A programming note: We are saddened to announce that editor Phil Hecken’s mother died yesterday. Our thoughts are with him as he deals with this difficult time. We’ll do our best to keep the site running smoothly in his absence. Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding. — The Uni Watch Team
On Saturday, the Colorado Rockies formally revealed their second City Connect uniforms, confirming previous leaks. The Rockies became the third team to officially reveal their second City Connect uniform, after the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals.
The jerseys are purple/light-blue pullovers with “ROCKIES” in purple, emerging from the purple lower half of the jersey. The team’s mountain-baseball logo obscures a portion of the wordmark. A fuchsia-ish tone lines the sleeve cuffs and the innermost portion of the collar, and also trims the gold uni numbers. A sleeve patch with “CO” and a the Rockies’ mountain logo completes the jersey. This patch is very similar to the Rockies’ City Connect 1.0 cap logo.
Weirdly, the patch Germán Márquez is wearing in the header image at the top of this page is different from the patch featured in other press images — Márquez’s patch doesn’t have the sky-blue elements on the mountain or the lines emerging from behind the baseball. I guess we’ll see which one is worn on-field.
Unfortunately, Nike’s pullover collar makes an appearance. Would’ve preferred a more traditional collar, but clearly this is “a thing” with Nike, so we’ll all have to live with it.
The cap is sky blue, with the Rockies’ mountain logo. The pants are (mercifully) white. The Rockies’ City Connect 1.0 unis initially featured green pants, but those were later swapped out for white pants.
The whole color scheme is definitely meant to evoke Colorado’s incredible summer sunsets.
I will say, seeing the finished product with front numbers makes me like the unis a whole lot more than I would have guessed from the earlier leaks. The leaks featured no uni numbers and thus looked incomplete. And I love, love, love the uni number font — it feels very western, very Colorado.
I dunno. I was reticent when I saw the leak, but the final product has won me over. Perhaps I was too quick to judge the other leaks.
As for the hometown perspective, Denver’s own Kary Klismet — a bigtime Rockies fan since the team’s 1993 inception — was kind enough to share his thoughts on the new set:
I should preface this by saying I probably should have been careful what I wished for, because I seem to have gotten it. I’ve been advocating for MLB to expand its color palette for at least as long as I’ve been voicing my opinions in the Uni Watch comments section, if not longer. With roughly 20 of 30 teams wearing some variation of blue as their main color, it makes for a boring and predictable uniform landscape.
So despite considering the whole City Connect program to be unnecessary (at best), I have to admit that I’ve been pleased to see the infusion of some additional color into MLB. But with their latest municipal misfires (see what I did there?), the Rockies seem determined to prove that there can be too much of a good thing.
When the jersey first leaked a few weeks ago, there was no mistaking the direction the team was going with their new look, at least to those of us who live in Denver. There is simply no visual spectacle in the big leagues that tops a sunset over Coors Field. Even when the action on the field isn’t worth watching (which, lately, has been most of the time), the views above the stadium almost always are.
But no matter how hard the Rockies might try to capture those breathtaking colors on a uniform, no overpriced pullover designed to sell at retail will ever do justice to the natural phenomenon of a Colorado sunset. The transitions between the colors on these uniforms are just too abrupt, too forced.
Even with those very regimented color blocks, I’m not sure the colors provide enough contrast between one another, especially the light blue and violet shades that take up the most real estate on the jerseys. I’m already noticing that the purple NOBs seem to fade into the blue of the upper part of the jerseys. If it’s that big of a problem in the photos, how much more problematic will it be when worn on the field
Maybe it would have helped if they’d darkened the shade of purple a notch or two, just to help with the contrast. Speaking of contrast, I’m disappointed that they chose to top this uniform with a light blue cap, rather than purple. I think a purple hat would have helped keep the uniform from looking quite so washed out in sky blue.
Moreover, for a team that takes pride in “owning” the color purple in Major League Baseball, going with a non-purple cap feels like a missed opportunity. Anecdotally speaking, I can tell you that the fans I’ve interacted with have been eager for the team to have a purple cap, something they haven’t worn in the regular season since 2007 and rarely used even before then.
