In addition to the new Nike Vapor Premier jerseys that all 30 MLB teams are going to be wearing this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have made several changes to their batting helmet.
For nearly 60 years, the Dodgers’ interlocking “LA” logo on their batting helmet was wider than the one on their cap. That is no longer the case as both logos now match each other.
Another subtle change is that the white “LA” logo on the Dodgers’ batting helmet now appears to have a blue border around it. However, the outline is actually a layer that the logo sits upon.
Dodgers design director Ross Yoshida revealed that the new version of the logo is an embroidered patch inspired by the Samurai Japan helmets from the 2023 World Baseball Classic, via Paul Lukas of Uni Watch:
“It is indeed an embroidered patch,” said Yoshida. “That decision came from above me. I was told it was inspired by the Samurai Japan helmets from the World Baseball Classic.”
Whether coincidental or not, the Dodgers drawing inspiration from the Team Japan helmets worn during the 2023 World Baseball Classic comes on the heels of signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Of course, of those two, it was just Ohtani who wore the Samurai Japan-styled helmet in the WBC.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have featured a raised logo on their batting helmet since the 2016 season, which was initially a 3D-printed “LA” that struggled to stay in place. They eventually changed to a rubberized version of the raised logo before switching to the embroidered patch for 2024.
The Chicago Cubs are the only other MLB team that uses an embroidered logo on their batting helmet. However, their version is flat and not raised like the Dodgers’ interlocking “LA” logo.
Dodgers jersey changes
As a result of Nike’s new jersey template, the Dodgers script no longer makes a clean break between the “o” and “d.” Instead, the “d” is now broken into separate pieces.
The Dodgers’ home jersey is a different shade of white, the front number is much smaller than in the past and the fabric is now perforated. Additionally, the MLB logo is lower, the typography is smaller and the name on back has a tighter arch.
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