The Nike City Connect alternate uniforms for the Detroit Tigers were released on Monday. While I’m not much of a uniform guy and tend to think messing with the classic jersey is slightly blasphemous when you have one of the most iconic logos and uniforms in professional sports, plenty of others are really into the concept. I am not the target market here. At least there’s the possibility that these are manufactured to a higher standard that whatever is going on with the regular supply of uniforms this season!
By and large, the City Connect concept is built to appeal to collectors, uniform honks, and the younger side of the fanbase in general. I’m surprised there aren’t corresponding Tigers kicks for the sneaker heads. Point being, my opinions on this don’t matter.
The hat is somewhat generic, but the colors and jersey design are at least not as busy and loud as some others we’ve seen. The heavy doses of black and blue we’ve seen in some of these designs just doesn’t give me any particular Detroit vibes, but the tones are pretty nice together, and hey the Red Sox got bright yellow shirts, so things could be worse. The Tigers did wear blue road jerseys for a few years back in the early 1900’s.
There are some cool details involved with the Motor City theme. The highway M-1 sign, representing Woodward Avenure, is present and subtly hints at the 313 area code as well. There is a pseudo VIN number representing important years in the franchise’s history, such as 1968 and 1984. The pants have a blue racing stripe down the seams and tire tread patterning on the front and back of the shirts. You get it. Motor City things.
The jerseys and hats are now available at MLBshop.com and the D Store. Wider release will proceed from there. The uniforms will be on the field Friday though Sunday this upcoming weekend as the Tigers welcome in the Houston Astros. Friday’s kickoff will begin with a block party outside Comerica Park with live music, food trucks, and a classic car show from 4-7 p.m.
What do you think?