Exactly one year ago today, I uploaded this entry, thereby launching the site you’re now reading. At the time, I had two primary concerns: (1) Would anyone notice? (2) What the hell would I write about the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that? (Confession: I intentionally launched the site on a Wednesday, so I’d only have to come up with three entries for that first week.)
A year later, the site has been a much bigger success than I ever could have imagined. Except for that little server hiccup back in February, we’ve had fresh content every single non-holiday weekday, and on a few weekends to boot. I’m proud of that, and you should be too, because so much of the material comes from, or is inspired by, you. I’ve also had invaluable assistance from webmaster John Ekdahl (who, aside from all the technical help he’s provided, is the one who came up with the idea for this site in the first place), design director Scott M.X. Turner, and intern Vince Grzegorek. In addition to all their behind-the-scenes help, John and Vince have also given me occasional days off by writing blog entries, as has Todd Krevanchi. I’m super-grateful to all of them.
So what’s on tap for Year Two? In my fantasy world, I’d like the site to become less of a blog and more of a magazine, with separate sections devoted to various sports and uniform elements, additional writers (I would love to have a regular column written by someone at Nike or Reebok — a “voice from the corporate side,” as it were, to counter my relentlessly anti-corporate stance), a message board, and so on. That isn’t going to happen without a major sugar daddy, something I’ve so far been unable to attract. A more realistic fantasy, or so I’d like to think, is for Uni Watch to become self-supporting, meaning that I’d be able to focus on it exclusively, without devoting time to non-uni-related writing.
And that leads me to a big announcement: We’re are about to start offering (read: selling) multiple levels of Uni Watch memberships, the most immediate benefit of which will be a super-cool plastic-laminated membership card, designed by our own Scott M.X. Turner. The front will look like this, and the back will be styled like the back of a jersey — you’ll be able to pick a uniform number and your last name will appear in your choice of typography: vertically arched, radially arched, straight, or, for you old-schoolers, no name at all. I’ll add an “Active Roster” page to the site, listing all current members by uniform number and membership level. (Sorry, no duplicate membership uni numbers — if someone else already has the number you want, you’ll have to choose another number, just like on a real team. Update: There’s already been such a scramble by people trying to call dibs on certain numbers that I’ve decided to make the numbers non-exclusive, so you can have whatever number you want, even if someone else already has it.)
So what does membership cost, and what do you get in return? Here’s the breakdown of the various one-year membership levels and their respective benefits:
Level One: Wool Flannel ($25): Benefits are as follows:
- Official Uni Watch Membership Card
- Uni Watch fridge magnet
- Three bonus entries in all Uni Watch raffles
- Your name featured on the Uni Watch “Active Roster” membership listing
Level Two: Vertically Arched ($50): All of the benefits listed above, plus a special Uni Watch T-shirt, available only to members. This design is still in development and should be ready in about a week, but trust me — it’s gonna look great.
Level Three: Chain-Stitched ($100): All the benefits listed above, plus a CD containing the digital art files for three rare, hard-to-find uniform style guides: NFL 1972, XFL 2001, and MLB’s 1999 “Turn Ahead the Clock” series.
Level Four: Leather Helmet ($250): All the benefits listed above, plus Uni Watch design director Scott M.X. Turner will create a logo for your team, fantasy league, company, civic association, church group, or just for you.
Level Five: Satin Piping ($500): All the benefits listed above, plus I will conduct a “Uni Watch Profiles” interview with you, a transcript of which will be posted on the blog. During the interview we will discuss your favorite uniforms, your uni-related pet peeves, your cap collection, or anything else uni-related that you want to talk about. You will be uni-king for a day!
Level Six: Striped Stirrups ($1000): All of the benefits listed above, plus I will fly to your town (or to the nearest city with an airport) and host a Uni Watch party at the local venue of your choosing. Probably your best chance at attending a Uni Watch party if you live in, say, Wichita. Continental U.S. only. If you live within a 100-mile radius of New York City, I will take you and a guest out to dinner either before or after the party. If you and some friends pool your resources to come up with the fee, you will all receive membership cards.
I may come up with other benefits, and I’m also hoping to get some e-merchants to offer some discounts to Uni Watch members, but that’s all still in the “We’re working on it” phase.
So you’re probably thinking, “Is this just a money-making scheme, or a glorified donation program?” To a certain extent, yes. But I’ll be frank with you: I need some more money from this project. The site now eats up a significant amount of my time (easily 25 hours a week, often a lot more), and it’s starting to cut into the time I’d ordinarily devote to “real” work. Obviously, nobody’s forcing me to do this, and I can stop anytime I want. But I don’t want to stop — I love working on the site. I just need to be able to justify the increasing bite it’s taking from my schedule.
That said, I also think the membership program is a fun little sub-project. The benefits ain’t bad, and I’m pretty stoked about the membership card myself. All in all, I think membership at any level is a fair deal.
