Pittsburgh Post Gazette February 1st 1997

IRATEFEST '97

The Pirates will be virtually a new team in 1997, so why not have new uniforms?

"I think this is a perfect time to make a drastic change in the uniforms," left fielder Al Martin said. "We've made so many changes (to the roster). The only better time would be going into a new stadium."

The new stadium is more than a few shovelsful of dirt away, but the Pirates did unveil their new uniforms and logo yesterday at the Carnegie Science Center during the unofficial opening of this weekend's PirateFest.

Martin joined teammates Jason Kendall and Mark Johnson as amateur models who were obviously new to this game.

"I've only modeled parkas and ski masks before," Johnson said. "I just tried to have some fun with it and ham it up a little bit."

Johnson wore the new home uniform - white without stripes on the pants and sleeves and a black cap. A patch commemorating the 25th anniversary of Roberto Clemens death is on the right sleeve.

Kendall showed off the new road uniform - gray with black pinstripes. The road uniform will be worn with either a black cap or a gray cap with a black bill. The road uniform features a patch celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Martin donned the alternate home jersey - black - which will be worn with white pants and a black cap with a red bill for Friday and Saturday games. This uniform debuts in the home opener April 11 against Los Angeles.

"I think they came out great," Johnson said. "I really like the black uniform, and I think the fans will like it. It's definitely a trademark uniform, and people love black."

"I like the black the best," Martin said, "but I think it's the body inside it that makes it look good."

"I like the gray pinstripes," Kendall said, "but that may be because I'm in it. Plus, I've always been a big pinstripe person."

The red cap bill with the black jersey marks the first time red has been used in Pirates uniforms since 1946. Red, white and blue were the team's primary colors until 1948, when the Pirates switched to black and gold.

Players yesterday modeled the new uniforms in front of a display of different Pirates uniforms beginning in the early years of this century and running through last season.

"They look good," Manager Gene Lamont said of the new garb, the Pirates' first new uniforms since 1991. "I think I like the gray better with the black hat, but I'm not a real big uniform person - as long as it's a big-league uniform."

Ultimately, it won't matter much to fans how good the new uniforms look. What will matter is what the Pirates do in them.

"That's a good point, my friend," owner Kevin McClatchy said. "Hopefully, these uniforms will be in a World Series."

That won't happen this season, though. The new-look Pirates will have their struggles on the field.

"It all depends on our pitching staff," General Manager Cam Bonifay said. "If they can get their feet on the ground and we can pull out some games early in the season, I think we have a chance to win 70 games.

"Hopefully, we can surpass that total, but you're going to go through growing pains with young players. Things are going to happen that might cost you a game, but you have to live with it and be patient with it. We will not be so quick with the trigger as we have been in the past."

NOTES - The Pirates begin selling single-game tickets this weekend, but they've already sold 17,000 tickets to groups for the Sept. 1 game against Cleveland. . . . Former Pirates manager Jim Leyland's uniform No. 10 goes to new shortstop Kevin Elster.
Illustration

PHOTO (2); Caption: PHOTO: Peter Diana/Post-Gazette: New outfits/The Pirates unveiled new uniforms and a new team logo yesterday at the Carnegie Science Center. No, it's not premature; the team will be opening spring training in just three weeks. From left, first baseman Mark Johnson wears the home uniform, catcher Jason Kendall models the road outfit, and outfielder Al Martin sports what the team will be wearing for some weekend home games. (Photo, Page A-1) PHOTO: Peter Diana/Post-Gazette: Kevin McClatchy helps manager Gene Lamont on with his new game jacket.