LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: A detailed view of a Los Angeles Dodgers hat and catching glove is seen on the dugout steps during the sixth inning of the MLB game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Pirates 6-2. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
If you thought Major League Baseball merchandise and apparel was expensive before, think again.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers revealed their newest collection, a collaboration between New Era and Off-White, the luxury label founded by the late Virgil Abloh.
The offering and price points are about as confounding as Rob Manfred still being the commissioner of baseball.
MLB unveiled a collaboration with Off-White and New Era featuring Off-White's meteor holes
Hats cost $260 T-Shirts cost $355 Hoodies cost $630 Jerseys cost $1,030 pic.twitter.com/mqdwmhZggS
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) June 16, 2022
Somewhere, Chris Sale is aggressively opening and closing a pair of scissors.
These "Off-White" MLB jerseys with holes in them are worth $1,030 pic.twitter.com/gz9AbafsJG
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 16, 2022
This isn’t the first time Off-White has ventured into sportswear. Their many collaborations include Nike, Converse, and Champion. But with all due respect to the extremely talented Abloh, who passed away after a very private battle with cancer in November 2021, this collection is bafflingly out of touch. Between the several streaming packages, tickets, concessions, and merchandise, MLB is already getting too expensive for the everyday consumer. Nothing says “We’re a relatable, family sport” like baseball caps that cost more than ballpark tickets for a family of four and jerseys that cost a month’s rent in most states and have holes right over the nipple area.
On the other hand, it is very America’s Pastime to make things worse and more expensive.
But it’s not just the pricing; it’s the absurdity of being up-charged just to own regular baseball merchandise that comes with gaping holes. Typically, you’d return an item if it arrived in the mail looking like this. Furthermore, the design is far from sophisticated; as many commenters noted on social media, this is absolutely a look one can replicate at home with a pair of sharp shears.
I’m sure there’s a small market for this collection, but it certainly isn’t me, and probably isn’t most baseball fans.
If you like the style, save the $1,000 and get to work with the scissors.
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