A Tradition That Needs To Go

I'm sure you can tell from my last post that I am in baseball mode again (just wait till I start playing softball too - it will get even worse!) So I have been watching a few Cubs games so far this season (not too many, no need to add to my stress level until at least late August). However, while watching these games something has struck me and I can't believe that it's never really dawned on me before - the ridiculousness of managers also wearing a uniform.
First of all most of the managers are middle-aged to pushing elderly and rarely even in shape, so just from a fashion perspective the uniform is not a good look for them (Lou Pinella even though they are vertical stripes they are not slimming!). The second and most glaring point - none of the other professional sports managers/coaches wear the uniform of their team while coaching - have you ever seen Bill Belichick sporting pads and short pants (must qualify here that this is equally bad as his current cut-off sweatshirts) or how about Charlie Weiss, maybe if he wore a uniform he could sneak into the game as a lineman. Phil Jackson - do we see him in the extra, baggy Lakers uniform complete with sweatband ? No! We don't - they wear suits or at least khakis and some sort of team logo shirt/pullover. They need to dress differently than the players 1) because they aren't players 2) because their team looks to them for direction and I don't care if you discount the power of the clothes/leadership connection, if someone is wearing a suit they will command your attention and respect more than someone in warm up pants (at least until they say something asinine). I personally would love a movement back to the 60s and have everyone decked out in suits and hats! Love the Tom Landry look - call me strange.
I think that baseball could also benefit from a little more disciplined coaching as well if managers had to step up their wardrobe a bit, would you sit idly and spit sunflower seeds in the 7th if you were wearing Armani - I think not!

Bud Selig - you can expect my memo on this shortly.