All Time Worst MLB Uniforms

Professional baseball uniforms have been an object of romanticism for decades. Designs such as the Yankee pinstripes have become iconic, while the baseball cap itself is one of the world's most popular fashion accessories. Despite the widespread admiration for the sport and its attire, however, there have been a few downright disasters when it comes to uniform choices by Major League Baseball teams.

  1. Chicago White Sox 1976

    • There was a rough stretch from the 1960s through the 1980s for the Chicago White Sox, when they completely redesigned their uniforms every five or six years. That alone would indicate no design was particularly popular, but the cream of the crop had to be the team's 1976 attire. For that season the White Sox decided to go with a throwback design idea with a '70s twist. The uniforms featured black old-school typeface across the white shirts with floppy black collars, along with white knee-high socks with black stripes. The ultimate kicker, however, was the inclusion of uncomfortably short shorts, which created the impression of a team of overgrown school boys, surely much to the chagrin of the players.

    San Diego Padres 1978

    • Once again, the fashion styles of the 1970s are mostly to blame for the unappetizing uniform displayed by the 1978 Padres. The brown and yellow color scheme, worn by the Padres for several consecutive years, was in its full glory in the form of the team's away uniform during the 1978 season, when any other color, such as white or black, was left out. The pants and shirtsleeves were an egg yolk yellow, which also predominated in the stockings, and the various stripes were fudge brown. These uniforms were quickly shelved but not soon forgotten.

    Cincinnati Red Stockings 1882

    • Considering that baseball has been played professionally since the mid- to late 1800s, it's almost too easy to criticize some of the original, now-centuries-old uniforms. There is one exception, however. When the Cincinnati Red Stockings, now the Cincinnati Reds and the oldest team still going, unveiled their new attire in 1882, the set of uniforms quickly became known as "clown costumes." The idea was that the stripes on each player's jersey would vary in color according to his position. The result was a bizarre rainbow of players taking the field and unanimous confusion among the spectators. The experiment was so disastrous the team abandoned the uniforms halfway through the season.

    San Diego Padres 2006

    • Unfortunately for the folks in San Diego, of all the franchises throughout the years and all the different uniforms worn on the field, their club has somehow made the "worst dressed" list twice. If there's any bright side, it's that the Padres' more recent questionable choice, the desert camouflage outfit, is one they have worn only a few times a year. Admittedly, the sentiment behind the design may be sincere, since there are a number of troops stationed in San Diego; but the result, aesthetically speaking, is not inspiring. Not only do the camo colors clash horribly with any baseball field; they make it nearly impossible to make out the names of the players. Unfortunately, with baseball uniforms, it's more than the thought that counts.