The Dodgers' new clothes
The return of players' names to the backs of the jerseys is not the only change in the Dodgers uniforms modeled by Juan Pierre and Randy Wolf at the press conference Wednesday to introduce the two free agent signings.
Consider yourself a hard-core Dodgers fan if you would have noticed the changes from the 2006 uniform to the 2007 line. The differences aren't huge, and they're unlikely to offend the long-time faithful, since the trademark script "Dodgers" and "Los Angeles" and the interlocking "LA" remain as-was and all of the new items have roots in the franchise's past.
Here's what's new.
-- Names: A fixture for 33 years before being removed for 2005-06, they're back by popular demand, and by Vin Scully's request. (Read more about this in my Daily News column Wednesday.)
-- Numbers and letters: No more of the white trim that in recent years peeked out from behind the blue numbers and letters and the "LA" on the sleeves. Now the blue (in a material known as single tackle twill) will rest directly on the white home or gray road jersey (polyester, pending the hiring of George Costanza).
-- The road jersey: There are more changes to the gray jersey than to the white. The blue piping around the neck is gone. The script "Dodgers" on the left sleeve is now an "LA."
-- The batting-practice jersey: A new look will be unveiled soon. It'll have ventilating material on the sides, like good soccer jerseys.
Thanks to Dodgers clubhouse manager Mitch Poole for telling us some of the details.
I'm from a generation in which, if you wanted to look like a Dodger, you had your mother cut an iron-on jeans patch into a couple of strips and apply them to the back of an old short-sleeved white dress shirt. Presto, you were No. 11, a little Manny Mota.
Now you pay through the nose for an identical replica of the real thing. Which means if you had the '06 real thing, you have to pay again for '07.
The fans win, getting the players' names back. But it's going to cost you.
There are photos of the new jerseys at the Dodgers website. There are pictures of Brooklyn and Los Angeles uniforms through the decades here.