New ESPN column today — here’s the link.
Meanwhile: One of the highlights of my recent trip to San Francisco was seeing my good friends and Uni Watch ukulele masters Christine and Greg Freeman (shown here flanking the equally estimable Mr. Tim Cook), who are two of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. At one point while we were hanging out, Christine asked, “So have you written yet about Dock Ellis wearing hair curlers?”
Adopting the tone of a sage elder dealing with an enthusiastic but inexperienced youth, I patiently explained to Christine that Dock Ellis was the guy who tossed a no-hitter while tripping on acid, not the guy who wore curlers. “In fact,” I concluded, full of the wisdom and intelligence that come with years on the uni beat, “I’m not aware of any big league player who’s worn curlers. But whoever you’re thinking of, it certainly wasn’t Dock Ellis.” Somehow resisting the urge to give her an understanding pat on the head, I sat back in my chair and smiled, secure in the knowledge that another misconception had been set aright.
Two days later I awoke to the following e-mail from Christine: “I couldn’t wait to finish work today so I could find you a picture of Dock Ellis in curlers. But there’s more — he gave the Baseball Reliquary his curlers. Turns out he didn’t wear them in games, just in pregame warm-ups.”
Well, dang — I sure missed the boat on this one. Christine, to her credit, was too polite to say, “I told you so” (or, perhaps more appropriately, “Boy, Paul, could you possibly have been more of a condescending jerk?”). Not only that, but she graciously offered to transcribe the curlers-centric portion of Ellis’s biography, Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball — an offer I readily accepted.
The book, which is still available (see link at right), was written by Donald Hall and published in 1976, when Ellis was still pitching in the majors. Here’s the part that concerns us:
[1973] was also the year of the curlers. Dock has always paid as much attention to his hair as to his clothes. When he was in high school his Quo Vadis haircut earned him the nickname of Peanut, soon shortened to Nut. He has straightened his hair, cornrolled his hair, plaited his hair, let his hair grow out to a bushy Afro, and clipped it tight. He has even shaved his head. Ebony ran a feature on Dock’s various hair-styles.
So when he started wearing curlers to the ball park, in 1973, Dock-watchers should not have been surprised. In August of that year, someone photographed Dock hanging around the bullpen, before the game, with a special size nine baseball cap over his curlers, but with curlers clearly visible beside his ears.
Dock wore them only during practice. Yet word came down, from on high, that when he wore curlers he was “out of uniform.” He was to cease and desist.
He did, but not before he spoke his mind. “I know the orders came from [MLB commissioner] Bowie Kuhn,” Dock told [NL president] Charlie Feeney. “I don’t like it.” Look around. There are fellows who wear white shoes in practice. Some wear jackets. Others don’t wear hats. I wasn’t going to say anything, but since they seem to be aiming in my direction, I’m going to say things.
“Only a few years ago, ballplayers weren’t allowed to wear mustaches or goatees, long hair or sideburns. Now all that is okay. Baseball caught up with the times. Now they’re getting behind again There are many black men who wear curlers to help their hair. I didn’t hear anybody put out any orders about Joe Pepitone when he wore a hairpiece that went down to his shoulders.”
I find myself curious about the curlers, as if there were more to the story than meets the eye. For one thing, although I spend a good deal of time with Dock, I never see him wearing curlers around the house. I wonder why he wore them just before games. I ask him.
“That’s when I was throwing spitballs. When I had the curlers, my hair would be straight. Down the back. On the ends would be nothing but balls of sweat.”
“Spitballs!” I say. That was one pitch Dock hadn’t told me about. “So you wore curlers for the sake of pitching?”
“Oh yes! Just one touch at a time. It was something I experimented with. I do well with them.”
So there you have it. Anyone know of any other athletes who’ve worn curlers on the field (even if only during pregame warm-ups)?
Research Request: Yesterday’s comments included a report that Peyton Manning changed his Super Bowl uniform during halftime, for luck. I know of several other examples of uni-related superstitions (Joe Montana wearing the same jersey in Super Bowl XXIII that he’d worn in Super Bowl XIX; a team sticking with a particular uni design during a winning streak; rally caps; etc.), but I’m looking for more. Know of any? Do tell.
