Shohei Ohtani’s anticipated return to pitching rekindles hopes for the rare and nostalgic sight of a pitcher wearing a jacket while running the bases. After completing a careful recovery from a Tommy John hybrid surgery, Ohtani will pitch again on Monday night, marking his first mound appearance since August 23, 2023. Known for his extraordinary two-way talent, Ohtani has been a formidable hitter in the National League and now shifts focus to his pitching arm, fueling the possibility of reviving a tradition that once symbolized pitchers’ presence on the basepaths.

Ohtani, a Dodgers standout and one of baseball’s most versatile athletes, reminds fans of a bygone era when pitchers donned jackets during base running—a custom now virtually extinct due to modern rules and the designated-hitter (DH) evolution. His return not only showcases his individual excellence but also spotlights a curious piece of baseball history.

The Last Moments of the Pitcher Jacket Era

The last known instance of a pitcher wearing a jacket on the bases occurred on April 17, 2023, when Ohtani, then with the Angels, trotted around Fenway Park after reaching first base on a chilly 50-degree day. This scene is both a rarity and a throwback to a time when pitchers, they wore jackets to maintain arm warmth while navigating the hazardous territory of running the bases.

Major League Baseball’s umpire manual explicitly allows pitchers to wear jackets when they are base runners, but no other players can. The regulation mandates that if worn, the jacket must remain buttoned. This rule traces back decades, and though some question its medical necessity, the tradition lingered, especially in the National League where pitchers were more likely to hit and run base paths before the universal DH era.

Tracing the Origins and History of Pitchers Wearing Jackets

The exact beginnings of pitchers wearing jackets while on base are difficult to pinpoint, but photographic evidence confirms the practice going back to at least the 1956 World Series. Chris Creamer, sports graphic-design historian and founder of SportsLogos.net, identified Don Larsen wearing a jacket during Yogi Berra’s grand slam in Game 2 of that series. However, the custom likely predates this event, as pitchers have been advised to keep warm between innings since as early as 1869.

Historically, the American League’s adoption of the designated hitter in 1973 progressively eliminated the need for pitchers to bat and run bases in jackets, confining the custom almost exclusively to the National League. The universal DH rule introduced in 2022 all but erased this baseball quirk, making Ohtani one of the last to visibly embody this old-school baseball tradition.

The Universal Designated Hitter Rule’s Effect on Baseball Traditions

The universal DH rule offers clear benefits, as watching pitchers attempt to hit was often an exercise in futility, adding little excitement and sometimes becoming a source of embarrassment. Pitchers, while outstanding athletes in their own right, generally lack hitting prowess, and the rare success stories tend to be exceptions rather than the norm.

The rule, however, has removed some of the game‘s traditional charm and quirks, notably the sight of pitchers on base in jackets. The visual oddity of a pitcher sprinting the bases while buttoned into a jacket offers a contrast that has amused and endeared fans, connecting baseball’s present to its past.

The Quirks and Charm of the Pitcher Jacket Tradition

What attracts people to the image of a pitcher running bases in a jacket may be the inherent absurdity of the scene—like spotting someone dashing in a suit or an unexpected outfit while performing athletic feats associated with more nimble players. The jacket adds a touch of protective care, as if the athlete’s well-being is overseen by a vigilant, nurturing presence, emphasizing both the vulnerability and dedication of pitchers.

Notably, famous baseball moments have featured pitchers in jackets on base, from Luis Tiant’s mishap missing home plate in the 1975 World Series, to Todd Stottlemyre’s painful headfirst slide in the 1993 World Series. Charlie Morton in 2016 also struggled to manage his jacket in a way that highlighted the impracticality but tradition of the garment. A common sentiment among pitchers favors buttoned jackets over zippers, underscoring their preference for function and adherence to convention.

Ohtani’s Exceptional Athleticism and the Future of the Pitcher Jacket

Shohei Ohtani is an athlete whose skills far surpass typical pitchers, having stolen 59 bases in a season and demonstrated remarkable speed and agility. His base running is strategic, as seen when reliever Koo Dae-Sung scored from second base on a bunt in 2005 while also wearing a jacket, exemplifying how pitchers once embraced this unique style of play.

The big question remains whether Ohtani will once again wear a jacket on the basepaths. With the Dodgers planning to DH him on his pitching starts, the first condition is met. However, the timing depends on weather conditions. As the season progresses, cooler September games, such as the Dodgers’ road trips to San Francisco and Seattle, might offer the appropriate environment for this tradition to re-emerge.

Anticipating the Return of the Jacket in Cooler Playoff Moments

Late-season series in the Bay Area and Seattle provide realistic chances for Ohtani to appear on base wearing a jacket, as average nighttime temperatures dip into the mid-50s. The Dodgers remain strong playoff contenders for 2025, potentially setting the stage for jacket sightings deep into October or even November during the postseason. Teams like the Giants, Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Yankees, and Tigers could all serve as backdrops for this vintage spectacle.

Ohtani’s contract through 2033 offers a long window for such moments, so baseball enthusiasts can hold onto hope for many seasons that this charming tradition may return—rooted in both athletic prowess and the sport’s storied past.

Selecting the Perfect Jacket for a Modern Legend

The eventual jacket worn by Ohtani should be more than a standard dugout coat. Ideally, it would be a tailored garment reflecting his unique status—a satin button-up in Dodger Blue (#005A9C), customized with his name emblazoned across the back. Such a piece would signify a respectful homage to baseball history and the special place Ohtani holds within it.

For fans and optimists alike, Ohtani’s use of a jacket on the basepaths would be more than a visual quirk; it would symbolize a living connection to baseball’s rich traditions and the resilience of a game continuously evolving while cherishing its past. The last occasion we witnessed this was before we understood just how rare and treasured such moments truly are. Now, we wait in eager anticipation for Shohei Ohtani to step back out in jacket-clad glory.