The San Diego Padres have announced that they will retire their pink- and mint-colored City Connect uniforms following the 2025 MLB season. According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, the Padres revealed the decision on Friday, indicating that the unique uniforms will be laid to rest before the commencement of the 2026 campaign. This marks the final season the Padres will don the pink and mint Nike City Connect uniforms, which were first introduced during the 2022 season.

The 2022 season was a pivotal year for the Padres, as they advanced to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 1998. The City Connect uniforms represented a significant departure from the team's traditional brown and yellow color scheme. Upon their unveiling, the Padres stated that the colors were intended to reflect the team's connection to their 'coastal community' and to celebrate the 'vibrant landscapes' and renowned 'stunning pink and yellow' sunsets found in San Diego and Mexico's Baja California.

While the jerseys gained popularity among fans, the decision to retire them aligns with a trend observed across Major League Baseball, where multiple teams have opted to phase out their original City Connect uniforms in favor of new designs set to debut in 2025. Notable teams making similar transitions include the Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros. As such, there appears to be a concerted effort for teams to refresh their uniforms every three to four years. Fans may lament the departure of the current City Connect uniforms; however, there are more pressing concerns for the Padres as they approach the 2025 season. The franchise has experienced significant roster turnover, having lost key players such as outfielder Jurickson Profar, closer Tanner Scott, catcher Kyle Higashioka, and starting pitcher Martín Pérez to free agency. Additionally, infielder Ha-Seong Kim is still unsigned after opting out of a mutual agreement for 2025. The Padres have remained relatively inactive in the free agent market, with their most notable signing being catcher Martín Maldonado, who is 38 years old. Speculation regarding potential trades involving starting pitcher Dylan Cease and infielder Luis Arráez further indicates that the Padres' roster may face additional challenges leading into the 2025 season. Despite a successful 2023 campaign that concluded with a record of 93-69, and their advancement to the National League Division Series, the prospects of returning to the playoffs in 2025 remain uncertain, even with star players like Fernando Tatís Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Michael King on the roster.