Should managers wear the jerseys?

[The Czech Republic]

People occasionally bitch that baseball managers and other associated personnel are wearing uniforms and caps and everything. The argument being that football coaches don't dress in their team uniforms, basketball and hockey coaches don't, so why are Lou Piniella and Bobby Cox still squeezing into jerseys?

 

Personally, I like it. It's a cool piece of tradition that should stick around. It lends more solidarity to the team to have everyone in the dugout dressed alike, all the way down to the batboy. It wouldn't be the same if the managers just wore suits or polo shirts with the team logo and a pair of khakis. Also, a suit could be hot as hell.

 

So what do you think?

[razazteca]

Larry Brown in sport jerseys are so wrong. Remember the press conference when he wore the Tampa Bay Lightning jersey?

[Der Kommissar]

It works in baseball. I can't exactly see it in other sports. Football coaches wearing a jersey, pads, and helmet? Basketball coaches in a tank top and shorts? A hockey coach wearing a jersey and helmet? It would just look way too silly for me.

[The Czech Republic]

Just to re-iterate, this refers specifically to baseball managers retaining their traditional garb. If the Expos move to Washington, having the rest of the staff dress up would certainly set them apart from the other teams.

[razazteca]

No problem with the baseball managers wearing jerseys........its grandfathered in. Besides you can't fight the union and win in baseball.

[Highland]

Also, the baseball jersey wears like a jacket, and they don't wear padding underneath so it looks more casual than a manager trying to wear a football uniform.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yes. They're walking around the dugout amidst a concoction of spit, tobacco juice, sunflower seeds, and whatever else, not to mention walking on the field.

[EVIL~! alkeiper]

I've never seen where managers wearing the uniform was any problem at all. In addition, it helps to identify them via uniform numbers, and by their team.

 

As for tradition, its worth noting that Connie Mack managed in a coat and tie.

[Vern Gagne]

By rule a manager or coach has to be in uniform in order to enter the field of play.