Umpires Removed Tribute Patch as FTX Took Its Place

Not too long ago, we were asked why umpires removed the traditional black-and-white memorial patch for deceased colleagues from their left sleeve, and now we have a three letter answer: FTX, MLB's new advertiser and cryptocurrency exchange partner, whose patch as of the 2021 All-Star Game now appears on both the umpire jersey's left chest and left sleeve.

Umpires began the 2021 season with two memorial patches in honor of former major league officials who had passed away during the fall of 2020: 34-year AL and MLB umpire Derryl Cousins, who died in October 2020, and NL/MLB umpire Paul Schrieber, who died in November 2020.

Related Post: Former MLB Umpire Derryl Cousins Dead at 74 (10/20/20).

Related Post: Retired MLB Umpire Paul Schrieber Dies at 54 (11/13/20).

When FTX first appeared on umpire uniforms at the 2021 All-Star Game, it effectively replaced the memorial patches on the umpire's left sleeve. According to MLB's partnership announcement, FTX logo patches will continue to adorn all umpire uniforms for all MLB games.

Related Post: MLB Debuts Umpire Uniform Ads During All-Star Game (7/13/21).

At one point in 2017, the umpiring community was besieged by five concurrent deaths and wound up placing a fifth patch on the opposite sleeve, above the umpires' uniform numbers. Will the memorial patch tradition be afforded the opportunity to continue in that form? Only time will tell.

Related Post: Umpires Add 5th Memorial Patch for Bob Motley (9/30/17).

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Alternate Link: MLB's New FTX Ump Uni Patch Displaced Memorial Tributes (CCS)