New 'Old' Uniforms Unveiled For 2008

The Indians announced today that they will be wearing new uniforms for the 2008 season, the club’s 108th as a member of the American League. The Indians will have two sets of uniforms both at home and on the road, featuring minor changes to the 2007 uniform and a brand new home alternate uniform to replace the old home alternate vest outfit. This is the first uniform change since 2002.

"They are uniforms we think are reflective of our team's personality," general manager Mark Shapiro said. "They are throwback uniforms, and we have a throwback team, to some extent."

The new home alternate uniform will take a step back in Indians history by combining past eras to include a crème-colored uniform, block “Indians” lettering on the front chest, Chief Wahoo on the left sleeve and navy blue piping on the pants. This uniform will also showcase a navy blue cap with a block “C” that is vintage Indians baseball from the early 1900’s. Finally, the uniform will include a red number on the back with navy blue outline and will not include the player name.

The traditional home white uniform will remain with a minor adjustment of the silver piping being eliminated on the jersey and pants, combined with the current blue home “wahoo” cap with red bill, though without the silver accent color.

The traditional road gray uniform will return with the all navy blue “wahoo” cap, minus silver accent color.

The alternate road navy uniform will return, but will be combined for the first time with the navy blue “Script I” cap.

Uniform outerwear is highlighted by a cold weather jacket that was first worn during the 2007 postseason and a brand new light pullover with “zip off” sleeves that include built-in short sleeves.

This new uniform jersey, authentic and replica, will be available exclusively at all Cleveland Indians Team Shops and indians.com this Friday. New block “C” caps will be available in January.

The Indians also announced tickets for the 2008 home opener, scheduled for Monday, March 31 at 3 p.m. against the Chicago White Sox will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Tickets for the other two games of the opening three-game series against the White Sox (April 2 and 3) also will go on sale at that time.

The club also announced a new ticket pricing procedure.

“In an effort to find that delicate balance between the need to keep ticket prices affordable for our fans and the need to generate revenue to continue to build and sustain a championship caliber team on the field in an atmosphere of quality entertainment and superior customer service, we have created a new pricing structure for the 2008 home season,” said Vic Gregovits, the team's senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Premium Game ticket pricing will be in effect for 31 home games (38% of the home schedule). The games, include Opening Day, those against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees and all weekends beginning June 13, will be priced at an increase as compared to the other 50 home games on the 2008 schedule.

Of the Indians' 81 home games in 2008, 33 (41%) will be played in April and May; only seven of those fall in the Premium Game category.

Advance/Gameday pricing will also be in effect. Fans purchasing tickets in advance of a game date will save from $2 to $5, depending on the seat location, as compared to tickets purchased on the day of the game.