That said, I’m fully aware that some of you are students, and/or have families to support, loans to pay off, ad bankruptum. I also realize that many of you have already donated and/or bought raffle tickets in the past. Believe me, I know. I’m not trying to put the squeeze on anyone, I’m not trying to lay a guilt trip on you, and I can assure you that access to the site will always be free. I’m just asking for a little help, from those of you who are able to give it, so I can keep doing this thing we all enjoy — a thing that is rapidly approaching the status of a full-time job.
I won’t even accept any membership purchases until the Level Two T-shirt design is finalized. While we’re waiting, I’ll get the ball rolling by raffling off a membership — send a note to uniraffle at earthlink dot net (one per person, please) and I’ll pick a winner when the T-shirt design is ready.
Okay, enough of that. Thanks for a great first year, people — looking forward to more.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Nice note from Greg Evans, who writes: “Anderson, South Carolina, has a new Class A independent team called the Joes, after Shoeless Joe Jackson. Shoeless Joe was an upstate South Carolina native, and supposedly got his nickname while playing semipro ball in Anderson. The team logo is pretty cool, especially compared with the cartoonish logos of most other minor league teams. Also, the inclusion of a pair of spikes on the cap is a nice touch.” … Tuesday’s post mentioned the troubles that the Red Bulls have had fitting Dave van den Bergh’s name on his jersey, but I didn’t have a photo. Now, thanks to Kenn Tomasch, I do. … The Broncos’ memorial helmet decal for Darrent Williams and Damien Nash will look like this (with thanks to Andrew Mason). … Jeff Scott (who has a pretty sharp Cardinals blog) notes that the Majestic logo has been missing from David Eckstein’s road jersey for several days now. … In a related logo-anti-creep item, Kevin Gee reports that the MLB logo has been missing from the back of Carlos Lee’s batting helmet, and “it just doesn’t look right.” … “Hey Paul, a while back you linked to one of my pictures of the Oregon Marching Band, in our numbered, helmet-attired glory,” writes Matt Takimoto. “The helmets have since been retired — apparently we looked like Nazis to some of the older, donor set here in Eugene — and we are now selling them to raise money for the band.” Takimoto said he’d even try to arrange a raffle for us — stay tuned. … A confused and outraged Brandon Hall wonders why Lindy Ruff was wearing a Senators-colored necktie the other day. … Lots of great old West Virginia high school football uniforms on display in this gallery (kudos to Brad DiCola). … You know how a book’s index will have listings formatted like “Stirrups, Uni Watch’s obsession with” and “Purple, utter loathsomeness of”? Check out the jersey insignia for D3 school St. Thomas University (great find by Mike Miller). … According to a small note contained in this article Ted Lilly and Lou Piniella “enjoyed a novel bonding moment recently when Lilly informed Piniella that his fly was unzipped during a conference at the mound” (with thanks to sharp-eyed David Chisholm). … So this horse and this Mexican wrestler walk into a bar… (as spotted by Jeremy Brahm). … Bill Pinsak notes that Ben Roethlisberger was wearing Nike tri-bolt shorts the other day, instead of standard-issue NFL Equipment shorts made by Reebok. … Photos of Miami’s new football jerseys (first discussed here) are starting to circulate — look here, here, and here.
#1 by Scott W on 05.17.07 6:10 am |
Happy Birthday, Uni Watch! You share one with Sugar Ray Leonard. Here’s to another great year…
#2 by RaoulDuke on 05.17.07 6:20 am |
Heres to many more.
Thanks Paul.
#3 by Scott on 05.17.07 7:20 am |
This is an excellent site. Glad to hear you’ve had so much success with it.
#4 by Shane on 05.17.07 7:30 am |
Oh man, I forgot to buy a gift. =/
I’m guessing the BP hats aren’t exactly manditory for pre-game warmup. I was at the Sox game last night (well, before it was rained out), and noticed most of the team with the red BP hats, and a few others wearing 5950s. Hmm.
#5 by DenverGregg on 05.17.07 7:58 am |
Many happy returns.
If possible, please get T-shirts at least up to XXL. Some of us out here are built like offensive linemen. Another idea for a member perk (don’t know if it’s practical or not): Uniwatch jerseys - baseball, football, hockey, whatever - for sale to members only.
The St. Olaf jerseys in the St. Thomas picture are outstanding.
#6 by billy on 05.17.07 7:59 am |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a fantastic site, sadly I dont post that often….but I do read about 5 times a day.
Good luck in year number 2 and beyond
billy
#7 by Tim B. on 05.17.07 8:34 am |
Happy birthday Paul! I go back to the Village Voice days with you & it’s great to see this thing grow.
#8 by Matt on 05.17.07 8:34 am |
Thanks for all the work you do Paul! I cannot stop talking about your page to everyone I know!
Happy Birthday Uniwatch!
#9 by Original Jim on 05.17.07 8:43 am |
Congratulations and thanks, Paul, for many more years of material to keep my straying mind away from useful productivity.
