Aside from the camo jersey, the Mets’ redesign last year was a success. Dropping black from their color scheme made a world of difference and gave them a more traditional look. The alternate road jersey takes this set down a notch though, since the lettering is oddly colored (why not just use orange, like on the home alternate?) The camo jersey is pretty awful, too.
UPITER, FL – MARCH 01: Yoenis Cespedes poses for photos during media day at Traditions Field on March 1, 2016 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
14. Oakland Athletics
The new green alternate jersey was a step down from Oakland’s previous one, and it could be time to add piping or stripes to their ultra-plain home look. There’s nothing wrong with their current set, but the A’s have a rich uniform history to draw from to give their overall look a bit of an overhaul.
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Billy Burns #1 of the Oakland Athletics puts on the brakes between third base and home against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum on September 23, 2015 in Oakland, California. Burns returned to third base for a triple setting a new team record of 41 triples for a season. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
13. Detroit Tigers
It feels wrong to have the Tigers this low, since their home jersey with the old English “D” is arguably the best home jersey in baseball. But they just can’t seem to get their road jerseys right, and the whole set suffers for it. Here’s an idea: why not use a gray version of the home jersey, only with the different “D” logo they use on their caps?
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 25: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after striking out during the first inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins on September 25, 2015 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
12. Kansas City Royals
Plain, clean, and effective. Nothing has changed from last year except the World Champions patch on the Royals’ sleeves. A good set.
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 28: Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals reacts in the eighth inning against the New York Mets in Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium on October 28, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
11. Chicago Cubs
Same as the Tigers: great, classic home jersey, ho hum road jersey. The Cubs rank higher because their blue alternate is a masterpiece.
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 13: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game four of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field on October 13, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
10. San Francisco Giants
It’s time to trim. Last year’s new black jersey is nice but seems superfluous, and there’s no rhyme or reason to when the Giants wear it. Their road jersey is the set’s weak link and the 80s-inspired “SF” road alternate jersey is far superior. Make that the primary road and the black version the road alternate. Problem solved.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 28: Pitcher Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants poses for a portrait during spring training photo day at Scottsdale Stadium on February 28, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
The home and road jerseys remain flawless. The black jersey is still just okay, and the camo is awful. But the Pirates are bringing back their 70s-inspired yellow tops to go along with black pants and pillbox caps, and that alone is enough to propel them into the top ten. If they’d dump the camo, they’d be top five.
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 08: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates at home plate after hitting a three run home run in the third inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 8, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
8. Chicago White Sox
A 90s redesign that manages to look timeless. The White Sox’s black-and-white design is mostly perfect, and it’s nice to see them gives nods to their colorful past with their throwback selections. They don’t need to change anything.
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 12: at U.S. Cellular Field on April 12, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/ Getty Images)
7. Baltimore Orioles
The smiling Oriole bird logo put this set over the top last year and nothing’s changed. Love that their road jerseys say “Baltimore” across the front after years and years of saying “Orioles,” too.
BALTIMORE, MD – JUNE 14: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles in action against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 14, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The New York Yankees won, 5-3. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
6. Toronto Blue Jays
The entire set looks so good, it’s a wonder the Blue Jays ever tried anything different. A great color scheme, a style that’s unique to them (the split lettering and numbering), and a flawless design. They should never be allowed to change their uniforms again.
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 26: Josh Donaldson #20 (R) of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Jose Bautista #19 after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Safeco Field on July 26, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
5. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox’s home and road jerseys are flawless and timeless. Upon further review, the red alternate jersey is kind of garish. But still, not enough to knock them out of the top five.
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 7: Travis Shaw #47 of the Boston Red Sox slaps high fives after hitting a two run homer in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on September 7, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are basically wearing the same uniforms they wore in Brooklyn (minus the Brooklyn part, of course) and there’s no reason to change them. It’s cool to be able to look back and see they’re wearing the same jersey that Jackie Robinson wore. Their road alternate that says “Dodgers” across the front is a nice touch.
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 03: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to bat against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game One of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
3. New York Yankees
The Yankees’ uniforms haven’t changed in a hundred years, and won’t change in another hundred years. The home pinstripes are an American institution and they avoided the pitfalls of the Tigers and Cubs by having a perfect road uniform, too. Could easily be No. 1 with no arguments.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Carlos Beltran #36 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by teammate Alex Rodriguez #13 after hitting a three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning of a MLB baseball game at Yankee Stadium on September 24, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
2. Philadelphia Phillies
The team might not be any good this year, but the Phillies’ uniforms still are. Their cream-colored alternate remains one of the best looks in all of pro sports.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 19: Cesar Hernandez #16 and Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies high five after Ruiz scored a run in the bottom of the second inning against the Miami Marlins on July 19, 2015 at the Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 8-7. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
1. St. Louis Cardinals
Number one, again. Nothing’s changed. From home whites to road grays to cream-colored alternates, all of which have a classic look, the Cardinals have the best overall set in all of baseball.
ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 31: Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals congratulates Jhonny Peralta #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals after Peralta hits a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Busch Stadium on May 31, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
About Dave Tobener
Dave Tobener has been writing about baseball for the better part of a decade. He's been to more Giants games than he can remember and was there when Ruben Rivera forgot how to run the bases. Follow him on Twitter: @gggiants
