The Tigers’ Old English D is among the most recognizable logos in all of sports.
And even after the (controversial) change of the iconic D on their home jersey in 2018, the Tigers’ uniforms are widely considered true classics.
Aside from the annual Fiesta Tigres and Negro Leagues weekends, the Tigers don’t typically wear any alternate uniforms. But that will be changing this week.
On Monday morning the Tigers will unveil their City Connect uniforms and the team will debut the new threads on the field for the first time Friday against the Astros at Comerica Park. A launch party will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, along with an event Thursday evening.
MLB first began rolling out City Connect uniforms in 2021, a line of alternates designed to pay homage to each team’s home city. While many have been divisive amongst fans — like Boston’s yellow threads, a nod to the Boston Marathon — others have been well received, like the black pinstriped “Southside” set for the White Sox.
Seven teams first got their City Connects in 2021 and seven more the following year. Six teams saw theirs unveiled last season and the Tigers are among the eight teams who will see them arrive for the first time this year.
The team has been pretty tight-lipped on what the new uniforms will look like. Aside from recent leaks from UniWatch that reportedly show the hat — which features a “Detroit” wordmark across the front with a navy and royal blue Tiger logo on the bottom of the brim — and similarly styled socks that reportedly say “Motor City,” we’ve received no word on what the jersey and pants will look like.
The new City Connect gear will be available at The D Shop starting Monday.
The Tigers will wear the new uniforms Friday and Saturday, with the first 15,000 fans in attendance Saturday receiving a City Connect Rally Pack. It’s not exactly clear what that will include.
The team has not announced which other games the team will wear the City Connects the rest of the year, though most teams pick specific days of the week to sport them at home — like the Padres on Friday nights.
The release comes in the midst of league-wide controversy as the new Nike uniforms have been maligned for not just their lack of durability -- Riley Greene can attest to that, twice -- but their wonky lettering and see-through pants.