:)
#10 by Ryan Petrynka on 05.17.07 8:43 am |
You mean the blog’s been here for only a year? Seems like it’s been here forever. Dayum.
Happy birthday!
Oh, is it intentional that the birthdate has a 7 in it (today being May 17th)?
#11 by Luke on 05.17.07 8:43 am |
Well, a birthday is a great reason to stop lurking. Ive enjoyed the site for quite a while now, and love reading/looking at all of the great and horrible uni’s. Thanks Paul and everyone.
#12 by Paul Lukas on 05.17.07 8:46 am |
No. But it IS intentional that I programmed the software to upload today’s entry at 5:17am (i.e., 5:17 on 5/17). I was going to upload it at the same time as last year’s May 17th entry, so it would be exactly one year, but it turns out that the first entry last year went up at 10:05am, and I know you people can’t wait that long for your daily dose, so…..
#13 by Matthew on 05.17.07 8:52 am |
I’ve read your entries here and on ESPN enthusiastically for quite a while. I waste 10 minutes at work every day checking out the new entry.
I’ll definitely sign up for membership once that starts. Sadly I fall into the Wichita-esque meet-up status!
#14 by MinnMike on 05.17.07 8:53 am |
The lettering on the Oles jersey is outstanding.
Congrats, Paul. Keep up the great work (”real” or otherwise).
#15 by Nolan on 05.17.07 8:56 am |
(Confession: I intentionally launched the site on a Wednesday, so I’d only have to come up with three entries for that first week.)
Hilarious.
#16 by Nolan on 05.17.07 8:58 am |
fixed.
#17 by DenverGregg on 05.17.07 8:58 am |
You could set up multiple “rosters” of numbers in one of a few ways:
1. by membership level, though there are reasons not to do that (not least of which, let’s say I start at level three but come into more cash a few months later and upgrade to level six, only to find my number already taken in the skybox);
2. by favorite sport so you’d have a football roster, a baseball roster, a hockey roster, etc.; or
3. by combining color (could be on either background or foreground of card) and number so you’d have a green roster, a blue roster, etc.
Just a thought.
BTW, thanks for early post today. It’s great to get the chance to read Uniwatch before leaving for work.
#18 by Amy on 05.17.07 9:00 am |
Happy Birthday, congratulations and thanks.
#19 by tessa on 05.17.07 9:01 am |
Happy Birthday, UniWatch! I am surprised to hear that the blog has been around for one year. I thought I had missed more of the life of the blog. Good news for me. UniWatch Membership sounds like fun.
Thanks for all the work that you do on this site. I think it is hard for those of us who are not writers to quantify the amount of time and energy that it takes to come up with something original and interesting on a daily basis. And being immediately responsible for response to comments and email adds yet another layer. So, consider yourself and your work appreciated.
#20 by Mark in Cincy on 05.17.07 9:03 am |
Happy Birthday Uni Watch!
Paul,
I echo the sentiment of the posters above, thanks for your great work. The blog is the perfect compliment to my morning coffee to get the work day started.
Cheers!
#21 by todd krevanchi on 05.17.07 9:06 am |
Congratulations on year 1!
Pats on the back to PL, Ek, Vince the Intern, and M.X for their work to provide daily content, IT support, and visual design.
And high fives to everyone who reads this blog, who has pestered PL with an email and a picture about “this” or “that”, and those who contribute content for the betterment of the blog whether in the ticker or in the comments (i guess im guilty of all!).
Here’s to a great rookie year!
#22 by Stormy on 05.17.07 9:17 am |
Happy Birthday!!
#23 by Elena E on 05.17.07 9:23 am |
Happy Anniversary! This is also Cool Papa Bell’s 104th birthday. A fitting match for a cool site. Please remember that there are also petite people reading this blog, so how about member’s T-shirts in youth XL, or women’s cut?
#24 by LunchBox on 05.17.07 9:23 am |
Happy Birthday Uni Watch!
I have a suggestion for potential Uni-Watch members. Perhaps each member of the site can choose their desired color scheme of the website. Maybe have 3 or 4 pre-determined color scheme’s or let them pick their own combination (but no purple, haha). I’m a web developer so I could probably make that happen if you wanted.
#25 by Tuffy on 05.17.07 9:25 am |
The two notable coaches in the St. Thomas and St. Olaf picture should be mentioned.
Shaking hands near home plate are legendary St. Thomas coach Dennis Denning and the soon-to-be legendary St. Olaf coach Matt McDonald.
Great coaches, great leaders, great people.
#26 by anthony on 05.17.07 9:27 am |
Happy Birthday!
Sign me up for a $50 membership (pending t-shirt design, number availability etc.)
This was a great idea, I can’t believe it’s only been a year.
Next up a syndicated radio show that turns into a proprietary magazine, a segment on HBO’s Inside Sports, a university class (The history of sports uniforms and it’s impact on popular culture 101) which turns into a sports consultation firm specializing in Professional sports uniforms.
You will be the Scott Boras/Bryant Gumbal/Dr. Robert Langdon of the sports uniform world!
#27 by Tom Carlson on 05.17.07 9:33 am |
This is a great site and part of my daily ritual. Thanks for the highly informative and entertaining content.
I worked at the print shop that did the printing for St. Thomas. It was quite interesting when they mad the change from “College of” to “University of”. We had to print tons of various letterhead, business cards, forms… We had to be on the alert in all of the jobs for them to ferret out any old logos or marks.
Those Oregon band helmets are quite silly. Who was the idiot who thought it was a good idea to put them in helmets in the first place? It seems like that place trys to be quirky for just for the sake of being quirky.
#28 by WVU Tom on 05.17.07 9:36 am |
Would numbers go back into the pool after the year subscription expires? (assuming of course you do not renew).
Perhaps a high level membership could earn you a “retired” number, that’s yours for the life of the site…and beyond.
#29 by todd krevanchi on 05.17.07 9:38 am |
that beer can in the headline picture reminds me of a tecate/lone star combination…
#30 by Ken on 05.17.07 9:41 am |
It’s been semi-officially confirmed that the Baltimore Orioles will be returning “BALTIMORE” to the road jerseys next season!
It won’t win any more games, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Now if they’d return the Cartoon Bird to the hat and bring back striped stirrups, the trifecta would be complete. (The 1966 uniform is my favorite, personally)
Source
#31 by Ken on 05.17.07 9:43 am |
Drat. Here’s the 1966 uniform for those who are unfamiliar.
#32 by WVU Tom on 05.17.07 9:45 am |
WHOA!
When you say “semi-officially”, can you quote a source?
#33 by Paul Lukas on 05.17.07 9:47 am |
Yes.
Not a bad idea — I like!
#34 by WVU Tom on 05.17.07 9:47 am |
Whoops, got too exiced and I guess didn’t read the whole thing…sorry, nevermind.
#35 by James P. on 05.17.07 9:50 am |
Happy Birthday, Uni Watch!
Paul, your Page 2 stories are the only thing I look at ESPN.com for, and after finding this blog, I don’t know what my mornings would be like if I didn’t get my daily dose of Uni info! As a former college football equipment manager, and a huge Houston Astros fan, I love the history and designs of sports equipment and uniforms so this is my happy place. My wife gets tired of me talking about the stuff from here…and rolls her eyes at the fact that you are a Mets fan (she is born and raised Long Island Yankee fan).
So, here’s to a kick ass 1st year, and to many more to come!
#36 by Ken on 05.17.07 9:53 am |
Oops…Link to the striped stirrups and 1966 Orioles uniform was a bust.
But this one works!
#37 by bj in gainesville on 05.17.07 9:53 am |
does the cross-handed grip in the Joe’s logo bother anyone else?
Oh, and as a native of Miami, I can say that the pictures of the “new” ‘Canes jerseys aren’t a big change in the grand scheme. The overall design elements haven’t changed in a while, and they retain what has become an easily identifiable look for UM.
#38 by Ryan B. on 05.17.07 9:57 am |
And, Paul, some of us (me) are built like out-of-shape offensive lineman. :P 3XL gonna be a T-shirt option, too?
I am proud to say that this Uni Watch community is the first such experience in my life where I feel as though I am actually part of a meaningful, thoughful, and productive Internet community. Kudos to everyone that has made this site what it is and everyone working to make it what it will one day be. (That is, I guess, hats off to all of us…kinda like Time’s Person of the Year last year.)
#39 by WVU Tom on 05.17.07 9:57 am |
Yup–that’s just lack of attention to detail.
#40 by Joel Keller on 05.17.07 9:57 am |
Happy anniversary, Paul! As you know, I’ve been a UW fan since at least the Slate days (and I went back and read all the Voice columns once I found this), and this is a regular destination for me.
Sign me up for a membership when it’s time, likely the $50 level. I call dibs on #30!
#41 by Mike on 05.17.07 9:59 am |
Thank you Paul. And everybody behind the scenes. This blog is such a delight to visit for me everyday. To have an entire site devoted to something you’ve loved, something that the ‘main-stream’ sports outlets always ignored (instead to focus on player profiles or whatever the hell they like to do), is just fantastic.
Thank you again, and everybody that helps behind the scenes. I plan on buying a membership for sure. (really really hope my number will be available when the time comes!)
Idea - adding on to what somebody said about retiring numbers - when a number does get retired, have a “throw back” Uni Watch logo/jersey to go with it, because we always see the classic jerseys get brought out whenever an older athlete’s number get retired. I’ll probably think of more things during the day to do instead of working.
#42 by Brian from Short Island on 05.17.07 10:00 am |
Make a soccer roster with official Premiership numbers, and I’ll totally get it. Make them miniature and rendered in Lextra, and I’ll go striped-stirrups (okay, that’s a lie, but you get the point).
