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Arek Dvornechcuck
Branding Expert
Hi there, everyone! I'm Arek Dvornechuck, a branding expert and a logo designer.
In my recent blogs, we talked about the best logos in two popular sports...
Now it's about time to turn the spotlight on the Major League Baseball logos.
Hold onto your hats, imagine the sound of a bat hitting a ball, the crowd cheering, and those special pictures on team shirts...
Because we're about to go on an exciting journey through the world of MLB logos.
Think of me as your guide, your design expert, as we explore the different logos of MLB teams.
We'll see classic logos that remind us of the old days and modern designs that show what baseball is like now.
More than the obvious designs, we're also going deeper into the history, what makes each logo special, and how creative people made them.
Whether you really love baseball or just like cool designs, get ready, grab some snacks, find your favorite spot, and let's start this adventure.
Welcome to a world where baseball meets art, where old ways mix with new, and where the heart of baseball shows up in every picture.
It's logo time, my friends – let's play ball!
The New York Yankees' logo is one of the most famous in all of sports and it first appeared in 1909.
The logo features a classic interlocking "NY," which stands for "New York".
Legend has it that the Yankees adopted the logo after it was sketched on a napkin by a famous fashion designer.
The iconic Yankees logo has a classic and ageless charm.
In fact, it lasted for 30 years, with only the color changing from black to dark blue again.
The simple design represents the legacy of the most popular team in baseball history.
The Yankees' iconic hat with the famous logo is a top seller in the New York region and everybody can recognize it.
The LA Dodgers' modern logo is the most recognizable and popular since its founding in 1889 in Brooklyn.
The logo shows the word "Dodgers" written in stylish dark blue letters, with an image of a red and white baseball and red strokes in the background, which indicates its fly path.
The logo is designed in a way that makes you feel like it's full of speed, motion, and energy – just like the Dodgers team wants to be recognized.
It became a symbol of the city and brings a sense of pride to the people who live there.
The new Los Angeles Dodgers logo represents optimism, excellence, passion, and the will to win.
It's no surprise that the Dodgers' timeless logo continues to rank as one of the best in the MLB.
The oldest baseball team, St. Louis Cardinals has a strong modern identity and its latest logo design was released in 1998.
This unique logo had a stylized update in 1999.
The bird not only standing on the baseball bat but grabbing hold of it, the letter "C" gives the impression that it is hanging on a bit, and the red color is more saturated.
The name "Cardinals" retained its previous form, which is a calligraphic handwriting that is semi-connected, because the first character is separated and the rest are connected.
The contours of all elements are outlined in a dark blue, more saturated red for the bird and the name, yellow for the bat and the beak, and white for the eye.
The logo highlights the native bird of Missouri which is a source of pride for the fans.
Typically, you can see the team's alternative logo on their uniforms, just like the ones shown below, where it includes another Cardinal bird on the other side of the bat.
Just a fact, the name "Cardinal" was registered by the team in the year 1900th.
It was associated with the actual bird when one of the fans pointed to the players' red leggings and said that it was a shade of the cardinal.
Chicago Cubs' logo was introduced in 1979 and for 40 years, this logo has been used by the team as their primary logo.
It features vibrant red, white, and blue colors that represent the Chicago city flag.
The focus of attention in the logo is the word 'CUBS' written in the center and it refers to young lions, which are often associated with courage and bravery.
The basis of this image is a classic "rondel" or a circular piece of steel with a central point and a wide edging ring.
The letter "C" became even more rounded and increased in thickness, the same as the outer dark blue circle, as it became several times thicker compared to the previous logo.
The logo represents the happy and cheerful attitude of Cubs and baseball fans of all ages.
It shows how they have stayed positive and young at heart over the years.
The Chicago Cubs logo is a minimalist emblem that reflects the professional specialization and close connection with the city it represents.
The Boston Red Sox logo was the same as the one highlighted in 1961 but updated and redesigned into a simpler one with refined and smoother lines.
The logo is original and outrageous - knitted red socks reflecting the very name of the team.
The modern version of the logo was adopted in 2009 and has not changed since then.
Obviously, it is a minimalistic emblem, with no inscriptions, lines, circles, baseballs, or monograms - in general, nothing like that was seen before.
On the contrary, the color palette is preserved and it has white markings on the heels and toes, as well as light lines present on the elastic.
The fact with this is that, over the years of its existence, the Boston Red Sox logo has become so iconic that it does not need additions – it is recognized anyway.
