Among the many annoying things in American politics these days, one of the most irksome is the lazy shorthand of “red states” vs. “blue states.” It’s a false dichotomy, since most states are “blue” in the cities and “red” everywhere else. I live in New York state, which is considered so overwhelmingly “blue” that neither Bush nor Kerry bothered to campaign here in 2004. But that’s because most of the state’s population is concentrated within the tiny area of New York City, which has 8 million people, most of them Democrats. Rattle around upstate New York for a few hours and you’ll find a political (and geographical) landscape that you could easily mistake for, say, rural Indiana. “Blue”? Get real.
Unfortunately, the red/blue paradigm has become so pervasive, and the political scene is so divisively polarized, that many TV news anchors and commentators now avoid wearing red or blue ties on Election Night, for fear of appearing biased toward one party or the other. And what color do they wear instead, the color that is now becoming the de facto uniform of objective political neutrality? Well, think about what you get when you mix red and blue…
That’s right: my worst nightmare.
I first noticed the purple tie phenomenon in 2004, and I had a feeling it would snowball this year. I wasn’t home on Election Night (I was invited to the campaign victory party for a local candidate), and I don’t have a DVR, so I asked a few DVR-equipped readers to scour the airwaves for purple-clad talking heads. They came through beyond my wildest dreams, documenting a staggering number of examples. Check out this roll call (colors may vary a bit, due to the vagaries of TV screen shots, but I’ve been assured that all the neckties in question were in fact purple):
Lee Cowan; Charlie Rose; Jim Lehrer; Paul Begala (who’s a Democratic consultant, so why the hell is he trying to look unbiased?); some unidentified guy on MSNBC; Mort Kondracke (who has always looked like a rodent, but never more so than in this screen shot); Lou Dobbs; an unidentified guest on Fox News; Brit Hume; Howard Fineman; the Fox-4 Dallas male anchor; David Gregory; Carl Cameron; Brian Williams; Bob Shrum; two guys on CNBC (looks like the one on the right is Bob Barr, except it doesn’t make sense that he’d be trying to appear unbiased); David Shuster; Bill Hemmer; and George Stephanopolis (doesn’t look purple, I know, but trust me).
Oh, and then there was Margaret Warner.
While we’re at it, purple was also the dominant hue of the recent Iraqi elections, thanks to that dye they used to indicate when a person had voted, which led to an endless stream of photos like this, this, this, this, this, and this. If this is what democracy’s all about, maybe totalitarianism isn’t so bad after all.
(Mega-thanks to everyone who helped out with the TV research for today’s entry, especially Mark Graban, Chris Hilf, Phil Primato, Jim Ellwanger, Jeff Olson, Gaylord Fields, and Brian Temke — great work, guys.)
Uni Watch News Ticker: On Monday I ran a screen shot of Cedric Benson’s decal malfunction. Turns out he wasn’t the only one having decal problems over the weekend. (Big thanks to Matthew Butch.) … Smart question from Jeff Dunnavant regarding Don Zimmer’s ever-changing uni number: “What did Zimmer do in 1999, his 51st season in baseball? Bernie Williams would have been wearing 51 for the Yankees and, we know he didn’t switch.” Good point. Anyone got a 1999 Yankees yearbook? … Photo of the Year candidate submitted by Bryan Redemske, who says, “This is what they wear in western Nebraska. It’s from the Spencer-Naper vs. Stapleton playoff game in Stapleton, Neb., on Monday.” … According to this article, Sunday’s Vikings/49ers game, which the Niners won, 9-3, “marked the second straight season that [placekicker] Nedney accounted for all of San Francisco’s points when the club wears throwback unis at home. Last year, Nedney’s five field goals lifted the Niners over Tampa Bay, 15-10.” (Nice catch by Dominic J. Litten, who also points out the fine sock stripings of Archbishop Moeller High in Ohio). … Very, uh, unique jersey design (and ultra-modern playing facilities) displayed by the semi-pro Carolina Heat (with thanks to BJ Lanier). … The Diamondbacks are slated to unveil their new uniforms tonight. … Even in Japan, Jose Reyes still does that stupid untucked-jersey thing. Also, as Bryan Redemske notes, the MLBers are wearing their road unis, but Jacque Jones has a Cubs home cap. … Excellent tidbit from Bryan Koval, who writes: “I was flipping through my Nittany Lion Club newsletter, and there was a brief column with Brad ‘Spider’ Caldwell, the Equipment and Facilities Coordinator for the Penn State football team. He described a change to the Penn State uniform that took place this year, and I didn’t even notice it! For the first time, Penn State had the blue stripe painted onto their helmets, instead of using a blue strip of tape. Caldwell said that the equipment staff fixes dings to the paint with a magic marker, and it gives the team easier access to the holes on top of the helmet that are used to inflate the padding.” … Check out this cool Georgia Tech helmet history wallpaper, courtesy of Byron Wages. … Eric J. Discher notes that the “J” on Martin Brodeur’s mask appears to be slightly narrower this year than it was last year.
#1 by Howie on 11.08.06 8:41 am |
Mike Barnacle is the unidentified guy on MSNBC.
#2 by Timmer on 11.08.06 8:43 am |
Hornets wore these monstrosities for the first of three times this season:
Link
#3 by steve on 11.08.06 8:51 am |
What’s wrong with the Hornets unis?
The colors are New Orleans MardiGras.
#4 by Skip on 11.08.06 8:51 am |
If you wear a stetson hat and bluejeans while holding the dial a down, you just might be…………………a redkneck.
#5 by Matt Bonnett on 11.08.06 8:52 am |
I was under the impression that helmet decals and stripes were usually painted on the helmet as a matter of course and touched up as and when required, is the use of decals a new thing or was i always wrong? Never seen the like of the bears malfunction before and now 2 of them.
#6 by dchis on 11.08.06 8:56 am |
Well for one if you look at the pick it has the “Oklahoma City” on it which looks completely ridiculous. And for two they are just some of the ugliest uniforms in the NBA. Their colors are just gross.
#7 by Miguel on 11.08.06 8:58 am |
Can everyone make good use of the google ads on the top left, so that we can help Paul can get a DVR?
#8 by Clevo on 11.08.06 9:00 am |
I wondered why on the local Cleveland morning show the hosts had matching purple outfits. (Sorry for the cel phone pic)
Purple Hosts
#9 by Richard on 11.08.06 9:01 am |
Zim wore 52 in 2001, and then doubled up on the 54 in 2002 and 2003 it looks like.
Can’t find a picture from ‘01, but I’m still looking…
#10 by dchis on 11.08.06 9:04 am |
Oh and along the lines of the New Orleans Hornets, I’m with Minna from yesterday. The Hornets should be the Jazz and Utah should find a new name just like the Timberwolves should be the Lakers, the Wild should be the North Stars, the Baltimore Ravens should be the Colts, the Atlanta Thrashers should be the Flames. Teams that move should have to change their name and should be allowed to pick up the name of a previously existing franchise that is no longer there. This has been done before in the history of sports. The St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Orioles. This was not the first time that a baseball team named the Oriales had been in Baltimore. At the turn of the century (in the aughts, i guess) there was a baseball team called the Baltimore Orioles, they soon moved away and later became the New York Yankees. Another franchise that did something like this was the now Cleveland Browns after the Ravens moved to Baltimore. The only difference being that they were a franchise team and not another team moving there.
#11 by Brian in Milwaukee on 11.08.06 9:06 am |
Jim Angle is the unidentified Fox News guest.
#12 by Mark on 11.08.06 9:08 am |
For those who care, the “unidentified” guy on the left from CNBC is one of their hosts, Dylan Ratigan. I work in the financial realm and recognize him. Bill Hemmer could also have been giving a shout out to his old high school in Cincinnati, as we have seen them here before for sporting these . The horror!
