It’s that wonderful time of the year when Major League Baseball teams are about to head north to start a brand new season. That also means that teams, like the Washington Nationals, are starting to reveal what their new City Connect uniforms are going to look like this summer.
Last week, the Houston Astros’ 2025 City Connect uniforms were revealed to almost universal praise. But that was low-hanging fruit for Nike and Major League Baseball. After all, when you have NASA being located in Houston, using a space-related theme was a no-brainer.
Things are less obvious when it comes to the Washington Nationals. Not only were they once the Montreal Expos, they are also the third different Major League Baseball team to inhabit the city.
So what did Nike and MLB use as inspiration this season for the Nats? We will let the team explain.
On the cap: “The outline of the Capitol dome, one of the most famous man-made landmarks in the city and across the country, appears inside the Block W, anchored on either side by the city’s beloved cherry blossoms,” while “the city grid runs on the cap’s underbill with a special Curly W marking our home.”
🌸W🌸 pic.twitter.com/H767RGz41k
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 23, 2025
“The jersey features the city’s iconic street grid in tones of American denim,” the team wrote. “Made up of four quadrants, bisected
by L’Enfant’s grand avenues and sprinkled with traffic circles, we wear our city’s streets on our heart. All roads lead home: 1500 South Capitol Street.”
On the jersey patch: “The Capitol dome appears inside the Block W, flanked by the city’s world-famous cherry blossoms. The tiled background of the patch evokes DC’s celebrated architecture like the Capitol Rotunda, Library of Congress and the brutalist details of the city’s Metro stations.”
Also on the jersey: “The interlocking DC, which was worn by the Nationals from 2006-2010, receives a special 3D treatment in reference to the Block W worn by the 1956 Washington Senators. The 3D effect also appears on the back jersey number.”
“The mosaic detailing on the pants and sleeves represent the diverse makeup of Washington, DC, and how its residents come together to form a
beautiful, cohesive work of art,” the team explained.
“This season marks our 20th anniversary, and my family and I are so proud of how this team has become woven into the fabric of our city,” said Nationals managing principal owner Mark D. Lerner. “These uniforms are a great representation of how baseball has the power to bring us all together, and we are continually honored to play for the people of Washington, D.C.”
The Nationals’ City Connect uniforms will first be worn Opening Day weekend on Saturday and Sunday against the Phillies. After that, they will be worn for all Friday and Saturday home games.
Unlike the Houston Astros’ City Connect uniforms, the Washington Nationals kits were met with a more mixed reaction.
“These are growing on me the more I see them,” one Nats fan wrote. “Some nice elements to them. Love the color bands on the sleeves and Capitol building in the W.”
“These are boring,” read another comment. “A map of the city you can’t even really see. Cherry Blossom version was way better – at least they were creative and unique. How about using the monuments? Or working in the DC flag/colors? These look like Father’s Day uniforms.”
What do you think?