At long last, the Arizona Diamondbacks have unveiled their City Connect, version 2.0 uniforms. We’d seen several leaks, and it turns out the original “Serpientes” version first concepted by Suns Uniform Tracker, actually had it pretty close.
As expected, the jersey is mostly purple, with a fade-to-a very dark purple (which is almost black) at the base of the jersey. The inset sleeves will be dark purple (mimicking a sleeveless jersey) and the accents will be teal, including a “Serpientes” wordmark that is a carryover from their previous City Connect jersey. Caps have a purple crown and a teal brim, and the pants are white. We’ll get into all the details momentarily, but here’s a look at the full uniform, which will be followed by the obligatory hype video.
The cap features a teal brim, on top of a purple crown, with a teal squatchee and a stylized “S” which is also teal.
As expected, the jersey features a customized flag patch on the sleeve, “ARIZONA BORN” on the inside collar, teal sleeve hems with a diamond pattern, and “Serpientes” in teal in the same bespoke font as their prior CC uniform.
It’s not seen on the image above, but just above the jock tag is an outline of the state of Arizona, with the 1998 (the year the Diamondbacks played their first game) overlaid with “48” (Arizona is the 48th State).
The jersey itself has sublimated snakeskin, which also creates a pinstriped texture, in addition to an overall snakeskin pattern.
If you’re saying to yourself, “hey, they pretty much used elements from all their previous jerseys to create this new one” you’re not too far off. Indeed, every detail on the jersey was carefully planned to carry some historical elements from the D-backs past. Some of this was apparent without the storytelling, but in this case, it helps to point out all the similarities between the new CC and past jerseys.
About the only thing we didn’t know from the leaks was the color of the pants — which are obviously white. As seems typical for new CC releases, while the pants are important, they’re not what is being sold to the public, so while we got many front views of the pants, it was only from a video screen grab we are able to see the pants have a teal stripe with a diamond pattern, which also appears on the jersey sleeve hems.
We also hadn’t seen the CC socks — but those are going to be mostly teal with a bunch of patterns (taken from the jersey details):
Also not shown, but the Diamondbacks will have a CC batting practice cap which features a teal crown and purple brim, with their current “A” logo.
I’ll need to see these on the field to render a full judgment, but from the early photos, I like what I see. I’m very pleased with the return of purple and teal, and this is one instance where the storytelling actually makes me appreciate the jersey more. I think they did a fine job of bringing back several design cues from the team’s past, without actually overdoing it. You guys know I don’t like sublimation, but I think the snakeskin pattern actually comes off pretty well with the sublimated texture. About the only thing that will be noticeable at distance is the faux-pinstripes formed by the diamond patterns, and both the white pants and teal socks work well together. I don’t know if teal or purple pants were ever considered, but thankfully the team is going with white pants.
Several players commented on the uniforms, and while you don’t expect any of them to dis the new uniforms, their reactions seemed fairly genuine and positive.
Ryne Nelson: “I think people associate the purple with the team that won the World Series and that stretch of the early days of the Diamondbacks. It’s cool to bring it back. We’ve worn the throwbacks before but only kind of as one-offs. It’s new, but it’s also bringing back a little piece of the history of the team. I don’t remember watching games with them in purple, but obviously you see videos of the Gonzo hit. There’s pictures all over the clubhouse. We all know what they look like and I think every one of us here wishes we could wear those uniforms again.”
Pavin Smith: “I think it’s an ode to the old-school purple. It would have been cool if it were a vest. I think it’s going to be cool to see the uniform put together. I haven’t gotten to wear it — a couple of guys did and did a photo shoot — but I haven’t seen them on me yet. I’m sure (purple-haired Lourdes) Gurriel (Jr.) is going to love it with the purple. Or maybe he likes to stand out with the purple and might hate it. So, like, now everyone is on the Gurriel train. He might have to switch to green or something.”
Geraldo Perdomo: “I think they’re pretty sick. They’re beautiful. It’s like the old purple and teal that we had in 2001. Those are the best uniforms we’ve had so far. I think (purple) has been a part of the organization’s history. It’s our identity. And I like the ‘Serpientes.’”
Zac Gallen: “I like the purple, I like the colors of the uniform, but for a lot of people I know who have grown up in Phoenix and Scottsdale, everything about the Diamondbacks to them is purple. For them to kind of take what the people from the community wanted and pay tribute to the history of what the purple uniforms have meant to the organization I think is really cool. I think they did a really good job. I think there are little subtle touches in them that people at first glance people won’t necessarily realize but once they get a jersey in their hand or see one, they’ll pick up on some of the details that I think the design team did a good job with.”
I’m not quite as effusive with my praise, but overall I’m pretty impressed to far. Looking forward to seeing these on the diamond.
The Diamondbacks will debut this uniform this coming Friday and Saturday, and will then wear them every Friday home game for the remainder of the season. Here are the full set of dates the new CCs will be worn:
Friday, May 9 vs Los Angeles Dodgers; Saturday, May 10 vs Los Angeles Dodgers; Friday, May 16 vs Colorado Rockies; Friday, May 30 vs Washington Nationals; Friday, June 13 vs San Diego Padres; Friday, June 27 vs Miami Marlins; Friday, July 4 vs Kansas City Royals; Friday, July 18 vs St. Louis Cardinals; Friday, August 8 vs Colorado Rockies; Friday, August 22 vs Cincinnati Reds; Friday, September 5 vs Boston Red Sox; and, Friday, September 19 vs Philadelphia Phillies.
Now that the uniforms are official, what are your thoughts?