At the Ballpark: I See London, I See France!

As with a provocative runway show, some people were scandalized. Innovation was apparently not the only thing the designs brought to the forefront; a few players, caught bending over, or just sitting down, displayed silhouettes of genitals which were remarkable for their clarity and detail. One player reportedly resorted to buying his own pants at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Perhaps there was a deeper artistry at work. Was this a subversion of the male gaze? A sly reference to the nude, oil-slicked competitors of the ancient Olympics? Shrinkflation? The M.L.B. commissioner, Rob Manfred, predicted the start of a trend. “I think after people wear them a little bit, they’re going to be really popular,” he said.