DETROIT - The Detroit Tigers unveiled new navy blue and orange alternate jerseys on Thursday, marking the first time in years the franchise has added regular alternates to its uniform rotation. The new designs will be worn during select home and road games and throughout Spring Training this season.
The decision to introduce the alternates followed 18 months of surveys and focus groups involving both fans and players. The feedback indicated a desire for merchandise that preserved the tradition of the Olde English D and the 1984 World Series championship team while embracing the color orange. Until this announcement, the Tigers were one of only two Major League Baseball teams without regular alternate uniforms.
The orange alternate jersey, designed for select home games, features the navy blue Olde English D on the chest. For select road games, the navy blue jersey features the word Detroit in orange script with white trim. Both jerseys incorporate three-color striping on the sleeves and V-neck collars, along with a circular Detroit Tigers patch inspired by the team logo used from 1961 to 1993. The striping will also appear on the white and gray pants.
To complete the look, the team introduced alternate caps featuring an orange Olde English D and an orange bill. This design is similar to a cap style worn by the franchise during the 1990s. The orange jerseys will be added to a home rotation that includes the Motor City jerseys, which will serve as the City Connect uniforms for a third season.
Ryan Gustafson, president and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, said the creative team developed hundreds of concepts that were debated by front office colleagues, fans, and players. He noted that the final product was years in the making.“
We’re proud to introduce these new uniforms, which have been years in the making,” Gustafson said in a statement. “We believe it’s important to ask fans what matters to them and constantly hear responses centered around getting more creative with merchandise, exploring alternate jerseys, incorporating more elements from uniforms worn by the 1984 team, and steering into the color orange.”
Merchandise will go on sale Friday at the D Shop in Detroit and Lakeland, Fla. Online sales for the new jerseys and caps are scheduled to begin this weekend.
The Tigers will wear the new uniforms during Spring Training alongside MLB-designed Grapefruit League caps. The alternate jerseys and caps will transition to the regular-season rotation once the season begins.