I have to admit, I was originally dubious when this whole pantsgate debacle began to take shape. Sure, I’m hardly a fashion eminence, but I’ve been in the industry long enough to understand how an ostensibly small, but notably tangible, micro-drama can pick up speed during a down period in the season, like spring training. Were the pants see-through, with smaller logos and lettering, and Canal Street-ish fabric? They were, and players were happy to chat about them with time-on-their-hands reporters on the Grapefruit and Cactus League junket circuit. Especially this generation of players, which is more fashionable and feels liberated to speak their minds.