The Atlanta Braves have lightened the load on their players ? figuratively and literally.
No longer will player shoulder the burden of carrying the screaming Indian logo, long considered insensitive by some. The left shoulder patch, based on team mascot Chief Nokahoma, has been replaced by pair of crossed tomahawks, the words "Atlanta Braves" and the year "1876" ( the team's first in the National League) on the new-look uniforms.
It just so happens that the new uniforms, which will be minus the tomahawks on the front, are also lighter in weight.
Home run king Hank Aaron, 78, told MLB.com he likes the look and the feel.
"I think I could play a double-header in this,," said Aaron, who played in heavy wool uniforms during much of his career.
The Braves also plan to sport an alternative uniform for weekend home games, featuring cream-colored pants and tops for a nostalgic look.
Chipper Jones, Dan Uggla and Brian McCann modeled the new uniforms Monday at Turner Field. It's the team's first new look in uniforms since 2005 when the Braves added alternate red jerseys. Atlanta will continue to wear the red for Friday night games.
"It's nice to keep things fresh," Jones told MLB.com. "I think everybody was excited a few years ago when we got the new blue uniforms that we wear on the road. The last few years, we've worn the red (jersey) on the weekends. I think the guys really embrace any kind of subtle change, especially one this classy. It harkens back to the days when (Aaron) was terrorizing the big leagues. I'm proud to wear it."
Early fan reaction was mixed. On the Atlanta Journal ?Constitution blog site, though most fans seemed more concerned about wins and losses than politcal correctness. Some wished more money could be poured into acquiring players and less into uniform designs to increase sales of caps and jerseys.
A sampling of a few fans who did comment on the PC factor of the Braves' new look:
- Dave Mott: "I say bring back the screaming chief's head on the sleeve too !! Enough with the PC BS!! That's a cool logo!"
- NativebIrd: "Love the number on the front?.but C'MON you weenie front office Braves managers?put the screaming Mohawk Brave logo on the shoulder!!?THEGreatest baseball logo ever invented!"
- Rob In Fayetteville: "I love the new unis precisely because the tomahawk is missing. This is probably wishful thinking, but I hope this is a first step in getting rid of the tomahawk (and therefore the stupid tomahawk chop and chant) permanently. It got old about, oh, seventeen years ago."
Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories/~3/cLk4HfRtHGY/1
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