Just to clarify, I’m not looking for something like Wayne Gretzky hiking up one side of his jersey hem, or John Franco honoring his father by wearing a New York Sanitation Dept. T-shirt — those are signature styles, but they’re not superstitions per se. I’m looking for things specifically done for luck, or to break a streak of bad luck, or for some similar reason. OK? OK. Big thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Uni Watch News Ticker: The Hornets and Sixers both wore their new red uniforms last night. … I’ve written in the past about Cowboys who’ve tied down their jerseys to their shoulder pads, thanks to a little reinforced eyelet patch that’s added to the jerseys (some ex-Cowboys do this, too). Now Nicholas Hernandez has provided the best views yet of how this is done. He writes: “The auction house I work for recently got a shipment of game-worn Cowboys unis, and sure enough, several of them had the alteration done to them. It’s just a small piece of tackle twill with a hole punched in it [here’s a closer view]. The player has the option of punching it through to the jersey. All it does is prohibit the jersey from continuing to tear once the hole is made. Terry Glenn’s is unpunched [front, back]. And here’s a shot of Demarcus Ware’s gamer with the knot of the shoelace still attached.” … Manny Delcarmen and Jon Lester of the Red Sox are changing their numbers, reports Alec Long. Delcarmen’s switching from 57 to 17, and Lester from 62 to 31. … Faaaaaascinating note from Jared Hartung of the Arizona Daily News-Sun: “I was talking to the Texas Rangers’ equipment manager about the new BP jerseys and he said that it’s been a hassle getting used to the new material. He said that he and fellow equipment managers have to learn how to use a heat press again because the jersey tops can’t handle the heavy numbers and stitching it takes to apply them. ‘It’s been years since any of us have used a heat press,’ he said. ‘It’s going to take some time to get used to.’ ” I can hear Joe Hilseberg laughing all the way from Baltimore. … NHL players usually write their uni number on the tape at the top of their sticks, but Alex Ovechkin, who wears No. 8, has been turning his 8s into little illustrations. There’s a mention of it here, which led to a fuller treatment of it here (with thanks to Kim Kolb). … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: The Cubs are going to put Under Armour ads on Wrigley Field’s outfield doors. … “There are some pics floating around of the upcoming George Clooney movie Leatherheads,” writes Mike Fiala. “I love the striped jersey, although the hosiery really lacks something.”
#1 by Chris Hilf on 02.15.07 9:01 am |
For the streak-thing - The Steelers wore white during the super bowl last year, even though they were the designated ‘home’ team. They had come into the playoffs as a 6-seed and won three games in a row in their white uniforms, so they stuck with them instead of wearing black.
#2 by Matt on 02.15.07 9:06 am |
Turk Wendell used to wear a bear tooth necklace for good luck… He had many, many other superstitions too…
#3 by Mark in Shiga on 02.15.07 9:20 am |
Manny Delcarmen and Jon Lester of the Red Sox are changing their numbers, reports Alec Long. Delcarmen’s switching from 57 to 17, and Lester from 62 to 31.
This is good to hear. All those ridiculously high numbers on the Red Sox last season made them look like a spring training split squad.
#4 by lockbull on 02.15.07 9:23 am |
Not sure if this qualifies, but George Foreman wore the same trunks when he lost to Ali and then 20 years (and a few pants sizes) later when he beat Michael Moorer.
#5 by Matt D. on 02.15.07 9:24 am |
in 1993, the Blue Jays abandoned their white-front home caps for their all-blue caps during a losing streak.
There’s the hockey tradition of ‘Playoff Beards’, too…
#6 by Mike B on 02.15.07 9:26 am |
In August 1997, Jim Thome’s Cleveland Indians teammates honored him on his birthday by collectively sporting his signature high socks. After a big 10-4 win, many of the players continued superstitiously wearing the high socks. They kept it up right on through the playoffs into the World Series, which they eventually lost to the Marlins.
#7 by WVU Tom on 02.15.07 9:26 am |
Can’t believe I missed yesterdays discussion regarding the WVU unis!
I guess they’re not too bad, although I kinda like the current ones, as long as the blue jersey wasn’t being worn at the same time as the blue pants.
I just hope that the gold alternate uni is nothing more than a brainstorming idea that never sees the light of day, however. I would always find myself recoiling in horror watching highlights of Cal when they wore their yellow alternates.
(Plus, getting rid of the metallic sheen on the helmets should be a priority as well!)
#8 by NickNH on 02.15.07 9:30 am |
that third Ovie stick looks like he drew some naughty bits between the legs.
Third leg indeed.
#9 by wooster, oh on 02.15.07 9:33 am |
Beat me to it.
