Yesterday afternoon at about 5:30 I got on an airplane. After I landed (never mind where), I went straight to a live theater performance thingie. After that I mingled with friends for a bit. It wasn’t until about 1:30 a.m. that I got to my host’s house. I was reeeaaaaaally tired (for reasons not worth getting into, I hadn’t slept the night before, plus I’m fighting a respiratory infection), and my plan was to crash without even bothering to check my e-mail. But then I thought, “Oh, what the hell,” and I broke out my laptop.
And that’s when I discovered what I’d missed.
In case you were even further off the grid than I was: Four Virginia Tech jerseys were missing prior to the start of last night’s game against Georgia Tech. Since the Hokies were wearing white, the host Yellow Jackets provided some of their white jerseys for the Va.Tech players to wear. The replacement jerseys were “customized” with handwritten nameplates (all rendered in cap-lowercase, which gave an eighth grade arts and crafts feel to the proceedings), plus the Yellow Jackets wordmark and Russell Athletic logo were blacked out and little Nike swooshes were drawn in (backwards, for some reason). Virginia Tech won handily, which means Georgia Tech lost to their own uniforms.
The incident apparently got big play on SportsCenter, where they did a little mini-feature on other jersey snafus, including “Angees” and “Gretkzy” (not really the best comparisons) and the time MJ wore No. 12 because his jersey had been stolen (better). Although I haven’t yet seen the report, they apparently didn’t mention anything about umpires whose uniforms get lost in transit, which might be the most apt comparison of all.
Anyway: I had nearly 100 e-mails waiting for me when I opened up the laptop. About 20% were of the “What the fuck is going on in that game?” variety, another 60% began with some variation on “I’m sure you already know this, but…,” and most of the rest were eager to inform me of a “hot scoop” (a few of these are still trickling in, which is pretty amusing). Plus two people were very angry about SportsCenter “totally ripping you off,” and two more wondered why I wasn’t appearing on SportsCenter myself at that very moment.
The bad news is that I have a lot of social obligations today and don’t have time to give this topic the full treatment it deserves. The good news is that there’s loads of other coverage out there. Here’s where to look:
• Last night’s comments provided a running stream of info on the situation, as Uni Watch readers kept passing along updates and reactions. If you pick up the discussion here, you’ll get a good sense of how things unfolded.
• If you’d rather have mainstream media coverage, there’s a good boilerplate treatment of the situation in this article.
• There’s a decent video recap of the incident here.
• Reader John Okray took lots of screen shots, which you can view in this fine slide show.
As for me, I have two major thoughts here, the first of which is that the whole thing is wonderful — and not just because it’s such good Uni Watch fodder. As many of you know, one of my biggest gripes about contemporary sports is that everything seems hyper-calculated and pre-scripted. But there was nothing in the script about this, and that’s what makes it so much fun. And I love that the handwritten nameplates were done in cap-lowercase, instead of all-caps, which perfectly captured the spontaneity and playfulness of the situation.
Unfortunately, there was one major turd in the punchbowl: those handwritten swooshes. I wasn’t watching the game, but according to several readers’ accounts of the game broadcast, Nike’s people specifically insisted that the Russell logo be blocked out (which I can sort of understand) and that the little swooshes be drawn in. If that’s true, it’s beyond pathetic, and goes a long way toward canceling out the playfulness. Nike didn’t manufacture those repurposed jerseys, so what exactly was the point of adding the swoosh? If your answer (or Nike’s) is, “Because Virginia Tech is a Nike school,” then you’re pretty much affirming what I’ve been saying all along — i.e., that the brand has become more important than the school or the uniforms. And that gives this fun story a bittersweet aftertaste.
One last thing, for now: Lots of readers have asked if anything like this has ever happened before. I’m honestly unsure — there are plenty of examples of players wearing someone else’s number, like the MJ example cited above, but I’m not sure about players wearing their opponents’ jerseys — that might be a first. If anyone knows more, this is definitely a topic for further research.
(Extra-special thanks to readers who provided screen grabs and other crucial info, especially John Okray, Miguel Rodriguez, and Bryan Redemske.)
