Words by Flobo Boyce
By the time I am writing this, there have been seven Nike City Connect drops out of the planned nine this season but this one, is the most curious one of all. The St. Louis Cardinals, a perennial stalwart in the NL Central but is currently going through it, released their City Connect jerseys this week. Like the other drops this season, the goal is to present an alternative look at the jerseys that go beyond the team and try to tie in some city and/or cultural elements. Sigh, here are the unis:
At first glance, I remember asking out loud “OK, where are the jerseys?” The Cardinals opted in using a shade of red that we’re familiar with, cardinal imagery that we’re familiar with, and a nickname that some people are familiar with. It was Spring Training all over again. I was taken aback, and not in a good way. I would totally understand if this was the first year of the City Connect program and the Cardinals weren’t sure how wild they could get with a unique design. I mean this is giving original Dodgers City Connect vibes:
Now to be fair, I’m not the majority on this one. Those online (who at least like the CIty Connect program anyway) are a fan of the new “Lou” threads. Like the other drops this season, we get a hype video that shows us how “gritty” St. Louis is, add an emcee that’s closely tied to the city (in this case Grammy award-winning artist, Nelly), images of the town, and players dusting off dirt that doesn’t exist. Observe:
Get used to hearing “I’m from the Lou and I’m proud” because it happens a concerning amount.
Up close, however there are some cool elements that are worth discussing. The shade of red does pop and the oversized patches help these jerseys achieve the “casual but street feel” that we’re seeing in more of the later releases. The pinstripes, an element that I missed at first glance, are a nod to the city flag.
I also loved the size and design of the shoulder patch in action. It’s larger and the sharp yellow offsets the sea of red. It also has the Gateway Arch, which is an element people like me who’ve never been to St. Louis can appreciate!
I like the hats here, but I personally would’ve thrown up a Fleur-De-Lis or a Gateway from the patch on it myself.
Anyway, when it comes down to it, the St. Louis Cardinals City Connect is going to be one that’s going to be the most studied. If you get close, they hit all the marks of giving historical and cultural city elements. Then again, if you step back you get a City Connect that’s so milquetoast, it could legitimately be a regular alternate jersey and nobody would bat an eye. If you know a jersey collector who hates the City Connect program, they will probably like this one. However, swapping Cardinals for “The Lou” on the chest just isn’t enough to top anyone’s City Connect ranking or Best-Of list.
Words by Senior BBM Editor Flobo Boyce
