You will be able to read the names on the back of the Phillies uniforms again in 2025

CLEARWATER — You won’t need binoculars to read the last names on the back of the Phillies uniforms in 2025.

One of the most noticeable things on the first day of Spring Training for the Phillies was that the small/curved NOB lettering that was introduced last year with the Nike Vapor Premier jerseys is gone:

The Phillies 2024 vs. 2025 Home Jersey.

📸 @destiny_lugardo
📸 @TimKellySports pic.twitter.com/pbC3BX5qF3

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) February 13, 2025

In response to pretty close to universal backlash from fans, players and media, MLB announced last September that there would be adjustments made to the uniforms beginning in the 2024 season, as ESPN‘s Jorge Castillo noted at the time:

“The alterations will include increased pant customization, reverting back to materials used before this season, and enlarging the sizing of the lettering for player names on the backs of jerseys.

“The league, citing production timelines, said the uniform modifications will not be fully implemented for the 2025 season. Road gray uniforms of the fabric used during the 2023 season, however, will be ready for spring training. All uniforms will use materials from the 2023 seasons by 2026.”

We don’t yet know the full extent of the corrections to the uniforms that will be in place for Opening Day, although from a viewing perspective, the comically-small letting that was for some reason shaped like a rainbow was probably the most offensive part of the new MLB jerseys that came out last year, which Fanatics produces with Nike licensing. That being gone is a major step in the right direction, and a reminder that public pressure campaigns can still be effective.

Because of Nike’s controversial “4+1” policy, the Phillies were forced to eliminate their red Spring Training tops a year ago, which also were worn as home and road alternates at various points during the regular season. Those were replaced with the City Connect uniforms, which came out last April. That means for home games in the Grapefruit League, the Phillies now wear their red pinstripes, and for away games they don their road grays. The rule also led to the elimination of the popular green St. Patrick’s Day uniforms, which were last worn in 2022.

Other than all that, things have gone swimmingly for Nike since they took over as the uniform provider for MLB in 2020.