I wasn’t sure whether to file this complaint as “My Biggest Complaint About Barry Bonds’ Record Breaking Home Run” or “My Biggest Complaint About Long Baseball Pants”. The complaint is really the same anyway you look at and I would have probably attracted more attention complaining about Barry’s home run instead of the pants Barry wore while hitting the home run, but I’ve seen the pictures a hundred times today and I can’t take it any longer.
Long baseball pants are horrible and should be boycotted by every baseball player worth his multi-million dollar contract. No other major sport has long pants except golf and those guys complain constantly about having to wear long pants on the pro tour when amateurs get to wear shorts.
Nothing says “nonathletic” like long pants. OK, maybe baggy saggy pants like the ones in Barry’s picture say it a little bit louder.
Honestly, these pics of Barry Bonds’ home run will live on for eternity (alright, until A-Rod breaks the record in a few years) and he looks like he’s wearing stretched out pajamas.
I would take short basketball shorts over long baseball pants any day of the week.
Baseball uniforms are about two things basically - the hat and the socks. Without showing those cool worthless baseball socks, the baseball uniform has the hat, and frankly that’s not enough since baseball hats are everywhere from NASCAR to football nowadays.
What would baseball history be with long pants and no cool socks? Granted the Boston Long Pants and the Chicago White Trousers would still suck, but I think you see my point.
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I completely disagree. Baseball isn’t what it used to be. One of the beautiful things about baseball is the evolution of the game. You will see in the coming years that more and more Major League Baseball players will be wearing their pants similar to the way that Bonds wore his. It is simply a fad in the game, and whether is looks terrible is simply an opinion. Since when is baseball about socks? Baseball is about the jersey more than it is the socks.
Tyler on July 10th, 2008 at 5:37 pm | Link
I agree totally. The current look — fad or not — is ridiculous. It wouldn’t be as bad if the pants actually stopped at the players ANKLE. Some players have them over their shoes. It’s embarrassing to watch grown men making at least 6 figures wearing pants that look like they need some major alteration.
Mark on July 29th, 2008 at 4:15 pm | Link
A-Rod wears his socks high and his pants to his knees…just letting u know
Jeff on September 30th, 2008 at 10:02 am | Link
What the heck is up with the long pants??? I have not watched baseball in a while, but I turned on the World Series tonight and that was the first thing I noticed and immediately disapproved! You can’t have long pants in baseball. They looked like work pants that you would wear to the office. What happened to the traditional tight pants with the socks that baseball players have been wearing for decades??
Margaret on October 23rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm | Link
I don’t see why baseball players can’t wear baggy pants? I myself play baseball and seem that the tight pants are harder to pitch in and harder to move around. I don’t simply think that the look, will destroy baseball. I actually want to buy a pair of baggy pants. Back in the day, they had baggy pants, which stopped till their knees, then showed their socks.
Ken on January 11th, 2009 at 8:10 pm | Link
I could not disagree more, for two major reasons.
First, as someone that played baseball in college, shorts are not an option. You cannot slide in shorts without cutting up your legs. A bad scrape may not seem bad, but consider that MLB teams play approximately 5-6 games a week. Picture scraping your thigh then re-opening it 5 times a week and tell me that sounds like a good idea. Also, catcher’s equipment over bare skin could not possibly be more uncomfortable. Even shin guard straps over just socks become very abrasive.
Second, baggy pants are 1000x more comfortable. I grew up wearing tight baseball pants, and the first time I tried the current style I switched in a heartbeat. The tight pants are restrictive of certain movements and stick to you when you sweat. The baggy pants allow more range of motion and do not get stuck onto you like another layer of crusty skin.
For an example of another sport with this same theory…look at basketball. Are you proposing that we go back to the booty shorts no longer than a pair of briefs that were worn in the 1950s? NO! Uniforms that tight are incredibly uncomfortable. If you want the players to perform at their peak, they need to be comfortable.
Jon on January 14th, 2009 at 1:32 pm | Link
@Jon I totally agree with you.
Ken on January 18th, 2009 at 10:46 pm | Link
Have you ever played baseball? If you haven’t then you shouldn’t even talk about how players wear their pants. I play baseball and I hate having my pants rolled up to my knees with my long socks. The reason being that when i slide the sock rolls down and I rip up my leg pretty badly. Also how tight the pants are…I’m not a fan. They constrict my movement when I catch and when I run. Thus i would rather be comfortable than to make you feel better about the old days.
Nick on April 14th, 2009 at 12:28 pm | Link
Are you that ridiculous to think it is ruining baseball? I’m pretty sure this is not ruining baseball. It looks fine. Plus the players should be able to wear them however they want. It just shows the evolution of baseball and it’s great to see change. You can’t honestly complain about low pants.
