Earlier this morning, the Texas Rangers unveiled their brand new City Connect uniforms, and as the name suggests, these uniforms pay homage to whatever city the team is located.
However, the Rangers were presented with a bit of a quandary, as they represent not one city, but two.
So, the uniforms were designed with both Dallas and Fort Worth in mind, and pay tribute to two minor league ball teams that played in North Texas long before the Ranger stepped foot in Arlington, the Fort Worth Panthers (whom later became the Cats), and the Dallas Eagles.
So, the Rangers' uniform reflects that! Adorned on the sleeve is a mythical creature called a "Peagle," which was created specifically to represent both teams.
Creative director Scott Biggers told MLB.com, "The story of Arlington is uniquely a baseball story. The cities are connected in Arlington."
For the Metroplex. pic.twitter.com/HKB7seiqAN
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 17, 2023
The "TX" featured prominently on the uniform is also a nod to the Dallas Fort-Worth Spurs, a Minor League team that broke records in the Texas League from 1965-71. The Spurs used to play their home games at Turnpike Stadium in Arlington.
The numbers 4-21 are embroidered into the side of the hats and on the inside of the jerseys, which represent not only April 21, which is San Jacinto Day, the anniversary of the final battle of the Texas Revolution when Texas won its independence from Mexico, but also the anniversary of the Rangers' first game in Arlington in 1972.
"Dream the Big Dream" is stitched onto the bottom of the jersey, which represents a quote from former Arlington mayor Tom Vandergriff, who worked tirelessly for decades to bring Major League Baseball to the Metroplex. "We wanted to celebrate and educate the fanbase," said Rangers senior vice president of marketing Travis Dillon. "It's about how and why we got here, where we are today."
The Nike City Connect Collection is on sale now at the Rangers Grand Slam team store at Globe Life Field.
Sales will be the exclusive to the Metroplex location until it debuts on field on Friday.
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