Uni Watch News Ticker: The single-A Casper Rockies have renamed themselves the Casper Ghosts — and will wear a glow-in-the-dark cap. Details here and here. … The Gamecocks’ memorial decal referred to in yesterday’s Ticker will look like this. Further details here (with thanks to Andy Shain). … Speaking of decals, Chris Willis, who runs Athletic Decals (the company that provides most NFL and NCAA helmet decals), checked in yesterday with this tidbit: “We produced some decals honoring the San Diego firefighters. These will probably be worn by SD State for this weekend’s game with Wyoming, and SDSU equipment manager Nick Pettit got enough so Wyoming could wear them too. Now, don’t bet on them being there, though — I can’t tell you how many times I’ve busted it getting a decal out and someone ends up ‘kiboshing’ it at the last minute.” … Yesterday I mentioned that the Lakewood Blue Claws have a new secondary logo. Now Dan Cichalski tells me they’ll be using it on a Friday-night vest, which looks really cool. … Joe Girardi will wear No. 27 with the Yankees, to symbolize the team’s quest for a 27th championship. … Bob Sherron notes that Amare Stoudemire’s NOB has some letter-spacing issues. … Eric Stangel found something interesting on eBay: a game-used Astros St. Patty’s Day jersey. And check out the NOB! Anyone ever seen any game photos of this jersey?
#1 by Josh on 11.02.07 9:57 am |
The new Florida jerseys made their debut last night…
http://gatorcountry....
#2 by Zach Smith on 11.02.07 9:58 am |
We were worried you might not be able to check in on this, glad to see you made it. However, I’m sorry you didn’t get to see it live…probably the most mainstream attention uniforms have gotten in years!
Keep up the good work, Paul.
#3 by Alan on 11.02.07 9:59 am |
Two quick items unrelated to each other:
1. VT has played 19 Thursday night games and is 15-4 in those games. They have played at least two weekday games a year (not counting bowls) for the last 6 years. Are there any other teams with that many?
2. Here is a vid clip of Dic-K’s HS no hitter . What’s up with the numbers on the back? They are on white patches. Are the changeable? Paging J. Brahm. Paging J. Brahm.
#4 by Brian from Short Island on 11.02.07 10:01 am |
Earlier this year Auxerre wore OM’s jerseys, as reported on this site…
Here
#5 by Brian from Short Island on 11.02.07 10:01 am |
And the photo is down. But it happened.
#6 by Shaftman on 11.02.07 10:02 am |
Paul,
I can’t thing of anything like the VTech incident in a regulation game, but weren’t there a few MLB All-Star games where players either wore replicas or other teams uni’s/helmets/caps? I can’t remember specifics but maybe some others can help me out with those.
#7 by Shaftman on 11.02.07 10:03 am |
sorry, it’s supposed to read “I can’t think…”
#8 by John on 11.02.07 10:04 am |
Great picture here I would love to see them wear these as throwbacks. I loved these uni’s!
#9 by Marty Met on 11.02.07 10:06 am |
Paul,
The Spurs vs. Bullets in 1978.
Here’s a Spurs player wearing a Bullets uniform inside out.
#10 by Austin Gray on 11.02.07 10:08 am |
The practice of wearing another team’s jerseys is not completely foreign to the world of soccer. Aside from Auxerre wearing Marseille’s jerseys, I believe that either last year or the year before, Wycombe Wanderers had to wear Bristol Rovers’ away jerseys because both their home and away kits clashed with Wycombe’s home kit. Also, I believe there was a snafu in one of the World Cups in the 80’s in which France was forced to take the field against Hungary in green and white striped shirts that belonged to a local team because France’s white kits clashed with Hungary’s white kits. I might be off on this little fact, but I know I’m close. Imagine something like that happening on the world stage that is the World Cup.
Also, don’t forget that one of the odd Florida schools (International or Atlantic) was playing Wisconsin last season, and their unis didn’t make the trip. Wisconsin officials had blank black uniforms printed up, and mystery Florida school played in them instead.
#11 by Martin on 11.02.07 10:09 am |
I can recall an incident of a player wearing a fan’s jersey. This happened back in 1985/86, when I was following an amateur football team called the Birmingham Bulls, based in Birmingham, England. A bunch of fans, myself included, made the long trek to Frankfurt, Germany to watch the Bulls play the Hanau Hawks. Bulls QB Dave Stanton lost his jersey along the way, so one of the coaches came into the stands and borrowed a replica jersey that one of our fan group was wearing. Stanton took the field wearing this black jersey, with a white tape nameplate and his surname handwritten in black marker. It made for a great souvenir after the game …
#12 by Shane on 11.02.07 10:09 am |
I missed DIY football jerseys to watch the Bruins and another shoddy episode of Scrubs?
