Don't blame Nike, the Atlanta Braves have constantly tweaked their iconic uniforms
This year, the Braves will take the field in slightly different uniforms from their iconic uniforms, but this isn't the first time there have been tweaks, and it's not just Nike.
The home white jersey
Here's what the script looked like in 1987. The navy outline is much thinner than its modern-day counterpart, and the angle of the script is much sharper.
Also, keep a close eye on the A. The placement of the A on the new Nike template has caused plenty of consternation in the past few weeks.
Over the years, the angle of this script got much more level, while the volume of red fill lessened. Here's the uniform in 1995, during their World Series championship:
Here's the jersey in 2004, noticeably less slanted. The "A" has also begun to change shape a little bit.
And here's the jersey in 2010. This a is similar to the 2004 version, but much different when compared to the 1987 version.
In 2016, the Braves made slight adjustments to the script that placed the A getting cut off by the placket and changed the shape of that letter to better match the 1987 version.
Braves script clearly different this yr too (new version on top, old on bottom). @MajesticOnField, what's the deal? pic.twitter.com/R7TcxbHL0g
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) April 5, 2016
This is the script the Braves still use today.
This new change is making subtle alterations to the script, as the sleeve piping moving down makes more of a noticeable difference than any of the slight adjustments over the years (aside from the Quikcrete patches that were introduced last year).
Some fans were worried that the white space in the "A" would run right through the piping, as it's displayed on replica jerseys, but that won't be the case for the on-field jerseys. In fact, the white space in the V is now opened up thanks to the template narrowing the placket.
"I'm really excited to see him at this level and take over that third-base role. I know last year, when he filled in for Wash, we scored a lot of runs. So hopefully he can keep that going. this year"@MaxFried32 on @MPTuiasosopo 🔊 pic.twitter.com/DD6GYbSFk9
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) February 2, 2024
Believe it or not, as many tweaks as the Braves have made to their home jersey, there have been just as many changes to the road jersey.
The road greys
This is what the script on the road jersey looked like in 1987.
In 1995, the script, for whatever reason, got a little bit fatter and the second T got closer to the piping.
This is more or less how it looked until 2016.
In 2016, the Braves altered the script to have the initial A match the cap logo better. The team also thickened the script slighty.
This change would only last three seasons, however, as in 2019, they went back to the drawing board again, altering the script to match the home font better, which in my opinion, looks like they just made it italics.
The away jersey will see the same changes in 2024 as the home jersey, with narrowing plackets and sleeve piping moved down the cuff, but we haven't seen what that looks like yet.
The hat has changed
The Braves navy and scarlet hat is iconic. Unfortunately, the team decided in 2009 to lessen its on-field usage.
After introducing the all-navy alternate road jersey and all navy cap in 2008, the Braves began pairing the road greys with the all-navy caps as well the following year.
The last names
This year, the last names on jerseys will be more arched and smaller than in previous seasons, but this isn't the first time the Braves have changed the way last names appear.
𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚖 🎞️ @Braves right-hander Darius Vines documented #BravesFest from the players’ perspective with a disposable camera.
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) February 2, 2024
The photos just got back from lab. pic.twitter.com/nSOnFEgmYS
In 1987, last names were sewn into nameplates, which were then sewn onto the back of the uniforms. The lettering was vertically arched, which was a method that had each letter angled slightly differently to produce an upward or downward slant, according to Uni-Watch.
This was how it was done until 2006, when the Braves switched from vertical arching to the easier-to-produce radial arching.
In 2014, the Braves did away with nameplates all together. This is how things looked until this upcoming season, thanks to the new number and lettering uniformity implemented by Nike.
The helmet logos have changed
Yeah, we're still not done. The last thing that has been tinkered with over the years is the helmet logo. From 1987-2014, the Braves helmet logo was noticeably fatter than the cap logo.
But then, during a series in Boston, the Braves changed the helmet logo to match the cap logo without any fanfair.
Good look at the Braves' updated helmet logo: pic.twitter.com/nu6IhhJijB
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) May 29, 2014
In 2017, the Braves made another alternation, making the logo 3D. They'd revert back to a flat logo in 2018, but the logo has been 3D since 2019.
Braves waited until Opening Day to start wearing 3D helmet logo (game photo courtesy of @mgwalks). pic.twitter.com/jvwHjXNzTk
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) April 3, 2017
Conclusion
Although Nike's decision to force the Braves to alter its uniform makes the uniform uglier, it's important to remember that the club has constantly altered all aspects of the team's uniform over the last 36 years, well before Nike took over.
From the script to the caps, the Braves probably alter something again in the future, and it might be something even more noticeable.
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