#10 by Pittsburgh Gunny on 02.15.07 9:37 am |
And beat me as well, HA, great minds and all that I suppose.
#11 by Nathan on 02.15.07 9:37 am |
Re: UA ads and the Cubs. I love how the press release says Wrigley will “feature” the ads, as if people will come to the ballpark just to see the new cool UnderArmor billboards.
#12 by NickNH on 02.15.07 9:41 am |
Great dirty minds certainly think alike, hahaha.
#13 by Luther Mahoney on 02.15.07 9:43 am |
The Raptors wore red jerseys,for their home
game,as well,last night.
#14 by Mariel S on 02.15.07 9:49 am |
When Chase Utley was in the middle of his hit streak last year he didn’t talk to reporters at all about it and instead talked about the weather or who the Phillies starting pitcher was. After it was over, he mentioned that during the streak he didn’t wear the same shirt for five weeks, and he kept the same shoes he had when he began his 35-game hitting streak on June 21.
#15 by Pittsburgh Gunny on 02.15.07 9:49 am |
Another annoying example of logo creep here, although a new culprit is this case which happens to be Hollister.
#16 by Mariel S on 02.15.07 9:53 am |
link to the article written after Utley’s hit streak was over.
#17 by Mariel S on 02.15.07 9:53 am |
whoops. try this.
#18 by dgc on 02.15.07 9:55 am |
That looks like a different picture of the guy mentioned here: link
The guy is really a Caps fan. He just likes to wear jerseys of his favorite players.
#19 by Kim on 02.15.07 9:55 am |
There was a Manchester United game a while back (must be over 10 years now) where they came out in some alternate uniforms (grey) against Southhampton, got their buts kicked all over the field (3-0), went in at halftime, changed to a different alternate uniform (blue and white) and lost 3-1.
Wiki Link here.
#20 by Stuby on 02.15.07 9:55 am |
Great to see Candlestick Park’s old chainlink fence in the background of the Dock Ellis baseball card.
#21 by Peter Wunsch on 02.15.07 10:02 am |
In Super Bowl XII, Denver was the home team and was undecided between wearing the Orange Crush jerseys or wearing white to force Dallas to wear the blue jerseys that they had a poor W-L record with.
They opted for Orange Crush (and lost. Maybe they should have forced the ‘boys to wear their unlucky jerseys.
#22 by Joe Hilseberg on 02.15.07 10:05 am |
How did you know I was laughing?! hehe
And as far as changing uni’s during a game…I’m almost 100% positive Ripken Jr. wore 5 jerseys the night of 2131.
#23 by Bob A on 02.15.07 10:06 am |
The Baseball Reliquary site has some really interesting items (though not actually uni-related). Well worth poking around, particularly the Collections section.
#24 by Metsfan AZ on 02.15.07 10:07 am |
Wonder how much those go for?
#25 by jesse on 02.15.07 10:09 am |
The Gashouse Gang ‘34 Cardinals didn’t wash their uniforms for weeks, I remember reading as a kid, and this hints to it:
Wikipedia entry
#26 by House on 02.15.07 10:09 am |
Just a point about Gretzky and his tucked in jersey: As a kid his jersey was too big so he tucked in one side, he kept doing it out of superstition.
#27 by DrBear on 02.15.07 10:14 am |
Hey, cut the Cubs some slack! It takes a lot of money to overpay undertalented ballplayers. (Not that I’d advocate somebody sneaking in and replacing “UNDER ARMOR” with “UNDER ACHEIVING”)
#28 by Broker75 on 02.15.07 10:16 am |
It is bad luck for hockey sticks to lie crossed.
It is bad luck to say “shutout†in the locker room before a game.
Players believe they’ll win the game if they tap the goalie on his shin pads before a game.
Many players must put their pads and skates on in exactly the same order every day.
Patrick Roy would hop over the blue (or red) line, everytime he’d go out to his net.
#29 by Broker75 on 02.15.07 10:19 am |
Fishing anyone?
Fish may not bite if a barefoot woman passes you on the way to the dock.
Spit on your bait before casting your rod to make fish bite.
Throw back your first catch for good luck.
It is bad luck to change rods while fishing.
Don’t tell anyone how many fish you’ve caught until you’re done or you won’t catch another.
