The Los Angeles Dodgers became the latest Major League Baseball organization to release their “City Connect” alternate uniforms on Thursday. The NL West club joined a handful of other teams in announcing the highly anticipated line of Nike jerseys this season.
However, the franchise’s new release left many fans disappointed and in awe of an obviously missed opportunity.
The Dodgers opted to stick with their iconic blue jerseys with white, script lettering in the new “City Connect” uniforms. The organization also decided to pay homage to their widespread Latinx fanbase by writing “Los Dodgers” on both the shirts and the hats.
The Los Angeles ballclub revealed their alternate uniforms in a series of tweets on Thursday.
“Viva Los Dodgers is more than just a cheer heard throughout Dodger Stadium, it’s part of our identity, and now proudly worn across the front of our jersey — celebrating our fans and our culture,” the team said in a statement, per USA Today. “The Dodgers are part of the fabric of Los Angeles, and these jerseys represent our strength drawn from our passion, pride, and diversity.”
We are Los Angeles, somos Los Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/RP7t5nPLpC
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 19, 2021
For over six decades, Angelenos have been united by a team, a dream and a color. Whether you refer to that color as blue or azul, we all share a connection and an allegiance to a team that inspires our art and story. We are Los Angeles, somos Los Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/Iba5mt12rE
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 19, 2021
Although the Dodgers clearly wanted to recognize the long history of Latinx communities in the city of Los Angeles, many baseball fans weren’t entirely pleased with the new uniforms. A few loyal supporters reminded baseball lovers around the country that Latinx fans in LA commonly refer to their team as “Los Doyers”, not “Los Dodgers.”
According to a report from The Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers do hold the trademark to “Los Doyers”, meaning there would be no legal measure preventing that name from going on the new alternate jerseys. Nike did not respond to the L.A. Times request for comment.
As a result, many Latinx fans took to Twitter to express their frustration at the team’s new City Connect uniforms.
THE DODGERS OWN THE TRADEMARK FOR “LOS DOYERS” AND NIKE STILL DIDNT USE IT!!! https://t.co/zfNwLU9636
— Lil Masa X (@fidmart85) August 19, 2021
If you’re really trying to “connect with the city,” then you make it “Los Doyers.” These are so lazy.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) August 19, 2021
Latino fans commonly refer to the team as “Los Doyers” and have created unlicensed merchandise featuring the phrase. The Dodgers hold the trademark to “Los Doyers.” Nike officials declined to say why “Los Doyers” was not used on the “City Connect” jersey.https://t.co/XHbINxxoQT pic.twitter.com/zooIRyaEhB
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) August 19, 2021
Can’t believe they missed the opportunity to do “Los Doyers”. Would’ve been the easiest purchase I’ve ever made. https://t.co/Pe07XcJoTQ
— Hedont Missoğlu 🅙 (@Trevor2g) August 19, 2021
Lotsa chatter about this today. “Los Doyers” wudda been better if you want to connect with this city and #Dodgers fans. Trademark argument doesn’t fly given that Nike seems to have used “Doyers” in the past.https://t.co/Gdj91QOFdw
— David Wharton (@LATimesWharton) August 19, 2021
Nike spelled Los Doyers wrong. https://t.co/dkMSQlEx4D
— Dan Alegria (@danalegriajr) August 19, 2021
Despite the missed opportunity for the Dodgers to fully embrace their Latinx fans by putting “Los Doyers” on their new alternate uniforms, a handful of fans still loved that the jerseys incorporated the classic elements of the team’s normal apparel.
Approved. I love them. @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/PMOCIjws0M
— SCOTT WARNER (@ScottWarner18) August 19, 2021
I see a lot of ppl wanting the City Connect unis to say “Los Doyers”. They did trademark it and Nike has produced merch with “Los Doyers” on it, BUT the iconic “Dodgers” script is a big reason why the Dodgers uniforms is one of the best in all of sports, so I’m cool with it. pic.twitter.com/EBXLR5oDyX
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) August 19, 2021
The Dodgers will wear the alternate uniforms on Friday and Saturday this weekend in their series against the New York Mets.
The post MLB World Reacts To The Dodgers’ New Uniforms appeared first on The Spun.
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