History and Legacy of the New York Mets' Black Logo

The Origins of the Mets' Black Logo

The New York Mets are one of the most recognizable franchises in Major League Baseball. Their classic blue and orange coloring is iconic, as is their interlocking "NY" logo. However, the Mets have had several logos throughout their history, including a distinctive black version that many fans associate strongly with the team.

The origins of the Mets' black logo lie in the history of professional baseball in New York City. For much of the first half of the 20th century, New York was home to three major league teams: the New York Yankees, New York Giants, and Brooklyn Dodgers. When the Giants and Dodgers relocated to California in 1958, it left a void for National League baseball in the Big Apple.

The Creation of the Mets

In 1962, the National League granted an expansion franchise to New York City to replace the departed Giants and Dodgers. Ownership groups from both cities applied, but the new team was awarded to the New York group led by Joan Payson. Payson was a former minority owner of the Giants, so it made sense to place the National League's new team back in the Big Apple.

Payson's new franchise was named the New York Mets, combining the names of the former teams. The team colors chosen were Dodger blue and Giant orange, symbolically bringing elements of the two teams together. This was fitting, as the expansive new Shea Stadium was located geographically between the former homes of the Giants and Dodgers.

The Mets' Initial Logos and Uniforms

For their inaugural 1962 season logo, the Mets chose a baseball surrounded by the words "New York Metropolitan Baseball Club." The uniforms featured blue caps, off-white home pinstripes, and gray roads. While the colors were throwbacks, the clean, modern look was updated for the 1960s.

In 1963, the Mets adopted their now-classic interlocking "NY" logo. Designed by sports cartographer Ray Gotto, it was an instant hit. As the franchise began to establish its own identity, the NY logo became synonymous with the new team.

The Introduction of Black

The Mets logo and uniforms remained relatively unchanged until the early 1990s. In 1993, the team unveiled a new black alternate jersey to be worn for Friday night home games. The jersey featured "Mets" in blue lettering with an orange outline.

In 1994, a new black cap was created to match the alternate jerseys. This black cap introduced a new logo: a blue silhouette of the team's skyline logo set against a black background. The skyline logo came to represent the gritty, tough side of the team.

The Black Logo Expands

What started as an alternate jersey and cap evolved into a new team identity. In 1995, the logo expanded again with an alternate black jersey featuring the skyline logo prominently on the front. The black drop shadow behind the skyline made it pop against the black fabric.

In 1997, the cap logo was slightly tweaked to make the skyline silhouette thicker and bolder. The black logo became so popular that by 1998, the black caps were nearly as common as the traditional blue ones. For many Mets fans during this era, the black logo represents the tough, competitive Mets teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Phases Out in 2011

While popular at the time, the blacks began to feel stale and outdated by the late 2000s. When the Mets moved to Citi Field in 2009, most traces of black were gone from the uniform set. In 2011, the Mets officially dropped black from their color scheme altogether.

The black jerseys and caps were worn one final time on August 23, 2011 against the Phillies. While the logo was phased out, the black uniform era still evokes nostalgia among long-time Mets fans who associate it with an exciting period for the franchise.

The Legacy of the Black Logo

Even though the colors are gone today, the Mets black logo leaves behind a lasting legacy.

A Representation of NYC Baseball History

The black logo and uniforms were controversial when introduced, as black is not one of the Mets' official team colors. But black and gray have long been associated with New York City baseball. All three New York teams - the Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers - wore classic gray uniforms for at least parts of their tenures.

The black logo connected the Mets back to these NYC roots and the days of DiMaggio, Mays, and Robinson playing in crisp gray flannel. It gave the Mets an edgier, more rugged feel that matched the city's image.

Connections to the Giants and Dodgers

The colors also hearkened back to the Giants and Dodgers. Though not a primary color, the Giants wore black shoes and belts. The Dodger's trademark caps were blue with a black brim. The Mets black incorporated important colors from both ancestors.

The skyline logo itself connected to past NYC teams. The Giants played in Manhattan's Polo Grounds underneath the rising NYC skyline. Ebbets Field, home of the Dodgers, featured a brick facade evocative of rows of Brooklyn brownstones.

A Symbol of Success

The sleek black logo first appeared around the same time as talented young Mets like Doc Gooden, David Wright and Jose Reyes emerged. It was on the caps and helmets during memorable seasons like the 2000 National League pennant and the 2006 division title.

Though the black has been retired, its place in Mets lore is secured. For fans who grew up with Mike Piazza, Al Leiter, and John Franco as their heroes, the gritty black logo will always represent a winning, hard-nosed era of Mets baseball.

The Future of the Mets Logos

While the black logo has been relegated to throwback status, the Mets brand continues to evolve. In recent years, the team has unveiled a series of alternate caps and jerseys that both honor tradition and push the brand forward.

Alternate Caps

The classic blue cap with the orange NY will always be the gold standard, but the Mets have a diverse set of alternates. There are blue alternates featuring Mr. Met, the team mascot. For holiday games, they break out blue caps with orange or blue brims.

The most popular alternate cap features the blue silhouette New York skyline logo. First introduced in the black cap, the skyline logo lives on today in blue on the alternate home caps. The skyline cap connects today's Mets with their beginnings in the Big Apple.

Alternate Jerseys

Like all MLB teams, the Mets have alternate jerseys that get cycled in for variety. Most feature the same classic elements in different color arrangements, such as a blue jersey with orange lettering or off-white jerseys with blue pinstripes.

The most unique jersey is the alternate blue top featuring a gothic-style "Mets" wordmark. First introduced in 2009, the flowing, connected script stands out from the usual block lettered jerseys. It combines a classic baseball look with the flair of New York's art and fashion scene.

A Consistent Brand

While the logos and uniforms continue to adapt, the Mets brand remains authentic to its New York roots. The skyline logo connects the team to its origins while new alternates keep the look fresh. The blue and orange remain the staple, even as new designs showcase the diversity of the uniform set.

As the Mets move further into the 21st century, their iconic interlocking NY will continue to represent the storied franchise. Though the black logo is history, new designs continue the tradition of bold, New York-centric branding.

FAQs

When did the Mets first introduce a black jersey and cap?

The Mets first introduced a black alternate jersey in 1993 to be worn for Friday night home games. In 1994, they added a black cap featuring the blue skyline logo.

What was the reason behind adding black to the Mets uniform?

Black was added as a nod to the franchise's New York City roots. The Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers all wore classic gray uniforms for parts of their histories. Black also connected the Mets to colors worn by the departed Giants and Dodgers.

How popular did the black uniforms become?

The black jerseys and caps grew to become extremely popular with fans during the late 1990s. By 1998, the black caps were nearly as commonly worn as the traditional blue ones.

When did the Mets stop using black uniforms?

The Mets began phasing out black in the late 2000s when they moved to Citi Field. The black jerseys were last worn in 2011 before being fully retired.

Why do some Mets fans feel nostalgia for the black uniforms?

Many fans associate the black jerseys and caps with an exciting period for the franchise in the late 90s/early 2000s. Players like Mike Piazza and Al Leiter wore the black logo during winning seasons and playoff runs.