The Best and Worst MLB Uniforms

Some baseball looks never go out of style. Others should be retired.

The Best and Worst MLB Uniforms

Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles have been rocking orange and black in Baltimore since 1954.

Seamheads can gripe and moan all they want about the length of major league games, the designated hitter, instant replay, umpires, metrics geeks, uneven fields, Hall of Fame standards, even Alex Rodriguez in a TV booth. But baseball looks marvelous. That’s right. The uniforms have never been better.

Truth is, the motivation to look good in the bigs has never been greater. Hats and jerseys do boffo business in pro sports, but especially baseball because of its individual nature, larger roster size and longer shelf life. From alternates to throwbacks to weekend specials, there are more options than ever.

That was never more apparent than before the 2019 season, when Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper hit the equivalent of a 600-foot homer before he played a game with his new team. According to online retailer Fanatics, his No. 3 jersey set the pro sports record for sales in 24 and 48 hours. By the last cha-ching, it had moved past Aaron Judge's jersey as the most popular one in the game. Team merchandise sales had shot up more than 5,000 percent from the same time one year earlier.

Just as money talks, so do uniforms. And some speak louder (and better) than others. Here's how all 30 MLB team uniforms rank, based on the past and present, with bonus points for consistency and historical significance.

30. Los Angeles Angels

Albert Pujols and Mike Trout — Why did red become the color of Angels?

Established: 1961

Based in Anaheim: 1966

Top 20 jerseys at start of 2019 season: Outfielder Mike Trout (No. 4 overall)

30. Los Angeles Angels

Bottom line: Blue is for sky and heaven. Blue is for peace and tranquility. Blue is for authority and spirituality. Blue is for Southern California, too. So why the hell do the Angels pay homage to the devil? Did Dodger Blue make them do it? All this red has got to stop immediately, so help me, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

My suggestion: A scheme similar to the 1960’s originals — capital blue letters with red borders, red-and-blue trim around the collar and sleeves and a stripe down each pant leg. And the ridiculously cool hat with the halo ring around the top of it. Very unique. Very Angelic. Very overdue.

29. San Diego Padres

Established: 1969

Top 20 jerseys: Third baseman Manny Machado (No. 12)

29. San Diego Padres

Bottom line: What can brown do for this brand? A heckuva lot more than navy blue, that’s for darn sure.

Granted, there are far better colors to build around, but this one is way too obvious. The organization assures us that the brown-and-gold combo will return in the 2020 season. Can’t wait.

Pssst, bring back the Swingin’ Friar with it, OK?

28. Washington Nationals

Max Scherzer — These Washington Nationals uniforms are not aces.

Established: 1969

Based in Washington, D.C.: 2005

Top 20 jerseys: None

28. Washington Nationals

Bottom line: To judge by its uniform ensemble, this team plays in a Walgreen’s company league somewhere, not in the nation’s capital. Where are the stars? The pinstripes? The landmark silhouette?

Oh, and if that curlicue "W" is returned to its rightful owner immediately, the fashion police will reduce the charge to a misdemeanor.

27. Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Swihart — The Diamondbacks still are searching for a uniform identity.

Established: 1998

Top 20 jerseys: None

27. Arizona Diamondbacks

Eduardo Escobar doesn't mind Diamondback black.

Bottom line: The Diamondbacks claim to be hip and trendy. Their unis scream confusion, if not downright weirdness.

They’ve tried black numbers with red outlines, teal names with black outlines, black sleeve stripes with teal outlines, black sleeves, red logo patches. Then there was that gradient snakeskin effect on the shoulders, which made it look as though the players had been doused with blood, not Gatorade.

My advice: Scrap the jagged "A" logo, settle on a primary color, then keep it simple for a while.

26. Colorado Rockies

Nolan Arenado and Daniel Murphy — Some looks should be retired.

Established: 1991

Top 20 jerseys: None

26. Colorado Rockies

Nolan Arenado — Do the Rockies' purple unis fire you up?