#13 by Mark in Shiga on 11.08.06 9:09 am |
Richard, it looks from that site that Zimmer’s number expressed his number of years in the game as early as 1996 (48)!
He was number 4 when he managed the Chicago Cubs to the division title in 1989. What was he doing from 1991-1995? Out of baseball?
#14 by Paul Lukas on 11.08.06 9:13 am |
He was coaching third base for the Red Sox (and wearing No. 37) for at least one or two of those years.
#15 by a arauz on 11.08.06 9:17 am |
Isn’t the first ‘unidentified guy’ Mike Barnicle, a sometimes guy at MSNBC?
#16 by Mark Sakowitz on 11.08.06 9:17 am |
The photo of Brodeur from “last year” is at least 4 years old. Last year the Devils wore the JM patch on the jerseys. Also the photo shows a Wiz ad on the boards. The Wiz closed up in early 2003. The photo was also taken in New Jersey and white jerseys were last worn at home in 2002-03.
#17 by Richard on 11.08.06 9:17 am |
and was doing a Marvelous job.
#18 by dchis on 11.08.06 9:18 am |
Also was with the Colorado Rockies in 1993 after being with the Red Sox, before 1996 when he joined the Yankees and was assigned the number 47 which was pointed out to him that it matched the number of years he had been in the game. Then he decided to switch it every year.
#19 by Rich on 11.08.06 9:25 am |
Why not wear a red and blue striped/pattern tie on election night? Or better yet–red, white, and blue!
#20 by a arauz on 11.08.06 9:26 am |
Oh man…. the guy on the left (in this referenced picture) looks like he might be that lady’s ventriloquist dummy.
sorry, couldn’ t resist. Also–my apologies about the Barnacle response, i should have read the first comment. my bad.
#21 by Rich on 11.08.06 9:30 am |
#22 by skott on 11.08.06 9:31 am |
speaking of totalitarians, Hussein got death for the killing of 148 iraqis…i think GWB might have just gotten off pretty light last night, right?
now, on the left of center uni watch, which KISS era uni’s were your favorite?
i liked the Dressed to Kill / Alive the best w/ the Love Gun era second best.
#23 by Stu on 11.08.06 9:31 am |
I’ve never noticed the type of striping used by Penn St. I can’t get past the whole team wearing identical Great Gazoo helmets.
#24 by skott on 11.08.06 9:35 am |
i had linked some stuff and screwed it up. i’m an idiot.
question about the Penn State thing -
how many other teams actually PAINT anything on their helmet’s anymore??
are there any pix of blue paint on other teams’ helmets?
#25 by Howie on 11.08.06 9:41 am |
Way ahead of you.
#26 by New Orleans on 11.08.06 9:41 am |
Aren’t the Cleveland Browns the only NFL team that has their helmet stripes painted on?
#27 by dchis on 11.08.06 9:43 am |
I agree with you that these names won’t change but it’s very annoying having it that way. What does the name Lakers have to do with L.A.? Nothing, it has a ton to do with Minnesotta where the Lakers came from. Also add a new team the Charlotte Bobcats should be the Hornets.
#28 by Terry Mark on 11.08.06 9:47 am |
Paul, I agree that the blue state-red state dichotomy is false, but I believe the divide is more complex than urban=Democrat/rural=Republican. The red/blue divide is unfortunately the creation of the national media and has been fed by the political consultants of both parties. Think of it as branding on a sadly insidious level.
Most people’s political views fall somewhere on the purple spectrum, to borrow the preferred lexicon of discussion these days. Our views are informed by our life experiences and personal circumstances. Democrats and Republicans, by forcing voters to choose sides, do the country (and democracy) a disservice.
Now, back to uni-related subjects (which is why I read this blog), I’m eagerly anticipating the new Diamondbacks look. I hope I’m not disappointed.
#29 by Jeff F. on 11.08.06 9:49 am |
Notre Dame paints its helmets with gold paint before every game. There are actual gold flakes in the paint they use.
#30 by Paul Lukas on 11.08.06 9:49 am |
From my interview last year with Chris Willis (prexy of Athletic Decals Inc.):
PL: What about the Browns? When you look at that helmet, you must be thinking to yourself, “Man, that team needs a logo decal on there!”
CW: Nope! I love doing business with the Browns, because it’s cheap and easy. Even though they don’t have a side logo, we do the striping [decals] for them. And the stripes are right there in the hit zone, so they get chewed up, and they end up ordering a lot of them from us.
—–
The full interview, which includes some info on NFL and NCAA teams that have painted helmet designs, is here.
#31 by Lake on 11.08.06 9:54 am |
As an Upstater, I can say it’s getting bluer and bluer up here. Of course, I live along the Thruway, which is more city-oriented. But even along the Southern Tier and way up towards Canada, there’s been a slight shift to the left.
#32 by Stu on 11.08.06 9:55 am |
Paul,
Anything more on MLB teams switching back to the powder blue road unis? I’m hoping its the Royals (what do they have to lose?) and they also go back to the white lettering and numbering.
I’m a little distressed about how the powder blues might look when players wear the pants like PJs, though.
#33 by Matt G on 11.08.06 9:55 am |
Little articale here about the Arizona new unis. I know that the colors have been discussed but the D seems to be getting a modern update. Also if you go here you can see the new colors under the old uni. Second picture on the front page news.
#34 by Andy on 11.08.06 9:57 am |
On the topic of helmets, I saw a news segment the other night about how football helmets are much more protective, and have had much more research done to make them more protective, than our military helmets.
I found a write-up on it here.
#35 by Howie on 11.08.06 10:01 am |
Uh, sorry…check the first commnt of the day!
#36 by Paul Lukas on 11.08.06 10:01 am |
No. The team that was considering it for 2007 was Tampa Bay, but they’ve decided not to change their unis yet. They’ll probably change in 2008, but no word yet on what they’ll look like.
#37 by dchis on 11.08.06 10:05 am |
Anybody else think that the Diamondback “D” and the Disney “D” are very similar.
#38 by Julia on 11.08.06 10:05 am |
The purple thing doesn’t hold true for some of the women on last night, there were at least 3 women I saw (and we had several channels going) wearing red.
#39 by Craig on 11.08.06 10:14 am |
According to sf49ers.com Mike Nolan is in discussions with John York to petition the league to bring back the old unis for the 49ers. I am, of course, a big Niners fan and would love to see these unis again.
#40 by Jonathon on 11.08.06 10:14 am |
Hey Paul,
I think this link is appropriate, given your blog topic today:
http://www.urbandict...
#41 by Patrick Baude on 11.08.06 10:26 am |
Also, Heaton hasn’t been around for a while either. Marty has worn the reebok’s for a couple seasons now.
#42 by Jonathon on 11.08.06 10:28 am |
Does anyone have the link showing the new D-backs and Reds uniforms, handy? I know they were posted a while back.
#43 by Ian on 11.08.06 10:31 am |
Well Paul, here’s more fodder for your worst nightmare… In last week’s Sports Illustrated (Nov. 6, 2006) there was an in-depth piece on David Stern. The following comes from page 63:
At 5′9″ Stern is not physically imposing, but he looks good. He has a full head of gray hair and wears expensive suits, tailored shirts and classy ties. (Purple is his favorite color.)
Doesn’t that just beat all?
#44 by Rich on 11.08.06 10:32 am |
Uh, which definition, 1, 2, or 3? :)
#45 by Johnny on 11.08.06 10:45 am |
Paul Begala’s necktie was blue — it just looks a little purple next to the blues of CNN’s set and chyrons. As you said, he is a Democratic consultant, so why would he want to look unbiased? In fact, he and James Carville, CNN’s democratic pundits, were both wearing blue ties. Sitting next to them were J.C. Watts and Bill Bennett, the G.O.P. commentators, who wore red. It was an intentional “blue-vs.red” color combination.
