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Top 30 Defunct MLB Team Logos of All-Time

I thought it would be interesting to rank the best baseball logos that no longer exist. It's not only reminiscing, but simply imagining what time in baseball was like when those certain logos were being used. Also a fun way to compare and contrast new logos with the old.

Starting with the 30th best (at the top) and ending with the best (at the bottom), enjoy!

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Not quite sure what Ted and co. were thinking with the blue border, but it looks like a Hawaiian Punch Juice Box to be completely honest. However, the Native American as well as the off-red aspect add some spice to the logo. It's about a 40 on the "took-their-time-creating-it" scale.

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Not much wrong here at all. The Marlin is still in line with the "M" and the it's simple yet fancy. However, the wider logos tend to be a bit more complicated. The pre-formatted potential Miami Marlins logo looks much worse, so I'll give the creator of this design credit in that aspect. It looks great in general, just could use a bit more modernization to it for a logo that was created in the early 90's. As you'll see below, there were fancier logos created prior to the '80's much less '90's.

Star-divide

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Now this is what I'm talking about -- a design relative to the city and surroundings thus begin a more comfortable logo to look at for Seattle fans. Well, in the '70's that is. Any sailor or boat crew member was probably fascinated by this, as the logo consists of something "pilot" related as well as the aforementioned relation to the city. However, the colors don't match with the team colors and that earns you a second half ranking.

 

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Of course, you cannot look at this logo without thinking of the triumphant Jays back in the early 90's. The blue and red are "relaxing," "fun," and of course "Baseball related." When you see a logo as such, you'd expect that there isn't a way the logo can get better. Unfortunately, the later logo was better.

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Not much to say about this one except that it certainly consists of colors you'd expect in any Diamondbacks logo if you hadn't seen it before. The purple and aqua match exquisitely but the gold doesn't. The DBackslater used the black hat with the gold and purple "D" which looked great, and this logo was the team logo during that era.

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It'son the top 30 because of the Western look it has, but it's set up terribly and looks really "Adobe Illustrator-ish." The "Rangers" shouldn't be tailing off of the baseball, but I guess there's no place for it to go. That's a big problem though. I'm not sure what, but it could much look better.

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Ah, Ben Franklin on the Washington Senators logo. But why? Is electricity the most important thing the Nation's Capital boasts? How about Thomas Jefferson, the great general? George Washington, the first President? Warren G. Harding, whodealt with the Teapot Dome Scandal? Still, it looks nice, but looks like a target. As I'd rather see someone else on, why target Ben Franklin? What did he ever do? 

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The problem with this logo is that it's just too busy. Yes, not only that, but it doesn't really look that great. It's too bright and very complicated -- that's not what a baseball logo is all about. Like others ranked higher, they're simple yet fancy. This is complicated and dirty. Still though, I like the cleats and the seams are nice looking. 

 

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Kind of sad to see this logo go, but its snowy aspect and dome familiarity bring Twins fans back to good times.

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*Tear*. This is perfect. I'm not sure how, but it exemplifies Canada, France, Baseball, and Olympic Stadium all in one. The stripes, symmetry, and neatness make this a fantastic logo.

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Not very logo-looking. But it has the Friar, the Padres theme, and the colors. I'd consider adding more of an outline or border, but it'll still go down as one of the sweetest and most creative logos we've seen.

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I guess this is what you call a &quot;Big Red Machine&quot;, eh? The figure shows exactly what the Big Red Machine did. That's simply hustling, being gritty, and looking good at the same time. The difference between this logo and others is the lack of a symmetrical shape (vertical wise) but that really doesn't mean much. It's a great logo. 

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I like this one plenty more than the other Jays logo. It's simpler, more Canada-looking, and Sports-like than the other one if that makes sense. The Maple Leaf exemplifies Canada and Jays fans alike. It's very quiet yet stylish. The throwback look has some advancement to it, which seems to have set a precedent for new logo's, such as the Marlins one up-top. 

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The "Detroit Tigers" font plays a big role in the decoration of this logo. However, it lacks much else. The Tiger animation looks great and the blue matches the blue border, but as better ranked logo's will show, you can always add more exciting and decorative extras to a logo. Still, it's original and has a retro look to it.


