Fans typically buy a sports jersey because of who's wearing it. But in the Minor Leagues, what’s on a jersey can often mean so much more.

Teams have a way of making fans part of franchises by bringing local culture into their jersey and theme nights.

“It's taking pride in your community, and that's what it's about,” said El Paso’s David Apodaca. “And I think every Minor League team has that. They have pride in their community.”

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MLB.com celebrates National Jersey Day by looking at some of the top-selling kits from MiLBStore.com. Explore some of the most popular designs from alternate identities, theme nights, Copa de la Diversión and classic home jerseys. In 2023, these were some of the top designs, and the following were just as hot this year.

El Paso Chihuahuas

As a native of El Paso, Apodaca wanted to find an alternate identity that represented the area. The Chihuahuas’ retail and merchandise operations manager drew inspiration from the pachuco style (think “zoot suits and fedoras”) that originated in El Paso and became popular in the 1930s. The club utilized the city’s “El Chuco” nickname for the first two iterations of the jersey, then decided to go with Chucotown this season. The black and silver colors appeal to Las Vegas Raiders fans who live in the area, as Apodaca says they connect to “resilient outcasts.” On one sleeve is the 915 area code, on the other is the signature Chihuahua, but with sugar-skull detailing that pays homage to the Mexican fan base. Perhaps the most interesting part of Chucotown’s entry on this list is it’s the only one players don’t wear; so far, it’s just been for the fans. The jerseys were an instant success, and the club released another version this year with red and black stripes. “It just shows you the devotion and how these fans who are from El Paso or have some ties to El Paso support us in that aspect,” Apodaca said. “It was a labor of love.” The Padres’ Triple-A affiliate has another iteration planned for 2025 with a new colorway Apodaca expects to also pop off. Shop the look

Somerset Patriots

With this jersey, Somerset wasn’t going for a snack or even a meal, it took the whole restaurant. Looking for a way to bring a local flavor to the ballpark, the Patriots realized the perfect inspiration was on highways across the Garden State. Enter the Jersey Diners. Somerset worked with Ryan Foose (Fooser Studios) to design the look, which features "pink poodle" neon in the middle of the classic "stainless silver" boxcar-style diner. All against a bright blue that makes each element pop. The Yankees’ Double-A club donned the jerseys three times this summer as part of a fan-favorite promo that won Best Alternate Identity at the MiLB Awards. “The creativity, passion and hard work that went into making this something that really resonated with fans and complemented their experience was awe-inspiring to witness,” Patriots co-chairman Jonathan Kalafer told MLB.com after the club got the accolades. Shop the look

Toledo Mud Hens

When Triple-A Toledo surveyed its fan base at the end of the 2023 season about future promos, Peanuts was a popular choice. And after a successful Peanuts night with the Toledo Walleye -- a minor league hockey team run by the same front office -- it seemed like a no-brainer for the Tigers affiliate. Creative director Dan Royer worked with the licensing group to create a look that captured the famed comic strip. The jersey features Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock ready to play, as well as the Mud Hens' "MH" logo. And thanks to a pre-sale, many fans even wore the specialty jersey to the promo game on June 2. “Peanuts are characters that have that nostalgia,” said Kate Langenderfer, the club’s director of storytelling, production and Omnichannel. “It's something that our older generations love and remember and something that appeals to young audiences as well.” Toledo’s home replica jersey and Harry Potter replica jersey were also popular this year. Shop the look

Rochester Red Wings

With this jersey, the Red Wings pay homage to the “Flower City” while celebrating Rochester’s yearly Lilac Festival. While their parent club Nationals coincidentally also donned a flower jersey -- 2022-23 City Connect cherry blossoms -- Rochester worked with Washington's senior creative director Kerin Kolonoskie to create the look for the Triple-A club. The jersey brings a rare sports color palette with the pale lilac background and black and pink accents. It doesn’t even need to say the town’s full name to know what it’s all about as a bouquet of lilacs sits below “ROC.” “It's just a unique item that probably we could only get away with wearing on the field because it just screams Rochester,” said Dan Mason, the team’s general manager. “May is really all about the Lilac Festival here in town, and it's a way for two iconic organizations to collaborate on an event where we're playing baseball and while the festival is going on.” As the festival runs for a full week, the Red Wings have worn the jersey for all six games of the series, a trend they will continue in 2025. Shop the look

