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Happy Star Wars Day, Athletics Nation! What was once just a fun play on words on the internet (“May the 4th be with you”) has now expanded into a full-on cultural holiday.
As a lifelong fan of both the Oakland A’s and the Star Wars franchise, I always enjoy seeing the two intertwine. In recent years, the A’s have embraced the Star Wars theme at least once each summer for one of their fireworks nights, usually accompanied by plenty of cosplay during the opening ceremonies and throughout the night in the stands.
However, nobody capitalizes on pop culture for promotional purposes more than minor league baseball. Filling the seats ain’t easy in the minors, and they’re good at making use of creative ideas to attract more eyeballs. In the case of Star Wars, that often means special jerseys.
The High-A Stockton Ports were early to the game, using this starry design as far back as 2013.
Here's Dusty Robinson showing off the special Star Wars night jerseys! pic.twitter.com/IjE8TRbtUd
— Stockton Ports (@stocktonports) May 5, 2013
The Ports upped their game even further in 2018, with this intricate layout. It’s almost like a full movie poster printed onto the shirt.
May the force be with you
— Stockton Ports (@stocktonports) May 4, 2020
Happy #MaytheForth everyone! Here’s a look at our 2018 Star Wars jerseys! pic.twitter.com/Te2W1ZWZ9X
A closer look:
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In 2019, the Ports were stormtroopers, though they weren’t the only team to use that design.
Come to the Ports side
— Stockton Ports (@stocktonports) July 13, 2019
Join us for Star Wars Night as the Stockton Ports transform into Storm Troopers on July 19th! ⭐️ Plus, Lou Trivino bobblehead giveaway presented by @LIUNALocal73 #StarWars
Tickets here: https://t.co/s1GiHAotOA pic.twitter.com/rucbx96jNd
The Double-A Midland RockHounds have also gotten in on the fun. In 2019 they sported some impressive duds, featuring Luke Skywalker and an X-Wing on the front, and Darth Vader and the Death Star on the back. (These photos are from the blog Rebel Random Ramblings.)
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The Hounds also did the stormtrooper look, back in 2015:
@DillOverton13 and I rocking our @starwars @RockHounds jerseys! @MiLB pic.twitter.com/qwfLQ4fm2y
— Nick Rickles (@NickRickles) July 19, 2015
Are there any other Star Wars jerseys I missed from the A’s minor league system? If so, share them in the comments! To see some more from other teams, here are some designs from the Dodgers minors at True Blue LA. Also make sure to check out the video below for some Coliseum fireworks.