#46 by Taylor on 11.08.06 10:51 am |
Their jerseys aren’t awful. I mean, they aren’t good, but at least they aren’t all un-asymetrical (sp?, English?) like the Timberwolves and Wizards.
#47 by steve on 11.08.06 10:57 am |
Check the sliding pants from Japan.
#48 by Bob on 11.08.06 11:11 am |
I have been thinking about MLB teams changing to light blue road unis for a while, but I had no idea this was a possibility. How great would the Phillies, Royals, or even the Cubs look in powder blue 81 times a year? Pretty darn good, that’s how.
Also, the Buffaslug emblem, as it has come to be known, is very similar to the North Dakota State University logo at the bottom of this page. I know Paul attempted to match the logo a few times recently, though I’m not sure if this was ever brought up.
#49 by Mark Graban on 11.08.06 11:14 am |
I saw two red/blue striped ties last night and thought that would be the new trend:
Anderson Cooper (CNN)
Glenn Beck (Headline News)
#50 by Tape on 11.08.06 11:19 am |
as much as I am ALL FOR powder blue roads, I don’t see it working with the Devil Rays’ particular shade of green.
… unless, of course, as part of this renaming thing they’re talking about, they switch up the colors.
I think there are two teams that should immediately go to the powder blues: the Royals and Brewers.
#51 by Tape on 11.08.06 11:20 am |
I also forgot the Blue Jays, who should do so as part of a total and complete makeover of their butt-ugly excuse for “style” these days.
#52 by Mark Graban on 11.08.06 11:22 am |
I saw two red/blue striped ties last night and thought that would be the new trend:
Anderson Cooper (CNN)
Glenn Beck (Headline News)
#53 by Jim on 11.08.06 11:22 am |
I’m the one who provided the Paul Begala screen shot, and his tie still looks purple to me, even now that I’m not in the middle of bleary-eyed channel flipping and running back and forth between the TiVo and the computer. Granted, it’s on the blue side of purple, but purple nonetheless. (And I’m an alumnus of Northwestern University, so I think I know purple.)
#54 by thid on 11.08.06 11:25 am |
there are legal issues with having a team take its nickname to a new city. for example, the Washington Nationals couldn’t call themselves the Washington Senators (which was considered) because the Texas Rangers still own the rights to that name.
I actually dislike the trend of a team changing its nickname when it changes cities, even if it makes no sense like “Utah Jazz” or “Tennessee Oilers” (as they were known for a couple of years after their move). it’s a way of at least paying some small tribute to the fans they left behind.
#55 by a arauz on 11.08.06 11:26 am |
Hey Lake… it’s not a ’slight shift to the left’ as much as people coming to their senses. :)
#56 by Chris Doran on 11.08.06 11:28 am |
I agree about that…
Off topic- Can anyone tell me what made the1980 World Series between the Phils and Royals historic?
#57 by dchis on 11.08.06 11:30 am |
The fans don’t normally care about the team that leaves because they are angry that they left so why would the owners want to pay a tribute to the fans they left behind? They would want to try to get the new fan base behind their team. The only reason why the Oilers/Titans stuck with the Oilers for a couple of years was because they were playing in Memphis before their new stadium in Nashville was built. They wanted to change everything over at once when they got into their new home stadium.
#58 by a arauz on 11.08.06 11:31 am |
I saw that… well done Johnny! Question: can anyone respect anything Bill Bennett may have to say? He makes Limbaugh look good.
#59 by Stu on 11.08.06 11:32 am |
First Series to be played completely on fake grass?
#60 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 11.08.06 11:37 am |
this is by no means directed to be disrespectful toward the school, football team, its history, or the student athletes who play there, nor is it meant to bring light to a sad state of affairs, but it seems to me that miami should take a page from the seminole notebook, and get a pair of “all blacks” for games like they will have to play on saturday. it seems we’ve seen the bryan pata tragedy movie already, just with different casts…
#61 by Chris Doran on 11.08.06 11:38 am |
A cigar to Stu!
#62 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 11.08.06 11:43 am |
first series where home team always wore white and the away team always wore powder blues…
OR
first world series to feature a team with a zipper jersey closure…
#63 by TBDRO on 11.08.06 11:45 am |
Powder blues? Combine that with the rumor of an Expos-style pinwheel cap and you have a recipe for disaster.
“In addition to two Rays hats and a Don Zimmer minibobblehead on the shelf behind his desk is an Expos hat - simply because he liked the logo and knew they’d be disappearing.”
#64 by BtotheE on 11.08.06 11:46 am |
—–
The full interview, which includes some info on NFL and NCAA teams that have painted helmet designs, is here.
Just wanted to say that (^) was a great article.
#65 by Mark in Shiga on 11.08.06 12:11 pm |
Teams that have blue as one of their primary colors can often look good in light blue. I really like the road uniforms (pale blue, and then light blue with white pinstripes) that the Cubs wore in the 1970s and early 1980s, and the not-at-all-WWII-era-looking road jerseys from 1941.
With the Cubs returning the names to the home uniforms next season, they should dump the blue alternate home shirt and use something retro, with numbers only, for the fans who don’t like names on the backs. How about a vest like in the old days? Surnames look cramped and awkward on sleeveless jerseys anyway.
#66 by Kyle on 11.08.06 12:16 pm |
Wait a minute. With all of this discussion of the hatred of purple I am confused why the sock striping of Moeller high is so highly regarded. It seems to me that the stripes above and below the yellow are purple. And, to make matters worse it seems that the 50 yd line logo is painted in purple, and that the entire endzone is painted in purple. Being a graduate of East Carolina University I love the purple and gold. Just make sure you don’t come to Greenville and say that purple is a bad color.
#67 by Andrew F on 11.08.06 12:17 pm |
New unis for Hofstra University basketball (they have votes, so they can get a mention on here)
Went from http://www.hofstra.e... to http://www.thelionsd...
Notice the one thing that has killed them…
#68 by Ryan B. on 11.08.06 12:21 pm |
#69 by Shawn Knowles on 11.08.06 12:21 pm |
I happen to have two purple ties, and I think they look great. Especially with a black shirt. Also, girls like purple.
#70 by dchis on 11.08.06 12:25 pm |
Looks pretty blue to me!!
#71 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 11.08.06 12:33 pm |
always been blue
even this guy wore the moeller blue
http://reds.enquirer...
#72 by dchis on 11.08.06 12:36 pm |
How about this for good use of stirrups?
#73 by Chancelikely on 11.08.06 12:43 pm |
As soon as the Hornets moved to New Orleans, I thought the best thing to do would be to have the Jazz and Hornets switch nicknames, removing the Jazz from what has to be the least-hip state in the union, and giving Utah a nickname to go with that whole stinging-insect thing they have going there.
Personally, I like the fact that Los Angeles teams all have nicknames from other cities… it’s kind of a shorthand for the history of the area. Lakers from Minneapolis, Rams from Cleveland, Raiders and Clippers from elsewhere in California, Dodgers from Brooklyn are all welcome (of course, the Rams and Raiders took off again, but the idea still holds).
Thoroughly unrelated, what’s the best purple uniform out there? I’ve always been willing to give the Lakers, Vikings, and Northwestern Wildcats a pass because of the very lengthy use of purple in their uniforms, but what’s the best aesthetic use of purple in the sports world?
#74 by David L on 11.08.06 12:45 pm |
That’s a high school?
They’re wearing complete underarmour jerseys,
which i didn’t think were available to schools other than the ones that had contracts with UA(Maryland, Texas Tech).
I can’t imagine they’d be even relatively affordable either.
#75 by Stu on 11.08.06 12:53 pm |
No such thing as a good use of purple. If you do feel, though, that you must go purple then I say do it up right and pair it with something like orange. I’m talkin’ about you, Clemson.
