Major League Baseball's Sock Suppliers: Behind The Scenes

The socks worn by MLB players have a long and storied history. In the early days of baseball, socks were not a significant part of the uniform, with players wearing long pants to protect their legs. However, in 1868, the Cincinnati Red Stockings popularised the socks over pants look, and soon exposed coloured stockings became all the rage. Over time, the style of baseball socks evolved, with players adopting stirrup socks and adding stripes and colours. Today, baseball socks continue to be a defining feature of the sport's uniform, with players and fans embracing the return of the high sock look.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings began the socks-over-pants look in 1868

The Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869 were baseball's first all-professional team, with ten salaried players. The team was formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) from 1867 to 1870. The Red Stockings established styles in team uniforms and nicknames that are still used today. They also established the colour red as the colour of Cincinnati and were the origin of the "Red Sox" in Boston Red Sox.

The unique uniform of the Cincinnati Red Stockings was designed by George Ellard, a cricket fan who owned the baseball club. Ellard's design featured knee-length pants and high, red socks. This design was a hit with audiences, and two other teams, the Chicago White Stockings and the Boston Red Sox, soon followed suit. The long socks became a hallmark of the baseball uniform.

The Red Stockings' uniform was introduced by Harry Wright, who was the team's captain and manager. Wright was later lauded as a "baseball Edison" for his ability to find talent. The best player on the team, however, was his 22-year-old brother, George, who played shortstop and finished the 1869 season with a .633 batting average and 49 home runs.

The Red Stockings' high socks and knee-length pants combination began a tradition of socks-over-pants in baseball that continues to this day. While the socks-over-pants look has evolved over time, with the addition of stirrups and sanitaries in the 20th century, the basic style of high socks and short pants remains a signature of baseball uniforms.

MLB's first official sock provider is Stance

In 2016, Stance became the first official sock provider for Major League Baseball (MLB). Stance is known for its bold sock designs and unique style, infusing art and science into a previously boring sock category.

The partnership with MLB was a significant moment in the history of socks and baseball. It brought a brand-new look to the All-Star Week in July at San Diego's Petco Park, with players donning colourful and stylish Stance socks at the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game. This event also signalled a high-sock renaissance, with expectations that more players would follow suit and show off their socks.

The deal with Stance provided an opportunity to bring something fresh and authentic to the sport while still respecting its roots. MLB players and fans now have a wide range of stylistic options, including stripes, blocks of colour, and intricate patterns. The socks also feature team-specific designs, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers' bright blue socks with palm trees, the Mets' socks with the New York skyline, and the Pirates' socks with the famed Clemente Bridge.

Stance's co-founder and chief product officer, Taylor Shupe, emphasised the importance of socks, stating that they had been a forgotten piece of apparel, despite their role in providing comfort, function, and protection for the foot. Stance's innovative approach to sock design and their collaboration with MLB have elevated the status of socks in baseball, making them a fashionable and functional part of the players' uniforms.

Socks serve a protective function for baseball players

Socks are an important part of the baseball uniform, and they serve several functions, including protection, performance, and grip.

The socks' high rise offers extra padding and cushioning around the shin and calf, protecting players from the impact of ground balls, cleats, and collisions. This extra padding shields players from potential impacts and reduces the risk of injury. The snug fit of baseball socks around the calf also stabilizes the lower leg, further reducing the likelihood of ankle sprains and other injuries.

Baseball socks are also made from moisture-wicking materials like cotton blends or synthetic fibres, which help draw sweat away from the skin, keeping players comfortable and dry. Additionally, the ribbed texture on the footbed of baseball socks provides extra grip inside the cleat, preventing slippage and aiding in quick direction changes.

The style of baseball socks has evolved over time, from the early days of long pants and invisible socks to the introduction of knee-length pants and high socks in the late 1860s by the Cincinnati Baseball Club. This new uniform design was a hit with audiences, and it was soon adopted by other teams, becoming a hallmark of the baseball uniform.

Today, most baseball players wear over-the-calf socks that provide maximum protection and support for the shins and calves. The choice between wearing high or low socks is often a matter of personal preference and style, with some players opting for a mix of both.

In summary, baseball socks are not just a fashion statement but also serve a protective function, helping to shield players from impacts, reduce injuries, and keep them comfortable and dry during play.

The high sock is on the rise, with 20% of players showing off their hosiery

The high sock is making a comeback in Major League Baseball, with 20% of players now choosing to show off their hosiery. This is a significant shift from the style of the early 2010s, when only 4-6% of players wore high socks, and long, baggy pants were the norm.

The rise of the high sock in MLB is due to a combination of factors. Firstly, Stance, the official sock provider for the league since 2016, has exponentially increased the stylistic options available to players, offering multiple designs including stripes, blocks of colour, and intricate patterns. Players are clearly embracing this new variety, with some teams even experimenting with multiple different sock designs.

Secondly, current streetwear trends favour tighter, more fitted pants, both on and off the field. This makes it easier for players to hitch their pants up and show off their socks. Relaxed rules regarding on-field cleats may also be a contributing factor, as players are now more likely to hitch up their pants and display their calves.

Finally, a new generation of superstars is taking over the league, and these players want to express their personalities and fashion sense both on and off the field. The high sock trend allows them to do this, and also helps to forge a connection between the players, the fans, and the city they represent. For example, the Dodgers have socks featuring palm trees, the Mets have socks with the New York skyline, and the Pirates have socks with the famed Clemente Bridge.

The high sock trend in MLB is not just popular with players, but also with fans. Many fans are choosing to purchase the same on-field socks as their favourite players, rather than opting for the casual line. This shows that high socks are not just a trend among players, but also among the wider baseball community.

The socks-over-pants look originated as a fashion statement

The socks-over-pants look in baseball started as a fashion statement. The trend was kickstarted by the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1868, who decided to wear knee-length pants with high, red socks. This look was inspired by the cricket uniform, as the team owner, George Ellard, was a cricket fan. The new uniform was a hit, and soon, other teams like the Chicago White Stockings and the Boston Red Sox followed suit, making long socks a hallmark of the baseball uniform.

The baseball uniform has evolved since then, and by 1905, the traditional sock had given way to colourful stirrup socks. These were layered over plain sanitary socks, which were believed to protect players from blood poisoning in case of an injury. The stirrup socks added flair and colour to the uniform, and the combination of socks and stirrups became a beloved tradition in baseball.

While the socks-over-pants look originated as a fashion statement, it also served a practical purpose. In the early days of baseball, socks provided extra padding and cushioning, protecting players from ground balls, cleats, and collisions. They also had a performance benefit, with the tight fit improving stability and helping players feel more connected to their movements.

Over time, the socks-over-pants look became a defining feature of baseball uniforms, with fans eagerly snapping up socks to emulate their favourite players. While some players have opted for full-length pants in recent years, the traditional short pants with colourful socks remain a popular choice, with many fans appreciating the nod to baseball's history.

The socks-over-pants trend is not unique to baseball and has also appeared in fashion more broadly. In the 1980s and 1990s, it was common to see people wearing colourful socks pulled up over their jeans. More recently, celebrities have been spotted wearing crew socks with leggings, and the socks-over-pants look has even appeared on runways and street style blogs. While some may view this trend as a bold fashion statement, others may consider it a faux pas. Ultimately, fashion is subjective, and the key is to wear it with confidence if you choose to give it a try.

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