[Editor’s Note: Just learned that this week’s ESPN column, which was originally slated to run on Thursday, is instead running today — here’s the link. Meanwhile, today’s blog entry is written by Uni Watch intern Vince Grzegorek.]
I recently came across this photo of a House of David baseball team from 1933. Nothing completely unusual, except for the fact that the caption claims that the team is shown receiving one of the first aluminum bats ever made from members of the Aluminum Corporation of America (ALCOA).
The date, 1933, surprised me (and also surprised resident Uni Watch old fogey and aluminum specialist Robert Grzegorek, my father, who has worked at the ALCOA plant in Cleveland for over 25 years). I’d always been under the impression that aluminum bats had a much shorter and more recent history, starting sometime around the late 1960s. Some initial research revealed that the first patent for a metal bat was given to William Shroyer in 1924, so it’s not inconceivable that a primitive version of such a bat would have been made nine years later. Then again, all historical evidence points to the fact that aluminum bats didn’t make an appearance until sometime around 1970, when Hillerich & Bradsby contracted with ALCOA to produce them, or when Worth first made a solid aluminum bat for Llittle League play.
The intriguing gap between the supposed aluminum bat in the House of David picture in 1933 and the rest of the historical begged for further investigation. Perhaps there was a whole cache of evidence — 40 years’ worth — waiting to be unearthed in a file cabinet or photo collection somewhere.
Donning my Sam Spade hat, I decided the best place to begin the investigation was with Joel Hawkins, co-author of The House of David Baseball Team, the book where the 1933 photo and caption are taken from. I sent Mr. Hawkins a short note asking about the origin of the photo and story, and received the following disheartening response:
I was told the story [about the bat] by Tom Dewhirst in 1991. He’s the HOD gentleman in the photo that was receiving the bat. He was quite old at the time and I had to keep him on track. Sometimes his stories contradicted themselves. We were looking at the photo and he told me that it was from the ALCOA people, but could not identify them. I don’t think it was to be used for a game. I asked Tom where the bat was, and he told me that it was sitting behind one of the radiators at his home. Plus, he didn’t remember what it was for.
Another player later on told me that it was not aluminum but solid silver. When I followed up with Tom he was adamant that it was aluminum. That was the story that I was given and that’s what I relayed in our book.
HOWEVER, I was shown an article about a year after our publishing that was from the late 1980s, with Tom Dewhirst and the same bat. This article had a story about how the “bat” was given to the team for winning some tournament. This article stated that the bat was silver and was more of a trophy.
Had I known the conflict at the time, I would have had that part omitted from the caption.
Unfortunately, a new chapter in the history of aluminum bats will not be written. But at least an old chapter will be rewritten correctly.
Tangential Bonus Material: On Joel Hawkins’s House of David research site, he includes a link to a uniform gallery. Highlights include: Awesome circular style lettering from 1916 (closer view here), and jerseys with the “H” and “D” superimposed on an “I.” Not only that, but he shows how you can differentiate between authentic House of David baseball teams and impostor versions based on uniforms. Real. Real. Fake.
Among the House of David’s many other baseball contributions: early night baseball, donkey baseball, and the pepper game.
Want to read all about how aluminum is made into aluminum bats? Check out this helpful article.
Meanwhile, there’s a backlash against aluminum bats these days, because they supposedly lead to harder, faster line drives that can injure or even kill a pitcher before he has time to react. Many leagues and municipalities are moving to ban them, most recently New York City Council.
Bowie’s Greatest Hits, Track Number 1 - “TVC 17″: Former baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn recently passed away. Unsurprisingly, most of the obituaries failed to mention his role in a pair of classic uni-related tales, both involving Braves owner Ted Turner.
In 1976, Turner had many of the Braves wear nicknames, instead of their surnames, on the backs of their jerseys. Ralph Garr wore “Roadrunner,” Joe Neikro wore “Knucksie,” Jimmy Wynn wore “Cannon,” and so on. The wild card was pitcher Andy Messersmith, who wore uniform No. 17 — Turner had him wear a “Channel” nameplate, thereby creating a walking billboard for Turner’s television station. Kuhn was not amused, and eventually the Braves simply used “Andy” on the back of Messersmith’s jersey.
A year later, Turner gave manager Dave Bristol a “vacation,” appointed himself manager, suited up in uniform, and moved from the owner’s box to the dugout. Kuhn, once again, was not amused, and Turner’s managerial stint was terminated after one game (full details here). He remains the last MLB owner to wear a uniform in an official capacity.
Vince’s Uni Watch News Ticker: After Scot Pollard’s “Do Drugs” faux pas, maybe parents should be wary of letting their children imitate his hair styles. … DJ Strawberry, the son of Darryl Strawberry, had his initials and uniform number cut into his hair earlier this month. … Spring training isn’t just for the pros. … Are those bath towels being used in the Baltimore dugout? … Nicole Woody wore a neon green headpiece/hairnet while competing against the boys in Maryland’s state wrestling competition this month. … Think Bermuda’s Dwayne Leverock needs a special tailor for this uniform? … After the Florida Gators gave President Bush a commemorative jersey during their recent visit to the White House, www.sportsnet.ca quipped, “The No. 43 Florida Gators jersey for U.S. President George Bush is symbolic of: A) Bush being the 43rd President; B) the number of times Bush has mispronounced the word ‘nuclear’; C) the number of votes Bush actually received in Florida.” … Most MLB players have their names on their gloves, but Milton Bradley has his initials (his middle name is “Obelle”). … Calvin Brock from the Illinois Fighting Illini seems to be missing an apostrophe in his tattoo.
#1 by Seth H on 03.27.07 8:10 am |
In HBO’s documentary on UCLA basketball last night, they showed footage of the NCAA final game against Jackonsville. Jacksonville was wearing unis with the school name scooping under the player number on the front, like this: http://www.pro-jerse...
Pretty wild. Is that called “inverse radial arching”?
#2 by Brandon on 03.27.07 8:26 am |
I believe that is supposed to be the state of Illinois in Calvin Brock’s tattoo, and a poorly drawn one at that.
#3 by Steve on 03.27.07 8:29 am |
Interesting auction item of the day:
http://www.memorylan...
Barry Bonds Game Used Arm Bands with photo patch (SAY NO TO DRUGS)
#4 by Richard on 03.27.07 8:29 am |
The drawing is not the issue - it’s the missing apostrophe in Chicagos. Last time I checked, there was only one Chicago in Illinois, not multiple causing a plural.
#5 by Richard on 03.27.07 8:30 am |
great article Vince - especially with College baseball in full swing and the pings resonating through the tv.
#6 by Jason on 03.27.07 8:37 am |
Then would it be “Chicagoes”?
#7 by Marcus on 03.27.07 8:39 am |
MOB could also stand for “Money Over Bitches”
#8 by BuckeyeMark on 03.27.07 8:40 am |
Buckeye cheerleaders will wear a NC blue band on the sleeve Saturday in honor of the NC mascot who died after being tragically hit by a car last Saturday.
#9 by Kyle O on 03.27.07 8:47 am |
Another ACC basketball player had something shaved into his head earlier this year. Virginia Tech’s A.D. Vasallo had “PR” shaved o the back of his head earlier this year in honor of his native Puerto Rico. I couldn’t find a good link, but you can see it if you go to hokiesports’ basketball page >> “Photo Gallery” on the left >> “at No. 5 Duke ” on the second page >> photos 4 and 75.
#10 by Mark Dancer on 03.27.07 8:49 am |
What are the UNC cheerleaders doing on Saturday? Gathering at Hooters to watch the Final Four?
#11 by Mark Dancer on 03.27.07 8:50 am |
Oh, Buckeye cheerleaders. My bad. Please disregard message #10.