#76 by Chad E. on 11.08.06 12:56 pm |
I’ve been poking around looking at historical Big 10 football programs of years past, and came up on some rather interesting uniforms.
1973 Minnesota in what i would call “urine” colored unis from head to toe.
http://www.craftyrav...
Here’s a program from 1941…didn’t know the Buffalo Bills uni’s were i full force during WWII.
http://www.craftyrav...
An Ohio State program from 1924 with striped sleeves!
http://www.craftyrav...
The 1893 Indiana Hoosiers going with the candy-cane look.
http://www.craftyrav...
1915 Indiana Hoosiers with candy-cane sleeves.
http://www.craftyrav...
#77 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 11.08.06 1:00 pm |
in reviewing the moeller high school athletic hall of fame, i’m still deciding which is more fascinating. that former phillie and dodger len matuszek is an alum (and that i havent seen his name in print in forever) OR that outside of baseball, barry larkin was on the hoop and wrestling team simultaneously!
#78 by Jack H. on 11.08.06 1:16 pm |
At least Steward and Colbert (the only entertaining election coverage ever) went with blue and red ties, respectively.
#79 by Minna H on 11.08.06 1:18 pm |
Shawn K., purple looks great with black because everything looks good with black.
Cool chicks dig black and red, not purple and pink.
Speaking of pink, I saw a maroon minivan with pink hubcaps. I wasted several seconds trying to figure out if they were team-related or breast cancer-related before realizing I should be watching the road.
Speaking of ties, our R(ed) governor was reelected, and he was wearing a blue tie.
Tim Toomuch
You have to click on the photo gallery to see the baby blue in all its glory.
#80 by Mark on 11.08.06 1:23 pm |
Thought I would add this from the Cincinnati desk of Uniwatch . . . Barry Larkin was one of the all-time best athletes to go through Moeller, but if you wanted to see some serious hoop skills, his brother Byron was the man! Excellent sports history at Moeller, plus it was home to one Gerry Faust. Straight from Moeller to Notre Dame, not bad.
#81 by Minna H on 11.08.06 1:26 pm |
You mean because it constantly reminds those of us who live in the other places that you took our teams?
I’m kidding, Chancelikely. Sort of. I just think that it would make much more sense for us (Minnesota) to be the Lakers than it does for L.A. I mean, what, the Timberwolves? The Wild!? I’d rather be the Blue Oxen—except I don’t like blue.
I do like the Timberwolves’ black unis, but they should really be the Lakers. Oh, and Utah has to give the Jazz to New Orleans.
If I were King of the Sports’ World, I would restore the nicknames to the rightful teams. I would also decree a mandate on striped socks and that every team has black as a team color—except for the Mets.
#82 by Mark on 11.08.06 1:33 pm |
Moeller is not the only high school that has an agreement with Under Armour. Warren Central in Indianapolis wears their attire, too. One of the people who was with Under Armour from the very beginning went to Warren Central I believe.
http://www.indystar....
#83 by Jonathon on 11.08.06 1:34 pm |
probably 1 or 2, fool.
#84 by Mark on 11.08.06 1:35 pm |
Warren Central also has a W that looks very similar to a certain school that gets upset about that easily. I believe there is a background story there, but I do not know it.
#85 by ACC on 11.08.06 1:36 pm |
College - Furman Univ.
Pro - Baltimore Ravens
#86 by dgc on 11.08.06 1:38 pm |
I don’t think that had anything to do with the Nats’ name. Selig wanted to call the team the Senators. Mayor Williams and the DC Council didn’t want that because DC has no real Senators and they promoted Grays (after the Homestead Grays which played some games here). Nationals was basically the default compromise.
#87 by Minna H on 11.08.06 1:39 pm |
I like 3, myself. I might have to start using it.
#88 by Jonathon on 11.08.06 1:40 pm |
Don’t forget about Auburn
#89 by Jonathon on 11.08.06 1:43 pm |
#90 by Chris Doran on 11.08.06 1:43 pm |
Cardinal O’Hara in suburban Philly is on the UA train
#91 by Chad E. on 11.08.06 1:43 pm |
Back when the Astros used this logo,
http://www.avalanche...
our high school copied the star from it and was forced to change our logo. We changed it to a normal star, like the Cowboys star. This was back in the upper 90’s i believe. No internet articles about it…too far back, but it did happen.
#92 by Jonathon on 11.08.06 1:44 pm |
nothing wrong with def. #3, just not relevant to today’s blog topic. perhaps another day.
#93 by ACC on 11.08.06 1:45 pm |
I really don’t understand the negativity. Hornets jerseys are fine. The colors are “gross”. Huh?
It’s the official mardi gras colors as some other guy mentioned. What colors are they supposed to be.
The jerseys worn last night are alternate jerseys as a tribute to OC supporting them so much. I didn’t hear a single commentator call them ridiculous. Their official jersey reads HORNETS I believe.
#94 by Jonathon on 11.08.06 1:46 pm |
but the running back (#21) is wearing nike cleats. ha. qb’s wearing ua cleats, however
#95 by Eric on 11.08.06 1:46 pm |
Thoroughly unrelated, what’s the best purple uniform out there? I’ve always been willing to give the Lakers, Vikings, and Northwestern Wildcats a pass because of the very lengthy use of purple in their uniforms, but what’s the best aesthetic use of purple in the sports world?
The Philadelphia Phantoms!
#96 by Eric on 11.08.06 1:53 pm |
If you do feel, though, that you must go purple then I say do it up right and pair it with something like orange. I’m talkin’ about you, Clemson.
Exactly my point. Once again I say: Philadelphia Phantoms!
#97 by Minna H on 11.08.06 1:54 pm |
I like the Hornet unis. I’m not crazy about the blue, but they unis are fine overall. I like the salute to the Okla. fans who supported them so heartily last season.
#98 by Eric on 11.08.06 1:54 pm |
#99 by Chad G on 11.08.06 2:01 pm |
damn you people, close your italics tag
#100 by concealed78 on 11.08.06 2:02 pm |
So I take it Paul’s a Democrat, seeing that New York is so Blue, not that it really matters or anything. I always wondered if sports teams ever considered Political colors in their schemes or not.
#101 by Minna H on 11.08.06 2:06 pm |
Yeah! I mean, um….Considering it was me who messed up yesterday, I can’t be a hypocrite about it.
Yes, I can! It doubly bothers me when I’m the one who does it.
As for purple unis, the Old Viking uniforms were nice. The current ones? Ugh.
#102 by Chris Doran on 11.08.06 2:08 pm |
Exactly my point. Once again I say: Philadelphia Phantoms!
Cast another vote for the Phantoms!!
#103 by Chad G on 11.08.06 2:09 pm |
So Minna,
who do you think fixed it? Is EK back there behind the scenes fixing stuff and not posting anymore?…alas, we may never know
#104 by Minna H on 11.08.06 2:20 pm |
Chad G., it’s Paul. He watches the board, and he has the power to fix. It would be cool if it were the all-knowing Ek, wearing his replica Yankees’ jersey and Giants’ hat, muttering, “Damn those kids” under his breath as he fixed the mistakes.
Ek, oh, Ek–we hardly knew you….
#105 by Devin on 11.08.06 2:26 pm |
I couldn’t find any pictures of Coach Zimmer’s number in 1999, but if you click here, and scroll down to #30, you will see that Steiner Sports has sold a 1999 Don Zimmer #50 Spring Training Jersey, complete with certificate of authenticity.
#106 by Devin on 11.08.06 2:28 pm |
… or that is a 1998 jersey. For crying out loud. I know that he wore #50, I just can’t find the picture!
#107 by Kenny on 11.08.06 2:29 pm |
I just saw an ad on ESPN.com for ING that says if you donate money to support youth running programs you will get a pair of orange shoelaces. Interesting promotion that kinda ties into yesterday’s post and comments
#108 by joe on 11.08.06 2:32 pm |
Running has got to be the cheapest sport ever. What would anyone need to donate for?
