City Connect Explained

City Connect is a brand name for a line of alternate uniforms made by Nike, Inc. for Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. The uniforms feature different color schemes, typefaces, and graphic elements compared with the teams' typical home and away uniforms. The uniforms are designed to reflect the cultural aspects of each team's home city.[1]

Of the MLB's 30 teams, 28 have a City Connect uniform. The New York Yankees (who traditionally do not wear an alternate uniform) and Oakland Athletics (who are in the process of moving to Las Vegas) are the only two teams without a City Connect uniform.

Teams

Nike and MLB introduced the first round of City Connect uniforms during the 2021 season for seven teams, (Red Sox, Marlins, White Sox, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants, Dodgers). A second round debuted during the 2022 season for another seven teams (Nationals, Astros, Royals, Rockies, Angels, Brewers, Padres), a third during the 2023 season for six teams (Braves, Rangers, Mariners, Reds, Orioles, Pirates), and a fourth during the 2024 season for nine teams (Phillies, Mets, Rays, Tigers, Guardians, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Twins, Dodgers).[2]

2021

Seven teams started wearing City Connect jerseys during the 2021 MLB season.

2022

The seven teams that introduced City Connect uniforms in 2021 would continue to wear them for selected games. Seven additional teams introduced City Connect uniforms in 2022.

2023

Six teams wore City Connect uniforms for the first time in 2023.[21]

2024

Eight teams revealed their City Connect uniforms and wore them for the first time in 2024. The Los Angeles Dodgers also revealed their second City Connect uniform design during the season.[28]

No City Connect uniform

The following teams do not have a City Connect uniform.

Summary table

This is a summary list of the teams that have worn City Connect uniforms, their reveal dates, their on-field debut dates, their most recent use, the number of times each team has worn in total and the total for the current season, and their usage patterns during the 2024 MLB season.

TeamOn-field debutReveal dateLatest use Times usedTimes used in 2024UsageSources
Arizona DiamondbacksJune 18, 2021 June 13, 2021 August 13, 2024 45 10 Tuesday home games
Atlanta BravesApril 8, 2023 March 27, 2023 August 3, 2024 24 9 Saturday home games
Baltimore OriolesMay 26, 2023 May 22, 2023 August 16, 2024 24 13 Friday home games
Boston Red SoxApril 17, 2021 April 6, 2021 August 10, 2024 47 12 Patriots' Day weekend; Saturday home games
Chicago CubsJune 12, 2021 June 8, 2021 August 16, 2024 30 6 Friday home games (June−September)
Chicago White SoxJune 5, 2021 May 28, 2021 August 12, 2024 38 8 Monday home games
Cincinnati RedsMay 19, 2023 May 13, 2023 August 16, 2024 21 10 Friday home games
Cleveland GuardiansMay 17, 2024 May 12, 2024 August 3, 2024 16 16 Various home games
Colorado RockiesJune 4, 2022 May 27, 2022 August 10, 2024 44 9 Saturday home games
Detroit TigersMay 10, 2024 May 6, 2024 August 16, 2024 14 14 Friday home games
Houston AstrosApril 20, 2022 April 10, 2022 August 19, 2024 24 6 Monday home games
Kansas City RoyalsApril 30, 2022 April 25, 2022 August 9, 2024 36 11 Friday home games
Los Angeles AngelsJune 11, 2022 June 6, 2022 August 12, 2024 35 9 Various home games
Los Angeles DodgersAugust 20, 2021 August 19, 2021 September 18, 2023 19 Various home games
June 22, 2024 June 17, 2024 August 10, 2024 4 4 Saturday home games [39]
Miami MarlinsMay 21, 2021 May 17, 2021 August 10, 2024 47 11 Saturday home games
Milwaukee BrewersJune 24, 2022 June 17, 2022 August 18, 2024 38 10 Friday home games
Minnesota TwinsJune 14, 2024 June 10, 2024 August 9, 2024 7 7 Friday and Saturday home games
New York MetsApril 27, 2024 April 19, 2024 August 17, 2024 10 10 Saturday home games
New York Yankees
Oakland Athletics
Philadelphia PhilliesApril 12, 2024 April 5, 2024 August 16, 2024 10 10 Friday home games
Pittsburgh PiratesJune 27, 2023 June 22, 2023 August 16, 2024 20 12 Friday home games
San Diego PadresJuly 8, 2022 July 1, 2022 August 2, 2024 32 10 Friday home games
San Francisco GiantsJuly 9, 2021 July 5, 2021 August 20, 2024 44 8 Tuesday home games
Seattle MarinersMay 5, 2023 April 28, 2023 August 11, 2024 22 12 Friday home games
St. Louis CardinalsMay 25, 2024 May 20, 2024 August 17, 2024 10 10 Various home games
Tampa Bay RaysMay 3, 2024 April 29, 2024 August 17, 2024 17 17 Saturday home games[40]
Texas RangersApril 21, 2023 April 17, 2023 August 16, 2024 30 8 Friday home games
Toronto Blue JaysMay 31, 2024 May 30, 2024 August 21, 2024 11 11 Various night home games
Washington NationalsApril 9, 2022 March 29, 2022 August 10, 2024 55 17 Friday and Saturday home games

