Why baseball managers wear uniforms

[Doomsday101]

(CNN) -- What sports fan can ever forget it?

The stirring sight, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, of the Packers charging out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field alongside their legendary leader, Vince Lombardi, who is wearing a football jersey, shoulder pads and a helmet as he prepares to coach his squad to another victory.

Or the heroic vision of Coach Phil Jackson with the members of the Chicago Bulls, or the Los Angeles Lakers, gathered around him during a timeout as, wearing his usual game-day attire of shorts, gym shoes and a sleeveless basketball jersey with a number on the front, he maps out on a clipboard the next series of plays for his team to run.

What? You say you don't remember scenes like those? You never saw Coach Lombardi on the sidelines dressed like a football fullback, and you never saw Coach Jackson giving instructions to his players while dressed like a point guard?

That's because it didn't happen. National Basketball Association coaches dress in street clothes; so do National Football League coaches (albeit with team logos).

But -- as you have undoubtedly noticed anew if you've been watching the World Series -- baseball managers don't. They dress like their players, and it's been such an integral part of baseball for so long that fans seldom ask themselves why.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/23/opinion/greene-baseball-manager-uniforms/index.html?hpt=hp_bn9

[Doomsday101]

Some people believe that baseball's rules mandate this, although the only rule touching on it -- Rule 1:11(a) (1) -- says: "All players on a team shall wear uniforms identical in color, trim and style, and all players uniforms shall include minimal six-inch numbers on their backs." Nothing about what a manager must wear.

[REDVOLUTION]

Just a thought.


Alot of baseball managers were former pro players.

Many football coaches probably never played (professionally)

Basketball - same as football

[Doomsday101]

Just a thought.


Alot of baseball managers were former pro players.

Many football coaches probably never played (professionally)

Basketball - same as football

I don't know I can think of many of the NFL coaches who have played and same in the NBA.


I think it is just tradition but there is something funny about a 70 year old coach dressed up like a baseball player. :laugh2:

Then again maybe the NFL and NBA need to start doing this. I would get a kick out of seeing some of the NFL coaches in uniform. :laugh2:

[REDVOLUTION]

I don't know I can think of many of the NFL coaches who have played and same in the NBA.


I think it is just tradition but there is something funny about a 70 year old coach dressed up like a baseball player. :laugh2:

Then again maybe the NFL and NBA need to start doing this. I would get a kick out of seeing some of the NFL coaches in uniform. :laugh2:



Oh, no doubt :laugh2:



I still think that more baseball coaches were former pro players... especially catchers.

[Stautner]

It may have something to do with some coaches (base coaches) actually having an active role in the game, and I assume in the early days of MLB the managers may have handled base coaching duty the way minor league managers still do.

[Hostile]

It is time to review George Carlin's discussion of baseball and football.

qmXacL0Uny0

[Stautner]

It is time to review George Carlin's discussion of baseball and football.

qmXacL0Uny0

Always loved this bit. Thanks for the laugh

[Biggems]

back in the olden days of baseball, weren't there a lot of player/coaches? If so, it makes sense that a manager would wear the uniform, in case he had to call upon himself to bat or play in the field.

[ShiningStar]

I thought it was because baseball managers can go on the field and the other coaches cant.

[Doomsday101]

back in the olden days of baseball, weren't there a lot of player/coaches? If so, it makes sense that a manager would wear the uniform, in case he had to call upon himself to bat or play in the field.

Yes but long long time ago. Now days? well tell me the last time you seen a coach take the field? :laugh2:

[Sam I Am]

Yes but long long time ago. Now days? well tell me the last time you seen a coach take the field? :laugh2:

Was Pete Rose the last one?

I heard that Kenny Williams (White Sox GM) considered making Paul Konerko one before hiring Robin Ventura.

[Doomsday101]

Was Pete Rose the last one?

I heard that Kenny Williams (White Sox GM) considered making Paul Konerko one before hiring Robin Ventura.

Good call. I looked it up and saw that Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989.

So you called it right

[Doomsday101]

On a similar note
Dan Reeves was also a player/coach in Dallas

Reeves’ coaching career began when he joined the Dallas coaching staff in 1970, taking on a dual role as player/coach for three seasons. He was a full-time offensive backfield coach in 1972 and spent 1973 in private business before rejoining the staff again as backfield coach in 1974. He accepted the job of offensive coordinator in 1977

http://www.danreeves.co/biography/

[bbgun]

I've always wondered why pitchers avoid single digit uni numbers. There's no rule against it.