Bottom line: We’re talking about the mighty, majestic Rockies here, correct? Problem is, the franchise has a history of unimaginative schemes that are more mindful of a small hill in Idledale.

Thankfully, plain white pants have replaced the pinstriped ones with the alternate home jerseys, but those wide-shouldered black vests are back again, unfortunately.

Whaddya say we burn them at a public bonfire like the Broncos did with their hideous vertically striped socks decades ago?

25. Texas Rangers

Adrian Sampson — Go big. Go home. Or go back to the drawing board.

Established: 1961

Based in Arlington: 1972

Top 20 jerseys: None

25. Texas Rangers

Hunter Pence and Asrubal Cabrera — Sometimes, the Rangers wear their blue alternates.

Bottom line: Seems that Texas is on the horns of a dilemma. See, the state flag is one-third red, one-third white and one-third blue. So the Rangers rotate red hats and socks with blue hats and socks, all with white uniforms.

I understand the commitment to historical correctness — no, make that the bottom line — but it doesn’t work here. Don’t mess with uniformity, Texas.

24. Cleveland Indians

Established: 1894

Top 20 jerseys: None

24. Cleveland Indians

Francisco Lindor — The new Indians style.

Bottom line: Chief Wahoo has taken a forced retirement. You probably won’t see the most controversial logo in MLB history on Tribe caps or jerseys again. Unfortunately, that was the only unique feature of a tiresome red-and-blue look that screams blandness.

A scarlet home alternate with cursive font across the chest has been added to the mix this season, but more than Chief Wahoo needs to beat it here.

23. Milwaukee Brewers

Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain — Don't mess with a classic.

Established: 1969

Based in Milwaukee: 1970

Top 20 jerseys: Outfielder Christian Yelich (No. 8)

23. Milwaukee Brewers

Bottom line: The Crew go through uniform and logo types like Megan Fox does shoes. Know that urine-colored jersey of theirs? Peee-yew!

By far, the best thing they’ve done is bring back the classic ball-in-glove "MB" logo that local college student Tom Meindel submitted in a 1977 fan contest. Beats the heck out of the new navy-and-gold "M" version with a sprig of barley.

Now riddle me this: Why was the most popular logo in franchise history ever dumped in the first place?

22. Tampa Bay Rays

Brandon Lowe and Austin Meadows — Give the Rays some props for their aesthetics.

Established: 1998

Top 20 jerseys: None

22. Tampa Bay Rays

Bottom line: This is one of the few areas where the mid-market Rays not only can compete on an even field but even splurge for a change. Sad to say, they fall a bit short of the mark.

It’s not that their look is a bad one. It’s that it could be better. It took a while, but those incredibly tacky nameplates have been replaced by sewn-on letters on the jersey backs. Hey, that’s a start, people.

Now they can put those inaugural rainbow-gradated throwbacks on the bargain rack where they belong.

21. Miami Marlins

Established: 1993

Top 20 jerseys: None

21. Miami Marlins

Bottom line: Happy to report, this jersey set underwent another makeover in the offseason. The result is a bolder, fluorescent-like look that has South Beach written all over it.

My grades? Road grays: B+. Home whites: B. Alternate blacks: D. Alternate blue thunders: C+.

It’s kinda strange to see "Miami" across the home whites, though. So few fans attend Marlins games, they need to be reminded who’s on the field, apparently.

20. Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario — Not bad, Minnesota.

Established: 1894

Based in Minnesota: 1961

Top 20 jerseys: None

20. Minnesota Twins

Luis Arraez — The Twins' alternate home unis.

Bottom line: A red-blue-gold alternate with retro script has debuted at some home games this season.

The return of the "TC" logo, a staple in the first 26 seasons of the franchise, is a nice touch. Trouble is, Kasota Gold, or whatever it’s called, has no business here, none whatsoever.

One more thing: The Twins are the only MLB club with "win" in its name. Why not highlight the word in a slightly different color shade?