Eugene Emeralds

The Exploding Whales were a smash hit for the second straight season. The alternate identity honors a comedically tragic moment in the region's history -- when authorities thought explosives were the best way to dispose of a beached whale in 1970 -- in a whimsical way that has turned some of the promos’ opponents into customers. Former Eugene employee Danny Cowley opted for aquatic swirls over stripes on a mostly grey background to make the red and blue of the lettering stand out. A stick of dynamite was integrated as part of the ‘l’ of Whales, as well as in the whale’s mouth on the sleeve and with sparks on the back. After being nominated for best alternate identity at the 2023 MiLB Awards, the Emeralds’ look became a Saturday fixture in 2024 for the Giants’ High-A club. “We took a fun approach to it, we have an educational component to it,” said Emeralds GM Allan Benavides. “And we got the people who are involved with it to come to the ballpark and really included a part of our franchise, our fan base that doesn't necessarily get a lot of recognition.” Shop the look

Nashville Sounds

The Brewskis also return to this list for the second straight year. Nashville created a jersey that marries the local beer scene with their parent club, the Brewers. The 3-2 Designs creation is a nod to Milwaukee’s City Connect jersey while flipping the colors of the lettering and outline. The powder blue evokes a throwback vibe while providing something fresh from the Sounds’ usual navy and red color palette. What was meant to be a twice-a-year occurrence turned into a monthly rotation as the popularity for the Brewskis continued to grow. The club even made a football version of the look as a giveaway for Tennessee Titans night. “I think a lot of our fans whether they live here in Nashville, or if they're up in Milwaukee, they come and visit, they really enjoy the look that it gives,” said Collin Perry, Nashville's communications manager. Shop the look

Tacoma Rainiers

Rounding out our defending trifecta is the Rainiers’ classic home jersey. While fun colors, unique identities and recognizable characters draw a lot of people in, there are others who appreciate simplicity. The Mariners’ Triple-A club has rocked this set of home whites since 2015, utilizing red and white accents to provide a little pop. Though it’s gone through multiple colorways, the script has been used since 1995 and is an homage to the old Rainier Brewing Company. “It's nice because people have bought it year after year, and it's still relevant,” said Kyle McGilvray, the club’s merchandise and retail operations manager.” And you would think after this long maybe sales might go down because they've already bought it, but people continue to keep buying it. We've seen jersey customizations as well.” Shop the look

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Everett AquaSox

Like the Rainiers’ look, this jersey has been around several years, but the fans are still loving it. The Frogs jersey debuted in 2017 as a way to add a splash of color to the AquaSox palette, drawing inspiration from the Astros’ old Tequila Sunrise kit. The “Frogs” across the chest is an in-term as a casual nickname for the club, akin to the Angels and “Halos.” The jersey also embodies the name with a pair of sox that have webbed frog-like feet on the front. The Mariners’ High-A club lets the starting pitcher choose between four home jerseys when it’s not a promo night, and the Frogs are a popular choice so they typically wear them once a week, if not more. “Kids love the Frogs jerseys,” said Nellie Kemp, director of merchandise and community relations. “It's just the fun colors that tie it all back together. Definitely our most popular [jersey]. And it's also popular, I think, with people who just like frogs in general, and are sports fans and just like frogs.” Shop the look

Buffalo Bisons

This jersey is the way. "May the Fourth" and other Star Wars theme games are a staple of the Minor Leagues, and perhaps no one takes this more seriously than Buffalo. The Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate makes this list with its 13th iteration of the sci-fi epic. This one features the Mandalorian and Grogu from the former’s eponymous TV show. Like in past years, the image takes up the entire jersey to really make the Mandalorian’s presence felt. Against the spacecraft-like background sits the Bisons’ classic logo to tie it all together. While this jersey is almost sold out, the club is already looking toward its 2025 Star Wars Night. “The Bisons have long been enthusiastic Star Wars Night practitioners, building on it from one year to the next,” said Benjamin Hill, MLB.com’s Minor League business and culture reporter. “Their fans have come to expect theme jerseys that, to paraphrase another enduring sci-fi property, boldly go where teams have not gone before.” Shop the look

Albuquerque Isotopes

The Isotopes know they have a winner in their Mariachis de Nuevo México identity. In fact, the club has been crowned the Copa de la Diversión champion three out of the six years it’s been awarded. After starting with a pink and black look in 2018, the Rockies’ Triple-A club added the turquoise version in 2019, knowing how important it is in New Mexico culture. The bright blue accents the sleeves and the lettering while keeping a nod to the first pink color in the location name. The Isotopes branding is at the center of the Mariachis' font to tie it all together. And on the sleeve is a sugar skull placed over the state of New Mexico. “It's timeless, it's culturally relevant, and it's been very significant, not just in our community, but across the country,” said Albuquerque GM John Traub. “What we were trying to do was to create a look and an identity that really resonated with fans locally and abroad. And I think we've hit a grand slam with that.” Shop the look