When the Pittsburgh Pirates stepped onto the PNC Park field Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, they completed the 2023 City Connect series debut for Major League Baseball. Pittsburgh is the latest team participating in what has become another bond between a baseball city and its fan base.
Six MLB teams — the Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles — introduced their City Connect uniforms to the masses this season between April and June. In the past two-plus seasons, 20 of the league’s 30 teams have played in the special alternate uniforms.
Since 2021, Nike and MLB have collaborated to produce a uniform that not only identifies the personality of the city but also represents the historical aspect of the respective communities. MLB said the uniforms were designed “to invigorate longtime baseball fans and invite more people into the game, expanding the future of the sport.”
“Over the course of its first two seasons, the Nike MLB City Connect Series has been the most successful consumer product initiative we’ve ever had,” MLB chief revenue officer Noah Garden said via press release. “The overwhelmingly positive response from our fans is clear when you see ballparks full of these distinct designs and colors.”
With 20 teams to keep an eye on for the rest of the season, one of the questions is clear: Who has the best of the best uniforms? Everybody has their thoughts, but The Athletic’s trio of Jason Jones, Eric Koreen and James L. Edwards III teamed up to not only discuss the City Connect series uniforms by way of a roundtable discussion but also rank the stylish threads.
The writers ranked each team using a scoring system in which 20 points were given to their favorite uniform and one point was given to their least favorite. (This explains the numbers in parentheses next to each writer’s name below.)
The Golden Gate Bridge is on the sleeves of the jersey. There’s also a story with the fog gradient throughout the uniform.
On-field debut: July 9, 2021
Koreen (4): I am normally an orange guy, but not here. I get the idea, but the jerseys are too minimal, and the hat is too much. I do like the G on the jersey, but it doesn’t feel in tune with the rest of what is — or isn’t — going on here.
Jones (3): Highlighting fog was an interesting decision. The Golden Gate Bridge, yes. But fog? Making that a part of the jersey was unique — and I don’t mean that in a good way — but this shade of orange is better than their usual orange that reminds me of Halloween.
Edwards (1): I fell asleep looking at these. Boring. Next.
Texas Rangers (8)
The uniform is a nod to Texas’ independence day. The jersey also features a Peagle, a mythical creature blended from the minor-league logos of the Dallas Eagles and Fort Worth Cats (originally called the Panthers).
On-field debut: April 21, 2023
Jones (4): The Rangers honored the state’s history by showcasing when Texas gained its independence on April 21, 1836. Maybe that’s why the look reminds me of the state flag more than anything.
Edwards (2): The best part of this uniform is the font used for the numbers. That’s it. These stink. It just seems too thrown together, like it was made at the last second on Microsoft PowerPoint.
Koreen (2): I feel like there’s very little connective tissue here. The logo and the number have little in common. I don’t really mind the colors, but it doesn’t work as a cohesive statement for me. I should probably be more Texan.
18. Baltimore Orioles (13)
Basic black uniforms connecting with the city’s arts culture courtesy of mosaic designs. “You can’t clip these wings.”
On-field debut: May 26, 2023
Edwards (8): You can’t really go wrong with a black jersey. It’s simple — straight to the point. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it.
Koreen (3): Brings to mind a private military contractor. That is not a compliment.
Jones (2): Not much to say or see here. Maybe I’m not artistic enough to understand the beauty in these. Even with the little bit of color on the sleeve, it’s basically a black jersey.
Going against the grain — no red — Boston pays homage to Patriots’ Day, as well as the Boston Marathon.
On-field debut: April 17, 2021
Jones (11): The Red Sox looking like UCLA is definitely different. But if you’re going to be different, go all out. That’s what this uniform does, while also giving a nod to the Boston Marathon on the sleeve.
Edwards (6): I like the font, and I genuinely like how the blue and yellow mix — but you can’t be the Red Sox without any red.
Koreen (1): Boston. Red Sox. Red. As in the color. I get what they are doing. However, I have few rules in life, and one of them is: “If there is a color in your team name, that color better be involved somehow in your uniform.”
