The Orioles on Monday became the latest pro sports team to unveil “City Connect” uniforms — jerseys, pants, belts and shoes — that will have an on-field debut this Friday against the Texas Rangers and will be worn for every Friday home game this season at Camden Yards. They may also be worn for additional games throughout the year at the team’s discretion.
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Unlike most of the MLB City Connect uniforms, which are bold, splashy and often more daring than clubs’ typical uniforms, the Orioles went the other way.
The Orioles’ Nike-sponsored uniforms are more subdued than their usual orange-black-and-white threads. The new jersey is black with white block lettering spelling out “BALTIMORE” across the chest. The pants are black and adorned with a white belt, the cleats are black and white.
The names on the back of the uniforms are in orange while the numbers are in white. Along the sleeve of the jersey is a scripted white “B” that also is on the black hats and helmets. On the left shirttail of the jersey is a slogan in orange, “You can’t clip these wings,” which was penned by Baltimore poet Kondwani Fidel.
The sleeve bottoms are lined with a grayscale that, according to the press release, has a design that represents the neighborhoods of the city and “the surface level view people have of Baltimore.” Ringed inside the grayscale and also peeking out of the collar is the same pattern in brighter hues, which lines the inside of the uniform and apparently represents “the colorful interior that highlights the vibrancy of the city.” The black socks include a multicolored swath of the neighborhood pattern.
In fact, the Orioles boast that “Baltimore has pioneered many of America’s finest inventions, so it comes as no surprise we are the first team to design the inside of our jersey.”
Early returns have not been particularly positive. Social media went haywire panning the jersey when it was first leaked earlier this month — yes, we live in a world where someone thought it was important to leak a jersey picture.
Sporting News on Monday ranked it 18th of 19 City Connect uniforms, ahead of only the San Francisco Giants’ atrocious, beer-softball threads.
The Orioles have revealed their City Connect jerseys. And reasons behind the design. I’ll have some thoughts later. But here ya go. https://t.co/LSxm6vJKZA
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) May 22, 2023
Connolly’s take
I’m not a uniform guy. Most fall in the category of “it’s fine,” to me. And those who know me will tell you I shouldn’t be dabbling in fashion discussions given my penchant for golf shirts, ballcaps, jeans and unassuming shoes.
So, my take here should be weighed properly.
But the one word that keeps coming to mind on these City Connect O’s uniforms is “underwhelming.”
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I don’t think it’s “hideous,” as some online have called it. And I don’t think it’s inspiring, either. The mostly black look seems to be a lost opportunity. It reminds me of when the fictitious record company removed the controversial “Smell the Glove,” album cover in the movie “Spinal Tap,” leaving the cover completely blank and prompting guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) to say, “How much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black.”
OK, so it could be more black, but not by a lot. There is white lettering on the front and orange lettering on the back And a white belt that gives Pat Boone vibes.
I think the addition of the colorful tapestry on the inner part of the uniform is somewhat clever — look deeper for Baltimore’s vibrancy — but the Orioles’ boast of being the first team to design inside the jersey is hilariously ridiculous. Other teams didn’t do it because it’s inside the jersey.
It’s the fashion equivalent of saying, “He’s not much to look at, but he has a great personality.”
No, Orioles, it’s not always the inside that counts. That aspect of these uniforms is just so odd. Players today typically don’t wear their sleeves rolled up during games.
I do like the block “BALTIMORE” across the chest. I’ve always been an advocate of that — because, yes, I am from here.
I’m also a ballcap guy, and I do like these. It’s always tricky to put a “B” on a hat, because it immediately conjures the Boston Red Sox. But I think the script and color — or lack thereof — is distinguishing enough.
I do wish there would have been a more obvious nod to the city itself. Maybe the Domino Sugar sign or the Constellation or the National Aquarium or a crab or two.
This project could have gone tacky quickly and the Orioles, obviously, were trying to avoid that. They did that by going minimalist. Or damn near funeralist.
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Are these as good as the Orioles’ traditional uniforms? I don’t think so.
Are they an embarrassment? Nah, I don’t think so, either.
As someone who’s not a big uniform guy, they appear to be fine. Some jerseys will be sold. Some cracks will be made. It’s something to talk and write about, I suppose. So, it’ll serve its purpose.
Even though underwhelming seems to be the best adjective for these new threads.
(Photo of Cedric Mullins courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles)