From walk- off home runs during a game 7 of the World Series to all star pitchers throwing momentous no hitters: baseball gives memorable performances. From the traditional pinstripes worn by Babe Ruth to the new “city- edition” uniforms designed for Major League Baseball teams- the look of baseball is changing. A small and sometimes not so subtle way are chains. They act as a way for players to express themselves and show their individuality while in a uniform.
From iced out Cubans to the traditional figaro chain, just about every MLB player has something looming around their neck when they take the field. Overtime, players have been pushing the limits and expressing themselves with pearls to polly chains. Not everyone can get the prized ring at the end of the season, but players can get their chains and have as many as they want.
THE HISTORY
Before we look at the bling, we must understand the history of America’s pastime as it points as to why the addition of the chains and self expression is so groundbreaking for the sport. Baseball was a predominant factor during both World War I and World War II. During WWI, over 200 major leaugue players served for the United States. Just to name a few soldiers: Branch Rickey and Ty Cobb. These individuals and so many other men not only were an addition to their sport but also an asset to their country.
Years later, World War II entered the picture, and Major Leauge Baseball stepped up to the plate. Around 500 players served for their country with even the President at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt presented the country with a Green Light Letter encouraging the MLB to continue forth and play. Expressing that baseball was vital to the morale of the country during this tough time, the players needed to hit the field and play ball. Everyone wore the same uniform with no name on the back and black cleats. Americas pastime is rooted in tradition and history but times are changing.
There has even been some fights to break out between a clash of bling on the field. Just take a look!
Now, players have more freedom with their on the field appearance. Teams have even made “ city- edition” uniforms that are meant to represent the city that they play in. From the Arizona Diamondbacks having “serpientes’ etched on their chest to the Colorado Rockies having a a kelly green mountain line on the front: this was a change for baseball and was a way in which baseball is changing and allowing for more expression. Having a new uniform design also gives fans a change of scenery and is another way that they can connect to their teams and the city in which they play.
THE CHAIN
One of the most notable chains on the mound is the Cuban link chain. Usually made in solid gold, the origin of this chain is still a bit spotty. Growing in popularity in the 1970’s with the rise of hip-hop, it has since then become a staple in the jewelry world. And boy did baseball partake in the craze.
A prime example of a player sporting a Miami Cuban link is Manny Machado who currently plays for the San Diego Padres. When he was first drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, he would sport a long necklace with small circular diamonds alternating in red, white, and yellow diamond. However, once he signed with the Padres, he changed up his look. He opted for a more classic Miami Cuban Link. In a video with GQ sports, celebrity jeweler Maksud Agadjani also known as Trax elaborated on both the durability and look of the Miami Cuban link.
“When in action the Miami cuban chain is going to stick with you. This is the chain you want to have on the field.. Heavy, short, and not interfering, not something you need to tuck in and out every time you throw the ball”. Many players opt for this chain for both the look and the practicality and some like Machado choose for it to be fully iced out.
Now more players are taking the pendent route. Whether it has their number attached or some have Spongebob pendants. Players are really having fun with their chains and switching it up. A prime example of a player who shows his personality through his jewelry choices is Alex Verdugo. He first got his start with the Los Angeles Dodgers then made his way to the east coast landing with the Boston Red Sox. Every year on media day, Verdugo sports some new jewlery. Whether it is his number, or large pendants, he shows some of this personality through these chains.
For media day for the World Baseball Classic earlier this year, he paired the Team Mexico jersey with an iced out Spongebob pendent, a Cuban link, and a pendent with his number 99 hanging off.
One of the more notable looks of recent memory was when Joc Pederson brought pearls to the batters mound during his World Series run in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves. His jewler, Gabe Arik has been making custom pieces for quite some time now. Being the owner of Happy Jewlers, he has had the opportunity to work with many players and was first introduced to the baseball world by selling players engagement rings for their partners.
Now he makes custom pieces for professional players and has gained quite the list of clientele. His work wth the pearls gained national attention and was something never done before in baseball.
