Once Nike took over for Majestic Athletic to become the official supplier of uniforms for Major League Baseball, it was only a matter of time for them to create something different.
In 2021, seven teams received new and – at times – dynamic uniforms as part of the Nike City Connect Series. One of the seven chosen clubs for 2022 were the Colorado Rockies and the much anticipated unveiling occurred last week.
On Saturday, the wait is finally over.
Colorado will suit up and play in their first new duds since adding vests – both black and white – to the wardrobe in 2005. Ironically, those same vests were removed from circulation to make room the City Connect uniforms.
“I like them,” veteran Charlie Blackmon said. “I think the design itself is pretty cool. I really liked the emblem on the hat. I think those are gonna become pretty popular.”
While reviews from Rockies’ fans around the state and region have been mostly mixed, those players who were born and raised in Colorado seem to love everything that jersey encapsulates.
“Obviously, you get the license plate theme and the mountains in there,” said Ty Blach, graduate of Regis Jesuit in Aurora. “When you think of Colorado, so much of it is about the National Forests.”
Connor Joe, Kyle Freeland, Germán Márquez and Ryan McMahon posing at Loveland Pass. Photo Credit: Kyle Cooper of the Colorado Rockies
Fellow reliever and Westminster native Lucas Gilbreath is hopeful for more alternative uniforms. Should the Rockies’ jerseys evolve, he suggested patches for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife to be incorporated.
“I’m not quite positive on the pants, but I’m sure I’ll get used to those,” Gilbreath joked of the forest green color. “It’s just different wearing something other than white or gray.”
Opening Day starter and poster child for the organization, Kyle Freeland, is quite fond how his franchise and home state are being represented.
“I think they did a really good job with the color scheme,” he shared. “The little details of the Colorful Colorado sign and the double black diamonds that you see up at ski resorts are great.”
Outside of the pants, which appears to be one of the few items fans cannot purchase, the cap is the one area that has had the least positive reviews. And yet, it’s a vibe that works incredibly well in the larger picture.
“I don’t know what they intended on the hat, but I liked that it looks kind of like the Department of Wildlife,” Gilbreath explained. “I just like the outdoorsy feel to it.”
Many players have specialized gear for Saturday. Some have just green pieces of equipment for the time being and Nike clients will be sent a pair of cleats, while others have ordered customized gear on the way for when the City Connect uniforms will be worn every Sunday at home.
Adventure is essential.
🏔️ @Rockies pic.twitter.com/oBLOl0FDyw
— Nike Diamond (@nikediamond) June 2, 2022
In 2022, customized cleats have become a prerequisite.
“I also have a custom pair coming in from a Stadium Custom Kicks,” Freeland said. “Hopefully I have those in time for whenever I wear the jersey. We’ll see.”
As luck would have it, or maybe as the baseball gods willed it, the pride of Thomas Jefferson High School will stand atop the mound on Saturday at 7:10pm as the first pitcher to ever don the Rockies’ City Connect attire.
It’s the perfect image for the mountains so emblematic of Colorado: emblazoned across his chest, tattooed on his arms and positioned above him beyond the walls of Coors Field.
(Featured image of Kyle Freeland: Kyle Cooper of the Colorado Rockies)
