Love ’em or hate ’em, everyone has an opinion on the Mets’ black uniforms.
Certain figures like legendary radio voice Howie Rose think the black jerseys are an abomination. But while black is not a traditional Mets color, I believe these unis should be brought back into rotation.
The 2020 season marks the 20-year anniversary of the 2000 NL pennant winners, and the Mets can honor their past by donning the uniforms most commonly associated with that ballclub.
Connecting with the Past
The primary reason I support the return of the black uniforms is that they evoke a sense of time and place. Just as the pinstriped jerseys with a prominent racing stripe conjure memories of the 1986 season, the black alternates hearken back to a particular era of Mets baseball.
Even if you find the color scheme to be aesthetically unappealing, these uniforms are a nostalgic reminder of some unforgettable Mets moments.
Robin Ventura was wearing black when he hit his iconic “grand slam single,” as was Bobby J. Jones when he one-hit the Giants in the 2000 NLDS and Mike Hampton when he secured the 2000 NL pennant with a shutout.
When Mets fans think of the playoff teams from the late-90s, they picture players like Mike Piazza and Edgardo Alfonzo dressed in black and coming through in the clutch.
More recently, the Mets were sporting their darker alternates when they clinched the NL East division crown in September of 2006. They also wore the black jerseys on the night the world learned of Osama Bin Laden’s death.
That year, 2011, marked the last season in which the black unis were part of the Mets’ uniform rotation. Since then, the club has worn solid blue jerseys with orange piping as their home alternates.
Player Demand
In addition to their nostalgic appeal, the black alternates should be reintroduced to appease the players. Last November, Marcus Stroman voiced his support for reviving these jerseys by tweeting that they were one of his favorite uniform styles of all time. Pete Alonso’s reply, “On Fridays we should wear black,” offered a perfect way to reintroduce this particular color scheme.
Just a few years ago, the Mets paid homage to the ’86 World Series champs by suiting up in throwbacks from that era for Sunday games. Similarly, the club could celebrate the memorable Mets clubs from the late-90s by only wearing the black unis for Friday games at home.
This way, fans of the uniforms will be satisfied while those who despise the duds will only have to see them once in a while.
Heck, I say embrace the throwback theme and play the 2000 victory song “Who Let the Dogs Out” after every Friday home win. There’s no better way to capture the zeitgeist.
Searle’s Final Say
Ultimately, the Mets should wear whatever makes the players feel most confident. Baseball is a sport built around superstition, and the mental aspect of the game can play a critical role in team outcomes. If players like Marcus Stroman, Pete Alonso, Dominic Smith, and J.D. Davis believe that the black uniforms give them an edge, the team can only benefit from donning them more often. Over time, even fans with a distaste for these jerseys may grow to appreciate them.
