The Ultimate Uniform stash

[mw94]

Here are some great Photos of Honigs packing all 68 MLB umpires uniforms up for next season.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Honigs-Whistle-Stop/97390769202

[johnnyg08]

Here are some great Photos of Honigs packing all 68 MLB umpires uniforms up for next season.

http://www.facebook....TOP/97390769202

Great post. I enjoyed looking through all of the MLB gear as well as some of the rules...for instance: An umpire can request a new plate coat every third year.

[justwin]

nice gear....very sharp looking those shirts... i like the plain black jackets...no stripes on the jackets or shirts ...looks very sharp

[kylejt]

All that logoed gear, seen on TV, and you know what the umpires cut of all that equipment exposure is?

That box of gear. They get nothing from the shoe deal, shirt deal, gear deal, etc.

These guys are as dumb as a box o' rocks. The only guy who make dough off the deal is Joe West. These guys need a better agent, who can get them a marketing deal with Nike, Reebok,Adidas etc. And the trickle down would be better performing gear for us in the trenches. As it is right now, MLB is eating their lunch.

Until their union does their job, we're stuck with stupid looking, awful shirts, in light blue. Fabulous.

[Marcus6]

Joe is wearing it in that photo but its hard to tell and I thought of it when I was reading what Aaron from Honig's wrote on the facebook pics - does anybody know where to get those Nike undershirts a bunch of the MLB guys have been seen wearing?

Here it is on Gucc:

[yawetag]

Until their union does their job, we're stuck with stupid looking, awful shirts, in light blue. Fabulous.

You mean the umpires that start the job making six figures and a per diem that's more than some workers make in a week?

Yeah... they definitely need more money.

[Guest]

All that logoed gear, seen on TV, and you know what the umpires cut of all that equipment exposure is?

That box of gear. They get nothing from the shoe deal, shirt deal, gear deal, etc.

These guys are as dumb as a box o' rocks. The only guy who make dough off the deal is Joe West. These guys need a better agent, who can get them a marketing deal with Nike, Reebok,Adidas etc. And the trickle down would be better performing gear for us in the trenches. As it is right now, MLB is eating their lunch.

Until their union does their job, we're stuck with stupid looking, awful shirts, in light blue. Fabulous.

And what exactly do you propose that they do? Are you suggesting the umpires bog down union negotiations because they don't like being included in the apparel contracts MLB signs with companies? What do you suggest the umpires concede to MLB in exchange for being left out of the uniform / apparel contracts?

Majestic has the contract as provider of all on field outerwear, including the umpires. Nike has the contract for performance apparel AKA undershirts. When Majestic first got their contract, they were just taking a Honig's shirt and having them put the Majestic logo on the sleeve. Those "MLB Authentic" patches that are now found inside the plate coat used to be featured on the shirts Honig's sold years ago. Umpires are allowed to wear other brands of under-apprel, but they must black out a logo, if showing, to avoid breaching the MLB contract, the same contract that applies to every player of the 30 teams in the league.

It's not as if MLB is telling the umpires you have to wear Brand X and this will be at your own expense. That mere box of stuff that you're suggesting umpires are being ripped off on by being forced to wear...by my count, before fees and taxes, that box contains at least $1500 of free gear (plate coat excluded). Which they get every year. Umpires are not a marketing tool. If a company marketing manager suggested paying umpires to wear their equipment in a meeting, they would get laughed out of the room. The target population (us) is way too small. Besides, most endorsement deals are "paid" in free gear and free gear only. The superstars are only the ones paid an endorsement salary for using the brand. And they don't just have to wear the gear. They have to do numerous promotional appearances to represent the company. Good luck scheduling a promotional event around the schedule of an umpire. They travel too much during the season and who would want to give up their winter break with their family to go to a promo event. Not to mention, who would attend? 50 people maybe?

You're very outspoken about your feelings about some of the MLB uniform. Did you know the umpires have representatives to help determine, with Majestic reps, what the on-field uniform will look like? You're entitled to your opinion but your opinion does not universally apply to the umpire world. Clearly not everyone agrees with you.