Criticism aside, I do appreciate what these uniforms are trying to accomplish from the standpoint of storytelling and broadening MLB’s color spectrum. Heck, they might have even made my list of the best pastel uniforms if they’d been unveiled when I wrote the Easter installment of my Dressed for the Season series. Maybe they’ll grow on me when I see them on the field. But as for now, these sunset-inspired uniforms feel a lot like the baseball product the Rockies have been putting on the field for the last several seasons: a pale imitation of the real thing.
Thanks Kary! More looks at the Rockies new City Connects are below.
This uniform will make its on-field debut this Friday, April 18, and will be worn for every Friday home game for the remainder of this season.
I have to agree—I like these a lot more than I would have expected from the leaks. I do have some major gripes, but I think these will be actually tolerable to look at. And that number font is gorgeous.
Among the things the team said in their statement, I was interested to hear that the reason the team switched to white pants in CC1 was that the *players* didn’t like the green pants.
“And I love, love, love the uni number font — it feels very western, very Colorado.”
– It feels very Philadelphia Eagles to me.
Condolences to Phil on the loss of his mother!
This uniform reminds me of a leisure suit. I never cared for the green as it wasn’t in team colors. Although this does have purple; it is still hideous! The CC program needs to go!
Given just how saturated the blue, orange/gold and fushcia are, these should stay off the list of best pastel uniforms, and “Washed out” also isn’t a description I would use because of that.
I like these, and they have some good ideas such as the number style, which the Rockies, who have one of the stalest sets in the majors, should consider implementing in a much needed rebrand.
I still contend that the shades of blue and purple used in these uniforms would qualify as being in the realm of “pastel.” Your point is taken on the shades orange, pink, and yellow, but as I noted in the Easter edition of Dressed for the Season (link), there’s a fine line between the Day-Glo shades used in highlighters and the softer shades used in pastels. While the trim colors on these uniforms may be brighter than pastels, the overall look still feels very Springy to me.
I won’t quibble too much with anyone who likes these uniforms. While I may not love them, I can’t say I hate them. I just think they could have have been better (and would have benefitted from a purple cap).
My condolences to Phil and the rest of his family during this difficult time.
Has NBA written all over it.
Another pullover ruined by an ugly collar. The collar trim is maybe the best part of any pullover top. And they keep ruining it!!!
Agreed! I like the pattern, but good golly is the wishbone collar ugly. If this were a v-neck it’d be a LOT better.
Sorry to hear of Phil’s mother passing.
I might be in the minority, but I dig these unis. I do wish they introduced a new logo for the cap. The mountain logo and interlocking “CR” are both tired and boring. I wouldn’t mind an entire refresh on their primaries, actually
Yeah better than the leaks and I think it really depends on the actual shade of light blue here. The preview photos make it look more periwinkle which I think fits the sunset better.
It’s still not great. Pullovers are still awful and shouldn’t be in baseball. Additionally I still can’t help but think this still looks it ought to be a Dbacks or Padres CC not the Rockies.
I will take a pullover any day over a Nike buttoned jersey that refuses to Respect The Placket. But then I liked pullovers even before the swooshketeers got the uniform contract.
I also like this CC. Big improvement over the previous one, especially with the back numbers… I can read them very clearly!
Rest well, Mrs. Hecken. And Phil, take all the time you need. We’re here for you.
Better than CC 1.0 for the Rockies, but I wouldn’t have put the purple on the sleeve because that “horizon” will never line up with the one on the torso. Solid B effort here.
These uniforms have a bit of a turn-the-clock-ahead feel with the oversized graphics. They aren’t completely awful, but they definitely feel minor league (like most of CC).
Regarding the collar, what is it about collars in all sports that Nike feels like it need to create custom treatments. Neither function nor form has ever been improved by their wonky special collar designs. I wonder if it is a specific person at the swoosh who has a thing for messing with collars, or there is some corporate dictate that thinks it necessary.
I think if this jersey was standard button down, ditched the blue part of the color block for white, and rendered it only in team colors rather than sunset highlights, I’d think it was a decent alternate design.
