Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - New Logo: Please Say it's So!

The Blue Jays have a new logo for next, per sports apparel blog Uni Watch. Check it out after the jump.

The new logo. The Bird is a little sleeker, the Maple Leaf is lower and more prominent, the blues are slightly different, and the baseball from the background is removed.

The team's original logo

Second logo

The awful T-Bird

The current, "modern" logo.

Count me in the this is an improvement camp. I like the update of the original design, and it's nice to have something with a more timeless feel, as opposed to something with a bland, angry focus-grouped feel. It will also be nice to get some blue back in the uniform, as opposed to black and slate.

Judging by the cap ratio at the Skydome (usually I see anywhere from 50/50 to 75/25 in favour of the classic logo) this will be something fans can get behind.

Posted by Anders on Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 11:20 AM EDT.

New Logo: Please Say it's So! | 49 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

John Northey - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 11:29 AM EDT (#244436) #

Eh, it works. Wonder what options they were presented with?

In truth, I've gotten used to the current 'fighting Jays' logo and will miss it a bit. I am very glad the T bird logo is still in the trash though.

Jonny German - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 11:33 AM EDT (#244437) #

The original logo does hold some nostalgic value for me. But to me the really great baseball uniforms and logos are the old school ones - Detroit's D, Boston's B, etc. Those teams aren't even associated with their logos nearly so much as their distinctive letters. The original Jays logo was not old school or classic, it screams of the 70s in which it was created. And this new one is simply "What if we created the same logo in 2011, and also we want to loudly proclaim that we're feeling inferior about our great country?".

It's not a bad logo and I'm sure it'll grow on me. If they do something good with the T I'll even embrace the change. But it looks like a missed opportunity to me, another logo that'll have a short shelf life.

Things could clearly be much worse. That Marlins M is incredibly bad.

Ishai - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 12:12 PM EDT (#244438) #

I understand why they have it for branding purposes, but I think it would be much nicer without the red maple leaf, which feels like it was plopped on top, and pushes the whole assemblage from elegant to slightly cluttered and dissonant.

With that one exception, I think the new logo is a huge improvement, both in shape and colour. The black/slate/aquamarine colour combo always reminded me of the city's new and cancerously ubiquitous condo colour scheme. Fake marble, concrete, and glass. And the shape always seemed so hurried. Or squished. But this is baseball. A logo should be balanced, not sleek.

Of course all the best, classic logos are letters: the only other teams that consistently wear a non-letter logo on their hats are Cleveland and Baltimore, and even they have moved more towards letters this year. I think the Blue Jays could fill this niche very nicely. It's better than trying to make a logo that goes to painful lengths to differentiate itself from the Texas "T." Though I suppose a hat with "BJ's" on it might increase worldwide sales, especially if they sold a version with "I *heart*" written above it.

damos - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 12:18 PM EDT (#244439) #

I love the new logo!

From what I understand (read on sportslogos dot net msg board) , the cap will also feature a baseball & will be a solid blue colour. The logo will also be featured on the uniform & it sounds as though there will be some sort of return to the split lettering style of the old unis.

Most commenters who'd seen the mock-ups were quite positive about what they'd seen. Suggesting that it was a good / fresh take on the classic look. Sounds possible that we'll see the full uni's in November...in time for the holiday shopping season.

Flex - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 12:30 PM EDT (#244440) #

If this is real it's great. A smart update on the original and a vast improvement on the dog's breakfast of logos we've had since 1996. The red maple leaf has always been a part of the design, except in the most recent iteration, and we have to accept it'll be there. I think it's well-enough handled.

Since this team was born in the 1970s, we don't have the benefit of reaching back a hundred years for the old timey fonts of old, and I'm fine with that. In Blue Jays terms, this is a classic logo that should last decades. I love it.

BlueJayWay - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 12:52 PM EDT (#244442) #

I could do with a smaller maple leaf, but otherwise I like it. It does fit with what was rumoured: an update/modernizing of the original logo.

BTW, from various sources around the net, apparently this is just the cap logo, and not the primary logo, which has yet to leak.

Craig B - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 01:03 PM EDT (#244443) #

I like the Fighting Jay. But I have to say, this one is really quite good and it is a clear visual link to the team's great history. I would be quite happy with it.

Interestingly, from what I have seen from baseball fans as a whole (i.e. non-Jays fans) is mostly negative on the new logo.

But, they aren't Jays fans, so screw 'em.

Craig B - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 01:11 PM EDT (#244444) #

Also, the new logo looks like a bluejay, so that's a plus.