At least the Broons look great (and they beat the Buffaslugs).
#13 by Al Gruwell on 11.02.07 10:10 am |
Lou Whitaker wore a replica Tigers jersey for an All-Star game once. They hand-stenciled the No. 1 on it and if I remember right, the announcers said they had purchased it from a souvenir stand at the ballpark. Sorry no pic.
#14 by Austin Gray on 11.02.07 10:10 am |
Here’s a link to the story about the soccer match in question. It was in 1978, not in the 80’s.
#15 by Austin Gray on 11.02.07 10:11 am |
#16 by odessasteps magazine on 11.02.07 10:12 am |
I recall stories of the classic “player takes a fan’s jersey out of the stands to wear” but can’t think of any examples right now. I think it was hockey-related, but can’t be sure.
#17 by Austin Gray on 11.02.07 10:12 am |
I’m an idiot.
#18 by Pat on 11.02.07 10:13 am |
What’s with dude wearing gold grills?
#19 by JL on 11.02.07 10:14 am |
The thing I couldn’t understand is how they didn’t notice these uniforms missing earlier. I would think they would be there several hours before kickoff and that they probably could have found somewhere in town to have something a little better printed up. That said, also kinda suprised they weren’t traveling with back-up unis.
#20 by Paul Lukas on 11.02.07 10:15 am |
Right! Forgot about that one.
Here.
#21 by Joe Drennan on 11.02.07 10:16 am |
Few thoughts;
First, the thing that bugged me on ESPN last night is when one announcer mentioned the players even made little Nike swooshes, another said, “gotta love the little shoowshes.” Think about that and discuss.
Second, when i was in college, I was on the JV hockey team my freshman year and we were playing a home game. The visiting team’s bus arrived and their coach soon realized he’d forgotten to pack the team’s jerseys. Our coach, being all too nice and accomodating, offered to let them borrow some of our jerseys. No problem us players thought. The problem is, our coach offered up our brand new home jerseys (not a new design, simply a new set as the old ones we’re getting pretty torn up)leaving us to wear an old bunch of away jerseys. The problem with the away jerseys is there were two different styles, one similar to the Habs, the other similar to the Rangers. We had to look like the Bad News Bears on our home ice. It pissed us off enough to go out there and beat the snot out of this team that was no push over. Then again we went 16-3 that season so we weren’t that bad either.
#22 by Elena E on 11.02.07 10:16 am |
Love the quote in the Casper Ghosts article, from their CEO Kevin Haughian: “I originally wanted to be the Casper Weinbergers, but we figured no one would get it.” I would.
#23 by Johnny O on 11.02.07 10:17 am |
I know Paul linked my slide show in the article this morning, but here is a link to my photo album of all the VT photos so you can click on whichever one you like. Enjoy!
Album of VT photos
#24 by John on 11.02.07 10:19 am |
I’m a steelers fan but these the bucs orange unis were the best in the nfl at the time. On another note i was watching sportscenter last night and saw the VT uni debacle i felt like a little kid at christmas waiting to see uni watch this morning becuase of it.
#25 by John on 11.02.07 10:19 am |
Not sure, maybe he’s a closet Ocho Cinko fan too?
Regarding the VT thing. It’s just hard for me to believe that in this day and age of major college football that these teams don’t travel with at least 2 jersies per player.
#26 by John on 11.02.07 10:20 am |
sorry missed the extra “these” in the first sentance
#27 by Brady on 11.02.07 10:21 am |
I also find that to be the most interesting aspect of the issue that occurred. Don’t equipment managers carry extra jerseys in case one is ripped or torn up. I know when I played college baeball we always carried extra jerseys “just in case” (I know because as a freshman we always had to carry the extra stuff - balls, equipment, etc). Is this because these players refused to wear any number but their own and therefore would not wear just any back up, random jersey? Or were there no back up jerseys because the equipment managers didn’t carry any? Is this normal or is this a VT thing? Interesting questions to pursue in my mind.
