When your correspondent’s wife gave her blessing on a family trip to Arizona for spring training last month, he quickly made a checklist of things to do: book a hotel, procure game tickets … and buy a new T-shirt.
I love baseball for many reasons: scorecards, sunflower seeds, celebrations at second base. But at the top of the list is the game’s rather timeless style.
So with Opening Day coming up this weekend, I set out to find the best T-shirt for all 30 pro teams. My criteria? Original designs, vintage logos and colorways, comfort and presentability, with both smaller boutique brands and major licensees given proper attention.
Please feel free to let me know what I missed.
Now let’s play ball.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Player-specific shirts are tricky. Good rule of thumb: avoid if you’re older than the athlete you’re honoring … but when baseball’s best first baseman is on your team, flaunt it. 500 Level ($27)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | Fanatics ($33)
ATLANTA BRAVES
You’ve gotta tread lightly with Native American-themed teams (even if this Chief Noc-a-Homa tee is nice to look at, aesthetically speaking). Opt for something on the right side of history, like this slub cotton hatchet logo. ’47 Brand ($34)
More Recommendations: | Fanatics ($28)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Smirking birds won’t find their way into a man’s wardrobe all that often, so take full advantage when the opportunity arises. ’47 Brand ($34)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | Majestic ($35)
BOSTON RED SOX
Independent designs can go way wrong, especially for a brand as iconic as the Red Sox. But this one strikes the right balance and would look great paired with the best hat in the American League. Mint League ($24)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | ’47 Brand ($38)
CHICAGO CUBS
Cubs gear is everywhere thanks to the team’s thrilling World Series run last season. Stand out from the crowd in Wrigleyville with this smart shirt designed by a fan. Townie Made ($24)
More Recommendations: Mint League ($24) | Red Jacket ($38)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
With apologies to Eazy-E, the best White Sox logo is not the one the late rapper made famous. It’s the throwback batterman, which the team has re-embraced this spring. ’47 Brand ($38)
More Recommendations: Townie Made ($24) | Chitown Clothing ($22)
CINCINNATI REDS
Nobody does soft and simple better than Ohio-based Homage, and this ode to the Redlegs is proof of that. (Don’t sleep on that Sabo caricature down below, though.) Homage ($32)
More Recommendations: Townie Made ($24) | Mint League ($24) | Sports Caricature ($20)
CLEVELAND INDIANS
Despite the team’s best efforts, Chief Wahoo is ubiquitous on game days at The Jake. Stand out with this independent design from a local brand that has the Cleveland sport scene surrounded. GV Art + Design ($28)
More Recommendations: Mint League ($24) | Fresh Brewed Tees ($26)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Vintage logos tend to bring back strong memories for some. This one calls to mind Dante Bichette for some reason, and I don’t know if that’s good or bad. Red Jacket ($38)
More Recommendations: Fanatics ($33) | 500 Level ($27)
DETROIT TIGERS
The only thing better than this local brand’s combination of a gray tri-blend tee and bright orange tiger is watching Miguel Cabrera play baseball. Detroit fans, you’re very lucky. SMPLFD ($25)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | ’47 Brand ($38)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Can’t think of a better term than Hustle to describe a team led by a 5-foot-6 infielder — Jose Altuve is my spirit animal. So too should he be yours. Running Game ($25)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | Majestic ($32)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
The Royals have showed their fans some love with a recent run of success, and you can return the favor with this shirt from a favorite local brand. Charlie Hustle ($32)
More Recommendations: Mint League ($24) | ’47 Brand ($38)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Bypass the whole Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim nonsense by going with this old-school California Angels logo. Love the gold halo around the “A.” Red Jacket ($38)
More Recommendations: Ebbets ($30) | Nike ($32)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
The Dodgers are my team, so this was the hardest to pick. I went with one hanging in my own closet; Vin Scully is a living legend who deserves to be celebrated, especially now that he’s left the booth. Baseballism ($29)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | Streaker Sports ($32) | Nike ($32)
