The five best (and worst) Arizona Diamondbacks uniforms

By
Brevin Monroe
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Chase Field (Bella Schneider/DD)

In their short history, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been one of the most experimental teams when it comes to uniforms. If you look at teams with long and illustrious history like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, their jerseys have changed very little in over 100 years.

In 23 seasons, the Diamondbacks have changed their look three times. With a slew of different colors, uniforms and logos there are a lot to choose from when it comes to the best and worst uniforms in franchise history. This list will do just that, as Downtown Devil looks at the five best (and worst) uniforms in Diamondbacks history.

Worst

No. 5: 2016-2019 Black Alternate

Kicking off the list is one from some of the most unpopular sets of uniforms in MLB history. The black alternate was used primarily at home and features a peculiar snakeskin pattern on the shoulders of the jersey, down the back of the pants, and on the hat, which is a common theme with the 2016 rebrand. The pants were changed after 2016 and the jerseys were retired before the 2020 season.

No. 4: 1998 Home Alternate

This pinstriped alternate was worn during the adolescence of the franchise. While the jersey itself is basic and simple, the hat seems to hold it back aesthetically. White caps historically haven’t molded well with any baseball uniform, and the Diamondbacks realized the error and retired the hat after one season.

No. 3: Nike City Connect 2021

The Diamondbacks “Serpientes” jersey introduced earlier this season honors the Hispanic community in Arizona, a great gesture by the organization. The jersey itself however is an eyesore with the snake resembling an “8” more than an “S”. The sandy shade of gold doesn’t work to the uniform’s advantage either.

No. 2: 2016-2019 Home

“The Evolution is Here,” was the tagline for the 2016 line of uniforms, an evolution that most fans agree should’ve never happened. Featuring the same snakeskin pattern on the hat, jersey and pants as the black alternate, the home uniform left something to be desired.

No. 1: 2016-2019 Road

The road uniform debuted in 2016 is not only one of most frowned upon in franchise history, but in MLB history as well. Arizona went with a darker grey than most traditional road uniforms, a change that was viewed as too extreme by most fans. The 2016 uniforms were slowly corrected and changed over time but still remain some of the most disliked in baseball history.

Best

No. 5: Present Alternate

The newest set of Diamondbacks uniforms released in 2020 with a cleaner, more simplified look than years passed. These don’t have the extra snakeskin details that the past set had and overall is a solid group of uniforms, especially the Sedona Red alternate.

No. 4: 1999-2002 Purple Alternate

Arizona wore two versions of the purple alternate, one with gold numbering and another with teal. The gold embroidery was worn longer though, and the snakeskin design on the sleeves added a nice touch.

No. 3: Black Alternate 2007-Present

The longest tenured Diamondbacks jersey is the black alternate that has been worn since the 2007 season when the team rebranded for the first time. It has gone through a few minor changes over the years, with alterations to some of the shoulder patterns and sleeve patches, but it’s stayed sleek, simple and iconic to the franchise.

No. 2: Road Alternate 2001-2006

The original uniforms the Diamondbacks introduced are often looked upon as the best iteration of the team’s branding. The snakeskin pattern on the sleeves is featured once more and it arguably looks better on a black jersey than the purple one. Paired with the black and gold hat, the uniform provides one of the sharpest looks in team history.

No. 1: 1998-2006, 2016 Alternate

The best uniform in team history by many accounts is the pinstriped purple and teal vests. The most well-known Diamondbacks jersey is synonymous with the 2001 World Series winning team that walked off the New York Yankees in game seven. After the rebrand in 2006, ten years passed before the vaunted vests were dawned again for ‘Throwback Thursdays’, only to be discontinued again following the 2019 season. The memories associated with this uniform alone could make it no. 1.

Contact the reporter at blmonroe@asu.edu.