MLB fans criticize “embarrassing” sponsored playoff helmets

It’s safe to say that baseball fans aren’t particularly happy with the MLB’s new batting helmets that feature advertising.

The league last month announced a deal with Strauss, a German workwear company, to display the company’s logo on both sides of each helmet in another on-field uniform advertisement during the postseason.

There was a lot of buzz on social media on Tuesday, to say the least, after fans got their first glimpse of the logo on matchday one of the wildcard round.

“Is there anything that MLB @MLB doesn’t advertise?” Trent Mongero, a high school baseball coach, wrote on Looks like the local little league with sponsors on the jerseys. Is it me or does this upset anyone?”

MLB has allowed jersey advertising since 2023, causing frustration among many baseball observers.

Frank Paul Santangelo Jr., son of former star player FP Santangelo, wants nothing to do with Strauss after seeing the ads on Tuesday.

“I am boycotting the Strauss company on principle,” he wrote. “I don’t even know what this company is or what they do, but I never buy anything because they ruined helmets in the playoffs.”

They were anything but alone.

“I’ll say it again: These stupid ads on these postseason helmets are ridiculous,” WFAN anchor Danielle McCartan wrote on

“Hey @MLB, the advertising on the helmets is embarrassing,” said another user on the platform. “You know what, you don’t have to squeeze every last dollar out of the game. Have a little respect for it.”