Shaikin: Why Dodgers’ new City Connect uniforms are an L.A. blast

by

As a passionate fan of baseball and the Los Angeles Dodgers, I cannot help but be thrilled by the team’s latest City Connect uniform. The first version left much to be desired, with its uninspired design and muddled execution. But City Connect 2.0 more than makes up for it.

For the Dodgers, City Connect 1.0 was a mess.

The Dodgers switched from their “Los Dodgers” hats to more conventional ones, and they replaced their all-blue uniforms with blue jerseys and white pants instead. The intended splashes of color meant to resemble street art were barely noticeable due to the black accents on the dark blue.

The “Los Dodgers” inscription on the jersey ought to have been “Los Doyers,” a term the team has registered as a trademark. However, remaining faithful to the brand led to an unfortunate and dissatisfying Spanglish adaptation instead.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani stands in front of the downtown Los Angeles skyline while wearing the team’s new City Connect uniform.

(Jon SooHoo / Los Angeles Dodgers)

“Allister Annear, the Dodgers’ vice president of merchandise, acknowledged we fell short of our goal.”

The updated City Connect 2.0 is now available, addressing the shortcomings of its predecessor with a fix for a well-meaning but ultimately fatal error.

A City Connect uniform for a city team should be either a bold and lively expression or a strong nod to tradition. It’s difficult to strike that balance between the two. The New York Yankees, who don’t feature player names on their jerseys, have not joined the City Connect initiative.

As a long-time baseball fan and a proud resident of Los Angeles, I must admit that my initial reaction to the Dodgers’ new City Connect uniform was one of surprise and even disbelief. Having grown up watching the iconic blue and white jerseys adorned with the classic script “Dodgers” logo, I found myself questioning if this new design was necessary.

Behind every City Connect outfit of the Dodgers, there’s a unique backstory. Contrary to popular perception, the Dodgers chose not to associate their team with Hollywood and the iconic “Hollywood” sign by displaying their name or players’ names in that distinctive style.

When Annear spoke, she expressed that we all shared a common desire to steer clear of that particular situation. Sadly, it seemed that everyone, from the average Joe to even the esteemed Dodgers organization, had driven that point home repeatedly. Even the Dodgers, renowned for their merchandise, have capitalized on this trend with a Shohei Ohtani T-shirt modeled after the iconic Hollywood sign.

The Dodgers and Nike contemplated proposing “grand slam” projects, but that wasn’t feasible due to its connection to history: the memorable “grand slams” hit by player Wally Moon over the left-field fence during the Dodgers’ games at the Coliseum.

The ideas evolved into the notions of “seizing opportunities” and “shining moments,” and the project began to crystallize.

An upward line drawing a shooting star passes above the text “Los Angeles” on the jersey’s front. The jersey appears to be sprinkled with stars, resembling confetti or funfetti, in the hues of Dodger Stadium’s unique seating area.

“The whole idea,” Annear said, “is to be a galaxy of stars.”

As an avid sports fan, I can’t help but be excited about the unique combination of tags in baseball memorabilia. One of them is the “ITFDB” tag, which brings to mind Vin Scully’s iconic announcement, “It’s time for Dodger baseball.” Two other shining stars add to this stunning design: one soars out from the “A” on a sleek interlocking “LA” logo, and another emerges from a hat emblem that artfully fuses an traditional interlocking “LA” with a flowing script “D.” The jersey and pants’ subtle, not-quite-cream hue, as Annear described it, is reminiscent of the moon’s surface.

Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers and teammate Will Smith are pictured wearing the club’s freshly unveiled City Connect uniforms (Photo credit: Jon SooHoo, Los Angeles Dodgers).

The tagline “Galaxy of Stars” for the Dodgers team is clear in one aspect: With Mookie Betts, Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman, they lead their lineup having each won the Most Valuable Player award. However, this goes beyond just entertaining the crowd at Dodger Stadium; it’s about representing the city as a whole.

Annear expressed that Los Angeles presents an opportunity for everyone, be it athletes like Ohtani, or aspiring actors, musicians, or anyone else, to pursue their dreams and make their mark.

At this location, we sensed a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, which we aimed to represent. For instance, if you’re passionate about baseball, then your aspirations lie in baseball. Similarly, if engineering is your calling, perhaps it’s SpaceX that captivates you with the dream of reaching new heights in space or designing innovative aircraft.

As a movie reviewer, I’d put it this way: In this film, the bond between the team and their city goes beyond the classic cliché that Los Angeles is a land of second chances and reaching for the heavens. Instead, we witness a deep-rooted connection that transcends superficial labels.

“Hollywood is only a component of how we see Los Angeles,” Annear said. “It is not the thing.”

Losing sight of it being just a figment of imagination, the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County is brimming with an intriguing past in the realms of aviation and aerospace. Companies like Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, SpaceX, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have left indelible marks on this region. These industries not only gave rise to groundbreaking innovations but also necessitated the construction of residential areas for their employees, thereby fueling the Valley’s growth.

I’m an experienced historian with a deep appreciation for the history of aviation. In my years of research, I’ve come across fascinating stories that showcase the remarkable progress made in this field. Let me share two such tales with you.

The technological advancements that led to the development of GPS systems originally took root in El Segundo for military purposes. Similarly, the foundations of the internet were laid at the University of California, Los Angeles, through defense-funded research.

In truth, an enchanting combination of the Dodgers, Hollywood, and space visionaries could have been achieved by having the team don the shimmering uniform Elton John wore during his iconic 1975 concert at Dodger Stadium – unfortunately, this idea may not be feasible.

City Connects are not only functional but also entertaining for the local community. They’re as exciting as an Elton John performance.

Read More

2024-07-18 22:15