If you walk through the Ravine on a Tuesday night, you'll see a sea of blue. Most of those jerseys have "Ohtani" or "Betts" stitched across the back. It makes sense. They’re the icons. But then you see it: a Joe Kelly Dodgers jersey. Sometimes it’s the #17 from his first stint. More often now, it’s the #99. It belongs to a guy who was a middle reliever for a good chunk of his career, yet his jersey remains a cult classic in Los Angeles.
Why? Because Joe Kelly isn't just a pitcher. He’s a mood.
The #17 vs. #99 Dilemma
Most players pick a number and stick to it. Not Joe. When you're looking for a Joe Kelly Dodgers jersey, you have to decide which "era" of Joe you’re repping. For years, he was #17. He wore it during that 2020 World Series run. He wore it when he made that face at Carlos Correa—the pout heard 'round the world.
Then 2024 happened. Shohei Ohtani signed that massive $700 million contract, and suddenly, the most famous #17 in baseball history was headed to Chavez Ravine.
Joe didn't blink. He gave up the number. Honestly, it was a business move, but it was also just Joe being Joe. His wife, Ashley Kelly, even started the "#Ohtake17" campaign on Instagram to lure Ohtani to LA. She was literally throwing Joe’s old #17 shirts on the front lawn. It worked. Ohtani signed, Joe switched to #99, and a few days later, a silver Porsche showed up in the Kellys' driveway.
If you're wearing the #99 today, you're wearing the "Porsche Era" jersey. It’s the ultimate "good teammate" badge.
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The Pouty Face Legacy
You can’t talk about the Joe Kelly Dodgers jersey without talking about the Houston Astros. In 2020, Kelly became the unofficial vigilante of Major League Baseball. After the Astros' sign-stealing scandal broke, every fan wanted someone to do something. Joe did. He threw behind Alex Bregman and then mocked Carlos Correa after a strikeout.
That moment—the pouty face—is essentially what sells these jerseys. It’s why people still buy the home white or the road gray with "Kelly" on the back. It represents the "chaotic neutral" energy he brought to the mound. He wasn't the closer. He wasn't the Cy Young winner. He was the guy who wasn't afraid to be the "bad guy" if it meant standing up for his team.
Authentic vs. Replica: What to Look For in 2026
If you’re hunting for a jersey right now, things have changed a bit in the manufacturing world. Nike’s 2024 "Vapor Premier" chassis caused a lot of drama with smaller lettering and see-through pants, but by now in 2026, many of those kinks have been ironed out in the retail versions.
The Elite (Authentic) Version
This is the "on-field" spec. It has the moisture-wicking fabric and the sewn-on twill numbering. If you want the Joe Kelly Dodgers jersey that looks exactly like what he wore during the 2024 World Series run, this is it. It’s expensive. You’re looking at $300 plus. But the embroidery is crisp, and it doesn’t feel like plastic.
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The Limited (Replica) Version
For most fans, this is the sweet spot. The logos are heat-pressed but still have a textured look. It’s a lot more comfortable for sitting in the sun at a 1:00 PM game. Plus, it won’t hurt your soul as much if you spill a michelada on it.
The "Mariachi Joe" Custom
Technically, this isn't a standard retail item, but many fans make their own. Remember when Joe traded a jersey for a fan's Mariachi jacket and wore it to the White House? It’s the peak of Joe Kelly lore. Some fans even get custom jerseys with "Mariachi Joe" as the nameplate.
Why the Jersey Still Matters After Retirement
Joe Kelly recently stepped away from the mound. He didn't like the word "retirement"—said it was for people like his grandmother or military vets who did 40 years. He’s just "not playing." But his impact on the Dodgers’ clubhouse is basically permanent.
When you wear his jersey, you’re signaling that you’ve been around. You remember the 2020 bubble. You remember the trade that brought him back from the White Sox. You remember him accidentally breaking his own window during a backyard workout.
It’s a "real one" jersey. It tells other fans that you value grit and personality as much as batting averages and ERA.
How to Style and Care for Your Jersey
- Cold Wash Only: Never, ever put a jersey in a hot wash. The heat-pressed numbers on replicas will peel faster than a cheap sticker.
- Air Dry: The dryer is the enemy of the polyester fibers. Hang it up. Let it breathe.
- Layering: Since the current Nike cuts are a bit "athletic" (read: tight), a lot of fans are sizing up one notch to wear a hoodie underneath for those chilly October postseason nights.
The Joe Kelly Dodgers jersey isn't just a piece of merch. It’s a piece of Los Angeles history. Whether you’ve got the #17 he used to strike out the side or the #99 he took for a Porsche, you're repping one of the most unique characters to ever step on the rubber at Blue Heaven on Earth.
If you're looking to grab one, your best bet is to check the official MLB Shop or the kiosks at Dodger Stadium, though his #99 is increasingly becoming a "legacy" item that might require a custom order. Make sure to double-check the sizing charts, as the newer Nike cuts run a bit slimmer through the ribs than the old Majestic ones did.