“Every piece is very unique and different and a custom chain it’s the fun part. It’s fun to see your stuff on TV and see people talking about your work” said Arik.
These pearls are now housed in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown New York. Joc Pederson changed the game of baseball when he opted to wear a piece that had never been sported on the field.
“The pearls got the most publicity. It was like a good luck charm for him and when he broke them and we got him new pearls and flew out that night to personally give them to him. They won the game that night and ended up winning it all that year” said Arik, adding that “After the World Series, the pearls are the only piece of jewelry that is in the hall of fame other than a World Series ring and it comes from happy jewelers.”
TIMES ARE CHANGING
As times and uniforms are changing, there are some traditions that are staying the same. Perhaps one of the most recognizable clubhouses in the sport are the New York Yankees. Sporting the navy and white since the introduction of baseball to the states , they are a notable force in baseball: reigning in 27 championships. Being apart of the Yankee organization has some unique requirements that no other team has.
When George Steinbrenner took ownership, he implemented rules to attempt and instil discipline amongst their players. For example, all players have to have hair not touching past the length of a collar and facial hair is not allowed unless it is a mustache. Even though the Steinbrenner has passed away, this tradition remains and there have been instances where a player has to make a massive change in their appearance once they become a part of the organization.
Players can even be taken out of the lineup if they did not follow through with these rules. For example, in 1991 Don Mattingly refused to cut his hair and as a result was not allowed to play.
They also have permanent numbers etched on the back of their jerseys and do not have names on the back unlike every other team. They are a team rooted in tradition and uniformity. They strive for a classic look and this can be seen in some of the chains that their players wear.
Perhaps one of the most notable yankee in recent memory is Aaron Judge. Standing at a towering 6’7 and being named the American Leaugue MVP in 2022 , he is a pivotal member of the New York roster. The chooses to wear one of the most classic and traditional chains: the figaro chain. The figaro chain comes from Italy and due to its simple design with three links of the same size and the fourth being a tad longer, it is a very traditional piece.
Judge is a leader in the clubhouse and is a very traditional Yankee.
Some of the younger guys in baseball are turning heads with the way that they express themselves on the field. A prime example is Yankees rookie, Osawaldo Cabrera. When he made his major league debut, he paired the uniform with an imitation pearl and polly bead necklace that had charms.
In an interview with the New York Times his teammate Ron Marinaccio spoke about his look. “It’s his thing. That’s what I like about Oswaldo. He’s not really worried about what anybody else is thinking. He’s doing his own thing, and he’s having fun doing it.”
This is a very different look for players and especially on a team that has all of the rules regarding appearance like the Yankees do.
This custom piece was made by Milton Ramos. Ramos was drafted by the Mets in the third round of the 2014 draft. He played for their minor league teams up until he broke his hand playing and then decided to stop playing and start selling rubber batting grips to protect players hands while the ball is in motion.
Now Ramos makes custom jewlery that can be seen on the necks of some of the greats in baseball.
“I’ve always been creative but I’ve never been able to show it on the baseball field and now that I don’t play anymore I have more time to focus on my creativity” said Ramos. He spoke about the time when he was playing and how it was tough for him to find the balance of showing his personality while also having to follow the rules of the organization he was with.
“When I was with the mets they had a code to wear 90% black and 10% color for our shoes, I would always be in the office fighting with them.” said Ramos.
Ramos told stories of how he would dye his hair a fun color and the front office would tell him that he could not do that adding that “it made me feel bad that I could not express myself.”
THE FUTURE
“Now baseball loves all the crazy stuff. I was doing all of that before and now players are able to really show their style. The game is evolving” said Ramos with enthusiasm.
Since baseball is a non- contact sport, they are allowed to wear jewlery unlike basketball and football players. However, there is one caveat. High school baseball players were not allowed to wear chains up until 2023 when regulations changed. Now, the younger players are allowed to show their individuality and baseball is adapting.
Americas favorite past time is updating with the times. These young players like Osawaldo Cabrera are paving the way for next generations.