Primary Logos
The primary logos of Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have gone through a remarkable evolution throughout the league's history. These logos serve as the centerpiece of a team's visual identity, representing their brand, history, and fan loyalty. Let's delve into the fascinating journey of MLB primary logos and explore some notable examples.
In the early days of MLB, team logos were rudimentary and simple, often featuring the team's initials or a lettermark. For instance, the New York Yankees had a primary logo showcasing the interlocking "NY," which remains an iconic symbol to this day. The Detroit Tigers also had a classic lettermark logo with a stylized "D" in the early 20th century.
As time went on, MLB primary logos became more intricate and detailed. The Chicago Cubs introduced their famous "C" logo in 1937, which features a red "C" intertwined with a blue "ubs." This logo has become synonymous with the team and is instantly recognizable to baseball fans worldwide.
The 1960s and 1970s witnessed a shift toward more modern and bold primary logos. The St. Louis Cardinals introduced their iconic "birds on the bat" logo in 1964. This logo features two cardinal birds perched on a baseball bat, instantly capturing the essence of the team and becoming one of the most beloved logos in MLB history.
In the 1980s and 1990s, MLB primary logos started to incorporate more vibrant colors and dynamic designs. The Atlanta Braves introduced their iconic "screaming Indian" logo in 1987. This logo, which sparked controversy due to its portrayal of Native American imagery, features a brave with feathers, swinging a baseball bat. It represented a shift toward more visually striking and expressive logos.
In recent years, MLB primary logos have evolved to embrace a more minimalist and contemporary aesthetic. The Boston Red Sox, for example, feature a clean and simple "B" logo, symbolizing the team's strong connection to its city and its rich history. The Los Angeles Dodgers have maintained their timeless logo, featuring the word "Dodgers" in a classic script font, exemplifying their storied franchise.
Overall, MLB primary logos have played a significant role in shaping the visual identity of each team. From the classic lettermarks to the intricate symbols, these logos have become iconic representations of the teams, their cities, and the sport of baseball itself. They evoke a sense of tradition, pride, and loyalty among fans, while also reflecting the evolution of design trends throughout the years.
MLB Products
Arizona Diamondbacks
In 2012 the new logo continued with the sedona red, black and sonoran sand "A" in black with a sand outline, removing the wordmark with the extenders of the "A" and "K" that simulate snake…
Atlanta Braves
A red tomahawk with gold and blue details below wordmark "Braves" scripted in blue and red. The Braves darkened the shade of blue and gold on this logo prior to the 2018 season.
Baltimore Orioles
Smiling black and orange cartoonish oriole wearing a baseball cap sporting the Orioles alternate cap logo. Moved from alternate to primary in 2019.
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox logo comprises of a pair of hanging socks visually representing the team’s name, which derives from the ancient plural form of the word “socks”. All wordmark have been removed.
Chicago Cubs
The giant "C" has become rounder inside the blue circle and more geometric while the outlines are thicker. The giant "C" has the "UBS" added inside the "C." The blue circle has now become much…
Chicago White Sox
The current White Sox logo has become an old English wordmark "SOX" in black and white with a silver trim. The script is in a diagonal position.
Cincinnati Reds
The current Reds logo is a simple white wishbone letter “C” with the wordmark “REDS” inside the letter “C” in white. A black trim is added to give the letter “C” and the wordmark “REDS”…
Cleveland Guardians
A letter "G" in red with blue trim and shadowing placed on either side of a white, red and blue baseball, the letters placed to resemble a split-finger fastball grip. A set of blue and…
Colorado Rockies
A classic letter linked “CR” in silver with a thick black trim. The letter “CR” represent the state and nickname Colorado Rockies.
Detroit Tigers
Olde English style letter "D" in navy blue. A new style of olde english lettering.
Houston Astros
The current logo is a slightly beveled white “H” that is on top the orange star on a blue circle with two orange rings and a wordmark "HOUSTON" and "ASTROS" on top and bottom of…
Kansas City Royals
The initials for Kansas City, “KC” on blue shield with gold crown.
Los Angeles Angels
In 2005, the Angels simplified the logo by removing the background diamond and the wordmarks. The "Big A" font changed to a font that is similar to Bruce Double Pica with a two toned red…
Los Angeles Dodgers
The 2012 updated logo, the most obvious change is the thicker line weight on the ball and streaks. There are also multiple edits incorporated into the wordmark. First off, the "O" no longer has a…
Miami Marlins
A blue, red, and black marlin leaping next to a baseball and wordmark "Miami" in black with blue and red trim.
Milwaukee Brewers
An "M" and a "B" in the shape of a baseball glove in navy, royal blue, and yellow inside a circle with wordmark "MILWAUKEE BREWERS" in white written around it.
Minnesota Twins
A navy blue letter "T" interlocking with a red letter "C," the two letters stand for Twin-Cities, the nickname for Minneapolis and St. Paul. This logo is an updated to the original initials "TC" logo…
New York Mets
The bridge in the center symbolizes the Mets, by bringing National League baseball back to New York, representing all five boroughs. In 1999, the logo received a slight alteration. The "NY" to the left of…
New York Yankees
The Yankees logo design highlighted with a red bat which extends to become the vertical line of the "K" of the red wordmark “Yankees." Also the logo consists of an Uncle Sam top hat that…
Oakland Athletics
The current logo is large "A's" in green with gold trim on a white background inside thick green circle with wordmark "OAKLAND ATHLETICS."
Philadelphia Phillies
Wordmark "Phillies" scripted in red on a blue Liberty Bell. Simplified version of previous logo, diamond removed, blue darkened, underline removed, and bell tweaked slightly.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates chose to use a old english letter "P" in yellow, going back to the old style of logo from the early 1900's. The letter "P" stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the…
San Diego Padres
For the 2020 season, the Padres unveiled a new color for their primary logo, featuring the interlocked initials “SD” in brown.
San Francisco Giants
In 2000, the Giants logo had again very minor changes, the white baseball has some cream tinting to give it a 3-D effect. Also, a wordmark of black with orange outline "GIANTS."
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners new logo design comprises of an 8-pointed compass that rests on a baseball. A wordmark "SEATTLE MARINERS" encircled in a northwest green ring with metallic silver, then white and then metallic silver…
St. Louis Cardinals
In 1998, the "birds on the bat" was updated for the first time in 30 years with more detailed bird and bolder letters. The new single red with navy blue outline cardinal has a yellow…
Tampa Bay Rays
Wordmark "RAYS" in navy blue with a light blue drop shadow and a glint of sun ray in gold.
Texas Rangers
The new primary logo, which was designed by Skilo Brands of New York City in consultation with Major League Baseball and the Rangers, is red and blue and contains a baseball inlaid in a circle.…
Toronto Blue Jays
Blue jay head in two shades of blue (royal and navy) with a large red maple leaf on the right side. Former alternate logo.
Washington Nationals
The new current Washington logo is a red curly "W" with a blue outline in the middle of a white background and inside a blue circle with red outlines, two red stars, and a wordmark…