[Stautner]

Yes but long long time ago. Now days? well tell me the last time you seen a coach take the field? :laugh2:
Every game - in the 3rd or 1st bse coaches box. That's not playing, but it is active participation on the field of play.

[Sam I Am]

Every game - in the 3rd or 1st bse coaches box. That's not playing, but it is active participation on the field of play.

You didn't just do that. :laugh2:

[Stautner]

You didn't just do that. :laugh2:

Well, I know that isn't what Doomsday was referring to, but it's still true.

I do, however, believe that part of the reason for coaches/managers wearing uniforms is that they spend some time on the field and take some active participation (base coaching, throwing BP and hitting fungo before the game, etc). In other sports the coaches have no physuically active role in the game or in warm ups.

[Doomsday101]

Every game - in the 3rd or 1st bse coaches box. That's not playing, but it is active participation on the field of play.

But it is not playing as you said. It just looks funny when you have a 60 year old coach dressed up like a player something we just don't see in any other sports. I don't see any other sports where the coaches wearing a uniform when you get down to it, it is just tradition

[Stautner]

But it is not playing as you said. It just looks funny when you have a 60 year old coach dressed up like a player something we just don't see in any other sports. I don't see any other sports where the coaches wearing a uniform when you get down to it, it is just tradition

Tradition obviously is a big part of it, no question about that. Nevertheless, it is also true that other sports don't require a coach to be on the field of play taking action to influence a play in progress. Also other sports don't require a coach to take a physically active role in pre game activities.

[bbgun]

Tradition obviously is a big part of it, no question about that. Nevertheless, it is also true that other sports don't require a coach to be on the field of play taking action to influence a play in progress. Also other sports don't require a coach to take a physically active role in pre game activities.

:confused:

What physical pre-game role are baseball mangers performing, other than chewing the fat with reporters or leaning against the batting cage?

[Doomsday101]

Tradition obviously is a big part of it, no question about that. Nevertheless, it is also true that other sports don't require a coach to be on the field of play taking action to influence a play in progress. Also other sports don't require a coach to take a physically active role in pre game activities.

True other coaches are on the sideline but even if we are talking a 1st base or 3 base coaching box I don't see where that has anything to do with wearing a uniform.

As for the active role during pre game like what? Throwing a baseball for batting practice? Defensive coaches throw footballs for LB and DB work out during the pre game workout.

When you get down to it there is really no reason other than it is a tradition and like many things in baseball it is not going to change tradition has always been a big part of the game

[Stautner]

True other coaches are on the sideline but even if we are talking a 1st base or 3 base coaching box I don't see where that has anything to do with wearing a uniform.

As for the active role during pre game like what? Throwing a baseball for batting practice? Defensive coaches throw footballs for LB and DB work out during the pre game workout.

When you get down to it there is really no reason other than it is a tradition and like many things in baseball it is not going to change tradition has always been a big part of the game

But the 1st and 3rd base coaches are actually on the field of play, and very likely anyone on the field of play while the game is in progress is required to wear a uniform. Aisde from that, a suit and tie isn't very practical for the job they do, and sweats and a t-shirt isn't very professional. What would you have them wear?

And yes, throwing BP, and hitting fungo is active, and therefor clothing that is appropriate and funtional for that purpose is required.

As for football coaches, I still have no idea how anyone could call that an appropriate comparison. A baseball uniform is functional for what baseball coaches do, whereas a football uniform is not.

Again, I agree with the fact that tradition plays a big part, but to say that is the only reason is plain wrong. A baseball uniform is both funtional and professionally acceptible for what baseball coaches do.

[Sam I Am]

:confused:

What physical pre-game role are baseball mangers performing, other than chewing the fat with reporters or leaning against the batting cage?

Ron Washington throws batting practice sometimes. They also hit balls for fielding practice. You got goes like Joe Torre who can't physically do it, but there are coaches that still do. As noted, Ron Washington does. While he is the team's manager, he is also still their infield coach.

[Stautner]

Ron Washington throws batting practice sometimes. They also hit balls for fielding practice. You got goes like Joe Torre who can't physically do it, but there are coaches that still do. As noted, Ron Washington does. While he is the team's manager, he is also still their infield coach.

