LLN's top baseball uniforms, historic and current.

[Long_Long_Name]

This list will take a look at what I think are the top 35 best MLB uniforms ever worn in Major Leagues games, as well as a very critical observation of today's generic and dull uniforms. For historical uniforms, I will use the year the uniform was introduced for reference. So, let's go.



CURRENT UNIFORMS

30. Arizona Diamondbacks

Most MLB uniforms these days are excessively boring and generic, but at least their conformity leads to... well, us forgetting they exist. However, the Diamondbacks aren't even capable of reaching that level. This uniform is an absolute horror, from the pinstripes on the away uniform (WHY? Just, WHY?) to the black sleeves (why not just wear an undershirt or independant sleeves instead of colored t-shirt sleeves?), it's an exercice in ugliness. The away uniform's ugliness is capped off by a really ugly team logo. The home uniform jersey isn't much better, as it focuses heavily on the ugly purple and teal this team inexplicably decided to opt for. I have nothing agains purple and teal - but why these really ugly tones? If you're going to use pinstripes, which is a mistake in itself 90% of the time, at least don't make them look like someone who's about to throw up's face. They should've taken the lesson from the Phoenix Coyotes and not go with an ugly mosaic-like logo, as it's really awful. Anyway, as you can see, it's a pure horror. The norm is boring, but this is just ugly. My little brother could do better than that.



29. Colorado Rockies

Another showcase of the color purple (although this tone isn't nearly as ugly as the Diamondbacks'). If I lived in Colorado, I would hope that the women aren't as cold as this uniform. The home uniform is just the most boring thing ever, and the road uniform is a least ugly version of the Diamondbacks. Next!



28. Florida Marlins

Do you remember two years ago, when all teams had a throwback uniform? Well, I learned about that promotion by telling someone that I liked the new Marlins uniforms, that finally they weren't ugly. Oh, I didnt like the news. I said that teal could look good - well, looking at the Marlins, you wouldn't know that. Colorado's expansion brothers don't have much more style, as their case is only helped by a bit of color on the boring home uniform and no purple pinstripes on the road uniform.



27. San Diego Padres

For many years, the Padres were among the most stylish teams in MLB. Well, these years are over. After the Tony Gwynn-era boring uniforms, they took a step down, sporting a variety of uniforms (they once wore 5 or 6 different ones on the same year), untimately settling on these ugly pieces of clothing. Aren't jerseys supposed to be merchandising tools? You wouldn't know looking at the Padres. I'll cut the home uniform some slack, as it's ordinary and not too harmful. However, that road uniform... I pity the Padres fans. First, what's with that dirt color? Is that supposed to help the players go multiple days without washing the uniform? That color is just horrendous, and it's not really helped by the city's name written in a decrescendo-crescendo across the chest. What were the designers thinking? Sure, that font (more on that later with the Nationals) is the most generic thing since I looked at modern ballparks' designs (they all look the same, how about a little originality?), but the shape of it... oh my, it hurts just thinking about it. Let's move on.



26. Washington Nationals

Another NL team that really doesn't have style. The home uniform isn't that bad, other than the horrible font and the even clumsier embossed effect (ooh, the names look like they're made of steel... oooh!), but that away unform, it's just plain ugly. The font paired up with the dirt color again just doesn't cut it for me. And it has nothing to do with the fact that they were formerly the Expos - the Expos had a bleh uniform in their own right in the last 15 years (although I'm starting to like their road uniform a bit better than I used to).






HISTORICAL UNIFORMS

35. 1924 Philadelphia Athletics

It's a bit generic, but that elephant just lightens up the uniform. Could've been worn in any era, and it's just... cute. It speaks for itself.



34. 1906 New York Giants

That "World Champions" would be frowned upon today, but the fact that a Major League team once opted to do this is fantastic, in my opinion, and is worthy of mention. Notice it's only present on the home uniform. I would love it if a team decided to do that today, with more than a mere patch or something.



33. 1901 Baltimore Orioles

The difference between these two uniforms caught my attention. On one hand you have the most generic thing ever worn on a baseball field, and on the other, something that would be more appropriate for Bees than Orioles. I quite dig that difference in attitude between the two uniforms, though another team has done it better, and will be featured later in this list.



32. 1901 Boston Red Sox

Yes, another early 20th Century uniform. Later in this list, you'll be begging for them. They certainly will be much, much more less frequent. The first of few Red Sox uniforms on this list, this one is classic, yet has a little edge to it that I like. The road uniform is really nice, and would remain a template for decades to come. The laces and the cap put this one over the top. Very nice.



31. 1973 Minnesota Twins

I don't understand why the Twins didn't keep that lettering when the powder blue fad went away. The powder blue is ugly here (although I do have a thing for powder blue uniforms, as you shall soon see), and makes the away uniform somewhat of a miss, but the home uniform is a delight for the eyes with its lines, class and elegant lettering. The color interaction is also well done.




