Boston Marathon-Themed Red Sox Uniforms? Yes Please.

By: Max Barrios

If you’re more of a traditionalist, you likely won’t favor the Boston Red Sox’s new uniforms. On the other hand, it’s a great day for track and field fans. 

(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Nike) 

While there is no red in the Red Sox new uniforms, the yellow and blue colorway is intended to be a tribute to the Boston Marathon and the Boston Athletic Association(B.A.A.). In addition to the popping new design, the jersey has a deeper meaning to many runners in Boston and around the country. The B.A.A. is a non-profit organization with a mission of "promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running”, according to their website. The uniforms recognize that this year is bigger than just baseball. Taking out the classic red may be unorthodox, but it shows the MLB is prioritizing uniting the city of Boston over team traditions. These fresh new uniforms also include Fenway Park’s area code, 617, on the left sleeve in a race-bib-like format. Red Sox fan or not, runners everywhere should be ecstatic about the choices MLB and Nike made in this collab. 

(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Nike) 

Now, why is this a big deal for the running world? 

Because MLB is a big deal. The sport of track and field doesn’t get nearly as much coverage and representation in the media as baseball does, especially in a year where events are getting canceled or postponed left and right. So when millions of MLB fans see Boston Marathon-themed uniforms, it brings a ton of attention to not only the Boston Marathon but the sport of track and field as a whole.  

However, a new design like this has not come without some pushback from Red Sox purists. While some fans love the occasional switch-up, others miss the classic red and white. Either way, these uniforms will only be worn for a couple of the Red Sox games, according to CBS Boston. 

The Boston Red Sox will debut these jerseys during Patriots’ Day weekend this year in a series against the Chicago White Sox. In a normal year, this is the weekend that the Boston Marathon would take place. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the Boston Marathon has been pushed back to October this year.