A Definitive Guide to City Connect Uniforms

Hi! Hello! How have you been? Let's talk City Connects.

I will start with the worst and move toward the best. I have strictly organized them into descriptive tiers.

Bad

• NLC Cardinals

Maybe you like this. I do not. It looks off-brand. It looks license-less. "St. Louis Baseball Club" energy. Like somebody is trying to stay out of a lawsuit.

Almost as Bad

• NLW Dodgers

Dippin Dots jersey. I can live with that. But the hat. Oy. 

Throwbacks

• NLE Braves
• NLC Pirates

These are fine uniforms. But they are not city connects. They are throwbacks. 

Standard Issue

• ALW Angels
• ALC White Sox
• ALC Guardians

Again, these are fine uniforms. But they could be standard issue redesigns. Or weekend alternates.

Tame and Monochromatic

• NLC Brewers
• NLC Cubs
• NLC Reds

They feel formulaic. They feel safe. Will we remember these in ten years? In five?

Look, They Connect

• ALE Red Sox
• NLW Rockies

Now we are getting somewhere. Both are clever and inspired. Definitely connect with the area. Maybe a little too literally? Maybe we could take some more liberties with the design?

Less than the sum of their parts, I think. 

Turn Back Around

• ALW Mariners
• ALW Astros
• ALC Royals
• NLW Giants

We took some risks. They didn't quite land. That's ok! Let's applaud the effort and keep iterating. 

Close

• NLE Nationals
• NLE Marlins

The Marlins gets into Good or Great territory with some inspired pants. The standard issue pants kill the vibe. Don't believe me? Look at pictures without the pants. This is good stuff.

The Nationals color choices are inspired. So are the flowers. But the WSH...it kills the vibe. We also need to city connect the pants.

Taco Bell Nachos

• ALE Blue Jays
• ALC Tigers
• ALE Rays

These are a delicious mess! Sometimes risky, very cheeky, and very, very fun. Detroit has Hot Wheels energy. I love it. The Blue Jays are like an off-main weekend nightlife establishment. You're not sure how you got there, or if you feel safe. The Rays uniforms...these are almost perfect. I imagine they smell like Skateland. Like fog machines and plastic and cheap hot dogs.

Good

• ALC Twins
• ALE Orioles
• NLW Padres
• NLW Diamondbacks

These are all beautiful kits. You can argue that the Orioles are a little tame. Maybe you're right. But they look SO clean.

Great - Best of the Best

• NLE Mets
• ALW Rangers
• NLE Phillies

The "TX" font is gorgeous. Inspired colors. Inspired contrast. Cowboy energy without resorting to cliches. 

The Mets subtle use of purple is brilliant. The raised bridge looks fantastic. Especially on a batting helmet. These look far better on field than they did in the promo shots.

And finally, the Phillies. These might be the best. The Phillies have weird, eccentric, loud ballplayers. They have since I was a kid. The uniforms suit them perfectly. I love the colors. I love the "Philly" typeface. They might be the single best kit.