In an attempt to unite Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods, “Wrigleyville” was born.
On-field debut: June 12, 2021
Edwards (7): The Cubs’ regular uniforms are perfect. Classic. These aren’t it. They’re not terrible but not even remotely in the same ballpark as their traditional uniforms.
Jones (7): This is a pretty standard look for the Cubs, with subtle nods to Chicago on the jersey. Of the two Chicago teams, I’d expect the Cubs to be the team to play it safe.
Koreen (6): It’s probably harder for teams with longer histories and a classic look to really nail the alternates. These are fine, I guess, but the Cubs logo and home whites are so much better that I’m mostly bored.
The uniforms, in addition to showing love to the Hispanic community, celebrate Fernando Valenzuela and his outstanding rookie season in 1981, which resulted in a World Series championship.
On-field debut: Aug. 20, 2021
Jones (9): I’m a Dodgers fan and was hooked on baseball at a very early age because of “Fernandomania,” so I dig “Los Dodgers.” But the jersey is nothing special. It’s really close to the blue jerseys the team already has. Highlighting more of Valenzuela’s Mexican heritage would have made these more of a winner.
Koreen (8): They have great traditional jerseys, and they hewed very closely to those. It’s the ultimate playing-it-safe move, which makes sense to me. On the other hand, they are so close to the normal uniforms that they lack a reason, beyond Valenzuela, to exist.
Edwards (4): The design team had no interest in using a sliver of creativity. These are their traditional uniforms, except with “Los” across the chest. Clean — I love the blue — however, the lack of attempt matters in these things.
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (25)
Incorporating the colors of black and gold is a Pittsburgh sports thing. Also, notice in the shirt the asteroid, which references the city’s “steelmark” logo.
On-field debut: June 27, 2023
Koreen (15): Points deducted for three-letter identification. Saying that, the Pirates have one of the better, simplest color schemes in the league, and leaning into it is the right move. This is bold and crisp. Not entirely necessary, but hey, what is?
Edwards (9): It’s loud because of the yellow, and I do love the black pants to go with it, but there isn’t a ton of creativity here. The colors are saving this from being lower down the list.
Jones (1): One day we’ll get a jersey from a Pittsburgh team that’s exciting. This ain’t it.
Houston has a respected reputation for its space education. “Space City” has similar font as the NASA logo from the 1970s.
On-field debut: April 20, 2022
Edwards (15): Maybe it’s the Detroit Tigers fan in me, but orange and navy blue go together perfectly. “Space City” obviously makes sense. There isn’t a single thing wrong with this jersey.
Koreen (9): Houston, we have a … perfectly cromulent — if a bit Jetsons-like — nod to the thing your city is most known for.
Jones (6): I like the cap more than anything with this combination. Maybe it’s because I prefer Houston’s old-school colors. But when I think of Houston, NASA isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. I wouldn’t be inclined to wear “Space City” across my chest.
“El Camino de las Serpientes”: The way of the serpent. These uniforms show love to the Sonoran Desert and Arizona’s Hispanic culture.
On-field debut: June 18, 2021
Jones (19): I’m a sucker for jerseys in different languages, so the Diamondbacks have a winner with this one. I also like that they ventured from their standard colors. When I see this jersey, it looks like it represents the desert with the snake spelling out “Serpientes” against the gold backdrop.
Koreen (7): These grew on me the more I looked at them. I love the font on the front. I wish the back of the jersey felt more connected to the front, and I wish they did something different with the hat.
Edwards (5): The font is cool, but that’s about where it stops for me. These jerseys look like someone left a vanilla milkshake on the counter for too long. It’s not easy on the eyes.
10. (Tie) Cincinnati Reds (33)
Cincinnati’s uniforms represent a modern-day visual of the city. Looking to the past is the exact opposite of what they tried to do here.
On-field debut: May 19, 2023
Edwards (14): Another black jersey? Sign me up! Black and red go together perfectly. I’ve never seen a terrible black-and-red anything. I love the front of the jersey. I’m a fan.
Koreen (11): My favorite part is the helmet/caps. I’m not sure if they really match the uniform, but the use of a popular city abbreviation is nice.
