The following list is subjective, as the value of an eye-popping jersey lies in the eyes of the beholder. Some who judge sports threads prize simplicity, while others treasure vibrancy. To certain jersey jurists, a team’s alternate uniform reigns supreme over their home and away options, as the less usage, the stronger its appeal. Those who cherish history when evaluating this subject would argue against the seasonal selection, claiming that no one-off or periodic jersey can compete with a team’s traditional home uni.
My goal with this list is to cater to all crowds. So here it is, the top 5 jerseys worn by athletes featured in my debut book, Trust The Grind.
Honorable Mentions
In 1994, Houston’s owner, Drayton McLane, who bought the team two years earlier, was eager to jumble things up after years of subpar play. His solution was to introduce a whole new look for the franchise. Dropping the team’s rainbow look, a vibe that they started sporting since the mid-70s, which was then toned down as the years transpired, McLane brought in a newfangled color scheme. The home jersey was white with “Astros” engraved across the chest. The letters possessed a white-colored exterior and were shaded in with a navy hue. Hovering over the backend of the name, specifically over the ‘o’, was a gold-lined “moving star”. The road uniforms had a similar vibe, gray base with “Houston” in place of “Astros”, with the “moving star” located over the ‘o’ in ‘Houston’. Their hats for these contests were navy with just the star on them. When asked about the team’s facelift, McLane told the Associated Press, “We want to symbolize the new Houston Astros, the team of the 1990s and beyond.” He would go on to say, “We wanted our fans to see something new, something very contemporary for young people…something that shows movement, something that shows the future.”
To be frank, I could have selected any of the Dallas threads that Owens donned during his tenure. Regardless of the specifics, every Cowboys jersey has a sheeny pop. Dominated by a sleek navy blue, the Thanksgiving Day Alternates are special because of the use of white (helmet, letters, shoulders). The traditional Dallas bucket is silver with a metallic finish, which is eye-popping, but to me, the solid white contrasts well with the blue base of the jersey.
Including the “Star-Pattern” jerseys based on their uniqueness. Incorporating the squad’s name into the design in a way that separates its team’s colors was a risk, but one worth taking. A star on a star for the Dallas Stars out of the Lone Star State deserves a placement, albeit an honorable mention.
It’s borderline criminal for this uniform to not crack the top-5. I might end up editing this post at a later date out of respect for the polished gray base and striking red cursive letters. The showy scarlet tomahawk is such a strong element in these crisp Atlanta road jerseys.
THE TOP 5
I’m biased toward the graphic-style aesthetic of the NBA in the 90s. The streaking sunburst betwixt the team name and player name isn’t clean, but it’s prominent, and dominant features like this can elevate a jersey’s appeal. Involving all of Phoenix’s colors in the shorts is a subtle enhancement, as it’s more creative than just going all white.
A dazzling cardinal red as the base of the jersey. Artful block letters and numbers. Dapper gold helmets with a stylish red bar, and white pants with a slick red stripe on the sides. This uniform screams luxurious power.
Thanks to Moneyball, the early-2000s A’s jerseys have a cinematic charm. The white home jersey, in particular, now feels larger-than-life after their miraculous 2002 season was captured on the big screen. Green base, with the yellow borders for the team name and player number is pristine, and the amalgamation of Oakland’s colors on their hat is perfect. Also, Hudson enhances this uniform’s allure with the team turtleneck. I love the subtle A’s logo, and wish more players would rock these kinds of undershirts in today’s game.
The orange is nothing short of conspicuous. The Fall season means football season, and the primary color of fall is orange. When I gaze at these Chicago alternates, I think about leaves, pumpkins, Halloween. The jersey’s seasonal charm puts one in a crisp autumn mood, which is why it ranks near the top.
When I think about this jersey, I think about winning. Sporting the pinstripe vest in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, Gonzo gave Arizona its first Championship in franchise history with his walk-off single off Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees. The cream pinstriped vest with the dark purple undershirt rocks, and so does the team-colored, stylized ‘A’ on these Arizona threads. The sprinkled-in use of teal is a potent ingredient in this 5-star production.