The Houston Astros' current logo was released in 2013 and the graphics perfectly convey all the necessary information compared to the previous ones.
This iconic emblem features the central "H," which stands for "Houston," the five-pointed star for "Astros," and the round rondel, or simply the shape represents the continuation of tradition.
As obviously seen, the logo has thin dividing lines that define a wide band with the full name of the club.
This design makes it incredibly popular and recognizable because it resembles the stars in the ring on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The star evokes a sense of strength, aspiration, and achievement, whereas the dynamic contrast represents the young and aggressive team.
The logo ties together key elements of the Texas flag, astronomy, and regional pride.
The image of a star located in the center also perfectly emphasizes the idea of superiority or at least the desire for it.
The Washington Nationals' minimalistic and modern emblem was released in 2011.
This current logo features a red, white, and blue patriotic design based on the American national flag.
It also uses the legendary "W" borrowed from the Washington Senators, which allowed the athletes to maintain the city’s baseball tradition
The red "W" is located in the middle of the emblem on a white background and surrounded by a thin blue outline.
The center ring represents the ball, surrounded by two lines of different colors, giving enough space for the team's name.
The five-pointed stars on each side are used to separate the words.
The mix of shapes and colors in the logo represents baseball, patriotism, and local pride.
This modern version of the team's logo is a mirror image of the 1992 version, where the name of the franchise is simply replaced.
Washington Nationals have a classic logo that uplifts the patriotic spirit of the people.
Over the 130-year history of the Philadelphia Phillies, it accumulated sixteen variants of official emblems.
Its current logo uses an incredibly simple design with only the word "Phillies" in front of the Liberty Bell.
This choice of emblem reflects the national spirit of the team and their desire to accurately convey their roots.
The main highlight of the emblem is two stars that replace the dots on the two letters "i," which also conveys the team's brilliance.
Just like some other baseball teams, Philadelphia Phillies typically uses the simplified logo on their uniforms, which shows the name "Phillies" without the Liberty Bell in the background.
The elegant writing matches the looks of successful teams from both the past and present.
The logo design is old-school and demonstrates the national spirit, emphasizing national roots and confidence in their future.
The Atlanta Braves's modern emblem is a continuation of the previous one, approved in 1990.
It features a red tomahawk below the team's name, written diagonally in red old English-style font and surrounded by a blue outline.
The tomahawk draws inspiration from the Native American heritage of the Braves' nickname.
The bold red color conveys power and intensity.
The old English-style font links back to the Boston days when the team was known as the Boston Braves.
The logo, in general, symbolizes strength and perseverance in achieving high goals.
The Atlanta Braves logo is a fan favorite due to its bold and aggressive design.
The concept of this visual picture is that everything is given difficulty, "carved" out of ordinary material, turning into a useful attribute.
There you have it my fellow baseball and logo design fans! We've had an exciting trip exploring MLB logos.
Wow, what a ride! We saw the famous "NY" of the New York Yankees and felt the fast vibes in the LA Dodgers' cool logo.
Each one shows a team's special feelings.
In MLB, we see logos that evoke history, identity, and regional pride.
As a branding expert analyzing them provides me with ideas for making logos that are meaningful, creative, and long-lasting.
As we wrap up our baseball logo adventure, I thought of sharing with you these guidelines that will surely help you in crafting your own logo - just like those MLB emblems were perfectly and inspiringly made.
Keep your design clean and straightforward. A simple logo is more likely to leave a lasting impression.
Infuse elements that tell a unique story about the team's history, values, or character.
Choose colors that resonate with the team's identity and evoke the right emotions.
Vibrant colors can energize, while classic hues can invoke tradition.
Incorporate iconic symbols that are instantly recognizable and associated with the team's culture or location.
Maintain a balanced composition where every element complements each other, ensuring a visually pleasing logo.
Design a logo that works well across various platforms, from jerseys to digital screens, while still retaining its impact and clarity.
Aim for a design that will stand the test of time, avoiding trendy elements that might quickly become outdated.
When drawing inspiration from cultural elements, ensure it's done respectfully and accurately, as seen in the Atlanta Braves' tomahawk.
Strive for originality to make your logo distinct and avoid blending in with other team emblems.
Consider how your logo will resonate with fans and create an emotional bond with the team.
It was another epic journey of learning the history of each team from a well-known sport, as well as the facts and stories behind their logo designs.
I hope this adventure serves as an inspiration as you embark on your journey to crafting your own logos.
You can also check blogs about the principles of design and logo design tips by yours truly, to help you in creating and polishing your very own logos.