#109 by ACC on 11.08.06 2:32 pm |
Amen they are fine overall. I couldn’t be more pleased with their uniforms despite the “gross” color scheme as someone so nicely put it.
They’re unique, not too cluttered, and fairly clean looking without being dull.
#110 by Minna H on 11.08.06 2:43 pm |
I think what puzzled me most was the word ‘monstrosities’. Even if i didn’t like the uniform, nothing screams monstrous to me.
This is a monstrosity.
This is a clean, eye-pleasing uniform with a not-too-distracting blue.
#111 by Zach on 11.08.06 2:45 pm |
Having just finished playing high school football (graduated last year) I’m realtively certain that almost every high school just buys their uniforms from the company that makes them. I don’t know of any high schools with complete contracts with nike, UA, or anyone else that includes cleats and the like. High school players are generally expected to buy their own cleats and they can be whatever they want. The few schools I saw that did buy consistent cleats weren’t the same as who made the uniforms.
#112 by Patrick O'Donnell on 11.08.06 2:47 pm |
The best purple unis in college football are Kansas State’s.
#113 by joe on 11.08.06 2:48 pm |
This.
Purple on black britches with thick white piping. It looks like they got dressed at a uni thrift store. I think it wins out of pure garishness.
Maybe this.
They look like purple bees. Its a close second.
#114 by ard on 11.08.06 2:51 pm |
shoes?
#115 by Johnny on 11.08.06 2:58 pm |
We can quibble over whether it was bluish-purple or purplish-blue. My point is that from context, it was clearly intended to be a blue tie. Paul (Lukas) argued that anchors and commentators choose purple to avoid portraying bias, but CNN had a blue-vs.-red thing going on, so that wasn’t the case here. Taking in the whole picture, it’s obvious that as far as Begala and CNN were concerned, his tie was blue, so I think he should be exempted from the list of the accused.
#116 by Timmer on 11.08.06 3:10 pm |
What I meant in my oriinal post about the Hornets jerseys was about the text of “Oklahoma City” on top of and below the number. I think the color scheme is great, and when it reads “New Orleans” it looks nice, and even better when it says “Hornets”, but, putting text above and below the number looks weird. I’m fine with the idea of the tribute to OKC, but I wish they found a better way to show it. I think Paul mentioned how weird this style looks a few months ago when he was discussing VAL.
#117 by dchis on 11.08.06 3:12 pm |
I don’t remember the word “monstrosities” anywhere here today. I did say that the colors of the Hornets uniforms were “gross” and that the Oklahoma City looks “stupid.” It looks stupid with more letters above the number than below the number. I don’t think that this is wrong to do but just looks weird to me. I think having those uniforms for that city is a good idea as they supported them so much last year. The colors are gross, Come on the yellow, and the purple, and the whatever the heck blue-green color is just gross, don’t care if it’s mardi gras colors it’s still nasty.
And yes, Minna, let’s give back the right names for the right teams. The Lakers to the Timberwolves, the North Stars to the Wild and the Jazz to the Hornets.
#118 by Kenny on 11.08.06 3:30 pm |
On our high horse I see? But for what reason?
#119 by DJL on 11.08.06 3:32 pm |
RE: the Moeller stripes being purple.
As someone already stated, Moeller’s colors are blue and gold. However, the endzone in that picture is indeed purple. St. Edward High (the team Moeller was playing in the photos) in suburban Cleveland plays their games at Lakewood Stadium on the campus of Lakewood High School. Lakewood High’s colors are purple and gold.
If you would like to see the entire gallery of Moeller vs. St. Edward photos, you can view them here
Also, someone posted Cincinnati Elder High’s all purple uniforms. Elder just so happens to be one of Moeller’s big rivals. Their agreement with Under Armor is shared by a number of well known teams, such as Southlake Carroll (TX), Hamilton Chandler (AZ), etc. Personally, I think they are fugly, but not because of the purple.
If you’d like to see the contrast between the classic Moeller uniforms and hideous new Elder UA uniforms, look no further than the Elder vs. Moeller Photo Gallery.
#120 by Warren Thompson on 11.08.06 3:32 pm |
Of all the Georgia Tech helmets pictured on that site, the nicest is the one at extreme right.
#121 by Chad G on 11.08.06 3:32 pm |
There is one famous jersey with text above and below the numbers that has been rather popular throughout the last 3+ decades…
I also think It’s kinda funny that today we have a bunch of people calling the Hornets colors “gross” when just a few weeks ago many people were praising the very similar colors of the Jacksonville Jaguars
#122 by dchis on 11.08.06 3:39 pm |
I’ve been the one calling the Hornets colors gross and the Jacksonville Jaguars colors are just as bad.
Also the problem with the text above and below the numbers is that on the Hornets jersey the lower text is smaller than the upper. That is what makes it look hideous.
#123 by Ian K on 11.08.06 3:45 pm |
Best purple jerseys… the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs of course.
2nd place goes to Northwestern.
I am obviously biased - TCU Class of ‘04
#124 by Minna H on 11.08.06 3:52 pm |
dchis, second post for monstrosities. I don’t think the color is that bad in the example cited above. Like I said, not crazy about the blue, but doesn’t overly bother me. I’m not loving the unis, but I think they’re (mostly) nicely done.
Minnesota Lakers and Minnesota North Stars. I think I might have to start calling the teams that, regardless of the current names.
Timmer said:
What I meant in my oriinal post about the Hornets jerseys was about the text of “Oklahoma City†on top of and below the number. I think the color scheme is great, and when it reads “New Orleans†it looks nice, and even better when it says “Hornetsâ€, but, putting text above and below the number looks weird. I’m fine with the idea of the tribute to OKC, but I wish they found a better way to show it. I think Paul mentioned how weird this style looks a few months ago when he was discussing VAL.
I see your point, Timmer (and dchis), about the text being both above and below the number. It does look lopsided with the Oklahoma being so scrunched and City being only four letters.
It’s strange, but I can’t summon up much feeling for these unis one way or the other. I like them overall, but I don’t like them, if you get my meaning. Oh well. I guess it’s ok to be purple sometimes.
#125 by Zurk on 11.08.06 3:56 pm |
I agree whole heartedly with Minna also but nobody has mentioned one of the biggest - the Colts back to Baltimore!
#126 by Ian on 11.08.06 4:02 pm |
Anyone else dislike the Diamondbacks’ D?
They should either go with only the A or the D. Not both.
#127 by dchis on 11.08.06 4:02 pm |
Atleast they look better now than these uniforms did.
Also, Minna, I’ve been trying to find information about why the North Stars left Minnesotta for Dallas. I haven’t been able to turn anything up. Could you help me out with this?
#128 by Kenny on 11.08.06 4:03 pm |
When I was looking through those pictures, I thought Moeller’s helmets were yellow. But then I got confused when I saw navy helmets. Man that’s a lot of pride stickers is what I’m getting at!!
#129 by dchis on 11.08.06 4:09 pm |
Umm… been mentioned already look at entry #10.
#130 by Minna H on 11.08.06 4:13 pm |
Gah. dchis, warn a gal before you post a pic like that. Now that is a monstrosity.
As for the North Stars leaving Minnesota, look here right before the Departure to Dallas section. It was all that scumbag, Norm Green’s, fault.
Some of the hockey buffs may know more than I do. Teebz? Kenny? Riley? Burrill? Banker Bill? bluenoser? Natron? Any other ice-lovers/MN residents I forgot to mention?
#131 by Minna H on 11.08.06 4:17 pm |
Zurk, that’s because I’m a loud-mouthed woman from Minnesota who persistently beats everyone over the head with my personal preferences until no one can think of anything else but the Minnesota Lakers and the Minnesota North Stars!
