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Alternate uniforms are a way for a pro sports team to deepen its connection with its fan base. And, of course, make a bunch of money selling shoddily made replicas through Fanatics' team of deeply uncaring storefronts.
That's manifested across America's major sports, including Major League Baseball. While third uniforms have long been a staple of the game, the City Connect effort is a coordinated campaign to bring jerseys, logos and hats with roots in both a franchise and its city to the basepaths. This has led to some gorgeous kits, a few duds and, most often, a general sense of malaise to perfectly cromulent but forgettable outfits.
We're back with eight more offerings for 2026. Since March Madness is behind us and the Masters hasn't quite dropped into gear, it's time to rank them from worst to best.
These rankings are rooted in aesthetics and utterly subjective. But if there are extenuating factors that make a jersey a little bit worse, it's gonna show up. Like, say, using a nickname no local actually uses for their state.
Oh hey, speaking of...
As a resident of Wisconsin, I assure you no one calls it "Wisco." This is like if the University of Tennessee decided to put "KNOX VEGAS" on its jerseys.
NFL Color Rush-[expletive] kits.
Boring, but the Dia de Muertos sleeve patch is nice enough to boost it out of the bottom two.
The return of red? Alright, cool. The return of a statue celebrating the Texas Ranger who fought to keep Texas' schools segregated? Awful.
I'm not sure how this connects to the deeper culture and lore of Pittsburgh, but it's diving deep into the swashbuckling side of things, That's... fine.
Look, three through eight are all varying stages of forgettable. But this one's got a bird on it! And as some point that jersey's gonna get crumpled up and look like it says "SMORE." Good enough for me.
Plus the hat is kinda nice.
The "City of Fountains" crest is bold and the whole kit is good weird compared to the Reds' bad weird. They brought fuchsia into the mix. Fuchsia!
Anyway, I'm torn between hating and loving this one. But when 75 percent of this year's City Connect uniforms are thick slices of marbled indifference, I'm gonna give Kansas City a boost for trying.
ALL HAIL THE 7:05 BROADCAST TIME.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ranking the 8 new MLB City Connect uniforms for 2026
Continue reading...
That's manifested across America's major sports, including Major League Baseball. While third uniforms have long been a staple of the game, the City Connect effort is a coordinated campaign to bring jerseys, logos and hats with roots in both a franchise and its city to the basepaths. This has led to some gorgeous kits, a few duds and, most often, a general sense of malaise to perfectly cromulent but forgettable outfits.
We're back with eight more offerings for 2026. Since March Madness is behind us and the Masters hasn't quite dropped into gear, it's time to rank them from worst to best.
These rankings are rooted in aesthetics and utterly subjective. But if there are extenuating factors that make a jersey a little bit worse, it's gonna show up. Like, say, using a nickname no local actually uses for their state.
Oh hey, speaking of...
8. Milwaukee Brewers
As a resident of Wisconsin, I assure you no one calls it "Wisco." This is like if the University of Tennessee decided to put "KNOX VEGAS" on its jerseys.
7. Cincinnati Reds
NFL Color Rush-[expletive] kits.
6. San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres’ new City Connect uniforms are herepic.twitter.com/tvEsgv0VxC
— MLB (@MLB) April 9, 2026
Boring, but the Dia de Muertos sleeve patch is nice enough to boost it out of the bottom two.
5. Texas Rangers
The return of red? Alright, cool. The return of a statue celebrating the Texas Ranger who fought to keep Texas' schools segregated? Awful.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
I'm not sure how this connects to the deeper culture and lore of Pittsburgh, but it's diving deep into the swashbuckling side of things, That's... fine.
3. Baltimore Orioles
Look, three through eight are all varying stages of forgettable. But this one's got a bird on it! And as some point that jersey's gonna get crumpled up and look like it says "SMORE." Good enough for me.
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Plus the hat is kinda nice.
2. Kansas City Royals
The "City of Fountains" crest is bold and the whole kit is good weird compared to the Reds' bad weird. They brought fuchsia into the mix. Fuchsia!
Anyway, I'm torn between hating and loving this one. But when 75 percent of this year's City Connect uniforms are thick slices of marbled indifference, I'm gonna give Kansas City a boost for trying.
1. Atlanta Braves
ALL HAIL THE 7:05 BROADCAST TIME.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ranking the 8 new MLB City Connect uniforms for 2026
Continue reading...
