Picking the Best Uniform Combination for Each MLB Team

Looks matter, even on the baseball field.

With third jerseys and alternate caps in the picture, most teams now have a dizzying amount of uniform combinations at their disposal.

It has even gotten to the point that the St. Louis Cardinals created the "Red or Blue, It's Up to You" campaign that allowed fans to determine hat/uniform combinations for the team.

But not all uniform combinations are created equal, and each team usually has one look that stands out from the rest. It can be a timeless classic like the Yankees' home pinstripes or an innovative look like Miami's black alternates. 

Here are the best uniform combination for all 30 MLB teams.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks' Sedona red shows up on the team's caps and lettering for their away uniform. Unlike Arizona's home uniform and its first alternate, the away uniform features "Arizona" across the chest rather than the obnoxiously abbreviated "D-Backs."

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves' home whites are an understated classic. From the white-script "A" on the red and navy cap to the "Braves" spelled out across the chest over a tomahawk, the Braves take the field in Atlanta in style.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles' home kits feature a lot of white, but several factors, namely the arm patch and the cap, make up for it.

The O's were wise to ditch the anatomically correct bird in favor of the cartoon bird they now sport. The orange/black/white color combination doesn't hurt, either. Overall, the new duds Baltimore introduced last year are a solid improvement.

Boston Red Sox

Perhaps because of its association with Fenway Park, but the Red Sox's home whites are just too good to pass up. The team also has red and blue alternates that look good, but those can't come close to the classic red lettering splashed across the chest.

Chicago Cubs

Sensing a trend here? Home uniforms tend to look the sharpest.

From the blue pinstripes—though they can't touch the Yankees—to the red "Cubs" on the left side of the chest, Chicago's home uniform is as much a part of the team's tradition as the ivy at Wrigley Field.

Chicago White Sox

Chicago's black alternates are bold, yet they retain a classic look with the old English "Sox" on the left side of the chest and pinstripes on the pants. 

While the uniform may not be as pleasing as their intracity rival's to the north is, the Sox still have a solid look in black.

Cincinnati Reds

They are the Reds, after all. Cincinnati's red alternates pop in contrast to their white pants and feature the classic "C" with "Reds" inside. Overall, a solid look for one of the best teams in the MLB.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians' home whites are not among the bolder looks in baseball, but the classic red-white-blue color combination works well with any team. 

Colorado Rockies

No other team in baseball makes such a bold use of the color purple. The Rockies' purple alternates make a strong statement on the field without being garish. The interlocking "C" and "R" on Colorado's caps isn't revolutionary; the purple does enough talking on its own.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers are the rare case in which the road uniforms almost looks as sharp as the home duds. But Detroit's classic white look—especially the old English "D"—has stood the test of time and ultimately wins out.

Houston Astros

With Houston's switch to the AL comes new uniforms as well. The orange alternates are not easy on the eyes, but the home and away uniforms have a retro feel to them. The "H" in the star on the Astros' uniform also has a very Texas feel to it.

Kansas City Royals

KC's powder blue alternate duds are retro without feeling dated, and no other team in the bigs can quite match the color combination. The Royals' look is one of the best in all of baseball.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels' name may be excessive, but their uniforms aren't. Los Angeles' design scheme is similar across the board (red "Angels" is splashed across the home, away and alternate jerseys), but the white design is the cleanest and allows for the name to pop more across the chest.

Los Angeles Dodgers

It doesn't get much better than this, folks. The interlocking "LA." The script "Dodgers" across the chest. The red numbers on the front. And most of all, Dodger Blue. Los Angeles' home uniform is time-tested and arguably the best in the league, befitting for the high-budget Hollywood squad.

Miami Marlins

Miami overhauled its look when it moved to Marlins Park last season. The Marlins' black alternates are the strongest of the team's uniform options. The red-orange, yellow and blue pop nicely off the dark jersey and matching cap, providing a look befitting for the South Florida franchise.

Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee may suffer from two many uniform options, but the Brew Crew looks its best in its throwback duds with the classic "MB" glove insignia on the cap. The pinstriped uniforms with "Brewers" splashed across the chest caps off the retro look.

Minnesota Twins

Minnesota also has a plethora of uniform options, but once again, the retro alternate wins out. From the off-white jersey to the navy "Twins" script with red accents, Minnesota's throwback look is a winner.

New York Mets

While the Mets' pinstripes can't give their crosstown rivals a true run for their money, the Amazins' duds aren't too shabby, either. The blue and orange hat—honoring two former New York franchises, the Dodgers and the Giants—literally caps off the look well.

New York Yankees

What more needs to be said about the Yankee pinstripes? One of the all-time great uniforms in all of sports, the pinstripes—combined with the interlocking "NY"—are a true classic.

Oakland Athletics

The A's green and gold combination is a classic, yet it stands out with no other team in the bigs having a similar color combination. Oakland's cap—white, old English script against a green backdrop with a gold brim—adds a nice touch to the uniform. The team's home white and away gray is drab in comparison.

Philadelphia Phillies

There's just something about pinstripes. The Phillies' red stripes give the jersey some pop, and the blue and red "Phillies" across the chest is a classic yet quirky look that still is befitting of the team after all these years.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh's gray uniform adds a bit of menace that is lacking from the too-clean home white duds. When your name is the Pirates, you need that added touch. Pittsburgh's alternate uniform—black with a big gold "P" on the left side of the chest—is downright garish.

San Diego Padres

San Diego has several uniform combinations, but its navy alternates with white piping and an interlocking "SD" on the left side of the chest are a fresh, clean look. The navy jersey also balances with the white pants nicely.

San Francisco Giants

Another classic look, the Giants prove that keeping it simple oftentimes is the right thing to do. From the amazing orange "SF" on the cap to the off-white jerseys, San Francisco has a unique but timeless look befitting of a world-championship squad.

Seattle Mariners

Sometimes it's not bad to stand out in a crowd. Seattle is not afraid to make a statement with their teal—sorry, "Northwest green"—uniforms. The jerseys are unlike any other in the league and are fun, hearkening back to Mariners uniforms of yore. 

St. Louis Cardinals

Ranking right up their with the Dodgers and Yankees, the Cardinals' home white uniforms are a time-honored classic. From the interlocking "STL" on the caps to the cardinals perched on the bat across the chest, St. Louis has one of the best looks in the league when they suit up at home.

Tampa Bay Rays

Powder blue is almost always a winning look, and Tampa Bay's second alternate uniform is no exception to that rule. While the Royals beat them to the punch, the Rays look sharp in their alternate duds. The navy cap provides a nice accent.

Texas Rangers

Between the team's two-cap-and-four-jersey options, the Rangers aren't lacking when it comes to uniform variety. But there is something about the team's blue jersey and cap with "Texas" across the chest that commands authority.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays look sharp in any of their retro-friendly uniforms, but their blue alternates in particular command attention. The throwback-style blue jay with red maple leaf insignia—used both on Toronto's cap and jersey—is a fresh, clean addition appropriate for baseball's only Canadian squad.

Washington Nationals

Most of the Nationals' uniform combinations have a bit of a been-there, done-that feel to them. After all, red, white and blue are not the most original colors for a baseball team. But what other choice do you have in the nation's capital? The team's navy alternate—where the script "W" has a stars-and-stripes background—at least dares to think outside the box.