The "classic" logos in baseball (Boston B, Detroit's still-gorgeous blackletter D, the interlocking NY) are also design products of a time and place, but they are times that we no longer have a social memory of. So they have a timelessness because we have lost the connection to that period (the design look of the 1910s, 20s, 30s, 40s is pretty much forgotten now; that of the 50s hung around for a long time because of television but that too is now disappearing). The 70s went through a period of being extremely unfashionable but is now returning to being stylish. That no longer happens with old logos, and eventually it will happen with the Jays logo too, so long as it's not overly monkeyed with.

Let's count our blessings. We could have to put up with Chief friggin' Wahoo (talk about untimelessness).

Jonny German - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 01:15 PM EDT (#244445) #

Interestingly, from what I have seen from baseball fans as a whole (i.e. non-Jays fans) is mostly negative on the new logo.

I don't find this surprising. I know there is a lot of love for the original logo amongst Jays fans, but I think it is 95% nostalgia. Design-wise it is no prize and has aged poorly.

The current maple leaf on the sleeve is a perfect nod to the Canadianness of the team. Do they really feel it's too subtle? Do people really prefer to be smacked in the face with a gigantic leaf up front?

BlueJayWay - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 01:16 PM EDT (#244446) #

Interestingly, from what I have seen from baseball fans as a whole (i.e. non-Jays fans) is mostly negative on the new logo.

Really?? Everyone's been pretty much positive from what I've seen. I've seen things like "that's beautiful" and "much better than their current one" and "Toronto really hit a grand slam" and suchlike.

Anders - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 01:16 PM EDT (#244447) #

Interestingly, from what I have seen from baseball fans as a whole (i.e. non-Jays fans) is mostly negative on the new logo. But, they aren't Jays fans, so screw 'em.

Weird. I mean I think it looks pretty solid, subjectively of course, and it's a million times better than the new Marlins one.

If you go to the ESPN team page and look at all the logos, I think it's fair to say that the new/old Jay is in the top 3rd, and much better than all the other new logos (Marlins, Rockies, Dbacks, Nats, Rays), and more interesting than the plain ball ones (Brewers, Rangers, A's, Twins, etc.) To me the best logo's are the good script ones (Tigers, White Sox), the birds (Cards, Orioles), and then some of the esoteric classic ones (Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs).

http://espn.go.com/mlb/teams

Jonny German - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 01:33 PM EDT (#244448) #

Timelessness can be effectively imitated. Washington is a fine example.

Paul D - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 01:37 PM EDT (#244449) #

From the Baseball Prospectus Scout's View:

Blue Jays right-hander Casey Janssen: "It seems like he's found a home in the bullpen. If I were the Blue Jays, I'd make him my closer next year. He might not blow you away, but he's fearless."

TamRa - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 02:36 PM EDT (#244451) #

It's alright. I'm not one who's really attached to the first logo, although I think the early-90's unis were the best they have worn.

I was ok with the second logo as well, and I'm fine with the current one. Mess with the color palette a bit and the current outfits are fine. IMO.

There's something about this one that strikes me a a bit....dull?...and certainly a bit too retro for my tastes. But depending on what the do with the unis (NO POWDER BLUE!!!!) i can work with it.

uglyone - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#244453) #

I absolutely love the new logo - well, at least the bird part of it. It takes that beauty original logo and improves on it perfectly, IMO. Just a little sleeker and meaner, to take away a bit of the lovable dorkiness in the original, while still preserving its uniqueness and character.

That maple leaf is too big, though.

hypobole - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 02:55 PM EDT (#244454) #

I'm stupid in this regard, so maybe you folks could help me

1 - What's wrong with the current logo?

2 - Has the logo been redesigned merely to sell more Blue Jays crap/paraphernalia?

James W - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 03:05 PM EDT (#244455) #

1 - Too much black and silver.

2 - Yes.

Flex - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 03:07 PM EDT (#244456) #

I don't know for a fact but I suspect the new design is an initiative by Beeston to help erase the muddle of the last 17 or so years and reunite the team with its glory years.

But I don't see it as an exercise in nostalgia. In corporate terms, it's like a company "getting back to its roots" and, in a way, starting fresh.

The old design had none of the cartoonishness that crept in over the years up to and including the current design. The new version updates it perfectly. And I think it's well-timed to coincide with the rise of The New Hope under a GM whose front office recalls, for many of us, the smarts and class of the Gillick administration.

uglyone - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 03:18 PM EDT (#244457) #

IMO, the current logo is far too generic, and has nowhere near the recognition factor of the original logo.

