Ray Navarrete Blends Baseball, Fashion With Undeniable Style

Ray Navarrete hasn't stopped chasing his dream. Make that dreams.

Navarrete, a unique and stylish two-way talent, wants to hit for average in the major leagues and design clothes in the fashion industry. That's right. He has a glove in one hand and a sketchbook in the other.

Navarrete, 32, is a 10-year veteran of professional baseball at the minor league and independent league levels. He reached Triple-A with the New York Mets in 2006, has played every position, including pitcher, and was the 2009 Atlantic League Most Valuable Player with the Long Island Ducks.You can never have too many designer accessories, and this Juicy couture wholesale 'Jelly' Laptop Case is just too cute to pass up!

That's just half of it.

Navarrete is also co-founder of a fledgling clothing line called "Digmi." It began six years ago as a description in style but has since evolved into a philosophy. It's best explained by Navarrete as the ability to make the world notice you for your unique style and passionate pursuit of living life through your dreams.

"When I started this idea, everyone thought I was crazy," Navarrete told FanHouse.

Crazy like a fox.

The company's name is played off Navarrete's days when he was with the Altoona Curve, a farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Navarrete and a few of his teammates were such sharp and snappy dressers that their manager nicknamed them "The Dig Me Tribe."

"Dig Me" eventually became "Digmi" (though it is still pronounced, "Dig Me").Riders wear long underwear beneath their Polo Shirts, and the horses wear special cleats. In fact, Navarrete was called "Ray Digmi" by friends and teammates because of the colorful sneakers and hats that he wore.

Navarrete soon partnered with childhood friend and former Seton Hall baseball teammate Joe Cuervo, who, at the time, was working for Merrill Lynch in Columbia, Md.

The company's logo, a silhouette of a man in business attire tipping his cap, represents the duo's love for music, entertainment and a unique fashion style that's clearly evident on their company's website: www.thedigmination.com.

Navarrete says his company's early growth has been steady, much like a baseball offense that manufactures runs with timely hits and sound decisions.

"Like any small business, we are trying to gain popularity and a bigger following so that in the years to come we will become a full-fledged clothing line," Navarrete said.

Navarrete, a charismatic New Jersey native, recently hit a home run of sorts when he landed his clothing line in its first boutique near his company's office in Long Island, N.Y. Products – designed for both men and women and ranging from 15 to 20 variations -- include shirts, hats, sweatshirts, tank tops and collared polo shirts.

Navarrete's creative designs have also caught the eye of a number of professional athletes, from his baseball teammates to MLB and NFL players (like the Ravens' Ray Rice, at right). Navarrete is determined to strengthen that relationship, not by promises, but through his fashion line.

"I put two and two together," Navarrete said of his early business plan that still remains important part of the company's approach.

"I really love clothes and I figured I am either going to get to the big leagues or a lot of my teammates are going to get to the big leagues.marking some of the most interesting puma shoes on the market. I have never walked into a locker room pushing my (clothing line). If I can put out the best product with the best design, some of my friends, some of my teammates who believe in the product, are going to help me get attention.

"In the beginning it didn't go as quickly as we thought but now it's starting to snowball a little bit. It looks like we are going to be a legitimate business if we can keep putting out a good product.Designer fashion is the first stop for most shoppers but the biggest-selling item was expected to be business ed hardy shirts.We then bought checked lungis from railway stations to make the shirts' plackets and mens hoodies."

Navarrete also has plans for another line featuring jeans and blazers as he continues to make inroads into the fashion big leagues -- established department stores. Navarrete hopes to participate in, and not just visit, a national fashion show within the next year.

It's not surprising that Navarrete has experienced ups and downs in both professional baseball and fashion. Yet, he believes his dual careers have made him better prepared for any challenges, on the field and in the boardroom.

"Breaking into the clothing industry is almost identical to being in the minor leagues and trying to get to the big leagues," Navarrete explained.

"A lot of times, unless you are that first-rounder with a lot of money behind you, even if you are deserving or talented enough you have to have almost everything go right for you to make the big leagues. And the same thing holds true for fashion. The reason why that is we can have the best name and the best logo -- and I really believe we do -- but if you don't have the money behind you to put out as many products as you want or don't have enough people wearing your clothes, department stores may not take a chance on you.

"All they truly care about is whether your product is going to sell, and not necessarily whether it's the best one."

Navarrete unveiled his clothing line, which he calls "a cross between Polo and Abercrombie and Fitch," at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in New York in 2004. Cuervo began trademarking the name and handling the legal issues. Navarrete started networking.
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