 

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The Mets hada great several years entering the century all the way to 2006, with the exception of one or two dreadful years.But the Piazza era and a World Series occurred as this logo was present. The Mets were more of a gritty team than a fashionable team, which seems to be the case at times now. This logo is really no different from the current one except for the seam colors and the cityscape. This logo matches the hats they wore then, as well as the alternate jerseys they wore but still wear at times.

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Perfect. Simply perfect. Everything you would expect when thinking or discussing the great city of Philadelphia and the baseball team's great history is in this logo.  The colors match and the picture the bottom is extremely fitting.

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Kind of like the Jason Hammel of logo's. Not going to look fancy and exciting, but going to certainly get the job done. An original yet monumental logo.

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Something about this logo just has the words "baseball" displayed in the picturesque flip-flop of an image it is. The red hands and the piece-by-piece aspect of it makes it plenty more exciting than it would be if the whole body was connected. Navy blue would be a bit more stylish, but it'll do.

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Speaking of navy blue, it goes great with this Tiger and it always has. The new logos seem so...plain and ordinary. This adds history, style, and relativity. The Tiger also exemplifies to me, Ernie Harwell, who is and always has been a Tiger. The new "D" makes you wonder if you're reading a newspaper or actually looking at a baseball logo. Also, the white border on the Tiger (and it's claws) as well as the "D" make it even better. A lot of these logos you can't exactly describe, and this is no exception. One of the truly more remarkable logo's in time shouldn't have been defunct, but was.

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it doesn't exactly bring up good times, but the Devil Rays still had one of the more exciting logos in the game'shistory. The Devil Ray along with the rainbow stream of colors in the oval background are stunning as well as the shape of this whole thing. The off-blue border is a bit dull but the logo itself is really nice. Still though, they had to get rid of this logo if they wanted to win. It "just had to be that way." 

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This is awesome. Again, it has a retro feel to it and you almost can't say "Padres" without picturing this old-school image. It's fanciness isn't what's appealing, but it's colors and timetable are. This is the logo used when the Pads were in the '98 series. Tony Gwynn retired with this logo on his shirt. It's a logo that's fairly missed among many.

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This is another truly original and creative logo. The dome and space-like features of it create an extraordinarily fitting idea, which tells a story that most logo's don't. Without knowing anything about the Astros, you can learn a whole lot just by looking at this logo. I wouldn't call myself an Astros fan, but Astros fans can truly relish this logo as it may remind them of the great Astros teams in the 80's.

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The hat on the redbird is well, weird. But the rest of it is awesome. The eyelett's are 3-D and the wording is in a fantastic font. The redbird is not only a sign that the Cardinals are the Cardinals, but a sign of baseball, and that's what many think about when they look at this logo.

Sportslogos1_medium

this is also a truly amazing logo. The bird swinging the bat is quite similar to the Redbird standing on the bat in that it's simply baseball. baseball. baseball. baseball. And more baseball. The black border surrounding the squared yet classy "Baltimore Orioles" font goes great with every aspect of this logo. It's not a logo that you look at and spend 10 or 20 seconds looking AT the logo piece by piece, but one look lets you know it's time for Orioles baseball!

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From the late 1800's until the mid-twentieth century, the Giants used this stunning logo. It's shiny, exciting, and feel-good. This logo is Willie Mays. This logo is Willie McCovey. It's baseball. And it';s one of the few logo's you'll see in black and white as well as color when looking at past videos of Willie Mas making a great catch or Willie McCovey crashing in to the aforementioned Mays at the Candlestick wall.You'll even see it on various Giants broadcasts whether or not they were or are in San Francisco or New York

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I don't even know where to start with this one. Is it plain? Yeah, it is. But does it prove a point? Does it exemplify and signify the "Chicago Cubbies"? Of course it does. It's just baseball. Cubs fans, Cubs players, beer, peanuts, Mascots...What else is needed? It's a truly fantastic logo, even though it's somewhat plain.

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Ah, the Mariners logo of the 80's. The Kingdome should come to mind here, but also Ken Griffey father and son, Gaylord Perry's final days as a big leaguer, and even the early days of Omar Vizquel. It's another sign of baseball. It represents the team and concept of the team itself. There's nothing much else to say except that it's one of the best logo's in history and is 20 times better than their current one.