Jones (8): This is another basic look, but it’s not boring. “Cincy” across the chest stands out. If my first name began with a “C,” I’d probably rock the cap that goes with this jersey.
Dark blue meshing with light blue. It’s a tip of the cap to why it’s called the “City of Fountains.”
On-field debut: April 30, 2022
Jones (13): I love the colors. Takes me back to Bo Jackson with the light blue. The Royals would have hit it out of the park with a BBQ-inspired jersey, but leaning into the city’s art isn’t a bad choice.
Koreen (10): It’s hard not to see royal blue in Royals uniforms, but I appreciate the interplay between the logo and the socks. The use of multiple blues reminds me of the Toronto Argonauts. Look it up.
Edwards (10): Eh. They’re fine. I love navy blue, but the Royals’ more traditional blue pops more. No real risk was taken here. Don’t love them; don’t hate them.
9. San Diego Padres (38)
A binational fan base is celebrated with these uniforms. Many of the team’s fans hail from San Diego, Tijuana, Mexico, and Baja California.
On-field debut: July 8, 2022
Koreen (18): Clearly a rip-off of “Miami Vice,” but if the Miami Heat aren’t going to lean into that color scheme anymore, I’m glad someone is. San Diego feels light and breezy to me, and the entire uniform radiates that.
Jones (17): The cynic in me thought “Miami Vice” — or “sherbet” — but this is actually a cool look. It celebrates Tijuana and San Diego, a smart move given how close the cities are. The Padres decided to stand out with their look. It was a good choice.
Edwards (3): These are atrocious. I feel like this jersey is sold at every other store in South Beach. It comes with matching swimming trunks. I respect the boldness, so they get points for that, but a baseball jersey should still look like a baseball jersey. This just doesn’t give off the proper vibe.
8. Miami Marlins (39)
The uniform is a slightly modified tribute to the Cuban Sugar Kings, a Triple-A team that won a championship in 1959.
On-field debut: May 21, 2021
Edwards (20): I love uniforms that are loud. This is loud in a great way. The colors clash perfectly, and the powder blue hat is a nice touch.
Jones (14): Paying tribute to the old Cincinnati Triple-A team that played in Cuba from 1946 to 1960 salutes the Cuban population of Miami. It’s a vibrant city, and this jersey fits the city well.
Koreen (5): These don’t really do much for me. Even the pinstripes aren’t working for me. I like the shade of red, but the color of the hat distracts and overwhelms.
“Back in bloom”: The Nationals use a well-known signature of the city in their alternate uniforms.
On-field debut: April 9, 2022
Jones (16): The Wizards went all in with their NBA City Edition jerseys that took from the cherry blossom and went with a mostly pink jersey. The Nationals didn’t go that far, but the signature flower of Washington, D.C., is highlighted in a good way. Gray jerseys usually aren’t exciting, but this one is far from dull.
Edwards (12): I’m not usually a fan of gray uniforms, either, but these are done well. Very subtle, very clean. The size of the flowers is perfect for me. I love the placement. Pink pants would have been awesome.
Koreen (12): As a basketball reporter, the chances to write, “The Wizards did it better,” are fleeting. I’m also not usually a gray guy, but I like this use.
“Brew Crew” always has been a team nickname. MKE is the abbreviation for Milwaukee’s international airport. Look closely and notice the city’s area code within the MKE.
On-field debut: June 24, 2022
Koreen (16): I love blue and yellow as complementary colors — unless you’re the Boston Red Sox. “Brew Crew” is fun. Public service announcement: With the possible exception of Portland and PDX, airport codes and three-letter identification, in general, should be banned. MKE: We get it. You have an airport!
Edwards (13): Powder blue, when done right, gets me every time. It complements the yellow here very nicely. I wish the pants were powder blue. Go all out!
Jones (12): The best part of Milwaukee’s jersey is the “Brew Crew” on the front. The powder blue jersey will always look good. That’s been proved in different sports — like the old Denver Nuggets look. It’s not the most daring look, but it’s not bad.
