The Albuquerque Isotopes, a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, have unveiled their “City Roots” series, a new alternate identity.
According to the team, the uniform “pays homage to the origin of Albuquerque’s name and the rich cultural history found in the heart of the 505.” (The city’s area code).
Unfortunately, the team didn’t provide any photos of players wearing the new cap and jersey, though there are a few shown on fans. However, the team did create a special video which provides a bit of a backstory to the uniforms.
Introducing City Roots… It's more than where we're from. It's who we are.
To shop the brand new collection or to learn more about our City Roots series visit https://t.co/CBS2j2O0dw@MiLB pic.twitter.com/0ha0QJQzP1
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) March 10, 2025
Here’s a look at the cap and jersey (as shown in the team store):
The cap and jersey feature a 505 logo and a ‘Duke City’ logo. The interior of the ‘0’ features an outline of the state with the Zia symbol. The Duke City logo is written with blackletter font and pays homage to the significance of the city’s nickname. The Zia symbol can also be found within the lettering of the Duke City logo.
Here are a couple additional views of the jersey. Note the jersey is black with red pinstripes, with “Duke City” in a gothic font rendered in black with a white outline (I’ll bet there will be some visibility issues with this). On the right sleeve is the Isotopes logo, while the left sleeve bears the new 505 logo.
Interestingly, the team put together a bunch of storytelling, which is odd considering they didn’t even release photos of the players in jerseys. Be that as it may, here is how the team described the new cap and jersey.
Isotopes GM John Traub said, “We are thrilled to announce the City Roots identity, which ties in the history and culture of our community. A big thank you to our staff and community for their creativity and making the City Roots identity genuine to the 505. It has always been important for us to engage and embrace the Albuquerque communities in the most authentic ways possible, and we believe the fans will take great pride in the City Roots identity.”
Per the team, “Over the last decade, alternate identities across Minor League Baseball have played an integral role in strengthening the connection between teams and their respective communities. The Isotopes have certainly been among the industry leaders with the popularity and success of multiple alter-egos.”
I really would like to see the jersey and cap paired with pants and worn by a player before I pass judgment on the uniform. In theory, I don’t like the dark pins on a black jersey, but if these are paired with matching black pants with red pins, I think it has potential (though I somehow doubt that will be the case). And in general, I’m not a fan of Old English/gothic fonts on a uniform, but there are exceptions. For example, I LOVE the ChiSox City Connects, which also happen to have pinstripes on a dark uniform and use a gothic font. Hopefully the ‘Topes can scrounge up some coin to get matching pants.
Quick side note: I had planned to cover this anyway, but reader Tim T. also sent this in. He notes, “City Connect creeping in to MILB. Seems as though minor league teams are starting to get ‘city roots’ unis. At least my hometown team, the Albuquerque Isotopes are. And I don’t like it.”
Indeed, while teams have been adopting alter egos for years (we just covered a few here the past couple of days), this does have a bit of a city connect feel, only now on the minor league level. The storytelling by the Isotopes certainly bolsters that contention. I have absolutely zero problem with MiLB teams doing the alternate identity thing…but I really hope they’re not transitioning into a MiLB City Connect-type program.
The team will wear the Duke City uniform five times this season. April 19th, May 17th, July 20th, August 23rd, and September 5th. You can read more about the uniform, including the “Brand Story,” here.
Your thoughts? Do you think MiLB may be encroaching on City Connect territory? What are your thoughts about the new cap and jersey?
It’s a pretty awful looking jersey. But I do like the bringing back of the “Dukes” name if only in a sideways fashion. (I had no idea Albuquerque was nicknamed “Duke City” until just now, as opposed to “Rip City” or just putting your city’s altitude on your jersey it seems like a pretty cool nickname.)
One of the issues with these types of stories is that it appears to be part of the industry trolling people who have an interest in uniforms. Its ironic, but the perception is present nonetheless.
There are elements to like-using the Zia symbol is great-there is just so much wrong with this.
Honestly, why even bother with team names anymore? Just spin a wheel and pick a random one! Tonight, we’re the Candle City Atomic GreaseRiders, why not?
That 505 looks a whole lot like SOS.
Area codes, airport codes, and scorebug abbreviations do not belong as identifying marks on uniforms. These are perfect examples of items that could just be produced as merch that fans/locals may or may not want to buy. In that regard it is fine, but it is cheap ploy to have the teams wear this stuff as an actual uniform to boost sales.
