TORONTO -- The Blue Jays might not be making any drastic changes to their team during the offseason, but that doesn't mean the on-field product will look entirely the same in 2008.

On Monday night, the Jays announced they would be returning to their vintage powder-blue uniforms -- a mainstay during the 1980s -- as part of next season's "Flashback Fridays" promotion.

"Many of our fans indicated to us that they liked the old uniforms," Jays president Paul Godfrey said. "They wanted us to wear them on occasion, and I think they made a good point. You have to remember the roots, history and tradition of the team. This is a great way of doing it."

Powder blue was the color of choice when the Jays first broke into the Major Leagues in 1977. The specific design Toronto will use in '08 is almost identical to the one that was used as the primary road uniform from 1981-89.

One of the few changes can be found on the pants, where instead of using the traditional snap-button front, Jays players will wear belts -- just like they do with all of their current uniforms.

It may be a slight modification from the original look, but it's one that comes with the blessing of former Toronto great Lloyd Moseby, who played with the Jays from 1981-89.

"Sometimes my snap didn't work," Moseby said, laughing. "When dirt gets in there, that snap won't work again. So the timeouts were long, the TV games were longer. But they figured it out and they've got belts now."

The uniform change was made to further enhance the "Flashback Fridays" experience for Jays fans. The special promotion occurs whenever Toronto plays at Rogers Centre on Friday nights. As part of the event, an alumnus is on hand to sign autographs, and fans get to watch videos from some of the Jays' glory years.

"It's special for us, because we found out on 'Flashback Fridays' that a lot of old fans come back," Godfrey said. "For those that got disillusioned because of the strike -- or for whatever reason lost interest in the ballclub -- it's almost like a magnet that draws them back in."

Toronto reliever Jeremy Accardo was just 4 years old when the Jays won their first division title in 1985, but he said he's fully aware of the history that comes with the vintage look.

"It's fun wearing those throwbacks and seeing all the video of those guys playing," Accardo said. "So much stuff was done when they were wearing those baby blues. Hopefully, we can do it again."

In addition to the retro uniforms, the Jays also unveiled a new road jersey for the 2008 season. It's a modernized version that will prominently display "Toronto" across the chest in a bold font consisting of blue, black and white on a grey uniform.

"None of us really felt the name of the team 'Toronto' stood out the way it should," Godfrey said. "This version, the font is different, the outline colors are more prominent. ... After testing the market, from the various research we do, this is what the fans wanted."

According to Accardo, the best part of the new look is that his No. 49 will be shown on the front of the jersey instead of just on the back like previous models.

"It'll be good for my grandparents," Accardo joked. "They're always trying to spot me. They've got the [long blond] hair to look for, but the 49 in front will help my grandma out a lot."