The MLB (Finally) Nailed A Uniform Design With The Phillies' City Connect Jerseys. Are They In The Top 5?
After an offseason filled with self-inflicted, amateurish mistakes in producing teams’ uniforms, the MLB finally aced a uniform design.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ City Connect uniforms made their on-field debut last night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and man do they look slick. While there is no typical Philadelphia red in the design, the black and blue theme takes inspiration from the flag of the city itself. The Liberty Bell hats are the perfect match to compliment the latest release in the MLB’s alternate uniform campaign.
Finally, we have a team with uniforms that don’t reveal gross sweat stains, don’t look- or feel super cheap, the pants aren’t a disaster, and the tops and bottoms match. I know those things should be standard, but this year has been anything but smooth for the MLB’s jersey department.
All jokes aside, these jerseys are genuinely fantastic and continue to show that the City Connect initiative is the best idea the MLB has had in a while. But do they crack the Top 5 of this uniform series? Here are mine, and the best elements of each.
No. 5 - Chicago White Sox
The combination of the Gothic font and the foreboding scheme make this uniform look intimidating. Plus, having "Southside" emblazoned across your chest is so much swaggier than just a bland "Chicago."
With all due respect to the Yankees (and I mean that sarcastically), these pinstripe uniforms are way better.
No. 4 - Boston Red Sox
The design might be among the more unusual in the league, but it’s the unseen inspiration for it that makes these so special. The baby-blue and yellow color scheme pays homage to the Boston Marathon, held every year on Patriots' Day. That day has taken on extra significance for the city since the 2013 bombing, adding a deeper meaning to the uniforms. The Red Sox also play extremely well when wearing them.
Did I include this because I’m a Red Sox fan? Yes, but the design itself does make it a worthy entrant on the list.
No. 3 - Seattle Mariners
Wearing navy blue and black can be a fashion faux pas in many circumstances, but the Marines found a way to crush this color combo. Add in the yellow lettering (which is funky yet fantastic) and the trident logo (a throwback to former Seattle baseball franchises), and you have the best City Connect uniform in the American League - and it's not close.
No. 2 - Philadelphia Phillies
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about the Phillies (or the National League in general). Like the Red Sox, they chose not to include any of their traditional colors in the design, taking a big risk in the process.
But for all the reasons stated above, this design immediately cracks the Top 5.
Now, for the best City Connect uniform in the MLB…
No. 1 - Washington Nationals
Somehow, Washington found a way to make silver and pink look fantastic. For their signature design element, they went with the cherry blossom, which is the most recognizable element of D.C. culture that isn’t a political building.
These uniforms are so amazing, I asked for one for my birthday (and I couldn’t care less about the Nats). Sadly, they will be discontinued after the 2024 season, but as long as they exist, they’ll be the best City Connect uniforms in the league.
Do you agree with my list? Who did I snub? Which ones did I get right? Send me your thoughts at john.simmons@outkick.com, or follow me on X at @JohnSimmonsJr7.