#28 by College Kid on 11.02.07 10:23 am |
That’s what myself and the other managers I work with were wondering while we were watching this game in our Eq Room last night…
We ALWAYS travel with two full sets of away uniforms, mainly in case someone gets a major rip in their uniform or personnel changes are made and two players who normally wear the same number (one on off, one on def)–happens in kick coverages a lot–and one has to change to a new number mid-game.
This is also why we don’t take the uniforms off the semi until Saturday morning when we get to the stadium (at least 5 hours before kickoff), because you can never really be sure about the host team’s security for the visiting locker room.
#29 by Scott on 11.02.07 10:24 am |
Ty Cobb once had to wear a Cleveland Indians jersey for the Adie Joss All Star game, as his luggage had been lost.
#30 by Scott on 11.02.07 10:26 am |
It keeps eating my link!!!
#31 by todd krevanchi on 11.02.07 10:27 am |
i would have gotten that too, but he spelled it caspar…
#32 by Shane on 11.02.07 10:33 am |
I’d forgot to mention in my earlier post, but Boston’s Milan Lucic is wearing #17 now. He started the season with #62.
#33 by Greg on 11.02.07 10:35 am |
I wish I could find pictures, but I remember when I was in college the football team (Lamar University) in 1988 went to Arizona State for a game. They forgot to bring their pants, so the red and white Cardinals played with ASU’s maroon pants.
And the next year, the school cancelled the football program. Go figure.
#34 by Rick on 11.02.07 10:37 am |
Nice memory Marty Met. I totally remembered the picture, but I would’ve had to search for it.
Paul, I’m disappointed, since you mentioned this picture in your blog a few times!
#35 by Nicefellow31 on 11.02.07 10:39 am |
I was at that game in 78. Mike Gale is the player shown in the Bullets road uniform. If I rember correctly some a couple of the other Spurs had their jerseys but had to wear Bullet shorts. Here is a larger photo.
#36 by Perry on 11.02.07 10:40 am |
Once ca. 1970 Michigan State’s basketball team was scheduled to play at Ohio State, and their jerseys were stolen. They wore OSU’s road (scarlet) jerseys during the game, making it look like an intrasquad scrimmage. They won, too, dammit.
#37 by Nicefellow31 on 11.02.07 10:41 am |
I forgot the link
#38 by bj in gainesville on 11.02.07 10:43 am |
Is VT (or any other school) contractually obligated to wear their sponsor’s logo? I imagine they are, which would necessitate the little swooshes. Either way, the fact that they were drawn backwards is a sign that there is justice in the world.
#39 by Jonathan on 11.02.07 10:45 am |
Virginia Tech’s Nike swooshes were drawn on by trainer Mike Goforth (as explained by Sean Glennon and Frank Beamer during their postgame radio interviews). Beamer said Goforth was their main Nike contact and just wanted to make sure there was no contract violation or anything. Glennon also mentioned that had his replacement jersey arrived at halftime he would not have made the switch because he was playing well. Beamer noted that Taylor didn’t switch “as a sign of solidarity with his fellow quarterback”. Also, during the game a few GT fans attempted to steal the Hokies’ lunch pail (the symbol of the defense). They made it back to the stands, only to be tackled by the police. They’re just lucky it wasn’t Vince Hall
#40 by Paul P on 11.02.07 10:46 am |
Phil’s got to do something about this. Second time I’ve seen way too much of his legs this year in a photo.
http://us.i1.yimg.co...
#41 by Rich on 11.02.07 10:47 am |
God forbid those jerseys go without Nike swooshes! Quick, draw ‘em in!
#42 by Tricia on 11.02.07 10:49 am |
Theoren Fleury briefly wore a fan’s jersey on the bench of a game. He had bled all over his game jersey, and was standing on the bench without one. A fan took off his jersey, threw it over the glass, and Fleury put it on.
I have read a longer version of the article where he says he didn’t actually wear it in the game, but it did happen briefly.
Down Near the Bottom
#43 by douglas on 11.02.07 10:50 am |
yes it did happen between Marseille and Auxerre last month. Both teams color is white but Marseille forgot to bring their away kits. Fair play should be the hosts to change their color but instead they handed the opponent their brown away kit. It was funny how peope first thought Djibril Cissé was back with his former team, Auxerre.
