The Brewers will undergo a "branding overhaul," confirming "growing rumors that they are returning to the clever, memorable ball-in-glove logo that came to identify the team" until '94, according to a front-page piece by Tom Haudricourt of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The team gave the logo some "modern flourishes, connecting the 'm' and 'b' that form the glove, changing the color from royal blue to navy blue and putting two seams on a now centered baseball to give it a more authentic look." Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger said that the "intent was to stay true to the nature of the original logo while bringing it forward to mesh with a rebranding of player uniforms as well." The new logo and uniforms will "coincide with the team's 50th anniversary celebration" next season. The Brewers over the years have introduced "'retro' uniforms and merchandise featuring the original ball-in-glove design," and the "cash receipts told them this is what many fans wanted to buy and wear." Along with the new logo, the team unveiled four new uniforms for next season, two home versions and two road versions. The primary home uniform features a "cream color instead of traditional white," which is a "nod to the city of Milwaukee's nickname as 'Cream City." The alternate home uniforms are a "nod to the retro style the team has worn on Fridays for several seasons, with the pinstripes that were standard" for the team in the '70s. Meanwhile, the primary road uniforms will be "gray with gold and blue piping" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 11/19).
STAR-STUDDED UNVEILING: In Milwaukee, Todd Rosiak noted Baseball HOFer Rollie Fingers and former MLBer Cecil Cooper, both former Brewers, were "among the several hundred in attendance" at the rebranding unveiling. MLB Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig and longtime team radio announcer Bob Uecker spoke at the event. Current players Ryan Braun, Brandon Woodruff, Brent Suter and Keston Hiura took the stage as well, "each modeling one of the four iterations of the uniforms." Braun, who was "first up and wearing the cream-colored primary home uniform, left no doubt he is on board with the updates." Braun said that it will "take him a little time to choose which of the four will ultimately be his favorite." Rosiak notes several hundred fans "spilled into the remodeled team store as soon as the doors opened" after the reveal, and "not surprisingly business was brisk." Woodruff, Suter and Hiura all "came down to sign autographs after their turns as models" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 11/19).