#43 by Big O on 05.17.07 10:02 am |
Not to press my luck i’d be happy with any stirrups right now.
#44 by todd krevanchi on 05.17.07 10:05 am |
joe jackson was a left handed batter… although i can remember reading somewhere that in the early to mid part of the century, a cross handed grip was sometimes used. if im not mistaken, henry aaron learned to hit cross handed.
#45 by Jason in Lexington on 05.17.07 10:06 am |
I was watching 61, the Movie about Maris’s 61 homer season, the other day and the Orioles were in the movie quite a bit. I noticed almost immediately how great those stirrups are. The Baltimore on the jersey is also pretty cool.
Minus the cross handedness, I love everything about the Joe’s logo and hat. Great idea for a team mascot and unis.
#46 by Kenny on 05.17.07 10:07 am |
Congrats on the successful year
I hope that t-shirt is like the membership card…you know, with the name and number on the back as well!!
Also anyone notice the logo creep on the cover of NCAA Football ‘08??
#47 by Nathan on 05.17.07 10:08 am |
Actually it’s correct. Joe Jackson batted lefty so his hands are in the proper position.
#48 by Ryan Petrynka on 05.17.07 10:08 am |
After looking through my dresser drawers, it turns out I was a Uni-geek as a small child. For a Christmas present back in… gosh… it would be between 1987 and 1989, I received a child-size Cornwall Royals hockey jersey (local team), who at the time played in the Ontario Hockey League and spawned such NHL greats as Billy Smith, Dale Hawerchuk, Doug Gilmour and coach Marc Crawford. Bob Kilger, who coached the team to the Memorial Cup Championship in 1981 is currently the Mayor of the city. Sadly the team left town in 1992 and are now known as the Sarnia Sting.
Well… it turns out I still have this jersey. It doesn’t fit any more since I’m now 23 and have grown a bit since those days, but I can gladly take some pictures if you’re interested.
Cornwall Royals at Wikipedia
#49 by Morris Belleville on 05.17.07 10:11 am |
What if the back of the card could be styled like your favorite uniform?
#50 by Ed R. on 05.17.07 10:18 am |
Congrats to Paul and many thanks to John, Scott, Vince and Todd. Happy Birthday Uni-Watch!
#51 by Phil on 05.17.07 10:18 am |
I think he’s already swung, he’s left handed.
#52 by Ed R. on 05.17.07 10:18 am |
Congrats to Paul and many thanks to John, Scott, Vince and Todd. Happy Birthday Uni-Watch!
#53 by dpnation on 05.17.07 10:21 am |
Sign me up! Dibs on #9 ;)
An interesting article today about women’s hoops in Russia on ESPN.com - Uni Watch reader favorite Sue Bird (and Diana Taurasi) are featured.
I actually like the Russian version uniform better than the new WNBA ones. Though, that’s not really saying a lot.
#54 by WVU Tom on 05.17.07 10:23 am |
If he’s left handed, then yes, the hands are correct, but in that case he’s facing the wrong way. There’s just something not quite right about it to me…
#55 by dpnation on 05.17.07 10:23 am |
trying Russian uni link again.
#56 by Matt on 05.17.07 10:29 am |
Congratulations to the entire Uni Watch staff. On a side note, has anyone else noticed on DirecTV’s commercial with Charlie Sheen reprising his role as Ricky Vaughn, he wears two different styles of Indians’ uniforms? The uniform worn by Sheen in the new footage from the commercial doesn’t match the uniform from the old footage in Major League. I don’t have any pictures to prove it, maybe someone could help me out.
#57 by Johnny O on 05.17.07 10:30 am |
Thank you to Paul and everyone who put in hours of work to feed our obsessions for uniforms. I try to educate others into viewing this website, but most of them don’t “get it” like we all do here. Uni Watch readers are the best people in the land.
P.S. Those new ‘Canes jerseys…woof
#58 by Tom Liodice on 05.17.07 10:34 am |
Happy Birthday Uni Watch!! Hope there is many more to come!
Longtime reader, first time commenter…love the idea for memberships and consider me signed up when it’s available.
Thanks for all the hard work Paul and congrats again!
#59 by todd krevanchi on 05.17.07 10:49 am |
dpnation, my inbox loaded up when that article was posted yesterday!!!
as the (self proclaimed) biggest sue bird fan, i was all over it… thank god she’s back. i was jonesing all winter!!!
#60 by Kris Pasterick on 05.17.07 10:50 am |
Found this in an aritcle about the Syracuse Chiefs of the IL:
9. Tell the players to wear the uniforms correctly. If you’re going to make the stadium more pleasing to the eye, where better to begin than with the athletes, who are so fashion-challenged that they’ve chosen to play their games while wearing pajama bottoms rather than baseball pants? Is this the International League or a sleepover…and if it’s the latter, fine. Go ahead and place a pillow on each seat.
