Fans get their look at the Orioles new uniforms
Later today, for the first time since 1972, the Orioles will unveil road jerseys that say "Baltimore" across the chest. The fan rally and announcement will be held at the Gallery at Harborplace at Noon.
You can watch the rally live on MASN and it will also be streaming live right here at Masnsports.com.
Orioles Director of Communications Greg Bader said much planning and work went into the uniform changes that fans will see for the first time today.
"Any club would be doing its fans a disservice by not each year making sure that its brand is positioned properly within the region and the industry," Bader told Masnsports.com. "Our fan base is very diverse and we want to make sure our brand meets the needs of all of our fans. We got some clear direction from management and Mr. Angelos to bring about three things with this brand repositioning.
"One is the idea that we need to respect and honor our history. Also to make sure we look toward the future as well, we've taken what's been our identity the past ten years and enhanced it. The third element is making sure we connect to the community. That's critical in everything we do."
More than the uniforms are changing. The new look will also appear on O's logos, company letterhead, business cards and in marketing materials.
It's the first change at all since the O's added an alternate hat prior to the 2005 season. Before that the previous change to the team's look occurred in 1999 with a diamond logo and a newly enhanced Bird.
The Orioles worked with Major League Baseball Properties on the changes. The club had to let MLB know of its desire to make the changes in March of last year and by May all the changes were agreed upon.
Bader was asked if putting Baltimore on the road jersey was impacted by the fact that Washington now has its own team.
"Our strategy with fans throughout the region has never changed. The Washington area, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Delaware, West Virginia and all of Maryland is part of our marketing and broadcast territory. We happen to now share that territory with the Nationals.
"We are still trying to keep a regional appeal. Are they directly related? No, but clearly sharing this landscape, Washington having its team and Baltimore having a team playing in Baltimore, there is some role to it. Is it a direct correlation, no."
Fans can buy replicas of the new-look jersey at the event itself when it ends at the Galleria. They will also be available online starting Wednesday mid-day at Orioles.com. They will be available at the O's team store at Camden Yards and in York and many retail outlets will have them in stores starting on Thursday.
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Two comments:
1. It's about time we changed the road uniforms
2. This may be the most interesting thing that happens during the this off season.
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Well it was a fun day but let's hope that's not true.
Steve
"Orioles Director of Communications Greg Bader said much planning and work went into the uniform changes that fans will see for the first time today."
Looking at the Sneak Peak, What did the O's changed? I thought we would get a new logo for the cap. It's the same. I thought it was time to bring back the cartoon Bird from the 70's 80's.
Nothing new on the Home uniforms.
I am happy that we brought back "Baltimore" on the road jerseys, But they look ok! The Road Jerseys should have more black color then orange. For Ex the word "Baltimore" should be in Black with an Orange outline.
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They do have an alternate black jersey that now can be worn at home and on the road. The Bird on the cap was changed somewhat. The patches on the sleeve and some of the lining did change on the home uniform but not the Orioles on the front.
Steve
It's fine that we change the uniforms, now what about the guys that occupy the uniforms? any thing better there?
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Today was about the jerseys. The rest of the off-season is about the guys wearing them.
Steve
I'm glad the O's are finally putting "Baltimore" back on the road uniforms. However, I hope the Orioles aren't hoping for "Tampa Bay Ray" magic with these uniform changes. The men wearing the uniforms have to improve as well!
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They are working on that as well, Andy MacPhail and his team.
Steve
The return to the old type road jersies may not bring not bring a contending team ,but it will bring back respectability to our town.
It's been too long , but we'll love to see the O's on TV on the road from now on.
Signman
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Right on.
Steve
I'm just glad they didn't change the team name to "Baltimore Orioles of the Mid Atlantic metroplex and neighboring states"
lookin good!
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I agree. Steve
Steve,
Call me crazy but this whole uniform change thing brought back memories of the 1988 to 1989 worst to first season. Baseball is a game of numbers and it is 20 years later. Uniform change then, uniform change now. I can hear the "Why Not" song already. Boy was that a fun season for Oriole's fans. Worst to first or no worst to first I still love my O's and the new uniforms look fantastic!
Jen
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Jen:
You sound like a great fan. That 89 season was amazing. Maybe the best O's season ever that didn't end with a playoff berth. Others might point to 1982 and that great final weekend with Milwaukee.
In 1982 I had just started working with WFMD in Frederick and got to cover that final series at Memorial Stadium, what an experience for a then young reporter. In 89 I was working in Richmond and following the team daily from a distance. Great memories.
Steve
Steve, I was there in person and I didn't know what to expect -- but we all should be giving credit to the team for a job well done.
I'm part of another generation, and not born when 'Baltimore' was on the road jersey; however, it seems like a wrong was finally made right. It was great to see fans excited about the team -- in November -- and seeing the reactions of everyone and being a part of it.
Furthermore, it was gratifying in a way to see the players in the community after the season ended.
It was a good day to be a fan and I'll be looking forward to seeing what happens with the "Hot Stove".
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Anthony:
It was a good day for the Orioles. The uniforms looked good and the club put together a very nice, well attended rally. It just goes to show that with the Ravens having a good year and in the middle of football season, the O's still have a huge fan base out there dying to see a winner.
There are some in this town, even some in the media, that just want to tear down this club. Days like last Wednesday drive that crowd crazy. Any club that has lost 11 years in a row, yet still draws nearly 2 million fans, has a passionate fan base.
One day, hopefully sooner than later, that Yard will be filled and rocking again. The "haters" will find something else to complain about and the good baseball fans of this city and region will get to remember just how much fun baseball can really be.
Steve