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Top 10 MLB City Connect jerseys

By Caitlyn Brooks

Introduced in 2021, Nike has started to release special City Connect jerseys for each MLB team, inspired by features of each team’s city. A handful of uniform designs are yet to be released in 2024, with the Phillies kicking off this year’s uniforms.

10. Cincinnati Reds

These all-black uniforms are a different design than most teams’ reps. This is my top 10 ranking of the best City Connect jerseys already released. The Reds reused their old “C” logo on the hats to pay tribute to the changing scene in Cincinnati, and the uniforms feature accents of red that stand out against the all-black uniforms.

9. Atlanta Braves

The Braves honored one of their past legends, Hank Aaron, in their City Connect jerseys. The jerseys are a throwback to the Braves’ uniform from 1974; the year that he passed Babe Ruth on the all-time home run leaderboard. Given the fact that Aaron played his entire 23-year career as a Brave, the tributes and nod to him as a part of the Braves' history make it into my top 10.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks used inspiration to refer to the Sonoran Desert and to represent the Hispanic culture in Arizona. “Serpientes” is written across the front, which translates to “snakes” in English. The colors of the uniform also give the uniform a desert-like feel.

7. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are known for Wrigley Field, the second oldest and most iconic stadium in the league. “Wrigleyville” is written across the chest on the jersey as an ode to their iconic stadium. The jerseys are clean, with the main navy color with light blue accents representing Chicago’s flag.

6. San Diego Padres

The Padres’ city connects certainly stand out and in a good way. The pink, yellow and mint colors chosen for these uniforms embody the bright culture of Baja/Mexican California. “San Diego” is written across the chest in a font to represent weathered beach signs.

5. Houston Astros

In an underrated design, these jerseys encapsulate the Space City history of Houston. The main navy blue color and orange/yellow tints on the uniform along with “Space City” in a NASA-inspired font across the chest cracks these into my top five.

4. Miami Marlins

Similar to the Padres, the Marlins also feature bright colors in their uniforms. These bright red uniforms feature white in the pinstripes and accents of blue give them a “Miami Vice” feel. However, these jerseys actually honor the Sugar Kings, a Cuban Triple-A affiliate of the Reds who played from 1946-1960.

3. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies used its team name as inspiration for these uniforms. Colorado is known for the Rocky Mountains, and the jerseys have an outline of the mountains in a green color to represent pine trees. The jersey’s details in reference to Colorado make my top three.

2. Washington Nationals

The Nationals’ City Connects are ultimately a great design. Washington D.C. is iconic for its cherry blossom trees and “neoclassical architecture”, both of which are resembled in the jerseys. The gray jerseys with the pink accents from the cherry blossom make this one of the best.

1. Chicago White Sox

Here is something the White Sox can be ranked as No. 1: their City Connect jerseys. The uniforms showcase the “Southside” culture that the White Sox are known for. “Southside” is written across the chest in a gothic-style font to represent the architectural designs in Chicago. The all-black uniforms with white pinstripes make these the best and cleanest in the league.

Caitlyn Brooks is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email crb6283@psu.edu.

Credits

Author
Caitlyn Brooks
Photo
Kareem Elgazzar