#61 by Erich on 05.17.07 10:51 am |
I know it’s been mentioned before… I just can’t find it in the search…
Also congrats Uni Watch…. I love the site and check it out numerous times a day… I’ll be signing up for a membership too hopefully…
#62 by Dan on 05.17.07 10:54 am |
Hooray for Uni Watch! I like the idea of different sections for different sports. Sorry, I can stand only so much baseball. I know its in season and I have a few months of mainly baseball related entries, but still. Also, the membership idea is a good one, I just feel bad that I wouldn’t be able to contribute at this point in time(read: I’m in school and can’t afford anything).
I think I may be coming down with a uni-related illness because the Sabres jerseys are kind of growing on me. Some one help!
#63 by Teebz on 05.17.07 10:56 am |
Can we have the shirt with our number on it too?
I’d like the world to know what number I am. :o)
#64 by Gage on 05.17.07 10:57 am |
Happy Birthday, UniWatch!
I’m a St. Olaf student, so I love that you used that picture. I also love those Olaf jerseys. Pretty nice.
Over the weekend, I went to a couple Twins games against the Tigers and sat behind the Tigers dugout. I didn’t have a good enough camera with me, but I noticed that the backup catcher for Detroit, Mike Rabelo, has a hockey-style catcher’s helmet that’s orange with black tiger-like stripes on it. I couldn’t find a picture, but I thought it was interesting.
#65 by Perry on 05.17.07 11:00 am |
It looks like the logo was copied from the middle photo of Jackson on this page. It looks like the follow-through from a swing (or at least posing after a swing).
#66 by Jaye on 05.17.07 11:01 am |
Happy Birthday!!
I’ve looked on for several months, but rarely post. Because of you, my two Little Leaguers are Uni-Watchers in-the-making. This is where they got their first peeks at the Pirates red get-up and this is were they learned to spot and use the term “logo creep.” That by itself is priceless. Hopefully, this site will be here as they grow.
#67 by Brendan on 05.17.07 11:01 am |
I think this photo shows that Shoeless Joe did not bat cross-handed:
http://thinklab.type...
#68 by BurghFan on 05.17.07 11:05 am |
I just want to add my congratulations to Paul and the Uni Watch team, and my thanks to the entire community.
#69 by Brendan on 05.17.07 11:06 am |
How about structuring the different levels of membership the way baseball is structured with Single A through the Majors? Then each level could have its own numbers and for those of us incapable of initially making it to the big time but later able to, we would have to suffer the indignity of choosing a new number if ours was already spoken for.
#70 by Jonathan Deery on 05.17.07 11:10 am |
Longtime reader, infrequent commenter.
Like everyone else, I would like to say Thanks! Paul.
This site is an important part of each and every work day, and I, like others cannot watch sporting events now without noticing something in regards to the uniforms and equipment.
Hope you accept Canadian dollars, as I will definately be signing up for a membership!!
Thanks again and heres to many years to come.
#71 by Richard on 05.17.07 11:10 am |
Happy Birthday, Uni Watch! You’ve very quickly become indispensable. Thanks, Paul, for all the time and effort — it’s appreciated.
I have a feeling that the uniform numbers are going to well exceed 100 people. You might need to create regional rosters or something, like all-star teams.
One other question - if we’re cash-poor at the moment, can we start out with a $25 membership and upgrade later?
#72 by interlockingtc on 05.17.07 11:10 am |
Congratulations on one year.
This sight is a real treat.
Thanks.
#73 by JP Lang on 05.17.07 11:11 am |
Happy Birthday and thanks Paul!
Looking forward to becoming a member.
#74 by Pittsburgh Gunny on 05.17.07 11:12 am |
Happy Birthday to what I consider the most enjoyable blog, yeah I don’t care much for that word either, published on the vast expanse of the internet.
Now I just have to figure out what number I want for my membership, 1, 4, 10, 14, 35, 66 and 87 are my early favorites.
#75 by Talon Lardner on 05.17.07 11:12 am |
If I can figure out how to find it, I can comment…
and yes, congrats on the birthday, Uni Watch Blog!
As far as the Miami uniforms are concerned, I think the white one is my least favorite, but the Green and Orange ones are growing on me.
#76 by David T on 05.17.07 11:13 am |
What strikes me about all of today’s comments is the lack of negativity about the new membership levels. I think we all recognize the value of this site, so kicking in a few bucks is certainly worth it. Happy b-day to the site, and many thanks to Paul and the fellas for all their hard work.
#77 by Brendan on 05.17.07 11:14 am |
Here is the Shoeless Joe Virtual Hall of Fame
http://www.blackbets... It is pretty neat.
#78 by Perry on 05.17.07 11:14 am |
He’s lefthanded and has just finished his swing, so he’s facing where the ball is going. It was probably the most common pose in posed still photos in Jackson’s era, you see it all the time. I’m sure the logo was taken from a photo. Check this out, for example:
http://www.blackbets...
