I was in Toronto for only 39 hours last week (about 15 hours less than I’d originally planned, thanks to a broken fan belt that left Uni Watch Ontario bureau chief Liz Clayton and me temporarily stranded in Sarnia), but it was an extremely uni-eventful visit nonetheless, beginning with Tuesday night’s party at the Imperial Pub and Library. About a dozen readers showed up, including John Edwards, Brian Kallion, Braden Liebovitch, J.C. Plante, Matt Irving, Erich Reich, Scott Ingram (who buttered me up by mentioning that he had all 10 issues of Beer Frame, the zine I published a million years ago), James Leroux (whose T-shirt drew raves), Nana Kwamie (whose Black Fives throwback, based on the 1918 St. Christopher’s Club in Harlem, was another hit), Jonah Weslak (who pointed out the irony of a Pete Rose jersey being part of the Cooperstown Collection), Jonathan Deery (who later removed his Belleville Bulls jersey to reveal something even cooler), and the aforementioned Liz Clayton (my favorite shirt of the night, although I may be a bit biased, since I’ve known Liz for over a dozen years).
Two other guys who attended the party were Paul Morris and Tommy Gough, who run Big Stick Custom Hockey Jerseys, a small shop that I visited the next day. It doesn’t look like much from the outside. Inside, however, it’s a treasure trove of jersey samples, template posters, swatch books, boxes and trays full of letters, numbers, and patches, binders full of logo crests (additional examples here and here), and the kind of stuff you’ll only see in a hockey shop. Way too much cool stuff for me to list here, but suffice it to say that I got to witness lots letter cutting, heat pressing, and jersey dispaying during my visit.
Later on that evening, I did a non-uni-related reading as part of the excellent Pontiac Quarterly series. But uniforms still managed to stalk me, because during intermission I met the lovely Amber Roga (renowned as Toronto’s finest barista), who informed me that her hometown of Kitchener, Ontario, is the home base of Barbarian Rugby Wear, which sponsors both the Canadian and German national rugby squads. You can probably guess which part of their catalog I like best.
Speaking of which: My only regret regarding the visit was that the pseudonymous sock savant known as Witesock, who lives in Toronto, was out of town, so I didn’t get to meet him. Next time.
Membership News: Thanks to everyone who weighed in yesterday regarding Dan Netser’s Pacers design. Most of you seemed to prefer this version; more importantly, so did Dan himself. So that’s the one we’re going with.
Meanwhile, today’s the last day to enroll as a Charter Member (although of course I hope people will continue to sign up after today as well). New material is being added to the design gallery on a near-hourly basis, so check out the goods, leave comments, etc.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Looks like Jarrod Saltalamacchia is about to set the all-time record for the longest-surnamed player ever to be traded. … Interesting item here about some of the Redskins wearing soccer cleats (with thanks to Kim Kolb). … Jeremy Brahm nominates South Korean men’s basketball coach Choi Bu Yung for the title of worst coach’s shirt. … Jeremy also noted lots of interesting things on the court at the FIBA Asian Championships, including the following: The United Arab Emerites team wears “UAE” on the back but only has their flag on the front; the Philippines team wears the country name on the back; and Indonesia is going seriously old-school. … Interesting note from Jeremy Poursine, who writes: “The New Orleans Zephyrs, the Mets’ triple-A affiliate, play at Zephyr Field, which is actually in the suburb of Metairie. Someone realized that Mets and Metairie share some letters and made some hot merchandise for the team. This one spells out the whole name, while this one uses Metairie’s well-known nickname.” … Jason Palmer sent along this great photo of several players from the Mineral Wells Steam (”a Texas Collegiate League team — wooden bat league similar to the Cape Cod summer league,” he says). Gotta love how the non-game-day pitchers wear stirrups with their shorts. … Loads of great striped rugby uniforms displayed in this gallery (with thanks to Caleb Borchers). … The Tulsa Drillers are retiring No. 29 and wearing a memorial patch for Mike Coolbaugh, the coach who was recently killed by a line drive (with thanks to Matt Porges). … I knew that the baseball scenes in Pride of Yankees were essentially shot backwards, because right-handed Gary Cooper was portraying the left-handed Lou Gehrig. What I didn’t realize, however — until Ethan Rowley pointed it out to me — was that the same thing was done for certain scenes in 61*, because right-handed Anthony Michael Hall was playing southpaw Whitey Ford. Rowley pulled a few screen grabs from the “Making of” segment of the 61* DVD that show how they did it, as seen here and here. … Reprinted from last night’s comments: Decent view here of the Broncos’ dual memorial decal for Darrent Williams and Damien Nash.
#1 by redemske on 07.31.07 8:57 am |
The Rangers’ uniform links don’t work.
And I have the actual sign that Liz’s shirt is based on. It’s on a door that goes to the outside of our house. Nobody has ever been hit, so it must be working.
#2 by Dan on 07.31.07 9:03 am |
http://farm2.static....
The one in the middle…”Fury White” with the blue flames. My previous hockey team, the Inferno, wore those. Since this blog started, I’ve always thought…man, the Uni Watch crew would hate those! lol.
We had a cool logo…a flaming smiley-face.
#3 by anthony on 07.31.07 9:05 am |
…page 5 of the uniwatch membership uniform cards is one wacky and diverse collection.
It’s got it all – golf, indoor soccer, america’s cup, a bat boy, throwbacks, ivy league rugby, FIFA, and not to mention, a “pope,” a “llama,” a “gay,” a “nigro,” and a “stein.”
Truly an amazing cross section of Uniwatch members
#4 by Nate on 07.31.07 9:05 am |
Kevin Garnett is apparently headed to the Celtics (who are giving up everything but Danny Ainge’s first born to get him).
But the question on my mind…what number will Garnett wear? 21 is retired (Bill Sharman) and the number Garnett wore at Farragut Academy (34) is taken by Paul Pierce…
#5 by Dan on 07.31.07 9:11 am |
Carlos Rogers is wearing soccer cleats?…maybe THAT’S why he’s only got 3 interceptions in 2 YEARS…he might not realize he CAN touch the ball with his hands.
#6 by matthew on 07.31.07 9:16 am |
The link for the new rangers’ jersey dosen’t work…
#7 by Stuby on 07.31.07 9:18 am |
And he wore #10 for international play , but that’s retired also. Maybe he could take the #7 vacated by Al Jefferson, whom he was traded for. He could also go with 71, which, if you kind of squint, looks like 21.
#8 by Shadeymonk on 07.31.07 9:19 am |
maybe 12… 21 backwards…
#9 by Joe H on 07.31.07 9:23 am |
Paul Morris and Tommy Gough…your shop brought back so many great memories of my time in the business…every photo I could relate with…awesome stuff!
I’d love to pick your brains about a few things…get my email from Paul if you’re cool with that!
#10 by Natron on 07.31.07 9:27 am |
According to this column, he may be switching to either 5 or 45.
#11 by Mike V. on 07.31.07 9:27 am |
Those Tee-Pee Jerseys are classic, just beautiful.
#12 by Jason on 07.31.07 9:28 am |
I assume you meant at your house.
#13 by Stuby on 07.31.07 9:29 am |
Allan Ray (not Ray Allen #20) currently wears 12.
Boston roster before trade
Of course with 4, 5, 7, 30, & 50 being vacated by guys going to Minnesota, some numbers open up. I think he’d look good in a single digit.
#14 by Shadeymonk on 07.31.07 9:32 am |
Allan Ray was waived yesterday
#15 by Stuby on 07.31.07 9:33 am |
Nevermind then.
#16 by Nate on 07.31.07 9:36 am |
Yeah, that might make him look less skinny. Thanks for the heads up on the 5 and 45. Good stuff.
#17 by Pat on 07.31.07 9:36 am |
Allan Ray, thank the good Lord, was waived a week ago. He got a two year deal in Italy. If Garnett wears #7 it will ruffle my feathers a bit. I need time to get over trading away the best young post player in the past decade.
I hope Garnett chooses 5. We haven’t had much luck recently with #12 (Ricky Davis, Allan Ray) or #45 (Raef LaFrentz). As far as I can remember there hasn’t been a #5 since John Bagley. I’m looking that up now, but any help would be great.
I’m hoping for as much karma as I can with this huge lack of bench the Celts are now dealing with.
#18 by tommy on 07.31.07 9:43 am |
Drop us a line at info@bigstick.ca
Cool.
#19 by Stuby on 07.31.07 9:43 am |
#5 would harken back to Bill Walton coming to the Celtics for one last hurrah in 1986.
#20 by jesus on 07.31.07 9:44 am |
so I guess we won’t be getting a Celtics game-time shot of #12 standing next to #20 (and vice versa) any time soon, huh? a shame…
#21 by Roger Faso on 07.31.07 9:44 am |
Bill Walsh deserves to be remembered with more than a ribbon or patch and Dustin Shryock of New York has a great idea.
I read it this morning in the San Francisco Chronicles website, SFGATE.
Walsh defined an era. On the field of play, nothing represents and era better than a uniform.
#22 by Tom Carlson on 07.31.07 9:45 am |
They are retiring #29 for Mike Coolbaugh.
Why is he wearing #32 in the picture?
#23 by Pat on 07.31.07 9:48 am |
Very true. The only downfall to the Allan Ray dismissal was no Allan Ray/Ray Allen combination to confuse the hell out of Tommy Heinsohn.
Bill Walton wore #5 for the Celtics, but I’m trying to think of the last person to wear #5 for them. I’m pretty sure it was Bagley in the early/mid 90s.
#24 by Stuby on 07.31.07 9:51 am |
I like the idea. I think a permanent honor is in order also, along the lines of the GSH for George Halas on the Bears uni.
#25 by nybatt on 07.31.07 9:51 am |
my apologies that I did not have the time to read through all of yesterday’s comments, or if it has been mentioned before, but it has been noted on cris creamer’s boards that the ravens are wearing black cleats in camp. chalk up another NFL conversion to black!!
the ravens were one of the worst looking squads in white cleats, finally upgrading. that leaves pittsburgh and oakland the only “sore thumbs” left in the league wearing white cleats with a black-dominated uni.
now if only the pack would get on board!!
#26 by Jared Wheeler on 07.31.07 9:52 am |
this jersey was never made by Mitchell and Ness. When we were aloud to make his jersey we only made his 1975, 1967 and vested 1964 flannel
#27 by Patrick on 07.31.07 9:55 am |
Cape Cod League had the Under Armour All Star game last night, with all the required logo creep.
#28 by Jared Wheeler on 07.31.07 9:57 am |
Reds didn’t wear that number style in 1985
#29 by Gabe on 07.31.07 10:05 am |
Am I the only one who thinks the Celtics have retired waaaay too many numbers, and eventually (in the reasonably near future) will run out of available numbers? If we assume both Pierce and KG will have their numbers retired, that’s 23 out of the first 36 (64%) possible numbers that would be unavailable. The only ones left would be 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, minus whatever Garnett wears.
#30 by Marty Met on 07.31.07 10:05 am |
Where can I get those Amazin’ Meterie and Metry T-shirts?
#31 by Boston Nick on 07.31.07 10:08 am |
Gerald Green wore 5, didn’t he?
#32 by R Mcleod on 07.31.07 10:09 am |
Paul,
Thanks for featuring my uni design on the front page!
#33 by Brendan on 07.31.07 10:16 am |
It’s Alameda County law that any pro sports team from here must wear predominately white footwear.
Just kidding, I can only hope….
#34 by Shadeymonk on 07.31.07 10:17 am |
sure did
#35 by sully on 07.31.07 10:19 am |
Not uni related, but logo related…
23 Fearsome Defense Ministry Logos
#36 by Kerry on 07.31.07 10:21 am |
Attention Jeremy Poursine!!!!!
Where are the Metairie/Metry t-shirts available? Internet? Are they at Zephyrs games or in local shops? I live in Baton Rouge and grew up in St. Charles Parish so I’m out in the New Orleans area very often. I would love to get my hands on a shirt or two.
#37 by Joe H on 07.31.07 10:21 am |
I was in Cooperstown this past weekend and got to see a million M&N throwbacks. It was nice to actually get to see them in person as opposed to just online, but I was very disappointed in how many errors there were with a lot of them….wrong size numbers, wrong style names, and wrong style numbers. I would think that there were people there sort of jersey “fact checking” these before they hit production.
#38 by matthew on 07.31.07 10:21 am |
why do you assume KG’s number will be retired? Or Pierce’s for that matter? We don’t know how long KG will be a Celtic, and Pierce while he was a ‘franchise’ player never (until this point) won a championship…
#39 by Jeremy P. on 07.31.07 10:22 am |
They are not online, you can try calling the Zs to see if they deliver. Contact info is here.
#40 by Kerry on 07.31.07 10:30 am |
So you saw the shirts at a game?
#41 by Anthony Verna on 07.31.07 10:33 am |
So where did this uniform and the M&N label come from?
#42 by Anthony Verna on 07.31.07 10:35 am |
Once the Yankees retire Jeter’s #2, they’ll have no single-digits numbers to hand out. Basketball teams have less players. I think the Celts will be ok handing out numbers still.
#43 by Drew on 07.31.07 10:36 am |
Paul, any news on the Auburn patch and special uni they’ll wear this year? Thanks for any help.
#44 by The Ol Goaler on 07.31.07 10:38 am |
Hockey Heaven!
One final shout-out to Eriq Jaffe, for the inspiration (and the links!) to allow me to update the unis on my “NHL 2002″ video game. I finally have the proper uniforms for the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, and I’m now able to add updates such as the new Columbus Blue Jackets sweaters.
There are some limitations to accuracy because of the game’s requirements… This was as close as I could get to the funky “0″ Anaheim uses. (The non-Reebok logo creep on the Blue Jackets is intended as irony, and I couldn’t find a good copy of their “new” shoulder patches.)
I haven’t yet started to modify the Florida Panthers sweaters… those fugly things will take a great deal of fortitude (and a ready supply of Pepto) to do! (Eeeasy, stomach…) [grin]
#45 by Nicole on 07.31.07 10:42 am |
Now the Zephyr’s are the Mets affiliate? When I moved to New Orleans in 1999, they were the Astros affiliate and when I left in 2005, they were the Nationals affiliate. My knowledge of minor league baseball is limited, but that seems like a lot of team switching!
By next year they could have a new team and those Metry shirts would be obsolete!
#46 by Ian K on 07.31.07 10:46 am |
I like the attention to detail in the backward jersey worn in 61*: the buttons are on the left side and the belt is being worn upside down. However, it looks like his fly still opens to the right…that would be backwards when the film is flipped.
#47 by Gabe on 07.31.07 10:52 am |
Neither did Ed Macauley (22) or Reggie Lewis (35).
#48 by boss on 07.31.07 10:57 am |
BFD
#49 by Jason on 07.31.07 11:03 am |
There are TONS of fake M&N’s floating around. I have one, but it wasn’t expensive and the quality is good enough for me.
#50 by Dan on 07.31.07 11:07 am |
Paul- is there a time limit for sending in the money today? i have a surgery consult right after i pick up my check and run it to the bank. not exactly sure how long its gonna take.
#51 by pat on 07.31.07 11:10 am |
Why doesn’t uniwatch make a jersey
#52 by Christopher on 07.31.07 11:14 am |
Paul: Where did you find those Metry (Metairie) shirts? You think someone is selling them at the field, or online?
I live in NOLA, would love one…
#53 by Jared Wheeler on 07.31.07 11:15 am |
Tons of Fakes out there!!
#54 by Jeff B on 07.31.07 11:15 am |
…asked the man from NYC Trademarks.
#55 by Anthony M on 07.31.07 11:19 am |
They refer to loads of photos and make sure the jerseys are accurate. If you’re relying solely on your memory of the uniforms to chastise them, I suggest you double check them. Chances are better that you were remembering incorrectly.
#56 by TOG on 07.31.07 11:23 am |
Looks like Jarrod Saltalamacchia is about to set the all-time record for the longest-surnamed player ever to be traded.
In the United States…Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is the reigning longest name plate champ of all time.
http://thumbnails.pu...
#57 by Steve on 07.31.07 11:25 am |
#58 by possum on 07.31.07 11:25 am |
I assume that picture was from his playing days.
#59 by Joe Drennan on 07.31.07 11:26 am |
Reminder If you arent one of the 71 folks who have already sent in their contact information for the Uni Watch rolodex, please get it to my be the end of the day tomorrow. Send all information to jpdren99@smumn.edu with the subject as Uni Watch
The information I need is;
Name you go by when posting
Real name
Occupation
E-mail
Location
Any personal website/blog
Thanks!
#60 by TOG on 07.31.07 11:29 am |
Jannie the Wadd in video…
http://images.google...
#61 by Jeff B on 07.31.07 11:30 am |
What’s this list for? Is it a public listing or something you and/or Paul hold or just a demographic research kinda thing?
#62 by Joe Drennan on 07.31.07 11:33 am |
The hope is to be able to link the spread sheet to Uni Watch so we can contact other users to utilize their professional services, organize our own Uni Watch parties or whatver. Again, that’s the hope. If that’s going to be possible I’m not sure yet. When the list is completed, (I plan to have it done by Friday) and we’re not able to link to it, I will send a copy to everybody who responded.
#63 by Dan on 07.31.07 11:35 am |
9ers would have had to submit for the uniform change a while back to get approval. No way the NFL would let them switch for more than 1 throwback game, without all the prior approvals. (All the licensing BS and such.) It is a great idea for a tribute…Most likely, it’ll be a patch, though.
#64 by Joe H on 07.31.07 11:39 am |
Let me show you some real ones that are just flat out wrong…
Baltimore Orioles 1966 Home Jersey - Flat out wrong name style…see here
Baltimore Orioles 1993 Alternate Jersey & Baltimore Orioles 2001 Home Jersey - The front #8 is wrong. The top portion of the 8 should be smaller in diameter than the bottom. Not symmetrical. 1988 was the last year they ever used the larger and symmetrical front numbers.
These are pretty HUGE mistakes if you ask me!
#65 by Chance on 07.31.07 11:50 am |
Minor correction - Joe Torre also wears a single-digit.
Both will be retired, and that means that future generations will only see single-digits at Yankee Stadium on Old Timers’ Day.
#66 by Anthony Verna on 07.31.07 11:51 am |
Ah, but you never know if M&N had lost a shipment somewhere.
There’re also grey market goods, which are goods made by a factory outside of their licensing agreements. (A factory can make 1000 Coach purses under an agreement. If they make 1000 more, they are up to Coach standards, but they’re not allowed. They’re not fakes - black-market goods - they’re just created unlawfully.)
So I wasn’t sure if it were just a fake or if M&N had info of something else and were willing to share.
#67 by Chad G on 07.31.07 12:03 pm |
I was gonna comment on one oddity I have always noticed between the 1969 Road Mets Seaver and Ryan jerseys. The Ryan Jersey didn’t have piping while the Seaver one did. However it seems like the piping has now been added to to the Ryan Jersey.
#68 by Kerry on 07.31.07 12:03 pm |
Before that, when the team originally came to New Orleans they were the AAA affiliate for the Brewers.
It’s actually fairly common in the minor leagues for teams to switch affiliations like that. But even if the Mets did dump the Zs in a few years, those shirts would still be GREAT to have.
Again, are the shirts being sold AT the games?
#69 by Chad G on 07.31.07 12:04 pm |
Vince or paul can you recover my eaten post
#70 by Jared Wheeler on 07.31.07 12:15 pm |
You are correct. They are mistakes. However, since being put in charge of the research of these items they have been fixed. So you will see a lot of corrections, not only on the ones you noted but on others as well. Believe me I am as much a stickler to the details of the uniform as everyone else on this blog and in no way would I stand for the misrepresentation of a piece of history. Hence my great passion to fix the mistakes that were made in the past.
#71 by Minna H. on 07.31.07 12:15 pm |
Kevin Garnett is NOT being traded. I am in denial. I wish him good luck, though. I’m just afraid Torii Hunter is next.
I am a day late and a dollar short, but I like the Pacers stripes stopping in the middle of the membership card.
That hockey shop is amazing. Good work, Paul and Tommy. Glad to know the first international Uni Watch party was a success. Welcome back, Paul, and keep up the excellent work.
#72 by Scott N. on 07.31.07 12:24 pm |
Actually, the Yankees would have ONE single digit number: zero. And I’d bet someone who gets traded there who once wore 1 or 2 might actually go for 0 if they can’t get another number they like.
#73 by Jeff B on 07.31.07 12:25 pm |
Now that’s something interesting I never thought of. Now I’m glad I made my smart ass comment.
#74 by Beats in Buffalo on 07.31.07 12:26 pm |
What happened to the post about uniform prototypes that were never used…is that still in the works or did I miss it?
#75 by Jared Wheeler on 07.31.07 12:27 pm |
You are correct. These are mistakes..HUGE mistakes. However, since taking over the research position I have corrected these, as well as many other inaccuracy that have been portrayed on our uniforms. I am very passionate about the recreation of a historical product and as much a stickler to the attention of details within the uniform as much as anyone else on this site.
#76 by furrymunsters on 07.31.07 12:33 pm |
I was at Yankee Stadium today and I went into the gift shop to look around. In the gift shop they sell replica jerseys with the names on the back. I know many people have had fits about the purity of the “old time” or “classic” jerseys being ruined. If the Yankees sell them and do not seem to have a problem with them, then why are other people so upset? I know the Yankees would and do sell anything with a NY logo on it but if they do not have a problem with the variation of their home and road jerseys then it is a moot point.
#77 by Brian from Short Island on 07.31.07 12:35 pm |
Erich Reich has no taste. Sorry.
#78 by Anthony Verna on 07.31.07 12:43 pm |
It’s why I always ask. I don’t know how M&N runs its business, so I wanted to ask if Jared knew that the M&N label on that jersey were a fake or if the label were real, but on a fake jersey. (And that does happen to many companies.)
#79 by Justin on 07.31.07 12:47 pm |
If you’ve corrected them, then why are they still being sold wrong?
#80 by Ryan on 07.31.07 12:49 pm |
Not sure if this was previously mentioned, but an American Legion baseball team in Washington was forced to forfeit a game (after winning, 14-0) because the American Legion “patch” was screened on to the jerseys, not sewn on. Seems a little nit-picky to me, to say the least.
#81 by Jared Wheeler on 07.31.07 12:55 pm |
Jason- I’m not in sales buddy.
Also, Anthony..the Cooperstown Collection tag is different. The M & N insignia should be in red, as well as the diamonds below the CC logo..with a white backing
#82 by Jared Wheeler on 07.31.07 12:56 pm |
Justin..sorry, didn’t mean to call you Jason.
#83 by Dan on 07.31.07 1:02 pm |
Does that mean that all that crazy knock-off crap on Canal St. is actually quality, just unlicensed, stuff?
#84 by Joe H on 07.31.07 1:05 pm |
Jared..your job sounds so bad ass…just wanted to add that! Let me know if you ever need another employee!!!
#85 by