The Guardians' City Connect jerseys are here.
The Guardians and Nike have unveiled designs for their 2024 Nike MLB City Connect Series, aimed at celebrating the history, culture and spirit of each participating MLB team's city.
Cleveland 's City Connect uniform is inspired by the Guardians of Traffic statues that stand along the Hope Memorial Bridge just outside of Progressive Field. The designers aimed to blend the past and present of both the team and the city itself.
The blue jersey's textured pattern is influenced by the Berea sandstone from which the pillars were carved more than 90 years ago. The art deco "CLE" word mark and number set are layered to create an etched-in-stone effect, a nod to the pylons that support each statute.
The color scheme is rooted in Cleveland's baseball history. The braiding down the ides of the jersey and pants features a design aimed at giving a nod to the Cleveland teams in the 90s. The hat is more a nod to the present with the new Diamond "C."
The uniforms also feature smaller etchings, including "The Land" and an "EST 1901" graphic inside the neckline.
A new Baseball Guardian logo will be featured on each players' on-field socks and throughout the official team store on new merchandise that is being released Monday, May 12.
The Guardians join eight other clubs as part of the 2024 City Connect Series, along with the Detroit Tigers , Minnesota Twins , Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Mets , Philadelphia Phillies , St. Louis Cardinals , Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays .
The Guardians will first wear their City Connect uniforms Friday, May 17, against the Minnesota Twins. Cleveland will then wear special Armed Forces gear Saturday in observance of Armed Forces Day before again wearing the City Connect uniforms for Sunday's game.
After this weekend, the Guardians will wear the City Connect uniforms for every home Friday game. There could be more dates, but that'll be up to player discretion for additional home games.
The club will hold a celebration for the uniforms' first use with a Fanatics Pregame Party held on the Gateway Plaza from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. this Friday, May 17.
The event will feature a speed pitch booth, exclusive City Connect prizes, face painting, balloon artists and mascot appearances.
Local artist Lisa Quine will also unveil a Guardians City Connect mural, which will be just inside the left field gate.
Guardians City Connect merchandise will be available beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 13.
The Guardians will have several promotions for the City Connect uniforms:
May 17: City Connect-inspired shirt (first 10,000 fans)
May 18: Jose Ramirez City Connect bobblehead (12,500 fans)
June 19: City Connect tote bag (10,000 fans)
July 25: City Connect beach towel (10,000 fans)
August 14: City Connect belt bag (10,000 fans)
August 24: City Connect flag (15,000 fans)
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians City Connect jerseys unveiled, will be worn Friday
