It’s an homage to the past, but also a cool new look.
To coincide with this weekend’s Cubs Convention, the Cubs today announced a new uniform, in a “baby blue” color, that’s intended to be a nod to several different styles of older Cubs uniforms, and also to celebrate Chicago blues music.
Here’s the intro video the Cubs put on social media late Thursday. (Click here for the video if you are reading this article via Apple News.)
Here’s what the Cubs said about the new uniform in a press release:
The new Blue Alternate uniform will make its major league debut Saturday, April 5, and be worn at home on Fridays during the summer months. The uniform will be added to the team’s lineup along with the home white pinstripe and road gray uniforms. The navy Wrigleyville jersey will be retired by the team.
“The baby blues are back. We’re thrilled to revisit this popular colorway, while also paying tribute to the Blues music that has shaped our city’s cultural landscape,” said Jennifer Martindale, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Cubs. “This uniform is more than a celebration of the Cubs past; it’s a nod to an iconic Chicago artform. We hope fans enjoy this unique blend of sports and music history.”
The jersey’s chest patch combines details from early Cubs uniforms with typography inspired by blues-era instruments. The sleeve patch features custom lettering within a guitar pick, split by an electric bolt, representing Chicago’s legacy as the birthplace of the electric blues. The custom numerals and nameplate take cues from early generation Cubs designs and decorative flourishes from blues-era typography. The socks reference the beloved blues anthem “Sweet Home Chicago,” accompanied by a six-string guitar stripe.
The Chicago Cubs were the first modern MLB team to wear baby blue in 1941 and again in 1942.
The team then rejoined a growing list of MLB clubs wearing baby blue in 1976, followed by a dated disco-era baby blue road jersey with white pinstripes from 1978-81. The team sported a throwback of this uniform on July 27, 2014, as part of the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field.
So, while this is not officially a “City Connect” uniform, as were the Wrigleyville uniforms worn since 2021, these will replace the Wrigleyville set as part of the Cubs uniform choices.
Here are some images of the uniform, including the cap:
Here are the baby blue uniforms referred to above, from the Hall of Fame’s “Dressed To The Nines” online exhibit. These uniforms were only worn on the road, while the new ones will be worn at Wrigley Field.
1941
National Baseball Hall of Fame
1942
National Baseball Hall of Fame
1976
National Baseball Hall of Fame
1977
National Baseball Hall of Fame
NOTE: The only difference between the 1976 and 1977 versions is that the ‘76 jersey had the Cubs centennial patch on the left sleeve, and in ‘77 reverted to the cubby bear patch (which, incidentally, I’d love to see return to the white pinstripe jerseys).
1978-81
National Baseball Hall of Fame
My reaction? I like these new blues-inspired uniforms. They do celebrate Chicago electric blues as well as pay homage to several different eras of Cubs history. Of course, part of the reason for these sorts of things is to sell more merch, and the Cubs say you can get yours beginning today at the Cubs Convention and also at the Cubs team store on Gallagher Way.