The Reds wore throwback 1956 'vest-style' jerseys without sleeves, and it was quite a look
On Sunday, the Reds continued their season-long trend of dusting off some seriously inspired uniforms from throughout their storied history when they took the field in sleeveless -- yes, sleeveless -- jerseys for their game against the Indians.
To say this made their sluggers look even more imposing would be an understatement. I mean, look at this:
These Reds vest throwbacks are a LOOK. pic.twitter.com/HHqi5F73wM
— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 7, 2019
No sleeves allowed.
🚫 Sleeves 🚫#BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/6Z3yF7BowD
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 7, 2019
Yasiel Puig, who already looks like an imposing physical presence with his arms covered by jersey sleeves, hit another level entirely in these new duds:
Sun’s out, guns out pic.twitter.com/URCSQl6yUq
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 7, 2019
As for the origin of these vest-style jerseys, the '56 Reds wore these for just one season, primarily as a road alternate. Via the team's site, which lays out the history behind each of its throwback jerseys this season:
1956 Road - One of the most iconic uniforms in Reds history, the one-year style worn by the 1956 Reds coincided with one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history. That season, a strong contingent of Reds hitters led by Ted Kluszewski, Wally Post, Gus Bell and rookie Frank Robinson helped the club tie the then-Major League record for home runs by a team with 221. The slugging Reds were the talk of baseball as the club's powerful bats kept the team in pennant contention into the season's final week. The vest-style uniform was a first for the Reds and its adoption was inspired in part by the bulging biceps of "Big Klu," the club's intimidating first baseman. The uniform also marked the first and only time that the club's Mr. Redlegs mascot appeared on the front of the team's jerseys.