#12 by Metsfan AZ on 03.27.07 9:02 am |
It’d be nice to see an organized tribute that’s consistent for all 4 teams/cheer/bands, etc. I like the Carolina blue thing…
#13 by nybatt on 03.27.07 9:11 am |
two quick things…
our high school baseball season has kicked off here in delaware… we opened with a win last thursday.. more importantly, and germane to this board, as varsity coach I designed our home and away unis… EVERYTHING from caps to stirrups and sanitaries… when I get pictures I’ll send them to paul who will hopefully post…
secondly, can’t wait for the state coaches association here in delaware to vote and get rid of metal bats… their impact is frightening… moreso now with the “new technology”….
#14 by Andrew F on 03.27.07 9:13 am |
Going back a few days, I believe it was asked if anyone had seen blade holders on hockey skates in a color other than white. Although these are cowlings for goalie skates, here’s a bit of a different concept that’s coming out http://www.totalhock...
Sorry if it’s a repost, I haven’t been able to read the comments too often.
#15 by Steve Flack on 03.27.07 9:23 am |
So this isn’t 100% uniform related, but I just took new pictures of this stuff, so I want to share it with the internet sports community at large.
My family has an extra apartment in my grandmother’s house, next door to my parents in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. After my Great Grandmother passed away, my family decided not to rent it out, and let my father move his baseball book collection up there. He’s been collecting since I was born (25 years now), and once he got the space, my dad’s collection of books spiraled into a giant collection of baseball photos, statues, and other ephemera.
Here is a link to a Flickr gallery with links to many, many pictures. I’m sure somewhere in those books are many photos of crazy old uniforms that have yet to be profiled here on UniWatch, but I’m not sure where to start looking.
-Steve!
#16 by Ryan B. on 03.27.07 9:29 am |
Found this on Bill Simmons’ basketball blog. It was sent to him from a woman in Michigan:
Annette B. in Ann Arbor, Mich.: “I am not a huge basketball fan, but I was watching the UNC/Georgetown game with my husband. I confidently predicted that UNC would lose after I saw their uniforms. You know how I knew? They have writing on their butts. Seriously, look at them. What is this, the women’s tournament? Are they in a sorority? What gives? Did Jordan have writing on his butt? There’s no way.”
Sounds like an amateur Uni Watch-er to me. :)
#17 by Kel on 03.27.07 9:31 am |
Not to nitpick, as we all make typos, but I believe in the first paragraph, the last word should be “America” not “American.” :-)
To all UNC fans and to the family and friends of Jason Ray, I hope you know that the entire state, no matter what team we pull for, stands with you. Our sympathies are with you.
#18 by BCrisp on 03.27.07 9:36 am |
I was at a college baseball game where an aluminum bat broke into two pieces. It made the weirdest sound. All fans and players were shocked that it had happened. Also, everyone was disappointed that there wasn’t any candy inside.
#19 by Joe on 03.27.07 9:37 am |
I love Barry auctions!
#20 by TexasDDS on 03.27.07 9:37 am |
About the ALCOA article…does anybody remember back in the late 70’s/early 80’s, during Sunday afternoon NFL telecasts, there was always some alcoa sponsored feature- “you make the call”- they would set up some situation, the Colts have the ball with 10 seconds left at the 20, you make the call- then they would come back and show what play was actually called- does that ring any bells with anybody?
#21 by Vince Grzegorek on 03.27.07 9:38 am |
Right-io. Will make the change. Thanks.
#22 by Paul Lukas on 03.27.07 9:39 am |
To my surprise, I’ll have a new ESPN column today (it was supposed to run on Thursday). I’ll post the link here and at the top of the page when it goes live.
#23 by Harry on 03.27.07 9:40 am |
Nice to see the University of Memphis going with the stirrups and sanitaries
#24 by WVU Tom on 03.27.07 9:42 am |
Well it’s wierd, but it’s not radially arched, inversly or not.
radial arched letting (notice that the slant of the letters actually change depending on thier position, though still upright).
