The teal is back - and for Marlins fans, it’s more than just a color. It’s a time machine.
On Saturday, the Miami Marlins officially unveiled their new throwback uniforms, a nod to the franchise’s early days, highlighted by a bold teal jersey that will be worn during Sunday home games at loanDepot park this season. It’s a look that instantly brings back memories of the team’s 1993 debut, the ‘97 and ‘03 World Series runs, and the electric energy that teal once brought to South Florida baseball.
But this isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about connection - past to present, legacy to future.
“This really is that bridge between generations,” said Alex Parker, the Marlins’ Chief Brand Officer. “It’s a way of saying, ‘We know who we are. We’re proud of our history, proud of where we’re going - and this teal means something.’”
And it does. For many fans, teal isn’t just a color.
It’s the heartbeat of their first baseball memories. Parker, who took on his role last July, dove into fan surveys and found a consistent theme: teal was tied to the emotional core of what people loved about the Marlins.
It was the color of their first game, their favorite player, their first jersey.
That emotional pull isn’t just felt in the stands. Outfielder Griffin Conine, son of franchise legend Jeff “Mr.
Marlin” Conine, is all-in on the look. He’s already got custom white-and-teal cleats ready for the occasion.
“You can tell I’m excited,” Conine said. “It’s going to bring a lot of nostalgia for me personally. I grew up watching the team wear this look, so to see it back on the field - it feels right.”
The movement to revisit the franchise’s roots gained momentum last August when Jack McKeon, the manager of the 2003 World Series team, returned to the ballpark for his Marlins Legends Hall of Fame induction. McKeon told fans the gritty, overachieving 2025 squad reminded him of that ‘03 championship team - a scrappy group that caught fire at the right time. That connection only deepened the desire to honor the past while building toward the future.
So the Marlins teamed up with Major League Baseball and Fanatics to craft a uniform that wasn’t just retro - it was meaningful. Every detail was intentional:
- Teal Base: A direct tribute to the original Florida Marlins uniforms introduced in 1993, the teal base sets the tone for the entire look. It’s bold, it’s bright, and it screams South Florida baseball.
- “Always Marlins” Wordmark: Stamped across the chest, the phrase is a reminder that while the city name may have changed, the Marlins identity has remained steady through every era.
- Legacy Mark Patch: A nod to the club’s origins, this Florida Marlins patch is worn with pride by today’s players - a symbol of where it all began.
- Modern Craftsmanship, Classic Spirit: The tailoring is new, but the soul is vintage. It’s a fusion of today’s performance-focused design with the timeless aesthetic that defined the franchise’s formative years.
And while teal is the star, the full uniform brings in elements from across the Marlins’ history. The pants feature teal pinstripes, a subtle callback to the original look.
The black cap is a nod to the 2003 team. It’s all tied together with the team’s “Fightin’ Fish” slogan - a rallying cry that blends old-school grit with new-school swagger.
“We looked at what’s been powerful in our visual history,” Parker said. “The pinstripes, the black from ‘03, the teal from the beginning - this uniform blends them all. It’s a mix of eras that tells one cohesive story.”
Manager Clayton McCullough, now entering his second season at the helm, felt that story the moment he slipped on the teal jersey. It brought him back to his teenage years in North Carolina, when the Marlins, the Charlotte Hornets, and the San Jose Sharks made teal the color of cool in the early ‘90s.
“I felt like ‘Mr. Marlin,’” McCullough said with a smile.
“It takes you back. Back then, uniforms were more traditional, more conservative.
Then teal came in and shook things up. It had flair.
It had boldness.”
That boldness fits this current Marlins team - young, hungry, and ready to make noise. After an overachieving 2025 campaign, there’s real optimism that this group can take another step forward in 2026. And now, they’ll do it wearing a look that connects them to the club’s most iconic moments.
Even ace Sandy Alcantara, who’s worn his fair share of throwbacks during his time in Miami, couldn’t help but lobby for more.
“We need it back,” Alcantara said. “We’ve got to wear it more than just one game a week.”
Fans will get their chance to grab the teal look on Opening Day, when the Marlins host the Rockies on March 27. The team will debut the new uniforms on the field two days later in the series finale - a 1:40 p.m. ET first pitch that promises to feel like a throwback in more ways than one.
So, yes - the teal is back. And in Miami, it’s more than a fashion statement. It’s a celebration of where the Marlins have been, and a bold step toward where they’re going.