We all know the Yankees, the Sox, and the Nationals, and we know their familiar branding. The simple N and Y, the swirly W, but for a second put those aside and focus on a different, lesser-known group – the Minor Leagues. These teams are scattered all across the country, and offer some of the most creative and funky team names/logos you can imagine.
Richmond Flying Squirrels
Not many Minor League team mascots have a reputation for being menacing, and the Richmond, Virginia Flying Squirrels might actually take the prize as Most Cuddly. The dynamic angle of the squirrel, the dark colors, and clever usage of an acorn make up for what it should lack in fierceness.
Asheville Tourists
Asheville, NC is known for the Biltmore, a 300-room estate on an 8,000 acre property. Gawkers come from all over to see it, prompting the local baseball team to name themselves the Tourists. Featuring a moon-headed kid (the team was once called the Moonshiners) swinging a bat made up of a traveler’s pack, this logo is sleek and historical. Who said graphic designers can’t be historians too?
Toledo Mud Hens
About as frightening a concept as the Flying Squirrels, the Toledo, Ohio Mud Hens actually pulls through and makes a Hen seem like one tough cookie. Never mind that a hen is technically a female; this bird’s got ferocity written all over him.
Frederick Keys
Frederick, Maryland is the birthplace of Francis Scott Key, the writer of the Star Spangled Banner. The logo pays homage to this, celebrating the “rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air” that made Key and his home famous. Its black and orange comes from its affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles.
Fort Wayne Tin Caps
The Tin Caps insignia features an apple wearing a little tin cap (surprise!) Why though? As history has it, Fort Wayne, Indiana is where John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, spent his last years. He’s even buried in the city. The typography drives home the “tin” look, with bolts in the corners of the letters.
While they might not be as well known as their Major League affiliate, they sure do have a lot more spunk and history involved in every bit of their designs. As the summer finishes up and you head to one last baseball game or two, be sure to check out their logo. A little thought goes a long way.
Did we miss your favorite? Disagree with these? Let us know in the comments box below!
