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Pittsburgh Pirates Continue Tweaking Their City Connect Uniform

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Good Tuesday morning, Uni Watchers. I trust everyone had a good Monday, or at least I hope everyone did.

A few weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates became one of several teams to alter their City Connect uniforms. In a weekend series when they wore at their City Connect jerseys three times, they ended up wearing three distinctly different uniform combinations.

In the span of three days, covering June 21, 22 and 23, the Pirates wore their “regular” CC uniforms (6/21):

A modified CC uniform with batting practice cap and white pants (6/22):

And finally, their regular CC cap and jersey, but with white pants (6/23):

Resident Pittsburgh Pirates uniform expert Jerry Wolper noted at the time, “It was officially ‘City Connect Weekend’ on the Pirates’ promotions schedule, with related giveaways all three days.”

It was believed at the time, that since this was CC weekend, the white pants and BP caps were just one-offs, specifically worn for the weekend. But last Friday night, against the Phillies, the Pirates again broke out the CC but with white pants.

So it wasn’t a one-off weekend kind of thing.

But Saturday the team really went rogue with their CC uniform, this time pairing the BP cap and CC black pants with their road “Pittsburgh” script jersey.

Here are some game shots of how that looked:

Now, those of us of a certain vintage will immediately note the similarities to the “We Are Family” Bucs uniforms of the 1970s, and in particular the (mostly) all-black uniforms worn during this time period.

You’ll note that the Pirates wore gold helmets (as well as caps), sleeves and stirrups with the black back then. So, the CC-esque uniform this past Saturday against the Phillies had a throwback feel, but was decidedly a bit more heavy on the black.

So this is now the third different CC-but-not-quite-CC uniform the Pirates have worn this season. In fact, since they didn’t wear their CC jersey (or cap), I’m not even sure if this counts as a CC-esque uniform, but pairing the CC black pants with the black BP cap and road jersey was quite the fashion statement.

Now, most of you know I have no problem with monochrome in baseball (and I also am fine with black CC pants), so I rather liked the combination. In fact, last summer when I was “exploring monochrome” uniforms with designer Chris Diamond, I had him mock up the Pirates in a very similar uniform compared to what they wore this past Saturday. Art imitates life and all that.

So what are we to make of all this? Well, for one thing, it shows MLB/Nike are malleable when it comes to CC uniforms. The Pirates are the fifth team to alter their CCs. They joined Baltimore, Arizona, Colorado and the LA Dodgers in mixing non-CC elements (or changing pants color, in the case of the D-Bax) with their original CC uniforms. But the Pirates are the only team to pair their CC pants with a non-CC jersey. They also have mixed in their BP caps with different CC combinations.

This indicates to me that the Pirates CC — among a very few CC’s — fits in well with the Pirates regular uniform color scheme. While that was never the goal of the CC program, there are a few teams who might also be able to go this route. But what about pairing CC pants with non-CC jerseys? Would any team be able to successfully do that? Could the White Sox pair their CC pants with their white home pinstripe jersey? Could any of the teams with black (or very dark blue) CC pants pair them with their regular tops? The Dodgers ditched their CC version 1.0, but what about pairing those pants with their classic home tops? There don’t seem to be many — if any — good candidates to mix/match with their City Connects.

Do you guys like the mono-black franken-uni the Pirates wore this past weekend? I’m definitely a fan, but I realize my tastes don’t always align with others. Is this something that was “fine” as a one-off kind of combination, or would you like to see the Pirates do this again?

Would you like to see any other teams either mix/match CC elements or introduce new color pants to create new combos?

Let’s hear your thoughts!

 

 
  
 

Guess the Game from the Scoreboard

Guess The Game…

…From The Scoreboard

Today’s scoreboard comes from Surrey Rhodes.

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.

 

 

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 Guiness Major.

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

 

 

Uni Tweet of the Day

Guess the Year from the Uniform…

 

And finally...

…that’s going to do it for the early lede. This is definitely going to be a big uni-related (and some non-uni-related) day, and I’ll have several posts following this one. Also today: Mike Chamernik’s Question of the Week AND a special appearance from Paul. You’ll definitely want to keep checking back several times today!

Everyone have a great Tuesday, and I’ll catch you back here in the AM.

Peace,

PH

Comments (33)

    As long as the Bucs are mixing and matching (which I love, as kind of a nod to their great teams of the 1970s), how about working in the CC batting helmet with the otherwise all-black uniform? I was a little too young to get to see those teams in the 70s, but looking at old pictures and highlights, I think it was a bit of a trademark thing that you never knew what they would show up in.

    If they’re going to wear those BP caps in games, they should at least have the stripes go all the way around rather than use something that looks like a cheap knockoff.

    I love that the Pirates are going full video game mode mixing in elements from different uniforms. I think th Guardians BP hat would look good with thier home white or red looks.

    I’ll agree. As a Rays fan our BP hat would work great with all our unis aside from the City Connects.

    I’d agree, but unfortunately the red on their CC uniform/hat is a darker red than what’s on the rest of their uniform options. It’d be kind of like putting a bright, cherry red 49ers jersey with a darker red Commanders helmet.

