D-backs unveil 'cleaner' uniforms for 2020

PHOENIX -- After four seasons, the D-backs have decided to make updates to their uniforms for the 2020 season.

While the logos and wordmarks will remain the same, there will be a number of noteworthy changes:

• Gone are the diamond-pattern gradients on the neck, sleeves and backs of the jerseys.

• The dark gray uniforms that the team has worn on the road will revert back to the standard gray worn by the other 29 teams in baseball.

• Whereas the team had two versions of their dark gray road jerseys -- one with red accents and another with teal -- it now will only have the red version.

• For the foreseeable future, the team will only wear throwback jerseys for anniversaries and celebrations, and none are scheduled for 2020.

• The Los D-backs alternate jersey top will be black with teal.

The D-backs were the only team in baseball to have the diamond gradients on the shoulders and backs of the uniforms, but after four years they are getting rid of them in order to have the focus on the uniforms be on the “D-backs” wordmark across the chest.

That was the same reason the team elected to move back to a more traditional color of gray -- the lettering on the front and backs of the dark gray jerseys looked good in person, but did not translate to television despite several revisions in the lettering.

“It never translated on television consistently,” said Cullen Maxey, D-backs executive vice president of business operations. “So we need to make sure that our brand and obviously our players are represented on TV even when they’re on the road. Let’s bring more attention to the D-backs wordmark. None of our logos changed, nothing like that.”

The D-backs will still have a black-and-red alternate jersey, just minus the diamond gradients, but teal will no longer be worn on the road.

“Again, talking about brand, our primary colors are Sedona Red, Sonoran Sand and black,” Maxey said. “And we should be wearing those on the road consistently. So the teal will be removed from the road gray and only be at home.”

The team unveiled the new look at its ninth annual D-backs Celebrity Golf Classic on Friday. The money raised at the event goes to help improve the lives of those who serve or served in the military.

The Military Assistance Mission, Folds of Honor Foundation, Soldier’s Best Friend, Catholic Charities MANA House, Marine Corp Scholarship Foundation, USO and Fighter Country Partnership are some of the organizations that have benefited from the nearly $2 million the team has raised over the last nine years.

Several current players including Robbie Ray, Carson Kelly, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Escobar were on hand, as were former D-backs such as Luis Gonzalez, Willie Bloomquist, Chris Young, J.J. Putz, Josh Collmenter and Scott Hairston.

Ray, for one, likes the new look to the uniforms.

“The black and teal Los D-backs [jersey] is kind of intriguing,” Ray said. “I was actually was kind of a fan of the darker gray. I didn’t really like the dark gray and teal so I’m glad the dark gray and teal is gone. But they kept my favorite jersey -- the white and teal. The [lighter] gray is fine. Taking the gradient out of it is fine with me. I wasn’t a huge fan of the gradient on the back of the jersey. It does look cleaner.”

Ray may end up needing a smaller uniform next year. The left-hander has lost 15 pounds since the end of the season on a diet program that emphasizes more vegetables, less meat and few carbs.

“I just started eating healthier,” Ray said. “Changed up my diet, started eating smaller meals more often throughout the day just to kind of keep the metabolism going.”

Ray has already noticed a difference.

“Energy-wise I feel great,” Ray said. “My mobility is way better so I just feel like it’s going to help me be a better pitcher.”