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The choice for the New York Yankees to wear their new alternate uniform ultimately came down to owner Hal Steinbrenner, who has shown a knack for change in recent years.
And according to The Athletic, Steinbrenner and other members of the front office will decide when the timing is right based on certain factors.
The outlet noted that economic impact, how often they will be worn and what fans think of the jerseys will all be key considerations in deciding if, and perhaps when, the jerseys will be worn.
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Manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees makes a pitching change during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida on March 17, 2026. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
Hours after The Athletic reported that players had spoken to higher-ups about the idea, it was revealed that an alternate jersey had in fact been approved previously.
The Yankees’ navy batting practice tops, similar to their spring training road uniforms, were the ones approved for wear at games.
The Yankees have worn different jerseys in the past, including on Players’ Weekend from 2017 to 2019, a nod to the 1912 team when they played in Boston on the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park opening and jerseys commemorating the Black Yankees in 1996. The Yankees also wore replicas of their 1921 road uniforms for the first Field of Dreams game in 2021.
Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees wait for the start of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona on March 24, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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However, none of these jerseys were ever officially put into rotation, leaving them with just a home and road uniform from day one.
The Yankees also remain the only team to not have a last name on the back of their jersey, home or away, and they are also one of two teams, including the Athletics, without a City Connect jersey.
The Yankees added an advertising patch to their jerseys in 2023, and starting last year, “well-groomed” facial hair under the lip was reintroduced after a 50-year ban by Steinbrenner’s father, George.
Yankees players reportedly said they wanted their home pinstripes to remain intact and would wear the replacements on the road.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees bats against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning of a spring training game at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona on March 23, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The Yankees sell navy blue “shirseys” that mimic the tone of their spring training uniforms, but pinstripes have been even more prevalent during spring home games in Florida.