I’m right there with you. I’d like to see this re-rendered with all of the light blue and yellow changed to white, all of the magenta changed to green, the purple in traditional Rockies purple, and a purple hat. At least then it would be a new look in familiar colors.
I think Nike just wants to create as many proprietary features as possible. I suspect even they don’t think a lot of this stuff looks “good,” it just helps them enforce new standards on sports to which only they can legally be a supplier.
I just don’t get the city connect program if they are going to can designs that were successful.
Almost all of the City Connects seem “minor league” and the pullovers make it so much worse.
I’m convinced this is part of a Nike psyop designed to get us all inured to pullover jerseys before they switch the whole league to them. Clearly someone doesn’t like spending money on buttons.
Some of us were inured to pullovers decades ago.
Another great proof of concept in this round of CC unis: Purple and sky blue would be such a better color combo for the Rockies than their current purple and black.
My deepest sympathies to Phil and his family. Lost my Mom 4 years ago and miss her every day.
I think all of our mothers told us something along the lines of “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I’ll keep my thoughts about the Rockies latest CC set to myself then.
My thoughts are with Phil and his loved ones at this somber time.
My condolences to Phil, all the strength needed to deal with this loss to you!
The uniform is quite good, except for the hidden team name. The real winner is the hat with its inside headband.
Condolences to Phil on his loss.
These are starting to look more and more like the Turn Ahead the Clock uniforms.
My condolences to Phil, wishing you peace and strength during this difficult time.
The sleeve patch, why a C & O, they could have just eliminated the O and put the baseball in the C?
Not a fan of state abbreviations eh?
Uni Watch is a family. Deep condolences and many thoughts for you and your loved ones. A Life lived is a blessed one.
I doubt it, but I wonder if there is some low level staffer in design at Nike who reads this site and adds features/colors to the designs – just to push buttons here.
Even the Rockie fan you consulted, ” I’ve wanted MLB to incorporate more colors into palette for years. They did it with this uniform, but I’m still not happy.”
Numbers on the front DO make the uniform “complete”. I’m not sure why some teams have ditched the front digits (Rangers, Guardians, etc).
I was just thinking over the weekend about how more teams need to use a sky blue and purple color scheme. The only two who use it are the Utah Jazz and these Rockies alts right? I don’t really count the EPL teams because they don’t use a traditional purple, they have more of a maroon.
I’m so sorry for your loss Phil, thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Condolences to Phil for losing his mom.
I love the color palette of the CO CC, but the design just isn’t it. The ROCKIES wordmark looks thin and spindly without some kind of trim, and the mountain logo overlapping several letters doesn’t help. The gold numerals look great on the front, set against the purple and with a pink/red trim, but on the back with the split between blue and purple, the look seems unbalanced. It’s the rare instance of a jersey probably working better if they’d faded from blue down to purple rather than having that harsh split between colors. But at least they pair the jersey with white trousers instead of continuing with the purple all the way down.
City Connects have officially jumped the shark.
I want to love these but truly Nike ruins it with execution. The design overall including the color scheme is actually great. The wishbone collar is a dud as usual and pales in comparison to what a standard v neck would have done for these. The sublimation of the entire purple aspect of the jersey save for the mountains makes it look incredibly cheap. Nike hasn’t done themselves any favors either by expanding the design package to include so many other graphics. The DEN logo is decent but doesn’t fit with the Rockies as they have never used the word Denver as part of their identity, and with it being blue and yellow it feels even more like a nuggets logo. The BP hat logo of the rainbow C ending in a columbine flower that looks more like a plumeria than a columbine looks WAY more like a Hawaiian tourism logo than a Colorado logo that fits with this overall look.
Those are just my beefs with Nikes execution of the whole package. The design of the jersey, from a distance and ignoring the quality of the build, is a beaut. Nitpicks: I want the pants to be purple. Fight me. I want the hat to be purple back and brim, baby blue front panels, and magenta squatcho with the roundell CO sleeve logo.
