MLB as fashion police not good for baseball

“That was about as embarrassed as I’ve been in a long time, for baseball.”

So said Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona last week after he was called into the clubhouse runway during the second inning of the Yankee game on Wednesday by Major League Baseball security personnel who wanted to make sure he was wearing his official uniform top under his pullover jacket.

“When Derek Jeter is on second base and I got somebody coming from the league making me go down the runway, I was a little perturbed,” said Francona.

He should be.

“I have never seen anything like that before in my life, “said Francona. “Middle of the game you’ve got the fashion police. This is incredible.”

Francona had been contacted by MLB earlier in the month about the matter. On Wednesday, when the recent incident occurred, he had talked with MLB vice president Bob Watson at the game and showed him he was wearing the proper top.

Yankee manager Joe Torre said he got a warning letter about the same thing.

“You’d think there’d be more important things to do this time of year than do Mickey Mouse stuff like that,” said Torre. “It’s a farce, I think. I really do.”

All of this is good for a laugh, but leaves you shaking your head at what’s going on. In fairness to MLB, there is a problem.

All sports leagues have become increasingly concerned about what’s being worn on the field.

The first problem are players wearing gear that they promote for money, but is not approved wear in the league. That was not the issue with Francona, but is part of the reason for the clamp-down check.

Next, players in many leagues now wear their uniforms in ways that some find disrespectful to the game. Baseball has the pants wrapped around players’ heels; basketball has the trunks that have enough material for a tent and are worn lower than the athletic supporter.

Football is always dealing with decals on helmets and jerseys that are not approved by the league.

All of this is why MLB is trying to insure that the mandated “uniform” is worn during games. Sadly, it is easier to go after the managers as an example instead of taking on players, many of whom could care less.

Francona said, “I don’t want to disrespect the game. At the same time I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

Pulling Franconia from the dugout during a game is inexcusable.

Bob Watson said after learning of Francona talking about the issue, “I’m not talking about that and I’m disappointed that they talked about it. And there will be something said about that. That’s in house.”

Well, it should be in house, but when you’re pulling the manager away from the game to peak under his pullover, it’s not in house any more.

Major League Baseball has a real problem, and it’s not the uniform.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.