The Chicago White Sox did it first in 1960.
They were the first to add the player’s names to the back of the jerseys on their road uniforms. It was marketing aimed at enhancing player identification.
It worked, and it spread.
Today, only three pro teams do not display the player names — Yankees, Red Sox, and Giants. Somewhat ironically, they’re all baseball teams.
“We play for the logo on the front, not the name on the back.”
Who do you root for? Do you follow your favorite player from team to team, or are they dead to you once they don the enemy colors?
The magic happens when you don’t have to choose. “My favorite player plays for my favorite team.”
The same is true for brands, political parties, institutions, and systems.
Who do you root for, the player or the team?