(sorry Paul, I know, there’s not one mention of uni’s here, but it’s interesting)…
#30 by Teebz on 02.15.07 10:19 am |
In a weird superstitious sort of thing, last season during Carolina’s run to the Stanley Cup, they endured a losing streak at the beginning of the season. There was an interview being done near the bench, and Ray Whitney stuck his head in the picture as a sort of “Hey Mom!” moment.
“Whitney decided to just pop up during one of those TV interviews that are conducted by the bench. The first time he did it, the Hurricanes went on to win the game. Being a superstitious sort, Whitney continued his routine and had fun with as many TV bench interviews as possible, popping his head in just when the interviewer would least expect it.
It became such a tradition, the Hurricanes put together a video montage of Whitney’s ‘camera hog’ moments and showed the tape at a team dinner during Carolina’s Cup run. Keeping a straight face that night was tougher than containing the Edmonton Oilers last June.”
ESPN’s Linda Cohn ran the info on ESPN.com last week.
#31 by Joe Hilseberg on 02.15.07 10:21 am |
I’m guessing he has one, and the rest are in museums, so they just don’t go anywhere.
#32 by Broker75 on 02.15.07 10:22 am |
good ol’ball game.
Pitcher Turk Wendell brushes his teeth and chews licorice between every inning. Wade Boggs would eat only chicken the day of a game, and used to draw a symbol that means “To Life†in the dirt before every at-bat. Former pitcher Mark “The Bird†Fidrych used to play with the dirt on the mound and talk to himself and the ball before he pitched.
Former Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra gets dressed the same way every day, makes sure to step on each dugout step with both feet, and tugs at his batting gloves and taps his toes during each at-bat.
#33 by tessa on 02.15.07 10:27 am |
Man, a girl goes away for a few days and it takes another few days to catch up on the posts and comments on this blog! Crazy.
Just wanted to note that, according to Mark Feinsand’s Yankees blog, not only have the Yankees not issued #30, they will also be wearing a black armband in remembrance of Cory Lidle. I assume that because this is a recent news item on his blog, that it has not been covered here (the armband part, anyway). My apologies if my assumption is incorrect.
I will be very glad to see the Yankees remember Cory Lidle this way. I am glad that he will be remembered appropriately, even though he was not with the Yankees for long.
#34 by Ian K on 02.15.07 10:28 am |
The Astros did this when they made it to the World Series in 2005 as well. I love the playoff beard and I also like to play along when the Dodgers make it to the playoffs but last year it pretty much meant I went 5 days without shaving and that didn’t amount to much.
#35 by Sir Jock Strap on 02.15.07 10:28 am |
As we like to say in the game business … in regards to Christine’s recollection, Paul’s dismissal and Christines return … Paul, you were pwned.
Or as we used to say in the East Bay … moeded, feeling hecka crunchy, feeling mighty green.
#36 by Broker75 on 02.15.07 10:30 am |
Sports and the Number 13
A handful of athletes who dared to wear the infamous number
Branca, a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, wore no. 13 and, as legend has it, playfully posed with black cats before the 1951 playoffs began. He would become famous in the 1951 playoffs for surrendering Bobby Thomson’s “shot heard round the world” home run, one of the most famous home runs of all-time.
#37 by Kek on 02.15.07 10:32 am |
Aside from the already mentioned Steelers wearing the white, I believe that the year the 49ers beat the Chargers in the Super Bowl, they wore their 75th Anniversary throwbacks throughout the playoffs. I think they had to get permission from the NFL because the jerseys did not have TV numbers. I guess they were only to be used on the designated dates and the Niner went above and beyond that.
Not that it was luck, but I remember hearing rumors that Pete Rose changed his uniform every inning of the game he broke the hit record in. That way he could sell them as “game worn” when he hit #4,192.
I guess you do whatever when you owe bookies!
#38 by Sir Jock Strap on 02.15.07 10:33 am |
I believe Gary Carter wouldn’t change underwear during a hitting streak.
Mark McGwire used the same cup since he was in high school, until it was stolen during his record breaking year.
Giambi wears the underwear of his female companion from the previous evening, under his uniform.
#39 by Banker Bill on 02.15.07 10:36 am |
I don’t know if he did it for luck or fear , but the Gerry Cheevers stitch marks on the face mask was one of the most unique things I ever saw. Every time a puck would hit him in the mask, he’d draw stich marks where the stitches in his face would have been.
