The Orioles have jumped on the jersey-sleeve-sponsor bandwagon, adding a T.Rowe Price patch to their uniforms starting tomorrow when they host the Atlanta Braves. Hardly the first, the Birds become the 20th team (by my count) to add a sponsor patch to their uniforms.
As far as jersey patches go, it’s actually pretty good looking if you ask me. While the blue doesn’t really go with anything else on the Birds’ logo or uniforms, it’s a clean look. And while it isn’t an Old Bay patch, T. Rowe Price is another local company, and one with extremely deep pockets. Currently headquarted on East Pratt Street, according to Wikipedia, the company started off a few blocks away at 10 Light Street in 1937. They listed their 2023 revenue at $6.46 billion.
You’re also going to be seeing a lot of T.Rowe branding around the ballpark, in O’s publications, and even down in Sarasota at and around Ed Smith Stadium.
If even the New York Yankees, of all teams, can sully their classic uniforms with such a patch, there’s no reason to believe the O’s were immune to the trend. It’s just the way the sports world is going.
There will be plenty of bellyaching about the change over the next few days from the usual mad-at-everything crew. After a few weeks, you won’t even notice it, just like the pitch clock, ads on the pitcher’s mound, and everything else that’s changed over the years.
The real question will be, what does the team do with the money generated by the patches? It’s great to see the new ownership group taking steps toward increasing the team’s revenue. But will they reinvest it wisely in player salaries? That’s the big move Birdland continues to wait patiently to hear about.
In a statement, David Rubenstein had this to say:
“The future of the Baltimore Orioles and the City of Baltimore is bright. We are delighted to welcome T.Rowe Price to Birdland at such an eventful time on and off the field. Our organizations share a dedication to hard work, innovation, professionalism and integrity, and we have committed our long-term futures to this city. We look forward to a long, successful partnership as we work to bring the World Series trophy back to Baltimore.”
That last bit was a nice touch. You know that if John Angelos had put this deal together, his statement would have nothing to say about winning baseball games.
Most of Birdland would be fine with as much NASCAR-ization of the uniforms as it takes, as long as we get:
1. That World Series trophy; and
2. To watch a few of these young stars in orange and black (with a blue patch) for the majority of their careers.
Longtime fan. Long-term partner. pic.twitter.com/RtATkRb7le
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 10, 2024
We can deal with all of this Dave. Let’s talk about an extension or two sometime soon.