IMO, providing free gear to the umpires is more than enough. Seeking royalties on TOP of this for using it would be extremely selfish.

[Guest]

Joe is wearing it in that photo but its hard to tell and I thought of it when I was reading what Aaron from Honig's wrote on the facebook pics - does anybody know where to get those Nike undershirts a bunch of the MLB guys have been seen wearing?

Here it is on Gucc:

You can find the shirt easily enough - it's now Nike's flagship performance shirt. However, you can only get the specific shirt (aka the one with the logo on the collar) if you order one of their MLB team specific shirts, for extra money naturally.

[yawetag]

That mere box of stuff that you're suggesting umpires are being ripped off on by being forced to wear...by my count, before fees and taxes, that box contains at least $1500 of free gear (plate coat excluded). Which they get every year.

Not only that, I'm sure they can get more through the year in cases of normal wear and tear or other reasons.

[johnnyg08]

Joe is wearing it in that photo but its hard to tell and I thought of it when I was reading what Aaron from Honig's wrote on the facebook pics - does anybody know where to get those Nike undershirts a bunch of the MLB guys have been seen wearing?

Here it is on Gucc:

Nike Pro Combat Hypercool. They're sweet.

http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-100701/pid-222987/pgid-420583

[kylejt]

At least let them have their own shoe deal. Plus, they shouldn't be forced to wear Wilson stuff. Just like players get to work out endorsment deals, that revolve around them wearing logos on TV, so should umpires.

I had endorsement deals, years ago when I was racing bicycles. If my companys logo got put in print, I got x, If I was on TV, I got y. Companies pay good dough for product placement. And I was a scrub. MLB umpires are on TV A LOT, and have HUGE marketing potentional. All I'm saying is that they're, the umpires on TV, aren't seeing penny one of that.

$1500 is peanuts.

"Umpires are not a marketing tool"

Ah, but they could be. A PU is on TV, square in the middle of nearly every shot, for the whole game. A product placement dream come true. I'm not saying making them a NASCAR billboard, or anything like is done in other countries. But they very underpaid for their exposure on TV, and need to wake up that fact.

Look, us umpire geeks might know the umpires are wearing a Majestic shirt, but Joe six pack in the Barcalounger doesn't. Why? No visible logo. How 'bout those Nike undershirts? Can't see a logo. Worthless. Now Joe does put a big, uglyass W sticker on his c/p, and it's visible when he wear his plate coat, but that's about it. The helmets and masks have the W showing, but half those guys are wearing Nike masks.

It's just poorly organized and executed, that's all.

[johnnyg08]

All of the umpires know what they're wearing. Does the regular fan care if their shirts are Majestic or Nike? They're employed by Major League Baseball. MLB should work the product placement. The last thing you want is an umpire politicking for the stick in game 7 of the World Series because of his endorsements. They are on the field because of Major League baseball. I'm sure they're okay w/ their deals. Be careful what you wish for. Many of us come on here and say that we don't umpire strictly for the money. The same is probably true with many of the guys at the TOP.

[yawetag]

It's possible MLB has tried to get endorsement deals, but they've never found a company willing to pay the price it would take to give each umpire enough to make it worth it. In the long run, it's better to get 8 hats (or three pairs of shoes; or 4 shirts; or 3 jackets; or anything else they're getting) for each umpire than for MLB (or the umpires) to foot the bill for those same 8 hats.

[BT_Blue]

A good example of company emblems having to be covered up... look at the guys that still have and use the old Riddel Power CPs. They either cover it up with their shirts or take off the Riddel sticker and put on the W for Wilson.

Its the nature of the beast and I for one would be more than happy with just a part of what those guys get EVERY SEASON.What percentage of us get a full set of gear and uniforms every year. I am willing to guess the number is less than 1% of everyone that is a member of this website.

[Fittske24]

MLB umpires are employees of Major League Baseball and thus are representatives of the league. Umpires are name less, face less, individuals that are seen by fans ( other than us umpire junkies) as a tool necessary to play the game. Believe it or not, no fan cares if the umpire is wearing a Nike shoe, or a all-star chest protector. MLB has major sponsorship deals in place with nike and majestic thats why their logos are prominent on anything that touches the field including umpires. Every summer hundreds of thousands of youth baseball players play the game from little league to college, all of them with a favorate "big league" player that they will emulate when they step on the field. This is why players get the endorsement deals. Umpires are only good for marketing to other umpires, and that "nitch" market is not enough to warrant major endorsement deals for umpires.