Maybe I’ll start lobbying for the Minnesota Senators. Nah, I like the Twins.
#132 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 11.08.06 4:23 pm |
a few weeks back someone started the platform that the term “classy” was overused for uniforms, most specifically the yankees home pinstripes. i gotta tell ya’ the terms “abomination” and “monstrosity” are grinding my gears more than john cougar melloncamp’s “our country” chevy commercials (well, maybe not more, but almost as much)
running programs could generate money for all weather track surfaces, equipment (hurdles, starting blocks), as well sneakers. in fact nike’s reuse a shoe program takes defective and returned shoes, grinds them up to create athletic surfaces for playgrounds.
as far as how teams get uni’s (or any other equipment) by a supplier, these companies have sales reps just like any other industry. in fact the riddell rep just contacted our local high school. these reps also have relationships with sporting goods stores as most high schools go directly to the local sporting goods store. this way, the store can offer UA, nike, russell, etc. so the AD can then choose which outfitter fits in the budget. it makes the sales reps job alot easier. of course if you have a blue chip prospect on your team (ie. lebron) they come to you
sometime someone will have to explain to me how this style can look weird… these era’s especially
http://i13.ebayimg.c...
http://i19.ebayimg.c...
http://i10.ebayimg.c...
#133 by Matthew S. on 11.08.06 4:25 pm |
Don’t the Bengals also paint on their helmet stripes? If so do they start with a black helmet and paint on the orange or vice versa?
Also, Bob Shrum could have been wearing a purple tie on MSNBC last night because, in addition to being a Democratic consultant, he is currently a professor of politics at New York University (whose primary color is purple).
http://www.nyu.edu/a...
#134 by dchis on 11.08.06 4:26 pm |
Thanks for the info. Sorry I hadn’t known this before but in my defense I have lived in the Southeast my entire life, was 9 when they moved to Dallas and didn’t start following hockey until the spring of 1995.
Also, if you didn’t like that picture than you’re going to need to be warned of this one.
One of the worst uni’s ever. The stripes on the tops and not stripes on the bottom. Just one big OUCH!!!!
#135 by ACC on 11.08.06 4:32 pm |
Yeah but at the time those Mourning jerseys were big sellers among NBA fans. So you’re not necessarily the voice of the majority.
#136 by DJL on 11.08.06 4:34 pm |
Agreed. The defense receives skull and crossbones stickers, while the offense receives star stickers. Having so many seemed silly to me, much like Ohio State, and lose their meaning.
Not sure if you noticed in the Moe vs. St. Edward photos, but St. Edward gives out hammers (note No. 50) for seriously big hits. Not many guys have them, and the ones that do don’t have many.
#137 by Minna H on 11.08.06 4:38 pm |
Wait. So you’re one of the people enjoying the fruit of ill-gotten gains? You are a rooter of the Dallas team? Traitor!
Just teasing, dchis. Even if you do root for Dallas (and I don’t know if you do), it’s not your fault.
Now, as to the pic of the Raptors, I don’t find it nearly as bad as the pic of the old Charlotte uniforms. Don’t know why, but there it is.
#138 by specs on 11.08.06 4:51 pm |
I think most people can agree that the UNC basketball jerseys look fine, but with the NO/OKC Hornets jerseys, in addition to “Oklahoma” and “City” being significantly different sizes (as Timmer went on to explain after his original post), the “City” is the exact same width as Peja’s “16″. To me, that’s what makes it look sortof weird.
#139 by specs on 11.08.06 4:55 pm |
Also, I’m no Mardi Gras veteran, so I may be mistaken, but aren’t the official Mardi Gras colors purple, yellow and kelly green, instead of teal? The original New Orleans Jazz logo used kelly green.
#140 by specs on 11.08.06 4:56 pm |
Just realized that the link I posted says “Utah”. I’m an idiot . . . but I think my point about the kelly green still holds water.
#141 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 11.08.06 5:01 pm |
i absolutely hated champion’s replica uni’s during that charlotte mourning era. its like they went out of their way to make sure the jerseys screamed “im wearing a replica”…
some examples…
charlotte: replica #’s were 2 or 3x as thick as authentic
la and miami: drop shadows, but the font was wrong and 2 had a horizontal not diagonal cross
also some news, nike is releasing a 92 barcelona dream team collection of jerseyes and jackets…
some pics..
http://i12.tinypic.c...
http://i14.tinypic.c...
http://i14.tinypic.c...
http://www.nike.com/...
#142 by The Gov'Nah on 11.08.06 5:04 pm |
i havent read the entire comments section, but these answers may be correct:
first time 2 rookie managers met in the world series.
first time a player hit home runs in his first 2 WS at bats (amos otis)
and the unifrom thing that was just mentioned.
#143 by steve on 11.08.06 5:05 pm |
Anyone remember these BYU bib uniforms from 1999?
I searched hard but couldn’t find a picture with both the front and back. I think the back didn’t have the bib and was all blue. They looked like different teams depending on which way they were facing.
#144 by BCVM22 on 11.08.06 5:06 pm |
The giant uni number book states that Zimmer wore No. 50 from 1998-2000 and No. 52 in 2001.
#145 by BtotheE on 11.08.06 5:09 pm |
Were the jerseys rebok(s)(maybe) back in 92′. Or wasw it just the warmups the players covered up the logo’s of (with a flag, folding, and whatever else they did).?
#146 by Alex on 11.08.06 5:10 pm |
my guess would be 26 world championships…nonetheless, a terrible hat
#147 by BtotheE on 11.08.06 5:13 pm |
here. Olympic warmups.And I guess the jerseys were made by champion.
#148 by ACC on 11.08.06 5:21 pm |
That’s a great call - I forgot about the green Jazz away uniforms. They only had those a couple of seasons.
Re: mardi gras see
“The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple (symbolic of justice), green (symbolic of faith) and gold (symbolic of power).”
and re: local teams
“Interestingly, the colors of Mardi Gras influenced the choice of school colors for the Lousiana arch-rival colleges, Louisiana State University and Tulane University. Whe LSU was deciding on its colors, the stores in New Orleans had stocked-up on fabrics of purple, green and gold for the upcoming Mardi Gras Season.”
Source:
#149 by New Orleans on 11.08.06 5:25 pm |
Thanks, Paul. So the Browns have also gone to decal stripes too? Maybe this was before the Browns took a forced hiatus from the NFL but I remember that in addition to having the distinction of being the only NFL team that didn’t sport a helmet decal the Browns prided themselves on on their old-school uniforms, even to having their helmet stripes painted on rather than using tape stripes as other teams had gone too. Do you have any idea when the Browns went to decal stripes?
With few exceptions, as pointed out, I’m sure almost everyone uses decal stripes now. I remember back in the day when LSU’s (and I believe the Saints’ helmets too) helemts came from the factory with a painted white stripe and the purple stripes were added with tape. In fact, LSU used Riddell suspension helmets and Spalding padded helmets. The Spalding helmets came with multiple white stripes and the trainers would remove all but the white center stripe with acetone before adding the purple tape stripes.
BTW, I learned of this site fairly recently when I read an article in USAToday about Oregon’s multiple football uniforms in which this site was mentioned. It’s a great site. I was worried that I was the only person on the planet that noticed small details in sports uniforms. Thank you for making me feel normal. ;>)
#150 by mcarpe on 11.08.06 5:31 pm |
Why is reebok trying to force hockey players to tuck their jerseys in? I play hockey and will never to it. This isn’t the other major sports where it looks better tucked in. Stop reebok please!
#151 by Lake on 11.08.06 5:40 pm |
Agreed.
#152 by dp on 11.08.06 5:41 pm |
It donates to physical fitness and running education.
runforsomethingbetter.com
There’s another charitable organization doing red laces but i can’t remember what it’s benefitting.