Or this:
http://www.blackbets...
#79 by Perry on 05.17.07 11:15 am |
Or even batter, this, which is almost exactly like the logo:
http://www.blackbets...
#80 by Lake on 05.17.07 11:16 am |
Poliquin is right on all of the points he made. It’s unfathomable to me how the Chiefs made such an ugly stadium when all they had to do was drive 70 miles down the Thruway to Rochester to see how it’s supposed to be done. One of the many reasons I prefer my new hometown of Rochester to my old hometown of Syracuse.
And the membership idea is a great idea. I’d tape my membership card to the window in my office that all the students can see while they’re getting their mail. Maybe I could convert a few that way.
#81 by Miguel on 05.17.07 11:18 am |
Congrats, Paul.
I will now commence donating the hell out of my plasma and seeds in my quest for “Striped Stirrups” status.
#82 by Paul Lukas on 05.17.07 11:21 am |
I don’t think that’s gonna be possible — customized cards are one thing, but customized shirts would get too expensive.
#83 by Paul Lukas on 05.17.07 11:23 am |
Of course.
#84 by Perry on 05.17.07 11:24 am |
By the way, does it seem wrong to anyone else that a pro baseball team is named after a guy who DUMPED A FREAKING WORLD SERIES??? I blame Field of Dreams. I also blame FOD for casting an Italian guy from Newark NJ as Jackson, and letting him bat righthanded in the movie.
#85 by Patrick on 05.17.07 11:24 am |
At least they took the time to make sure the tattoo was represented correctly on what looks like a computer generated image of Zabransky.
#86 by Shaftman on 05.17.07 11:25 am |
Paul,
Happy B-Day!!! This Site Rocks!!! No, you ROCK!!!
Sign me up for ole number 8.
#87 by Jeff B on 05.17.07 11:26 am |
Paul,
I imagine some of the more popular numbers will be highly sought after in the membership registration process. At very least there would be some conflict. I would think that the most fair way to assign these numbers would be a stratified first come first serve. That would mean in the official submission or application or whatever for a number, top 3 or top 5 choices of number would be needed. I like the opprotunity to have multiple color scheme choices as was once mentioned, and perhaps different teams.
#88 by Paul Lukas on 05.17.07 11:27 am |
I’m sure noticing that too! I was frankly a little nervous about the membership thing (and still am), because I don’t want it to look like I’m just trying to milk you all for $$$. I thought long and hard about the merits of this but was still apprehensive about how it might be received. It’s a relief to see that the reaction appears to be positive, at least so far. Thank you SO MUCH, everyone, for the kind words of support. Between last weekend’s parties and today’s anniversary well-wishing, I’m feeling pretty lucky and special these days.
Incidentally, May 26th marks the 8th anniversary of the very first Uni Watch column being published in The Village Voice. Another nice milestone.
#89 by Smail on 05.17.07 11:32 am |
First off, congrats to Paul and everyone on the UW staff. It’s been great interacting with so many other people that get it.
Second, in reading the article about WNBA players in Russia, they mentioned two Moscow teams, Spartak and Dynamo. There are also two pro hockey teams in Moscow named Spartak and Dynamo. Does anyone know if there’s lots of this name sharing over there, and if there’s a connection between all the teams that share a name?
#90 by Shaftman on 05.17.07 11:33 am |
As far as the membership pricing… Between food and tix, I blew $40 on Spider-Man 3 last week (which stunk). I’d rather skip a bad movie once a year and invest in a worthy cause.
#91 by Perry on 05.17.07 11:34 am |
Or even batter, this, which is almost exactly like the logo:
http://www.blackbets...
Another Perry? Now I’m confused. But this must be the photo that the logo was copied from.
#92 by Jeff B on 05.17.07 11:36 am |
BTW I dont know what anyone thinks about this, but shouldn’t there be an increase in entries to raffles with the increase in membership level? If the $25 membership gets 3 extra entries, shouldn’t the $50 membership get 6?
#93 by Wes Walz on 05.17.07 11:36 am |
The Joes logo is sweet stylistically, but the way it’s presented does bother the trained eye. Then again, this sort of sums up why we have a successful site like this–a bunch of us, presented with said logo, immediately looked at it quizzically and thought, “hmm, that doesn’t look right.” That’s why we’re a good community here. The other thing that bothers me about it is the helmeted head; Joe didn’t wear one of those.
Paul, I know this could be either good or perhaps a headache for you, but have you considered letting UniWatchers of a certain stripe (team) or locale (all following an area’s teams, ie: Chicago, the Twin Cities, etc.) collaborate on posting a UniCompendium of their area’s teams as sort of a mini-critique/history lesson/dossier for others to use?