#44 by Eriq Jaffe on 11.02.07 10:51 am |
I remember, back in the old days of ESPN when they used to show Canadian Football League games, players would wear these temporary vest-like number plates over their regular jerseys to denote that they were lining up as eligible for a given play. Darned if I can find any pictures of ‘em, but they must be out there somewhere.
#45 by Bdawg on 11.02.07 10:52 am |
I was at the game last night and was sitting in the upper deck and it took me a while to figure out they were actually wearing GT away jerseys. From a distance they just looked like VT jerseys that had been altered.
#46 by College Kid on 11.02.07 10:53 am |
When you’re facing a fee of a few thousand dollars for NOT showing the Swoosh, you’ll draw them on.
Not sure what VT’s contract with Nike is, but ours is pretty strict. I’m just a student manager so I don’t know the details, but we could have a Nike rep drop in at any time and if anyone is wearing Adidas or Reebok or Russell or another big brand out at practice or on the sidelines, Nike can pull all their products from us immediately. And tack on fees for covering up swooshes, including shoe swooshes covered by spat jobs.
#47 by Marty Met on 11.02.07 10:55 am |
Must have been a 7 or 8 year old kid that gave the sweater to Theo
#48 by josh's twin on 11.02.07 10:56 am |
Great picture here I would love to see them wear these as throwbacks. I loved these uni’s!
I’m a steelers fan but these the bucs orange unis were the best in the nfl at the time.
Nothing says 0-28 quite like “Bruce the Pirate”.
#49 by Broker75 on 11.02.07 10:59 am |
That’s the best idea I’ve heard in years, regarding the Bucs. I bet Chucky loves’em too.
#50 by Paul P on 11.02.07 10:59 am |
John Buccingros from espn.com got the following e-mail from reebok regarding the jersey issue in the NHL:
“After working with NHL players, teams and equipment managers to gather feedback on the Rbk Edge uniform system, Reebok has decided to provide an alternative jersey to the players who request it.
“Many NHL players are satisfied with the current Rbk Edge jersey, but since the start of the season, we have received player feedback about the jersey’s moisture management and durability. Based on this feedback, Reebok will provide players with the option to wear a version with slight sizing and fabrication adjustments.
AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
Since Marty Turco, left, and Sidney Crosby unveiled the NHL’s new unis at last season’s All-Star weekend, there have been mixed reviews.
“In the alternate version, one fabric has been replaced with an air-knit fabric and the bead-away water repellency technology has been removed. Both jerseys will continue to offer up to four performance materials, including Reebok’s PlayDry moisture-wicking technology and a stretch mesh for increased range of motion and ventilation.
“There will be no visual difference between the jerseys. The newly designed comfort necklines, jersey cut lines, anatomical fit and team designs will remain identical. Retail versions of the jersey also will remain unchanged.
“Reebok has taken this customized approach with other sports, providing multiple cuts of jerseys to professional athletes based on their individual preferences and performance needs.
“The performance benefits of the Rbk Edge uniform system were proven during testing last season with 28 of 30 NHL teams. We are pleased that overall player feedback has been very positive. We will continue to work with NHL players to ensure they have the best hockey uniform possible.”
David Baxter
President, Sports Licensed Division
#51 by al on 11.02.07 11:02 am |
Met Marty, (I ‘m assuming you might be from Long Island as a good met fan might be) Shame on your for not recognizing ex’Net Rich ‘House’ Jones. and he appears to be wearing a Bullet’s Road uniform, not an inside out uniform.
#52 by al on 11.02.07 11:05 am |
Said WC uniform snafu occured in the 1978 tornament held in my native Argentina. The venue was Mar Del Plata. France didn’t have their alt kit (or whatever) and had to borrow the kit of local Club Kimberley (green/white stripes), shades of the 1934 Sneaker Game.
#53 by Jim on 11.02.07 11:05 am |
Is anybody else disappointed that the Casper Ghosts didn’t actually use Casper the Friendly Ghost as their logo?
#54 by Joe Drennan on 11.02.07 11:09 am |
What he needs to do is zip up his breezer pant leg. Here in MN it’s a high school rule that any player wearing their brezzers like that gets a penalty and could be ejected from the game for wearing inproper equipment.
#55 by Broker75 on 11.02.07 11:10 am |
I’m glad I missed the VT incident from last night, too disturbing and I wouldn’t have slept. Those pranksters were two days late, after all Devils Night is October 30th.
