The MLB’s introduction to the “City Connect” jerseys have offered an alternate and unique way for teams to celebrate their cities culture and the history of the team. Since the introduction of the vibrant and unique alternate jerseys it has sparked numerous debates, controversy, and affection. In this ranking we dive into the top 10 city connect jerseys analyzing the connection to the city, creativity, and visual appeal.
Honorable Mentions
Before we get into the top 10, there are some City Connect jerseys that just missed the cut: Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, and the San Diego Padres. These honorable mentions demonstrate unique and impressive designs that give nods to their cities, for example the Rockies showcasing the rocky mountain skyline and the White Sox appealing “southside” nickname. While they didn’t make the final 10 they deserve recognition for their visually appealing jerseys and originality.
- Detroit Tigers (Motor City)
Detroit’s Motor City themed Jersey ranks No. 10 due to its clean design that reflects the city’s industrial and automotive history. The bold “Motor City” lettering across the jersey and the dark navy base creates a visually striking look. The subtle details like the tire marks on the jersey creates a visually appealing look, though the subtle but striking look, the jersey lacks some flair that is seen higher in the ranking.
- Arizona Diamondbacks (Serpients)
The Arizona Diamondback Serpientes City Connect jerseys No. 9 for their striking and unique tribute to the Southwest’s Hispanic and desert culture. The sand colored jersey creates a super cool look that represents the desert culture as well as the snake intertwined to create the “serpents” logo. While meaningful and distinctive to the city of Arizona the muted tones lack vibrancy displayed in the higher ranks.
- Seattle Mariners
The Mariners jersey ranks No. 8 for their fusion of Seattle’s baseball history; the retro look mixed with their own modern twist is one of the most clean looks of all the City Connect jerseys. The vibrant blue and yellow contrasted with the black pants create such an aesthetic look. While the design is one of the most visually appealing, the jersey doesn’t connect with the city as deeply as some of the other higher ranked jerseys do.
- Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals City Connect jerseys rank No. 7 for the tribute to the captivating and signature cherry blossoms of the nation’s capital. The soft pink flowers and floral details add a nice touch to the gray base that creates an aesthetically pleasing and culturally meaningful design. The pleasantly surprising color contrast in the design makes the jerseys one of the best in the league.
- Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds City Connect jerseys rank No. 6 for the intimidating black and red design with bold red accents throughout. The striking “Cincy” lettering refers to the city’s identity and offers a bold and fierce look. The black on black creates one of the most visually appealing and intimidating looks in all of sports, however, the design doesn’t connect with Cincinnati’s deep baseball history.
- Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels City Connect ranks No. 5 for the tame but appealing cream jerseys that pay homage to the Southern California beach and surf culture. The cream base symbolizes the light sand of California beaches and the lettering refers to the historic surf bands located in SoCal. The mix of the light cream and red colors offer such an appealing look that makes it one of the most underrated jerseys in the MLB.
- Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves City Connect ranks No. 4 due to the vibrant colors that pay homage to the Brave legend Hank Aaron’s historic race to 715 home runs. The modern twist to the historic jerseys create such a great look, the slight details like the crown is the perfect subtle detail to pay homage to the homerun king (Hank Aaron) The subtle details and the mix of modern and throwback jerseys is near perfection.
- Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers City Connect jerseys sit 3rd in the ranking due to the unique homage to baseball history while creating an amazing look with the contrast of cream jerseys, navy pants, and red numbers. The uniform represents the crucial role that the rangers played in during the rivalry between Dallas and Fort Worth by bringing the organization to Arlington. The amazing contrast of colors offers a unique jersey while paying homage to the city’s baseball history.
- Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays City Connect jerseys rank No. 2 because of the vibrant “Devil Rays” throwback design mixed with their own modern twist. The bold colors and the iconic devil ray logo creates flair that no other jerseys have. The purple, lime green, and gray base allows an appealing jersey while connecting to Tampas coastal culture. The jersey perfectly balances throwback and modern appeal making it one of the best jerseys in the league.
- Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins City Connect ranks No. 1 due to its near perfect design and the connection to the deep Cuban roots in Miami. The connection to the Cuban Sugar Kings, a historic minor league team with ties to Miami’s Cuban heritage. The vibrant red, and teal colors with aesthetic script across the chest reflects the city’s energy and culture. This amazing design blends cultural significance with vibrant and star striking details making it the perfect representation of the city of Miami.
