Colorado Rockies: Looking at 2017 performance by uniform choice

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DENVER, CO – MAY 14: Pitcher Chris Rusin #52 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on May 14, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Members of both teams were wearing pink in commemoration of Mother’s Day weekend. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

It was recently reported that the Colorado Rockies will wear throwback uniforms for at least one game in 2018 honoring the White Elephants, Denver’s historic Negro League team. It got me thinking about Colorado’s current uniform iterations and if any one reigned supreme over the others in 2017.

I know, I’m reaching here, but we are almost to Spring Training games and the uniform nerd in me had to do the research and figure this out.

Typically, on a given game day, the starting pitcher chooses what color uniform the team will wear. It makes sense. After all, you need the man on the mound to feel as comfortable and confident as possible. Let’s break it down, first with the options.

The Uniforms

White with Purple Pinstripes

These are the standard home uniforms: White with purple vertical pinstripes and “Rockies” printed on the chest in black and silver lettering. These can only be worn at home.

Road Gray

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The gray is Colorado’s standard road uniform. They are plain gray (pinstripes thankfully haven’t been on road uniforms in a while) with “Colorado” across the chest in purple lettering. These can only be worn on the road.

Black Vests

Personally, these are my least favorite. The Rockies are the only MLB team who is hanging on to the vest-style uniforms as a primary option, but I digress. These are black vests with silver trim, with “Colorado” on the chest in silver lettering. The players wear black undershirts beneath the vests. They are worn both at home and on the road.

Purple

Ah, the purple, my favorite. Especially after the Rockies switched to a lighter, more vibrant shade before last season. The purple uniforms also have “Colorado” printed on the chest in silver and black lettering. They can be worn both at home and on the road.

Holiday/Player’s Weekend

Major League Baseball has done a phenomenal job in recent years, particularly last season, at creating themed alternate uniforms for the entire league that honor holidays such as Mother’s Day (pink lettering/hats), Father’s Day (baby blue lettering/hats), and Memorial Day (camouflage lettering/hats). Also, we all remember Player’s Weekend last August where each team wore special alternate uniforms with players’ nicknames on the back.

Now let’s take a look at how the Rockies performed in each uniform last season and see if any helpful insight can be gleaned. Or unhelpful insight. Whatever, it’ll be fun.

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 18: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies follows the flight of a third inning triple against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field on August 18, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The Results

Road Gray – Worn 36 times, 21-15 Record (.583 Win%)

White w/ Purple Pinstripes – Worn 42 times, 24-18 Record (.571 Win%)

Holiday/Players Weekend – Worn 15 times, 8-7 Record (.533 Win%)

Black Vests – Worn 42 times, 22-20 Record (.524 Win%)

Purple – Worn 27 Times, 12-15 Record (.444 Win%)

As we can see, true to the marathon nature of baseball, water finds its level and things average out pretty nicely. The Rockies were above .500 in all uniform colors except purple (bummer for me). From a win percentage standpoint, their best looks were the traditional ones: White at home and gray on the road.

It was recently reported that the Colorado Rockies will wear throwback uniforms for at least one game in 2018 honoring the White Elephants, Denver’s historic Negro League team. It got me thinking about Colorado’s current uniform iterations and if any one reigned supreme over the others in 2017.

The Uniforms

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The Results

Schedule