Why do some players have their name their jersey but not others

Tobey asked: Some players dont have their name on their jersey, some do. Why is that?


Rick answered: Tobey, thank you for your question.


Whether a franchise elects to have player's on the backs of their jerseys is up to the ownership of the organization.

Currently there are more MLB teams that elect to put the names on the jersey. I would guess the reason is it makes it easier for all fans to determine who a player is, especially on the road.

However, there are franchises that hold to their traditions, such as the picture above of New York Yankee pitcher Jobba Chamberlin. The Yankees have held to their traditions from the onset of the franchise, and do not put names on the jerseys.

The other photo above is of David Wright of the New York Mets. Same city, different philosophy about whether to put names on the jerseys.

Yours in baseball,

Rick