A tad over a month ago, we reported on leaks for the Red Sox, Marlins and White Sox, with both the Marlins and White Sox leaks proving to be 100% correct. We can safely assume the Red Sox CC leak, which was included in that set, is also correct, and now another new leak confirms its legitimacy.
Let’s quickly review what we already knew about the Red Sox leak. Here’s what I said in that earlier article:
We know a couple things about the Red Sox new City Connect. We know it reportedly will be green. Red Sox CEO and president Sam Kennedy appeared on MassLive’s “Fenway Rundown” podcast recently and basically confirmed that the jersey will be a shade of green and have a “theme with a certain wall in left field,” referring to the Green Monster, according to NESN.
If this jersey is indeed the BoSox’ next City Connect, it certainly jibes with the images seen above. I’ll leave it to you Boston Red Sox fans to add any thoughts but the green color and “RED SOX” font face do seem to line up pretty well with that of the Monstah.
RED SOX is in the same font as “BOSTON” on the wall, and the sleeve patch with the “B” in a circle aligns with the “H” and “E” (hit and error) indicators on the wall as well.
Another clue that this jersey is about the wall: Take a look at the jock tag:
That’s clearly a reference to the lights for the “BALL” “STRIKE” and “OUT” indicators on the Green Monster.
While the leaks all proved correct, we never saw photos of the back of the jersey, nor did we see how any of the jerseys would look with front or back numbers, nor NOB. In the case of both the Marlins and White Sox (and later Rockies), none of those details became apparent until teams officially unveiled.
But this latest leak on the Red Sox City Connect now shows those details, plus the obligatory “collar slogan” that all CCs receive.
That image comes from a BetMGM tweet, although the original provenance isn’t known.
This jersey shows the hidden collar message will be “1912” — which clearly is in reference the year Fenway Park opened. Since we pretty much already know the Boston CC version 2.0 is celebrating Fenway’s Green Monster, the date certainly checks out.
This leak also shows the uniform numbers, whereas previous leaks did not. On the front of the jersey, beneath the “RED SOX” wordmark (which aligns with the font style and color seen on the Green Monster), there is a yellow number. This is also clearly a reference to the Fenway scoreboard, in which runs scored in an inning in which a team is currently still batting are shown in yellow.
Also take a close look at the scoreboard numbers themselves. Note how there are tiny “notches” at the very top of each number shown:
Now look at the rear number on the leaked jersey shown above. The CC designer has added notches to the rear jersey numbers.
I’m not sure if I love it or hate it. I suppose that depends on one’s perspective. We’ve seen a lot of good ideas for CCs ruined when designers try to be too cute by half, but I want to say this is just about right. The numbers work with the jersey, but they don’t overwhelm it. I’ll need to see more than just this one leak, but from what I see so far, it feels like the designers walked that fine line between stupid and clever, and got it right.
Of course, with every leak so far this season, we have not seen what cap(s), pants or special socks will be paired with the jersey. I don’t want to guess at any of these, but if you were to put a gun to my head, I’d say the cap will be the same shade of green as the jersey, and those will be paired with white pants. I’m hoping the socks are green. (Yes, I know it bothers many of you that a team called the Red Socks would wear any color hosiery that is not red socks, but unfortunately that horse left the barn a long time ago.) I’m pretty confident they won’t introduce any red to this City Connect.
The Red Sox will be the final team in 2025 to officially unveil their City Connect, and we can probably expect that within the next week. Boston will debut their new CCs on Friday, May 16th.
Having now seen the additional details provided by this leak, what are your thoughts?
Not a Red Sox fan at all but I like this jersey a lot. First off it is aesthetically pleasing. Secondly, it ties into the real team history and doesn’t rely on some made up narrative. Thirdly, about time they utilized the green monster, it’s one of the most unique elements in sports. Great job!
I don’t like the City Connect program. I hate the Red Sox yellow jerseys. I don’t think baseball teams need more than 3 uniforms at most. White, grey, color alt.
But, the program will definitely survive, because I, who am generally anti-City Connect, will still probably buy this one because it’s good. I know my son def wants one so I’ll at least buy one of them, if not one for myself too.
