The unveiling of new MLB uniforms is always a highly anticipated event for fans, but this year, the buzz is around an unexpected feature: transparency. Following initial observations regarding the Seattle Mariners’ new Nike pants appearing see-through, it has become evident that this is not an isolated incident. Across Major League Baseball, teams are grappling with the issue of alarmingly transparent pants in their 2024 uniforms.
As teams participate in annual Photo Day events and circulate promotional images, a pattern has emerged, revealing that the see-through pants are a widespread problem affecting numerous MLB teams. In photo after photo, the underlying jersey, including its jock tag, is distinctly visible through the supposedly opaque pants. The severity of this transparency varies from team to team, potentially due to differences in lighting conditions during photoshoots or subtle variations in fabric. However, the core issue remains consistent: the new MLB pants are, for many teams, noticeably see-through.
Here’s a look at some of the teams where the transparency issue has been observed:
Angels
Cardinals
Dodgers
Orioles
Padres
Rays
Red Sox
Reds
White Sox
Yankees
While the extent of the issue is still being assessed, it’s worth noting that some teams, including the Astros, Pirates, and Rangers, have opted to use last year’s pants for Photo Day. This decision could be linked to player feedback regarding the fit and feel of the new pants, which has reportedly been more critical than the jerseys. Alternatively, the see-through nature of the new material may also be a contributing factor in these teams’ choices.
Update: Interestingly, the transparency issue isn’t exclusive to the new 2024 pants. Images from the Astros’ Photo Day, featuring players in older pants, also reveal a similar see-through problem. Furthermore, as pointed out by Matthew Houk, transparency in MLB pants isn’t entirely new, with similar instances observed in previous years’ Photo Day pictures.
This broader context suggests that the lighting conditions commonly used during Photo Days might be a significant factor exacerbating the transparency of the uniform pants, rather than solely a design flaw in the 2024 models. While the new MLB uniforms are under scrutiny for their transparency, it appears to be a recurring issue potentially amplified by photographic practices.
