Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sometimes tradition evolves from rather meaningless circumstances, over time, growing roots, and becoming something of substance.
The Washington Capitals announced on Friday that they will wear their third jersey for all Thursday and Friday home games during the 2016-17 season, totaling 13 games.
Other than reinstating the use of the jerseys, and making it easier for fans to remember when the jerseys will be worn, the move also plants a seed for potential tradition. Not so much for the jersey, but for tying the days the jerseys will be worn to any/all games on a particular day of the week. Seems trivial, but maybe not.
Like most sports teams, the Capitals already have a number of well rooted traditions. However, if you ask any Caps fan, if there could be a little more tradition within the Capitals community, I’m pretty confident the answer would be a resounding yes from a great majority.
The Washington Nationals have had a “traditional” Sunday uniform for a number of seasons, and that tradition has taken root. It’s difficult to quantify, but the value to fans in substantive.
So, at least for this season, any Thursday or Friday night Caps games at Verizon will include the third jerseys.
Personally, and likely for many other Caps fans, Thursday and Friday nights are for fun, possibly including time out on the town, visiting a favorite watering hole, and letting go of the work week. So for me, today these jerseys just became the “party” jerseys.
By Jon Sorensen
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