Phillies unveiled their 2024 City Connect jerseys Friday. What's your take?
The Philadelphia Phillies unveiled their team's 2024 Nike-labeled, Fanatics-produced "City Connect" uniform on Friday ahead of the three-game away series against the Washington Nationals.
The Philly Phanatic emerged to an awaiting crowd outside Citizens Bank Park Friday morning sporting the new blue and yellow Connect Collection jersey. The New Era Phillies Team Store at Citizens Bank Park will be the exclusive location in Philadelphia to purchase the new jersey, along with additional City Connect merchandise, during the initial launch. Prices range from $155 to $175.
The unveiling was followed by a free Phillies Block Party, from 3 to 9 p.m. on Citizens Bank Way, being held in partnership with merchandiser Fanatics and featuring special guests, including former outfielder Shane Victorino and former first baseman and current announcer John Kruk. The festivities will lead into Friday night’s Phillies-Nationals game at Washington D.C., with the NBCSP+ game broadcast shown on a giant screen outside the park.
Fans vent on social media ahead of Phillies' 'City Connect' jersey debut
Before the official reveal, rumors circulated on social media are that the Phillies City Connect jersey was to be inspired by the City of Philadelphia flag, which is light blue and yellow, according to a post from Philly Nation.
Some supposed leaks were posted to Phillies Bell on Twitter featured a jersey with different shades of blue, yellow trim and a City of Brotherly Love patch on the sleeve. So far, fan reactions on social media were lukewarm at best.
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Crossing Broad pushed a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to talk about the "City Connect" jersey, and the responses were on-brand from Philadelphia sports fans.
The Phillies are Releasing the City Connect Jerseys this Week https://t.co/9lYxPEGC1P
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) April 1, 2024
"Ridiculous. No one connects with 'Philly' colors from the flag," responded user Section 220Andrew. "Talk about not connecting with the city of Philadelphia."
"Looks like a Midwest arena football team logo," responded user Nathan122306.
"Those are Phillies jerseys? In Union colors??? Uggh awful..." responded user ErnieMc853335812.
"They are bad. Phillies should not be wearing these colors," posted PhillyFan1966. "Bring back the red jerseys. I hope no one buys them and they are a total flop!"
Is the quality of the Nike-labeled jerseys any good?
Outside of the City Connect Jerseys, Fanatics, MLB and Nike have had a difficult start to their partnership for the 2024 season. Players and fans alike hate the new uniforms.
From a distance, and facing frontward, the differences aren’t apparent to the naked eye. Rather, it’s the back of the jerseys: The number and the lettering and the significant gap between the two that might as well be the Atlantic Ocean.
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During spring training, Phillies pitchers wore the new jerseys for their bullpen sessions. And if you’re 6-foot-2, 245-pound lefty Jose Alvarado, the ALVARADO on the back of the jersey reads more like alvarado.
Pity the fellows with brief last names. Reliever Kaleb Ort has just three letters in his name and hasn’t yet put on his jersey. He hadn’t noticed the diminutive lettering yet.
Alas, the checks have cleared, and the Fanatics-MLB-Nike partnership isn’t going away.
Damon C. Williams covers trending and regional developments for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: It's here: The wraps come off the Phillies 'City Connect' jersey