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This is a truly fantastic feel good logo. The diamond, the bird, the colors (the green is the colors of the seats), and the home plate. This logo simply makes you think of Camden Yards and  the great career of Cal Ripken Jr. The Orioles have no reason to have discontinued this logo, but for what it's worth, it should still be remembered as one of Pro Sports' best. 

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The Angels long boasted some of the prettierlooking logos around. This one happens to be the best looking. The dimensional aspect along with the colors display a truly glorious logo. Everything that this logo shows makes one think about not only baseball in general but the beauty of it. The fun of baseball. The game that we all love. It brings us back in time to when we were a childgoing to games with our grandfather and now as an adult still enjoying the great game of baseball we've always loved. The home plate and white wing go hand in hand in making this logo look even better. It's almost like watchingyour favorite cartoon as a child or going to the movies with your best pal. It's just a FUN image/logo more than anything else. And that's the message it should be showing in general. The new Los Angels Angels of Anaheim logo is not nearly as attractive.

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Finally, number 1. I don't even know where to start except by saying that this is easily the most creative logo of them all. The "M" and the "B" form a glove holding a baseball. Someone please tell me what's more creative than that? It's perfect. It's the ultimate baseball logo. The new "M" on the Crew's hat is the complete opposite. Not only is it not creative, but there's almost no point.This signifies the best baseball logo of all time, and we'll leave it at that. 

All photos courtesy of Sportslogos.net
 

Comment 56 comments  |  3 recs  | 

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I love it too.

and am worried about the same thing.

See Data Differently: Beyond the Box Score | @justinbopp
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by Justin Bopp on Mar 17, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Disagree on the Jays logo

I prefer the older one. The elements are easier to see and the jay is more prominent. Yes, it has a 70s feel to it, but I see that as being entirely appropriate, given that the team was born in the 70s. I wish the team would readopt it.

(PS, I like the Braves one too, and I feel guilty for doing so)

It would be cool to have a pick a logo contest to see whether people prefer old logos or new ones.

by siggian on Mar 17, 2011 12:29 PM EDT reply actions  

Oh, and the latest Jays logo is vastly inferior to the ones here. The only one worse is the T one they had 2002. Ick!

by siggian on Mar 17, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

This really is so superior to anything we have at the Majors right now.

The fontlery needs a little work but, damn, man. Why can’t we get these back?

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by Justin Bopp on Mar 17, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

It's just so damn... fun.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Mar 18, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

Considering Franklin was never a Senator...

…I fail to understand why he was used as the logo

Writer at Beyond the Box Score and tortured Mets fan (is there any other kind?)

by Bill Petti on Mar 17, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions  

Man, old logos are so much freaking cooler than new ones.

We really, really need more cartoon-based logos again.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Mar 17, 2011 1:33 PM EDT reply actions  

+1

Writer at Beyond the Box Score and tortured Mets fan (is there any other kind?)

by Bill Petti on Mar 17, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

The tornado and submarine ones are pretty cool

And they both have baseball bats in them. A definitely plus.

The dragon wizard logo is simply fantastic. It’s a wizard… who is also a dragon? And he plays baseball! It’s like if Darth Vader were my best friend, and he was also the president. That’s how cool that is.

Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.

by mattybobo on Mar 17, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jefferson wasn't really a general, though

That was Washington, too.

Jefferson was the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence, the nation’s first Secretary of State, and the third American President. Jefferson was a revolutionary thinker and one of the greatest framers of our country… but he wasn’t exactly a big-time military man.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Mar 17, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

He was also a crappy President and a hypocrite

But that’s another thread entirely…

Writer at Beyond the Box Score and tortured Mets fan (is there any other kind?)

by Bill Petti on Mar 17, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Presidential replacement level was way different back then

Also, Congress was way more dominant in those days because Executive powers hadn’t been developed like they are today. So that messes with things to.

Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.

by mattybobo on Mar 17, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

All Presidents are crappy

But as a writer / Enlightenment theorist, Jefferson is hard to beat among the famous founders.

