The Chicago Cubs, a team steeped in baseball lore, are instantly recognizable at Wrigley Field in their classic home uniforms. Those iconic blue pinstripes have remained largely consistent since 1958, a testament to tradition. While home uniforms have seen minor tweaks over the years, the Cubs’ road uniforms tell a much more varied and fascinating story. This exploration dives into the Cubs Uniform History, focusing on the evolution of their away game attire and showcasing the different styles that have represented the team on the road.
1958-1968: The Classic Gray Era
This period marks the beginning of the Cubs’ long-standing home uniform design and also established a classic road look. Worn by legends like Ernie Banks, the road uniform of this era was a simple, yet elegant gray with “CUBS” in blue and red lettering across the chest. This design, particularly the 1964 version, was recently revived as a throwback, demonstrating its enduring appeal. The bear cub logo, present on some versions during this time, added a touch of team mascot branding. Many fans and uniform enthusiasts consider this era to represent a golden age for Cubs road uniforms, favoring its clean and timeless aesthetic.
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The throwback worn by Jake Arrieta in Philadelphia provides a modern glimpse into the 1964 road uniform, highlighting its enduring design elements and confirming its status as a fan favorite.
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1969-1971: Centennial Blue Shift
In 1969, Major League Baseball celebrated its centennial year, and the Cubs marked the occasion with a subtle shift in their road uniforms. While the base color remained gray, the red lettering was replaced with an all-blue design. Notably, uniform numbers were added to the front of the jersey for the first time, a practical addition for fan identification. The gray itself also became lighter, with a hint of blue, reflecting evolving uniform manufacturing techniques. Ron Santo is pictured wearing this version, complete with the MLB centennial patch.
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1972: The Unique One-Year Wonder
1972 saw a very short-lived, but distinctive, road uniform in cubs uniform history. This year marked the Cubs’ transition to polyester uniforms, moving away from traditional wool. The beltless, pullover style was a sign of the times in baseball uniform design. However, the most unique feature was the placement of the uniform number directly in the center of the jersey, a design choice rarely, if ever, seen on other MLB teams. This unusual design lasted for only one season, making it a quirky footnote in Cubs uniform evolution. Billy Williams is seen wearing this rare uniform.
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1973-1977: Powder Blue Trend
The mid-1970s brought the powder blue craze to baseball, and the Cubs were no exception. From 1973 to 1977, their road uniforms embraced this trendy color. While similar in style to the 1969-71 uniforms in terms of lettering and front numbers, the shift to a powder blue base marked a significant visual change. These polyester pullover uniforms were in line with the era’s fashion trends and are exemplified by Bill Madlock in a 1976 photo, showcasing both the National League and Cubs centennial patches.
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1978-1981: The Pajama Stripes
The late 1970s and early 1980s saw the introduction of what are often referred to as the “pajama” road uniforms. These are perhaps the most divisive in cubs uniform history. Featuring a reverse-pinstripe format, they were a bold departure from previous designs. The pinstripes ran horizontally rather than vertically, creating a distinctive, albeit controversial, look. This era’s uniform is a prime example of how uniform design can elicit strong reactions, with some fans finding them unique and others considering them an aesthetic misstep.
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1982-1989: Blue Revolution
When the Tribune Company acquired the Cubs, they initiated a more modern approach to the team’s image, starting with the road uniforms. The 1982-1989 era witnessed the Cubs becoming pioneers in colored road jerseys. Moving away from traditional gray, the primary road uniform became a striking blue jersey. Adding to the unique nature of this design was the pairing with all-white pants, a less common choice for road uniforms which typically feature gray pants. Lee Smith is pictured in this bold uniform style.
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1990: The Belted One-Year Return
1990 marked a brief return to more traditional uniform elements. For this single year, the Cubs adopted road uniforms that featured belts and button-front jerseys, moving away from the pullover style. This design, however, was short-lived, lasting only one season before another slight modification. Ryne Sandberg is pictured wearing this 1990 uniform, complete with the 1990 All-Star Game patch.
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1991-1993: Bear Cub Patch Addition
Building upon the 1990 design, the 1991-1993 road uniforms were almost identical but with a couple of key changes. The “CHICAGO” lettering across the chest was enlarged for greater visibility, and a bear cub patch was added to the right sleeve, further emphasizing the team’s mascot. This subtle evolution maintained the traditional feel while adding distinct Cubs branding. Mark Grace models this version of the uniform.
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1994-1996: The “CUBA” Controversy
The mid-1990s brought another infamous chapter in cubs uniform history: the “CUBA” jerseys. These road uniforms featured a stylized script “CUBS” that, to many observers, resembled the word “CUBA.” This design was widely criticized and even drew comparisons to Cuban national baseball team uniforms. After only three years, these controversial uniforms were discontinued. Sammy Sosa is pictured wearing this unique, but unpopular, design.
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1997-Present: Traditional Gray Returns
Since 1997, the Cubs have maintained a more traditional gray road uniform. This design features “CHICAGO” across the chest in blue lettering, a return to a classic and clean aesthetic. This uniform represents a modern take on traditional baseball uniform design and has become a stable element of the Cubs’ on-field look for away games. Anthony Rizzo models the current iteration of this gray road uniform.
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2003-Present: Blue Alternate Road Jersey
Expanding their uniform options, the Cubs introduced a blue alternate road jersey in 2003. This jersey, while not universally loved, provides a colorful alternative to the traditional gray. It was also briefly worn at home games before the team reverted to pinstripes exclusively at Wrigley Field. This blue alternate adds another layer to the cubs uniform history, representing a willingness to experiment with color while maintaining a connection to team colors. Kris Bryant is shown wearing this road alternate.
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2014-Present: “CUBS” Gray Alternate
In 2014, the Cubs added a second gray alternate road uniform to their collection. This design features “CUBS” across the chest instead of “CHICAGO” and is inspired by a road uniform worn from 1920-1924. However, this modern interpretation has not been widely embraced by fans, with some criticizing the font choice and overall style. Despite mixed reactions, it remains part of the current cubs uniform history. Kyle Schwarber is pictured wearing this less popular gray alternate.
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Conclusion: A Rich Tapestry of Road Uniforms
The cubs uniform history, particularly their road uniforms, showcases a fascinating evolution of baseball fashion and team branding. From the classic gray designs of the mid-20th century to the bolder colors and styles of more recent decades, the Cubs’ away uniforms tell a story of changing trends and occasional controversies. While the home pinstripes remain a timeless symbol, the road uniforms offer a diverse and engaging visual journey through the team’s rich history.
