The grass is (relatively) green, the sky is (relatively) blue, and the weather is (relatively) nice, which means Spring has finally arrived here in New York. Aside from the much needed mercury boost, we here at ACL are also quite glad that along with Spring comes the seasonal debut of America’s pastime. Our various hometown biases aside, we can all agree that few things can top a mid-afternoon baseball game on a mild May day. So, to get us all in the spirit of swing we bring you our list of the ten greatest baseball uniforms of all time.
The 1906 New York Giants – After winning just the second World Series ever, the New York Giants were feeling more than a bit boastful. So, in an act that certainly wouldn’t be allowed today, the Giants decided to plaster their “World’s Champion” title across the front of their uniforms the next season. As they say, if you got it flaunt it.
The 1908 Boston Red Sox – In their first official year as the Red Sox (they were formerly known as the “Americans,”) Boston’s squad placed their rosy hosiery front and center, but it’s the lace-up neck and pullover design that made these uni’s so iconic.
1912 New York Yankees – This was the year the Yankees introduced their signature pinstripes jerseys, and over a century they haven’t let the Yanks down yet.
1918 Chicago White Sox – The longer sleeved shirts are what most people think of when they reflect back on the White Sox 1918 uniforms, but its actually that American flag, which was sewn on to remember those lost in WWI that has had the most impact on the jerseys of today.
The 1940’s Brooklyn Dodgers – During the forties, The Dodgers really let their playing do the talking, as they not only won three pennants but also managed to tear down the Major League’s color barrier. These understated uniforms, with little more than bold text and a “B” emblem, are the archetype for a classic baseball rig. It’s also worth noting that in this photo from 1947 Jackie Robinson seems to be wearing an older zip-up jersey next to his teammates button-up shirts. How’s that for “uniformity?”
The 1962 Houston Colts – They’d hardly be politically correct today, but you can’t deny that Houston’s Colt .45 logo is one of the best designed emblems ever seen on the diamond.
The 1970’s Baltimore Orioles – Similarly to the Dodger’s uniform of the forties, the Orioles donned a pretty straight forward top during the seventies, but this only made their cartoonish mascot look that much cooler. It’s with good reason that forty-plus years later the O’s still brought back that same hand drawn bird to their current caps.
The 1970’s Houston Astros – Some fans list these jerseys as some of the ugliest of all time, but we have to give the seventies ‘Stros some credit for breaking the mold. Between the ostentatious color scheme, the massive star, and the odd decision to place player’s numbers on their pants, Houston clearly was suffering from some disco reverberations when they designed these kits.
The 1970’s St. Louis Cardinals – We’re not sure if it’s the throwback (even then) logo, the robin’s egg blue, the bright red caps, or a combination of all three, but the Cardinals just looked so damn cool in seventies.
The 1986 New York Mets – While that other New York team might get all the acclaim for their pinstriped rigs, the Mets softer blue on white stripes are equally as iconic. While these jerseys might look identical to the ones they wear today, during the eighties, the Mets decided to revamp their tops by switching from button-ups to pullover. We can’t say for sure if this is why The Mets won the World Series in ’86, but hey, it couldn’t have hurt.
This is bound to stir up some interesting comments. There are so many great logo designs that have come from professional baseball; that’s why I buy so many baseball caps. I just love the designs, particularly the replica cap designs from Ebbets Field Flannels.
No love for the A’s? They’ve been good for some time, and were especially nice in the 70s. Thanks for the article!
Couple nitpicking baseball nerd points. Giants actually said World’s Champions, with the ‘s. Those O’s uni’s are from the 60s, by the 70s they had longer sleeves and stripes on the sleeves, plus based on the age of “the Robinsons” in that pic its circa ’66 as they still look young.
Some other good ones
Philadelphia A’s 1910’s – with the white elephant trolling John McGraw’s insult of them. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytoqCI_xmLs/UE4Y2MtMtRI/AAAAAAAACPY/l-b87JNtJVg/s1600/9.10.5.jpg
St. Louis Cardinals – 1930s http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6wXPrJ5FKM/UtdroGBGc3I/AAAAAAAAAZE/EBr6V-q9qbI/s1600/011614-Dizzy-Dean.jpg
I always thought that Astros uniform looked like a Taco Bell uniform.