Feel free to comment on these uniforms, as this thread is here for that!

Next Up: The AL gets ugly too, and a few more calm classic uniforms before a more recent explosion.

[Spielman]

Why do teams have such crappy road uniforms most of the time? Is it that much harder to come up with something reasonably attractive in gray?

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by Spielman

Why do teams have such crappy road uniforms most of the time? Is it that much harder to come up with something reasonably attractive in gray?

have you ever seen anything attractive in grey anywhere?

great thread LLN. Cant wait for the next installment

[Johnny Slick]

I hope the mid-1970s White Sox unis with the Bermuda shorts are coming up soon! Because I don't see them as a top 5 or 10 of all time!

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by Johnny Slick

I hope the mid-1970s White Sox unis with the Bermuda shorts are coming up soon! Because I don't see them as a top 5 or 10 of all time!

I would've included them for sure had they been part of the official uniform for 1976. However, I think they were just worn for one game, so I didn't include them. However, the 1976 White Sox' regular uniform almost made this list.

[UngratefulDead]

Cool idea for a thread, looking forward to more.

[DamnYankees]

Keep 'em comin!

[randomlefty10]

Cool stuff. +1

[Long_Long_Name]

CURRENT UNIFORMS

25. Toronto Blue Jays

Wow, that jay sure looks mean! I'm afraid, it's too agressive! It's so agressive that it kills itself rather frequently and the logo needs to be replaced every two years. The away uniform is nothing special, but I do wonder why they didn't rename the team the Grey Jays to match their new palette. I wonder if this uniform is an improvement upon the old Texas plagiarized theme (notably in the hat and the red on the uniform... where did that come from?). It might be, but certainly not on the home uniform. Now, the jersey and the pants are as bland as can be (a little blue, anyone? please?), but that hat.... that grey hat... I just don't see how anyone could see that hat as anything but something you'd buy in the dollar bin at Zellers. Well, apparently some like it, as crackpott admitted to having bought one, eliminating every possible doubt as to the respectability of his clothing style. Thankfully for the Jays, it's only a hat, had I seen such a horror on a jersey, they would've been much lower on the list. I still don't understand how they can come up with such a shameful hat. Perhaps it would be all right on the road, with the matching uniform, but with the white jersey, it just doesn't work.



24. Seattle Mariners

They do get some point for being at the cutting edge of fashion in baseball, but they lose all their points for introducing this blahness to MLB and for giving styleless marketing departments something to emulate. The blue adds a it of life to the uniform, but other than that, no redeeming qualities. Next!



23. Houston Astros

Since when is rust more attractive than orange? THey are far, far behind the Orioles in the orange/black/white theme department. I would be ashamed to impose such a uniform to Craig Biggio. Not included here is the mean all-rust shirt, which is a disgrace to the team that has had style in the past.



22. Tampa Bay Devil Rays

See Blue Jays. The sleeves are a faux-pas, but not as much as the grey hat.



21. Texas Rangers

Now, these are goofy, but at least the font is all right, and it's a bit colorful. I don't have much to say about it.






HISTORICAL UNIFORMS

30. 1977 Seattle Mariners

A killer color theme, a simple and effective design, a cool lettering, it was the prototype of something we will see later. Bonus for cool hats.



29. 1969 Kansas City Royals

Simple, effective, classic. This is one of the few expansion-era uniforms that has the strength to become a classic, although it's been slightly ruined in recent years.



28. 1916 New York Giants

Now that, I like. I'm trying to find out the contract that links the Giants to Sears to announce their 1916 line of pyjamas, but I haven't had any success. It's original, fresh, a bit clumsy, but I dig a lot. The Giants should exploit these uniforms more than they have, and it was a shame to let that pass during the grunge period.



27. 1929 Boston Braves

The socks are among the coolest I've seen, but that indian chief in the back alone makes this one the 27th best MLB uniform ever. One of the coolest things I've seen... at least before the 60's came along.



26. 1973 Boston Red Sox

I admit it: I'm a big fan of elastic bands on baseball pants. There are many better ones, as we will see, but the Red Sox managed to combine these elastic pants with a very simple, classy and traditional design, and creating an ensemble that I like a lot.



Next Up: Central divisions hold the center of the rankings, and we dive right into the golden age of baseball uniforms for a recon swim.

[andjbock]

I'm going to guess that the '73 Pirates make the list. They had something like 5 unifroms to choose from that year, so the odds are good as long as you like yellow.

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by andjbock

I'm going to guess that the '73 Pirates make the list. They had something like 5 unifroms to choose from that year, so the odds are good as long as you like yellow.

The HoF (the resource I used in making this list) doesn't have anything special for the 73 Pirates, only a regular home and road uniform that was identical to the previous years'.

[Tib]

I never make any lists.

