Baseball has long been known for its traditional style and classic look. Part of this look is the iconic stirrup socks that many players have donned throughout the years. But with modern fashion trends, do any MLB players still wear stirrups?
The History of Stirrups in MLB
Stirrups have been a part of the MLB look since the early 1900s. The traditional look was made popular by players like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb who wore white sanitary socks with stripes of their respective team colors up the leg. The stirrup look was so popular that in the 1970s, teams even began selling replicas of the socks in their team stores.
The stirrup is a classic look that has remained popular in the Major Leagues for over a century. But recently, more players have begun to transition away from the traditional look.
The Decline of Stirrups in MLB
In recent years, the stirrup look has begun to fade away as more and more players opt for a more modern style. There are a few reasons for this shift away from the traditional look.
First, some players find the stirrups to be uncomfortable. The fabric of the socks is known to ride up and bunch, which can be irritating during a game. Additionally, some players find the length of the socks to be too long and prefer a shorter style.
Second, the stirrup look is considered to be outdated and outdated fashion trends are often disregarded. In the face of modern fashion trends, players tend to be more interested in new looks rather than the traditional stirrup style.
Third, the stirrup look is thought to be less practical for players. Since stirrups are not as stretchy as other sock styles, they can be more restrictive and limit movement. This can be especially problematic for players who need to be able to move quickly and freely while playing.
Finally, many players simply don’t like the look of the stirrup. The thick stripes can be distracting and can make it difficult to focus on the game.
Which Players Still Wear Stirrups?
Despite the decline of the stirrup look in MLB, there are still some players who prefer the traditional style. Some of the players who still wear stirrups include:
• Justin Verlander – The Houston Astros pitcher is known for wearing the classic style.
• Dustin Pedroia – The former Boston Red Sox player is often seen wearing the traditional look.
• Buster Posey – The San Francisco Giants catcher is a fan of the traditional style.
• David Price – The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher is known for wearing the look.
• Robinson Cano – The New York Mets second baseman is often seen sporting the stirrup style.
Conclusion
The traditional stirrup look is a classic style that has been part of baseball for over a century. However, modern trends and comfort concerns have caused many players to transition away from the look. Despite this, there are still some players who prefer the traditional style and choose to wear stirrups on the field.