#153 by Vegas4BOC on 11.08.06 5:59 pm |
Isn’t Utah the Beehive State? Hornets is close enough. May as well just swap team names. Utah Hornets and New Orleans Jazz.
#154 by David L on 11.08.06 6:13 pm |
So if the front was mainly white, and the back was blue, was it a home or away uniform?
Does NCAA (or even NFL for that matter) have rules reguarding the amount of white etc. like some soccer leagues do(i remember one being mentioned a good while ago)?
#155 by DenverGregg on 11.08.06 6:25 pm |
The Colorado Rapids of MLS may end up with a unique addition to their kits, depending on how this naming deal works out.
#156 by Chris Doran on 11.08.06 6:38 pm |
Geez, I was just looking for the first World Series to be played entirely on Astroturf.
But all those seem to be possibly right as well.
#157 by Matt G on 11.08.06 6:49 pm |
They just said on a radio update on ESPN that miami will wear a patch with the # 95 on it for Bryan Pata, the player that was shot and killed antbody with and PIC’s please post… All though I can’t stand the U it is a said day when something like this happens.
#158 by Matt G on 11.08.06 6:53 pm |
SRY make that a decal on the Helmets not a patch. The details are in the last paragraph. Sorry about that.
#159 by Teebz on 11.08.06 7:19 pm |
Minna, I have all the photos uploaded to a hosting site. Now, I begin on the article. I’m hoping to have it posted by tomorrow evening. Lots of pictures, and many differences between the licensed apparel designers. :o)
#160 by John B on 11.08.06 7:26 pm |
Blue is the new Red.
#161 by C.N. on 11.08.06 7:35 pm |
Well, under that theory, what does the name “Red Sox” have to do with Boston? What does the name “Orioles” have to do with Baltimore? I can see changing the Hornets’ name to the Jazz, and maybe changing the Timberwolves’ name to the Lakers, but making the Wild and Thrashers change their names makes no sense. Minnesota has no more right to the name “Stars” than does Dallas, and Atlanta has no more right to the name “Flames” than does Calgary. Nor does Charlotte have any more right to the name “Hornets” than New Orleans.
#162 by C.N. on 11.08.06 7:38 pm |
Tampa Bay in powder-blue!?
Anybody else thinking “ugh”?
#163 by John B on 11.08.06 7:39 pm |
Bob said:
I have been thinking about MLB teams changing to light blue road unis for a while, but I had no idea this was a possibility. How great would the Phillies, Royals, or even the Cubs look in powder blue 81 times a year? Pretty darn good, that’s how.
On the downlow this light blue road uniform idea was presented to respresentatives of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays but not approved.
#164 by Chad G on 11.08.06 7:45 pm |
Actually the name “Oriole has alot to do with Baltimore because the actual bird is a Baltimore Oriole
#165 by C.N. on 11.08.06 8:02 pm |
Actually, when LSU was deciding on its colors, New Orleans’ stores were not stocked up on green (or so the story goes), hence the absence of green from LSU’s color scheme.
Asbury College has the best use of purple!
#166 by C.N. on 11.08.06 8:05 pm |
True. But none of the other ones make sense.
#167 by C.N. on 11.08.06 8:07 pm |
Yes, they do. It’s no coincidence that the Nationals wear blue and red hats.
#168 by C.N. on 11.08.06 8:09 pm |
… and green’s subsequent inclusion in Tulane’s color scheme.
#169 by Jean on 11.08.06 8:16 pm |
The arizona diamondback just unvieled their new uniform looks better than the purple one.
#170 by Jean on 11.08.06 8:21 pm |
#171 by Brendan on 11.08.06 8:54 pm |
Why has no one mentioned the Pilots? Surely Seattle fans are pining to relive that glory year.
#172 by David on 11.08.06 9:03 pm |
Dbacks new unis:
http://mlb.imageg.ne...
http://mlb.imageg.ne...
http://mlb.imageg.ne...
http://mlb.imageg.ne...
Dbacks new hats:
http://mlb.imageg.ne...
http://mlb.imageg.ne...
#173 by Eric Dearden on 11.08.06 9:16 pm |
If Mr. Lukas reads this, I’m sure he’ll be thinking only one thing tonight: Another purple bites the dust.
Next victim ….
#174 by Minna H on 11.08.06 9:26 pm |
It’s not only that the names ‘mean something’, but that they were ours first. And, pardon me for sounding arrogant, C.N., but Minnesota does have more right to the North Stars because we are the North Star State; the team was ours originally; and we were thisclose to being one of the original six.
It’s not the same rooting for the Wild! Like I said, I would have preferred the Blue Oxen to the Wild!
#175 by Minna H on 11.08.06 9:28 pm |
Cool, Monsieur Teebz. I really appreciate this. If there is anything I can do for you in return (besides getting Paul to MN—don’t think that’s happening any time soon), just name it.
#176 by Al on 11.08.06 9:54 pm |
Back in 1972, the Atlanta NHL franchise was christened the Flames because of the battle of Atlanta during the Civil War in which Genl. Sherman burned the city to the ground.– it has not conoctation to the sexual procivilities of native Georgians.
#177 by Al on 11.08.06 9:57 pm |
Yeah, but the black jersey ? Our work is not yet done, we’ve got to ditch the black.
#178 by JJD on 11.08.06 10:04 pm |
Those BYU unis were the home ones, and the backs were solid blue. I remember that game the Feterik photo is from because he threw for 500 yards against Washington.
Washington’s older uniforms (like these from the 2001 Rose Bowl were the best purple unis, but I’m totally biased.
I also really like that red D-Backs jersey.
#179 by Minna H on 11.08.06 10:05 pm |
Nooooo! Al, I love the black jersey. It’s clean; it’s simple; it has red and black together—it’s perfect.
#180 by Andy from KC on 11.08.06 10:29 pm |
I’m not looking forward to seeing the D’Backs play the Astros this year.
#181 by Eric G. on 11.08.06 10:33 pm |
The D’Backs jerseys are pretty crisp. Although it is black, I don’t see how you can’t like it. It would’ve made a better alternate than the red one.
#182 by TX Ken on 11.08.06 10:57 pm |
I love the typography on the Dbacks front. I love the DB sleeve patch. My complaints are about stealing the Astro’s shade of red, the black alternates, and how the “D” home hat has totally different typography from the jersey (kinda like the Nationals).
If the Jazz changed the name when (or near when) they moved to Utah that would be one thing, but the UTAH Jazz have put the name on the map, and they deserve to stay the Jazz. Give it up.
#183 by Dan on 11.08.06 10:58 pm |
Not to fond of the abreviated version of diamondbacks, d’backs appearing on the jersey. seems kinda tickytack
#184 by Andy from KC on 11.08.06 11:02 pm |
The D-Backs’ new color scheme will take a while for me to get used to, but I do like the black jersey. (Full disclosure: I liked the purple & teal–mainly for sentimental reasons; I lived in AZ shortly after they won the World Series.) I think the black works in this case, but I hope we’ll see plenty of the white and gray jerseys.
#185 by Andy from KC on 11.08.06 11:13 pm |
One final D-Backs’ related note (from me) — the “DB” logo on the sleeves (here’s a giant version) made me think of a logo that David Bowie used to use.
#186 by matt1977 on 11.08.06 11:17 pm |
I am bothered by the red/blue state thing, too. As a resident of “red” Ohio, I have to explain to non Ohioans that Cuyahoga county (greater Cleveland) voted mainly Democrat in 2004. Other cities in this same red boat: St Louis, New Orleans, Denver, Atlanta, Kansas City, Memphis, Miami, Las Vegas.
COMPLETELY shifting gears, I like the Dressed to Kill/Alive era “uniforms” best as well.
Also, kudos to the Tribe for (seemingly) stealing Josh Barfield from the Pads.