Signed,
the 1984 San Diego Padres "home yellow" uniform

[KurtBevacqua]

You actually like those old Mariner unis? I always thought those were a close second to the 70's Astros for the worst uni of all time, unless hopelessly garish is a quality that goes far in the ratings.

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by KurtBevacqua

You actually like those old Mariner unis? I always thought those were a close second to the 70's Astros for the worst uni of all time, unless hopelessly garish is a quality that goes far in the ratings.

I don't think you'll like the rest of my list!

[Spielman]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

I don't think you'll like the rest of my list!

Yeah, I don't think you'll have many favorite historical uniforms in common with me, either, though I've tended to agree with your comments on the current uniforms.

[rdklein]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

I don't think you'll like the rest of my list!

Hmmm... I thought the Mariner's uniforms were pretty damn sweet. Something about that M.

I have to agree with the Astros, however I do like their Sunday/Holiday red uniforms. It looks sharp when you have the bright green grass as a backdrop. Almost all their player advertising is done in that uniform. I wish they wore it more often.


This is a great list LLN, BTW. Can't wait for future posts!

[Long_Long_Name]

CURRENT UNIFORMS

20. Cleveland Indians

To me, the Indians have a jersey lettering that has the same effect as a big nose on an otherwise average-looking person: it just ruins everything. As much as you want to see other things, they are overshadowed by this gigantic thing that looks a bit awkward. Wasn't it for the logo, I think the Indians would have a perfectly normal and acceptable uniform.



19. Cincinnati Reds

Why, why, why introduce black? Red and white were perfect. Red pinstripes are awful, but they still beat out the away uniform. They do have a redeeming quality: the sleeveless shirts kinda look good.



18. Milwaukee Brewers

There is no reason to like the Brewers, and the uniform just goes to prove that this is true. Not only are they walking (actually, scratch that, they don't walk much) ads for Miller, but the color scheme is miles away from the coolness they had in the 80's. Perhaps the most generic current MLB uniform.



17. Chicago White Sox

Are they trying to copy the Yankees? Their home uniform is a horror, and their away uniform lacks any kind of personality. They are neutral.



16. Chicago Cubs

Many baseball fans seem to like the Cubs' uniform - I have yet to understand why. I do like the Cubs' home jersey logo very much, but the pinstripes don't do it for me. Still it beats that away uniform, with the ugly hat (when will baseball teams learn that red and blue need white to look good together instead of awkward?) and otherwise very ordinary uniform. Neutrality, gain.






HISTORICAL UNIFORMS

25. 1974 Milwaukee Brewers

The stripes work well. The powder blue is always attractive. The elastic belt akways make the uniforms look more... unified, and gives extra points to design. The away hat is a beauty. The font is well chosen. Flawless, but lacks edge.



24. 1969 Seattle Pilots

The Brewers don,t get their style from nowhere: their big brothers knew how to dress. Here is a very well executed mix of traditional, elegant elements as well as modern, more fashionable elements. One of the few blue away jerseys sported with an actual belt, the marine elements are obvious and welcomed. The socks and hats are a success. Once again, flawless, but it lacks a certain edge.



23. 1972 Detroit Tigers

This uniform really impresses me: on one hand, you have the ultra traditional home uniform (and quite a nice one, I must add), and on the other a very contemporary away uniform. Both look fantastic, and I'm really impressed by the quality of these uniforms.



22. 1989 Toronto Blue Jays

I grew up thinking these were the best uniforms ever. When I played youth baseball, my team was the Blue Jays, and our jerseys were based on these. I still think that the lettering and numbers are the best ones ever worn on MLB uniforms.



21. 1972 San Diego Padres

I like audacity in design, and this one is clearly a good example of audacity. However, after the initial shock, I must say that these uniforms do remain good-looking. The colors work really well together, and gives the Padres players a sense of style rarely seen in MLB. Yes, it's kitsch and didn't age well and just screams 70's, but you have to admire any player who accepted to wear that uniform.




Next Up: Coming back to the NL, and we continue with another wave of 70's and 80's uniforms.

[rdklein]

The 72 Padre uniforms just burned a hole in my retinas.

Thanks.

[enuttage]

I like audacity in design

If this is true, you better have the 80s Astros rainbow unis in your tops list.

One of the most tasteless, yet greatest uni sets of all-time.

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by enuttage

If this is true, you better have the 80s Astros rainbow unis in your tops list.

One of the most tasteless, yet greatest uni sets of all-time.

How the hell is it tasteless?

I will say this: it is one of the most audacious baseball uniforms I have seen, and that in itself is respectable. However, if it's ugly... it's ugly. If the Giants ame out tomorrow wearing magenta hot pants and a dark green sweatshirt, well, it would be audacious, but I wouldn't include it in this list as it's ridiculously ugly. This thread isn't about artistic value as much as esthetical value, but it's true that sometimes audacity and originality create a bigger effect - resulting in more beauty or ugliness as the normal uniform would.