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New York Mets Debut City Connect Uniforms

Good Sunday morning, Uni Watchers. I hope everyone had a good Saturday.

The New York Mets became the second of nine teams this season to debut their City Connect (CC) uniforms yesterday, and the graphite-gray jerseys, caps and helmets matched the color of the sky on what turned out to be a cloudy, dreary and windy afternoon in Queens. Perhaps the weather was an omen for the result, as the Mets lost to the Cardinals 7-4.

The Mets are scheduled to wear the CC uniforms for every Saturday home game for the rest of the season, except on June 1 when the team retires Darryl Strawberry’s No. 18. As always, CC uniforms are designed to “tell a story,” so it’s impossible to divorce the look of the uniform from its tale. And if you’re curious as to the marketing ploy storytelling behind the Mets CC, Paul had the full scoop when the uniforms were unveiled.

Whenever a uniform is unveiled — CC or otherwise — it’s always wise to reserve final judgment until the uniforms are worn on the field. And while the Mets provided plenty of photos of their caps and jerseys, they barely showed the uniform from the waist down. We knew that instead of creating a matching set of pants, they would be solid white with what we thought would be a thick black stripe down the sides. But as you’ll see, that was a bit deceiving. We also didn’t get to see the CC socks which would be paired with the uniform, nor the batting helmets. We also didn’t see how the team would treat their ad patch (which had been rendered in blue with an orange outline on the team’s jerseys). All of these have now been revealed.

Due to some lighting issues, it wasn’t immediately clear that the cap and jersey color would be the same shade of gray, but as you can see, they matched. While the jersey appeared to be solid graphite with pinstripes, those stripes were actually a series of circles and diamonds (a reference to the symbols on the NYC subway system), but they appeared as regular pinstripes from a distance. The cap, which contains a raised graphic depicting the Queensboro Bridge, likewise was indiscernable at a distance.

The cap retained the Mets current interlocking “NY” logo, which was black with a white outline. Layered atop the dark gray pinstripes were the letters “N Y C” in a tuscan font mimicking the font of their road jerseys. Hints of purple (used because it’s the color of the 7-Line train, which stops at CitiField) were present on the sleeve hems and the sleeve patch (meant to mimic an old NYC subway token). The swoosh was also sewn in purple.

Somewhat surprisingly — at least to me — the team opted for bright white pants with a thick stripe rather than create a set of pants that matched the gray pinstriped jersey (lending further credence to the “merch dump” nature of the CC program), so the effect was more of an alternate jersey rather than a uniform, which is of course disappointing.

Since the unveiling last week didn’t show the team’s ad patch, many wondered whether it would be in the same blue/orange template as that worn on their regular jerseys, but — in a valedictorian of summer school kind of way — the team elected to place the ad in grayscale (at least it wasn’t purple!).

As previously mentioned, it was originally thought the Mets white pants contained a thick black stripe. Turns out, this was a bit of an optical illusion. As it turns out, the stripe is actually the same shade of gray as the jersey/cap, with a thin purple stripe. You can see that more clearly here:

Teams have been creating special helmets for use with their CC’s for a couple years now, and the Mets were no exception. The Mets used both a raised “NY” logo and a raised representation of the Queensboro Bridge, for a 3-D effect. Because of this, the bridge element stood out much more on the helmets than it did on the caps.

Here’s how the helmet looked from the rear. You’ll note the raised number in the tuscan font, as well as the Jerry Dior batterman logo in purple and black.

While we’d seen rear views of the uniform during the unveiling, here’s a good look at the back — note the NOB and number both use the tuscan font, and you can see the double-stacked patches: the small one on top is the Buddy Harrelson memorial patch, while the lower one is the CC-specific “NYC token” patch. As mentioned at the top, it was quite brisk yesterday, and you can see some of the precautions players and coaches took to battle the chill. (Note also the batterman logo in black/purple, and the purple swoosh on the pants.)

