The Rockies on Friday unveiled a new alternate uniform, part of MLB's "City Connect" jersey project, that features a pine green and white top and all-green pants based on Colorado's license plate.
The design also takes inspiration from the well-loved "Welcome to Colorful Colorado" signs at the state borders.
The Rockies will wear the new uniform for the first time June 4 at Coors Field in a game against the Braves.
"As a Colorado native, I am proud that these uniforms embody the character of Colorado and the unique sense of pride we have in our home state," Rockies owner Dick Monfort said.
The jerseys feature a yellow arm patch written with "5,280" (the city's elevation), two black diamonds (signifying a ski run) and the latitude and longitude of Coors Field.
The hat incorporates a new logo, a circle around mountains with a "CO" abbreviation, wrapped in red and gold.
(Photos courtesy of Colorado Rockies)
How big a departure is this for the Rockies?
Nick Groke, Rockies writer: The Rockies have rarely even tweaked their uniforms over 30 years, let alone redesigned them in full, sticking with a basic purple, white and silver palate. They are intent on being a "classic" team, the new Yankees of the West — it's why the Rockies put pinstripes on their home uniform.
They have never swapped their colors, save for a blue, gold and red Spring Training hat based on the Colorado flag. So going green is a big change for these Rockies. And if not for Nike's City Connect series forcing it on them, the Rockies probably would not have designed these on their own.
What do fans think? Any funny jokes yet?
Groke: The jokes are rolling in — but if the Rockies didn't want to get run over on Twitter, they shouldn't have tried to look like a license plate. Some pot-shot commentary so far: "These can't expire soon enough," said one. "They look like the Frontier Airlines company softball team," said another. Other fans have praised the new hat and relished in green as a new color. There is a lot to chew on. The unis are a talker.
MLB has unveiled 11 City Connect uniforms so far. They exist on a scale from the Nationals' wonderful gray design that features cherry blossoms to the Dodgers' staid all-blue look. The Rockies are probably in the middle of the uni scale. Which tends to be where they live in the standings most seasons.