Sunday, January 03, 1999
Reds unveil new uniforms
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Maintaining custom while fashionably forging ahead, the Reds unveiled their new uniforms Saturday at Redsfest.
Major differences include three different brand-new caps, compared with two that they had worn since the last uniform change in 1993; the introduction of sleeveless road jerseys, matching the ones players and coaches wear at Cinergy Field, with “CINCINNATI” stitched across the chest; and the appearance of the “Mr. Red” logo on the left sleeves of the undershirts and batting-practice jerseys, replacing the familiar wishbone “C.”
“At times it seemed like this franchise was too steeped in tradition to make any kind of changes like this,” said an approving broadcaster Marty Brennaman, who begins his 26th season with the club next year. “Everything changes ultimately. I think they've done a great job.”
Said third baseman Aaron Boone, “I'm a big fan of the sleeveless jerseys, so going to that on the road looks neat.” Of the various hats, Boone said, “I think that's cool.”
Home uniforms remain white with red pinstripes, while the road togs are still gray.
As anticipated, black became a significant part of the Reds' wardrobe.
Everybody's hippest hue lines the red numerals and lettering on the home and road jerseys and the red home batting-practice tops, creating a “shadowing” effect. The gray road pants bear a red-and-black lining down the side. Black also provides the background for the “C REDS” logo over the left chest on home jerseys.
“That black adds a touch of class,” said Reds fan Joe Klunk of Newtown.
The road batting-practice tops are black, as is one of the game caps (a fourth, all-black cap with a red wishbone “C” made of a mesh material will be worn in batting practice only). Players also will abandon red shoes for black ones, though the manufacturer's logo will be allowed to appear, regardless of color.
“I miss the red shoes. I liked them,” Boone said. “But I'm sure I'll get used to the black ones.”
Though the primary cap is red with a black bill, players can also use a black cap with a red bill or an all-red hat (with the “C” outlined in black, of course). Pat McCaffrey, the Reds' director of season-ticket sales who worked extensively with Major League Baseball Properties in designing the uniforms, said that the all-red caps have been projected as an alternate cap for home games.
Players also can opt for a red or black undershirt (with a matching belt), though the former was meant to be worn at home.
Klunk had his doubts about the gray-and-black road combination. “That'll take some getting used to,” he said.
The Mr. Red logo on the sleeves also underwent a change, receiving a pinstriped uniform.
Except for the introduction of black, none of the alterations can be considered drastic.
“We didn't want to have a uniform concept that took away from the tradition of the past,” McCaffrey said. “We wanted to tie into that, but kind of look into the future as well, with the new style. We felt that the (black) trimming would do that. The third color would certainly add a lot to that. And we certainly wanted to keep a lot of the aspects we had in the past, such as the wishbone "C.'”
The possible combinations are numerous. Asked how a particular day's ensemble will be determined, manager Jack McKeon said, “I have no idea.”
McKeon, who managed the Oakland A's in 1977-78 when they had three different jerseys, recalled that the team simply alternated their green and gold tops each day and wore white on Sundays. Don't be surprised if a winning streak, or efforts to change bad luck, result in certain combinations being selected, discarded or maintained.
“Now we're going to come in, look at the lineup card and look over and see what we're wearing each day, too,” Boone said.
Reds Stories
Bearcats turn up pressure
C-USA PREVIEW
Time for Xavier to get intense
A-10 PREVIEW
Rooster's story typical 'Noles tale
Buckeyes aim to keep squad intact
Cooper impressed with local Buckeyes
MIAMI 80, WESTERN MICHIGAN 62
MIAMI NOTEBOOK
KENTUCKY 95, FLORIDA 58
NKU 78, MISSOURI-ST.LOUIS 64
CYCLONES 3, MILWAUKEE 1
MIGHTY DUCKS 3, ST. JOHN 0
Reds page
