ARLINGTON (WBAP/KLIF) – The Texas Rangers unveiled their Nike City Connect uniforms on Monday, which the organization says honor the story of how the organization landed in Arlington, Texas, through the rich baseball history of Dallas and Fort Worth, the significance of April 21 in Texas, and the tireless efforts of the late Mayor of Arlington, Tom Vandergriff.
The Rangers will wear the uniforms for the first time on Friday, April 21 when they host the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Field at 7:05 p.m. The team will wear the uniforms the following night against Oakland, and every remaining Friday home game during the 2023 season.
During the 1950s, Dallas and Fort Worth had a pair of professional baseball teams – the Dallas Eagles and the Fort Worth Panthers/Cats. The two cities were rivals and couldn’t agree on a shared airport. At that time, Arlington was a relatively small city, but Vandergriff had major league dreams. In 1964, construction began on Turnpike Stadium in Arlington. Just one year later in 1965, Dallas and Fort Worth came together like never before with a professional baseball team in Arlington – the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs were born. Long before Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport finally opened, fans attended Turnpike Stadium in record numbers, proving Vandergriff’s vision correct. Just a short while later, Turnpike Stadium was expanded to a seating capacity of over 35,000, renamed Arlington Stadium, and debuted as the new home of the Texas Rangers.
April 21, 1972 was the date the Texas Rangers franchise played its first game at Arlington Stadium. The event was years in the making, and the culmination of Mayor Vandergriff’s efforts to bring Major League Baseball to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. April 21, 1972 was exactly 136 years after Texas gained its independence in the Battle of San Jacinto, and exactly 104 years after the first championship baseball game in Texas.
The Rangers’ City Connect uniform celebrates the team’s origin story and the Texas spirit that brought Dallas and Fort Worth together in Arlington – through baseball. The uniforms include the following features:
The Jersey
- A natural, cream-colored top with the “TX” graphic on the right side of the player’s chest. The logo/color treatment is influenced by the gothic lettering of the Dallas Eagles and the “X” includes a spur, a nod to the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs. The positioning of the graphic and number(s) are consistent with jerseys the Spurs and Cats wore.
- On the left chest is a number laid out in speed red. The typography is inspired by the 1920 championship medal won by the Fort Worth Panthers. The Panthers won six consecutive Texas League titles in the 1920s and are regarded as one of the greatest teams in minor league history.
- On the right sleeve is a mythical creature – affectionately known as the Peagle. A blend of our legendary predecessor mascots, the Fort Worth Panthers/Cats and the Dallas Eagles.
- The inside collar of the jersey shows a “4*21” reference of the date synonymous with connecting the state of Texas, baseball in Texas, and the Rangers origin story.
- The jock tag features Mayor Vandergriff’s iconic “Dream the Big Dream” phrase. The sentiment from Vandergriff resulted in bringing Dallas and Fort Worth together through baseball.
The Pants
- The pitch blue-colored pants match the “TX” graphic on the jersey and feature rope braid piping in a nod to the logo texture of the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs.
- On the front left hip is an icon that pays homage to the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs, the team that played in Arlington and proved the region could support a Major League Baseball team.
The Cap
- The pitch blue-colored cap features the prominent cream colored “TX” graphic on the front.
- On the side is the famed “4*21” date reference.
The Accessories
- The pitch-blue socks are complete with a speed red Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs icon.
- Players will wear a natural, cream-colored belt, matching the jersey. To the immediate left of the belt buckle is a speed red loop in which a player has the option to include his number.
- Like the cap, player helmets will be a pitch-blue color, glossy style, and feature the prominent cream colored “TX” wordmark on the front.
The Rangers’ entire City Connect story and detailed uniforms can be viewed at Rangers.com/CityConnect.
The Texas Rangers Grand Slam Team Store is the exclusive venue in Texas for the City Connect collection until April 21. Fans are also able to purchase the City Connect collection at MLB.com, the Nike App and Nike.com, NewEra.com, Stance.com and the MLB Flagship Store in New York City. The City Connect collection will be available throughout Globe Life Field beginning April 21.
The Nike MLB City Connect Series launched in 2021 and was formed to celebrate the connection between a specific club and its city. The Rangers are the second MLB team to join the City Connect Series in 2023.
On April 21, a pair of promotions presented by Globe Life highlight the uniform debut as the first 30,000 fans take home the commemorative City Connect Program giveaway and the first 15,000 collect the City Connect-themed Marcus Semien Bobblehead giveaway. The Semien bobblehead is the first of a three-part City Connect bobblehead series also featuring Corey Seager on Friday, May 19 and Jacob deGrom on Friday, June 16. Additionally, as part of the Rangers Poster Series, a City Connect edition poster designed by DFW artist Chris Perez will be available for purchase at the Authentics kiosk behind section 134. All poster proceeds benefit the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.
The team is partnering with a pair of Dallas-Fort Worth art venues for City Connect launch parties on April 21 and 22. Fans are invited to ArtPark Trinity Groves (331 Singleton Blvd, Dallas) from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. on the 21st where the City Connect collection will be available for purchase and Rangers fans will be treated to a special guest appearance by National Baseball Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez, who will take pictures and sign autographs (one per person) from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
On April 22, the launch party moves to the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. The City Connect collection will be available for purchase and Rodriguez will be present for pictures and autographs (one per person) from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Similar to the 21st, the first 30,000 fans will take home the commemorative City Connect Program giveaway, presented by Globe Life, on Saturday, April 22 and the first 10,000 fans will receive the Arlington Stadium Replica giveaway, presented by Coca-Cola.
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