Cubs City Connect jerseys are a tribute to all Chicago neighborhoods

It’s extremely unfortunate that someone leaked a photo of the Cubs City Connect jerseys last week before the team could reveal them. All the other teams were able to control the deployment of their jerseys, explaining the links between iconic events like the Boston Marathon and the Boston Red Sox, or the importance of Cuban teams like the Sugar Kings to Miami baseball history. I imagine if the first thing fans saw of the Cubs City Connect jerseys was this video, the reaction would have been generally positive:

But it was not. The first images we all saw of the Cubs City Connect jerseys were these dimly lit images in a warehouse with no explanation or context for the decisions made in the design:

Let’s start with the elements of the jersey – it’s a dark navy blue with a powdery trim. The word “Wrigleyville” takes center stage. The patch on the sleeve is the Chicago “Y” Logo with the city’s iconic stars highlighted. This patch is brilliant and goes beyond simply incorporating the logo in general. Also, if you look closely you will see a red font at the bottom. If you zoom in you will see this:

It’s a stroke of brilliance as far as I’m concerned. If you’ve ever spent time in Wrigleyville, you know these signs are everywhere, essentially begging young fans to wander the neighborhood to stay quiet and avoid passing out in their backyard. But on this jersey it has a double meaning and reminds me this moment Rizzo:

The Cubs explained their decision making as follows: “One of the pillars of the Cubs organization is being a good neighbor,†said Lauren Fritts, Cubs vice president of marketing. “We are aware of the impact we have not only on the neighborhood around us, but on all of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Cubs fans don’t just reside on the North Side, and the work we do as an organization and through Cubs Charities is not specific to any one neighborhood. Rather than just unveiling a new jersey, we wanted to use City Connect as a platform to unite our diverse city and celebrate those doing good in their neighborhood. ”

The Cubs will use the deployment of the jersey to celebrate the uniqueness of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods by highlighting nine local organizations and youth programs making an impact in their community. The first organization, Young Chicago Authors, will be recognized this Saturday, June 12, when the Cubs launch their new Nike Cubs City Connect jersey. Young Chicago Authors will be followed by Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Healthy Hot Free Meals, SkyART, Inter-American Magnet School, Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), New Life Centers of Chicagoland and UCAN Chicago.

I love that the Cubs are committed to more than just a jersey here, and I can’t wait to learn more about their work in the city. My only design issue is that I think I may have reversed powder and navy for two reasons. First, it’s a more obvious nod to the Chicago flag, which is clearly the intent of the uniform. Second, it would have been a nice tribute to previous Cubs teams who wore powder blue.

I think the Cubs hit a home run with the hat, which I imagine will be popular across town:

MLB

The collateral equipment beyond the jerseys is also noteworthy. I especially like this jacket and I can break my own rule of buying only women’s cuts because of it:

MLB

Cubs City Connect equipment is on sale in person and online now. You can see the whole collection here.

So go ahead, Cubs fans. What do you think of these new Chicago inspired swimsuits? Vote below and let us know what you think in the comments.