Don't people understand that someone is out there throwing BP and hitting fungo before every game, and that while coaching a base isn't grueling physically, it does require a lot of movement and activity at points in the game, especially at 3rd base. Sure they could wear sweats, but that wouldn't be professional, and as I said before, my guess is that the rules don't allow someone on the field while the game is in progress unless they have a uniform on.

Again, the uniform is not only part of baseball tradition, but it is also practical and functional for what baseball coaches do. If that weren't so I imagine the tradition would have changed over the years.

[Doomsday101]

But the 1st and 3rd base coaches are actually on the field of play, and very likely anyone on the field of play while the game is in progress is required to wear a uniform. Aisde from that, a suit and tie isn't very practical for the job they do, and sweats and a t-shirt isn't very professional. What would you have them wear?

And yes, throwing BP, and hitting fungo is active, and therefor clothing that is appropriate and funtional for that purpose is required.

As for football coaches, I still have no idea how anyone could call that an appropriate comparison. A baseball uniform is functional for what baseball coaches do, whereas a football uniform is not.

Again, I agree with the fact that tradition plays a big part, but to say that is the only reason is plain wrong. A baseball uniform is both funtional and professionally acceptible for what baseball coaches do.

NFL coaches are also active during warm ups, they don't wear suites they wear slacks and normally a shirt with the team logo on it but they don't wear a football jersey and pants and again being on 3rd or 1st so what they are not playing in the game they could easily wear what most football coaches are wearing on the sidelines.

Really there is no reason I see other than it is a tradition in baseball they choose to wear a baseball uniform there are no rules that says they have to

[Sam I Am]

The manager is part of the team. He should wear the uniform.

A head coach isn't going to be wearing shoulder pads, so he doesn't need to wear their uniforms.

In hockey the same applies.

Soccer is a 3rd would country sport. They can't afford to buy the coach a uniform too. :muttley:

[Stautner]

NFL coaches are also active during warm ups, they don't wear suites they wear slacks and normally a shirt with the team logo on it but they don't wear a football jersey and pants and again being on 3rd or 1st so what they are not playing in the game they could easily wear what most football coaches are wearing on the sidelines.

Really there is no reason I see other than it is a tradition in baseball they choose to wear a baseball uniform there are no rules that says they have to

I still don't get the apples to apples you think there is between football and baseball. We aren't talking about a coach wearing a faacsimile of a uniform that really isn't a uniform like you are talking about if a football coach were to wear a jersey and pants, we are talking about wearing the actual uniform. The point is wearing the actual uniform makes no sense in football, but it is a practical way to dress for a baseball coach.

As for the on field coaches in baseball, of course they aren't playing in the game, but they darn sure are active participants in the game unilike coaches in other sports. I don't see how you can't understand the distinction. In every other sport the coach is not on the field, and the coach has no influence on a play once the play begins. In baseball there are coaches actually on the field while the play is in progress, making decisions for team, reacting to the action, and directing his team to move and act as he instructs. There are no football coaches on the field telling Romo who to throw to, or telling Murray what hole to run to, but in baseball there are coaches on the field telling players what to do. Why is it so hard to believe that MLB might direct that any active participant on the field wear a uniform?

As for being active pregame, in football the players are the ones throwign the passes, running the routes, and kicking the ball, and the coach verbally gives direction. In baseball the coaches are throwing the batting practice, hitting the ground balls, hitting the fly balls, and doing so in 100 heat and doing it for 162 games a season. What you wear to do your job comes into play a lot more doing this over and over 162 times than it does 16 times.

[Doomsday101]

I still don't get the apples to apples you think there is between football and baseball. We aren't talking about a coach wearing a faacsimile of a uniform that really isn't a uniform like you are talking about if a football coach were to wear a jersey and pants, we are talking about wearing the actual uniform. The point is wearing the actual uniform makes no sense in football, but it is a practical way to dress for a baseball coach.

As for the on field coaches in baseball, of course they aren't playing in the game, but they darn sure are active participants in the game unilike coaches in other sports. I don't see how you can't understand the distinction. In every other sport the coach is not on the field, and the coach has no influence on a play once the play begins. In baseball there are coaches actually on the field while the play is in progress, making decisions for team, reacting to the action, and directing his team to move and act as he instructs. There are no football coaches on the field telling Romo who to throw to, or telling Murray what hole to run to, but in baseball there are coaches on the field telling players what to do. Why is it so hard to believe that MLB might direct that any active participant on the field wear a uniform?

