Remember back in July when I wrote about the “futuristic” Royals/Mariners game from 1998, which led to all the similarly themed games in 1999? I’m happy to announce that one of the game-used Royals jerseys from that game is now in my possession. And within a week, one of you will have it in your possession.
I’ll get to the jersey in a minute. But first, that entry back in July led to a lot of interesting responses regarding that futuristic game, beginning with a missive from Mariners marketing VP Kevin Martinez, who’s a regular Uni Watch reader. He corrected one of my points (I had written that the umps wore their regular uniforms, but Martinez noted that they actually had metallic silver shirts) and then provided some backgound info:
It was Ken Griffey Jr.’s decision to wear the jerseys untucked and caps backward. Junior also spray-painted several teammates’ shoes and gloves silver. The uniforms, while certainly bold, got even more out of control when our players decided to cut the sleeves off the undershirts. The photo of Dan Wilson, who did not cut his sleeves, is a better representation of how the unis were supposed to look.
Our intent with the promotion was to simply to do something fun for one of our 81 home games and try something that had never been done. We drew over 42,000 for a game against the Royals — a fairly successful promotion. MLB took the idea and sold it to Century 21 the next season. We did not participate at home, only on the road. We did it once in ’98 and we were done with it.
Working in this game for 16 seasons now, it remains one the most memorable (and strangest) nights in my career. Watching the players in the clubhouse alter their jerseys and spray-paint shoes and gloves is something I will never forget … or repeat.
Reader Tim Conley offered some additional recollections:
I actually watched that game live. The M’s did wear their jerseys untucked for awhile, but [Royals manager] Tony Muser complained to the umpires and eventually got the umps to force Seattle to tuck in their jerseys. His reasoning was that an M batting with his jersey untucked was more easily hit by a pitch and could earn a cheap trip to first base.
But the most intriguing response came from my ESPN.com colleague (and massive Royals fan) Rob Neyer. Not only had he attended the game, but he’d bid on — and won — one of the Royals jerseys that were auctioned off after the game. “It’s just been hanging in my closet ever since,” he wrote, “and it’s so Godawful-ugly that I really don’t know why I still have it.” Then, in an incredibly magnanimous gesture, he offered to donate the jersey for me to raffle off, as long as I let him write a small accompanying essay. This is sort of like saying, “I’ll do this really nice thing for you, but only if you also let me do this other really nice thing.” So course I said yes. With no further ado, I hereby turn the floor over to Rob:
- Ah, the summer of 1998. I was crazy in love, I wasn’t burdened with a job that occupied a great deal of my time, and, for perhaps the first time in my adult life, I was blessed with a small bit of discretionary income.
I was living in Seattle then. It was the 18th of July, and the Royals were in town. The Royals were my team. For that game, the Mariners came up with what they called “Turn Ahead to the Future” — 2027, supposedly — and the most visible feature would be “futuristic” uniforms. And I have to say, from my perch in the upper deck the Royals’ jerseys really didn’t look so bad. They were sleeveless, which I’ve always liked, and nicely complemented by coordinated undershirts. I don’t mind canary yellow when it’s accompanied by Royal blue. So you’ll understand why I bid $75 on Jose Rosado’s jersey.
Why Rosado? Because I didn’t figure I could afford Johnny Damon’s jersey, and because I didn’t know just how good Sal Fasano would someday become (yes, that’s a joke). Rosado, meanwhile, was only 23, and just one year earlier he’d been Kansas City’s lone All-Star. On a generally boring, veteran-laden team, Rosado was one of the few interesting players.
So I bid on Rosado’s jersey, as well as that of coach Frank White (a reminder of better seasons). Then I waited. A few weeks later, a notice arrived in the mail: I had won! A check was dispatched, and soon a package arrived.
