The Pirates have unveiled their Nike City Connect jerseys and they are all about the city and the team.
The black and gold jerseys and hat are somewhat reminiscent of the “We are Fam-a-lee” jerseys of the late 1970s.
It’s a gold top with the letters “PGH” across the front and a Pirates “P” on the left sleeve.
The pants are black with a gold stripe along the sides with the words “Pittsburgh” and “Pirates” around the belt buckle.
That’s not all, the jersey features references to the city.
First is the hypocycloid, featured on the Steelers logo.
Called an “astroid” on the Pirates jersey, it’s the represents the symbol of the American Steel Industry.
“The iconic shape represents Pittsburgh history in the American Steel Industry. For decades, Pittsburgh was at the center for the steel industry and innovation, proving that innovation and engineering are at the heart of the city,” the Pirates website says of the “astroid”.
Also woven into the uniform is an upside down “Y” meant to represent the three rivers.
“This shape is a nod to the Allegheny and Monongahela meeting the Ohio River. This was a point of inspiration for the print because aside from being iconic to the city, the riverfronts that have truly evolved during this time of innovation and technology, and shaped a new look for Pittsburgh. Water as one of the key components of life serves as a showcase of the revitalization of our city along its riverfronts.”
Block or “The Check” “is a reference to the graphic that appears on the seal of the city. More than that, it is also a reference to performance. When talking about how steel itself has managed to evolve, carbon fiber has been used to improve performances. This mix of heritage and innovation is also at Pittsburgh’s core.”
The jersey also has the phrase “We Bleed Black and Gold” on it.
The final part of the jersey is a design that can be seen on the pillars of the Clemente Bridge. That pattern is seen inside the “PGH” part of the jersey.
“it’s a reference to the city of bridges and how they are the vital arteries of our city, connecting the people of Pittsburgh to each other and the Pirates.”
The Pirates are going to wear the jerseys during Friday home games at PNC Park this season, starting June 30 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Whether you like the jerseys or not, a lot of time and thought went into the design.
You can check out the hype video for the jerseys, narrated by Wiz Khalifa.