#56 by DJ on 11.02.07 11:13 am |
Said WC uniform snafu occured in the 1978 tornament held in my native Argentina. The venue was Mar Del Plata. France didn’t have their alt kit (or whatever) and had to borrow the kit of local Club Kimberley (green/white stripes), shades of the 1934 Sneaker Game.
FIFA required one team to wear a dark-colored jersey and the other to wear a light-colored one (because of black-and-white TV) as recently as the 2002 World Cup. There, when Brazil and Germany reached the Final, they figured that color TV was prevalent enough so that both teams could wear their primary jerseys (Brazil in yellow, Germany in white).
#57 by al on 11.02.07 11:14 am |
ugh… i was so proud of myself for ‘admonishing Marty for the unnamed Spur and then three posts later I come to find out that the nameless Spur was in fact Mike Gale… i’m gutted.
While Jones’ and Gale’s ‘Fros are quite similar.. the lession here is old, tried & true Read all posts first before writing…. sorry .
#58 by BobA on 11.02.07 11:15 am |
And speaking of “inked in” swooshes..
#59 by Mike Edgerly on 11.02.07 11:16 am |
It’ll never happen, Derrick Brooks wanted them for last Thanksgiving but was voted down.
Speaking of Bucco Bruce, hey Paul, where’s the interview with Frankie Pupello?
#60 by douglas on 11.02.07 11:17 am |
Speaking of manufacturer and contract, there was a Story about Fulham FC and other clubs wearing Airness uniforms. As the supplier was late, and with the ne season starting, they had to practice in their former uniforms, and cover up the logo. However, by mid season, you could still see the staff wearing Nike training tops, and guess who’s outfitting Fulham this year… I’ll try to find the article but in some cases, Airness was so late that the teams went to their former supplier so they could manufacture the new kits and later on add the airness logo. Crazy!
#61 by Matt D on 11.02.07 11:21 am |
My High School baseball team had velcro nameplates like that, which allowed the jerseys to be reused over and over.
#62 by Chance on 11.02.07 11:22 am |
According to the Chris Creamer boards, they do have alt logos with Casper the Friendly Ghost, just not yet unveiled.
#63 by Kevin Corley on 11.02.07 11:23 am |
One last thing, for now: Lots of readers have asked if anything like this has ever happened before. I’m honestly unsure — there are plenty of examples of players wearing someone else’s number, like the MJ example cited above, but I’m not sure about players wearing their opponents’ jerseys — that might be a first. If anyone knows more, this is definitely a topic for further research.
I thought I remembered a Uniwatch entry a year ago or so about a college basketball team somewhere in the midwest (Kansas, Kentucky, ???) where they forgot their jerseys or brought only one color set and the home team had the same color so the home team loaned the visitors practice or away jerseys.
Or am I making that up?
#64 by Kent on 11.02.07 11:25 am |
Going back to wiffle ball:
I think they should do an Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. They would be the parking lot next to the field.
#65 by Shane on 11.02.07 11:25 am |
I was always confused as to why Chris Coleman was wearing Nike gear in interviews. Thanks for that post.
#66 by todd krevanchi on 11.02.07 11:25 am |
as a right of passage, most ekins get swoosh tattoos on their person somewhere.
#67 by Trekkie on 11.02.07 11:25 am |
I can’t find the story now, but in the mid 1910’s the Cincinnati Reds trainer forgot to load the teams uniforms for a trip to Chicago. The Cubs offered to loan the Reds their away uniforms, but the Reds instead were able to borrow uniforms and shoes from the Chicago White Sox.
#68 by Marty Met on 11.02.07 11:26 am |
Nope. New Jersey. Originally from Toronto.
#69 by Perry on 11.02.07 11:28 am |
Haven’t had any luck finding a pic of Michigan State wearing Ohio State’s road jerseys, but I think I have an exact date — Jan. 30, 1971. I remembered it was a year that OSU went unbeaten on the road in the Big 10, making their road JERSEYS undefeated in all road games plus one home game! Anyway I checked the game-by-game records on OSU’s website and 1970-71 was the season, and Jan. 30 the night they played MSU at home. I didn’t remember this, but it was their only conference loss, period, that season. Anyway, maybe having the date will help someone find a pic.
