Texas Rangers Spring Training Notebook: Dane Dunning Critical Of MLB's New Nike Uniforms

Nike's new Vapor Premier Elite MLB uniforms have received mixed reactions from players and fans, including Texas Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning. Also, Dude Perfect visits camp.

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Dane Dunning is not a fan.

This spring, MLB debuted new uniforms from Nike, including a new spandex-polyester material that the Texas Rangers right-hander is concerned may cause some chaffing.

"I'm not the biggest fan of them. I think Nike is doing a great job of having new ideas, but I think the material is a little rough."

He's keeping an open mind, however. Nike is also sending out representatives to each club to fine-tune any ill-fitting uniforms before Opening Day.

"Who knows, I might come to love it by the end, but right now, I'm not the biggest fan of them," he said. 

MLB started working on creating new uniforms in 2018 with Nike and Fanatics, seeking input and suggestions from teams and players. Majestic has manufactured the uniforms since 2005.

Nike's new jerseys provide 25% more stretch and dry 28% faster than the previous jerseys, according to MLB.com. Players and fans got a sneak peek at them during the 2023 All-Star Game in Seattle. 

The new jerseys use thinner material for the numbers and smaller lettering on the back and eliminated some piping that Dunning appreciated.

"I was a huge fan of the old traditional Majestic stuff," Dunning said. "We get what we get. I can only complain a little bit because I'm fortunate enough to be able to put on this uniform. So if it's this uniform we have, I'm still going to be wearing it and loving it."

Dane Dunning is happy to have the gang back together...#TexasRangers pic.twitter.com/fJxBNejd1P

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) February 14, 2024

Dude Perfect Visiting

A crew from Dude Perfect is scheduled to visit Rangers camp this weekend. We're told Dane Dunning is one of the Rangers players who facilitated the visit from the Frisco-based sports and comedy team known for amazing trick shots and sports-related stunts.

"I feel bad about it because they're pretty amazing, but I knew nothing about them," Manager Bruce Bochy said. He turns 69 in April. "I'm not on YouTube and all that, but then I started looking, and it's incredible what they have accomplished. So now we're excited to have them here. It's going to be a lot of fun for the players. They all know them. [This] Grandpa doesn't know too much about them, but I'm looking forward to seeing them interact with our players."

Quotables

"It just got better as he went too. The offspeed and the breaking ball were really good. It was coming out really nice. He's got the life on a fastball that you love. It has just gotten better with him each time, from the first bullpen to where he's at now. I'm looking forward to watching him in these games. We'd like to find him as much work as we can." — Rangers manager Bruce Bochy on pitcher Jack Leiter 

"This game is controlled so much, but we also want them to control things. If they see something out there, they have the power to call timeout or throw over. Just because we give you a sign, it doesn't mean it has to be that. Take charge and do [what is necessary]. Don't be afraid to call a timeout even though they cut down the limit by one. We'll worry about mound visits when we run out of them. You've got to be smart about it obviously, but if it's a critical part of the game, and you think you need to do it, do it."  — Bochy's message to catchers early in camp

Spring Training Notebook: Dunning's Flex

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