Reaction

Boston.com conducted a poll of its readers in April 2021 and found a polarized reaction to the Red Sox's yellow and blue City Connect jerseys. About 49% of respondents said that they loved the new uniforms, about 36% said that they hated them, and about 9% chose the "I'm speechless" option.[41] After the Red Sox wore the City Connect uniforms for four consecutive games in September 2021, winning all four, manager Alex Cora said that the team would continue to wear them for as long as they kept winning. "I'm sorry, but if we continue winning, we've got to stay with them," Xander Bogaerts told NESN.[42]

A columnist for the San Francisco Examiner wrote in May 2022 that the Giants had a record of 12 - 2 in their City Connect jerseys. Although some fans derided their design as looking like an orange Creamsicle, fans eventually warmed to the jersey, increasingly wearing them to games on Tuesday nights, when the team typically wears their City Connect uniforms.[43]

Of the first 11 City Connect designs, USA Todays For the Win blog ranked the White Sox's uniform design as the best and the Giants' design as the worst.[44] In a July 2022 review ranking the first 14 uniform designs, ESPN's Joon Lee described the City Connect program as the league's boldest alternative jersey designs since the Turn Ahead the Clock promotions of the late 1990s. Lee rated the Rockies' City Connect uniforms as the best, and the Dodgers as the worst.

The Padres' City Connect uniforms generated $240,000 in revenue at the team's official store on July 1, 2022, their first day of sale. The last time the team introduced a new alternative uniform, in 2020, the team store sold $73,000 worth of merchandise on launch day.[45]

Upon its announcement in 2023, the Texas Rangers' City Connect design met with polarized reactions from local sports media commentators and fans, particularly about the hybrid "Peagle" mascot that appeared on the uniform tops.[46] [47] [48] [49]

Baltimore's City Connect design drew positive reviews for the colorful interior patterns, and also criticism for its mostly black, unadorned exterior.[50] The Orioles' players liked the look of their City Connect uniforms.[51]

