The 2025 Major League Baseball season has ushered in a new era of uniform design, as Nike and MLB respond to player and fan feedback from the previous year. This season’s uniforms showcase a blend of traditional aesthetics and modern functionality, addressing past criticisms and introducing innovative elements.(The Wall Street Journal)
Addressing Past Criticisms: A Return to Tradition
Following widespread dissatisfaction with the 2024 Nike Vapor Premier uniforms—cited for their small lettering, see-through pants, and mismatched colors—MLB and Nike have reverted to previous cuts and materials. This includes larger name and number lettering, improved fabric quality, and customizable pant fits. Additionally, the “batterman” logo remains below the headspoon piping on certain uniforms, maintaining consistency with the 2024 design .(Bleed Cubbie Blue, Wikipedia)
City Connect 2.0: A Fresh Take on Local Identity
The City Connect series continues to evolve, with eight teams unveiling new uniforms that reflect their unique local cultures:(Wikipedia)
- Houston Astros: A white base with blue “STROS” lettering, orange star logo, and lunar-themed pinstriping, paying homage to the moon landing.(Wikipedia)
- Washington Nationals: Light blue jerseys featuring a white outline of D.C.’s street grid and an interlocking “DC” on the chest, inspired by the 1956 Washington Senators.(Wikipedia)
- Boston Red Sox: Green jerseys with yellow numbers and “1912” inside, representing Fenway Park’s opening year, and a patch symbolizing the city of Boston.(Wikipedia)
- Miami Marlins: Black jerseys with teal and pink “MIAMI” lettering, horizontal pinstripes, and a cap featuring the city’s area code “305” over the original Marlin logo .(Wikipedia)
All-Star Game Uniforms: A Return to Team Identity
In response to fan and player feedback, MLB has decided to revert to traditional team uniforms for the All-Star Game, starting in 2025. This change returns to a practice that was in place from the 1930s to 2019, moving away from the league-specific jerseys introduced in 2021. However, special All-Star caps will still be worn during the event .(Bleed Cubbie Blue)
Notable Team Uniform Updates
- Cleveland Guardians: Introduced a new navy alternate uniform featuring the “Diamond C” logo and updated gray road jerseys with blue-orange-blue sleeve and pant stripes.(Wikipedia)
- Baltimore Orioles: Added orange pants to their alternate uniform, marking the first time since 1972 that the team will wear all-orange uniforms.(Wikipedia)
- Kansas City Royals: Unveiled powder blue pants to pair with their powder blue uniforms for Saturday home games, along with an updated cap featuring a white panel and royal blue brim .(Wikipedia)
- New York Mets: Updated their road uniforms by removing blue piping and adding thin blue-orange-blue triple stripes around the collar, sleeve cuffs, and along the pants seams .(Wikipedia)
Looking Ahead: Full Implementation by 2026
While many of the uniform changes have been implemented for the 2025 season, MLB and Nike plan to fully roll out the new designs by the start of the 2026 season. This phased approach allows for adjustments based on ongoing feedback and ensures that the final product meets the expectations of players and fans alike .(Bleed Cubbie Blue, AP News)
The 2025 MLB uniform updates signify a commitment to blending tradition with innovation, ensuring that the game remains both visually appealing and functional for its athletes.