Sometimes, things are better left in the past—like a relative’s short-lived DJ career. But the Chicago Cubs decided to take a chance on something new, unveiling an alternate jersey that has fans questioning whether all throwbacks are worth the risk.
Baseball jerseys are more than just fabric—they’re statements of identity and hope. Fans wear them with pride, expecting their team to represent them with style and tradition. But the Cubs may have missed the mark entirely with their latest design.
The Cubs are wearing their new alternate uniforms for the first time today pic.twitter.com/TGUpKgErBT
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 5, 2025
In a recent game against the San Diego Padres, the Cubs debuted their new alternate uniforms—a powder blue set with a few unique touches, including a guitar pick patch on the sleeve to honor Chicago’s electric blues legacy. The move was first noticed and shared online by the “Talkin’ Baseball” X account. Despite the 7-1 victory, it wasn’t the performance on the field that caught most of the attention—it was the jersey, and not all reactions were kind.
Some fans appreciated the effort, calling it bold and giving props to the Cubs for stepping outside the box. One fan declared, “They cooked tbh,” offering high praise for the fresh style. But others weren’t so forgiving.
Critics quickly pointed out flaws, starting with the oversized Motorola logo, which some felt overshadowed the jersey’s design. One user wrote, “Great, until you see the Motorola logo on the sleeve. So oversized,” comparing it to a giant billboard plastered on a canvas. Others thought the outfit lacked cohesion. The powder blue tops were retro and fun, but paired with plain white pants, the overall look fell flat. “Tops look cool. Doesn’t match the bottoms at all,” a fan lamented.
Some fans even thought the jersey resembled the iconic look of the now-defunct Montreal Expos, with one person commenting, “Looks like Expos.” While the Expos’ uniforms were adored for their classic charm, many felt the Cubs failed to capture that same magic.
The takeaway? Nostalgia is a powerful tool, but also a risky one. When it works, it evokes history and pride. When it misses, it leaves fans scratching their heads and flooding social media with memes. The Cubs tried to blend vintage flair with modern flair—but may have ended up somewhere in between, swinging for a home run but landing just shy of the base.