Steve on May 18th, 2009 at 5:23 pm | Link
this is absolutley ridiculous. this is the style these days and if the players play in these pants and win championships then there shouldn’t be any problem.
anthony tomasone on May 19th, 2009 at 9:12 am | Link
I don’t see why not it is way more comfortable and eaiser to move. Plus if the players could not do good in them they wouldnt let them wear them.
Zach on June 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am | Link
I agree on one of your points. (Maybe you were not serious about wearing shorts–that would be a baseball killer. A serious baseball player cannot wear shorts for reasons any serious baseball player or true fan knows.)
In regard to the long pants I agree that it just looks wrong. Long pants that almost cover a player’s shoes look like someone who bought a pair of pants and then did not get them taylored. Socks are just as much a part of the game as any other part of the uniform. Someone said that it is a fad. He is probably right. Regardless if it is a fad or not I do not approve. The uniform (consider the word “uniform”) is not consistent and just looks bad.
One person said that wearing socks did not protect the legs and knees like long pants. Wrong! I played ball of one type or another for 20 years and I was a serious slider. After tearing up my leg a few times I wrapped my upper leg with an Ace bandage. No more problems. I think there is a professional undergarment for this purpose too.
The bottom line is that it is a matter of preference. I prefer the “regular” short pants that stop about two inches +/- below the knee. These pants look professional (not sloppy) and when all the team wears them the entire team looks better. (I have seen some short pants that stop a little too high. The pants do need to be some amount below the knees as I stated.)
Next time you see a team (like I did today) take a look at the player wearing long sloppy pants and a player wearing short pants that show off the socks. Then, ask your self which one just looks like a baseball player should look.
Fads should be unacceptable. Try to think of another “fad” that the players could come up with to be one of the boys. Let’s see. How about the hat. Some softball teams have players who wear hats and then some do not. Does that look good? No. How about if some players wanted to wear a different jersey. Maybe it could be a fad to wear a cut off jersey that does not tuck into his pants. Maybe it could stop at a few inches above his navel.That would be cooler wouldn’t it? That could be a “fad”. Another “fad” could be: what if a player decided to be an individual he decided to wear one leg of his pants long and the other one short. The long pants leg could be the one where he wears a protector on his shin and it feels more comfortable over pants. Then the other leg could be short pants with socks showing. That could really be a fad and he would stand out as the real individual. Maybe he could start a fad.
The point is that I do not like doing something because it is a fad. The teams should wear a uniform and I personally think the professional uniform should show the socks of the team looks best. (Someone said that looser pants were better for him. I do not disagree with this. I also pitched and liked for the pants to allow movement. Having a loose fitting pants does not have much to do with the legs after the pants get below the knees.)
Of course, these are my opinions. I like seeing what people believe is a good reason for the sloppy pants being worn by a majority of players today. I, however, hope this “fad” goes away!!
PS: I do not think that this “fad” is ruining baseball or anything close to it. It is just a matter of opinion about the uniforms. I just thought about some western team that wore a jersey that looked like a cheap softball jersey. (I think it was a west coast team–maybe San Diego) The jerseys just did not look good. I cannot say exactly why but it was just an overall appearance that came across as something a great baseball team would not wear. This was a situation similar to the long and baggy pants of today.
Carl on June 28th, 2009 at 2:40 pm | Link
you just need to quit bitching. wow. besides…i think it looks really sharp when a player wears his pants like that.
matt on June 29th, 2009 at 3:11 pm | Link
Here Here! I (a female) go to baseball games for 2 things, beer and tights pants. Maybe its a silly concern, but it’s true. And without tight pants - baseball has lost another fan. It’s a sad story.
Beks on July 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 am | Link
Here, Here Too! (A male) I go to girl’s softball for the same reason. Tight Pants!! (Plus, I do go to girl’s softball for the game too.) While I do not care about tight pants on men (aside for the dislike of long pants on men) for the same reason as you, Beks, I do understand your motivation. Nothing much looks better than a cute gal in a pair of nice fitting softball pants. So, if I like the tight pants on gals I can certainly understand why you like the male version of the same thing. Good for you. (The beer is good too.)
Carl on July 3rd, 2009 at 8:24 pm | Link
I’m in favor of the 1960’s through 1980’s standard uniform looks. Crisp, professional, comfortable; those uniforms allow full range of motion if they’re fitted well, they don’t need to be tight, they can be kinda loose. The current long pant look, which has been around for some years now, looks sloppy, unprofessional, lackadaisical. Go with the under the knee a few inches or so pants, socks, and stirrups. Looks great and ready to rip up the field.
Scott on August 12th, 2009 at 3:26 pm | Link
I googled this question to see what answers I might find.(which led me here) I think the short pants look silly and wondered why anyone in their right mind would wear the shorter pants. I compare it to a old man wearing long black socks with shorts and sandals. Some things just look bad. I complelely disagree that the long pants look sloppy, unprofessional, lackadaisical. Some people tend to live in the past…maybe we should all go back to the checked pants and sportcoats that were the fashion in the 70’s…….I think not…anyhow…thats just my opinion.