Of the 20 designs that were announced during the first three seasons of City Connect, Joon Lee ranked the Orioles' design 20th, noting comparisons to Great Britain's generic uniforms at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Lee rated the Rockies' design as the best.[52] Three writers for The Athletic voted on their preferences among the first 20 City Connect designs. The Giants' and Rangers' designs tied for last place; the White Sox were rated as the best.[53]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Thompson, Jackson. "Nike unveils NBA-like 'City Connect' uniform for Boston Red Sox, with more MLB teams coming soon", Insider. April 16, 2021.
  2. News: Lee . Joon . Ranking MLB's radical City Connect uniforms: Which one's No. 1? . August 14, 2022 . ESPN . July 1, 2022 . en.
  3. Web site: D-backs reveal City Connect series uniforms. 2021-06-15. MLB.com. en. 2021-06-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210614003015/https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/d-backs-unveil-special-city-connect-series-uniforms. live.
  4. Web site: Red Sox unveil Patriots' Day-inspired unis. 2021-04-06. MLB.com. en. 2021-04-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20210406142125/https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-release-patriots-day-inspired-city-connect-uniforms. live.
  5. Web site: Cubs embrace all of Chicago with new unis. 2021-06-08. MLB.com. en. 2021-06-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608141808/https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-unveil-wrigleyville-city-connect-uniforms. live.
  6. Web site: New White Sox jerseys a true game changer. 2021-06-08. MLB.com. en. 2021-06-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608142852/https://www.mlb.com/news/white-sox-unveil-city-connect-uniform. live.
  7. Web site: Los Dodgers! Los Angeles Unveils New, Truly Dodger Blue, City Connect Uniform .
  8. Web site: New Dodgers City Connect Cap for 2022 Season . 6 June 2022 .
  9. Web site: New Dodgers City Connect Pants For 2023 Season . 17 April 2023 .
  10. Web site: Marlins unveil Cuban-inspired uniforms. 2021-05-22. MLB.com. en. 2021-05-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522104910/https://www.mlb.com/news/marlins-unveil-city-connect-uniforms. live.
  11. Web site: Giants rep Golden Gate, fog on new unis. MLB. July 5, 2021. July 5, 2021.
  12. Web site: Rockies' City Connect uniforms a nod to iconic Colorado plates. MLB.com . en.
  13. Purple Row. PurpleRow. 1644815910312775681. Big uniform news: *Except for today*, when the Rockies wear their City Connect uniforms during the day, they will wear white pants. For night games, they will wear their green pants. But today is special, so white pants at night..
  14. Web site: Astros reveal space-themed City Connect unis. MLB. Houston Astros. April 10, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  15. Web site: Royals unveil City Connect uniform. MLB. Kansas City Royals. April 25, 2022. April 25, 2022.
  16. Web site: Angels City Connect unis rep SoCal beach scene. MLB. Los Angeles Angels. June 6, 2022. June 6, 2022.
  17. Web site: Brewers unveil "Brew Crew" City Connect uniforms. MLB. Milwaukee Brewers. June 17, 2022. June 17, 2022.
  18. Web site: San Diego culture, colors highlight Padres City Connect unis. MLB. San Diego Padres. July 1, 2022. July 2, 2022.
  19. Web site: Cherry blossoms burst with flair on Nationals' City Connect uniforms. MLB. Washington Nationals. April 1, 2022. April 2, 2022.
  20. News: Camerato . Jessica . Nationals unveil new uniforms for 2024 . January 26, 2024 . MLB . Washington Nationals . January 26, 2024.
  21. News: Svoboda . Dylan . Braves, Rangers, Mariners, Reds, O's, Bucs to wear City Connect unis . March 27, 2023 . MLB.com . March 27, 2023 . en.
  22. Web site: Braves honor Aaron's legacy with new City Connect uniforms. MLB Advanced Media. Major League Baseball. March 27, 2023. March 27, 2023.
