Dozier said he does not know why the league is trying to eliminate some of the crazier colorsGETTY IMAGES
All 30 MLB teams received a "warning memo" from Commissioner Rob Manfred's office "reminding players of the rules about footwear, and warning them they might begin fining violators after May 1," according to Phil Miller of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. MLB rules state that at least 51% of the exterior of players' shoes "'must be the club's designated primary shoe color,' and that color must be 'evenly distributed' on the shoe." For Twins players, the problem is that the team's "'designated primary shoe color' is black, not the navy blue that adorns the uniforms and caps." The color was "selected decades ago, before baseball spikes were available in such a variety of colors, and has never been updated." Several players, including 2B Brian Dozier, "wear shoes with navy blue and red trim on them to match the uniforms." Dozier said, "They're really trying to eliminate some of the crazier colors. I don't know why." Miller notes the Twins "put in a rush order for a few dozen pairs of black shoes with the various manufacturers, just in case a crackdown comes." Twins 1B Logan Morrison said, "I'll just express myself through arm sleeves and batting gloves, I guess" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/9).