#40 by Broker75 on 02.15.07 10:38 am |
Athletes Who Have Worn No. 13:
NFL
Danny Kanell - Atlanta
Kurt Warner - St. Louis
NHL
Bill Guerin - Boston
Valeri Kamensky - NY Rangers
Slava Kozlov - Detroit
German Titov - Anaheim
Alexei Zhamnov - Chicago
MLB
Edgardo Alfonzo - NY Mets
Adrian Brown - Pittsburgh
Jeff D’Amico - Milwaukee
Omar Vizquel - Cleveland
Alex Rodriguez - NY Yankees
#41 by Michael Churchill on 02.15.07 10:38 am |
Wouldn’t it be great if these were true?
#42 by Adam McCracken on 02.15.07 10:41 am |
Wow I hadn’t heard about those Hornets Jerseys. I find it amazing that they say Oklahoma City on them. With all the speculation that the NBA will move the Sonics there I find it intriguing that they have those. Or it may mean nothing just a way to honor the city for being such a good substitute home.
#43 by Broker75 on 02.15.07 10:41 am |
Dan Marino - Football
This former Miami Dolphins quarterback and Hall of Famer holds all-time NFL records in passing touchdowns and passing yards. It’s kind of tough to consider him “unlucky.” But he never did win that Super Bowl ring, did he??
Buck Martinez - Baseball
Martinez wore no. 13 as a catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. He lasted 17 years in the big leagues but had a career batting average of just (gulp) .225. In 1985, he was bowled over by a player attempting to score and severely dislocated his ankle, effectively ending his playing career. He wore # 13 as manager of the Blue Jays, and was fired one year later.
Mats Sundin - Hockey
This captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, in November, 2001, received an errant pass from teammate Bryan McCabe that caught him squarely in the face. He suffered a cut between his eyes and forehead that required 15 stitches. Actually, for a hockey player, this may just be all in a day’s work. Sundin’s response to McCabe the next day? “Nice pass.”
#44 by Ben Wideman on 02.15.07 10:43 am |
Anyone else notice this note about the Yankee’s uniform alteration for this coming season?
Black Arm Bands
#45 by Sir Jock Strap on 02.15.07 10:51 am |
Heard the Gary Carter one when I was a little leaguer. Probably heard the George Brett hemerroid story the same day.
Heard the McGwire one in an interview between him and Dan Patrick. True.
Heard the Giambi one from a former Oakland A clubhouse attendant. Could be true.
#46 by Aram on 02.15.07 10:56 am |
A couple college hockey superstitions from the University of Michigan. For home games, the players are not told what jersey color they are wearing until they enter the lockerroom- white or maize (the best alternate jersey in all of sports). I guess it’s a little bit of a uni-related motivational tool.
There’s a maize M set into the blue carpeting in the center of the lockerroom that may not be stepped on by anybody for any reason.
And, this is probably universal, but certain guys have certain ways they want their equipment set up in their lockers, and want no one else to touch them before they put it on. I got to take a tour of the lockerroom, and was emphatically told not to touch anything in any of the lockers as the guys get major-league superstitious about that stuff.
#47 by Zach on 02.15.07 10:57 am |
I was at the Wake Forest/Clemson game last night and Wake wore throwbacks to I think probably sometime in the 90’s but it could be farther back than that. They also had some patch on it that I never could make out. I can’t find any pictures but you can see the jersey on the game recap page on espn
#48 by NickNH on 02.15.07 10:58 am |
Playoff beards are one of my favorite traditions in sports.
I decided I was gonna take it a step further for this college hockey season. I shaved on September 30th, the day of Boston University’s first official practice. I haven’t shaved since, and I won’t shave until BU’s season is over, hopefully in April after the Frozen Four.
I may even extend it to the NHL and keep the beard for as long as a BU alum in the playoffs is still playing, especially since Chris Drury’s my favorite player.
#49 by tessa on 02.15.07 10:59 am |
Yup - I noted it in #33. I only mention it now because the story in the blog that I referenced is a little more complete than the AP one on ESPN. It also notes the other former Yankees (and Mel Allen) who have been honored in the same way.
#50 by Stuby on 02.15.07 11:00 am |
And my all time favorite player name, Juan Tyrone Eichelberger of the Padres, Indians and Braves.
Oh, yeah. And Steve Nash
#51 by Broker75 on 02.15.07 11:10 am |
Paul, scroll down, you (and this site) were mentioned in the article.
I hope they got your rights, and you got some $$, for using your name and site(TM)
#52 by Cliff Rancho on 02.15.07 11:11 am |
While I can’t s
While I can’t say that I know he doesn’t wear the underwear from females companions, I can say that he always has a glittery male thong in his locker that he wears.
