Although the Chicago Cubs were the first MLB team to wear baby blue jerseys (all the way back in 1941!), that particular hue has since become pervasive throughout the league. Almost every team – even the Cardinals – has gone to that well for one alternate design or another. In the meantime, the Cubs haven’t actually trotted out their own baby blues since 1981. But guess what, friends? It’s coming back this season, and I think they absolutely NAILED the new look.
That’s right. Tonight, the Chicago Cubs have announced new alternate jerseys for the 2025 season, and they are so very cool.
New Cubs Alternate Jerseys
Check them out in all their glory:
The jersey, itself, is a great shade of baby blue, and I like that well enough. But the logo. My goodness. The logo is excellent – especially on those hats. Those are going to be everywhere this summer, I guarantee it. They are for sale here at the Cubs Shop.
The team will first display their new look against the Padres on April 5, the day after Opening Day at Wrigley Field, and will then likely follow a similar usage schedule as the Wrigleyville City Connect jerseys (i.e. possibly for Friday or Saturday home games, though I believe the exact schedule remains TBD). Speaking of which, those Wrigleyville City Connect jerseys are officially being retired, so you won’t see them again this season (… I like these much better anyway).
Likewise, it’s important to note that these are not new City Connect jerseys; they are the Cubs’ own alternates. A fresh City Connect jersey could still make an appearance sometime in the future, but for now, this is just a new alternate drop. And I am very excited to see these threads in action.
Here’s the press release via the Cubs, which contains more detailed information on the inspiration for the new design and the history that accompanies it.
The Chicago Cubs are going back in time with a Blues Alternate uniform presented by motorola razr that pays tribute to the team’s history and Chicago’s contribution to the electric blues movement that shaped music worldwide. The baby blue uniform reintroduces a colorway the Cubs have not worn on-field since 1981.
The new Blue Alternate uniform will make its major league debut Saturday, April 5, and be worn at home on Fridays during the summer months. The uniform will be added to the team’s lineup along with the home white pinstripe and road gray uniforms. The navy Wrigleyville jersey will be retired by the team.
“The baby blues are back. We’re thrilled to revisit this popular colorway, while also paying tribute to the Blues music that has shaped our city’s cultural landscape,” said Jennifer Martindale, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Cubs. “This uniform is more than a celebration of the Cubs past; it’s a nod to an iconic Chicago artform. We hope fans enjoy this unique blend of sports and music history.”
The jersey’s chest patch combines details from early Cubs uniforms with typography inspired by blues-era instruments. The sleeve patch features custom lettering within a guitar pick, split by an electric bolt, representing Chicago’s legacy as the birthplace of the electric blues. The custom numerals and nameplate take cues from early generation Cubs designs and decorative flourishes from blues-era typography. The socks reference the beloved blues anthem “Sweet Home Chicago,” accompanied by a six-string guitar stripe.
The Chicago Cubs were the first modern MLB team to wear baby blue in 1941 and again in 1942.
The team then rejoined a growing list of MLB clubs wearing baby blue in 1976, followed by a dated disco-era baby blue road jersey with white pinstripes from 1978-81. The team sported a throwback of this uniform on July 27, 2014, as part of the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field.
Fans can get their own Blues Alternate uniform starting Friday, January 17, at Cubs Convention and at the Cubs Team Stores located at Gallagher Way.