OMFG. Trust me: As bad as those jerseys might look in the photos, when you’re holding one in your hands it looks much, much worse. Oh, there’s nothing terribly wrong with the basic design, especially if you’re not averse to bright yellow and Royal blue. But what I couldn’t see from my upper-deck perch was that all the emblems and numbers on the jerseys were ironed on, just like cheap T-shirts. I couldn’t see that the fabric was some beastly synthetic not designed for laying against one’s skin [that would be nylon Dazzle, more commonly found in the NBA — PL]. What I also didn’t know is that my $75 didn’t get me the Royal blue undershirt. And let me tell you, without the undershirt the jersey was not only unwearable, but practically unbearable, too.
Which I suppose is why it’s not been worn since the 18th of July, and instead rested on a hanger in various closets — Seattle, Boston, Seattle again, and finally Portland — for nearly a decade. If you enter the raffle, I wish you only the best of luck. But I have to say something I wish somebody’d said to me, way back in the summer of ’98: caveat victor.
Rob’s being a little too harsh there. For starters, while most of the graphics are indeed screen-printed (including, ugh, a replica-esque Majestic logo on the back), the numbers and “ROSADO” lettering are sewn, not screened. And hey, it doesn’t look so ba – okay, yes it does. But in a cool, “so bad it’s good” sort of way. It’s tagged as a size 44, but it fits bigger than that (it fit nicely on Uni Watch design director Scott M.X. Turner, who’s a 48).
This fine garment — a one-of-a-kind artifact from one of baseball’s oddest chapters — is being raffled off as of right now. To enter, send an e-mail to uniraffle at earthlink dot net (please note that this is not the usual Uni Watch address) by next Tuesday night, October, 2nd, at 10 p.m. eastern. One e-mail per person, please, but everyone enrolled in the Uni Watch membership program at the time of the drawing will automatically get three bonus entries (and if ever there was a good reason to sign up, this raffle is it). I’ll announce the winner a week from today.
Big thanks to Rob for his generosity, and good luck to all raffle entrants. I hope you’re as jazzed about this as I am.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Japanese throwback jerseys are now available here (with thanks to Eric Stangel). … Lots of good non-wire-service pics of the Eagles’ throwbacks here. … Nice little gallery of Schutt Ion pics here. Not sure what school that is, but I’m sure lots of you folks do (with thanks to Matt Olson). … Iowa State will unveil its new uniforms today. A little birdie tells me that none of these helmets made the cut. … We’ve talked many times about how an American flag sleeve patch should always be positioned with the blue field facing forward. Some teams get this wrong, but you wouldn’t expect one of them to be the Air Force Academy women’s soccer team (with thanks to Frank Mercogliano). … The 49ers have signed Michael Lewis. Thing is, as David Robins notes, they already have another Michael Lewis (plus Keith Lewis), which should make for an interesting nameplate decision. Last time I can remember this happening was when the Mets had two Bobby Joneses a few years back. … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: Great Bruins goalie mask photo gallery here. Be sure to click through to the last image, which shows Gerry Cheevers wearing a Massachusetts Bicentennial patch. … Speaking of which, comments section stalwart Teebz has a great series of NHL patch roundups on his blog — look here, here, and here. … Decent NHL uni-history gallery here, including one of the best Cooperalls shots ever. … … Jere Smith reports that the Fenway 8 is back, and is now right-side up! … Did you know American Indians have a distinctive foot shape? Nike did (as jointly spotted by Vince and Minna H.).
#1 by David Arnott on 09.26.07 8:45 am |
Michael M. Lewis was already there, and that’s how his name will be on his plate, right?
Michael L. Lewis is the new guy.
#2 by Eric on 09.26.07 8:50 am |
I went to the game at Fenway last night and the 8 is back! And right side up! Sadly, I didn’t have a camera with me.
#3 by JohnC on 09.26.07 8:55 am |
Iowa State should permanently wear those throwbacks that they wore a few weeks ago…those were awesome!
