A week ago in this space, we told you about Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun's affinity for fashionable T-shirts.

Baseball uniforms don't afford much opportunity for individual expression. But, there are plenty of people walking around town in authentic Brewers caps and jerseys these days and that got us thinking ...

How much does it cost to outfit the average Brewer? What does the team pay for socks, jocks, jerseys and jackets and the other clothing / equipment that comprise the tools of the trade?

Our quest for an answer brought us to longtime Brewers clubhouse manager Tony Migliaccio, who orders the equipment and keeps a giant stock room behind the home dugout filled with extra everything.

The results were surprising. Did you know that game jerseys cost $135? Pants cost $65. Or that a year's supply of maple bats can cost more than $6,000?

Using ballpark figures (pun intended), we came up with a figure of $10,473 just to get a player on the field. Here is a bottom-up look at the cost of outfitting our prototypical Brewers player (a catcher who prefers maple bats and a hockey-style mask) from head to toe:

Spikes and shoes ($315): "Most players have deals with shoe companies, so they get their own," Migliaccio said. "But, we have some around in different sizes. The spikes run about $95, the turf shoes that guys were in batting practice and on artificial turf are $50, and each player gets a pair of running shoes that cost about $75." Migliaccio said players go through a couple pairs of spikes in a season. They often are "breaking in" a new pair while wearing another.

Socks ($15): The days of stirrups are pretty much over. There are still some "sanitary" socks in the clubhouse, but the main sock players wear are solid soccer socks that cost about $5 a pair. How often do they change? "Guys are different that way," Migliaccio said. "Some guys go through a lot. Other guys are superstitious. If they're playing well, they don't want to change anything."

Underwear ($158): Players are issued two dri-fit T-shirts ($25 each) and two cotton long-sleeved undershirts ($30 apiece). Players are issued a couple pairs of compression shorts, which are made by a company called "Toolshed" ($18). They also get an athletic supporter and cup ($12).

Pants ($290): "The pants cost $65 a pair," Migliaccio said. "We have home, Retro Friday and the road gray pants. Players have two pair all the time, in case they rip them. Some guys like their paints tight. Other guys like them baggy. Some have them tapered at the ankle. They like them different ways. It's funny

because the skinnier, faster guys go through pants more quickly than the bigger guys do because they slide more. Some guys get comfortable with a pair of pants and they want us to patch any holes and they'll keep using them. Other guys want a new pair whenever they rip."

Belt ($15): "The standard leather belt costs $15," Migliaccio said. "We have to carry extras because that's something guys will forget to pack."

Jerseys ($1,488): The Brewers have a home jersey, a road jersey, a Retro Friday jersey and the "alternate" blue jersey. Each jersey costs $135. Each player has two of each type, for a total cost of $1,080. The batting practice jerseys -- standard and Retro Friday -- cost $102 apiece.

Workout gear ($71): Players are issued workout shorts ($22), a t-shirt ($14) and a sweatshirt ($35).

Outerwear ($60): The dugout jackets that players wear cost $60. Cold-weather parkas are available, but aren't issued individually.

Headgear ($186): Batting helmets cost $50. The Brewers have models for home/away and Retro Friday. Most players can use one for the entire season. The game cap costs $15 apiece. The Brewers have regular caps and Retro Friday caps and some players are tougher on them than others are. Batting practice caps cost $13 apiece.

Sunglasses ($75): "Most of the players have deals with different companies, so we don't have to provide them," Migliaccio said. "We do provide the flip downs, though, and those cost $75 apiece."

Fielding gloves ($300): Again, most players who reach the majors already have endorsement deals. The gloves cost about $150 each and players generally go through two in a season.

Batting gloves ($360): "We go through a ton of those," Migliaccio said. "They cost $30 a pair. Some guys use them for a couple games, but others will toss them right away if they don't get any hits."

Bats ($6,240): Players have different endorsement deals with companies that are authorized to produce bats. The typical cost for a Louisville Slugger bat made out of ash is $48.50. Maple bats usually cost $65. Everyday players go through about 100 bats in a year. Reserve players usually go through 40. Pitchers generally go through a dozen.

Catching equipment ($340 to $540): "The different manufacturers -- Nike, All-Star, Rawlings and Under Armour -- charge different prices," Migliaccio said. "But, they're pretty close. The big difference is the hockey style mask, which is more expensive than the traditional mask."

Shin guards -- $200
Chest protector -- $90
Traditional mask -- $50
Hockey mask -- $200

Miscellaneous ($360): Each player on the team is issued a team travel suitcase ($250) for road trips. The bags feature an embroidered team logo and when they arrive at the spring training complex, you know that opening day is close.

Players also are issued a team duffel bag ($75) and all players (even pitchers) are issued a bat bag ($35).