Supply Chain Issues Have Delayed MLB Uniform Deliveries

Phillies fans noticed this weekend that their team wasn't wearing its usual cream-colored home alternate uniforms, which it typically wears on Sundays. Some Phillies fans (like me) think they're the best of the Phillies uniforms, so to miss out on them felt like a personal affront.

If we’re being honest, the red pinstripes should be the alternates. Cream jerseys are by far the best the Phillies have. https://t.co/3Ea1dP2bs0

— Jonny (@JonnyHeller) April 10, 2022

It turns out that even an organization as big as the Phillies in Major League Baseball is not immune to supply chain issues in the apparel world. Fanatics, the team's uniform supplier, was supposed to deliver the uniform in time for the first pitch, but there were complications with lead times.

"They weren't able to deliver the uniforms in time," Phillies executive Vice President
Dave Buck said, according to MLB.com. "It's a shame because our fans really like them. But the supplier [Fanatics] is backed up and doing the best they can."

The Phillies also tend to wear throwback powder blue uniforms during mid-week games, and were supposed to yesterday, but MLB.com said that those are running behind, too, forcing the team to wear their normal red and white pinstripes.

Fanatics assured fans that the unis were on their way, though.

The Phillies Cream uniforms will be available soon. After coordinating with MLB and Nike, Fanatics communicated to clubs that some uniforms could be slightly delayed due to the shortened Spring Training window and expedited start to the season.

— Fanatics (@Fanatics) April 11, 2022

The issue wasn't just caused by shipment delays. The MLB lockout over the spring delayed player measurements. Usually they're measured over several weeks long before the season starts, but due to the lockout they were only done over nine days, so Fanatics had to prioritize the regular home and away jerseys.

Fanatics is hardly alone in this, but the company said in an online statement that "unforeseen circumstances" have delayed deliveries to customers all across the states.

So, the next time you need to explain to a customer that things might take a little bit longer than their accustomed to, just explain that even the big leaguers are missing out on their orders, too.