Cubs unveil a new jersey celebrating Chicago's blues legacy
Jordan Bastian
@MLBastianCHICAGO -- There is a long list of things that the city of Chicago has become known for around the globe. Day games at Wrigley Field certainly make the list, as would the vibrant blues scene and its part in music¡¯s history and evolution.
This summer, the Cubs plan on blending their traditions with a nod to the blues, introducing a new alternate uniform into their rotation. As unveiled on Thursday night ahead of Cubs Convention, the ballclub is bringing back a baby blue jersey for the first time as part of an on-field uniform since 1981.
The Cubs were the first modern Major League team to don a baby blue jersey, doing so in the 1941 season. The color returned at points in the ¡®70s, but disappeared from the mix after ¡®81 until a throwback was unveiled as part of Wrigley Field¡¯s 100th anniversary celebration in 2014.
This year, baby blue is back.
The new uniform will make its first appearance on April 5 against the Padres in the second home game of the season. After that, it will become a Friday day game feature during the summer months, replacing the ¡°Wrigleyville¡± alternate uniform of recent seasons. And the new look is layered with meaning.
The Cubs¡¯ logo on the left chest of the jersey and hat -- a red ¡°C¡± with a star at its midpoint, plus blue lettering to complete the team name -- is a nod to the franchise¡¯s logos in the early-to-mid 1900s. The designers also took inspiration from brands that made electric guitars, amplifiers and microphones in the same era.
The Cubs wanted to pay tribute not only to the club¡¯s history, but to the Chicago blues movement of the early 20th century. The sleeve patch on the jersey features the city¡¯s name within the shape of a guitar pick, complete with an electric bolt to represent the electrification of the blues.
The designers also sought design input from players on the uniform, which will include on-field socks that have ¡°Sweet Home Chicago¡± along with a six-string guitar stripe. The hat has a blue brim and back, but a white front and red button on the top. The players¡¯ names and numbers feature a blues-era typography that serves as a nod to the music and baseball scene of yesteryear.
The Cubs plan on officially rolling out the uniforms this weekend at Cubs Convention, which begins on Friday evening and runs through Sunday at the Sheraton Grand Chicago downtown. The jerseys will be available not only at Cubs Con starting Friday, but at the team¡¯s store at Gallagher Way outside Wrigley Field.