Robert on August 19th, 2009 at 1:26 pm | Link
Looks like a trend that’s repeating itself. I vaguely remember seeing old footage of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig wearing baggy pants. Looked sloppy then, looks sloppy now. BTW, I am long time major league fan and just noticed the long pants last year too, but apparently they have been wearing them for a while. Anybody know when this all started?
Jim on August 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm | Link
I think ball players should wear their socks up It just looks better old school
Katie on August 27th, 2009 at 7:27 pm | Link
It’s really ashame that so many people think that long pants are fine. Baseball players need to wear their socks high. Long pants look terrible. Yesterday, the Nationals were wearing these really nice uniforms. However they looked plain without the high socks. The jersey was red, white, and blue, while all the way down it was just plain white. Josh Bard was the only one to wear his socks high, and he looked really sharp (despite his 0-5 day). You had the red helmet, red white and blue jersey, white pants, then the red high socks. Socks are supposed to express your team colors. Without high socks the uniform looks plain.
Skip on September 5th, 2009 at 1:01 pm | Link
I stumbled across this website after being fed up with this long pants fad. It looks ridiculous. I played baseball all my life and am a relatively young guy (35). For those that say it is easier to play in long pants and too tight need to quit being pansies. If you are good enough it doesn’t matter if you have on a speedo. These guys nowadays look like they are walking around in pajama pants. MLB commish…put a stop to this.
Ben on October 7th, 2009 at 5:53 pm | Link
all of you are fags….they look sick this way and all of you will look like fags with your stretchy pant bottoms over your ankles….
dsfds on October 17th, 2009 at 5:06 pm | Link
Next we’ll be discussing whether or not it is proper for baseball players to wear “no show” socks with their cleets, since it looks better to today’s athlete to have the “sockless” look going on.
MIKE on October 18th, 2009 at 1:40 pm | Link
Thanks dsfds for your insightful addition.
I want to add my voice to the “long baggy pants look terrible” camp. I hated it the moment I saw it. It’s like the guys want to look cool and casual, like they’re strolling down the sidewalk going to a restaurant instead of playing a professional sport. I guess, sadly, that it’s just part of the progressive reduction of professionalism and class across the board in pro sports. It’s lame.
Jakes on October 19th, 2009 at 6:47 pm | Link
I am guessing that dsfds is 12 years old.
Ben on November 4th, 2009 at 6:19 pm | Link
close…but im guessing you guys are all like in your high 30’s to low 40’s and have no idea about what looks sick or not these days. You guys are still all stuck in the 80’s wearing your faded blue highwaters with bright white sneakers and with your shirts tucked into your pants pulled up to your ****ing belly button…Bunch of fags are what you are.
dsfds on November 20th, 2009 at 7:19 pm | Link
So… what we’ve learned is dsfds is close to 12 and wears his pants so we can all see his butt cleavage. You might have actually made a few points until you started insulting people.
Jim on December 8th, 2009 at 4:28 pm | Link
hahaha
dsfds on December 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 am | Link
wth ,
I m sure they wear what feels best
who cares what you think or me
Everyone has an opinion but yours really isnt worth sharing
I think whatever get their hands off their crotch should be a good choice
thats all i remember was my jockstrap showing through the back with my tighty whities baseball pants we once wore
and now showing socks , thank god I would wear the thinnest pair of socks i could find
dont you have a neighbor to bother or something , sorry for my opinion but I m sure people dont like you anyway so whats new
shane on February 12th, 2010 at 11:10 pm | Link
fat penis hole dicks mother ****ing grape juice and kfc nigger black cock with purple veins up uour asses haha penis
dsfds on February 15th, 2010 at 1:20 am | Link
your ****ing retarded its the new style get over it
Richie on March 24th, 2010 at 12:50 pm | Link
I know. And it looks sick.
dsfds on April 17th, 2010 at 9:26 pm | Link
Wow.. and I was just trying to find out if I should buy the long or the short pants for my two boys who are starting out in T-ball. Interesting.
fcb on April 21st, 2010 at 3:45 am | Link
long pants are better than high pants
1.they are way more comfortable when they are long
2.you look good in long pants
yes, i grew up wearing my pants at my knees and though thats how i would stay…but know i realized that change occurs and my opinion on pants is completely different..i do agree about people who wear them tucked into or onto the back of their spikes, because that just looks trashy, but down to the ankle of a little bit over the top of the cleat looks completely fine and professional…not like your going to the office.