19. Atlanta Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman — Change can be good.

Established: 1871

Based in Atlanta: 1966

Top 20 jerseys: Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (No. 10), first baseman Freddie Freeman (No. 20)

19. Atlanta Braves

Bottom line: While we would like to see the Braves' fashion designers color outside the lines for a change — they can check out the vibrant 1972 blues for starters — a number of positive tweaks have been made.

The home reds came back at Friday home games, and not a moment too soon. There also have been some script and piping alterations, which make for better contrast and more consistency.

Bravo, Bravos.

18. Philadelphia Phillies

Established: 1883

Top 20 jerseys: Outfielder Bryce Harper (No. 1)

18. Philadelphia Phillies

Aaron Nola — The Phillies' home pinstripes.

Bottom line: The lively red pinstripes ooze youth and energy. And those glorious blue stars that dot the i’s in "Phillies" across the jersey fronts are beyond cool. It’s the alternate burgundy cap that we can live without. You know, the one paired with the yucky powder blues.

Then there’s that revised logo that features a prehistoric dial phone for some strange reason. Um, that’s the Liberty Bell, you say? Whatever it is, it’s too dark and ominous. Worse yet, it drowns out those stars of the same blue tone.

Chuck the lid and improve the logo, and this ensemble is back in the upper half again.

17. San Francisco Giants

Joe Panik — The Giants' home whites are an oldie but a goodie.

Established: 1883

Based in San Francisco: 1958

Top 20 jerseys: None

17. San Francisco Giants

Bottom line: The orange-and-black homies are top 10 material. Easy. The rest doesn’t leave much to the imagination, though, especially for a market as unique and picturesque as this one.

For instance, the "SF" logo on the drab road grays and home black alternates is not all that creative.

San Francisco dares to be different, and this look should as well.

16. Houston Astros

Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley — Houston, we don't have a problem.

Established: 1962

Top 20 jerseys: Second baseman Jose Altuve (No. 16) third baseman Alex Bregman (No. 17)

16. Houston Astros

Justin Verlander — The Astros keep their uniforms simple.

Bottom line: From the Colt .45s smoking gun (No. 1 with a bullet) to the shooting star (acceptable) to the gaudy rainbows (doctor, my eyes) to the red brick and black (think we’ll pass), these unis have come full circle over the years.

Now the Astros have wisely returned to their original colors and star-H hats. In particular, the orange-and-white alternates and all-gray roadies are very well done.

But don’t get too comfy, ‘Stros fans. Like the Texas weather, your wardrobe is known to blow hot and cold.

15. Toronto Blue Jays

Justin Smoak — Nice to see the new-look Blue Jays bring back an old-school uni.

Established: 1977

Top 20 jerseys: None

15. Toronto Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — Toronto's road look.

Bottom line: The franchise has moved ahead to the past with a return to their World Series days. Back are those timeless jerseys with the Blue Jay head/red maple leaf logo and classic split-letter "Blue Jays" name and player number.

A bolder blue has replaced the navy of old, which makes this model even better, if that’s possible.

Bring back Robbie Alomar, Joe Carter and Paul Molitor with 'em, and Toronto really would have something here.

14. Seattle Mariners

Established: 1977

Top 20 jerseys: Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (No. 13)

14. Seattle Mariners

Marco Gonzales — The Mariners remember their roots.

Bottom line: Uniforms that have links to nicknames and locales have a head start on the competition. The Mariners are a primary example of this, with their steadfast commitment to a navy-teal combo and trademark compass and trident.

This year, new powder blues were trotted out in spring training. All they need is another splash of teal to get a permanent roster spot next season.

13. Baltimore Orioles

Stevie Wilkerson — Orange and black. Still a classic combination.

Established:1901

Based in Baltimore: 1954

Top 20 jerseys: None

13. Baltimore Orioles

Dylan Bundy — The O's' unis are not for the birds.

Bottom line: It’s very difficult to screw up orange and black, and with assistance from that lovable cartoon bird, the O’s have worn them well over the years.

It’s their Maryland Day unis that drag them down a few pegs. The special edition features the state flag — a clash of red/white and black/gold symbols in four quadrants. When the gaudy design was adopted in 1904, we're pretty sure it wasn’t intended for a baseball uniform. The image in 2019 is even more conspicuous, covering the jersey sleeves instead of the script and numbers as it did a year ago.