As for being active pregame, in football the players are the ones throwign the passes, running the routes, and kicking the ball, and the coach verbally gives direction. In baseball the coaches are throwing the batting practice, hitting the ground balls, hitting the fly balls, and doing so in 100 heat and doing it for 162 games a season. What you wear to do your job comes into play a lot more doing this over and over 162 times than it does 16 times.

There no more active than any other coach. I have no problem with them wearing what ever they want but when you get right down to it, it really is nothing but tradition. You talk about the assistant coaches doing work with the players before the game well so do NFL assistant coaches and they wear their team colors and what I would call coaches pants (not really slacks).

If you go through the artical that I posted with the thread people involved can't come up with a legit explanation other than it's baseball. There was a time where many managed and played but as they time ended the tradition continued

[Stautner]

There no more active than any other coach. I have no problem with them wearing what ever they want but when you get right down to it, it really is nothing but tradition. You talk about the assistant coaches doing work with the players before the game well so do NFL assistant coaches and they wear their team colors and what I would call coaches pants (not really slacks).

If you go through the artical that I posted with the thread people involved can't come up with a legit explanation other than it's baseball. There was a time where many managed and played but as they time ended the tradition continued

I'm baffled. Explain to me what influence Rob Ryan or any football coach for that matter has on a play once the ball is snapped. Tell me what on the field role he plays.

There is simply no way to say a base coach is neither on the field as the game is being played, or that he is not actively controlling a portion of the action as the game is being played. By that I mean mid-play, not just calling a play and watching.

As such, why is it so unbeleiveable that there could be some guideline as to how a base coach needs to be dressed, or that even if there isn't that an active on field participant may find it appropriate to be dressed accordingly?

As for the level of physical activity, meaning the energy exerted, I will easily grant you that NFL coach's are physically active in normal practices, but what you need to understand is that in MLB practice day and game day are the same day. In baseball you don't workout 5-6 days and then play once, practices are every day prior to game time. Baseball coaches have to be dressed to participate in practice time and game time. In fact, many baseball coaches do a lot of the same activities a player may in practice. They warm up their arms, they make throws, they throw batting practice, some catch pitchers in the bullpen who are throwing off day practice sessions, they shag balls in the outfield, hit fungo, field balls and throws to demonstrate technique and footwork, take swings in the cage to demonstrate swing mechanics ..... and at the same time they have to be dressed in a way that is appropriate for the game.

And they have to do it 162 times a year. Seems to me a uniform is not only functional, but convenient for this perpose.

[Hoofbite]

I'd imagine sitting in a baseball uniform 162 days through the hottest and then the most variable temperatures of the year would be a lot more comfortable than sitting in a suit.

Basketball coaches can wear a suit and not have to worry about drenching the thing in the summer humidity.

The NFL is paid to have the coaches wear all that Reebok gear and there are no rain delays so a slop-fest would really make a suit look awesome.

Anything other than a uniform on a manager in Baseball would look far more awkward than the uniform does.

[Stautner]

I'd imagine sitting in a baseball uniform 162 days through the hottest and then the most variable temperatures of the year would be a lot more comfortable than sitting in a suit.

Basketball coaches can wear a suit and not have to worry about drenching the thing in the summer humidity.

The NFL is paid to have the coaches wear all that Reebok gear and there are no rain delays so a slop-fest would really make a suit look awesome.

Anything other than a uniform on a manager in Baseball would look far more awkward than the uniform does.

I agree. It's both traditional, and functional for their needs.

[Stautner]

One additional point about this. A dugout is a different environment than a sideline, and living, eating, sleeping together for 162 games, sometimes not coming home for a couple of weeks at a time, is a different situation than doing it for 16 games where you are home some portion of every week. In addition, while the coaches and manager don't play the game, they do warm up, throw the ball around, swing a bat, shag balls and do many of the same activities that the players do.

A lot has to do with the atmosphere of baseball and the way it is played. It's not the constant intensity without breaks in the action like football where there is no time to for personal relationships to develop as the game is being played, especially with coaches who don't have the luxury of focusing on anything except the next play as the game goes on. The coaches and manager in baseball are always thinking, but they also can chat, crack a few jokes, take a vew minutes to talk about a situation, have an ogoing converstaion, ask about a player's family, etc .... that applies to players and coaches and the manager.

Bottom line I am getting at is that it all adds up to the baseball manager or coach becoming a lot like a teammate in a lot of ways because they live the experience in a very similar way to the players, and they interact with the players in a very similar manner to how they interract with each other. The uniform is part of that atmosphere.