The mid '90s marked the height of popularity for baseball for several reasons. Sure, the steroid era drove up viewership and fan attendance as players were hitting homeruns at a record breaking pace. Another reason was the marketability of the players from that era, and the long history of baseball players with signature shoes during that time. With faces like Ken Griffey Jr, Frank Thomas, and Derek Jeter all leading campaigns for their respective brands, players were just as recognizable on the field as they were off. New Balance is looking to bring that era back, minus the steroids, with their newly acquired team of athletes.
With a roster of Evan Longoria, CJ Wilson, Scott Kazmir, and Jose Bautista, New Balance has a roster of young, yet proven players that could make a major impact in the sport. Through a video series called Unlaced, New Balance will follow around their four signature athletes through their routines that led them to be professionals on the baseball diamond and their lifestyles off of it. The leader of the campaign is Evan Longoria, who New Balance confirmed will be getting his own signature shoe for 2015, making him the second player in the sport with their own shoe, along with Mike Trout. In the latest video, Longoria puts his sneaker knowledge to work and talks about several recent collabs New Balance has dropped recently, as well as thoughts for his own signature.
When it comes to baseball apparel and gear, Nike dominated much of the marketing and sales from player exclusive products. With the roster additions and expansion into baseball, this could be a major move for New Balance, and they could jump on a segment of the market which has been lacking for many years now. Check out the video below, and let us know what you think New Balance's chances of making a major impact when it comes to baseball specific apparel and footwear.
RELATED: New Balance Takes Tennis Shoes Very Literally With This Collab
RELATED: Who Will Carry the Jordan Brand Torch After Derek Jeter Retires?
