MLB rekindling high-sock era with new partnership

Back in the day, it was a thing.

In modern-day baseball, players love their bat decals, elbow guards, shin guards, and anything else that makes them look the part. So with the "look good, feel good" mantra in full swing at most every level, MLB is doing its part to make the sport fun again by naming Stance the official sock of Major League Baseball.

"Socks were a forgotten piece of apparel and completely overlooked as a piece of technical equipment," said Stance co-founder Taylor Shupe. "There hasn't been any real innovation in the space despite how important socks actually are in achieving comfort and function to protect the foot.

"This particular sock is going to open the eyes of a lot of players to what they've been missing out on."

As time wears on, players have grown to appreciate their fitted or baggy pants, with most of the league neglecting high socks, which have been common form for most of baseball's history.

This brand of sock, which will feature creative, eye-popping styles will be unveiled in San Diego in July during All-Star week festivities.

Players like Jose Altuve, a longtime advocate of high socks, said he likes to show some leg because of Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler. Altuve said the chic look isn't the only reason he does it.

"He wears his pants up every time, and I really like the way he looks and I decided to go out there with my pants up," Altuve said.

"I started doing it a little bit in '13, but full time '14, last year and this year. I'm never going to wear my pants down again," he added. "Makes me look faster."

With 184 stolen bases in five full seasons in the majors, he might have a point.