I think it would be fun for several people, say, all Twins fans (please, anything to draw our attention away from what’s quickly becoming a painful season!), to get a deadline, go out and research a bunch of uni-related items, and report back by a deadline? Then, if you feel the info is worthy, it could run on one of those days when you need to concentrate on other matters. After all, we’re all a bunch of praise-deprived zealots…
Perhaps the process would go something like this: Paul puts out an RFP-like proposal for a certain city/team. Readers e-mail to say they’d like to dig in and then those who show interest connect via e-mail. The team breaks the project into pieces, goes forth to research, and eventually compiles a document with lots of links, tidbits, and other info. Paul reads it and, if it passes muster, is posted on one of his break days.
Some cities could brag about their consistency in presenting a tasteful tableau for generations; others (like my fellow Vikings fans) would have to show skill in explaining their team’s purple perdition. Houston fans, I feel sorry for you on this assignment already. Between the striped-Popsicle ‘Stros jerseys and those video-game explosion Rockets unis of the mid-’90s, you’ve got a lot of ’splainin’ to do.
Happy Birthday to Uni Watch, and here’s to much more in the year to come.
#94 by TechAlumni2006 on 05.17.07 11:37 am |
Louisiana Tech is the newest school to be sponsored by Nike. Good news is the football uniforms will reportedly remain the same we’ve had since the Bradshaw days.
#95 by Kerry on 05.17.07 11:37 am |
I think the membership idea is wonderful. My only question is what will happen after a year and let’s say that you’re looking to renew at the same level…you already the “perks” (ie t-shirt, membership card, etc.) of that level. Is there really any motivation for a person to continue their membership?
I know that any renewing is over a year away, but just something that I thought should be mulled over by the powers-that-be to keep interest in the membership idea down the road.
#96 by cathy on 05.17.07 11:42 am |
HAPPY Birthday!! I’m in for a membership for sure. This site is my daily entertainment!!! You do a great job, Paul.
#97 by jesse on 05.17.07 11:45 am |
How many folks in the Pittsburgh Area would be willing to go in on the $1,000 membership in Order to get the party?
#98 by Erich on 05.17.07 11:45 am |
Its unfortunate that the ideas of numbers on the backs of shirts would be too expensive… I would really think about upgrading to the $50 if we got one with our number… That would just be too cool! There is a website called custom Ink that can make them for about 8 bucks a pop… 42 bucks out of 50 is still a nice chunk of change to keep…
Keep up the awesome work Paul and co.
#99 by karen on 05.17.07 11:45 am |
-clink-clink-
cheers!
#100 by Paul Lukas on 05.17.07 11:46 am |
Yeah, that has occurred to me. We’ll come up with a new membership T-shirt each year, for sure, and I’ll try to come up with “renewal benefits” for each level as well. But for now, let’s just get the membership program off the ground.
#101 by Brendan on 05.17.07 11:48 am |
For Perry here is a site about the Black Sox- I am not sure how accurate it is or how much of an apologist the author is but here you go- http://www.chicagohs...
#102 by Brendan on 05.17.07 11:53 am |
Wes I don’t think that it is in fact a helmet but rather a representation of how Shoeless Joe wore his cap when he batted; it looks pretty similar to the photo I already linked to: http://thinklab.type...
#103 by Ryan on 05.17.07 11:54 am |
Thanks for a great year of great info, Paul! Your ESPN column and this blog make me feel like less of a freak every day, ha ha.
I’d love to help out by buying one of those Satin Piping memberships, because it would make my years of hat collecting seem less wasted if someone actually ever ASKED me about my collection! ha ha. But with a baby on the way, and a wife who doesn’t “get it” ™, I don’t think that has much chance of happening. But maybe I can ask for a Wool Flannel membership for my birthday! ha ha. Though by August, I’m guessing my beloved favorite number will be long gone.
#104 by marc on 05.17.07 11:55 am |
Great job on the website i find my self lost on days with out it :-)
#105 by Joe Drennan on 05.17.07 11:57 am |
I love the mention of a Minnesota Interscolastic Athletic Conference (MIAC) team with the University of St. Thomas. The “of” is like The Ohio State’s “The” it’s just something they stress.
The MIAC has a lot of great basbeball uniforms. I saw most of them whil keeping stats at St. Mary’s my senior year while interning in the sports info department. Here is the run down of unis.
St. Mary’s I love the fact that most the team goes high socks!
Augsburg
St. Thomas
Hamline
Concordia
St. Olaf
St. John’s
Gustavus
Bethal
Macalester
Carleton - Sorry, couldn’t find any good pics.
#106 by Jordan on 05.17.07 11:59 am |
Happy birthday! This seems like a good time to de-lurk and say how much I’ve enjoyed the site since I discovered it a few months ago. Keep up the good work!
Regarding Dave van den Bergh’s name, why don’t they just abbreviate it to “v.d.Bergh”? That is what Manchester United did for Ruud van Nistelrooy.
#107 by Kyle at IU on 05.17.07 12:02 pm |
Many salutations to you and this little venture of yours, Pau