Major League Baseball is home to some of the most iconic jerseys in sports history. From the New York Yankees infamous pinstripes to the Los Angeles Dodgers West Coast blue, some of the most storied uniforms have sprouted from the diamond.

Perhaps the best term to encapsulate baseball’s button-up uniforms is timeless. The Detroit Tigers have plastered the traditional old-English “D” on their left chest for over 120 years. The St. Louis Cardinals have rolled out the ever more consistent “birds on the bat” logo since 1922.

However, the league attempted something brand new in 2021, steering away from the longstanding white and grey jerseys and introducing City Connects.

Opening with the Boston Red Sox donning yellow and blue in their “Boston Marathon” uniforms, fan reaction was tepid early on. Now, every year, the league unveils brand new experimental City Connect jerseys for eight new teams.

This year’s rendition was released last week, leaving us with one question: Which one is the best?

8. Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers returned to a simpler intention with these jerseys, paying homage to Vaqueros, or Mexican cowboys.

The Rangers will wear red for the first time since retiring their red alternates in 2022. The hue is derived from cochineal insects found in Mexico and Central America, a significant color in Mexican culture.

The blocky “Tejas” across the middle and the thick “T” on the hat nod to Texas’ uniforms throughout the 1970s and 80s. The sleeve patch is the strongest variable on the jersey, with a white Texas state outline on top of a symmetrical papel picado.

These unis aren’t bad at all, but are just too safe when it comes to a City Connect. When comparing to some provocative renderings like the Philadelphia Phillies – not saying these are worse than the Phils’ montrosities – these Rangers’ threads feel bland and collegiate.

7. Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals mixed a white base with a blue and purple gradient in these dubious uniforms. The intention is to celebrate Kansas City as the heart of the nation while launching into a new era of Royals baseball.

The gradient comes from inspirations of Kasas City’s City of Fountains logo adopted in 1991. The new crown logo that appears on the hat and above the “R” on the chest represents a new chapter within the team while honoring its history.

The Royals had a strong intention with this, but poor execution. It once again fails the rubric of a brazen City Connect jersey. They took a step back from the team’s first City Connect in 2022 and fell flat with this design.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

Spots number six and number five on this list can be interchangeable. This is also the first solid jersey in the new group. The Pirates went with a threatening, black design that was mocked up well. That said, the only thing holding them back is the failure to be inventive.

The Bucs have an eerily similar alternate to these new jerseys that they’ve been wearing for years. The black base with yellow trim has been done – and done well – ever since the Pirates have been a team.

Complemented with black pants, there’s no doubt that these threads will look good on the field. However, a team entering an exciting new era with young talent at every corner, the potential for these was far better than what was delivered.

5. San Diego Padres

In a similar taste to the Pirates, these new San Diego Padres jerseys are great, yet reasonably underwhelming. They replicated the same concept from their old City Connects and returned with a dull sequel.

The threads are inspired by Dia de los Muertos, with a tremendous sleeve patch and corresponding color themes. There’s a yellow-pink gradient within the “San Diego” wordmark inspired by spectacular sunsets and the active California lifestyle.

Although these would make terrific regular alternate jerseys, they fall flat when it comes to City Connects. They took a sizeable step back compared to 2022’s version, and landed in the middle of the pack on this list.

4. Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds delivered with a clean all-red City Connect to match their all-black Connects that the club is keeping in rotation. The jerseys go with the same design as the pants, putting out a color rush red-on-red combination that represents the city of Cincinnati.

There are subtle pinstripes that define a classic element of the Reds’ history and set up for a later reference. The shade of red on the jersey darkens once the shoulder hits, imitating a vintage vest-style uniform. The pinstripes stop at the shoulder to reinforce the look.

Shockingly enough, for a team titled after a color, this will be the first time Cincinnati wears a red-on-red jersey blend. They executed a fresh style while honoring the history of the team, putting them in the top half of the newest City Connect jerseys.

3. Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers presented a unique ocean blue jersey with by far the best sleeve patch out of the new bunch. The blue base represents Wisconsin’s endless shorelines and lakes, with cream accents to depict sandy shores.

The “Wisco” wordmark is a call-back to the Brewers’ time spent in the American Association baseball league in the early 1900s. There’s a stripe from the collar down to the shoulder with a wheat braid that references Milwaukee’s brewing industry. The orange and pink gradients throughout the jersey illustrate Midwest sunsets and serve as the backdrop to the sleeve patch wth a reimagined Barrelman.

There are no other jerseys like this within the new designs. They balance a classic old school font with an exploratory, fresh scheme for the team.

2. Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles greatly improved their City Connect jersey with this “BMore” design, a hybrid of Baltimore culture and O’s baseball.

The wordmark across the chest is supposed to symbolize neighborhoods in Baltimore, with the vintage Oriole perched atop the letters. The circular sleeve patch is the best addition to the uniform, representing plaque stamps of home runs hit to Eutaw Street inside Camden Yards.

While this jersey feels more like an alternate than a City Connect, the O’s still executed a great concept. It doesn’t steer too far from the team’s identity while bringing in a new intention.

1. Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves absolutely delivered with these powder blue City Connects, inspired by their old jerseys from the 1980s. These unis perfectly teeter the line between utilizing a vintage aesthetic while remaining modern.

The cursive “Atlanta” wordmark is a replica of the 80s interpretations, with an updated, subtle red and blue outline. The sleeve patch pays homage to the SuperStation WTBS, the first national cable station that revolutionized television, which originated in Atlanta.

The hats use the Braves’ historic “a” logo to bring it all home and complete the look. These are uniquely pull-over jerseys, becoming the second City Connect to not have buttons. While it could act as a reference to the 80s, according to the Braves’ Instagram, the players elected to wear a pull-over to optimize comfort and performance.

Atlanta has the best jersey of the new City Connects beyond doubt. It will be a treat to see these, along with the other seven on the field, all season long.

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