#53 by Metsfan AZ on 02.15.07 11:22 am |
that’s the kind of thing you should keep to yourself.
#54 by Broker75 on 02.15.07 11:30 am |
yeah, that’s home talk.
#55 by Joe Hilseberg on 02.15.07 11:32 am |
Please see the links list on the top right please. Those site are all uniwatch friendly
#56 by Burrill on 02.15.07 11:34 am |
Wait — he wears a locker? That must be awkward.
#57 by TonyE on 02.15.07 11:37 am |
The Cubs are going to put Under Armour ads on Wrigley Field’s outfield doors.
Couple of things to consider here:
Under Armour? Terrible choice for Wrigley signage. They are the “under the radar screen” evil logo creep cousin of Nike and Reebok…
http://cityinsights....
Any real Cubs fan would have to say that for all the free advertising that William Sianis (Mr. Cheezburger from Billy Goat’s Tavern) has received over the years from his ridiculous curse, that his logo should adorn those doors in the ivy.
And yes keep the slogan “Enter At Your Risk!” becuase that’s what dumbass Cubs fans like me do year after year after year…
The Tribune Company strikes again.
#58 by Eric on 02.15.07 11:44 am |
The Lightning did this during their 2004 Stanley Cup run, and I believe there were fines levied if anyone stepped on it.
As far as the #13 thing, Jiri Novotny for the Sabres wears it, and Pavel Kubina used to when he was with the Lightning.
#59 by Anthony Verna on 02.15.07 11:47 am |
Folk singer Chuck Brodsky recorded a song called “Dock Ellis No-No.”
Real format song clip:
http://www.chuckbrod...
#60 by Smail on 02.15.07 11:51 am |
Looking at Ovie’s sticks, the “Man with two legs” looks like the number 300 written sideways. Any chance that number holds significance to him?
#61 by Paul Lukas on 02.15.07 11:54 am |
Just wanted to note that, according to Mark Feinsand’s Yankees blog, not only have the Yankees not issued #30, they will also be wearing a black armband in remembrance of Cory Lidle. I assume that because this is a recent news item on his blog, that it has not been covered here (the armband part, anyway).
It was just announced this morning.
Meanwhile: Today’s ESPN column is up. Look here.
#62 by Joel Larson on 02.15.07 12:02 pm |
from Wikipedia:
Typical of Kruk’s (and Phils) roughcut style in the 1993 season, Kruk tore the seat of his pants in a hard slide during the final playoff game against Atlanta. He refused to change and wore the torn pants for the rest of the game. During the 1993 World Series, Kruk wore the same pants (with the tear sewn up), possibly for good luck.
Unfortunately I also have this image of them zooming in on that tear every time he came to the plate (an image I wish wasn’t seared into my memory) but I can’t seem to find visual evidence of this on the “interwebs”. It must be out there somewhere.
#63 by Tony on 02.15.07 12:03 pm |
I seem to recall seeing a photo of Ed Kranepool and Dave Kingman wearing hair curlers in the NY Daily News in 77′. But in fairness to Dock Ellis, they were in a hair salon, not in Shea Stadium.
#64 by Seth H on 02.15.07 12:08 pm |
Some spring training uni info from today’s NY Post:
The Yankees expect every pitcher and catcher on hand today for the first workout.
Pitchers and catchers had their lockers stocked with blue mesh hats with white piping on each side and an interlocking silver NY, and mesh shirts with white sides.
While the hats and shirts look like something out of the New Rochelle softball league, it’s expected fans will rush out to buy the non-traditional garb once they see the Yankees wear it during the exhibition season.
“It’s all about marketing,” a Yankees employee said.
Many players mocked the hats and shirts, but Mike Mussina put it best by saying, “My first impression is that it’s not [the] classic Yankee uniform.”
and
The Mets have changed their spring training uniforms slightly, going with shirts that have an orange swatch under each armpit. The jerseys also are now pullovers. Last year they had buttons down the front.
Some great stuff in the Yankees piece.
#65 by Ronnie Poore on 02.15.07 12:19 pm |
Frank Ryan wore 13 when quarterbacking the Browns in the ’60s. that was the Jim Brown era. Cleveland won the NFL title in 64 with Ryan at QB.
#66 by Christopher on 02.15.07 12:36 pm |
Anyone have a picture of an older armband for one of these aforementioned memorials?
