Baseball Socks- A Brief Timeline June 20 2017, 0 Comments

Have you ever wondered how teams got names like “White Sox” and "Red Sox" if the socks aren’t even visible today? If you are a baseball fan you might have heard last year that the Major League Baseball has its own custom logo socks provider.  

Let’s have a look at the brief timeline of custom logo socks so that the next time you need to outfit your team with custom socks you will know how the socks have evolved over time: 

1840s and 1850s 

During this time the baseball teams used to wear long wool trousers that completely cover their socks.

1868

The first knickers were introduced by the Cincinnati Club team that showed  the red socks of the players. It became so famous that the team changed their name to Cincinnati Red Stockings.

Late 1800s through early 1900s 

The knicker look became popular with the most successful teams. 

Circa 1910 

Colorfast dyes were not invented during this time and they had started resulting in infections and poisoning because of the wounds that the players had. The only solution at that point was to wear white under socks that were known as sanitary socks. 

1940s, 1950s and 1960s 

  During this time, players started pulling their stirrups higher that made the sanitary socks so visible that their ratio with colored socks was even.  

Late 1960s 

People started cutting the bottom of the stirrups and started sewing the fabric in. This caused an imbalance in the color-to-white ratio and caused the white to become more prominent.  

1970s and beyond 

Several custom logo socks were made during this era. Manufacturers responded to the demand and offered stirrups that had large openings that lead to the development of the ribbon stirrup, which was a solid color sock with contrasting strip of fabric down the side. The Ribbon Stirrups is still in high demand today.  

1978 

Coach Bill Wilhelm made all his players wear long pants that hid the socks. The style was known as "Clemson Cut" and was not noticed by fans or by many involved with baseball. 

1980s and 1990s

The socks changed from mostly colored to mostly white, so the players decided that moving their pants up was no longer needed. Trendsetters Ron Darling (Mets pitcher) and George Hendrick (Cardinals outfielder) were high profile players that implemented this style.

2000's 

Long pants became the fashion as well as the rule except for the players that wanted to stand out and be unique. Knickers have made a tremendous comeback for the Major leagues all the way down to Little leagues you can see players embracing what is considered the true look of baseball.  

We have made it our mission to help outfit teams for the look they want to achieve. We offer the highest quality sock on the market that will last your team for years. Let us know how we can help your team. 

Want to get your own custom logo socks? Why not get in touch with the best custom sock shop by clicking here.