Rockies Black Jersey Spotted at Team Store: Is the Iconic Alternate Coming Back?

via @Rockies_Now on X

A black Rockies jersey was spotted hanging at the Colorado team store with a price tag still attached. The Rockies officially removed the black alternate from their rotation after the 2021 season, so seeing one show up on the rack is raising some eyebrows.

Nothing has been confirmed by the team yet, but if the rumors are true and the black jersey is making a comeback, this gets an A from us. We will be the first to update you if anything changes.

Why the Black Jersey Matters

The black Rockies alternate is one of the most beloved jerseys in franchise history. Colorado first introduced the black vest in 2005, and it became the signature look of the Rocktober era. The Rockies wore these during their incredible 2007 run where they won 21 of 22 games on the way to the World Series. Some of the biggest moments in franchise history happened in that black jersey.

The vests were a staple from 2005 to 2012, came back from 2014 to 2021, and then got shelved when the City Connect program rolled out in 2022. Fans have been asking for them back ever since.

We Miss Vest Uniforms

The bigger conversation here is that MLB needs to bring back vest uniforms entirely. The Rockies were one of the last teams to wear them, and the league lost something when they disappeared.

Look at those. The black vest with the purple undershirt is one of the hardest looks in baseball history. There was something about the vest that gave the uniform more personality. You could see the team colors layered underneath, and it made the whole look feel different from every other team in the league.

The Rockies were not the only team that pulled it off. Vest uniforms were all over baseball in the early 2000s, and some of the best looks from that era were sleeveless.

The Diamondbacks, Reds, Cubs, and several other teams all had vest alternates during that era, and they all looked great. The trend died out for no real reason other than uniform trends changing, and it is a shame. Vest uniforms gave teams another layer of creativity that a standard button-down jersey just cannot replicate.

What This Could Mean

If the Rockies are bringing back the black jersey, it would be one of the best uniform decisions any team has made this season. The current Rockies closet is solid but missing that edge that the black alternate brought. A black jersey in the rotation for Saturday night games or as a regular alternate would give Colorado fans something to get excited about during what has been a tough stretch for the franchise.

We are watching this closely. You will hear from us first if something gets confirmed.

Cover image via @Rockies_Now on X