Here you see that the letters are simply placed along an arched line, but the characters are not altered to show the same smooth transition. (And in this extreme example of non-radial arched letting, the letters on the end are pratically turned a full 90 degrees).
#25 by Metsfan AZ on 03.27.07 9:46 am |
I remember those. Looking back it seems odd that a raw goods supplier would have commercials and advertising. Although I think they may have had their own brand of aluminum foil. But, it’s not like you see rubber ads or timber ads but you do see Goodyear or Ethan Allen ads. sorry to ramble
#26 by Paul Lukas on 03.27.07 9:47 am |
No no no. The first example (Julio Franco’s nameplate) is vertical arching; the Spooneybarger photo is radial arching.
#27 by Metsfan AZ on 03.27.07 9:48 am |
I thought the Braves employed vertically arched lettering??
#28 by WVU Tom on 03.27.07 9:51 am |
Strike me down! I knew that too, but for some reason my head isn’t screwed on right today and I got ‘em reversed! Ugh!
I only hope to be one day forgiven!
#29 by Eric on 03.27.07 9:51 am |
those house of david ballplayers could use some snoods.
#30 by Metsfan AZ on 03.27.07 9:53 am |
Is this a snood? I don’t really care I just wanted to write the word snood. Snood.
#31 by keith kimball on 03.27.07 9:54 am |
What do they do with all the uniforms used in sports movies, after the movies are completed?
#32 by Ryan B. on 03.27.07 10:09 am |
There’s a particular stock of generic football uniforms that I see used often in the same movies, television, print ads, etc.
The only example I can think of off hand is the uniforms from the movie “The Replacements” with Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman. Many of the different uniforms used for various teams in that film have appeared in print ads and, I believe, also ESPN’s “Playmakers” series from a few years back.
I will look for some pictures to verify.
#33 by ncsu1stbaseman on 03.27.07 10:10 am |
There is a nice little site at “Forever 11″ telling of Brandon Patch as well as his family now trying to get aluminum bats banned at many baseball fields.
#34 by Joe on 03.27.07 10:12 am |
I own a complete uniform from Baseketball, so I know some get out!!!
#35 by Elwood on 03.27.07 10:13 am |
Same thing as any other movie props. They are either distributed to the actors or whoever as per their contract, they sit in a studio warehouse, or they sell them.
Anyway, I would absolutely buy a Channel 17 throwback jersey. Get Mitchell and Ness on this immediately.
#36 by LouUmp on 03.27.07 10:22 am |
They could charge admission!
#37 by buckeyebrain on 03.27.07 10:23 am |
Actually, Alcoa presented Fantastic Finishes at every two-minute warning, which showed highlights of a previous game that went to the wire. I remember somebody doing a You Make The Call at another point of the game, but it wasn’t Alcoa.
#38 by bj in gainesville on 03.27.07 10:25 am |
Varitek’s wristband was on SportsCenter last night during the Sox highlights. Toward open of the show if I recall. DVR anyone?
#39 by LouUmp on 03.27.07 10:26 am |
Most of it gets stored - off topic, but The History Channel recently had a special about the recent Sotheby’s auction of Star Trek memorabilia -detailing how all the pieces were selected. Between the five series..ten movies…Paramount literally has warehouses full of props, models,costumes, EVERYthing from every Trek event…quite amazing to see, actually…
#40 by David on 03.27.07 10:27 am |
I remember that. It must have lasted until at least the mid to late 80’s, since I was born in ‘79.
