A Look at the Padres New Batting Practice Hats and My Thoughts on the Logo & Colors in General

If you have not read the most recent article by Paul Lukas of ESPN.com and “Uni Watch” regarding the new Batting Practice cap designs for the 2013 season, I highly recommend taking a look over it.  In his article, Lukas chimed in with his take on all 30 teams’ new hats, and had this to say about the Friars’ new head-wear which is pictured in the article:

"A white cap with a navy front panel? Woof! Further evidence that this franchise has completely lost its way design-wise. Grade: D"

Even as a Friars fan, I have to wholeheartedly agree with Lukas and his opinion on the Padres’ new Batting Practice caps.  Not necessarily because they look bland and unpleasing to the eye, but more due to the fact that I have never been a fan of San Diego’s overall color scheme since the early 1990’s.

San Diego’s Batting Practice Hat is similar to the one Pitcher Eric Stults is wearing in the photo, except it has a navy front to it and is white on the sides and back. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Back in August, Dallas addressed his issues with Padres’ uniforms and color scheme, and I believe he was right on the money with his take on a hopeful return to the old “Brown-based” color scheme.  Like former Pitcher Mark Grant alluded to in Dallas’ post, I believe that the Padres’ current uniforms and bland color scheme looks too much like other teams’ around the league like Tampa Bay and Milwaukee.  While the use of “Navy/Dark Blue/White” is a nod to the Padres of the PCL days, and the color scheme has been in use since the 1991 season, I have never been completely on board with the past color scheme change.  Why you may ask?

Well as someone who grew up with the Padres beginning in the mid-late 1980’s, the Brown-based uniforms will always be my favorite.  They are identifiable “Padres Characteristics” which most fans my age and older identify the Padres with, and besides my disdain for the similarities between the Padres current uniforms and other teams around the League, is an enormous reason why I would love to see a full-time return to San Diego’s former color scheme.

Like former Pitcher Mark Grant alluded to in Dallas’ post, I believe that the Padres’ current uniforms and bland color scheme looks too much like other teams’ around the league like Tampa Bay and Milwaukee.  While the use of “Navy/Dark Blue/White” is a nod to the Padres of the PCL days, and the main color scheme has been in use since the 1991 season, I have never been completely on board with the past color scheme change.  Why you may ask?

Even today, I like these uniforms the best. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Well, as someone who grew up with the Padres beginning in the mid-late 1980’s, the Brown-based uniforms will always be my favorite.  They are identifiable “Padres Characteristics” which most fans my age and older identify the Padres with, and besides my disdain for the similarities between the Padres current uniforms and other teams around the League, is an enormous reason why I would love to see a full-time return to San Diego’s former color scheme.

I would be overjoyed if the Padres “Brought Back The Brown,” and I know there would be others just as pleased as I would be if that happened.  If by some miracle the franchise actually went back to the logo and colors full time, I would have to say that the uniform I am most partial to would be the 1985-1990 logo here with Brown and Orange.  The pinstripes are a nice touch, and the “Padres” lettering across the front is just tops in my book.  The Friars brought the uniform back once this past year in a series at home against the Mets (picture to the right), and when I saw the highlights from the game it was downright awesome.  But hey, I am not picky guy, even a return to the late 70’s mustard and brown duds famously sported by Dave Winfield and Ozzie Smith would be awesome.  And I would never be opposed to the uniforms which incorporated orange and yellow with the brown worn by the 1984 N.L. Champions too (used from 1980-1984).

Final Thoughts

As Lukas’ article illustrates through the pictures, teams around the league (Milwaukee, Baltimore, Houston especially) appear to be more inclined to a return to past/throwback fan-favorite logos (at the very least for their BP duds), and I for one cannot blame them for it.  Houston’s return to an actual “Orange” and the “H in the Star” is especially awesome, and makes me wish that the new ownership group would consider at least a temporary change to gauge to public’s opinion about the matter as Dallas alluded to in August.

At least to me, Lukas was correct with his “D” grade of the caps, and I for one am sick of the bland “Blue & White.”  The “SD” is perfect, all the cap (and uniform combinations overall) needs is a color change.

So please Padres Management, consider “Bringing Back the Brown.”  Heck, the least you could do is try to incorporate more “Throwback Nights” during home-stands for those of us who like those uniforms.

What say you readers?  Should the Padres return full-time to the throwbacks?  Or should they continue to sport the “Navy & White” theme we have become accustomed to over the last two decades?