#4 by Big Mike on 09.26.07 9:00 am |
Paul, obviously ESPN is already confused about the dueling Michael Lewis’ as their player profile for the pre-exisitng Michael Lewis (the safety formerly of the Eagles) shows a picture of the NEW Michael Lewis (the beer delivering kick returner formerly of the Saints).
#5 by Don on 09.26.07 9:03 am |
A big thumbs up for the Ion. Much better looking than the other newfangled helmet designs.
BTW, anyone know when the Maxpro helmets were outlawed? I wore one my senior year of high school (and lived to tell about it.) I wore a Rawlings my junior year…probably wasn’t terribly protective, but it sure was comfortable.
#6 by Joey Guns on 09.26.07 9:05 am |
I was away for a week or so
Has this been posted yet?
“What Not To Wear To Yankee Stadium”:
http://popjocks.com/...
#7 by Joey Guns on 09.26.07 9:06 am |
Baseball Barry Bonds hit for home run No. 756 to be branded with an asterisk
http://sports.yahoo....
#8 by dgc on 09.26.07 9:17 am |
Not only a rare (game worn?) jersey, but owned by ESPN’s Rob Neyer and modeled by ESPN’s Paul Lukas! That ought to make an interesting Ebay description.
BTW the Caps played in their white jerseys at home last night, supposedly so they can keep the premiere of their red jerseys for the home opener.
#9 by Team C. on 09.26.07 9:18 am |
I was watching the Eagles game the other day - there was some action that spilled over to the sidelines.
The camera caught a shot of some sideline official (?) wearing standard-issue NFL gear and what appeared to be an elbow-length bright orange oven mitt. He was waving his hands in a circular motion.
I figured that he had something to do with the broadcast, but not sure.
No screen grab.. any ideas what the significance of the oven mitt is?
#10 by todd krevanchi on 09.26.07 9:25 am |
well, at least it is going to be in the hall of fame. it would have been a shame if the people voted it to be destroyed.
i voted for it to be donated as is. i feel that anything other than the appropriate labeling or autograph is defacing an article that should be in the HOF anyway.
#11 by Pat on 09.26.07 9:28 am |
I agree,
whether or not it is a “tainted” record, it’s still a record and if it’s going to go to the hall of fame it should go in as is.
Although, I will give Marc Ecko credit this was a very cool idea.
#12 by steve on 09.26.07 9:34 am |
So he can be seen in the sideline crowd.
#13 by Mark on 09.26.07 9:35 am |
I love how everyone on Fox, NBC, and ESPN was trashing those Eagles uniforms. It was on of their top stories. I didn’t really care for them either, but it was more becaus i was longing for them to Bendarik-era jersey. Plus, I still hold out hope that the black alternates will be shelved in favor of the kelly green and silver.
#14 by Jason G. on 09.26.07 9:37 am |
I voted for the asterisk. That being said there’s some debate on whether the HOF will take it with the asterisk. They originally said they wouldn’t but apparently have talked to Ecko about it.
This is also quite possibly the greatest marketing scheme ever. Ecko got so much publicity out of this it was well worth what he paid for the ball whether it goes into the hall or not.
#15 by Stuby on 09.26.07 9:38 am |
Weren’t those 3 Iowa State helmets the only choices offered to voters? Why do I have a feeling they let Nike design their new look instead.
#16 by Pat on 09.26.07 9:39 am |
Marc Ecko isn’t struggling for money. But you’re right, this will make him a lot more. Now people, if they didn’t know about him before, will associate him with the branding of the ball.
#17 by Joe Drennan on 09.26.07 9:40 am |
In the SI hockey jersey gallery I noticed that the newer version of the skating Penguine is skating with his head up, while the original is looking at the puck. Now that’s a nice attention to detail!
#18 by Team C. on 09.26.07 9:41 am |
So he can be seen in the sideline crowd.
Clearly, but what’s the job title/description for this guy?