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by Jeff Reese on Mar 17, 2011 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Pretty much what I was thinking.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Mar 18, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

I love Jefferson

It’s true, you can attack him on the slavery front, Louisiana Purchase, Barbary war, his ridiculous embargo and a few other things. He certainly wasn’t perfect in practice, but what he represents was the pinnacle of that era. He strove to learn everything he possibly could and usually mastered the subject. If there has ever been a more eloquent writer, I’ve yet to find him.

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by Jeff Reese on Mar 18, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

No, he wasn't

Jefferson’s conduct in Virginia during the Revolutionary War was a real black mark on his career actually.

by Detroit Michael on Mar 18, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Must be in those new Texas Board of Education approved text books.

by Cormican on Mar 22, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

Great choice with the Brewers logo at #1

If it were up to me, I’d put the Devil Rays logo dead last, or at least dead last in my lifetime.

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by J-Doug on Mar 17, 2011 2:12 PM EDT reply actions  

that angels logo is a close second to last

"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"

by U-God on Mar 17, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Mar 17, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Also agreed. It's terrible and

reminds me of that kid with the rubberband/snappy arm thing in that one movie.

See Data Differently: Beyond the Box Score | @justinbopp
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by Justin Bopp on Mar 17, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thanks Dave. This is a nice baseball history piece. I really enjoyed it. You showed me a few logos I’d never seen before, like the Hurlin’ Ben Franklin. What a wild logo.

by spottedcow on Mar 17, 2011 3:23 PM EDT reply actions  

What the hell is that thing?

Apparently it’s called “Brownie the Elf”

I’m not sure that words could accurately describe the weirdness of that logo.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Mar 17, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

However

The 1936-1951 logo is pretty awesome, I think.

Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.

by mattybobo on Mar 17, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Oh that logo is AWESOME.

It’s got a fricking KNIGHT on it.

by Patrick42 on Mar 17, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

Actually

It’s Louis IX, crusader, saint, and king of France.
It’s actually kind of cool historically, because it’s the silhouette of a statue in St. Louis that sits on a big hill in Forest Park, in front of the art museum. The statue used to be one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. Then the Browns moved to Baltimore. Then, they went and built a little thing called The Arch, and that kind of took over as “symbol of St. Louis #1”.

Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.

by mattybobo on Mar 17, 2011 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

What. The. F$#*.

It looks like a childs scribble!

by Patrick42 on Mar 17, 2011 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ew dude how could you like the Disneyland Angels logo and the D-Rays. Those were some of the ugliest of all time!

""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous

by Cheezombie on Mar 17, 2011 3:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Yeah, I hate that Angels logo

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Mar 17, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

I LOVE

the Braves one. Best logo we’ve got.

by ronjba on Mar 17, 2011 5:28 PM EDT reply actions  

It is interesting how some logos are mentally associated with specific players

Tony Gwynn for the Padres logo and Ripken for the Orioles logo are good examples. The old Mariners logo does call to mind young Vizquel, but also mainly Harold Reynolds for me (who knows why?). The Devil Rays logo makes me think of Tony Saunders (and unfortunately McGriff and Wade Boggs as well).

Also, the Expos logo will always make me think fondly (and kind of pity) the Expos. I emailed them once to ask about that logo (because I couldn’t decide what the “L” was in the “ELB”), and within hours I had received a reply from the Expos business office. They fell all over themselves to thank me for my interest in Expos baseball. Poor Expos.

by kcgard2 on Mar 17, 2011 6:33 PM EDT reply actions  

You just blew my mind with the Brewers mitt logo

I never noticed the MB before!

The Mariners trident over the star is indeed their best logo, but it was gone by the time Griffey and Vizquel joined the team, replaced with the boring “M’s” in the baseball.

Apparently they got rid of the trident because they thought it was bad luck that it was pointing down.

by 3cardmonty on Mar 17, 2011 7:47 PM EDT reply actions  

The White Sox logo was brilliant

..because at the time it was designed their games were televised on Channel 44 in Chicago, and that logo, viewed at any kind of a distance is a figure “4”. There was a pair of logo stickers affixed to the wall of the broadcast booth, so whenever the camera would cut to the booth, you’d see the “44”.

by salvomania on Mar 18, 2011 11:59 AM EDT reply actions  

BtBS – advanced baseball metrics, tops. Understanding the principles of logo design not so much.

by j reed on Mar 18, 2011 8:25 PM EDT reply actions  

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