Major League Baseball logo
Jerry Dior worked for the marketing firm Sandgren & Murtha when he received a commission in 1968. He completed the entire design process within a single afternoon. The resulting silhouette was not modeled on Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew or any specific player. Instead, Dior drew with reference to photographs of several players. He chose this specific shape because its ambiguity allowed the batter to be right- or left-handed and of any ethnic background. This deliberate vagueness became the logo's defining strength.
The Major League Baseball Centennial Committee commissioned the new logo in 1968. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn introduced the design to prepare for the Professional Baseball Centennial Celebration held the 21st of July 1969. The event took place in Washington DC to mark the period from 1869 through 1969. All on-field uniforms of MLB employees began displaying the new emblem starting in the 1969 season. The celebration served as the primary vehicle for launching the symbol into public view across the league.
The first official colors of the MLB Batter logo were royal blue, white, and red arranged from left to right. Individual teams sometimes alter these coloring choices to match their specific uniform colors. In 2019, dark blue replaced royal blue as one of the primary colors alongside white and red. This change marked the most significant visual update since the original adoption. The basic model of an athlete or equipment used for the sport remains unchanged despite these minor shade adjustments over time.
Alan Siegel oversaw Dior's logo before deliberately basing his NBA design on the MLB work in 1969. NBA Commissioner J. Walter Kennedy wanted a family relationship between sports seen as being All-American. Jerry West became the player model for the National Basketball Association logo following this pattern. The silhouette concept also appeared in logos for Minor League Baseball, Women's National Basketball Association, Arena Football League, U.S. Figure Skating, Hockey Canada, American Hockey League, PGA Tour, National Lacrosse League, Indy Racing League, and Major League Gaming. Even Major League Eating parodied the iconic image.
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Common questions
Who designed the Major League Baseball logo in 1968?
Jerry Dior created the Major League Baseball logo while working for the marketing firm Sandgren & Murtha. He completed the entire design process within a single afternoon after receiving his commission that year.
When was the Major League Baseball logo officially introduced to the public?
Commissioner Bowie Kuhn introduced the new logo on the 21st of July 1969 during the Professional Baseball Centennial Celebration held in Washington DC. All on-field uniforms of MLB employees began displaying the emblem starting in the 1969 season.
Why did Jerry Dior choose an ambiguous silhouette for the Major League Baseball logo?
Dior selected this specific shape because its ambiguity allowed the batter to be right- or left-handed and of any ethnic background. This deliberate vagueness became the defining strength of the final design.
What colors were originally used in the Major League Baseball logo before 2019?
The first official colors of the MLB Batter logo were royal blue, white, and red arranged from left to right. In 2019, dark blue replaced royal blue as one of the primary colors alongside white and red.
How many graphic designers claimed credit for creating the Major League Baseball logo before 2008?
For many years two graphic designers claimed credit for creating the piece including Jerry Dior and James Sherman. ESPN writer Paul Lukas cleared up the confusion surrounding their claims in November 2008 when Sherman admitted he was unaware of the earlier logo.