Something weird is going on with the Tigers (besides the fact that they’re flushing their postseason hopes down the crapper). It involves that little orange dot on the crown of their road batting helmets. Or at least it’s supposed to be there — but lately it’s been a little more complicated than that.
The most obvious problem child is Gary Sheffield, whose dot has been way off-center in recent days. Then there’s Curtis Granderson, whose dot is several inches too far forward. But at least Sheffield and Granderson have their dots — Placido Polanco’s orange dot is missing altogether.
It’s been a while since I’ve written about the helmet dots, so here’s a quick recap: Most MLB teams use them, and they’re actually included in MLB helmet decal kits. They sort of mimic the button on the top of a cap, but that doesn’t explain why the dots are sometimes used by teams that don’t have contrast-colored cap buttons. A spokesman from Rawlings, which makes all the MLB helmets, once told me that the little dots were a visual trademark of ABC Helmet (the company that originally made the helmets) and were continued by Rawlings in the interest of continuity, even though they don’t always match the caps. To my way of thinking, the dots are a silly anachronism at best, and they make no sense at all on a CoolFlo helmet, since the newfangled lids don’t are only loosely based on caps anyway.
None of which explains the situation with the Tigers. Is it some sort of superstitious good luck charm? Is it a way of sending signals that even Bill Belichick can’t steal? Is it a way to get people to stop talking about those other helmet dots? (I still get two or three questions a day about that — incredible.) If anyone knows the deal, please fill us in.
(Special thanks to Benjamin Bonnett and intern Vince Grzegorek, who brought the Tigers situation to my attention.)
MLB 2008 Update: I have a feeling this link isn’t gonna stay up for long, but for now you can see most of the 2008 MLB uni revisions — including, yes, the new Tampa design — here. Discuss.
Typography Update: Yesterday brought still more chest/sleeve typographic inconsistencies (the first two of which were contributed by Brendon Yarian):
• Check out the lower serif on the 2 worn by the mid-’80s Browns (home, road).
• Ohio State’s 4 in the mid-1970s had a lower serif on the chest but not on the sleeve (home, road).
• Dennis Jones noted in yesterday’s comments that the Cowboys have had chest/shoulder inconsistencies with a variety of numerals, including 2, 2 again, 3, 7, and 7 again.
• Yesterday I mentioned that the Jets had inconsistent 2s in the late ’60s, but the pseudonymous Graf Zeppelin pointed out in yesterday’s comments that they apparently had a similar problem 20 years later, as seen on the cover of their 1989 yearbook. That prompted a spectacularly informative follow-up comment from sj32:
The reason there are two different typefaces is because the jerseys were made by two different manufacturers. The jersey Shuler is wearing was made by Sand Knit while the “22″ jersey was made by Champion. In the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, the number font on the jerseys was often determined by which company manufactured it. In that era, Sand Knit, Russell Athletic, and Champion were the primary suppliers (with King O’Shea, Southland Athletic, and Wilson supplying a couple of teams). A Champion jersey was usually identifiable by the slanted middle of the 2s and the curved 7s. Sand Knit and Russell used standard block fonts, but there were slight differences. Sand Knit produced the jerseys with the notched 5s used by Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, etc. The Russell jerseys were somewhat narrower than the Sand numbers, particularly on the sleeves.
Meanwhile, design director Scott M.X. Turner checked in with a few thoughts on the matter:
2s are the only digit where a bar — not a serif, but a bar — can shift dramatically, 45 and 90 degree angles. (7s can a bit — sometimes they’re rendered with a curve even when the number set is all straight lines.) I think that a 2’s middle bar is altered from jersey front/back to sleeve because a diagonal bar looks skinnier than a horizontal bar. Also, compressed number sets support a diagonal 2 better than a horizontal-bar 2, which tends to look squeezed when compressed. Me, I like compressed sets, but for the smaller TV numbers — either shoulder yoke or sleeve placement — it’s not as readable.
Why a team would have one variety on the home jersey and the other on its road jersey, that’s anybody’s guess. The easy default answer — that back in the day (meaning 1980 and prior, generally), the manufacturer just used whatever was lying around — works some of the time. But there have to be instances when a decision was made that one 2 looked better than another.
By the way, the very best example, of different number sets front and back is the late ’60s UCLA basketball jersey — the Lew Alcindor era. Front was a squat, boxy style, and the back was an elegant, narrow vertical style. Maybe they adopted this to make Alcindor look taller — I wouldn’t be surprised at all. Pretty sure that before Alcindor, the front style was also the back style.
Speaking of typography, a new documentary film about the typeface Helvetica (called, of course, Helvetica) is currently screening here in New York. I saw it two nights ago and loved it. No team I can think of has ever used Helvetica on its uniforms, which helps explain why the movie has no sports-related content, but there are several good interludes with graphic designer Michael Beirut, who I know has done some work for the Jets, plus plenty of detail-driven bits that should appeal to anyone who Gets It™. Recommended viewing.
Unusual Research Request: I’m looking for someone in the New York area who can read lips. Sports fan preferred; availability for watching lots of mid-October sports in the company of an ESPN reporter of my approximate height and build essential. If you know of anyone who fits the bill, please get in touch. Thanks.
Raffle Reminder: Today’s the last day to enter the raffle for the L.A. Kings jersey, the Washington Capitals T-shirt, and the bunch of MLB sleeve patches. To enter, send an e-mail to uniraffle at earthlink dot net by this 10 p.m. eastern tonight. I’ll announce the winners tomorrow. One e-mail per person, but anyone enrolled in the Uni Watch membership program by the time of the drawing will automatically get three bonus entries.
Oh, and by the way: Last month I was saying that there’d be a real doozy of a raffle in September. This isn’t it — the doozy is yet to come. Just waiting for one last piece to fall into place.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Forgot to mention that my Financial Times article about the Lelands sports memorabilia auction house (research for which was documented here) was published on Saturday. The article is here, and there’s a sidebar here. … Several unusual wristbands in this shot (with thanks to Jeremy Brahm). … Pat Ratliff notes that Devin Hester is up to his old double sock tricks. I forgot to mention that Giants equipment director Joe Skiba showed me something last Friday that may explain this phenomenon: Several of the Giants’ players have socks sewn into the bottom of their pants and then wear an additional pair of socks over that. That’s probably what Hester is doing. … As a big fan of green and gold, I have a soft spot for Norfolk State’s design. Go Spartans! (With thanks to Bruce Soltys.) … We’ve previously mentioned how MTSU uses huge nameplate lettering for short surnames, but you can’t fully appreciate the absurdity of it until you see this (with thanks to Chad Cate). … Brad Bierman just alerted me to a uni-related attraction I hadn’t previously been aware of: the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society Museum, which looks pretty cool. … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: The Phillies used to have a raised helmet appliqué, just as the Cubs still do. … We’ve all seen baseball players who wear state or national flags on their gloves. But here’s something I haven’t seen before: Clay Buchholz wears the Texas state flag inside his glove (genius catch by Randy Williams). … Here’s a rare sight: a pitcher who wears No. 0. He’s even got it on his undershirt collar (with thanks to Jeremy Brahm).
#1 by Allan Chandler on 09.20.07 9:03 am |
Tampa’s new duds -
Boring. Stupid. What’s the deal with the starburst?
The Jersey looks like someone typed “Rays” on it. Ugh.
I simply cannot understand all the brouhaha about a new identity, and then this is what they come up with? Please - I hope the link was erroneous.
#2 by DJ on 09.20.07 9:07 am |
Boring. Stupid. What’s the deal with the starburst?
Sunburst, probably.
Why couldn’t they just go with “Manta Rays”? They could’ve still used the “Rays” contraction (like Portland contracts to “Blazers” and Seattle contracts to “Sonics”).
#3 by Brian on 09.20.07 9:07 am |
Re: the Devil Rays’ new duds.
Can anyone post a picture, the site Paul provided is firewalled for me.
Thanks!
#4 by Alan on 09.20.07 9:09 am |
Wow, those Rays unis remind me of the Royals and the star is realy pointless. Oh well.
#5 by matt1977 on 09.20.07 9:09 am |
Rays- I like the green better. Why another blue team?
The Browns signed P Scott Player so we’ll get some single bar action this week…
#6 by Michael B on 09.20.07 9:09 am |
If those pictures are real, Tampa now has the worst uniforms in the league…ugh, they are like a minor league team with those uni’s
#7 by Eriq Jaffe on 09.20.07 9:10 am |
According to that link, the Rays’ alternate jerseys appear to be batting practice jerseys…overall, they’re certainly no improvement to what they currently have.
#8 by Matt on 09.20.07 9:11 am |
O man…Tampa Bay….
SaWING and a miss!
I really wits they would have just gone to a Green and White color scheme that was tasteful.
Also…Why does the Home Alt. and Away Alt. jerseys look like this years BP jerseys???
Hope that isn’t going to be a trend….
#9 by Boston Nick on 09.20.07 9:11 am |
They may be throwbacks, but those Cleveland alternates are pretty amazingly boring as well.
#10 by Paul Lukas on 09.20.07 9:11 am |
Those are indeed the BP jerseys — there’s no alternate jersey. Just a case of mislabeling on that list.
Everything shown there is legit. I’m not allowed to show any of this to you myself, but I don’t mind linking to someone ELSE who’s showing it.
#11 by Robert on 09.20.07 9:12 am |
I was just getting ready to make the same comment about the alternates. Are those really the alts or are they batting practice jerseys?
Big thumbs down to the Rays. They should have simply fine-tuned what they have now.
#12 by SL on 09.20.07 9:15 am |
Re: Rays: And are those white stripes running on the side of the jersey beneath the arm on the alternate home and alternate road jerseys? Looks like BP jerseys to me. Ugh.
#13 by Stuby on 09.20.07 9:18 am |
So the Devil Rays are pulling a D-Back and ripping off another teams color scheme. In this case, the victim of theft is the Padres. Those ‘Alternate’ jerseys look suspiciously like BP jerseys (i.e. ugly as Hell).
Nope. Don’t like ‘em. Boring and uninspired.
#14 by Bob D on 09.20.07 9:18 am |
Throwbacks for my Skins this weekend.
#15 by The Original Lee on 09.20.07 9:19 am |
Nice article in the FT Paul. dont know how i missed it, i read the FT almost as religiously as uniwatch.
#16 by Jake on 09.20.07 9:20 am |
Tampa Bay :
Fist, why was it so important to take the word “Devil” out of the name ? I think “Rays” is bland and uninspired.
Second, the green was pretty distinctive… jumping to a blue lumps them in with a lot of other clubs.
Third, the Devil Rays play in St. Pete, but they are called the Tampa Bay Devil Rays… the team very intentionally connected itself with the whole area - so why take the location off the away jerseys ? Here in Baltimore, that’s a very contentious issue. I can’t imagine why you’d do it in this case.
Toronto:
I have a soft spot in my heart for the 80s unis that were all one color (the god-awful Phillies uniforms, the Orioles in solid orange, etc.) so I actually like the alternate unis.
[shrugs]
Hey, everyone’s entitled to a little bad taste sometimes.
#17 by Seth H on 09.20.07 9:22 am |
Players are questioning whether the new RBK Edge system might contribute to injuries in fights. (The following quote from a NY Post article is kind of lengthy for a “comment”, but I think it is worth it):
“Janssen will require surgical repair on his separated right shoulder. The forward missed 11 games last season with a dislocation of that shoulder, and reinjured it in two fights during Monday’s exhibition opener, a 3-2 loss to the Flyers in Trenton. Lamoriello said Janssen’s surgery will be delayed until the swelling goes down.
“Though Janssen does not blame the NHL’s new jerseys for his shoulder injury, other Devils said they are concerned the stretchy, streamlined sweaters played a significant role in the poundings Janssen suffered and fear they can lead to major injuries.
“They’ll be donning those newfangled jerseys again tonight when they face the Bruins in Manchester, N.H., and at the Garden tomorrow against the Rangers.
Janssen twice lost bouts to Flyer Jesse Boulerice, each after Boulerice pulled Janssen’s jersey over the Devil’s head and flailed away.
“‘I’ve seen Janssen fight quite a bit and I’ve never seen that,’ said Mike Rupp, among the other combatants that night. ‘It’s still early to know, but if it is a problem, somebody could be hurt very, very badly. It could be an eye.’
“The old tactic of immobilizing and blinding a foe by pulling his jersey over his head had been minimized by the mandated tie-downs on the inside back of the previous jerseys. They didn’t work Monday.
“Arron Asham said the jerseys are coming apart, literally, at the seams.
“‘They seem to be ripping right from the shoulders back. The tie-downs are too long, as well,’ said Asham, who also fought in that exhibition opener. ‘Hopefully they can look at it and fix the problem before anyone else gets hurt.
“‘It probably had something to do with it. You don’t want other guys going down with serious injuries because of the jerseys. I’ve seen a few of them rip now, so . . . mine ripped. Our jerseys are so tight, if someone grabs them, they’re bound to rip.’
‘Lamoriello, who wasn’t a fan of the fashion makeover to begin with, said, ‘I’m looking into it.’”
#18 by Bluesfan on 09.20.07 9:22 am |
Rays uniforms are more boring than ugly. It is amazing they spend all this time and money to come up with that. What a waste!
Paul, your soft spot for the Norfolk State unis must be on your head. Those are ugly! The only way to make them look good is to show them side by side with Oregon’s horrible uniforms.
#19 by Jill on 09.20.07 9:23 am |
If you are going to play like a minor league team, might as well look like one.
#20 by Walaitis on 09.20.07 9:24 am |
When I first heard that KC was considering going back to the powder blues as an alternate, I was concerned. Powder blue? In 2008? How rediculous would that look to wear powder blue jerseys and pants in the majors in this day and age? Then I saw the mock-up. So, the only thing worse than blue shirts and pants is powder blue shirts with WHITE pants! If you’re gonna go there, do it right.
#21 by jake sorg on 09.20.07 9:25 am |
Is it a way to get people to stop talking about those other helmet dots?
I imagine that this was supposed to be a link the the green dots on the NFL helmets.
#22 by MT in Cincy on 09.20.07 9:26 am |
Notice how the new Rays jerseys don’t say “Tampa Bay” on them except for the “TB” on the caps?
#23 by Mike on 09.20.07 9:27 am |
2 easy questions:
1) What is tackle twill?
2) What is chain stitching?
#24 by Cork Gaines on 09.20.07 9:27 am |
HERE is a campaign to get the Rays to include striped stirrups in the new Unis. Could help
#25 by Paul Lukas on 09.20.07 9:27 am |
Which is exactly what I said yesterday. Such a snooze! Hard to believe that’s really the best (or worst, or most distinctive) anyone could come up with.
#26 by Chris on 09.20.07 9:28 am |
The Rays jerseys are a big disappointment. When I heard they were going to include blue and yellow, I was expecting blue and yellow not a Tinkerbell star on the jersey. I like navy blue and light blue as opposed to royal blue and light blue.
#27 by Adam on 09.20.07 9:29 am |
I can’t view that MLB uniforms page at work, and it’ll probably be gone before I get home. Can somebody post pictures on Flickr, or at least tell me what teams besides Tampa have changes? Thanks.
#28 by Paul Lukas on 09.20.07 9:29 am |
Yes, thanks. Fixed.
#29 by Robert on 09.20.07 9:32 am |
The Royals alt powder blues look very out of place with white pants. I understand that they needed to go that route if they wanted to wear them at home, but they just look so odd without the matching blue pants.
#30 by dilbert719 on 09.20.07 9:32 am |
Tampa Bay: Bleah.
Cleveland: I prefer the Chief Wahoo hat, but I can understand the reasoning for a block C hat. Just don’t care for it much.
Kansas City, Philly, and Toronto: JOY!!!!
Seriously, the more powder/sky blue in the majors, the better, especially on the Royals, who can really get away with it. And the Blue Jays, bringing back the light blue AND the old logo? I love it. Phils, I was so afraid we were going to get a Phillies version of the Angels’ blood clot design that anything else would have made me happy, but this is old school, tasteful… perfect. All it needs (and I don’t recall seeing them) is stirrups.
#31 by ScottyJ in WV on 09.20.07 9:33 am |
The Devil Rays new look isn’t very good. Very bland and uninspiring. The sad thing is somebody got paid a lot of money to come up with that.
Hell, they could’ve gotten 10 people that post here regularly and they would’ve turned out something infinitely better than that.
Paul, I too like green and gold as a combo, but Norfolk State’s execution of said combo is less than good. The word ugly actually comes to mind.
Now, this is good.
#32 by Big Mike on 09.20.07 9:34 am |
The new Phillies alts are just a re-do of the unis from the early ’40s. I guess I’m wondering why?
It looks like the new Indians alts are all-white, too. Is plain white the new black of alt unis? In the Phils’ case, all they did was remove the pinstripes. It’s not drastic enough to promote sales (which is the only reason for any alts in the first place).
#33 by Johnny Garfield on 09.20.07 9:34 am |
I believe the Phillies, in the 1970-91 uniforms, used Helvetica for their numbers.
#34 by Johnny O on 09.20.07 9:34 am |
I mean come on. I guarantee almost anyone on this site could have come up with a much better design in a week’s time then it took these yahoo’s to come up with that boring design. Forget about the colors for a second. They are just boring. It almost looks as if they are going retro, although we all know they are not that old to have a retro kit. Simple is not always good. A HUUUUUUUUUGE thumbs down to this organization for not taking the time and the effort into making a great uni, or at least a great logo.
#35 by chris on 09.20.07 9:36 am |
I pass the Phila. Athletics museum everyday when I go to/from work. I’ve been meaninig to stop inside and snap some pictures but it’s only open until 3:00
#36 by MT in Chicago on 09.20.07 9:36 am |
But we must remember….
No one on this blog likes any uniform design…period.
All it is is a bitchfest.
#37 by Kevin from Ohio in Virginia on 09.20.07 9:38 am |
PLEASE SOMEONE SHARE PICS WE CAN ALL VIEW!!! THIS IS KILLING ME!!!
#38 by Joe M on 09.20.07 9:39 am |
Paul,
Yes, it’s a goofy name and even Red Sox fans still have not become used to it.
Buchholz
#39 by keek80 on 09.20.07 9:39 am |
i think the Rays uniforms are boring. Especially the Cap. They could’ve thought of something better then that. Plus what is the point of dropping the devil in devil rays if ur still gonna have a devil rays patch on your sleeve. Especially when they have the sunburst or whatever it is on there. You can’t have it both ways. use the rays as in sunrays more and ditch the rays as in devil rays altogether. Put a sun on there or something. Wouldn’t the sunburst with the TB make a great cap. Just my thoughts.
#40 by Jason on 09.20.07 9:40 am |
Silly raffle question:
It is said that members get three BONUS entries. Does this mean that you still need to send an email, or do members automatically get three entries regardless.
#41 by Joe Drennan on 09.20.07 9:40 am |
In refernce to the RBK Egde jerseys causing injuries to enforcers in hockey, I suppose the enforcers will simply have their jerseys tailored like they did with the old jerseys to allow for roomier arms. They did this in the old jerseys to allow for more wiggle room when somebody had their jersey sleve, allowing them to still move the arm and land punchhes. I suppose it’ll be a little hard to get away with a sleve that lose with the new jerseys, but I doublt any will complain if they’re a bit looser to prevent injury.
Now before people jump all over this saying there shouldn’t be fighting in hockey - there is fighting, has been, always will be. If you want to discuss this send me an e-mail. I’d be glad to debate, but this isn’t the forum for such a debate.
#42 by Chance on 09.20.07 9:41 am |
Good-bye, then.
#43 by BDiamond on 09.20.07 9:41 am |
On the bright side, maybe we’ll talking about the Rays jersey in another couple years when we re-visit those one and done uniforms.
#44 by Paul Lukas on 09.20.07 9:41 am |
Oops, sorry. Thanks for pointing it out — fixed now.
#45 by Bluesfan on 09.20.07 9:41 am |
Let’s give the Rays some credit.
They have been consistently a bad team
They have been consistently poorly run
They have been consistently known as Tampa Bay, but play in St. Pete
They consistently play in the most ridiculous stadium
They now come up with a style that is boring and unimaginitive…but consistent with their history of being mediocre (at best)
The uniform decision should not be a surprise given all this.
#46 by Stephen on 09.20.07 9:42 am |
D’oh! I think I had a post eaten…Oh well, let’s try again….
I like the color scheme for Tampa’s new uni’s, but the wordmark seems contrived. Could have been much better.
And, regarding Dale Jr.’s new car designs, I actually like them. I thought they were pretty sharp. Didn’t like the font or color of the numbers at first, but it is growing on me.
And I thought this was interesting. It is a set of printable stickers that AMP has on their site so all the people with one “8″ on all their Jr. stuff can add the second “8″ beside it…
~E~
#47 by Paul Lukas on 09.20.07 9:43 am |
You don’t NEED to send an e-mail — if you’re a member by 10pm tonight, you will automatically get three entries in the raffle. You can also send an e-mail just like anyone else, giving you a total of four entries.
#48 by ross on 09.20.07 9:44 am |
not only are the rays unis bland, but why would they try to look exactly like the royals? maybe they’re trying to fool ther fans into thinking they’re another team (i don’t know why they would choose kc though).
i wish the phillies would go back to powder blues, i think it could even work with their current uni
#49 by Chris on 09.20.07 9:45 am |
The new Rays unis remind me of this. Wanna buy a pineapple?
#50 by Bluesfan on 09.20.07 9:46 am |
No one on this blog likes any uniform design…period.
All it is is a bitchfest.
Clearly this person did not see the conversation on the hockey uniforms. Yes, some dislikes, but people were complimenting teams like the Blue Jackets. And there was both high praise and high condemnation for the Blues (good), Stars(bad), Canucks (UGH!) and Coyotes (very good).
#51 by ditchfarmer on 09.20.07 9:47 am |
When I see teams changing the BP caps, I assume that means they will change the side panels to the same color as the rest of the hat, sort of a loophole to wear the required hat, but not look so stupid.
#52 by JPRays on 09.20.07 9:48 am |
Rays Uniforms. What a travesty. Just picture those boring things in the Trop. After all the great things the new ownership has done, they bust out this number. I was actually really excited about this. Then looked what gets spit out.
There were better concepts done by amateurs then what got turned out by these so called professionals.
#53 by Johnny O on 09.20.07 9:48 am |
I can’t think of it for the life of me right now, but I know there is a college team out there that has almost the same stylized “R” as the Rays new logo. It looks like a combination of that, and the Lakers logo as well.
Look at the “R” in Lakers. It isn’t that close, but you get the idea
#54 by Eriq Jaffe on 09.20.07 9:48 am |
A far, far, far better “Tampa Bay Rays” set was done by a guy on the Chris Creamer boards:
http://boards.sports...
In particular, his interlocking “TB” cap logo is a thing of beauty.
#55 by Walaitis on 09.20.07 9:52 am |
Uniform designs (generally) liked by the majority of readers here (if I may be so bold and willing to speak for the masses):
Red Sox
Yankees
Tigers
White Sox (hate to admit it)
Braves (non-alternate)
Cubs
Cardinals (hate to admit it)
Dodgers
… and that’s just MLB! See, no bitching required. Good taste is all it takes.
#56 by Shaftman on 09.20.07 9:52 am |
The thing I don’t get about the Rays is this. They have a nice color scheme and one of the nicer uniforms already. While some may not like the “Devil” in the name, there is certainly nothing wrong with having it in there. Methinks the people running the orginization would just be better served putting out a good team.
#57 by Jason Axel on 09.20.07 9:55 am |
Well at least now, the Rays can claim that the reason their fans fall asleep at games is now because of their boring uniforms instead of just their boring attempt at playing major league baseball.
those are so bland I think they’d be better off playing with a blank uniform.
#58 by Bluesfan on 09.20.07 9:56 am |
… and that’s just MLB! See, no bitching required. Good taste is all it takes
Amen to Walaitis.
#59 by Scientific on 09.20.07 10:02 am |
Just so you know, the Rays have already begun the process of getting their fans used to the new color scheme:
http://tampabay.devi...
Personally, I think those uniforms are a joke. What use is a sunburst when you PLAY IN A DOME?
As an Indians fan, I love the new alternates. I hated the vests, and I HATE the Wahoo logo (don’t get me started). Love to see the “C” return to the hat.
#60 by michael on 09.20.07 10:04 am |
Rays uni’s are a HUGE! let down. boring logo, boring color choice and execution. Seriously the MLB needs to start thinking out of the box with the color choices as of late its either red, blue, or black. as someone commented before anyone here could come up with something totally better than this and right someone got paid ALOT of money to do this too. even with those color choices they could of done something more interesting than that. i like that the bluejays are using that throwback for their alternate, its one of my favorite uni’s i’d say the number font is probably my favorite. i like the new phils but hate the hat.
#61 by Stuby on 09.20.07 10:04 am |
Or selling it, because it seems they have no clue how to run a team.
#62 by Tao of Stieb on 09.20.07 10:05 am |
Powder blues! The original font! Original logo!
It’s almost enough to make us forget about the Jays’ crappy season!
Now, if only they would swap out the stupid black in their caps and alts for a royal or midnight blue, all would be right with the world.
(Well, except for all the war, famine and pestilence, but you get the drift.)
Joy!
#63 by MikeB on 09.20.07 10:05 am |
The Tribe’s throwback alternate is interesting, but that’s not the big news…
Cleveland
-Removal of metallic silver in all Club logo, uniform lettering and marks
It’s about time! There was never any reason for that stupid looking silver trim on the uniforms in the first place. It just cluttered up the wordmark and logos.
#64 by Kevin on 09.20.07 10:06 am |
Unusual Research Request: I’m looking for someone in the New York area who can read lips. Sports fan preferred; availability for watching lots of mid-October sports in the company of an ESPN reporter of my approximate height and build essential. If you know of anyone who fits the bill, please get in touch. Thanks.
I’m intrigued already by what this may be for.
#65 by Matt B on 09.20.07 10:06 am |
I had a thought about the rounded hemlines for the new NHL jerseys: would they look better untucked if the rounded portion were colored to match the breezers so that they blended in?
#66 by Johnny O on 09.20.07 10:07 am |
I figured out my own question, and it would have been a lot harder than I thought. The stylized “R” I was talking about was from DIII football team Ripon Red Hawks from Ripon, WI. Here is their logo…
Ripon Red Hawks
#67 by Hank on 09.20.07 10:08 am |
Alternate unis for the Phillies is a welcome sight. And as they are based on the 1948-49 design, which is my fav, makes it all the better.
They should ditch those pinstripes altogether.
#68 by Joe on 09.20.07 10:09 am |
I’ll echo this. Can anyone help a brother out?
#69 by Donny on 09.20.07 10:10 am |
The infmous early ’90s Philadelphia Sixers unis featured Helvetica. http://espn.go.com/p...
#70 by Joe Drennan on 09.20.07 10:11 am |
I got my 2007-08 season NHL catalouge yesterday and the first page had all the new jerseys. Great visual run down, but I immediatly noticed that thy photoshoped the jerseys giving the hemline a straigh appearance, not the true rounded hemline. I found this interesting.
#71 by AB on 09.20.07 10:12 am |
Can any one, ANY ONE actually post a link that WORKS for the new Deviled Egg’s Uniforms?
#72 by Shaftman on 09.20.07 10:16 am |
I am putting them on flickr.com now. Give me about 5 minutes and I’ll post a link.
#73 by Jkads on 09.20.07 10:17 am |
MikeB agree 100% on the silver trim
#74 by Donny on 09.20.07 10:17 am |
“I believe the Phillies, in the 1970-91 uniforms, used Helvetica for their numbers.”
Not quite, the vertical bar in the number 5 is slanted slightly in Helvetica, but was straight up-and-down in the Phillies’ old typeface. http://content.image...
#75 by Paul Lukas on 09.20.07 10:17 am |
I believe the replicas have straight hems. That might be what they’re showing.
#76 by Rich on 09.20.07 10:19 am |
Here you go Kevin:
http://i201.photobuc...
http://i201.photobuc...
http://i201.photobuc...
http://i201.photobuc...
http://i201.photobuc...
#77 by Shaftman on 09.20.07 10:19 am |
Tampa Bay RAYS uni pics on Flickr.com
Let me know if you have any problems viewing them as I have not used flickr before. Thanks.
#78 by Bluesfan on 09.20.07 10:19 am |
Unusual Research Request: I’m looking for someone in the New York area who can read lips. Sports fan preferred; availability for watching lots of mid-October sports in the company of an ESPN reporter of my approximate height and build essential. If you know of anyone who fits the bill, please get in touch. Thanks.
I think this request comes from Bill BelaCHEAT…I mean Belichick
#79 by Andy on 09.20.07 10:20 am |
Seeing everyone asking repeatedly for a link (to the new Rays unis) that works reminds me of little kids asking their buddies for a chance to smell something really gross…like a fart in a jar or something…and when they finally get to smell it, they go on and on about how gross it smelled and how they wished they’d never smelled it at all.
#80 by al on 09.20.07 10:21 am |
I will miss the d’rays vest with green sleeve unis … i though it was unique, and now they have become just like everyone else.
good news is that the royals will bring back the blue uni!!!
#81 by Kip Whiffle on 09.20.07 10:21 am |
I admit the Rays new uniforms aren’t the best, but I kinda like ‘em. But, I am in the minority with most of my opinions.
For example…
I’m the guy who likes the Bengals helmet. I think it’s one of the best designs in the NFL.
I don’t like the Sharks new unis. Sorry. It’s the colors. I hate the colors. The design is ok.
I like purple uniforms. The Vikings helmets remind me of a grape lollipop. Yummy.
And last but not least: I think Tina Fey is the hottest babe on TV. (No, no, Tina. Leave the glasses on.)
#82 by Andy on 09.20.07 10:22 am |
thanks for the pics guys. I guess.
#83 by ESS on 09.20.07 10:22 am |
You may be in luck, Chris. This Tuesday, 9/25, the president of the A’s Historical Society will be giving a talk at the Upper Moreland Historical Association in Willow Grove, Pa. He should be bringing some memorabilia from the museum. The public is cordially invited. Not sure how much uni talk there’ll be, but I am sure we could arrange something.
#84 by dgc on 09.20.07 10:23 am |
I understand that the replicas have straight hemlines, are you sure that’s not you’re looking at?
#85 by Team C. on 09.20.07 10:24 am |
I dig the Phillies Home Alts.
They’re like the ‘48 jerseys. The blue cap will look fine w/the new jersey and pants because (obviously) it’s not going on top of a white and red pinstriped uni.
#86 by Mike Engle on 09.20.07 10:24 am |
Agreed. I always thought the current Phillies, at home, looked like candy canes.
#87 by JPRays on 09.20.07 10:25 am |
go to
#88 by Orange and Blue on 09.20.07 10:25 am |
Hmmm….There must be something wrong with that link about the MLB 2008 changes….I got most of it, but the part about the Mets eliminating the black from their unis is missing….I mean, the Mets ARE eliminating the black from their unis, aren’t they???? Please….
#89 by dgc on 09.20.07 10:26 am |
Wow, Paul responds before I could. Anyway, it seems Reebok is really trying to pull one over on fans by calling the replicas “Premier” jerseys.
#90 by AB on 09.20.07 10:26 am |
Since when are the Norfolk Tides moving to the Tampa Area…OR…Are the Deviled Eggs becoming the Orioles new farm team
#91 by John O'Hare on 09.20.07 10:26 am |
We’ve previously mentioned how MTSU uses huge nameplate lettering for short surnames, but you can’t fully appreciate the absurdity of it until you see this (with thanks to Chad Cate).
I seem to recall that in the 70’s or 80’s, Pirate catcher Ed Ott had a larger than average name on his jersey. Anybody else remember this as well or have a pic?
#92 by Tricia on 09.20.07 10:27 am |
Back to the discussion a few days ago about NHL pants, and whether players would be required to wear Reebok’s pant systems if they were aligned with another manufacturer….
Here’s a photo of Steve Staios, and you can pretty clearly see the Oilers shell from whatever manufacturer he chose, over what is likely the Reebok system pants / girdle. Most pants you buy off the shelf have the shell integrated into the pants.
Staios Pic
#93 by Joe Drennan on 09.20.07 10:29 am |
While most things about the Rays as they now want to be called is that I really like their current green hat. I don’t know what it is about it, but I’d consider buying one if I thought I’d wear something other than my home Cubs hat during baseball season or my navy bears hat the rest of the year.
Look at the bright side rays fans. Your team at least will look the roll when they play like a minor league team now.
#94 by AB on 09.20.07 10:29 am |
Is this page telling us something new? like are these the new designs for some teams? I mean the royals? WTF? And the tribe? A step backwards…at least if that is the new BLOW Jays unis they are an improvement
#95 by Pat on 09.20.07 10:29 am |
Paul,
Any idea if the Phillies alternates are a one-time throwback deal or if they will wear them multiple times?
#96 by Marc on 09.20.07 10:29 am |
It never seems to stop amazing me how people on photoshop can create better and more original designs than the leagues that pay people to do that stuff.
My thoughts on the Rays unis:
I’m with everyone, I don’t like the starbust. I think it’s annoying and out of place.
Not a fan of going with “Rays” on the road jersey. I’ve always felt you do nickname at home, city/state on the road.
Why no alternate? I know alot of people don’t like alternate jerseys…but I do. And for a team like the rays with no history…its not like it would be a step down.
#97 by Kerry on 09.20.07 10:30 am |
Thanks for the pics. I too think that the sunburst or sun “rays” are somewhat out of place. The color-scheme is OK. Nothing over the top and they didn’t add any red which seems to be the fad right now. But now you have 3 teams
#98 by Marc on 09.20.07 10:31 am |
As a side not to Paul and the UW faithful, I need your help!!!
I just got my first head baseball coaching job at a school…only to find the colors are gold and PURPLE. I have to design uniforms now…What do I do? I’d love some feedback. Thanks
#99 by Adam on 09.20.07 10:32 am |
Thanks a ton to those who posted the new MLB uniforms. Besides the thing about the Indians removing silver, any other changes like that that didn’t have photos?
#100 by Paul Lukas on 09.20.07 10:32 am |
The Pirates did indeed use a special large/wide custom font for short names during the late ’70s and early ’80s. I’d forgotten that Ed Ott was one of the affected players. The one I always think of is Lee Lacy.
#101 by Mark in Shiga on 09.20.07 10:32 am |
Those ‘48 Phillies jerseys would look even better if they ditched the player names on the back.
Better yet, bring back those massive numbers that they used in the 1950s!
And am I the only one who thinks of Helvetica as the “Phillies number font” before thinking of it as a typeface? When my family first got a computer — a Mac Classic back in 1990 — that’s how I remembered Helvetica.
(I’m more of a Futura or Eurostile guy myself though. Futura was used in the Baseball Encyclopedia, and Eurostile, except for the distinctive hooked 1, looks like the Cubs’ number font.)
#102 by Cork Gaines on 09.20.07 10:32 am |
The others are all alternate unis for 2008
#103 by Bluesfan on 09.20.07 10:33 am |
I just got my first head baseball coaching job at a school…only to find the colors are gold and PURPLE. I have to design uniforms now…What do I do? I’d love some feedback. Thanks
Whatever you do, don’t take recommendations from the Rays!
#104 by Paul Lukas on 09.20.07 10:34 am |
I think it’s meant to be worn multiple times. But as we recently learned with the White Sox, it won’t necessarily happen that way.
#105 by Kerry on 09.20.07 10:34 am |
Sorry, don’t know why I posted that without finishing the thought…
Now you have 3 teams in the AL East with the dark blue, kinda of bland color-scheme: Yankees, Blue Jays, Rays.
But, on a stand-alone basis, they’re not too bad. I think it will be much easier to judge AFTER seeing real jerseys and hats.
#106 by Shaftman on 09.20.07 10:34 am |
At this point as long as they eliminate Guillermo Mota’s and Scott Schoeneweis’s uni’s I’ll be fine.
Also, updated flickr page with Rays new unis and all of the alts we have been talking about (Royals, Phillies, Blue Jays, Indians, and Shea Stadium Patch)
#107 by Commisso on 09.20.07 10:37 am |
The (Devil) Rays should’ve used more yellow. I almost wished they kept the Devil in the name. RAYS just looks weird on its own. Finally! the Blue Jays are looking blue again. They will see the reaction to the new (old) blue, and will realize what a mistake they made by introducing black to their color scheme.
#108 by Joe Drennan on 09.20.07 10:37 am |
People with photoshp can create something better than what MLB produces becasue that one person doesn’t have to please 35 other people. Often times when it comes to sports and corperate logoes there are too many hands in the cookie jar when creating logos, not to mention the desire not to offend anybody in any way.
#109 by Adam on 09.20.07 10:38 am |
Those Phillies uniforms are much better than the (really boring) 1906 White Sox alts were, though, so I hope they don’t have the same fate.
#110 by Mark in Shiga on 09.20.07 10:40 am |
Paul, the majority of Japanese teams use a special wide font for surnames of four letters or fewer, plus a thin one for longer names.
And what’s more, they even use a different number font for single-digit and double-digit jersey numbers.
In fact, sharp-eyed fans will notice that they now have special extra-thin number fonts for those elusive three-digit guys!
#111 by GregW on 09.20.07 10:40 am |
Here’s what I don’t get.
Everyone loves the Yankees, Dodgers, Tigers, Red Sox, Giants unis. All of these unis are extremely plain but we call them classic. The Rays put out something with no stupid embellishments and they get bashed. I think they should have stuck with the dark green but isn’t what they did better than a baseball equivalent of the Islanders Jersey?
#112 by Brian from Short Island on 09.20.07 10:40 am |
Loving the Shea Stadium patch.
#113 by todd krevanchi on 09.20.07 10:40 am |
a. how many other people copy and pasted all that change text from that message board and saved all those pics of the changes to the hard drive?
b. 2s are the only digit where a bar — not a serif, but a bar — can shift dramatically, 45 and 90 degree angles. (7s can a bit — sometimes they’re rendered with a curve even when the number set is all straight lines.) I think that a 2’s middle bar is altered from jersey front/back to sleeve because a diagonal bar looks skinnier than a horizontal bar. Also, compressed number sets support a diagonal 2 better than a horizontal-bar 2, which tends to look squeezed when compressed. Me, I like compressed sets, but for the smaller TV numbers — either shoulder yoke or sleeve placement — it’s not as readable.
i would debate that the numeral 3 is to be included in this as well.
rockets
http://graphics.json...
tarheels
http://delivery.view...
tennessee
http