Jul 1, 2022

  • Joon LeeESPN

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      Previously a Staff Writer at Bleacher Report
      Cornell University graduate

Major League Baseball and Nike introduced the City Connect series during the 2021 season to milkshake up uniform design across the sport in the most dramatic fashion since the league introduced the Turn Ahead the Clock alternates in the late 1990s.

Nike has worked with each MLB squad to arts and crafts a compatible that expresses the personality and communities of the team's habitation city. Last twelvemonth saw the launch of seven City Connect uniforms: for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Carmine Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants. The unveilings continued this season with seven more: the Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, Kansas Urban center Royals, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres.

Afterwards taking over as the uniform supplier for the NFL and the NBA, Nike pushed for radical compatible-blueprint changes in those leagues, a movement that is at present making its way into the baseball world. While some MLB traditionalists have scoffed, many of the designs have sold out quickly after their unveiling.

With some of the designs more polarizing than others, here's our breakdown of the uniforms that have dropped to engagement -- and how we rank them.

1. Colorado Rockies

Debut: June 4, 2022, vs. Atlanta Braves

Pattern inspiration: Colorado's uniform pays homage to the mountains that give the team its proper noun, with a predominantly green look reflecting the state'due south signature pine trees. It features several flourishes, such as a new circle logo on the lid in red (for soil) and aureate (for sunshine), forth with the state'southward "CO" abbreviation. The logo and number font also pay tribute to the state's distinctive license plate.

Fan reception: The Rockies' uniforms received a polarizing reaction from fans. Many praised the look's local ties to their state's license plate, and some fans beyond baseball game called them the best uniform since City Connect started (every bit nosotros are doing here!). Others rated them among the worst, however, with some even likening their pattern to a beer ad.

Verdict: The Rockies have unveiled a design that is distinctive from the rest of their existing uniform fix without feeling completely out of left field. The Rockies paid an exceptional corporeality of attention to detail, creating a look that feels both fresh and classic.

2. Chicago White Sox

Debut: June 5, 2021, vs. Detroit Tigers

Design inspiration: Chicago's uniform displays "Southside" in grey Gothic font, a nod to the Greystone architectural way of Chicago. The squad's dark gray pinstriped pants also provide a unique design bear upon not frequently seen in baseball game today. The wait resembles the Plow Back the Clock uniforms the team wore in tribute to the Chicago American Giants. Nike and the White Sox as well say the design was inspired past the team'southward influence in hip-hop culture.

Fan reception: Of the various City Connect uniforms, the White Sox received the strongest positive reaction from fans, with the jerseys selling out speedily on the 24-hour interval they were fabricated bachelor in the White Sox team store.

Verdict: The White Sox became the first squad in the series to experiment with pants that weren't white, and made a statement with the pinstriped look. While the Gothic-style font could be divisive and stands out as the most distinctive chemical element of this uniform set, this fix's ability to both differentiate itself while staying true to the White Sox makes information technology stand out from the pack.

3. Miami Marlins

Debut: May 21, 2021, vs. New York Mets

Design inspiration: The Marlins went with a bright-red pinstriped uniform and a predominantly blue lid with a ruby bill. The jerseys pay tribute to the Sugar Kings, a Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds that played in Cuba from 1946 through 1960. Both the uniform patch and the logo on the hat call back to the original Carbohydrate Kings logo. The uniform is not an exact copy of the Saccharide Kings' jersey, which was white and featured red pinstripes.

Fan reception: A largely positive response on social media greeted the Marlins uniforms, which deviated from the "Miami Vice" theme that Nike could have hands defaulted to after the positive reception for the Miami Heat alternates. Given the history of assuming uniforms in Marlins franchise history, the fake throwback to the Sugar Kings falls right in line with the squad's cupboard of jerseys.

Verdict: While the connexion to the Sugar Kings isn't explicitly Miami, the metropolis does take a massive Cuban population, and the uniform'south colors fit in with the pastel aesthetic that colors the urban center.

four. Washington Nationals

Debut: April 9, 2022, vs. Mets

Design inspiration: The Nationals' uniforms weave together ii recognizable elements of our nation's capital: its signature red blossoms and a typeface that resembles D.C.'south neoclassical architecture. The uniform besides features the city's flag on the sleeve of a dark-gray bailiwick of jersey with cream pants.

Fan reception: The Nationals received near universal praise from fans on social media for the compatible reveal, with some calling it the squad'due south best. The integration of the cherry blossoms on the hat garnered acclaim, while some wished the team went further in leaning all the way into the pink theme, similar to the Washington Wizards, who unveiled a cherry blossom uniform at the same time. Even fans of rival teams acknowledged that the Nationals designed i of the best City Connect alternates, while others praised the color and coordination betwixt a baseball game and basketball game team in the same town.

