With pitchers and catchers due to report to Florida and Arizona in less than two weeks, Major League Baseball has unveiled this season's spring training caps and jerseys.
The 2017 caps are similar to those from last year. Each one features a highway shield-themed "FL" or "AZ" patch on the side (although the patch has moved from the left side to the right, with the logo of cap manufacturer New Era now appearing on the left). Aside from that tweak, many of the cap designs are the same as last year's, although a few teams have made some changes. Here are the most notable ones:
• The most eye-catching new design comes from the Yankees, whose new Grapefruit League home cap features a pinstriped brim -- a bold look for the notoriously traditional-looking team.
New York Yankees new home and road Spring Training caps
— Chris Creamer (@sportslogosnet) February 3, 2017
More --> https://t.co/5tHBZomI7N pic.twitter.com/8TUE2R3wVu
• The Mets have removed their Mr. Met mascot from their cap and replaced him with their standard "NY" logo.
New Mets spring training cap - no more Mr. Met. Old version on top, new on bottom. pic.twitter.com/eSUvN7xzhg
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) February 3, 2017
• The Cubs have revived their old "angry bear" mascot from the 1980s and used it as the basis for a new cap.
Cubs adding an additional spring training cap to the mix, featuring old "angry bear" mascot. ("C" cap from last year will also be used.) pic.twitter.com/fByWt3wYgK
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) February 3, 2017
• Another retro logo being dusted off is the Mariners' old trident mark, which has been reinterpreted in the team's contemporary color scheme.
Mariners' new spring training cap replaces compass logo with trident mark. Old version on top, new on bottom. pic.twitter.com/pjFPLoBy0A
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) February 3, 2017
• The Indians are sticking with a contrasting front panel on their cap, but that panel will now be red instead of white.
Indians going with red front panel, instead of white, for this year's spring training cap. Old version on top, new on bottom. pic.twitter.com/UjXLV6ZWhs
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) February 3, 2017
• In a move likely to spur criticism from fans opposed to the use of Native American iconography in sports, the Braves have added a tomahawk cap.
Braves adding tomahawk cap to the mix for spring training. Oversized-"a" cap from last year will also be used. pic.twitter.com/g6f58AxL8q
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) February 3, 2017
This year's spring training jerseys are largely unchanged from last year. The primary difference is that the sublimated pattern on the letters and numbers has been updated to reflect the current year.
The back of the Brewers' Spring Training jersey looks a little different this year. pic.twitter.com/FqTdbiK3cK
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 2, 2017
All of the spring caps and jerseys can be viewed here.
Paul Lukas is counting down the days to pitchers and catchers. If you like this column, you'll probably like his Uni Watch Blog, plus you can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Want to learn about his Uni Watch Membership Program, be added to his mailing list so you'll always know when a new column has been posted or just ask him a question? Contact him here.