MIAMI MARLINS
My word, was Jose Fernandez a fun player to watch. RIP. 500 Level ($27)
More Recommendations: Fanatics ($33) | MLB Shop ($33)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Nobody does classic baseball better than Ebbets, which repurposes old branding marks and turns them into T-shirts. This one has the added benefit of teaching a quick history lesson to Brewers fans. Ebbets ($30)
More Recommendations: Townie Made ($24) | Red Jacket ($38)
MINNESOTA TWINS
The Twins have some of the best logos in the sport (see options below). But I ran with this for one reason: the recall to the greatest Minnesota teams ever — the ’87 and ’91 World Champs — is strong. ’47 Brand ($38)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | Nike ($35)
NEW YORK METS
Speaking of legendary teams, I can’t quit the ’86 Mets. And even if you’re over the past, the folks at The 7 Line have fans of the Amazins covered with current, original designs. The 7 Line ($26)
More Recommendations: Mint League ($24) | ’47 Brand ($38)
NEW YORK YANKEES
No team in sports is steeped in as much tradition as the Yankees. Bring something new to the table with this shirt, which commemorates an under-the-radar moment in New York baseball history. Streaker Sports ($16)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | Mile End ($28) | ’47 Brand ($34)
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
If I could own any non-Dodger shirt on this list, it’d be this. Something about the tri-blend heathered green and that vintage logo with the bright pop of yellow. Go get it, A’s fans. Nike ($32)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | Ebbets ($30)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Not all that much to celebrate with the current Phillies — trust the process, right? — so throw it back with a salute to the building that screamed Philadelphia sports in every way. | Veterans Shirtium ($15)
More Recommendations: Majestic ($28) | ’47 Brand ($38)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
The Angels light up a halo, the Cubs fly the W and the Pirates raise the Jolly Roger. Hokey? Sure, but it drives other fanbase’s crazy, which is more than enough reason to wear a shirt celebrating it. Steel City ($29)
More Recommendations: Townie Made ($24) | Majestic ($35)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Cardinals fans have an, um, unsavory reputation and frankly could use a lesson in subtlety. This simple shirt should do the trick. Arch Apparel ($32)
More Recommendations: Mint League ($24) | Red Jacket ($38)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
If you didn’t see this coming, you haven’t been paying attention. Old-school logo paired with a wonderfully ugly color combination is an automatic include on this list. Red Jacket ($38)
More Recommendations: Nike ($32) | 500 Level ($27)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
As a Dodger fan, I’m loath to love anything Giants-related. The team’s horrific Halloween color-combo makes it easy to hate, but I’ll admit to enjoying San Francisco’s ‘The City’ nickname. Fanatics ($25)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | 500 Level ($27)
SEATTLE MARINERS
This original design is so good, the Mariners should consider using it as their new sleeve logo. And in the surprise of the day, I actually prefer the new colorway to the throwback. Townie Made ($24)
More Recommendations: Mint League ($24) | Red Jacket ($38)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Not gonna lie: pickins’ are slim for the team that ranked last in 2016 in per-game attendance. Rock this and if people ask, tell ’em you’re a big Tom Brady fan? I dunno. ’47 Brand ($30)
More Recommendations: Fanatics ($33) | 500 Level ($27)
TEXAS RANGERS
This is the logo on the hat Nolan Ryan wore when he made a man out of Robin Ventura. It’s also brassy and unapologetic, which makes it the quintessential Texas shirt. Red Jacket ($38)
More Recommendations: Mint League ($24) | Majestic ($25)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Here’s an idea: a whole wardrobe of late-’80s/early-’90s MLB All-Star Game logo shirts. Click around on this and get in the mood. Fanatics ($30)
More Recommendations: Mint League ($24) | Drake General Store ($38) | Ebbets ($30)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
I’m not a big fan of Washington’s looping W logo, but even if I were, I still would have picked this original design for one reason: the striped socks on the eagle’s legs. Mint League ($24)
More Recommendations: Red Jacket ($38) | 500 Level ($27)
Dominic Bonvissuto bats .242 as a freelance writer in Long Beach, Calif. Check out more baseball shirt suggestions on his men’s lifestyle site, Jeans & Ties.
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