#41 by Phil Primato on 03.27.07 10:43 am |
I dont know if anyone else had brought this up. Yesterday I saw for the first time the new “This is Sportscenter” commercial with David Wright. In the commercial, David is wearing the home solid white uniform, no pinstripes. In the past, the Mets have always paired the home solid whites with the black hat and blue bill hat. In the commercial however, he is wearing the solid blue, traditional Mets hat. Does anyone know if the Mets are doing away with the Black hats at home and just going blue? Lets hope so…
#42 by The Ol Goaler on 03.27.07 10:44 am |
I was broadcasting an Arkansas State game where the same thing happened… My play-by-play went along the lines of, “Here’s the pitch… it’s a broken-bat grounder to third. Smith grabs it, over to first for the out. (Long pause, as my brain “caught up” to what my eyes had seen…) I’ll be darned! Never saw that before!”
It turned out that the player using the bat was a big fan of pine tar… A-State’s coach guessed the pine tar weakened the barrel of the bat! Give me wood every time!
#43 by Metsfan AZ on 03.27.07 10:49 am |
not touching that one.
must.
refrain.
#44 by Chad G on 03.27.07 10:57 am |
The Mets have used that combo before, at least a couple times each of the past few seasons. But I do hope they get rid of the black and blue hat. At least at home.
#45 by Chad G on 03.27.07 11:00 am |
Here’s D wright with the blue hat(helmet) and solid whites from last season
#46 by Anthony Verna on 03.27.07 11:02 am |
It beats me if this was mentioned before, but Marty Biron has a new deal with the Flyers. So he now has a new mask, but it seems to be unknown when the pads will change colors.
http://www.philly.co...
#47 by Joe on 03.27.07 11:04 am |
IBM presents…. You Make the Call.
#48 by todd krevanchi on 03.27.07 11:04 am |
the lehigh valley iron pigs will be unveiling their logo today…
http://www.mcall.com...
#49 by Metsfan AZ on 03.27.07 11:08 am |
Hear hear! I HATE the pins with the black cap most of all, the whites slightly less so.
#50 by My Name is Not Earl on 03.27.07 11:25 am |
Not exactly uniform related, but . . . as of right now, YouTube has most of the “One Shining Moment” montages up (apparently CBS hasn’t gotten around to making Google/YouTube take them down). What’s really annoying is that CBS will certainly be going ape$#!t when it finds out that the “Shining Moments” are up there, but it has no problems using the song to promote one of its crappy Monday night comedies.
Same goes for that Kia ad that uses “Let the Sunshine In” from Hair. That song and that musical were all about freedom, enlightenment, happiness, etc; they didn’t have anything to do with buying shitty automobiles.
#51 by Ian K on 03.27.07 11:29 am |
The mention of Baseketball reminded me… I have a friend in L.A. who acquired some misprinted UCLA t-shirts. They say “Summer Baseketball Camp” with a superfluous E. But the error makes the shirts totally awesome!!
#52 by Ben on 03.27.07 11:31 am |
I know Pedro Martinez has employed colored gloves in the past, but I hadn’t seen this orange with blue lettering one he’s using this spring as he recovers from surgery.
#53 by Elwood on 03.27.07 11:33 am |
At least they aren’t using a song about heroin to advertise cruises.
#54 by Paul Lukas on 03.27.07 11:33 am |
Today’s ESPN column is up — look here.
#55 by Tim on 03.27.07 11:35 am |
I’ve seen about 4 aluminum bats break. It usually happens when the temperature is lower than usual in the spring.
#56 by todd krevanchi on 03.27.07 11:37 am |
in reference to the calvin brock tattoo…
the “location here” finest tattoos have become commonplace over the last decade or so with mcd’s all americans and state players of the year…
ive seen them on many college hoop players since the late 90’s. the first one that i remember having such a tattoo was khalid el amin who hails from minnesota…
http://i9.tinypic.co...
real tattoo mishaps? im almost positive that LT has a real bad one that says “My Insperation - Loreane” a reference to his mother.
#57 by Ben on 03.27.07 11:37 am |
Another look at Pedro’s orange glove
#58 by todd krevanchi on 03.27.07 11:39 am |
iggy pop? lust for life?