For those who chose to go with cuffed pants, the CC socks were black with gray stripes (likely representing the latticework of the Queensboro Bridge), and a black “NY” outlined in white.

As CC uniforms go, this is far from the worst. I’ve already noted my disappointment that the team elected to go with non-matching pants, but I thought the jersey and cap looked pretty good. The little ‘flecks’ of black we saw mixed in with the gray (meant to evoke concrete) were impossible to discern at a distance, and like I also noted, the circles/diamonds that comprised the stripes were also impossible to see, making this look like a graphite jersey with black pinstripes. Another nice feature was Mets catcher Tomas Nido wearing “matching” gear, rather than the usual orange/blue he often sports.

One of the lone bright spots on an otherwise dreary day for the Mets was 1B Pete Alonso smacking his 200th career home run — the video of which gives you a look at the uniform in action:

The Mets did not indicate why they elected to go with the white pants, but it’s possible that they were aware most teams they will face when wearing them will also be wearing their gray road uniforms, so this won’t lead to a mono-gray vs. mono-gray matchup down the road.

You can see lots more photos here.

Your thoughts?

 

 
  
 

Guess the Game from the Uniform


Based on the suggestion of long-time reader/contributor Jimmy Corcoran, we’ve introduced a new “game” on Uni Watch, which is similar to the popular “Guess the Game from the Scoreboard” (GTGFTS), only this one asked readers to identify the game based on the uniforms worn by teams.

Like GTGFTS, readers will be asked to guess the date, location and final score of the game from the clues provided in the photo. Sometimes the game should be somewhat easy to ascertain, while in other instances, it might be quite difficult. There will usually be a visual clue (something odd or unique to one or both of the uniforms) that will make a positive identification of one and only one game possible. Other times, there may be something significant about the game in question, like the last time a particular uniform was ever worn (one of Jimmy’s original suggestions). It’s up to YOU to figure out the game and date.

Today’s GTGFTU comes from Chet Simmons.

Good luck and please post your guess/answer in the comments below.

 

 

Guess the Game from the Scoreboard

Guess The Game…

…From The Scoreboard

Today’s scoreboard comes from Archie Martin.

The premise of the game (GTGFTS) is simple: I’ll post a scoreboard and you guys simply identify the game depicted. In the past, I don’t know if I’ve ever completely stumped you (some are easier than others).

Here’s the Scoreboard. In the comments below, try to identify the game (date and location, as well as final score). If anything noteworthy occurred during the game, please add that in (and if you were AT the game, well bonus points for you!):

Please continue sending these in! You’re welcome to send me any scoreboard photos (with answers please), and I’ll keep running them.

 

 

Uni Tweet of the Day

Yes, these screamed “The ’90s”, but still…

 

And finally...

…that’s going to do it for the early article. Make sure to keep checking back in, because we’ll have two additional articles plus a Ticker!

Everyone have a great Sunday and I’ll catch you back here next weekend.

Peace,

PH

Comments (36)

    Hate to say it (because I normally dislike mono uniforms), but this is one I think would have looked much better with gray pinstripe pants or solid black pants. The white pants just don’t seem to work with the jersey for me. The cap/helmet are too gimicky for me too. This is one of those times when the term “KISS” comes in to play (Keep It Simple Stupid). Simplify the cap/helmet and add different pants, and it’s really not that bad. Definitely doesn’t look like the Mets though LOL.

    Although this goes against every Get It™ principle I have with respect to baseball uniforms, I think this jersey looks better as a softball top with white pants than it would as a full uniform. The grey is just too dark. We all remember how awful the Diamondbacks’ charcoal uniforms looked (link).

    I also think that every Saturday home game but one is overkill. Although we have mercifully not yet seen the Friday BFBS alternates or the blue alternates this season, I’m sure that we will eventually, and I fear that this will lead to the Mets wearing softball tops instead of the home pinstripes in far too many games at Citi Field.