In the case of the ‘Topes, I certainly support them doing throwbacks to their former identity as the Dukes, they are a rare case of a minor league that ditched a good traditional longer standing nickname for a gimmick nickname which actually works and has staying power. They’d be better off just doing Dukes throwbacks than this mashup of city theme with an old nickname.
Did anyone else look at the first photo and think it looked like “Dukie City”? I know it’s just the positioning of creases, folds, etc. but thankfully there were better pictures…
It’s me! I’m Tim T, From Albuquerque. Hi everyone!
I agree with Phil about Minor League Alternate Identities. Heck, the topes already have 2 and a half of them. We have the Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico, Green Chile Cheeseburgers, and once a year they bring back the Dukes! All of which do a great job connecting to the history and culture, heck even the Isotopes name connects to NM’s state history and culture! Big miss by the designers. I’m curious to see how many other teams wind up with “City Roots” unis.
Also, I’m kind of geeked about getting shouted out on a main feed post. I’ve submitted to the ticker before, but never made it in to main feed territory. (I think)
Fellow Burqueño here. IMO the Isotopes branding is a bit of a mess. Like you said, they already have a number of alternate identities, and those don’t include the purple sets they wear sometimes to emulate their parent club, the Rockies. You could attend a number of games throughout the summer and not see the team wear the same uniform twice. That makes it hard for me connect with the team. What are the team colors even supposed to be?
That being said, I like this new city roots look. I think it’s going to sell extremely well with fans and may even encourage the club to do a full rebrand in the future. Moreso than any of their other looks, the city roots set feels the most like Albuquerque. I could very easily see the team switching to this look full time.
The Isotopes main identity, from the logo to the word mark, feels dated. I like the Simpsons, but staking the team’s identity to a TV episode from 24 years ago was shortsighted. Most fans I talk to want the Dukes back. Barring that, a Duke City based uniform like this one could be the way to go.
Thanks for your contribution to Uni-Watch. Go ‘Topes!
Can we please stop with the area codes on the hats. If somebody says “I’m from the 505” most people will say “Where’s That?”
If you’re going to honor “Duke City” how about a throwback to the Albuquerque Dukes Uni’s?
link
“I’m reppin’ the 505…”.
Came to say the same thing. Would have preferred Dukes throwbacks.
Yes please! I’m so tired of “repping the (insert area code here)”, especially with the inclusion of “the.”
So many other ways that they could have gone, but went this way, awful.
Gangsta….
This reminds me of something you’d see for sale in Spencers or Hot Topic.
Anyone else find it curious that teams in warmer climates choose black as a uniform color? I guess they mostly play at night, but not always…
About this specifically, there’re no explanation about WHY it’s called “Duke City.”
Trying too much too look tough and those fading pinstripes are very ugly. I did not notice that before. The hat looks like a soon never to be heard from fashion label. So I will pass on this one.
Its alright. Minor leagues these extra costumes are made for their promotions departments. The only reason I know much about Albuquerque is watching ‘Breaking Bad’. Reflects badly on me. I had to scroll up on how to spell Albuquerque.
Having grown up in New Mexico and still having family that live in Albuquerque I can confirm that the Zia Symbol is very much entrenched in the lifestyle and culture of the area and State as a whole – So much so that I still have a turquoise Zia Symbol on the back of my car even though I fled to Arizona for college and then subsequently to California for work.
I am very happy to see that the team asked for, and was granted, permission from the Zia Pueblo to use the Zia symbol in this design. This was respectful and is appreciated.
That being said, I grew up with the Albuquerque Dukes and their wonderful uniforms and logo (red and yellow representing the colors of the State Flag – Chef’s Kiss!) until the team was sold and moved to Portland and rebranded as the Beavers. The Isotopes name came about after Calgary relocated the Cannons to Albuquerque and held a fan contest for a new name – Isotopes won because of some silly connections to The Simpsons and the proximity to Los Alamos and the Manhattan Project. Okay fine – But I – Along with MANY former and current New Mexicans would love to see the Dukes name and the original branding return.
Bring back the red and yellow Dukes and use the Isotopes name and branding as one of these silly MiLB “One Off” promotions! – BTW, here is a site worth sharing:
link
As an aside, the relocation of the Dukes to Portland is an interesting rabbit hole (as is the case with plenty of other MiLB/Minor Ball Clubs) that include the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres trading entire minor league teams!
Yes to the Dukes
Yes to the Zia. Don’t hide it, though. Be proud of it.
No to area codes
No to all-black baseball uniforms
Shelve the Isotopes identity, lean into the red & yellow Dukes. Use the Zia or an A-D monogram as the cap logo