Seattle Mariners (41)
This uniform honors the city’s original MLB team, the Pilots, and it features Mount Rainier on the sleeve and a trident on the cap.
On-field debut: May 5, 2023
Edwards (18): The hat is very cool. I grew up a Mariners fan because of “The Kid.” The colors mesh well, the font is cool and … yeah, that hat is awesome. Great job!
Koreen (13): Full disclosure: I spent a few years in my preteens as a Mariners fan just because of the sheer coolness of Ken Griffey Jr. I have a soft spot for them. I love the trident cap, and the way the font on the jersey aligns with it is good stuff.
Jones (10): The Mariners have one of the best caps of the collection. It might be my favorite of the bunch.
There’s a California beach theme within these uniforms. The left sleeve has asymmetrical stripes that remind some of retro surfboards.
On-field debut: June 11, 2022
Koreen (20): I absolutely love these. Looks like what an Angels uniform in the ’40s might have looked like if they’d existed. Kind of reminds me of the uniforms in “A League of Their Own,” and that’s a plus. Makes me think of baseball and, somehow, ice cream. Plus, the off-white and the number within the diamond? Let’s go!
Edwards (17): These are sooooo clean. I love the off-white/cream here. It’s the perfect amount of red. The lettering is really cool. Just a very beautiful uniform.
Jones (5): Full disclosure: I can’t stand Los Angeles being a part of the Angels’ name. I grew up in Southern California, and there’s only one team in Los Angeles. Orange County had the Angels. … But, this uniform is just OK. If they want me to like it, tell me the “A” on the cap stands for Anaheim and I might be swayed. Well … probably not.
3. Atlanta Braves (45)
Hank Aaron chasing his 715th home run in 1974 reminds many of this uniform. “The A” offers a look of nostalgia for older fans.
On-field debut: April 8, 2023
Koreen (19): These are close to perfect, right down to the outline of red around the stylized “A.” It’s classic enough to evoke the past, but not just a retro look.
Jones (15): A nod to the past is always a good idea. I see this Braves alternative and immediately think of Hank Aaron. That it says “The A” makes me think of how Ludacris or T.I. might refer to the city. It’s essentially a throwback with a modern twist on their alternate jerseys.
Edwards (11): It’s a clean uniform. The blue pops. “The A” is a cool touch. It’s not the best uniform, but it’s not bad, by any means.
The Rocky Mountains, a predominantly green appearance and the letter font have these uniforms looking similar to the state of Colorado’s license plate.
On-field debut: June 4, 2022
Edwards (19): Love the design of the mountains and the “Colorado” font. The uniform makes sense with the city but is far different from the traditional Rockies uniforms. This is really, really well done.
Jones (18): The Rockies completely abandoned their usual look, and it’s a winner. Green and white and highlighting the Rocky Mountains make this a standout of the entire Rockies uniform collection.
Koreen (14): Love me some forest green. They had me right until the cap. I wish they’d stuck to the green and white with accents of black. The mountains would be an easy thing to mess up, but they’re worked in subtly enough to not be too distracting.
Dark gray, white pinstripes and gothic font proves to be a winner. Notice the “Chi” — also in gothic lettering — where “Sox” normally is on the cap.
On-field debut: June 5, 2021
Jones (20): I was a big fan of the White Sox’s look when they went black and white. I couldn’t wait to own a White Sox hat like Dr. Dre wore in the early 1990s. Snoop Dogg wore a White Sox jacket in his debut video with Dre, “Deep Cover.” Not only is this a great uniform with a great look, but it’s also connected to hip-hop history, which is a win for me.
Koreen (17): I love pinstripes. Love them. The White Sox nailed the use here, and going with “Southside” is a nice touch, even though it bothers me that it is written as one word. A clear, distinct vision executed well.
Edwards (16): I’m a sucker for black jerseys, and this has some creativity to it. I, too, love pinstripes, and the “Southside” touch is very nice.
(Illustration: Sam Richardson / The Athletic; photos: Ben Ludeman / Texas Rangers / Getty Images, Todd Kirkland / MLB Photos via Getty Images and Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Getty Images)
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