It’s a great looking shirt, down to the details.
I really like these — though I’m certain there will be plenty of folks who don’t. I wish they had gone with BOSTON across the front (these are called “City” Connect uniforms, after all, so the city name on them makes more sense to me and is a stronger tie to the Green Monster, since that’s what the Sox use on there). But I’m assuming that the cap will be green with the same circled-B that’s on the sleeve patch — and the designers didn’t want a B on the cap, one on the sleeve, and a word starting with B on the jersey.
Also, if you’re going to put the little notches in the numbers on the back, why not stick with that motif with the front numbers?
Overall, I think the Red Sox have done a really nice job with both CCs. As Phil noted, there are tons of folks who object to the team not wearing red socks (and I get this). But I think they’ve done an excellent job tying both their first effort (blue/yellow being colors of the city flag and the Boston Marathon) and this one to key parts of the city and ballpark, which is what this program (for better or for worse) is all about.
I understand what you are saying that the CC uniforms should feature the city name, or something similar (Southside, Philly, etc) that references the location rather than the team name, since they are supposed to be celebrating something unique about the home town. However, I’ve always thought the idea of nickname at home, city (or state) on the road just makes sense and works best. Given that it has always bugged me that most CC use the geographic identifier, or a reference to it, rather than the nickname, on a uniform to be worn at home, I really appreciate that this CC is using the nickname.
A fair point, Greg.
Maybe I should just be happy they didn’t go with BEANTOWN!
Correction: “Red Sox” is not their nickname. It is their team name.
I would never buy a Red Sox jersey, but if I was going to, it would be this one.
I like these a lot, but it does make me nervous that the hat is going to be terrible.
BOS or 617 likely on the cap. Nike just loves ruining uniforms with area codes and airport or scorebug codes. But they did manage to avoid that last time with the Red Sox uniforms, maybe we can just get B or logo cap?
YEP. I’m hoping for the normal B or the hanging Sox but there’s just no way it’ll be that simple.
It would be kinda cool if the cap featured the Citco sign that legendarily sits behind the wall in the background.
Caps with that logo have been a popular seller for Sox fans for years…
Typo – Citgo, not Citco…
That reminded me of something I have thought of before, but who does design the cap, New Era or Nike? Maybe this is a topic for a small article, but surely New Era has some input on the cap.
Not a Sox fan either, but I like it. I don’t know if anyone else could do a CC that actually looks as much like an actual uni. The thing they’re paying tribute to has actual numbers and letters! That makes it easier to avoid looking weird and forced. I would have preferred ‘BOSTON’, but maybe that’s too literal. Maybe they’re copying their regular word mark in ‘Monster font’. Hope they do the B in a circle on the cap. They’ll sell a lot of those.
The Red Sox having green and yellow jerseys is just a joke man. No visual consistency. Turn on the tv and it’s like who the f is playing. Brutal. I had to stare at the Twins city connects for like 10 minutes to figure out who was playing. Joke.
Why not just look at the score? They tend to list who is playing there.
It’s not hideous. Which is the best I can say about any Nike CC jersey. I’m sure it will sell well, which is the entire reason these alt jerseys exist.
I’m not a fan of the CC program in general, but this might be my favorite one so far. I love the attention to detail without it coming off as gimmicky or being garish. The yellow front number is a great touch.
The newer CCs have been generally better than the older ones, IMO.
I guess I am biased, since I have a Green Monster t shirt, so I think they did a real nice job with details that are smart, but not overwhelming.
“I know it bothers many of you that a team called the Red Socks would wear any color hosiery that is not red socks, but unfortunately that horse left the barn a long time ago.”
Then it’s time to go retrieve the horse and close the barn door.
I feel the same about these as I do about the yellow city connect. As a uniform, I like it. It just makes zero sense for the Red Sox to wear these colors.
I, for one, love these. But as an earlier commenter wrote, I’m afraid they’ll screw it up with the hat.