We're all for heritage, but there has gotta be a better way.

12. New York Mets

Noah Syndergaar — The Mets returned to using pinstripes as their primary home uniform in 2012.

Established: 1962

Top 20 jerseys: None

12. New York Mets

Pete Alonso — The Mets' uniforms are something to celebrate.

Bottom line: The Dodgers blue-Giants orange combo of the Mets, a tribute to their National League predecessors, always has been appealing. The home pinstripes are knock-outs — bright, neat and clean. And no black trim or busy socks, either.

All they lack is a 1969 Amazin’ Mets patch to celebrate the greatest season in franchise history.

Anyway, it’s hard to believe the team had a dismal 37-44 record in these threads in the 2018 season. C’mon home whites, you’re better than that.

11. Chicago White Sox

Eloy Jimenez Yolmer Sanchez — Good guys (and bad guys) wear black.

Established: 1900

Top 20 jerseys: None

11. Chicago White Sox

Lucas Giolito — It's tough to mess up pinstripes.

Bottom line: The White Sox have tried everything from rad (red pinstripes) to ridiculous (short pants and pajama tops) in their fluxed-up history. Finally, in 1990, with the team about to move into a new ballpark, what they threw at the wall finally stuck — black and silver.

Not only did the brand discover an identity, but a Good Guys Wear Black slogan was part of the deal.

Turns out Bad Teams Wear Black, too, and they can do it quite well.

10. Kansas City Royals

Whit Merrifield — Looking good is half the battle for the Royals.

Established: 1969

Top 20 jerseys: None

10. Kansas City Royals

Bottom line: Gone is what little black there was in the color scheme. Also, the team nickname no longer appears on the primary logo. They’re the kind of subtle changes the organization has preferred over the years.

Hey, why mess with success, especially those classic whites — the royal blue hat with the "KC" logo and the "Royals" script across the jersey front?

For some added spice, the team could set the player numeral in gold, the secondary team color. (See Dodgers, Los Angeles). Regardless, this look won’t grow old any time soon.

9. Chicago Cubs

Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr. and Jason Heyward — Cub life.

Established: 1876

Top 20 jerseys: Shortstop Javier Baez (No. 7), first baseman Anthony Rizzo (No. 9), third baseman Kris Bryant (No. 15)

9. Chicago Cubs

Kyle Hendricks — Now the Cubs are loveable winners.

Bottom line: On balance, no team does red and blue better than this one. Cubbie blue has just the right tone, and there’s just enough red trim to accentuate it. Similar kudos to the primary logo, which hasn’t changed in 40 years.

As for that so-called Walking Bear on the sleeve, well, the poor thing looks like it has been lost for 108 years. Does PETA know about this?

Anyway, here’s a vote to un-retire the cuddly Cubbie that reared its head in the 1962-78 seasons.

8. Cincinnati Reds

Established: 1881

Top 20 jerseys: None

8. Cincinnati Reds

Bottom line: From the moment Sports Illustrated spotlighted "Redlegs musclemen" Gus Bell, Ted Kluszewski and Wally Post on the cover, I became a fan for life. Not of the team but its marvelous unis.

Inexplicably, the franchise got sucked into the black hole and lost its identity for a while. Fortunately, the Reds came to in 2007, when they showed their true color again.

If they don’t scrap that black brim on their road hat soon, though, someone will have to answer to Gus, Ted and Wally up there one day.

7. Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera — If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Established: 1894

Top 20 jerseys: None

7. Detroit Tigers

Bottom line: Hey, look, a pro sports franchise that’s fiercely loyal to tradition. When the Tigers' round-top Old English jersey logo was dropped at the expense of the historic pointed version on their hats in the 2018 season, it marked Detroit's first uniform change in 50 years.

In most cases, the double-logo look would be redundant and might require an updated "Tigers” cursive on the road jerseys, which made a cameo in the 1960 season. But let's not nitpick one of most simple-yet-iconic looks in the big leagues.

