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The idea was good. The execution, not so much.
The Phillies announced on Monday that the team will wear these alternate red jerseys in six games in 2016.
New red Phillies jerseys. Go crazy. pic.twitter.com/Y2jMtnSOYU
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) February 1, 2016
An official press release by the team said the new jersey will make its regular-season debut on Thursday, April 14 in their 1:05 pm game against the San Diego Padres. The jerseys will be worn an additional five times, all of them mid-week day games, a.k.a., Business Persons Specials.
David Buck, Phils' senior vice president of Marketing and Advertising Sales said...
"We're excited to bring a new, colorful look to Citizens Bank Park this year. We have great respect for the history of our uniform, so by going with a simple, classic design, we feel we've been able to balance a new look with our storied tradition."
This is the first time since 1979 the team has worn red jerseys during a regular season game, and the previous effort was short-lived. They were called Saturday Night Special uniforms, with Phils' players in all burgundy from head-to-toe.
Phillies haven’t worn red in the regular season since… OH GOD. pic.twitter.com/JLaXKmVIoQ
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) February 1, 2016
Look, it's great the Phils want to mix up their jersey palate a little bit. Adding additional alternates means extra revenue for the team (if you want to buy one, click it here) and it gives fans something to talk about.
Unfortunately, these all-red jerseys seem a bit uninspired and, dare I say, a little too red.
Why not incorporate something of the city's history on the alternate? Why not, instead of having the word P-H-I-L-L-I-E-S on the front, put a picture of the Liberty Bell in blue over the heart? Or a picture of Billy Penn on top of City Hall? Something a little different?
Reactions to the unveiling were swift and, mostly, negative.
@FelskeFiles They look like spring training jerseys
— JimMacKayOnAir (@JimMacKayOnAir) February 1, 2016
@FelskeFiles why can’t we just go back to something with the powder blue and maroon if they want an extra jersey?
— Brian Rosenwald (@brianros1) February 1, 2016
@FelskeFiles it looks like they recycled batting practice jerseys from 1992
— Jeff Rendell (@jeffrendell) February 1, 2016
@FelskeFiles Looks like a bad knock off jersey you'd see on display in a Target
— Matt Mizanin (@BroadStPhanatic) February 1, 2016
@FelskeFiles I like the current red BP jerseys, if they went with those I'd be OK, these are not good
— Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) February 1, 2016
@FelskeFiles They’re bad
— JD (@DatDudeJD) February 1, 2016
@FelskeFiles @MattGelb they are VERY ugly. Wish they just went with the old batting practice reds. pic.twitter.com/r2fj2wOoPA
— Kyle (@kgeich) February 1, 2016
@FelskeFiles @MattGelb it's like a 1991 red Corvette -- it was barely cool then.
— Jim McCormick (@_JimmyMcCormick) February 1, 2016
It wasn't all bad though.
@FelskeFiles @MattGelb I think they're nice. Nothing special, very similar to the BP jersey, but certainly not awful.
— msk (@themagneticfool) February 1, 2016
Now that the Phils have gone this route, there are only four teams left in baseball that does not have a colored alternate jersey: The Yankees, Tigers, Cardinals and Dodgers.
But hey, this was a good idea, Phillies. A really nice try. This just seemed to fall flat is all.