#59 by Josh on 03.27.07 11:48 am |
The Cardinals will wear special caps with the World Series champs logo on them for opening day, and special jerseys outlined in gold to commorate their World Series Victory
Jerseys
Caps
#60 by David on 03.27.07 11:57 am |
Does anyone else miss the yellow background?
(Another nice article, Paul)
#61 by My Name is Not Earl on 03.27.07 12:02 pm |
Ding ding ding . . . “Lust for Life” was indeed about heroin.
#62 by Paul Lukas on 03.27.07 12:06 pm |
I don’t — never liked it. I’m told there’s a new logo in the works, whoop-whoop.
#63 by Ed R. on 03.27.07 12:10 pm |
I think CBS has reached a licensing agreement with YouTube allowing their clips to remain on the site.
#64 by Matthew S. on 03.27.07 12:11 pm |
I know what you mean, I cringe when I see the new Wendy’s commercials that feature ‘Blister in the Sun’ by Violent Femmes….something about a song featuring the line “I stain my sheets and I don’t even know why” in a commercial for fast food is just unappetizing to me.
#65 by Tom on 03.27.07 12:11 pm |
The Cubs, who had been going without player names at home, have put the names back.
This is a classic “form follows function” case study.
Cubs fans will again know who they are shouting profanities at instead of just blurting out:
“Hey, #57… you suck!”
Thank you Tribune Co. for fixing this quickly.
#66 by Metsfan AZ on 03.27.07 12:12 pm |
It’s interesting to watch how the blog and the columns are separate. I doubt that I’m alone in thinking that with the graphic design talent and uni-obsession on the blog we could come up with something please to most of us. I would think at bare minimum Paul would have some input and it may even match the color scheme of the blog. I’m naive to how all of this works. I guess in reality it’s ESPN’s site and Paul as an independent contractor/columnist has little say in how it looks, only the content. rambling again…
#67 by Wally1912 on 03.27.07 12:14 pm |
Jose Cruz Jr finally looks like his old man.
#68 by Josh on 03.27.07 12:14 pm |
I guess I should have read the ESPN column before I posted. Damn.
#69 by Marcus Tonti on 03.27.07 12:19 pm |
Somebody, probably Paul, must have mentioned this but: Some irony that the new Mr. Redleg has a moustache when the Reds were long known for their no-facial-hair policy. Would the cartoon have a moustache is nobody on the real team could?
#70 by Surfer on 03.27.07 12:29 pm |
Didn’t Mr. Redlegs appear without the moustache while Marge Schott was running the team?
#71 by Sage Confucius on 03.27.07 12:39 pm |
Barry’s a Balco boy, no doubt. I wonder if he would autograph that jersey. Oh wait, he charges for that sort of thing.
In other news…the US Women’s Team jerseys will hopefully be changed before the World Cup in September.
#72 by Joe on 03.27.07 12:43 pm |
Agreed! Something has to be done about this!
Now THAT should be a uni-watch challenge!
#73 by Banker Bill on 03.27.07 12:50 pm |
IBM presents…YOU MAKE THE CALL!!
Does that help??
#74 by David on 03.27.07 12:54 pm |
A new logo would be nice. I guess I just got used to the yellow, but the white just sort of seems incomplete to me.
#75 by Paul Lukas on 03.27.07 1:08 pm |
Actually, I have pretty much no say about how it looks.
Fortunately, I have a bit more say in the affairs of this site right here. And that’s enough for me.
#76 by My Name is not Earl on 03.27.07 1:26 pm |
Schott didn’t purchase an interest in the team until 1981. If I remember correctly, the version of Mr. Redlegs that most of us are familiar with (clean shaven, pitching the ball) existed before then
#77 by Philly Bill on 03.27.07 1:39 pm |
No, it appears to be a prostate exam.
They were the last MLB team to employ vertically arched letting, but bailed on it before last season.
