Major League Baseball is stepping up its fashion game, showcasing its top players on a red carpet at Seattle's Pike Place Market before the All-Star Game. This event highlights baseball's influence on street style, from iconic caps and jerseys to classic tees, and signals MLB's growing focus on fashion to attract new audiences and boost its pop culture presence.

Young players like Corbin Carroll, the Arizona Diamondbacks' rising star, are embracing the trend. While Carroll admits his personal style leans towards casual athleisure, he's excited to showcase the MLB-provided stylist's choices at the event. MLB's selection of Carroll, a Gen Z athlete with a mixed-race background, as a style ambassador is a strategic move.

Baseball has long battled the perception of being a traditional game appealing primarily to older, white fans. However, MLB's chief revenue officer, Noah Garden, emphasizes that younger fans have always been a part of the baseball audience and are crucial for the sport's future. MLB aims to revitalize its image, taking inspiration from the NBA's success in integrating fashion and hip-hop culture, which resonates with Gen Z.

Sports management professor Brandon Brown notes that the NBA holds the top spot for Gen Z sports brand preference, partly due to its players' strong connection to urban culture and self-expression. He points out that since Ken Griffey Jr., baseball has lacked a cross-cultural superstar with significant fashion influence.

Now, MLB is actively encouraging players to embrace fashion, recognizing its potential to engage fans beyond the field. The red carpet show, designed for social media buzz, is a key part of this strategy. Garden stresses the importance of the event in highlighting the league's best players and connecting them with fans.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., of the Arizona Diamondbacks, shows off his hair during All-Star Game player availability, on July 10, 2023, in Seattle.  (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Players like Mariners star Julio Rodríguez are leading the charge. Rodríguez's red carpet ensemble, a handmade Italian creation paying homage to Seattle, reflects MLB's focus on personalized style. The outfit, designed by Ethan Weisman, known for his bold creations like Ezekiel Elliott's crop-top tuxedo, incorporates exclusive Alexander McQueen sneakers.

Garden clarifies that MLB's fashion collaborations, such as those with Gucci, are not primarily about merchandise revenue. Instead, these limited-edition partnerships target specific fan segments and associate the league with non-traditional brands. The high demand for these items, even from players themselves, underscores their appeal.

Baseball's history with fashion is richer than some might think. From collaborations with Ralph Lauren and Supreme to the pioneering sale of replica jerseys and the celebration of Jackie Robinson Day with the No. 42 jersey, fashion has long been intertwined with the sport. The licensing of the New York Yankees logo has contributed to its global recognition.

Erin Corrales-Diaz, author of a book about baseball jerseys and fashion, notes that fashion has always been integral to baseball, even if not always explicitly acknowledged. MLB's current fashion push taps into cultural capital, fan engagement, and nostalgia.

While some All-Star players admit to being less fashion-savvy, they are embracing the experience. Carroll's anticipation for the red carpet, even exceeding his nerves for the game itself, reflects the excitement surrounding MLB's fashion-forward approach.