MLB: Beyond Baseball
When Major League Baseball Ventures into Fashion
Baseball & the MLB
Baseball is perhaps one of the most popular sports in the United States of America, in addition to being the country’s national sport. It is also the national sport of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, and Venezuela; in addition to being highly popular in Japan and South Korea. The largest organization for baseball is “Major League Baseball (MLB)”, the oldest major professional sports league in the United States and Canada. It is virtually every aspiring baseball player’s dream to one day play in the MLB. Established in 1903, the league is home to 30 teams, divided into the National League (NL) and the American League (AL). At the end of the regular season, after every team has played 162 games, the playoffs see 10 times battling it out, culminating in the top team from the NL and AL playing for baseball’s top prize in the annual World Series.
The MLB Outside America
The MLB has grown so popular over the years that it would be an understatement to say that they’ve even had an impact on non-baseball fans. The iconic New York Yankees logo has been seen on various types of apparel, time and time again, even though those using the aforementioned apparel have no clue that it is in fact the logo of one of the greatest teams in MLB’s history. More recently, baseball’s popularity has started to grow outside of countries with a low awareness of the sport, with help from brands like New Era (who’ve even set up a flagship store right here in OneSiam), providing baseball caps of every team with varying designs to anyone who may be interested, baseball fan or not.
One of the most recognized fan apparel among baseball fans are baseball caps. Throughout the years, caps have so often become associated with the sport of baseball. And for the typical baseball fan, their enthusiasm for their team can be shown simply by wearing caps or jerseys with associated graphics and designs. These items are simple in look but are strong when it comes to channeling a fan’s support for their team. One small logo on a cap a person is wearing can tell you which baseball team–or any sports team–a person cheers for. But this is only scratching at the surface.
The MLB & Fashion: Siam Discovery’s MLB Pop-Up Store
In this day and age, the MLB has expanded its boundaries beyond simple fan gear and apparel. It has become more than just about enthusiasm for one’s team. It seems that the MLB has also added ‘fashion’ into the mix. In doing so, the MLB has also established its image as a somewhat high-end brand. This is evidenced by the MLB pop-up store on Siam Discovery’s M floor. There, you will find products that won’t be found on Major League Baseball’s official online store for everyday fans.
While the MLB itself is American, the MLB pop-up store that has set up shop in Siam Discovery is a brand from South Korea. As mentioned before, baseball is also relatively popular in South Korea, with the country’s national league (called the “KBO League”) fielding 10 teams. It’s nowhere near the level of competition in the United States but the point is that the Korean branch of the MLB brand has opened up more windows of opportunities with a newer, more diverse line of baseball apparel derived from Major League Baseball teams.
The debate is open to who these products are tailored for. Perhaps they may be for the truest of fans, the ones who live and breathe for their teams. They could be made for fashionistas who may not even have a single clue about baseball, yet recognize that one iconic NY Yankees logo. The point is, these products being displayed at the MLB pop-up store won’t be easily found elsewhere. Regardless, with these items, baseball fans may even be able to rep their team at a whole new level.
Because at this store, there’s more than just caps, jerseys, and team memorabilia. It’s baseball apparel like you’ve never seen before! For the most part, the items on display at Siam Discovery’s MLB pop-up store goes down a more streetwear path. So among the things you are likely to find include jackets, sneakers, fanny packs, and sweatpants. For the ladies, there are even handbags! There will be caps as well, no doubt about that, but they won’t be the type of caps that even the most rabid of MLB fans are familiar with. These caps have been stylized to blend in with the phenomenon known as “street fashion”.
Examples of this include an enlarged New York Yankees logo and use of colors different from a team’s typical color scheme. Present in the store are also varsity jackets (where you will find varying colors for just one team) and products (such as bags and hats) that are completely printed over with one team’s logo. You can tell there is a high-end aspect to these MLB products. Simply put, they’re not just made for typical, everyday baseball fans. This shop is for those who are willing to take the extra step for their team. This takes MLB fan loyalty to a higher level, in addition to appealing to those affiliated with street culture.
Teams whose apparel you can choose from include the infamous New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs, the Detroit Tigers, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Kansas City Royals. So whether you’re a fashion trend follower looking to add a twist to your wardrobe or a true baseball fan looking to prove your loyalty, there is no question that the MLB pop-up store on Siam Discovery’s M floor is the right place for you.
