Colorado Rockies: Looking at 2017 performance by uniform choice

By Nick Bunney | Feb 15, 2018

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) /

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Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies

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.

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A few other noteworthy items caught my eye. The Rockies wore their black vest uniforms 42 times, tied with the whites for their most worn jerseys last season. Of all the uniforms (the holiday versions excepted), this is their newest and it seems to be a popular choice for the Rockies starting pitching staff.

I was also surprised at just how many games we played in the themed holiday uniforms. Fifteen games means about 1 in 10 games over the course of the season were played in special uniforms league-wide. I think this is a positive move for Major League Baseball as it continues to try to grow its audience, particularly among young people.

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Well, I think the evidence makes a fairly strong case that while uniforms are fun for a change of pace to players, and more importantly, fans, they have relatively little to do with the performance of the starting 9 once the first pitch has been delivered. I’ll keep track again this season and see if any noteworthy trends present themselves for my fellow uniform nerds and me. But, in the meantime Rockies, be a little nicer to the purple.

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