The fact that it's paired with an horrific switch from blue to black as the main colour of the BLUE jays just makes it worse.

ayjackson - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 03:32 PM EDT (#244460) #

Are we going to black shirts or away from black shirts?

92-93 - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 03:58 PM EDT (#244461) #

2 - Has the logo been redesigned merely to sell more Blue Jays crap/paraphernalia?

Yes. And if I had to guess, the new logo is going to be significantly different enough from the classic logo that the Jays can still sell all those vintage jerseys in the team shops. Everything Beeston does is guided by $.

Jonny German - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 04:16 PM EDT (#244463) #

Beeston is the root of all evil.

Timbuck2 - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 04:31 PM EDT (#244465) #

I like the redesign. I liked the current one too. The only logo I've hated is the Toothpaste "T" hat logo. Always makes me think that Colgate sponsored it...

85bluejay - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 04:32 PM EDT (#244466) #

I would make the Maple Leaf logo a bit smaller & change the eye of the bird to a baseball

sam - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 08:19 PM EDT (#244472) #

AA on the broadcast now. Re: Darvish. Went to go see him, very impressed but like him at a certain price.

Really doesn't sound like the Jays see themselves winning that bid.

Richard S.S. - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 10:44 PM EDT (#244475) #

A.A. will do all he can to dissuade other GM's from properly evaluating Darvish. It still won't stop him from bidding big, if he deems it 'the right price'.

Richard S.S. - Thursday, September 22 2011 @ 10:50 PM EDT (#244476) #

When does Batter's Box become a smartphone / pad APP.

hypobole - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 12:58 AM EDT (#244480) #

A.A. will do all he can to dissuade other GM's from properly evaluating Darvish.

And how would he do that?

Craig B - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 08:36 AM EDT (#244496) #

Craig B - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 08:54 AM EDT (#244497) #

I missed last night's game - is it true there was an entire section in extras chanting "YOU ARE SLEEPING" at one fan who dozed off, and were posing for pics with him?

If so, that is epic. Well done.

BlueJayWay - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 09:18 AM EDT (#244500) #

Dunno BJW, I don't go to Lukas's blog regularly or anything, where the real logo nerds are. This is just in my normal go 'round Primer and such places. Good to know the general reception is more positive.

It's just what I've seen around. I've even gone to specific sites for other teams (eg Orioles Hangout and Sons of Sam Horn) where they have a thread up and by far the general reaction is something like, "It's a huge improvement on what they have now, I liked the old uniforms for that team and this is a nice update on that look."

Christopher - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 09:21 AM EDT (#244501) #

I agree with those that think the leaf is too big. Personally I would remove it altogether and just go with the bird head, and maybe add a ball behind the bird to improve symmetry.

This logo here was done by Bob Hahn at the old BlueJayWay site, and I always liked it because incorporating the maple leaf was clever and subtle.

http://s1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa371/CHR1SB1/?action=view&current=jays_hahn_02_v2.png

This leaked logo just makes it seem like the leaf was an afterthought and just slapped in there.

I think they've done a great job with the bird though.

Jonny German - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 09:41 AM EDT (#244505) #

Agreed Christopher. If they want a visual link to the original logo that one is just about perfect. The leaf is beautifully done, and it wouldn't look out of place to keep the current red leaf on the sleeve along with that logo.

sam - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 10:27 AM EDT (#244509) #

I don't know if anyone saw what Matt Moore did to the Yankees last night, but that should put into perspective how could the Rays pitchers are. The Jays don't have anyone near that good in their system.

Flex - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 10:43 AM EDT (#244513) #

Five innings, no runs, 11 strikeouts for Matt Moore. Looks good so far. Amazing the Rays were able to get someone like that in the 8th round.

greenfrog - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 10:44 AM EDT (#244514) #

The Jays might not have a future #1 like Moore, but they do have a lot of good young prospects - the best collection of young arms in the minors, according to some. So no need to despair. However, the Rays will likely be fierce competition in the near term. Imagine having to match up against Price, Shields and Moore in a three-game series (plus Hellickson or Niemann in a four-game series). That could be the best rotation in the AL for the next few years (each pitcher is either cheap, controllable, or under contract).

sam - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 11:32 AM EDT (#244517) #

I agree greenfrog. The Jays have depth, and ya maybe not talent of that level, but solid pitching talent. I mean, I've never seen a pitcher that free and easy in a look time. The ball explodes out of his hand. I've also never seen a team react the way they were doing after striking out. It was unbelievable, they would go back to the dugout with that look like my god this guy unbelievable.