Joe on May 12th, 2010 at 4:15 pm | Link
Also, referring back to my last comment, the material and style of the new baseball pant does not look good when they are rolled up your knees. And socks do not make the uniform. I think a good looking jersey looks perfect with a pair of clean white pants
Joe on May 12th, 2010 at 4:20 pm | Link
I really despise the baggy pants MLB baseball players are now wearing. If Barry Bonds started it, his father Bobby Bonds must be rolling over in his grave. It’s a silly and goofy look.
It’s the excessive bagginess more than the extra length I don’t like. Though I miss the Frank Robinson style stirrups and later higher ones I can see the practicality of wearing pants close to the ankle. It’s the bagginess of the pants that makes them look like clown pants.
In an earlier era, baseball pants were baggy but that was before the innovation of modern synthetic and stretch fabrics. Stretch fabrics are more comfortable than non-stretch and are easier to run in, create less wind resistance and present a cleaner appearance.
But, Barry Bonds liked to stand around and admire his long trajectories instead of running, so a little wind resistance didn’t mean anything to him. Now that’s lackadaisical. Or maybe he wore baggy pants to accommodate his ever expanding body because of the steroids he was taking.
MLB could require players to wear their pants less baggy and at least a couple of inches above the top of the shoes. The length and bagginess of basketball shorts got to be so ridiculously long that the NBA regulated their length. The NFL requires football players to wear their socks up to the knees. The baseball players’ union may be the real obstacle to uniform standards in MLB.
Daringest on May 20th, 2010 at 4:19 am | Link
This trend actually started in the early to mid-90s but the really baggy sloppy look I think started with Barry Bonds (one more thing to dislike him for…). If you look around though, the old-school stirrup-sock look is EVER so slowly starting to creep back; there appears to be @least 1-2 players on a lot of teams now sporting some varient on that look. I like the way Jamie Moyer wears his - he looks really professional out there. I don’t mind the long pants up to a point - frankly I think the high-stirrup look of the 70’s and 80’s was a little cheesy-looking - but like some other posters have said, they should stop just above the the cleats and taper a little - kind of how Roy Halladay and Andy Pettite wear theirs - they always look sharp. Some of them though are not only super-baggy they drag along the ground and those players look like complete slobs. I can’t believe that’s it’s really that much more comfortable and from where I sit, they may even be dangerous, dragging on the ground like that. Maybe it’ll take someone tripping & falling & tearing up their knee or something before this fad loses it’s cachet for good
LBW on June 1st, 2010 at 2:15 pm | Link
Just to clarify, the trend of wearing longer baseball pants started in the mid-90s bust the supper baggy pants started late, in the 2000s. Barry Bonds did start the super long pants style when the pants were still form fitting,. He attached functional stirrups to the pants to keep then from riding up. I believe Mr. Bonds also started the super baggy look also. And yes, Jamie Moyer does look like a ballplayer should.
Daringest on June 14th, 2010 at 4:21 am | Link
Bottomline….MLB players are entertainers. Without the fans, they would be payed in peanuts. If the fans think it looks trashy, then they should switch. And since most baseball fans love the thought of baseball as a memory they probably want the game to stay the same as much as possible. Someone brought up basketball shorts as an example, in the worst way. When the NBA swtiched to long shorts because of style (not comfort!…i’ve played in both, highschool retro game) they made a statement that the players comfort mattered more than the tradition of the game. This has been a battle for the NBA ever since, players requesting time off for rap careers etc. If baseball wants to remain america’s PAST time then it should try to stay as traditional for the viewer as possible. Imagine vegan food at a game instead of beer, cola, and hotdogs…i dont think so! Professional sports must please the fans or become lost forever.
If they must wear long pants, then the manager better be taking a look as the guys leave the clubhouse, too long or baggy should be fined. The players dont need to appeal to rappers and prisonmates, they need to appeal to the real baseball fans. Mistreat your real customers and they will find a new sport.
Jed Mathison on June 25th, 2010 at 9:15 pm | Link
The long baggy look is ridiculous!!! And to be honest, its really the length. There needs to be a mandatory break between the pants and the shoes (at least 6 inches). Without that break, the uniform ceases to be a uniform. It becomes…a stupidform!!! Back in the day, they wore baggy pants, but the stirrup and sock provided the essential break. So, remember, its the length not the width!!!
I wear long baggy jeans, but its different because my shirts are untucked. Basketball players wear baggy shorts, but that’s different as well, because there is still symmetry in the uniform. And really that’s the key point. The current MLB unifom style lacks symmetry.
I hear these “millenium” clowns say, “who cares what the uniform looks like?” Almost suggesting that any man who questions current fashion trends is not masculine. Bull****!!! The truth is that the current look is actually more feminine. In fact, men’s fashions in general have gotten more feminine over the past 15 years. I wonder what could be pushing men’s fashion in that direction? Hmmm….
Bottom line is, the current look of MLB uniforms is unacceptable!!! Change it!
Ray on July 22nd, 2010 at 8:34 pm | Link