Mariners to make history with throwback 'Steelheads' Negro Leagues unis
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SEATTLE -- The Mariners will have a new look to their uniform rotation for 2026, one that recognizes one of the older baseball legacies in the Pacific Northwest.
The club on Saturday announced during FanFest at T-Mobile Park that it will honor the legacy of the 1946 Seattle Steelheads by wearing replicas of their black-and-white uniforms for Sunday home games for the upcoming season.
The Steelheads uniforms replace the cream-colored uniforms the Mariners have worn on Sundays at T-Mobile Park since 2015.
The transition makes the Mariners the first MLB team to feature a Negro Leagues uniform as part of its regular uniform rotation. It’s also paired with a significant community investment, as the club is launching the Steelheads Community Fund and committing $500,000 to support Black-led baseball and softball organizations and related community initiatives across the region.
It’s a move that blends visibility with substance -- one the organization hopes deepens the connection between Seattle’s baseball past and its present-day efforts to expand access to the game. It’s also one of many celebrations planned for the Mariners' 50th season.
“We are proud to honor our game’s history and invest in the future of our community with Steelheads Sundays at T-Mobile Park,” Mariners president of business operations Kevin Martinez said in a statement. “Through the Steelheads Community Fund, we will celebrate the legacy of the Steelheads, while continuing our long-standing effort to advance access to baseball and softball and well-being for underserved communities in our region.”
First baseman Josh Naylor, who was one of FanFest’s most popular attractions on the heels of signing a five-year, $92.5 million free-agent contract in November, unveiled the uniforms when emerging from the home dugout amid strobe lights and smoke.
“That’s one of the coolest uniforms I’ve ever worn,” Naylor said. “This is so cool. Having the privilege of wearing it -- it’s awesome.”
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The Mariners debuted a replica Steelheads uniform in 1995, and they’ve worn them periodically since -- including games held at home on Juneteenth in recent seasons.
The Steelheads competed in the West Coast Negro Baseball League in 1946, playing their home games at Sick’s Stadium, the longtime Seattle ballpark that later housed the Rainiers and, for the 1969 season, the Seattle Pilots, who moved to Milwaukee a year later and became the Brewers.
Though the WCNBL was short-lived, the Steelheads have endured as a symbol of opportunity and resilience, playing one year before Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut.
“The history behind it is beautiful,” Naylor said. “And to represent those who wore it -- it’s honorable.”
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The Community Fund will be supported by multiple in-ballpark and retail initiatives throughout the season. The club’s initial $500,000 commitment will serve as the foundation, with distribution details currently being developed in collaboration with community stakeholders. The fund is expected to formally launch in early summer.
Among efforts tied to the fund, a portion of all Steelheads merchandise sold at Mariners Team Stores will benefit the Community Fund, creating a direct link between fan participation and community investment. Additionally, the Mariners’ 50/50 raffle during Sunday home games will be designated to support the fund.
As the full scope of the fund’s programming is still being finalized, the focus will center on local Black-led baseball and softball organizations, along with broader community initiatives aligned with access, participation and well-being. The Mariners have emphasized that collaboration with community leaders is central to shaping how the fund is deployed, aiming to ensure that resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact.
For fans, the experience likely will be both familiar and new. The uniforms may evoke memories of past Steelheads nights or Juneteenth games, but their regular appearances will give the tribute staying power.
As the season unfolds, Sundays at T-Mobile Park will carry a distinct look and purpose -- honoring a team that once played at Sick’s Stadium while helping shape pathways for the next generation of players and fans across the region.