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Orlando Magic celebrating 30th anniversary with return to blue pinstripes

By Philip Rossman-Reich

HOUSTON - JUNE 14: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Mario Elie #17 of the Houston Rockets in Game Four of the 1995 NBA Finals played June 14, 1995 at the Summit in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won 113-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON - JUNE 14: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Mario Elie #17 of the Houston Rockets in Game Four of the 1995 NBA Finals played June 14, 1995 at the Summit in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won 113-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic will celebrate their 30th anniversary season with a return to the classic blue pinstripe uniforms they wore during the 1995 NBA Finals run

The Orlando Magic will celebrate their 30th anniversary in the best way fans can think of. They are returning to their classic blue pinstripe uniforms they debuted during the 1995 season.

As previously reported in March, Orlando will add the throwback blue pinstripes as a Classic Edition jerseys in their uniform set for the 2019 season, wearing them for select games throughout the year.

The team also unveiled a special 30th-anniversary logo that pays homage to the team’s original logo.

After a fairly underwhelming announcement for the team’s trip to Mexico City, this was some news fans could get excited about. Not just in Orlando, but around the league.

The Magic’s original pinstripe jerseys — and particularly the blue ones they started wearing as an alternate uniform during their Finals run with Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway — are consistently rated as one of the best jerseys of all time. Most Magic fans wonder why the team switched off those jerseys to begin with.

It provides a nice bit of nostalgia for fans and a nice visual way to celebrate the team’s past.

"“The Orlando Magic are thrilled to celebrate 30 years of Pure Magic with all of our fans and the great City of Orlando,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a press release. “The team’s history and identity is deeply rooted in this city and the Central Florida region. We want to thank all of our fans for all of their support and making all these great Magic memories and moments possible. We look forward to sharing this celebration with them.”"

The only difference between these uniforms and the original one appears to be the use of the original Magic font on the belt. Otherwise, it is a dead ringer for the Magic’s original blue alternate pinstripes.

Orlando has worn their throwbacks to the original version of their jerseys several times throughout the team’s history. The Magic wore the black pinstripes for the first time since their 1999 jersey change during the 2004 season. They followed that up by wearing the blue pinstripes for the first time in 2005.

They have brought the throwback jerseys out on occasion since then, last wearing the black throwback uniforms for the 25th anniversary season.

No one will complain about their return, that is for sure. It is a classic and beloved look that was front and center for some of the Magic’s best teams and best moments of all time.

The Magic will have other events planned for their 30th anniversary season too. That includes their yearly Orlando Magic Hall of Fame induction ceremony later in the year.

Next. Orlando Magic have work to do as 30th anniversary nears. dark

It is not yet clear when the Magic will make the Classic Edition jerseys available for sale. They will surely be a hot seller when they do become available.