Verdict: The uniforms strike a neat rest -- being both fashion-forwards and evoking the city's character. The cerise blossom blueprint doesn't fall apartment similar the fog elements incorporated in the Giants' uniforms (see below). The surprising colors in a grounded pattern make this one of the best in the Metropolis Connect series.

five. San Diego Padres

Debut: July viii, 2022, vs. Giants

Design inspiration: The Padres went with a binational theme in an try to pay homage to a shared community that sees an estimated 50 meg people commute yearly from San Diego to Tijuana, the populous border city in Mexico. They accentuated pinkish, xanthous and mint, 3 colors prevalent throughout Baja California. And the "San Diego" emblazoned on the front end of the jerseys is written in a vintage font representative of weathered beach signs. They consider this a bold, outside-the-box look, and their promise is that it will appeal to a younger demographic.

Fan reception: Images of the Padres' City Connect uniforms leaked a couple days early, and the reaction on social media was mixed, which shouldn't surprise anyone given the team utilized colors hardly ever seen on major league jerseys and caps. Some fans loved them. Some compared them to a can of Arizona Iced Tea or '90s roller-skaters.

Verdict: The Padres and Nike did the correct thing in trying to tap into Mexican culture in Southern California and executed it well. Latin players are going to honey these; a lot of them already wear these colors on cleats and wrist bands. They bear a stark resemblance to the "Miami Vice" uniforms the NBA'south Miami Oestrus accept been putting out, which is probably no coincidence given Miami's Latin influence. -- Alden Gonzalez

6. Boston Carmine Sox

Debut: April 17, 2021, vs. White Sox

Design inspiration: The Ruby Sox went with the most radical blueprint among the uniforms released thus far, unveiling the first uniform in team history to characteristic yellow and blue every bit the primary colors. On the front of the yellowish bailiwick of jersey, there is a bluish stenciled font, and the lid is blue. While the team featured bluish as a chief colour through 1907, the team has primarily sported red since 1908. The Boston Marathon and Patriots' Twenty-four hours concur a special place in the culture of Boston, and the team decided to pay homage to the metropolis's unique holiday through its uniforms, highlighted by the 617 marathon bib patch on the left sleeve.

Fan reception: While many traditionalist fans disliked the departure from the team's classic white and red uniforms, others embraced the design. Although the uniforms received a mixed reception, the Red Sox sold out of the new jerseys and the City Connect merchandise that was released along with them at the Fenway Park squad store.

Verdict: We give loftier marks for boldness and the team'southward desire to do something outside of the norm. The City Connect series is not meant to appeal to everyone, and past going with something surprising and outside the box while receiving a relatively positive reception, the Red Sox are pushing forward the thought of what a baseball uniform can await like.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks

Debut: June xviii, 2021, vs. Dodgers

Pattern inspiration: The Diamondbacks unveiled a gold uniform referencing the Sonoran Desert and the country's Hispanic culture, with "Serpientes" across the front. Not straying also far from the squad'southward existing colors, Arizona decided to flip its chief and secondary colors, making the team's distinctive Sedona Crimson color an accent through the numbers. The compatible patch on the left sleeve features the Arizona state flag and a reference to Phoenix's nickname equally the Valley of the Sun.

Fan reception: The Diamondbacks received a largely positive, only less passionate, reaction, with many on social media feeling that the team's uniform set up didn't do much to differentiate itself from the rest of the series. Some fans enjoyed the more reserved approach to the alternates, while others felt bored by the relatively safe blueprint choices.

Verdict: The decision to utilise aureate as a master uniform color is what makes Arizona's foray stick out. While the Diamondbacks certainly did non become every bit bold as the Cherry Sox or the Marlins in changing up their look, the decision to utilize a color normally not seen on a baseball field every bit a primary makes it more adventurous than the safe blueprint put forth past the Cubs.

8. Houston Astros

Debut: April 20, 2022, vs. Angels

Design inspiration: The jerseys take inspiration from the iconic tequila sunrise Astros uniforms from the 1970s while paying tribute to the city'due south intertwined history with space travel. The uniform font resembles the iconic typography of NASA, while the sleeves feature a grid pattern inspired by star charts.

Fan reception: The uniforms received a mixed reception on social media. Some fans liked the cap in detail, while others cited the missed potential to go all-in on the tequila sunrise.

Verdict: The Astros played it down the middle. They utilise some fun blueprint elements, merely overall the uniforms feel a little condom with an all-navy-blue-design and not enough additional colors.

ix. Los Angeles Angels

Debut: June xi, 2022, vs. Mets

Design inspiration: The Angels took a cue from Southern California's beach and surf culture, with a cream base of operations that pays homage to the aforementioned, with "Angels" written in letters inspired by surf brands. The cap features a two-tone design reminiscent of the style often seen on skaters in SoCal. A jersey patch pays tribute to the country'south early railroads. 2 asymmetrical stripes on the sleeves draw inspiration from retro surfboards.

