Why Do Baseball Players Rock Stirrups?

The baseball uniform has always been a mix of tradition and practicality. Early gear was made from wool, which wasn’t the best material for chasing after baseballs under the scorching summer sun. Yet, one piece of old-school apparel has survived: the stirrup.

This additional sock, which wraps around a player's foot, is almost like baseball’s version of formal wear, and some players still wear them today. But how did they come about, and what’s their real purpose?

Back in the mid-1800s, baseball players often wore pants that extended all the way down to the shoes. But in 1868, the Cincinnati Red Stockings decided to make a statement by pulling their pants up to just below the knee, in a knickers-style. Other teams followed this trend, thinking that showing off a well-toned calf might catch the attention of female fans. (This was the 1800s, after all.)

This action revealed their over-the-calf socks, which led to a serious health risk. The toxic dyes used in colorful socks back then could seep into any leg wounds players sustained from being spiked by an opponent's cleats. Combined with dirt and bacteria, this could lead to deadly infections—long before antibiotics were available.

In 1905, Nap Lajoie of the Cleveland Naps contracted a severe infection, thought to be caused by dye entering a cut, confirming the concerns. Players then began wearing white socks underneath their uniform socks, creating a double-layer effect. The inner sock was called a 'sanitary sock' because it protected against germs and lacked the harmful dyes.

While this solved the issue of cleat-related infections, it created a new dilemma: fitting two socks into shoes. To achieve the double-sock look while still being able to wear shoes, stirrups were introduced. The sanitary sock covered the foot, and the second sock, which covered the lower leg, was held in place by a strap under the heel.

A new baseball custom was born.

Stirrups became a staple of the uniform, surviving the rise of penicillin and other key developments. They were so low that most fans couldn’t see them, but players eventually began experimenting with different designs, like stripes. In 1936, the Boston Red Sox (naturally) introduced a classic broad-stripe version, which quickly became popular with other teams.

By the 1980s, stirrup styles were diverse. Some players started pulling their stirrups high, creating a bold 'high cut' look. Others would let their pants hang lower, while some ditched the stirrups altogether but kept the high socks. A few even had the stirrup sewn in, giving it a curved appearance. Many players wear them on specific days, games, or for special events.

The next time you're at a game and spot a pair of stirrups, remember to thank the Cincinnati Red Stockings and their remarkable calves.