The 2024 MLB All-Star Game is nearly upon us, and with that comes the photos, videos and interviews trickling out from Workout Day at Globe Life Field. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman and now eight-time All-Star Bryce Harper isn't one to shy away from speaking his mind, even at an event like the Midsummer Classic.
One of the biggest ongoing controversies that inevitably comes up at this time every year is the All-Star uniforms. Ever since MLB started using All-Star Game uniforms in the game, fans have supported reverting back to how it used to be for the majority of All-Star Games, with players donning their own uniforms.
Apparently, the fans aren't alone.
Bryce Harper wants to make a wildly popular change to the All-Star Game
According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, on Monday, Harper said he'd like to see MLB return to the tradition of having players wear their team uniforms for the All-Star Game.
"The Nike All-Star uniforms are not a big hit for everyone," Shaikin wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "Growing up, Bryce Harper said he loved watching All-Stars take the field in their team uniforms."
The starting NL first baseman would like the change to the All-Star Game uniforms.
“If we could change back to that,” Harper said, per Shaikin, “I think it would be really cool.”
How can you blame Harper for feeling this way after seeing the Phillies' All-Star contingent on the field in Arlington? While they're missing Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suárez, who won't be pitching due to back issues, the six Phillies in attendance look uber-sharp in their red pinstripes and All-Star hats.
Lookin' good, @Phillies 🔔 pic.twitter.com/lNCuer5KNH
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2024
Players wearing special uniforms in the game is only a relatively recent change, so there's no long-standing tradition of game-worn All-Star uniforms. MLB introduced All-Star uniforms in 1997, which were only worn in peripheral events like the Home Run Derby. In 2018 and 2019, players wore All-Star jerseys for Workout Day but regular uniforms during the derby and the game.
In 2021, MLB switched to having players wear their All-Star uniforms during the game. Now, going into the fourth year, the special All-Star Game jerseys still haven't been accepted by many baseball fans.
Unfortunately, Harper may be barking up the wrong tree here. But we can hope that one day we'll get to see the red pinstripes in All-Star Game action again.