Like It or Not, The Black Jerseys Are BACK

by Tim Reilly March 29, 2021

It's official: The Mets are back in BLACK.

🚨🚨 IT'S HAPPENING 🚨🚨

"I can say with absolute certainty that the black jerseys are coming back" - @StevenACohen2

(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/NoMZIYZe63
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 29, 2021

Look, this has been a tiresome argument. Frankly, I was indifferent to the whole debate. It didn't faze me one way or the other if the black jerseys ever came back. It felt as though everyone else was either on the Howie Rose 'keep them in the past' camp or eager for a resurrection.

Didn't you people have anything else to talk about?

The black jerseys will always hold a special place in my heart. I was 11-13 during my favorite fandom years of '98-'00. Piazza in a black jersey was the epitome of what a badass looked like on a baseball diamond. There was a certain amount of attitude that came along with that look.

All I know is, Mike Piazza, John Franco and Al Leiter need to combine somehow for a ceremonial first pitch on the first black jersey game. #Mets
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) March 29, 2021

Wright and Reyes kept the black jersey spirits alive. They carried the mantle well. After their prime past, the look lost its lust. New alternate jerseys were brought in to provide a fresh look.

Now we had roster kicking and screaming for their return. Alonso wanted them back. Stroman wanted them back. Every day it felt like another guy on the roster was tweeting about it. Steve Cohen can't check his Twitter mentions without scrolling past a black jersey request.

The fans were heard.
The roster was heard.
Like it or not, the black jerseys are back.

At the end of the day, I'm all about what the guys on the field want. If the black jerseys help return the aura they once carried, I'm all in.

Let's not overlook the business side of things. The Mets and MLB will be selling A LOT of black jerseys. It's a business. A win-win for all parties involved. I'm all for fattening your pockets if it means sharing some of that wealth.

Lock up Lindor and Conforto so I can see them rocking black jerseys for the next decade. That would be the best way to put the black jersey debate behind us once and for all.