6. Boston Red Sox

Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez — Simplicity plus consistency equals a major league classic.

Established: 1901

Top 20 jerseys: Outfielder Mookie Betts (No. 3), outfielder Andrew Benintendi (No. 18)

6. Boston Red Sox

Bottom line: Some organizations spit at logic and tradition, only to have it blow back in their faces. Not the Red Sahx, though. They stay within the lines.

The road and alternate models follow the lead of the home whites, which haven’t changed in years. Would you believe the Red Sox even have red socks? Imagine that.

There’s something to be said for simplicity and consistency. These unis scream it.

5. St. Louis Cardinals

Michael Wacha and Yadier Molina — The Cardinals have a nice uniform game.

Established: 1882

Top 20 jerseys: catcher Yadier Molina (No. 5), first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (No. 11)

5. St. Louis Cardinals

Bottom line: The Victory Blues (1976-84) have made a welcomed comeback at Saturday road games in the 2019 season. Then again, almost any scheme would look good with those chain-stitched redbirds on a yellow bat across the front, perhaps the most distinctive jersey feature in all of sport.

We may be in the minority here, but we even like the blue hats that are worn at Sunday home games.

These guys have always been Tony LaRussa serious about their unis. It shows plenty.

4. Oakland Athletics

Marcus Semien and Jed Lowrie — Green is gold in Oakland.

Established: 1901

Based in Oakland: 1968

Top 20 jerseys: None

4. Oakland Athletics

Bottom line: Every major sportswear manufacturer owes a debt of gratitude of the 1960’s Kansas City Athletics, the first team to introduce a third jersey and green-and-gold color scheme. The tradition continues in Oakland, where the team has tried more combinations than a locksmith, almost all of them with some degree of success.

The all-Kelly Greens with gold trim and white letter logo on the cap may be the best alternate ever.

The A’s usually look like $10 million bucks on the field even if they don’t get paid like it.

3. Pittsburgh Pirates

Joe Musgrove — Pirates unis are a fan favorite — even outside Pittsburgh.

Established: 1882

Top 20 jerseys: None

3. Pittsburgh Pirates

Starling Marte and Josh Bell — That "P" is iconic.

Bottom line: Does anyone wear black and gold better than Pittsburgh pro sports teams? Not even close.

The baseball team has been dressed to the nines for decades, save for the Bumblebee combos best kept in Davy Jones’ locker. Remember, this was the first MLB team to wear a lighter cotton-nylon fabric, buttonless pull-over jersey and beltless elasticized pants.

It’s the current home whites with those bold black letters, distinct font and exquisite gold trim/"P" cap logo that really shiver me timbers. Fact is, there are no weak spots in this line-up. Arrr!

1a. Los Angeles Dodgers

Established: 1883

Based in Los Angeles: 1958

Top 20 jerseys: Pitcher Clayton Kershaw (No. 6), first baseman-outfielder Cody Bellinger (No. 14)

1a. Los Angeles Dodgers

Walker Buehler — Dodger uniforms exude class.

Bottom line: From picturesque Dodger Stadium to gleaming Dodger whites with blue hat, it’s remarkable how little has changed in Chavez Ravine over the last 60-plus years. And how little has needed to change, for that matter.

By our count, only eight uniform changes have been in that span — and that includes the switch from B (Brooklyn) to LA on the cap.

Stay classy, Dodgers, stay classy.

1. New York Yankees

Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, Brett Gardner — Start spreading the news — the Yankees have the best uniforms in baseball.

Established: 1901

Based in New York City: 1903

Top 20 jerseys: Outfielder Aaron Judge (No. 2), outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (No. 19)

1. New York Yankees

Domingo German — It's tough to beat tradition.

Bottom line: Truth is, a few other uniform types might be preferred over these. But nothing beats 116 years worth of iconic tradition.

Outside of New England perhaps, how can one not appreciate the interlocking "NY" insignia, the most recognizable in all of pro sports?

Yankee pinstripes are at the top of the list, head of the heap, king of the hill.