    I think the reality is that if you just put Pittsburgh or Pirates on the yellow CC jersey then it is just looks like part of their standard wardrobe, and they are able to do a mix and match just fine. I think it goes to show that if a CC actually fits within the teams identity you get far more mileage out of it.
    And while the all black this weekend didn’t look awful, to me that is a road uniform for them. Says Pittsburgh rather than Pirates on the jersey, and is a dark color.
    As a white at home with nickname, and gray on the road with city name fundamentalist, given the Pirates mix and match black/yellow history I guess it doesn’t bother me as much, but please, at least keep the naming conventions in tack for road and home.

    I don’t like monochrome black uniforms as a general rule. But the Pirates have black as a primary color, and thus they get a pass. That all black uniform looks real sharp to me!

    Pirates are okay in all black-although I prefer some contrast. Going to another sport the Saints look terrible in all black. At least wear the black helmet when going that way. FTR the best Saints look is gold helmet and pants with either white or black jersey.

    That 1979 team came together around my 10th birthday – the perfect age to build a lasting impression, so yes I’m excited about these combinations! A few things I wish, tho:

    1. The black pants have a strange (some might call it stupid) single gold stripe that disappears below the knee. If those pants had the same two-stripe pattern as the sleeve of the black jerseys, it’d look much better.
    2. I liked it when the Bucs were among the first to go to a matte-finish batting helmet, but years on, it looks mismatched because it’s not black enough (cue Spinal Tap). It needs to better match the jersey color. Bring back the shiny helmet!
    3. The CC helmet is a disaster, and if they’d just make a gold helmet with the “P” logo, like they have on their CC caps, they could better replicate the 70’s look.
    4. I’ve come to really dislike the unique number font they use. The photos you’ve shared above show just how much better block lettering looks on these jerseys, with these colors.
    5. Retire the 90’s Bucco patch! Bring back the jolly Pirate that guided the team through the 1971 and 1979 World Series, already!
    6. Next step: CC caps with the all-white unis! That’s a throwback to the 71 team (without the mustard).

    Oh sorry. and…
    7. The BP caps are fun! But they look like BP caps. The all-black unis would’ve looked soooo much better with the traditional black P cap.

    Black and gold look so good, I don’t even mind the hollowed out Pittsburgh script on the front.

    Speaking of CC’s, watching the Tigers/Guardians game last night. There was a long discussion about the CLE letters, specifically why the letters ended in points. Dan Petry erroneously thought they were “little home plates,” but now I can’t unsee that!

    GTGFTS
    Game 2 of 1958 World Series
    Hank Bauer at bat, about ready to restore some dignity to the Yankees with a home run, but in the end, Braves still win 13-5 to take a 2-0 Series lead, but New York takes the Series in the end, 4 games to 3.

    GTGFTU
    13 Aug 2022
    Dodgers 13 Royals 3 celebrating 75 years of Jackie Robinson’s legacy.
    Mookie Betts celebrates being driven in by Will Smith’s 2 run HR in the 2nd inning.

    I love seeing the Pirates mix it up. For me, the CC jersey works better when you treat it like a regular one and rotate the looks….and if you keep the two tone batting helmets off the field, Yuck

    I like the Pirates all mono black look and Phil I agree that it would look cool if sox mix matched pinstripes. Pitts bp hats look way better then city connect, I am shocked mlb allows them to wear in game?

    I like this a lot–and honestly, if every team had a CC uni that was related to their established colors and logos, I think we’d see a lot more of this.

    I like the articles are now stating what the author likes, “have no problem with monochrome in baseball”, than to complain how things don’t look like they used to.

    These changes bring some notable improvements however the PGH in large letters looks more like an airport employee uniform than a baseball jersey. I think the Pirates should ditch the matte helmet and go back to the glossy one. The late seventies yellow/black uniforms look much better with larger lettering and more yellow in them. I think it would be good to see Pittsburgh use the old metallic gold
    helmets worn from 71-75. In addition a yellow cap and jersey would look better than the black that’s worn all the time.

    GTGFTS – Game 2 of the 1958 World Series. Braves 13, Yankees 5. Lew Burdette beats Bob Turley and hits a home run.

    If any other team was mixing and matching like the Pirates, I would be critical. For them to be doing it, however, is perfect. I love every aspect of it except for the ugly “PGH” on the CC jerseys.

    I’ll add my voice to the chorus against the PGH lettering on the front of the yellow jerseys. Otherwise, I think these unis look great.

    What became of the black jersey with single large gold “P”? That would also look good with the black CC pants. I agree with going back to number style from ‘79. Finally, NO to metallic gold – keep the bright yellow.

    It’s their best look this year. A lot of teams mangle dark monochrome. This set evokes the early 1900s dark uniforms better than any of the other recent attempts.

    Am I the only person who thought Bryan Reynold’s sunglasses on his hat were some weird graphic of a horse vomiting rainbows?… I had to zoom way in to figure it out.

    The black on black there actually looks REALLY good. I wouldn’t recommend wearing it during an afternoon game in August, but it looks great.

    I would love to see a mock-up of the White Sox wearing the CC pants and their regular white pinstripe top. I love their CC unis but this would also be acceptable.

    My gosh those all black unis might be my favorite Pirates unis ever

    Uni tweet of the day…Kreindler is up there with the greatest artists ever….

Comments are closed.