And is it an officially licensed NFL Equipment Reebok oven-mitt?
#19 by Joe Drennan on 09.26.07 9:41 am |
Anybody notice in teh Flyers cooperall picture, there are straps holding the pant leg down that go under the skate?
#20 by xyz on 09.26.07 9:43 am |
Don,
The original MaxPro (formerly Marietta) “Kineomatic” clear shell,helmet from the MaxPro company went bankrupt around 1986. At that time they also produced the Kelley (formerly MacGregor) MH100 helmet. I believe Riddell bought the factory and molds. There was another company called MaxPro that produced a model called “2001″ in the late 90’s but I am not sure if they are related to the former.
#21 by Stuby on 09.26.07 9:43 am |
They should wear this version of the kelly green. At least they wore them in a Super Bowl, and I always loved those sleeve stripes.
#22 by Kwik on 09.26.07 9:45 am |
Not sure of the exact job title, but I’m pretty sure that the orange oven mitt is the mark of the go-between for the referee and the TV director of the game, so that there’s not a kickoff while they’re in commercial or anything like that.
#23 by Vince Grzegorek on 09.26.07 9:48 am |
That’s kind of exactly what it is. The guy in the orange mitts is linked up to the broadcast and signals (via the very visible orange oven mitts) to the ref when to wind the clock and start live play. It’s a phenomenally interesting thing to watch if you sit close enough.
#24 by Don on 09.26.07 9:48 am |
Thanks.
I wore mine in 1987 (!).
#25 by Mike on 09.26.07 9:48 am |
I was watching the Daily Show last night, and they did a bit on the “problem” of immigration of mexicans into canada. anyways, they interviewed Raffi Torres in his Oilers gear and the first thing i noticed was that he was wearing last years jersey and equipment. shows you how old some of the reports they put together are.
#26 by Dan Lichterman on 09.26.07 9:50 am |
Great shots of the goalie masks. Question though, why don’t the baseball catchers who wear the goalie style mask have more personalized designs? All that I can think of are very standard and boring, is this an MLB issue or are catchers just not as colourful as goalies?
#27 by MikeB on 09.26.07 9:50 am |
He works with the referee and production crew in executing the television timeouts.
#28 by MikeB on 09.26.07 9:51 am |
I gotta hit “refresh” a little more often :)
#29 by ScottyJ in WV on 09.26.07 9:57 am |
The 1974 Nippon Ham Fighters cap is very nice!
#30 by odessasteps on 09.26.07 10:02 am |
I love the stuff on the yakyushop site. If only the stuff came in “fat guy” sizes.
#31 by Chris on 09.26.07 10:03 am |
Speaking of NFL sidelines. I noticed when I went to the Titans-Colts game there was a guy on the sideline with referee pants and socks but he was wearing a maroon polo. I have also seen him on other games on TV. Who is that guy?
#32 by Mike on 09.26.07 10:06 am |
The Mets had two pitchers named Bob Miller in the early 60’s. One was left handed and the other right handed. One time Stengel called down in the midst of another loss and said, “Get Miller up!” The coach in the pen asked, “Which one?” Stengel said, ” Surprise me!”
#33 by ScottyJ in WV on 09.26.07 10:07 am |
Our junior high team bought new MaxPro helmets back in ‘81. The newly-formed athletic booster club bought them for the school, so I got to see the sales pitch, as my dad was one of the founding members.
The guy said they were the most protective on the market and that the Dallas Cowboys were wearing them. Anybody know if there’s any truth to that?
There was one thing the salesman did during his pitch that I’ll never forget. To prove the cushioning ability of the interior pads, he put a pad over his hand on a table and then smashed it with a hammer! He lifts his hand and waves it a little bit as if to say “look, no damage!”
Sold. :0)
#34 by NateL on 09.26.07 10:08 am |
Don’t know if anyone noticed this last night:
Watching the Red Sox game, Ruddy Lugo of the Oakland A’s pitched to Julio Lugo or the Red Sox. Julio is Ruddy’s older brother.
Julio’s number is 23, Ruddy’s is 45. Thought it was interesting, especially since 23 is roughly half of 45.
I remember Michael Jordan used to wear 23 because his older brother Larry wore 45, and he considered himself half as good as his brother.
#35 by Wade Harder on 09.26.07 10:10 am |
I like that look as well–very classic. If Iowa State isn’t choosing from one of the three that were voted on, I’m guessing they are going with a yellow or red helmet.
#36 by dw438 on 09.26.07 10:11 am |
That’s the network stage manager [usually a member of the Directors Guild of America, at least in NY] who is the liaison between the network covering the game and the on-field officials. He is the one, when the orange hand is upraised who signifies that the network is in commercial time.
The famed Biff Henderson of Letterman fame did many of these games at Shea and Giants Stadium many moons ago when NBC had the AFC package.
#37 by interlockingtc on 09.26.07 10:13 am |
Teebz,
Your gallery of patches is fantastic.
#38 by dw438 on 09.26.07 10:16 am |
The SI picture series is great. Note the timelessness of the Leafs and Canadiens sweaters, and the utter crap some of the newer teams get away with. Can’t beat an Original Six sweater.
Tood bad the Black Hawks are a stinker, but that sweater sure is a classic. Good for the Caps to go retro.
Of course the SI site brought up the Islanders and their Gorton’s Fisherman sweaters.
Can’t wait for the puck to drop!
#39 by Joe Schmeltzer on 09.26.07 10:16 am |
A strange thing happened in my head yesterday - just for fun, I was looking at all kinds of team logos and it messed with my mind because I came across the philadelphia eagle-head logo and all of a sudden thought, “Hey is that what is on their helmets?! They had the cool wings - that better still be there!”
I actually had to look up a picture. Thinking about all those other logos (and the Eagles throwbacks last week) really messed with my mind. Just to demonstrate what was going on in my head, here is a mock-up. Ugh, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit…
#40 by Teebz on 09.26.07 10:22 am |
Thanks. I never expected Paul to link all three articles, so thanks to Paul as well. I’m trying to keep them updated as a reference point.
As an aside, the Pittsburgh 250 patch, the Flames’ sleeve flags, and a Hartford Whalers’ All-Star patch will be added today to the lists. :o)
#41 by Scott on 09.26.07 10:23 am |
of the proposed all-white LSU football uniforms. My only thought is that the pant stripe should be thinned since the white stripe in the middle is no longer necessary. Overall though, I really dig them. Very clean, I love how the shoulder stripe exactly matches the pants stripe and the helmet stripe. I would LOVE the switch.
#42 by Joe Schmeltzer on 09.26.07 10:23 am |
Sorry, here is my mock-up.
#43 by todd krevanchi on 09.26.07 10:28 am |
after seeing pics of cooperalls over the last few years on this site and on the dot com article, they arent that foreign to me anymore and in fact dont look strange at all.
i wouldnt mind seeing a template drawing board of all teams unis wearing the cooperalls.
#44 by JJC on 09.26.07 10:28 am |
I was watching the NFL Replay of the Hawks/Bengals game last night on the NFL Network and noticed that during one of the replays that Shaun Alexander was wearing elbow pads with American Flags on them. Is this a new thing? Does anyone have a pic?
#45 by Ben on 09.26.07 10:34 am |
The Eagles used to have great uniforms (I always like when teams wear gold or silver pants, which reminds me the Saints look awful when they wear the black pants instead of the gold). That atrocity they wear now is awful…is it green? is it black?…it’s glack.
#46 by Boston Nick on 09.26.07 10:34 am |
I love the Bruins’ masks. All of em going with some manner of fierce Bruin, which is nice.
I’ll always love Steve Shields’ tribute to Cheevers. I just wish a good goalie had done that so it could’ve stuck around for a few more years.
There have been a lot of good goalie masks, but nothing will ever come close to touching Cheevers’ stitched up design. It was the first mask to really show personality, and nothing has topped it since.
#47 by Drew on 09.26.07 10:36 am |
The Cub/Boy Scouts actually wear the flag backward on the right shoulder, with the blue field closer to the back of the arm.
http://www.mninter.n...
#48 by Eric on 09.26.07 10:37 am |
Reminds me of the time I saw someone with a Florida Panthers “Vanbriesbrouck” jersey.
#49 by Joe Schmeltzer on 09.26.07 10:44 am |
Very interesting link! So I guess that the “forward wearers” are not wrong afterall. I stand corrected.
However, I still think it looks best with the stars facing forward, as if the flag is being carried into battle.
#50 by hott rodd on 09.26.07 10:44 am |
The person with the maroon polo is the new K-Ball guy, his job is to take care of the K-Balls due to the new “Romo Rule.” (This Cowboys fan is cringing…)
#51 by scottp on 09.26.07 10:48 am |
#52 by Chris on 09.26.07 10:52 am |
Yes. As a child of the 80s who wore Cooperalls for a couple of years (when they were ‘cool’), they had a little velcro strap on the bottom of each leg which you would put through the blade holder of each skate…the velcro would often come undone resulting in a piece of fabric that would be easily stepped on while on the ice. And you know what happens when you step on something while on the ice…*smash*
#53 by todd krevanchi on 09.26.07 10:56 am |
i think the eagles 75th anniversary uni’s were spectacular.
http://farm2.static....
http://farm2.static....
http://farm2.static....
#54 by Joe Schmeltzer on 09.26.07 10:57 am |
#55 by KW on 09.26.07 11:00 am |
MLB catchers do not get to design the hockey style catchers masks…they are supplied and designed by All-Star (next year the deal moves to Wilson and will be provided by them).
While a MLB catcher can wear any brand traditional face mask they must wear an All Star hockey style mask if they choose to wear one.
#56 by Seth H on 09.26.07 11:01 am |
Art Shamsky is speaking at my temple on Sunday. Let me know if you have any uni (69 Mets, Israel Baseball League) questions.
#57 by Stuby on 09.26.07 11:03 am |
Bonds will play his last home game tonight as a Giant. As a Giants fan who has never liked the guy, tonight couldn’t have come soon enough.
I will be curious to see how the team marks the occasion, though. They have come up with a logo for every other milestone in his career, but since they are giving him the Golden Handshake, it could be an awkward moment. They don’t really have any open real estate on their jerseys for another patch.
#58 by Rick on 09.26.07 11:04 am |
My favorite part is sitting in Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sundays listening to the crowd start to get into the game and having scoreboards ask the fans to “Get Loud” only to look down and see Mr. Oven Mitts standing on the field with his hand on his chest holding up the game.
Good times!
#59 by Marty Met on 09.26.07 11:05 am |
What temple is that?
#60 by Carl G on 09.26.07 11:16 am |
According to HelmetHut, Max Pro went out of business in the mid 1980s due to problems associated with the dramatic increase in product liability insurance.
http://www.helmethut...
#61 by Dan Lichterman on 09.26.07 11:16 am |
By the way, I was a TDBanknorth Garden yesterdday and saw the B’s practice, what is the deal with the practice socks? Anyone have any shots of those. Are all teams using them - there is a crazy white front that wings out near the knee and then solid black on the back. Plus the piping on the practice jersey looks awful
#62 by Joe Schmeltzer on 09.26.07 11:16 am |
That is the first time I’ve noticed that the refs wore throwback hats that year. Those look great - nice touch, NFL.
#63 by Ben N on 09.26.07 11:26 am |
I never noticed the NFL 75th Anniversary Logo on the back of the ref’s caps before!
#64 by lemonverbena on 09.26.07 11:29 am |
I moonlight as a statistician for CBS Sports on NFL gamedays, and worked on the field for ABC College Football in years prior. “Mr. Oven Mitts” official designation is Red Hat. Give you zero guesses as to how the position ended up so titled.
Red Hat wears a headset to communicate with the production truck (he is “on the PL” - private line/production line). The director tells Red Hat when the commercials are over, usually by something as technical as, “OK Jimmy, let ‘em go.” Red Hat puts his oven mitt down and the official continues the game.
Fascinating, I know.
#65 by Carl G on 09.26.07 11:29 am |
Although I am not a fan of Barry Bonds, I feel like I defend him each day.
I think that it is beneath the baseball hall of fame to accept and display an item that not only has been defaced but is aimed as a personal insult at Bonds, especially in light of Bonds donating items to the hall of fame. The baseball hall of fame should not be engaged in this type of publicity stunt.
Also, as a uniform and history fan, I HATE the defacement of historical objects. This reminds me of sports card manufacturers who purchase game used uniforms (especially one of a kind historical items like Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig game used uniforms) and cut them up into little pieces and glue them to baseball cards.
I understand that the person who purchases an item can do what they want with it (whether it be putting an asterisk on the Bonds ball or cut up a Babe Ruth jersey for a baseball card), but I still dont think its right.
Imagine the uproar if someone purchased an original copy of the constitution and then cut out all the parts referencing slavery
#66 by Carl G on 09.26.07 11:32 am |
While the daily show episode was new, for the report segments, they often rerun reports that were from the past year, which i believe was the case here.
#67 by Carl G on 09.26.07 11:34 am |
Again, according to HelmutHut, the cowboys did wear the helemts
http://helmethut.com...
#68 by Judd on 09.26.07 11:42 am |
Officially, the Red Sox had two players named Javier Lopez in 2006, although the catcher went by the nickname Javy while the pitcher went by Javier.
Teh Bobby Joneses were a few years before that.
#69 by Terri on 09.26.07 11:43 am |
I voted for the asterick, simply because if the HOF decides to display it, they’ll have to discuss why the asterick is there. That means that 50 yrs from now, people will still say “he broke the record, but there was alot of controversy cuz Bonds took steroids.”
I would much prefer that than people forgetting about the steroid issue and just remembering Bonds for holding a record.
#70 by Philly Bill on 09.26.07 11:47 am |
Best Cooperalls photo EVER. And, like so many iconic NHL photos, it was taken by Denis Brodeur (father of Martin).
#71 by Tim D on 09.26.07 11:49 am |
Yadi Molina has a couple of Big ‘ol Cardinals on his masks…did All Star design that for him?
#72 by Commisso on 09.26.07 11:55 am |
Having an asterisk on the record breaking ball makes it more historic, whether good or bad. Here’s a few historic scandals that are still referred to today: Black Sox Scandal, Black Sunday in the NFL, and any kind of race involving bicycling (it seems). You could include the NHL lockout, but that really wasn’t a scandal, just stupidity.
#73 by jaye on 09.26.07 11:56 am |
“I would much prefer that than people forgetting about the steroid issue and just remembering Bonds for holding a record.”
Baseball is a game of stats and memories. No one’s ever gonna forget BB anytime soon.
#74 by Broker75 on 09.26.07 11:58 am |
Sad note but, the owner of the Chicago Blackhawks died at 77yrs. Are Blackhawks fans rejoicing? or saddened..
#75 by Vince DeMarco on 09.26.07 12:00 pm |
The HOF is a museum. It doesn’t (or shouldn’t) form opinions, it just reflect the opinions of the time. The ball signifies a major achievement. The asterick reflects a significant portion of the public opinion of that achievement
#76 by David T. on 09.26.07 12:00 pm |
Herm Edwards’ polo shirt was missing the Chiefs arrowhead logo at his news conference yesterday–looks like it peeled off in the wash or something.
#77 by Kevin M on 09.26.07 12:01 pm |
No offense, but it’s a baseball. The Constitution is slightly more important.
#78 by David T. on 09.26.07 12:02 pm |
Click on one of the video links to see Edwards with an arrowhead-shaped red splotch on his shirt.
#79 by Carl G on 09.26.07 12:02 pm |
Yeah, but all of those scandals are referred to without having to deface historical items
#80 by Michael Churchill on 09.26.07 12:03 pm |
“Nee-kay”? What is that, some kinda Injun talk or something?
#81 by Kevin M on 09.26.07 12:04 pm |
I would think once they purchase the mask they can do whatever they want with it, including personalization. Maybe the MLB has some sort of quirky rule about this? If not, I would guess we will see goalie-style paint jobs on catchers sooner than later.
#82 by Carl G on 09.26.07 12:04 pm |
No offense taken. The Constitution is slightly more important, but the enslavement of millions of people is slightly more harmful then a baseball player taking steroids.
#83 by Stevo on 09.26.07 12:07 pm |
On the ISU uni topic, it’s Chizik’s idea to have white helmets in the first place, since he comes from the Texas program and likes the look. He may have decided that he liked the look of the gold helmets in the Iowa game, but I can tell you that the helmets will NOT be red. I guess we’ll find out for sure in a couple hours.
#84 by joe on 09.26.07 12:09 pm |
Rejoicing, and in celebration I just ordered an old style, not the new crap, jersey for myself.
#85 by Joe Drennan on 09.26.07 12:11 pm |
As a Blackhawks fan I have to admit I’m a bit sad. The fan in me is a bit excited though too. I’m sad because while he was arguably a terrible owner, he did so much philanthripic work that never got mentioned. He sent many kids to college with schollarships, helped fun children’s rehabilitaion centers in hospitals and countless other acts. It’s the loss of thsoe acts that has me saddened.
The Uni Watch’er inside of me quickly then turned my attention to what kind of memorial patch or helmet sticker they’ll have. I’m thinking a dollar sign with his name scawled in the S-portion similar to how the Seatle Metropolitians (The first US team to win the Cup) logo. Sorry, no reference to that logo.
#86 by KW on 09.26.07 12:12 pm |
Yes, they did…Gregg Zaun of the Toronto Blue Jays has a couple of Blue Jays on his as well…All Star went to greater lengths with a few teams in their designs…coincided with teams who had starting catchers actually wearing the hockey style mask.
#87 by Paul Lukas on 09.26.07 12:14 pm |
I’m surprised by the lack of chatter about the Royals jersey and the raffle. Was I wrong in thinking it was a pretty big deal?
#88 by KW on 09.26.07 12:16 pm |
MLB does have a quirky rule on this…they consider the hockey style helmet to be part of the uniform so it is not up to the player which brand or look they can use. Do they have some input? Yes, I am sure they can add a bit of it but for the most part they are designed by All Star…if two catchers on the same team both wear hockey style masks then both will look the same.
MLB is the only major sports company to make protective helmets part of a uniform…players can choose between the old style ABC Batter’s Helmet of the newer Cool-Flo Helmet but cant choose another option…both are made by Rawlings.
If a catcher wants to wear a traditioanl style facemask they can wear whatever companies they are under contract with though…next year Wilson takes over the “official” license from MLB and all hockey style masks will have to be Wilson’s.
#89 by Teebz on 09.26.07 12:18 pm |
No, I entered as soon as I saw it, Paul. In fact, the draw almost coincides with my birthday… not that it will affect the draw any. ;o)
Seriously, though, for a guy who has the Fisherman Islanders jersey, it would be another point of pride if I won it.
#90 by Joe Schmeltzer on 09.26.07 12:18 pm |
Logo here
#91 by Marc M. on 09.26.07 12:21 pm |
Just being honest Paul, but it does not interest me in the least.