CINCINNATI -- It's been weeks since Lorenzo Cain and the rest of the Brewers' clubhouse got a first look at the team's MLB Nike City Connect Series uniform, but the veteran outfielder didn't notice the hidden numerals until the look was unveiled to the public on Friday.
Just like the Brewers' ball in glove logo, the City Connect caps have a surprise. Embedded within the letters MKE (the abbreviation for Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport) are the numbers 414 (the city’s area code), and that's just the start of the subtle touches in the design.
"That's pretty clever right there, I will admit," Cain said.
The powder blue jerseys with navy accents feature “Brew Crew” across the front, marking the first time the team has worn anything with the fan-favorite nickname. Not only do the colors pay tribute to the People’s Flag of Milwaukee, but they also invoke Lake Michigan and the sun, two key pieces of a perfect Milwaukee summer day.
The nickname on the jersey isn’t the only ode to the city’s rich brewing background. The jersey features yellow and white piping along the side to represent a foaming beer. The uniform also features white pants and blue socks with the “Brew Crew” logo on them.
Additionally, the jerseys feature a patch of a grill with baseball stitching on the sleeve in an ode to Wisconsinites who wait all year for baseball season so they can break out the grill for a Brewers tailgate.
“The Brewers City Connect uniform is a gift from the Brewers to our Milwaukee home and our fans,” said Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers’ president of business operations. “Each element of the design was thoughtfully created to celebrate the unmistakable bond between our city, the fans and the team, Milwaukee’s Brew Crew.”
The team will wear the jerseys for the first time for the June 24-26 series against the Blue Jays. After that, the Brewers will wear them for Friday night home games and community nights. The Brewers are the sixth team to unveil a City Connect jersey this year.
Fans looking to purchase the jersey can do so at the Brewers Team Store at American Family Field starting on Friday. The team store will be the only location in Wisconsin carrying City Connect merchandise until June 24. The jerseys will also be available at Nike.com App, MLB Flagship Store (NYC), mlbshop.com and select retail locations.