The delay has ended. Fans of the Guardians are getting their first glimpse at the new Nike City Connect uniforms for the team. Monday at 10 a.m., hats, shirts, hoodies and other items will be on sale at the makeshift team store outside Progressive Field as well as at local retail stores.
On Sunday night, the team posted a full reveal video to its social media platforms, featuring players debuting the new looks throughout spring training. A few hours before the scheduled uniform drop, the same footage was posted on Major League Baseball’s video portal late on Saturday.
Cleveland’s new uniform, which was designed to tie the organization’s historic past with the city’s present, is the culmination of a nearly three-year effort that began with inspiration from the Guardians of Traffic pillars that stand along the Hope Memorial tie just south of the ballpark.
Against Minnesota on Friday, the players will don the new look for the first time on the pitch. 12,500 fans will receive a José Ramírez bobblehead wearing the new uniform during the Twins game on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Twins and Guardians will don special Armed Forces attire in honour of Armed Forces Day. On May 19, Cleveland will resume wearing their City Connect outfits.
The Guardians will play home Friday games in their City Connect outfits for the duration of the season. Beyond that, players will choose which home games to wear the jerseys.
On Sunday, Cleveland.com was informed by manager Stephen Vogt that he ‘likes portions’ of the new uniform, such as the piping running down the sleeves and trousers.
“If we win on Friday, I’ll like them a lot more,” Vogt remarked.
However, it’s rumoured that athletes like Josh Naylor support wearing the new outfit as much as possible at home. Following Cleveland’s victory over the White Sox, David Fry expressed his admiration, saying, “They’re awesome.” Very cool.
In 2024, the Guardians will travel without their City Connect uniforms.
After the alternate jerseys made their Major League Baseball debut three years ago, Cleveland is one of the final major league teams to receive City Connects. The 2024 City Connect series also features seven other major league clubs. While the Twins, Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Dodgers will unveil their new uniforms in the upcoming weeks, the Phillies, Tigers, Mets, and Rays have already made their debuts.
Los Angeles, which previously unveiled their “Los Dodgers” uniforms in 2021, will be the first team to wear a second City Connect design.
This weekend at the ballpark, the Guardians will be celebrating the unveiling of their new uniforms in style. In honour of the new uniforms, there will be a pregame celebration on the Gateway Plaza on Friday starting at 4 p.m. Fans can enjoy face painting, balloon artists, speed pitch, mascot visits, and more while winning exclusive City Connect prizes, all while listening to The Big Don Band perform live.
Inside the left field gate, a mural inspired by City Connect created and painted by local artist Lisa Quine will also be unveiled.
The team store tent on Gateway Plaza provides the largest selection of City Connect items for fans to buy. Additionally, starting at 10 a.m., local sports goods stores and MLB.com/shop will sell City Connect apparel online. On-field apparel such as clone City Connect shirts, hoodies, coats, and caps will be available at the team store.
Team store hours will be extended from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. May 13-16 in celebration of the City Connect launch. Fans can shop from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. this week on Gateway Plaza.
Promotional giveaway items that include the City Connect design are scheduled for at least six dates on the Guardians upcoming home schedule.
• May 17: City Connect-inspired Free Shirt Friday (10,000 fans)
• May 18: José Ramírez City Connect bobblehead (12,500 fans)
• June 19: City Connect tote bag (10,000 fans)
• July 25: City Connect beach towel (10,000 fans)
• August 14: City Connect belt bag (10,000 fans)
• August 24: City Connect flag (15,000 fans)
Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase fee-free tickets for the May 17-19 series against the Twins beginning Monday on CLEguardians.com.
Be the first to comment