I was just curious, do we see any of the Jays pitching prospects making a top 50 prospect list this offseason? I think there'll be a couple in the top 100, but they might be hard pressed to make the top 50.

ayjackson - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 12:28 PM EDT (#244523) #

Law has said that Alvarez was in his top 50, but as of last night, he is ineligible, I believe.

I think BA might have had Hutchison in their top 50 midseason.

Justin Nicolino has been named top prospect from the Northwest League today by BA.

ayjackson - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 12:30 PM EDT (#244524) #

per Baseball America

Nicolino offers a complete package on the mound and profiles as a possible No. 2 starter. He's a lefthander with a quality three-pitch mix, command, repeatable delivery, projectable frame and all-business demeanor.

ayjackson - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 12:32 PM EDT (#244525) #

per Baseball America

though righthanders Noah Syndergaard and Aaron Sanchez would have ranked near the top had they pitched lone (sic)enough to qualify

John Northey - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 01:05 PM EDT (#244527) #

Alvarez has been very impressive.
9 starts
5+ IP in all 9
6+ in 7 (78%)
7+ in 3 (33%)
8+ in 1 (11%)
3 R or less in 6 games, never more than 5

But most impressive, especially for a kid...
1 or fewer walks in 8 of 9, with the 9th having 2 walks.

Now _that_ is impressive. Roy Halladay walked 3+ twice (max of 4) with 2+ in 9 of 31 starts (29%). I view him as the gold standard and Alverez, with 1/3rd of his starts vs NY/Bos/TB has beat it.

Anders - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 02:19 PM EDT (#244531) #

I missed last night's game - is it true there was an entire section in extras chanting "YOU ARE SLEEPING" at one fan who dozed off, and were posing for pics with him? If so, that is epic. Well done.

This did indeed happen - the guy was asleep for 10-15 minutes, about 2 groups of people took pictures of him before the usher's (rightly) shut it down, and eventually his buddy punched him in the arm and he woke up and got a loud ovation. There was also a guy who took his shirt off a bunch and tried to start the wave. Excitement!

Shameless plug alert: you could have found out about it firsthand by following us on twitter! http://twitter.com/#!/battersboxca/status/117067472762441729

Ryan C - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 10:14 PM EDT (#244565) #

I like this updated logo better than most of the others, but I still think it looks weird compared to the original logo. Why make something that is so very close to the original but not as good? Doesn't make sense to me.

Ryan C - Friday, September 23 2011 @ 10:19 PM EDT (#244566) #

Also, agree with the link that Christopher posted, I love that take on the logo and actually have it as my current desktop.

TamRa - Saturday, September 24 2011 @ 05:00 AM EDT (#244572) #

couple of thoughts -

If Alvarez is considered a graduate of the farm now, along with Lawrie, JPA, and Thames, then you gotta wonder - is Hutchison a top 5 guy in the system now? Molina?

also...

while Moore is obviously very impressive, keep in mind that doesn't change anything about timing - Price was every bit as good a prspect two years ago and he's having a fine little season now, but he's not dominating all opposition or anything. In fact if you look at the best of the best guys (Felix, Verlander, etc) how many of them go out and run roughshod every year early on?

Krylian19 - Saturday, September 24 2011 @ 10:18 AM EDT (#244580) #

I like it. Was never a fan of any of the logos since the original was abandoned.

Powder Blues - Saturday, September 24 2011 @ 05:25 PM EDT (#244602) #

Each of these primary logos remind me acutely of certain players for some reason:

http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=ogopr90c4s7q4ez68ga7vhbyh
Robbie Alomar and the WS teams.

http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=98256e6rrugp88puehfylgn2k
Roger Clemens, Brad Fullmer, Jose Canseco & the rest of the steroid gang (mondesi, segui, etc).

http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=dwqszilruwxjmi1mzegft4u5c
Only around one year... Frank Catalanotto, maybe

http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=01g9y2wh6u9hw9f3fj8z40r9a
Vernon Wells

More everyday players than pitchers (we see them more often), and no Roy because he overlapped several logos.

Anders - Saturday, September 24 2011 @ 07:51 PM EDT (#244607) #

If Alvarez is considered a graduate of the farm now, along with Lawrie, JPA, and Thames, then you gotta wonder - is Hutchison a top 5 guy in the system now? Molina?

Shameless plus alert 2: we may in fact, on this very website, be answering this very question. In the very near future.

Richard S.S. - Saturday, September 24 2011 @ 11:55 PM EDT (#244619) #

Powder Blues

Are those links supposed to work?

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