I agree with all of this, it feels cheap, like almost all the CC of course, but maybe especially cheap here? This seems like a weird shirt you’d buy in a roadside souvenir store.
Condolences to Phil and his family.
First of all, my condolences are with Phil. Secondly, if you look close enough at the jersey on mlbshop.com, you can clearly see that the Rockies word mark is sublimated. Average Nike jersey quality.
“There is simply no visual spectacle in the big leagues that tops a sunset over Coors Field.”
Shows photo that looks like a sunset at just about any outdoor ballpark in the States.
Condolences, Phil.
“‘There is simply no visual spectacle in the big leagues that tops a sunset over Coors Field.’
Shows photo that looks like a sunset at just about any outdoor ballpark in the States.”
Why do you hate sunsets, Brodie? :^(
Sorry, which other parks have the snowcapped continental divide right below the sunset? Also, sunset colors in Colorado are far more vivid than they are anywhere in the East. Arizona also has great ones but you can’t see anything outdoors from that park.
Interesting to see they seem to, for the first time, be incorporating a Denver aspect to the team in the various “DEN” markings (one of which they’re selling in the Merch store)
link
Condolences on you Mom, Phil.
I like these a lot
I’m sorry for your loss Phil. Praying for you and your family
Now Colorado needs to make a purple/light-blue license plate!
link
Denver area resident and baseball fan. Everything tells me I should hate them, but I’m oddly drawn to them, despite (maybe because?) them looking like a craft hazy IPA can from a brewery in Aurora.
Please accept my deepest sympathies Phil.
We have had ongoing conversation about the superstition of success/failure in relation to sports uniforms (the winning or losing of championships, Cleveland Cavaliers in black tees, the Detroit Lions in mono-white). Here we have a team that has a real shot of eclipsing the ChiSox worst-baseball-season-ever, and they’ll be wearing these regularly for home games.
On one hand, new uniforms and merch sales can be a good promotional, advertising, and revenue flow for the organization. On the other hand, seeing a poor team struggle in flamboyant uniforms can be a very bad look. I would hate to be a professional player having to wear this regularly while getting blown out 12-1 by the Dodgers or Padres in my home stadium.
A designer or advocate for any particular uniform or alternate is hoping that the team gets hot while wearing that uniform. These seem almost destined to become birthed into a historically bad season, so I wonder if that harms their potential for longevity and appreciation from the fanbase.
As to the aesthetics, I very much prefer the previous white-and-green CC, over white pants. Not a fan of the old CC cap, but that set was very, very Colorado. This one seems much less so. I think this is a huge downgrade, and I hope they add some green into their color scheme again in the future.
I’ll admit that seeing the numbers does add a lot to these. I don’t like the number font, but I do like the colors of the numbers contrasting the rest of the uniform, and I really like the positioning of the front numbers in relation to the wordmark and the mountain logo. The cap is okay and should sell well. Silly collars are silly, but it looks a bit better here than on some of the other jerseys they’ve forced this on.
I don’t like the colors of the uniform in general, and I think this is better as a fan shirt than a player jersey. The purple looks too faded from the pictures I’m seeing, and the palette is too soft. I think the blue, pink, and yellow would look better for a California or Florida team, but I need to see it on a sunny Denver afternoon in the thin, hot, dry air.
I like how the horizon on the shoulder patch lines up with the fat purple shoulder stripe, but the flatness of the purple is a little off-putting. Again, this might look better as a fan-jersey than a player-jersey. Not a fan of the pink-yellow-purple pant stripe. And the recolored Denver city flag in the headband is upside-down..?
The photographs of the players in a snow-covered Coors are dumb, but they’ve filled the stringent unwritten requirement of using the word “iconic” in the press release. The CC program in general has been drifting heavily into generic themes like “music” and now “sunsets”. I live in Colorado, and we do have beautiful sunsets, but so does everywhere else on the surface of the planet.
These look like a hideous kids’ travel team uniform. Like when the team name is “Hitz” or “Batz” with a z.
Or something sophomoric like that.
Green jersey over white pants looked fine. No reason to change.
Love these! Really, I love any pullovers but these are particularly great. Even the wishbone collar!