    GTGFTU: Looks like Oct. 22, 1967, San Diego at Denver; Chargers 38, Broncos 21. That was the one season the Broncos wore their orange jerseys but went without a helmet logo, plus the background appears to be Denver and the Denver-at-San Diego game that season (played on Thanksgiving) had the opposite jerseys.

    And GTGFTS looks to be the Steelers-Broncos playoff game December 24th, 1977, ultimately won by Denver 34-21.

    You beat me to both of these today, Tenz! Doggone two-hour lag in the Mountain Time Zone compared to Eastern Time!

    This game is significant in Broncos history because it was the team’s first-ever playoff game – and win! – after years nearly two decades of regular season futility. That it came against the powerhouse Steelers in the midst of their dynasty gave the franchise and the fanbases the confidence that they could compete with the best.

    You’re right BvK that I’m in the Eastern Time Zone and got an early jump because I happened to “start my day the Uni Watch way.” And thanks for a good reminder of what an exciting season 1977 was for the Broncos. It’s easy to forget these days what a star-crossed team Denver was through its AFL and early NFL years.

    Yeah this is definitely decent for a City connect but incredibly frustrating as there I think there is a nice look in here somewhere. As noted it’s frustrating that so much time was spent on tiny details that aren’t noticeable on field yet couldn’t have pants match. This would look a lot better with matching pants but it would look a road alternate which is especially ironic since the text is all based off the road uni.

    I mean I know Nike wants alternate colors but it’s kind of ironic Boston and Philadelphia get city connects based around their city flags yet when it comes to the Mets who wear the city flag colors suddenly it doesn’t work. If this was in was done in Orange and Blue this would look really good, especially if it had lighter “home” color like white or creme. Hell even a pale blue could work. With this color they picked it looks generic and could be mistaken with a quick as a Yankees jersey( especially with the using Midnight blue and grey a lot)

    All that said it could have been a lot worse and it doesn’t look objectively bad it just doesn’t look like the Mets (or NY for that matter)

    A pale blue would have also worked well with the flag of Queens (link) to continue the “storytelling” (ugh). In any event, it’s not the worst of the CC’s, but it’s also no Sugar Kings

    RE: 1995 Expansion Unis

    If Baltimore had been chosen instead of Jacksonville or Charlotte, the Browns stay in Cleveland? Meaning* two Super Bowls and two decades of a Top 5-ish franchise instead of… not that.

    (*Butterfly Effect notwithstanding)

    If the Baltimore Bombers would have entered the league there would have been a series of uni changes and at least one name change. I voted for the Marauders (which is the name of the plane on the logo) rather than Bombers in the fan vote.

    I’ll second that. Looking at the picture of Jeff McNeil, I had forgotten about the bridge on the cap and wondered how he managed to sweat so much on such a cool day!

    I think the Mets looked great! White pants seem to work better with the majority of these CC uniforms, and I’m glad the Mets got it right the first time instead of making adjustments down like line like some of the others.

    I love the bridge element on the caps. It’s OK to try something different.

    I’ll pass.
    I don’t like pinstripes on gray/dark uniforms, and especially dark pins on darker jerseys.
    All the cutesy little details – the bridge on the cap, the shapes in the pinstripes – aren’t visible unless you’re standing next to the jersey.
    The dark lettering/numbering on a dark jersey with the Tuscan font makes it all a lot less legible.
    The most visible purple anywhere is the Nike swoosh and the squatchee.
    Custom pants for this jersey? Why? Who buys authentic or replica baseball pants and wears them in public? Does Nike think they can make this a thing?
    As much as I hate the Mets, I like their basic uniforms – the script, the colors, it all works.
    By my 3 criteria, this fails.
    1. Is it better than what they wear? NO.
    2. If I were a fan, would I buy it? NO.
    3. When I see it, can I quickly identify the team? NO.

    It was circuitous route to get there, but isn’t it great Baltimore’s football team eventually landed on the Poe inspired Ravens name rather than the generic Bombers? Washington, you should’ve been taking notes.

