The one bright spot in a dismal 2013 season for the Chicago White Sox was the reintroduction of the uniforms introduced in 1982 and worn during the 1983 Winning Ugly season.  The Sunday throwbacks were a big hit with fans and with the players themselves.  Yesterday, the White Sox announced that they were adding the uniform as an official alternate for the 2014 season, which could be worn at any time.  Despite not being tied to an anniversary for the 1983 team, the All Star Game patch will still adorn the sleeves of the throwback.  The only difference will be the hat.

But oh, what a difference.  Rather than sticking with the caps that were originally part of the uniform set, and which were worn last year as part of the Sunday throwback program, the team is joining forces with New Era to hawk a new alternate batting practice cap, which they will wear with these uniforms.  The hat replaces the SOX wordmark on the front of the cap and replaces it with the top half of the old “Batterman” logo used by the team from the mid 70s until current uniforms were introduced at the end of the 1990 season.  The decision seems to have more to do with promoting a New Era product line that may be a little slow moving than one where the team puts its best looking foot forward.