Smokey the Bear this Ain't

(Est. 1897) The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee, metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season. Smokies Park, the team's ballpark, is located in the suburb of Kodak, and seats up to 8,000 fans. The team's nickname, "Smokies", refers to the Great Smoky Mountains mountain range which permeates the region; mountains in the chain are often clouded in a hazy mist that often appears as smoke rising from the forest." (Wikipedia)

Design by: Studio Simon (Louisville, KY)

Opinion/Notes: I'm really digging this new blue bear, he has ’tude to spare. He has a fuzzy, cuddly, furry outside shell but his scowl is nothing but business. In the main logo and the alternates, he's been really well drawn and looks fantastic on the merchandise. The typography is pretty good and there is not a spike in sight. The "TS"- and "S"-only logo are not as good or exciting but make for a fun, complete package.

Related Links: Smokies press release

Select Quote: The new primary team logo comprises of an intimidating blue bear resting a bat on his back shoulder, with Great Smoky Mountains National Park represented with trees and mountains, along with a red background and "Tennessee Smokies" written underneath the bear. […] Several other alternate logos with use of the blue bear include the "Batting Bear Logo", "Bear With Bats Logo" and the "Four Seam Logo" of a bear claw holding a baseball with a four-seam fastball pitching grip. […] The team's primary colors, along with the lettering and numbers have also been changed to reflect the Smokies' parent club, the Chicago Cubs, with Royal Blue, Light Blue, Red, and Tan as the team's new colors.