“Washington Nationals Honor City’s Iconic Cherry Blossoms With City Connect Uniforms”

From the Nationals:

“Spring in Washington D.C. means two things: baseball and cherry blossoms.

The Washington Nationals are proud to combine these two iconic features, today revealing the club’s cherry blossom-themed City Connect uniforms. The Nationals are the first of seven clubs participating in this year’s Nike MLB City Connect Series.

Designed in partnership with Nike, the uniform’s creative elements weave a powerful connection between the team and the region it represents. The architectural typeface represents the city’s strength, while the tonal floral toile is a symbol of its beauty. The pink and ivory color palette, which evokes the feeling of spring in D.C., is set against a dark anthracite background. Cherry blossom petals and branches, as well as the city flag, are prominently displayed, showcasing the pride the Nationals have for their hometown.

“Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms represent hope and new beginnings, making them the perfect symbol of this Nationals team,” said Mark D. Lerner, managing principal owner of the Washington Nationals. “We’re excited to unveil these beautiful uniforms as the embodiment of our historic organization’s hopeful future as we lead the District of Cherry Blossoms celebration with our friends at the Wizards.”

The Nationals’ City Connect uniforms will be worn during select games throughout the 2022 season and will make their on-field debut during the team’s home-opening weekend on Saturday, April 9 (7:05 p.m. vs. NYM) and Sunday, April 10 (1:35 p.m. vs. NYM).

The World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales will deliver City Connect merchandise to the Nationals Team Store on Wednesday, March 30, making a few surprise stops around the Navy Yard neighborhood before pulling up to the Center Field Gates at 10:00 a.m. Fans are invited to attend Wednesday morning’s launch party and to take photos with the Clydesdales, sample food and beverage offerings, win tickets to Opening Weekend games and more. City Connect merchandise will be available exclusively at the Team Store, MLBShop.com and neweracap.com through Tuesday, April 4 before hitting Nike online and select retail locations on Wednesday, April 5, and full online and in-store distribution on Sunday, April 10.

The cherry blossom motif will be featured in a variety of ways throughout the season at Nationals Park, including on souvenir soda cups and ice cream helmets at concession stands. Additionally, all bar and club locations will offer a Cherry Blossom Cocktail, created exclusively for the Nationals by D.C.-based Pratt Standard Cocktail Company.

This fall, the NBA’s Washington Wizards will join the Nationals in celebrating the District of Cherry Blossoms – the first Nike uniform campaign uniting multiple teams around one theme from the same market. While both uniforms share the city’s iconic cherry blossoms, the Wizards’ City Edition jersey will feature its own distinct expression and narrative inspired by the pink flower.

The multi-team District of Cherry Blossoms celebration kicks off tonight as the Wizards host the Chicago Bulls for Cherry Blossom Night at Capital One Arena. Tonight’s game will feature joint creative elements from the partnership and a special Nationals mascot appearance. The two teams will collaborate on other thematic initiatives throughout the calendar year as the Wizards’ Nike City Edition Jersey makes its on-court debut during the 2022-23 NBA season, and both teams will be showcased in the annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 9.”