No 1960 Pirates? Best team and uniform combo ever.
Highly disappointed with this article!
C’Mon what about the Chicago White Sox attempt at softball unis in the 70s. Oh the shorts. Psyche!
’76 Reds uniform on Pete Rose. Nuff said.
Even as a lifelong Yankee fan, I have to agree with Grickel on the Pirates and Walker on those great As uniforms in the 70s. I would add the cool Angels caps with the halos in the late 60s. Fun stuff.
what about any year uniform of the Tigers?
http://0.tqn.com/d/detroit/1/0/q/F/-/-/3126273.jpg
http://archive.wzzm13.com/assetpool/images/131113064511_Max%20Scherzer.jpg
Great piece even for someone who isn’t a massive baseball fan but who can appreciate the design.
The yellow 1970s A’s unis and, because I’m a bit biased, the current Atlanta Braves home unis and Sunday alternates. Great article.
Mustard and brown.
http://www.vintagecardprices.com/pics/1915/488/132886.jpg
I like the old unis the Jays sported in the 80’s, but the 70’s were pretty money as well!
Neat article and interesting choices. Would be funny to see an ugliest uniforms of all time.
What? No Mr. Cub number 14 in Cubs pinstripes. “Let’s play two!!”
I read somewhere that the Mets uniforms purposely included elements of the Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants (Yankee pinstripes, NY Giants styled “NY” on the hat, Dodger blue and Giants orange). I’ve always thought that was a genius idea.
Dear Major League Baseball, baseball fans, and baseball announcers,
The Yankees are often and usually credited, either directly or indirectly, with being the first ball club to wear pin stripes. In fact, according to Marc Okkonen’s book, “Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century”, the Chicago Cubs were the FIRST team to wear pinstripes during the 1907 World Series.
The Cubs wore road grey pin striped uniforms to open the 1907 World Series at home in Chicago against the Detroit Tigers. They were reprimanded by the National Commission for not wearing home “Whites”. They supposedly did this because they had lost key home games against the cross town White Sox during the 1906 World Series, and they wanted to break the home town jinx.
So please, let’s get it right……..it is not yankee pinstripes……….
it is”CUBS PINSTRIPES”.
such a wonderfully controversial topic with no right answer…perfect for ACL.
my list would include some of the ones chosen, like Brooklyn from the 40’s, especially the home jersey with the red numbers. ’82 cards away (powder blue), ’66 O’s, and ’62 Colt .45 all were great. Agree with @Rivers – the Phila A’s with the white elephant has to be on there, it’s one of best baseball stories ever and one of the best public F*** You’s ever. The ’27 cardinals is amazing with world champs surrounding the bird. ’74 Atlanta (Hank Aaron) is one of my favs from that era, the Astros and the Padres don’t do it for me, but I can see why others like them. Something from Detroit should be there, the script D is so iconic. The Yankees jerseys bore me to death, pinstripes yada yada – I like the Yankees sweaters much more. but I’m a Phillies fan and this is an emotional topic, which is why the 1950 Phillies whiz kids away jersey is a must on my list. I am also bias to looks of the wool jerseys from 30’s through 60’s. The night satins worn by Brooklyn and St.Louis (and other national league teams) in the 40’s were pretty cool, but they look awful in pictures, they have to be seen in person.
Very few of these, actually would be my choices, but then the category description is completely vague. Houston 1970’s as a “greatest” uniform? Not. ’86 Mest instead of the ’69 Miracle Mets? Not. St. Louis’ blue uniforms that look like the Braves road-blues and George Brett had a love-child?! Not. “Greatest” should mean most influential, whereas “Most interesting” and “Most curious” are obvious and appropriate divisions. Houston is definitely a leader in the “Most curious” category, some of which entries will inevitably appear in the “Downright ugliest” category…like St. Louis’s blues. Further categorical separation is required.
I stll like the Cardinals uniforms overall as the best. I like their blue caps better than the red with the road uniforms. The O’s picture was spring 1966 with Frank, one of the best hitters of all time,and Brooks the likely best fielding third baseman and one of the best clutch hitters in baseball history.