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Finally the Blue Jays are getting new uniforms next year. The current logo and design are awful. If you win two World Series and have had the proud tradition of the Jays you don’t need to keep changing your logo every few years – in pro sports it’s a cheesy way to re-brand your team. Leave this to the teams with no sense of history. The odd tweak to modernise is fine, but proud franchises shouldn’t change a successful brand.

You don’t need to be the Yankees to keep your team look timeless. Look at the Atlanta Braves - they have kept their look pretty much the same since they met the Blue Jays in the ’92 World Series. 

Since the Jays are changing again – let’s hope they can finally get it right. To do that they first need to go back to the original style font for all numbers, names etc.. Next the old logo should be put back into place as the Blue Jays baseball logo. This logo should not appear on the uniform – but should be the franchise brand – just like the Twins, Yankees, Red Sox for example.  The  Jays logo (which has their tradional font style) are shown below along with other baseball team logos.

The logo on the hat does give the team the opportunity to sport a new look, but there are rules. A traditionalist would have the first letter of the team’s city on the cap. Notice none of the team logos from above appear on their caps. My suggestion would be to put a T in the original Blue Jays font over a red Maple Leaf, similar to the Maple Leafs Inter-county Baseball team’s logo.

The uniform itself in terms of size and design isn’t that big a deal as long as the template remains the same – think Leafs recent sweater update with the laces at the collar.

So ok Blue Jays you now have the justcaws new look and design rules to live by – stick with it.

Now that we have re-designed the new uniform it’s time to get back to the play-offs! In the MLB that means spending the money! To compete in the AL East each year the ante is 100 million. Thankfully the Jays are in the 5th largest market in North America and can easily spend the dough. The fact that they haven’t since Labatt’s lost control of the team is the main reason the Roger’s Field (who plays baseball in a centre) is half empty most nights.

During the Championship years the Jays were leaders in team payroll. Top free agents were signed and added for pennant runs. This high roller attitude spoiled fans in Toronto and most won’t return until they see evidence that the Blue Jays are in it to win it. That means no more Roy Halladay or Delgados going elsewhere like we are some small market team. Toronto is a world class city that wants a world class team – this isn’t Baltimore.

Part of the reason the Bills have not been a hit in Toronto is because Toronto fans don’t t want to share a team with another city – particularly Buffalo – sorry Buffalo – but it’s true.

So that’s why I am encouraged to see Blue Jays President Paul Beeston back in charge. He understands the market and he will make the Blue Jays a financial plus in the Rogers ledger. To do so he will have to convince Rogers to spend the money. I believe he already has that assurance – otherwise he never would have comeback.

Beeston’s sharp eye for talent promoted Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos. This shrewd move is already paying huge dividends as the team continues to acquire and develop young top notch talent.

But judgement day for the Blue Jays organiztion is coming soon. They have said they intend to increase the payroll going forward. Talk is cheap – as will be the selling price of the team be if they don’t.

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