[Marcus6]

At least let them have their own shoe deal. Plus, they shouldn't be forced to wear Wilson stuff.

They ARENT FORCED to wear Wilson stuff. Nor New Balance, ect. The only things they are forced to wear are the Majestic uniforms.

I remember a few years ago when Joe West's crew would commonly wear base coats (not jackets, plate coats but on the bases as well) and I think somebody on the forums said they were not allowed to because of the licensing agreement with Majestic.

[pastor ump]

To me umpire marketing says "hey look at me" personally I don't think that is what umpiring is about. No one should get into umpiring for the glory.

[NWA_UMP]

With all due respect Pastor...marketing is all about look at me. There may not be a huge market for ump gear. However you want to make sure you get as large of a cut of it as you can with regards to sales. That's where marketing comes in.

[johnnyg08]

We all know what gear is crap and what gear is good. Some of us care, some of us don't...that's why Cheap, Tight "polywool" guy is still in business.

[justwin]

having the best gear is great... it protects u well and u look good... having great expensive clothing is great ...it makes u look very professional...i agree we should all look respectable...but u know what ....u can look like a million bucks and have the best of the best in equipment...all the goes away after the first pitch is thrown... and if u dont call a good game ....guess what ...all the TOP not equipment and million buck look uniform didnt do u any good...yes we should look good ....but the most important thing is to call strikes and balls correctly and safes and out correctly and know the rules and enforce them accordingly...i think its very important that we concentrate a bit more on competence on the field and not go to crazy on looking like major league umpires...just my two cents

[justwin]

also ...i think all we have umpired with fellow umpires who looked better than major league umpires when it comes to apprearance and equipment...and on the field excuse my language they sucked the bone...and im sure we have umpired with some guys that when we saw the way they were dressed and the equipment they had was awful...but were shocked at how really good they were on the diamond...looks deceived us...but saying that ...we all should be respectable with a clean uniform , matching our partners , with aceeptbale mechanics and good presence

[justwin]

and finally...when in doubt call em out lololol :notworthy:

[Replacematt]

Dude, you have more periods than a nunnery.

[johnnyg08]

It's a nice style. I saw Jim Joyce do that once...I must have it.

[dumbdumb]

At least let them have their own shoe deal. Plus, they shouldn't be forced to wear Wilson stuff. Just like players get to work out endorsment deals, that revolve around them wearing logos on TV, so should umpires.

I had endorsement deals, years ago when I was racing bicycles. If my companys logo got put in print, I got x, If I was on TV, I got y. Companies pay good dough for product placement. And I was a scrub. MLB umpires are on TV A LOT, and have HUGE marketing potentional. All I'm saying is that they're, the umpires on TV, aren't seeing penny one of that.

$1500 is peanuts.

"Umpires are not a marketing tool"

Ah, but they could be. A PU is on TV, square in the middle of nearly every shot, for the whole game. A product placement dream come true. I'm not saying making them a NASCAR billboard, or anything like is done in other countries. But they very underpaid for their exposure on TV, and need to wake up that fact.

Look, us umpire geeks might know the umpires are wearing a Majestic shirt, but Joe six pack in the Barcalounger doesn't. Why? No visible logo. How 'bout those Nike undershirts? Can't see a logo. Worthless. Now Joe does put a big, uglyass W sticker on his c/p, and it's visible when he wear his plate coat, but that's about it. The helmets and masks have the W showing, but half those guys are wearing Nike masks.

It's just poorly organized and executed, that's all.

I will try and pull up the old 1979 Referee magazine article where a question was asked about a shoe contract in an interview with everyone's favorite Richie Phillips.

Richie worked out a $210,000 fee for wearing Converse shoes for the NBA.

Dollars to doughnuts says he tried for the MLBU although it might not have worked out.