In the article that Anthony Verna linked, it states that Martin Biron received his new goalie pads, wore them in the team photo, then sent them back because his teammates unanimously hated the way they looked.
#78 by Minna H. on 03.27.07 1:53 pm |
Wow. I really like the long hair of the House of David players.
Nice dog, too The guy in the front row, lefthand side is cute.
And these guys: wow!
They must have pulled their hair back when they played, or it would have been flying everywhere. I have hair down to my waist, and I always put it up when I exercise.
#79 by Philly Bill on 03.27.07 1:57 pm |
It’s my first day wearing my new (old) Oakland A’s spring training cap, and the *&^%$#!! button just fell off the top. I’ve never had that happen with a cap before.
#80 by Ryan B. on 03.27.07 2:05 pm |
I know I’m a Mets fan, but I think the Athletics old spring hat was my favorite baseball hat period.
#81 by ncsu1stbaseman on 03.27.07 2:12 pm |
Forgot to add besides what was sad above. I have played with several guys that have cracked aluminum bats. One fella went through 3 in one season. I, myself, have had 2 bats start splitting on the end of the bat and travels into the barrel some about 2 inches.
#82 by pitnasty on 03.27.07 2:29 pm |
part of the reason that brock’s tattoo is oddly spelled and mishapen is probbaly becase he is not 21 and you must be 21 in IL to get ink
#83 by Teebz on 03.27.07 2:29 pm |
From the HockeyBuzz.com:
“1950-51
Because of the number of injuries incurred by players from elbowing infractions, the NHL Rules Committee adopted a new rule requiring that shoulder and elbow pads include a soft outer covering. All elbow pads which do not have a soft protective outer cover would be considered dangerous equipment. The League also adopted a new rule that results in a major penalty to a player when an injury is suffered as a result of an elbow.”
Is this not the same argument that the NHL is having now regarding shoulder hits to the head? Why does the NHL forget its past when looking to the future?
#84 by Teebz on 03.27.07 2:43 pm |
More from the HockeyBuzz regarding the Cooperall pants:
“1980
The Winnipeg Jets became the first NHL team to test a new pant system at their training camp. The “Cooperall†was a new pant system that was up to 40 percent lighter than traditional hockey pants and socks. The new pant featured an inner girdle which covered from the top of the knee to the middle of the rib cage and an outer shell made of a woven nylon. CCM had developed a similar new pant system that would be worn by some members of the Hartford Whalers during the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons. The Philadelphia Flyers wore the Cooperall pant for those same two seasons. The new pant system was designed to make the player as cool and comfortable as possible while still offering maximum protection. The new pant system lasted only two years in the NHL due to the fact that the material tended to rip more easily and, when a player fell on the ice, the nylon material tended to propel him rapidly.”
And here’s Rbk Hockey’s description of their new pants:
“Safety is another key to the new uniform system with the Rbk Edge Core Protector. Reebok Jofa Jop hip protection absorbs energy and allows players to go into corners with greater confidence. Strenuous impact tests show 61% more hip protection over current pants.
The new Rbk Edge Core Protector is also all about fit. That’s why the pants are built with adjustable thigh protection for customization. Besides comfort,this allows for uninhibited, or faster, strides.”
Wouldn’t that mean that the player is moving faster along the ice, making him, if he falls, hit the boards at a greater speed?
Are the new Rbk Edge Core Protection pants equivalent to a modern day Cooperall pants?
#85 by Ian K on 03.27.07 3:23 pm |
I’m glad the yellow background is gone too. I used to read the column from the printable version so as to appear more covert at work. Something about looking at a website with a yellow background has “I’M READING ESPN ON COMPANY TIME” written all over it.
#86 by Robert on 03.27.07 3:25 pm |
The clean-shaven version was called Mr. Red or The Running Man. He was created in the 1960s, I believe.
#87 by Jim on 03.27.07 3:49 pm |
Interesting blurb in this article near the bottom. Japenese baseballs can produce more movement than American ones.
