Detroit Tigers: Possible Alternate Uniforms?

The Detroit Tigers have just, surprisingly, changed their iconic home uniforms. Is is time for alternate uniforms now?

Many have expressed their distaste and astonishment with the interesting change to the Detroit Tigers home whites. It got me thinking about something I have always wanted the Tigers to do, and that is get an alternative uniform or two.

Now, every team technically has alternate uniforms. However, those are reserved for holidays and special events. This post is about alternate uniforms the Tigers could wear all season. Such as a Thursday only uniform or a road uniform to be worn on the road on Friday through Sunday only. An alternate uniform for the Detroit Tigers might only work for road uniforms. It would be an odd sight, and to some infuriating, to not see the Tigers wearing their home whites at Comerica Park on a regular day.

The Detroit Tigers did have an alternate jersey for one game in 1994.

These uniforms were navy blue with the tiger stepping out of the old English D and the players number on the front as well. The uniform was retired immediately after a loss on the only day they used them. What was the point of going through all the trouble of making them, advertising them, and even playing in them only to throw it all out the window after one loss? It would be in the Tigers best interests to bring these or ones similar back to add some fun and energy to the team and fans. A new uniform very well could also create some extra revenue, with fans possibly being more interested in these nowadays. Furthermore, The alternate uniform was used in the strike shortened season of 1994. That might have had something to do with their immediate retirement.

Today, fans are more interested in baseball and adding something new and fun to a dark time in Tigers history might make people feel better.

Uniform history

The Detroit Tigers essentially have had the same home uniforms since the 1930s. Their road uniforms, on the other hand, have changed a few times. In 1931, 1959, 1968, 1977, 1991, 1994, 1998, and 2000, just since the 1930s! Fun fact, the Tigers are the only team in the MLB to have a color on their road uniforms that are not on their home uniforms. Orange.

The most iconic road uniform for the Tigers is from the 1984 team. The V-neck t-shirt style with the orange and blue trim around the sleeves and neck. Why not bring that back for an alternate road uniform? So many Tigers fans remember and love that team and going into this tumultuous rebuild; it might give some fans some relief and desire for the next championship.

The Tigers never really utilize two of the teams main colors in navy blue and orange. The caps are navy blue and the lettering and numbers on the home uniform. Orange is the outline color on the road uniforms, but that’s it. How about an alternate uniform that is all one of those colors, with the lettering and numbers being the other color? For example, an all orange uniform, similar to the Baltimore Orioles, with navy blue DETROIT on the front and navy blue numbers and name on the back with a black outline on the lettering and numbers. Gray pants, as it will probably be a road uniform, with orange trim running down the pant leg. The hat would be very similar to the Player’s Weekend caps from 2017.

Next: Analyzing the last ten Tiger drafts

The Detroit Tigers have not shown any willingness to add anything like this. Even though it could possibly be in their best interest to look into it, these are just ideas. Might one day will we see an alternate Tigers uniform? Well, possibly. It is not known if  owner Chris Illitch would be open to this, but only time will tell.