Can an MLB manager wear a suit or sweats instead of a uniform?

The Game Room
1

I’m wondering if a Manager or coach can wear something other than a uniform during the game? I’m not suggesting someone can get away with something like Bill Belichick, aka the “hoodie” wears (the hooded sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off), but an officially licensed MLB approved outfit. The coaches and manager can matcjh

There is no reason to wear the player uniform other than tradition, and the argument that the coaches and managers are physically active during the game and pregame, so a suit is not realistic. I don’t know how many managers actually work up a sweat before the game, but they look beyond ridiculous. I feel especially bad for the overweight guys who look like they are in fan pajamas.

How about a coaches sweat suit, that would have a team logo, some nice styling, and no sanitary socks with stirrups?

Anyone know the Dope on this?

2

Previous thread.

In a nutshell. MLB rules require all players and manager/coaches to wear matching uniforms.

3

Short answer: no. I recall MLB making Terry Francona of the Red Sox wear a uniform jersey instead of his preferred Sox sweatshirt. They can wear warm up jackets over their jerseys.

I believe the rule came about because baseball managers are the only coaches allowed on the playing field, and historically, many mangers were also third base coaches.

4

The main rule is that only those in uniform are allowed on the playing field. In the early days, this allowed the umpires to immediately spot a fan who got onto the field (in the early days, it was not unheard of for the fans to be standing on the outfield grass, kept off the field of play by a rope).

There isn’t any reason to change things now just because a few people think it looks ridiculous.

5

Actually, the Official MLB Rules (PDF) don’t seem to cover the issue of managers’ uniforms.

This refers to “players” but nothing about managers and coaches. (From there it goes on about gloves and helmets.)
Further:

Nothing there about attire. So I think it is more a matter of tradition.

I have seen Ozzie Guillen wearing warmup-type jerseys like these while managing. I suppose it’s a matter of degrees that the league would object to Francona’s sweatshirts but not these.

6

Connie Mack the 1st wore a suit and (bow) tie-he’d send a coach out to change pitchers.

7

What I don’t understand is why so many managers wear cleats instead of more comfortable regular team-colored running shoes or something. I mean, I can see for Lou Piniella, because he does a lot of kicking and he needs to have good grip on his plant foot, but does Bobby Cox really need metal spikes to walk ten feet, throw his hat down, and get ejected from the game?

8

Rule 3.15 reads in part:

I remembered this rule as including managers along with players and coaches as having to be in uniform, but it doesn’t actually say this.

BTW, the rule doesn’t say anything about batboys, who are always in uniform.

9

I think a lot of it has to do with the culture of baseball. More than any other team sport, the Manager is “one of the boys” unlike football, hockey or basketball. Connie Mack was a very, very lone and eccentric exception.

10

Where would be the fun in that?

What I’d like to see is coaches and managers in all of the other sports suiting up to match the players.

11

You can count me out of ever going to any aquatic or women’s beach volleyball event if this idea every comes to pass.

12

CNN.com on the subject: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/23/opinion/greene-baseball-manager-uniforms/index.html?&hpt=hp_c2

13

Since MLB has actually passed ruling and given orders to managers that they align themselves more with team uniform policy, as per the Francona case, I think it fair to say that at this point the rules have been interpreted in such a way that they do apply to managers.

I am sure the baseball haters will be along any time now to say how stupid it is, but at this point it would actually look more stupid for a manager to wear a suit. He’d look terribly out of place. He’d also be perceived as distancing himself from his team, which wouldn’t be a good thing.

14

I think you’d get more of a dignified Connie Mack sort of vibe, rather than just being that weirdo in the suit. Wear sweats, and you’re just a pathetic slob who can’t be bothered to get dressed for work.

15

In what sport do the managers/coaches wear sweats?

16

Stink Fish Pot suggested a sweatsuit, though that may give a more Al Sharpton vibe. There is also, of course, Mr Hoodie himself, Bill Belichick.

17

And Francona always did, either a jacket or a sweater. He was never seen on the field with only a uniform jersey.

And because, even more historically, managers were usually players moonlighting.

Like an NFL coach? :wink: