It’s clear that the New York Mets have more important things to worry about, like getting a general manager, finding a starting catcher, bringing reinforcements to the rotation, and decide on a plan to replace Robinson Cano at second base. However, the potential return of the black uniforms is still a hot theme around the team and the fanbase.
While they haven’t been used for some time now, the black uniforms bring good memories to lots of Mets’ fans. And new owner Steve Cohen is toying with the idea of bringing them back, at least some nights.
The hedge fund billionaire and now Mets’ owner said to SNY that he thinks there are more people in favor of their return than those who are openly against it.
Some New York Mets star players, including Pete Alonso, Dominic Smith, Marcus Stroman, and J.D. Davis, have publicly said they would support the return of the black uniforms. Per Cohen, it is a real possibility for the 2021 season and beyond.
“There’s lots of discussion on these black jerseys,” Cohen told SNY’s Steve Gelbs during an exclusive interview on Mets Hot Stove. “Seems like there are people who are fervent who want it, and then people who actually don’t want it. I think it’s probably more that people want it than don’t want it.
“I haven’t talked to the players about it. I want to make sure they would be into that. And maybe we do it on a night every once in a while or something, just to shake it up.”
The Mets’ history with the black uniforms
From 1998 to 2011, the Mets wore the black jerseys and caps, both at home and on the road, as they rotated kits. Back then, they used two caps — one all black and another black with a blue bill.
Alonso, in particular, loves them. “The black unis are the dopest! No cap. It would be a mentality and attitude. The orange and blue accents are like the city lights in the night sky. So many Mets greats wore the black. My only question is: why not?”
Cohen said, half jokingly, that he would have to listen to Alonso, since he’s so much bigger than him. Will the Mets be wearing black at some point in 2021?