#187 by Patrick on 11.08.06 11:17 pm |
If you go the MLB shop and read the hat description, why does it say 100% wool? Why would they sell the traditional 59/50 New Era hats for a look designed for 2007? I’m sure the traditional hats will sell well, with the new look, buy why not just get a head start on the new polyester lids?
#188 by Andy from KC on 11.08.06 11:21 pm |
OK, that first link didn’t work … but on the off chance that someone actually A) reads the post and B) clicks the link, I think you know what logo I’m talking about.
#189 by maximumK on 11.09.06 12:28 am |
On the whole topic of newscasters wearing purple, Larry King was wearing an orgy of purple tonight. even his freakin’ suspenders were a dark shade of purple.
On Minna’s crusade on other cities stealing her teams, just remember that your baseball team used to be the Washington Senators. Ironically, Dallas’ baseball team also used to be the Washington Senators…
#190 by David on 11.09.06 12:43 am |
Here’s a few more Dback uni pics. As a long time fan, I have to say that I love them. Yeah, the colors are similar to the Astros, but they beat the heck out of purple, teal, and copper.
http://www.trashcity...
http://www.trashcity...
http://www.trashcity...
When I first saw that Dbacks was going to be on the front I was not too thrilled. The more I look at it though the more I like it. Other teams have used nicknames on their unis. I’m sure there has been more, but just to name a few: Mets, White Sox, A’s, Devil Rays.
http://davidwright.m...
http://hosted.ap.org...
http://www.fansedge....
http://i3.ebayimg.co...
#191 by David on 11.09.06 1:26 am |
D-Backs Slide Show
Okay, Maybe it is just me but I see this as more of a lateral move than an upgrade. I personally do not think purple has any business on grown men let a lone pro athletes, but this seems more like a “lesser of 2 evils” compromise.
It looks like a minor league franchise uniform to me.The abbreviation isn’t my favorite, I know other teams use it but they changed the name into a hyphen which I am not a fan of. The word marks on the unis are HUGE, why not just wrap them around the whole uni? The black uni and Black hat look horrible together(the two huge A’s look very bad together in my opinion) and the Black jersey looks bad all around. I don’t like the DB snake head logo either….so now they have the A logo, DB logo AND the snake D logo? How many does 1 team need?
That is just my take though, everyone has their own opinions, I just see it as a lateral move. It almost looks like a tweener jersey of a team trying to find an identity and it may have worked better if they didn’t just mix the Astros colors with the Nationals template and minor league touches to finish it off.
#192 by Minna H on 11.09.06 1:33 am |
Actually, Andy from KC, it’s the second link that doesn’t work, and I don’t know which logo David Bowie used to use. Please post another. Thanks.
#193 by Minna H on 11.09.06 1:37 am |
maximumK, see post #31 where I mention it. Damn those Texans! I really prefer Twins, though, so I will begrudgingly relinquish the rights of the name Senators to the Rangers.
#194 by Jeff I on 11.09.06 2:04 am |
Not too sure how I feel about the D-Bags new unis.
i like the gray away, but i dislike the DB/snak logo
#195 by Jeff I on 11.09.06 2:06 am |
AHHHHHHHH are these two-toned socks?!??!?!!
http://www.trashcity...
#196 by David on 11.09.06 2:28 am |
I think it is just a bad shadow. but look at the “A” on the uniform in that picture, if it doesn’t like up for the photo shoot it doesn’t bode well for game action.
#197 by David on 11.09.06 2:34 am |
I just looked through the slide show I posted and neither the “A” or the “Z” on the front of the uniforms line up giving it a weird “double stamped” look. I know this happens to some extent on a lot of uniforms but the size of the text on the Diamondbacks’ magnifies the issue.
#198 by blakeruns on 11.09.06 2:43 am |
D~BACKS
on the jersey????
ridiculous
#199 by Andy from KC on 11.09.06 7:21 am |
Really? Hmmm … well, here’s a tilted version of what I was talking about, and if that doesn’t work, it’s at the bottom of this picture.
#200 by Robert on 11.09.06 8:10 am |
The powder blues are highly overrated. I thought that they were ugly back in the day, and cheered when the teams that wore them threw them in the garbage. This is one nostalgic wave that will never wash over me. Now the Indians blood clot uniforms, now that’s another story . . . .
#201 by Robert on 11.09.06 8:13 am |
Ugh, those TCU jerseys and black pants are unsightly. I would have to vote for K-State. Great looking uniform using colors that are not easy to work with.
#202 by Richard on 11.09.06 8:33 am |
can we get Eric Byrnes to TUCK IN THE JERSEY!
#203 by Mark in Shiga on 11.09.06 8:36 am |
Now the Indians blood clot uniforms, now that’s another story . . . .
The Japanese industrial league team Shidax (based in Shizuoka) wears all red, givnig them a distinctive look that no one else has.
If they ever get themselves into a genuine minor league, I really hope they keep the red.
And the new “D-Backs” logo is just plain silly. They should have stuck with copper and black, relegating purple to a third color. Black jerseys and copper lettering; distinctive and different.
#204 by MetsFan AZ on 11.09.06 8:51 am |
can we get Eric Byrnes to TUCK IN THE JERSEY!
If you’re talking about the slide show. The whole thing has a “fashion shoot” feel to it. So I think that’s a fashion photographer’s idea of something “edgy” and “different”.
Overall, I think the D’Backs are heading down a Padres road. Someone mentioned once, that at a Padres game, the stands were a mish mosh of brown, yellow, navy and white jerseys and caps. New teams really don’t have a history to respect so they can toss everything current and make wholesale changes every few years.
#205 by Robert on 11.09.06 9:00 am |
As strange as it sounds, I really liked the red pants that the Cuban team wore in the World Baseball Classic. The red jerseys were fine too, except for the white sleeves.
http://www.worldbase...
#206 by Joe on 11.09.06 10:12 am |
Please note that if you make it all the way upstate to Buffalo, we are extremely Blue politically and socially. This explains why we have been so accepting of the gay Buffaslug logo.
#207 by ACC on 11.09.06 2:55 pm |
Charlotte was referred to as a Hornets’ nest during Revlutionary War by the Brits.
#208 by C.N. on 11.10.06 9:19 am |
The North Star is no closer to Minnesota than it is to Dallas…
#209 by Freehawk on 11.10.06 10:02 am |
Poppies: Thrasher’s coach Hartley wears one too, I thought it was something fake. Poppies make me and Dorothy sleepy, normally.
College basketball unis, and Nike fication (today’s ESPN column): Is it my imagination, or are the shorts getting a bit more tailored? Halleluiah! Not calling for return to 1980s, though, just get rid of dresses.
#210 by Old School on 11.11.06 12:15 am |
Only one comment on the Georgia Tech helmets? The black GT was worn for only a few games by certain members of the defense one year in the 1980’s, and is hardly worth mentioning. They’ve worn the gold helmets so long, a change back to white would be refreshing. Grey facemasks look so much better than black.
#211 by Nittany Lion Icer Equipment Manager on 11.12.06 11:06 pm |
Sad to see Penn State ditch those nice 3M helmet stripes…especially since our hockey team uses those same stripes (thanks to some generous football managers)on our home buckets, which probably means we’ll have to loose the stripes as soon as we run out (although we’ll probably get football’s stockpile if the switch is permanent) because according to Bauer (Swoosh Bauer that is) the helmets are not to be adorned with a painted stripe.
#212 by mrgrooism on 11.14.06 9:14 pm |
I couldn’t find any pictures of Coach Zimmer’s number in 1999, but if you click here, and scroll down to #30, you will see that Steiner Sports has sold a 1999 Don Zimmer #50 Spring Training Jersey, complete with certificate of authenticity.
My 1999 Yankees Media Guide also lists him wearing #50