#88 by Andrew on 03.27.07 3:49 pm |
It’s my first day wearing my new (old) Oakland A’s spring training cap, and the *&^%$#!! button just fell off the top. I’ve never had that happen with a cap before.
I know I’m a Mets fan, but I think the Athletics old spring hat was my favorite baseball hat period.
Philly Bill where did you get that hat? I once owned but it was thrown out of a window at a party while I was attending Providence College (needless to say it was never recovered). I am also a Mets fan but that hat was by far my favorite.
#89 by Jerico on 03.27.07 4:04 pm |
Got this month’s GQ in the mail today, and guess who’s on page 140 discussing the new red baseball unis?
#90 by Philly Bill on 03.27.07 4:07 pm |
Minorleagues.com was the only place I could find it in size Large, but they’re down to Smalls and Mediums (Media?) now. Starstruck has them for a mere $12, but only in Small.
A Large corresponds to probably a 7-5/8 or so. It’s huge. It’s very stretchy as well.
#91 by Andrew on 03.27.07 4:10 pm |
Minorleagues.com was the only place I could find it in size Large, but they’re down to Smalls and Mediums (Media?) now. Starstruck has them for a mere $12, but only in Small.
A Large corresponds to probably a 7-5/8 or so. It’s huge. It’s very stretchy as well.
Thanks for the help but with my enormous head im gonna have to find it in a store, i bought the original one at Mitchell and Ness in Philly so i might be making a road trip
#92 by Chad G on 03.27.07 4:30 pm |
This site has it
#93 by Brett on 03.27.07 5:14 pm |
hey Paul, the pic of David Ortiz you have on the ESPN column, sporting the red jersey is wrong. That is from a spring training, previous to this one. That is the old home BP/ST jersey.
The Sox actual red alternate has blue piping on the sleeve cuffs, as well as around the neck, and down the button line. Also, that is definatley not Fenway Park in the background, and that is the only place they have worn the red alternates.
pic of Varitek in the jersey.
#94 by Stuby on 03.27.07 5:36 pm |
I don’t think that glove is orange. It looks like a normal glove to me.
#95 by Dan from PC on 03.27.07 5:37 pm |
good to see im not the only one providing some Providence College love to uniwatch
#96 by Paulio on 03.27.07 5:38 pm |
I’ve broken 4 aluminum bats.
With my bare hands.
At the same time…
#97 by Stuby on 03.27.07 5:42 pm |
That is a very bad looking Illinois. And shouldn’t the star be right on the lakefront?
#98 by Chuck Ryals on 03.27.07 6:01 pm |
I love the changes the Dodgers made to their road jerseys. Losing the piping is a good thing! I just wish the Indians would lose the piping on their jerseys and get rid of the lame blue jerseys.
#99 by Michael on 03.27.07 6:06 pm |
I don’t know why he’s wearing this still, but bill belichick is still wearing his pro bowl visor. I’ve seen him in pictures with joe torre and tony larussa now. odd.
#100 by Paul Lukas on 03.27.07 6:14 pm |
Good catch — my bad. I’ll ask my editors to change it.
#101 by dw438 on 03.27.07 6:36 pm |
Re: ESPN column.
LOL on the description of the Toronto Blue Jays alternate cap.
“• The Blue Jays have a new alternate cap. This should be their chance to finally add some blue to their color scheme, right? Wrong. Bonus stupid points for coming up with a “T” logo that looks like a flying seagull.”
Like a seagull.
Where’s Dave Winfield when you need him?
#102 by Randy on 03.27.07 7:32 pm |
Watching the Tigers play the Braves tonight, and in addition to the Tigers wearing their real jerseys, like they have every time I’ve seen them this spring, they all appear to be wearing the non-spring training hats, but the ones with the white “D” even though it is a road game.
#103 by Stuby on 03.27.07&nbs