I assume the Liddle one is not released yet…
#67 by BCrisp on 02.15.07 12:49 pm |
Back to the superstition discussion:
What about the many MLBers who wear scuffed up/pine tarred helmets. Craig Biggio, Manny Ramirez, and Vlad Guerro to name a few.
I remember when the Astros last changed their uniforms that Biggio immediately scuffed his helmet up on the wall.
We need a scientific experiment to decide who has the most pine tar on their helmet.
#68 by John in SF on 02.15.07 12:50 pm |
Paul,
How did you forget about soccer cleats?
So much there re laces!
The soccer cleat has the tongue flap, not to protect the laces, but to provide a flat top of the shoe for kicking the ball. See Ronaldinho line up his shot.
On many cleats, the laces are super long. When I played ultimate frisbee and wore soccer cleats, the tradition was to wrap the laces around the bottom of the shoe. See here. If you look close, you can see that she has wrapped her laces around.
(logo creep alert!) If you check out the adidas cleats page, you can see what I’m talking about. Both men’s and women’s cleat have the tongue flap, but the women’s cleat has the laces wrapped around the bottom.
Thoughts? How did YOU wear them?
-John
#69 by Robert on 02.15.07 12:50 pm |
I love that 1973 Dock Ellis baseball card. That is my favorite style baseball card of all time. There were a lot of good action photos, and the layout was outstanding.
#70 by Philly Bill on 02.15.07 12:53 pm |
Hey, Paul wears his baseball spikes with the laces wrapped around the bottom!
#71 by Paul Lukas on 02.15.07 12:55 pm |
As dozens of ESPN readers are now informing me. As usual, I plead utter ignorance when it comes to soccer.
#72 by TyShula on 02.15.07 12:57 pm |
they started a doubleheader at 6 PM?
strange, but true. luckily, Ellis’ no-hitter took just 2:13 to complete
#73 by joe on 02.15.07 12:58 pm |
how could anyone on the lightening get fined for stepping on the UM logo in ann arbor? you think they would have been in florida. :)
#74 by PAULtergeist on 02.15.07 1:06 pm |
Mike Commodore started a superstitious trend last year during the Canes run in which he wore a bathrobe and grew out his hair…The fans latched on and started following suit…
#75 by korryn on 02.15.07 1:07 pm |
The NBA all-star uniform got more frightening — and a dreaded promotion. http://www.benmaller...
#76 by Burrill on 02.15.07 1:08 pm |
I know Yost is a great hockey venue, but I didn’t know it was good enough to host the NHL playoffs!
#77 by John in Sacramento on 02.15.07 1:08 pm |
Giambi wears the underwear of his female companion from the previous evening, under his uniform.
So you’re saying Giambi dates women who wear the same size pants as he does?
Also, isn’t driving to LAX to catch a flight to San Diego like leaving home in Brooklyn and driving to JFK to catch a flight to Philly? I guess in those days you could park in front of the terminal, walk in with your bags and get right on the plane.
#78 by Michael James on 02.15.07 1:19 pm |
Michael King of the Milwaukee Wave has worn #13 since he signed with the team in 1992 (and is still active at age 43).
He obviously his luck hasn’t been too bad. He is just the team’s all-time leading scorer and (I believe) holds the team record for games played. Even his bobbleheadhas his uniform number.
#79 by Michael James on 02.15.07 1:20 pm |
Cute, Kenn.
#80 by Oakdale Panther on 02.15.07 1:22 pm |
On the 1970s-era Pirates, Dock Ellis was a character’s character. Nowadays the outrageous statements and behaviors of certain athletes would make Ellis’ antics seem like kindergarten stuff, but back then he was definitely one who enjoyed rocking the Establishment much as Muhammad Ali did. Dock butted heads with old-school managers Danny Murtaugh and Bill Virdon. To use a phrase from the time, he was perceived as “uppity”. My sense from following the team at the time is that his fellow Pirates just rolled their eyes. Dock was a money pitcher, so they cut him a lot of slack.
One time Ellis was sent in as a pinch runner. He took the field wearing a warmup jacket, only to be told by the umpire to remove the coat; only the current pitcher could wear a jacket on the bases. Ellis undressed to reveal his undershirt but no uniform top, so he couldn’t remain in the game.
Curlers, LSD, brash statements — that was Dock. I have a copy of the book you referenced and it is dead-on.