  23. Web site: Rill . Jake . O's drop bold new City Connect jerseys -- with a surprise inside . MLB.com . May 22, 2023.
  24. Web site: Reds' City Connect unis a nod to the future, younger generations. 2023-05-13 . MLB.com . en.
  25. Web site: ‘We bleed black and gold’: Bucs unveil City Connect uniforms . MLB.com . June 22, 2023.
  26. Web site: Spirit, colors of Pacific Northwest come alive in Mariners' City Connect unis . 2023-04-28 . MLB.com . en.
  27. Web site: Texas Rangers Reveal Nike City Connect Jerseys, Pay Homage to Dallas-Fort Worth. April 17, 2023.
  28. Web site: 9 new City Connect uniforms coming in 2024 . MLB.com . February 13, 2024.
  29. Web site: Phillies unveil 'Unapologetically Philly' City Connect uniforms . Phillies.com.
  30. Web site: IYKYK: Mets' City Connect jerseys are for all of NYC . MLB.com . April 19, 2024.
  31. Web site: Skateboarding culture inspires Rays' City Connect uniforms . MLB.com . April 29, 2024.
  32. Web site: Tigers' City Connect unis celebrate the Motor City . MLB.com . May 6, 2024.
  33. Web site: Guardians dig into The Land's history for City Connect uniforms . MLB.com . May 12, 2024.
  34. Web site: 'From The Lou and proud': Cards City Connects a fresh take on iconic brand . MLB.com . May 20, 2024.
  35. Web site: Blue Jays go 'Night Mode' for City Connect uniforms . MLB.com . May 30, 2024 . May 31, 2024.
  36. Web site: New drip: Twins' City Connect unis inspired by 'Ripple Effect' . MLB.com . June 10, 2024 . June 10, 2024.
  37. Web site: History of LA frames next set of Dodgers' City Connect unis . MLB.com . June 17, 2024 . June 17, 2024.
  38. Web site: More Signs That the Yankees Won’t Have a City Connect Uniform . Uni-Watch.com . January 2, 2024 . March 3, 2024.
  39. Web site: 2024-04-05 . Tracking MLB's City Connect uniforms . 2024-04-05 . ESPN.com . en.
  40. Web site: Rays City Connect Tampa Bay Rays . 2024-06-14 . MLB.com . en.
  41. News: Chianca . Peter . Boston.com readers love the Red Sox Patriots' Day look - except for the ones that hate it . August 14, 2022 . Boston.com . April 8, 2021.
  42. News: Starr . Gabrielle . Red Sox will continue to wear lucky yellow City Connect uniforms . August 14, 2022 . BoSox Injection . Fansided . September 22, 2021.
  43. News: Kassel . Ethan . San Francisco Giants win but eyeballs lose with Creamsicle uniforms . August 14, 2022 . San Francisco Examiner . May 26, 2022 . en.
  44. News: Curtis . Charles . The MLB alternate City Connect Nike jerseys, ranked: Where the Angels' threads land . August 14, 2022 . For The Win . USA Today . June 6, 2022.
  45. News: Bacharach . Erik . Padres City Connect jerseys bring revenue bump . August 14, 2022 . Sports Business Journal . July 19, 2022 . en.
  46. News: Dearmore . Kelly . Texas Rangers City Connect Uniforms Don't Connect With Many Sports Personalities . June 22, 2023 . Dallas Observer . April 18, 2023 . en.
  47. News: Dow . Lawrence . Social media is conflicted over the Rangers’ newly released City Connect jerseys . June 22, 2023 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . April 18, 2023.
  48. Web site: Texas Rangers fans disgusted by team's City Connect outfits: "Must have had an elementary school contest on designing the uniforms" . 2023-04-28 . sportskeeda.com . April 17, 2023 . en.
  49. Web site: The Texas Rangers New City Connect Uniforms are Awful . 2023-04-28 . sportstalk790.iheart.com . en.
  50. News: Worthington . Aliza . Orioles unveil City Connect uniforms to mixed reviews . June 23, 2023 . Baltimore Fishbowl . May 22, 2023.
  51. News: Kostka . Andy . Here’s what Orioles players actually think about the City Connect jersey . June 22, 2023 . The Baltimore Banner . May 23, 2023 . en.
  52. News: Lee . Joon . Ranking MLB's radical City Connect uniforms: Which one's No. 1? . June 22, 2023 . ESPN.com . June 22, 2023 . en.
  53. News: Jones . Jason . Koreen . Eric . Edwards III . James L. . MLB City Connect series: All 20 uniforms ranked, including the newest ones from 2023 . June 29, 2023 . The Athletic . June 28, 2023 . en.