home whites, replacing it with a script "Nationals" to match the road script "Washington". It remains to be seen if any further changes take place.
The Nats have operated with four uniforms the last few years: the home whites with the block "Nationals" and numbers on the lower left side, the alternate reds with the "Curly W" on the upper left chest and numbers on the lower right side, the blue holidays with interlocking DC in stars and stripes pattern on the upper left chest and numbers on the lower right side, and the road grays with script Washington on the front and numbers on the lower left.
Personally, the move to script "Nationals" is a welcome one for me. The original block "Nationals" was done by the league, and in my opinion it was very generic and not particularly attractive. The script is classic and classy and will look terrific on the home whites, with the uniform numbers in the traditional lower left.
I do not like the uniforms the Nats employ with the logos on the upper left chest and the numbers on the lower right side. If they are going to leave a logo on the left chest, then don't put a number on the front. I think it just looks garbled and ugly. I like the piping on both the reds and the blues though, and if they move to a more traditional logo, even the script "Nationals" on either of these uniforms, I think it would be a HUGE improvement.
What I would also like to see is the interlocking DC on at least one of the hats again. I realize the "Curly W" is popular and somewhat iconic -- if a logo can attain that lofty status in six years -- but I really like the interlocking DC, and it's a source of pride in with city residents. It just looks soooo much better on a hat than on the uniform.
Another thing to consider: The Nationals spent a lot on energy at the end of last season painting just about everything blue, including the press box, walls in the left field dining pavillion, and the second deck concourse in right field at the scoreboard walk. It was a noticable change from the red that used to be prominently displayed. Could uniform changes to add more blue be possible? Get Your Blue On? Not the same feel.
William World News has some thoughts and opinion on the subject today as well.
Additionally, the uniform unveiling will be at an invition-only event (credit Steinbog for tracking down one of the invitations), at Nationals Park, reading in part "Enjoy this exclusive fashion show". Just what the Nats need, is more exclusivity. The last time they unveiled unforms it was at a public event at the ESPN Zone. Before that it was at a sportings goods store. Now an invitation-only "exclusive" fashion show. Disappointing.
The team should be doing more to reach out to real fans, not less. It's little things like this that seem to fall on deaf ears on South Capitol street.
If you have any opinions ar ideas on what the new uniform changes could be, please feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your ideas.
All photo credits Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network. All rights reserved.
As a Season Ticket Holder, I'll be disappointed if I am not in the VIP list. I don't mind the Nats not opening this to the public, and I think that this is the kind of nice perk that costs nothing to offer to the STHs.
Let's hope the "Fuddruckers" logo is next: http://bit.ly/bC552w
Fuddruckers? Really?
What about our Walgreens-style W? It's virtually identical to the point of confusion and derision.
I'm glad to see this. I always hated the white home jersey's. My favorite was always the Red curly W which they did wear more often this year.
thanks all for the comments.
I always thought he Walgreen's W was strangely conspicuous as well. wondered why there never was trademark litigation.
A script version of 'Nationals' on the home whites would be welcome, more in tune with the script road greys, the 'curly W' on the cap (& Charlie Slowes' signature radio call for a win). Keep the alternate "DC" (in either red or blue) jersey/cap combo.
Stick with the Homestead Greys for the throwback uni, and you've got four good-looking uniform combos that pay homage to the city & baseball heritage as well.