I’ll tell you, though… I saw Ellis in his prime outduel Tom Seaver at Three Rivers. When he was healthy, there wasn’t a more talented pitcher in baseball.
#81 by Philly Bill on 02.15.07 1:29 pm |
Not a wooden stick in the bunch — all composite. The #12-label goalie sticks at far left reportedly belong to Brent Johnson, who wears #1. Recent call-up Eric Fehr (#14) uses some pretty long sticks. And look at all the tape on the butt-ends of Chris Clarks’s sticks. Is that even legal?
As for uni superstitions, I recall the Phillies wearing caps like this on Sundays for one season, losing virtually every Sunday game, then abruptly discontinuing the practice. (At least they didn’t wear these.) They still have this alternate cap, which I believe is used for interleague games. (The BP caps are yet another style, with a blue “P”.)
In searching for Phillies images, it’s horrifying how many of them are some variation of this train wreck — yet another called third strike! Maybe I’m not looking forward to baseball season after all…
#82 by schuby on 02.15.07 1:30 pm |
On the ESPN column today, under basketball it shows these shoes. Whose are they and why does it say Jumangi27 on them. It says he plays for the Sonics so who is 27 for them?
#83 by Brandon Davis on 02.15.07 1:32 pm |
Regarding Bill Belichick at the Pro Bowl, as referenced in the end of today’s ESPN column here, isn’t the US flag patch facing backwards?
I believe this topic came up when the flag was on the American jerseys in the Wolrd Baseball Classic.
#84 by Philly Bill on 02.15.07 1:34 pm |
Once upon a time they would schedule both games at night and you only had to pay for one ticket to see both games. My first ever MLB game was one of these deals — Phillies vs. Padres at the Vet, August 30, 1983. At age 6, I’m sure I was asleep by about the third inning of game 2, but I remember game 1 was the first MLB shutout pitched by then-rookie Kevin Gross.
#85 by Anthony Verna on 02.15.07 1:39 pm |
Philly Bill, I can’t find a pic of the alt caps from 1994. They were blue.
Kruk was on Letterman in the middle of the season shredding the blue caps because, yes, they lost all the games they played in the blue caps.
#86 by Philly Bill on 02.15.07 1:39 pm |
Johan Petro. Simple research, man.
#87 by Philly Bill on 02.15.07 1:43 pm |
Man, I’ve got Alzheimer’s if the year I’m thinking of was that long ago! I think they tried it again more recently — during the time I was actually living in South Philly, 1998-2002 — with those caps with the blue stars on either side of the “P”.
#88 by Matthew S. on 02.15.07 1:52 pm |
Biggio doesn’t let anyone try to clean his helmet or even do touchups. In 1999, the last year the Astros wore their navy and gold uniforms, Biggio’s star decal on his batting helmet was slowly peeling off. He wouldn’t even allow the equipment manager to apply a new one. This was in July or August I believe of 1999 and he wore it that way for the remainder of the season and in the playoffs.
In 2000, when the Astros got new uniforms, there was a story from spring training about Biggio breaking in his new helmet. Upon being issued his new equipment, the first thing he did was put the helmet on and go to the nearest concrete wall and start banging his helmeted head into the wall.
Baseball and hockey players are probably the most superstitious people out there.
#89 by patrick on 02.15.07 1:54 pm |
John,
When I started playing soccer, the sign of having “good” cleats was having the tonue flap (and white soles), however since then that has come somewhat out of fad. Now, many companies, particularly nike use an off center lace up to avoid the problem altogether. Instead, they use a tiny tongue that is essentially non existent above the top eyelet.
As far as the laces, they are extremely long and I as well looped em under the bottom, although I also for a period, wrapped em around the ankle. Also, while not seen much in pro soccer, in youth soccer the big fad is the white athletic tape around your upper ankle to keep your shin guards up. I know kids who used electrical tape, athletic tape, duct tape etc. some even coordinated electrical tape to their colors. Because soccer socks are made out of a couple different materials, you’d have to find a tape that would stick to a sweaty sock. The worst socks were the synthetic ones, the tape would never stay up. Now with shinguard sleeves its not as prevalent.
One last point, One of the coolest thing to do was to roll your waistband over once, then tuck in your jersey, leaving the Adidas label flapping in the wind.
#90 by Jokelahoma on 02.15.07 2:02 pm |
Don’t forget Dave Concepcion in the list of athletes wearing number 13.
#91 by muskiejim on 02.15.07 2:05 pm |