Why do MLB Managers Wear Uniforms?
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by Rawbeezeitz
During the Red Sox/Yankees series, Terry Francona was inspected by MLB's minions in order to ensure he had his uniform shirt underneath his customary pullover jacket. He didn't. In fact, he almost never does.
It's Major League policy that all managers and coaches must wear their uniforms while in the dugout or on the field during a game. The only personnel in the dugout who do not have to wear uniforms are trainers, and stadium staff/security.
Why?
I don't rightly know why this rule is in place and can't think of a good reason for it to be in place. I guess it keeps a tradition alive, and baseball is a game of tradition, but Connie Mack didn't wear a uniform while managing, he wore a suit. And if the only reason why managers and coaches have to wear uniforms is to keep alive a tradition, then I feel like it is time to break with that tradition.
Managers and coaches usually are out of shape, getting old, growing pudgy, becoming less and less athletic with every year. Yet there they sit on benches across the country, with their belts buckled, and their shirts tucked in. They don't look very comfortable in their attire. And it isn't very comfortable for the spectator to see them in said attire.
Even coaches that aren't out of shape, like Terry Francona or Joe Torre, are probably more comfortable wearing something besides a uniform. And then there are guys you don't see ever come out of the dugout, like hitting coaches, bench coaches, and bullpen coaches (they don't leave the bullpen). Why do these guys need a uniform to sit on the bench?
I think it's time that Major League Baseball adopted a policy like the NFL's, and made it so coaches can wear team apparel of their choice during games. We already know who they are, they don't need numbers and jerseys to be recognized. They won't be playing second base, or pinch hitting. They simply look ridiculous in uniforms, and it's time the MLB grew up and let them wear jackets, or polos, or something more comfortable.