Fan reception: The Angels' uniforms leaked early and received a relatively positive response from fans, though some chosen the alternates tedious and also similar to the team's current uniform prepare in comparison with the rest of the City Connect serial. A portion of the Angels' fan base of operations also noted that the team, mired in an xi-game losing streak on the official release 24-hour interval, had non won a game since the uniforms leaked on Twitter.

Verdict: The Angels incorporated some strong design elements, but they would be more plumbing equipment if the team had done a redesign of their home uniforms rather than a Urban center Connect look. In other words, while the uniforms are strong aesthetically, the Angels did not take any risks here.

10. Milwaukee Brewers

Debut: Friday, June 24, 2022, vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Design inspiration: The Brewers took design inspiration from the People'southward Flag of Milwaukee, their city's summertime skies, its grilling civilisation and Lake Michigan. They used Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport's abbreviation, MKE, on their cap while using the squad's nickname with fans -- Brew Crew -- across the front end of the bailiwick of jersey.

Verdict: The Brewers created a visually appealing wait that is a fun twist on the team's existing uniforms, but overall, the team played things safe compared with some of the other City Connect uniforms, using colors with roots in the team's uniform history rather than taking a bound.

11. San Francisco Giants

Debut: July 9, 2021, vs. Nationals

Design inspiration: The near unique design elements from the Giants' uniforms are a nod to the Golden Gate Bridge, silhouetted on the sleeves, and to the San Francisco fog, which dots the team's logo on the bailiwick of jersey'south chest, the player uniform numbers and the bridge. A small patch above the bailiwick of jersey tag features the Giants lettering surrounded by fog.

Fan reception: Giants fans reacted overwhelmingly negatively, criticizing everything from the elongated "One thousand" to the fog gradient to the shade of orange, which many idea did not match with the squad'due south existing artful. Even players like pitcher Kevin Gausman expressed a mixed reaction to the jersey, telling reporters, "I think there'due south so much more that goes into the city than fog."

Verdict: The Giants created a uniform that looks different from most today, experimenting with the fog-and-mist gradient. While the unproblematic orange-and-white look feels slightly underwhelming considering some of the bolder color palettes in the City Connect series, the Giants' uniform seems a scrap more than timeless compared to the other alternates.

12. Kansas City Royals

Debut: April 30, 2022, vs. New York Yankees

Design inspiration: Nike presented the Royals with multiple themes, including charcoal-broil and jazz, and the team went with a theme inspired past the city'south fountains and art deco architecture. The navy blue pays homage to the city's baseball by with the Monarchs, Blue Sox, Athletics, Packers and Blues, while the blueprint detailing is a nod to the team'due south past uniform history.

Fan reception: The uniforms received a mixed reception on social media. Some fans criticized the safe approach to the City Connect design while others praised the team's arroyo with its fountain-inspired logo.

Verdict: While the Royals created a strong, modern logo, the squad fell brusque in creating a look that differentiated itself from the rest of the squad's compatible set past going with prophylactic colors. These uniforms fell short, similar to the Cubs' uniforms, which played things slightly besides safe when presented with an opportunity to get bold.

xiii. Chicago Cubs

Debut: June 12, 2021, vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Design inspiration: The Cubs uniforms feature a largely navy blue design with low-cal blue accents meant to evoke the Chicago flag, with "Wrigleyville" across the front in a font similar to the ballpark'southward marquee and each of the city'south 77 neighborhoods acknowledged with names on the sleeves of the dugout and bullpen jackets. The bailiwick of jersey's left sleeve features a patch of the Chicago municipal device logo and a circle with a Y, symbolizing the north, southward and master branches of the Chicago River.

Fan reception: The uniforms leaked alee of their formal reveal and received a largely negative reception from fans, many of whom felt they were boring compared to the rest of the City Connect serial, although some appreciated the more toned-down approach.

Verdict: The Cubs took far and abroad the safest approach to the series so far, which made the new alternates await relatively tame and a tad deadening. Overall, the Cubs got outshined by their rivals on the Due south Side.

14. Los Angeles Dodgers

Debut: Aug. 20, 2021, vs. Mets

Pattern inspiration: The "Los Dodgers" are honoring the 40th anniversary of Fernandomania -- the historic 1981 flavour by bullpen Fernando Valenzuela -- in addition to the team's connectedness to the Latin community. The squad besides took inspiration from the murals around Los Angeles, with spray-painted accents on the uniform sleeves.

Fan reception: The Dodgers' Urban center Connect offering leaked early, and they received a largely negative reaction on social media due to the lack of differentiation from the team's current uniforms.

Verdict: Given how many consider the Dodgers' uniforms the most beautiful and timeless in sports, the Metropolis Connect alternates autumn flat considering they did not deviate much from the tried-and-true formula. While every other squad took some sort of design leap from their current abode and away sets, the Dodgers failed to practice and so. Even the Cubs, whose uniforms many considered to be too safe, took a bigger gamble.