I wish it had the hanging sox on the sleeve instead of that circled B. I always like the Sox logo against the backdrop of the monster green. They mix well together, and that seems like a missed opportunity here. Then you could have red as part of the hat logo (whatever that is) and red sox and have yourself a lovely uniform.
looks like the 4 on the photos of the scoreboard does NOT have a notch. i wonder if they’ll go with that little detail for the back numbers (and if any other numbers omit the notch, some googling suggests not). also i for one think red socks would look cool with this, not too christmas-y and there are red elements on the monster (logo, word marks etc). if not red though i hope they go with yellow socks
Good question. I’ve never been to Fenway, but I’m assuming the notch is actually a hole for the hook or peg to hang the number. The 4 would be the only number that dodges the middle of the number card at the top. And since Nike is choosing to depict it as a notch of empty space, rather than a visual representation of the peg, i would hope the 4 has no notch.
The notch has to be in the middle of the panel that the numbers are on, so only the single digits (other than 4) should have those notches. Double-digit panels like those used for the pitchers’ numbers never have the notch visible because it’s between the two digits.
Red Sox fan! The green matches the monster but that shade of green looks like mashed peas spot out by a toddler. A nice cap could improve it, but not much. Hopefully you are correct about white pants as all green would be hideous. Socks? I have never really paid attention so that to me can’t improve it but could make it worse to those wearing shorter pants!
Looks good without a stupid ad patch.
This is amazing. The numbers, both the yellow on front and notches on the rear, absolutely kill it. Wow
I know it’s gimmiky. But, spelling “Red Sox” in the same font as the scoreboard I actually think works. The cutouts in the numbers is pretty neat as well. This is one C.C. I really can’t wait to see on the field. A- for sure.
I LOVE the notches detail. But man, NNOB makes it look super plain.
In some ways it’s kind of comparable to their Marathon look. Both have relatively obvious connections to the Team/City (Green Monster and Marathon/City Flag Colors) with fairly clever designs that in the abstract aren’t too crazy. In other words there’s some logic here. My major issue is the lack of any noticeable amount of Red in either. Especially on these maybe just make the B red. Or ideally wear red undershirts.
I don’t hate it and unless they have like green pants it’s a good solid city connect. It’s not one of the top top ones but it’s definitely a decent one.
This entry is terribly misaligned and unreadable on my phone. As has been pointed out before, this seems to be happening more and more on this site.
Put the Citgo sign on the hat.
I have to say… I don’t hate this idea.
I’m pretty neutral on the Red Sox (except when they play the Tigers) but I have to say this is a damn fine uni, CC or no. All the details add up but doesn’t overwhelm the whole thing. I’m just hoping they don’t screw up the cap. Perhaps the hanging sox logo on a green cap? I’m giving this an A-, just waiting on the cap.
These are solid. My only tweak would be change Red Sox to Boston to match the scoreboard.
I’m a Red Sox fan, so I didn’t want to like these — but I do. The notch design feels a little too cute for my taste, but I can live with it. I would’ve preferred “Boston” to match the scoreboard font, but I get that two Red Sox uniforms already say “Boston,” so that was probably a factor in the decision.
I hope they go with the classic “B” on a green hat. They used hanging Sox logo instead of the “B” on the red uniforms, then quickly reverted back — maybe they’ve learned their lesson.
MassMutual could have some fun with the ad placement if they styled it to look like the billboards on the Green Monster.
One thing I do wonder: with the outfielders wearing the exact same color as the wall, could they get lost on camera? Could we end up seeing collisions on fly balls?
As City Connects go, this and the previous Red Sox one are both among the better ones (admittedly low bar). Still , surprising they kept the previous one and now have two jerseys going way outside the normal color scheme
More of a Stadium Connect jersey than a City Connect, don’t you think?
Still, they came up with a concept and executed it rather well. There’s most certainly worse CCs out there…
Was really hoping for NOBs on these, like a flat NOB..
It really annoys me that the jersey says RED SOX when the scoreboard it is referencing shows BOSTON. And to then call it a “CITY” Connect jersey it makes even less sense.
Such a small thing but dammit, it’s an important one.
Nice jersey, I expect a hideous cap and dark grey pants to go with it.
I agree it should say BOSTON on the front, because it ALWAYS said BOSTON.
But after some searching I actually DID find a picture of the scoreboard from 1958 where it says RED SOX not BOSTON. Font looks different, tho. I know, picky picky.