    As a Met fan growing up in the 70s, I always wanted the Mets to get some kind of alternate or batting practice jersey like the good teams had. They finally got a BP in 1981 and game alternate in 1982 and I was happy…so I don’t mind alternate tops and think the white looks better here. Someone should mock up pants with the same color as the jersey, with black and maybe a lighter gray to compare.

    While understanding that the bridge design on the batting helmet is intended to ape the look of the soft cap, the current iteration, where the lighter-gray-than-the-towers-on-the-soft cap are raised a few inches shy of the helmet’s brim, “feels” wrong. The towers, growing out of nowhere, come across more as light gray horns; widening the bridge design to “land” the towers at the edges of the helmet’s brim would solve this optical oddity.

    I don’t hate the Mets’ City Connect unis. I don’t LOVE them, but I definitely don’t hate them nearly as much as I do so many of the other CC abominations. I guess that’s a good thing, since my first-ever Mets game will likely be May 25th, when I’m out in New York for the Uni Watch 25th anniversary bash, and they’re scheduled to wear them then.

    There not truly awful and in some ways it’s almost a little worse that way. There’s a good look in here if they can change a few things and it’s maddening to realize they were 2/3 changes to something special. Unlike say Philly where you can just write it off as hot garbage…

    Fitting that a team who plays in Queens looks like they are wearing a tiara on their helmets.

    I feel like these are really pretty bad, but because most CC uniforms are so awful, people are grading on a curve and giving them a break they don’t really deserve. The bridge on the hat, to me, is particularly ridiculous. What’s next, a design that goes all the way around?

    Bridge on the helmet is a cool effect. Well done. Garish but unique.

    Bridge on the caps: looks like a sweat stain.

    Liked the Mets’ CC uniforms, but probably would have preferred matching pants. Definitely on board with the Tuscan fonts on the numbers and player name. Good details: A solid B.

    Initially didn’t love the uni design, then of course the storyline/marketing ploy roped me in and I don’t think they’re too shabby. Also wanted to note that in regards to the CC socks, you mentioned that they were pinstripe but I believe in looking at them closely online that the pattern is meant to evoke the subway lines, similar to the inner brim of the hat, a la “connections” in NYC. Also thought it was a good choice for players to wear matching “concrete gray” undershirts as opposed to black, as this allowed the black sleeve capping and black accessories (catcher gear, wrist tape, etc.) to pop more. Definitely disappointing the way the bridge on the hat looks on TV, but I do plan on buying one for myself. LFGM!!

    Absolutely should have matching pants for those jerseys. The white pants look totally mismatched.

    What a gawd awful look. Congratulations, Mets. You lead the pack in the worst CC uniform out there.

    Worst CC?

    None of them are particularly good, but even casting my Mets bias aside, this is easily one of the *better* ones.

    Lemme guess…you like Philly.

    By and large, pretty middle of the pack (by City Connect standards), but boy howdy that helmet is ROUGH. The subtle Queensboro Bridge on the hat is whatever, if occasionally mistaken for a sweat stain, but when it’s on the helmet and can’t be subtle, I gotta admit to HATING how it looks

    That plain Broncos helmet was a dead giveaway, what a nice-looking game, even without the Broncos logo.

    These are extremely nice. Based on the comments and the fact people like the black jerseys, my resulting opinion is people have absolutely brutal taste in everything.

    The bridge on the helmet looks like a giant grin from a distance and that is weird. On the hat it looks less as a grin and more like a cobweb and that is also strange. The jersey itself is not bad, I like the details and the pairing with white pants is better than with the same fabric and certainly than with black pants. Both of these options would give it a Korean/Japanese baseball uniform vibe and those uniforms are all not pleasing to my eye. I have not seen a CC combination that I really applaud: they all look forced and clueless to me. Sometimes that hat is OK, sometimes the jersey is passable but it never works in total.

    It’s not a terrible uniform – mainly because it looks like a variation of NY’s better looking team. If they had proposed that one year 1 they might have been turned down because it looks too close to The Yanks…

Comments are closed.