#70 by scott on 11.02.07 11:33 am |
At the 1992 All-Star game warmups (home run hitting contest, maybe?), John Kruk had to wear Leo Mazzone’s Braves uniform because Kruk and Darren Daulton’s Phillies uniforms had been shipped back:
http://bigfool.com/k...
#71 by Wahoo on 11.02.07 11:33 am |
That is because they go to VPI&SU. More intelligent people go to other schools.
Wahoo-wa
#72 by Josh on 11.02.07 11:34 am |
There is always a lot of Orange and Bucco Bruce at Bucs home games. It is always nice to see. Problem is the Glaziers hate the old unis and refuse to let us break them out. They would not even let the old colors be used on licensed merchandise until 2 or 3 years ago. I guess they finally saw the dollar signs…
#73 by Shane on 11.02.07 11:39 am |
And yet the first new Man United jersey under their ownership was a throwback to 1957…heh.
#74 by Perry on 11.02.07 11:40 am |
Here’s a link to a news account, at least:
http://tinyurl.com/2...
#75 by u2horn on 11.02.07 11:40 am |
It is a roadie, but it’s also inside out–no bullets and no number visible
#76 by Brian W on 11.02.07 11:47 am |
When I was a freshman at ND (1988), the ND hoops team was playing Univ of Houston. The Univ of Houston uniforms arrived late, and they played the first half in a different color ND uniform, making for an “intersquad game” kind of look.
I guess the jerseys made it by halftime, because in the 2nd half, they wore their correct uniforms.
#77 by Greg V. on 11.02.07 11:52 am |
You would think that if Goforth was the Nike contract man at VT he would know which way to draw the stupid swoosh.
And speaking of stupid corporate branding, I have a question for the hockey fans. I saw a Dick’s commercial for the Reebok Edge uniforms on TV and they are repeatedly referred to as RBK Edge. The tags say RBK too. Is there any significance to “RBK” vs. “Reebok”?
#78 by dm00n on 11.02.07 11:56 am |
The details:
From here.
#79 by dm00n on 11.02.07 11:59 am |
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
(emphasis added)
#80 by dm00n on 11.02.07 11:59 am |
Opp, AJC link.
#81 by Bryce on 11.02.07 12:02 pm |
Paul,
Regarding Amare’s NOB, either you or the jersey spelled his last name wrong. You have it Stoudamire, they have it Stoudemire. I hope you are correct and the jersey is wrong….
#82 by dm00n on 11.02.07 12:04 pm |
Apparently there is a hockey off-shoot called ringette. Canada has a women’s national team and they wear pink. The article didn’t make it sound like it was a special occasion thing.
#83 by Broker75 on 11.02.07 12:07 pm |
A couple of reasons for posting this pic
1) the red 37 on McAmmond’s glove looks sharp.
2) read the passage and spot the spelling mistake from espn..”Atlanta Thrashers Jim Slater comes from behind during first period HNL hockey action at….”
#84 by Ian K on 11.02.07 12:08 pm |
Oh Alan, you have struck a chord with me here!
To answer, yes, absolutely. There is no bigger TV whore than my alma mater, TCU. We have played a game on every day of the week at some point in the last 7 years. TCU is 9-9 overall in non-Saturday games since 2001, 8 at home, 10 on the road. This comes partly from playing in mid-major conferences like CUSA and Mountain West, but mainly because TCU will play anytime to get on national TV, like a 5pm kick on a Thursday. Who can go to that??
I don’t know how boosters put up with that, especially those that pay thousands of dollars to tailgate 8 Saturdays a year, but then lose a day when their school decides a Tuesday night game vs. East Carolina on ESPN2 is better for the program. Gag me. I understand that TCU will never be Texas, will never be A&M, and we’ll never replace Baylor in the Big 12. I’ve come to terms with it. Now just play on Saturday to make everyone happy. Ok I’m done now.
#85 by sleepyfloyd on 11.02.07 12:08 pm |
Did my best to find a photo, but no dice.
I distinctly remember an NBA all-star game (I think in Orlando), where David Robinson’s warm up jacket did not arrive, and he and another player wore Orlando Magic warm-ups for the introduction.
Anyone else remember that?
#86 by phil on 11.02.07 12:10 pm |
Not the greatest example in athletes in opponents’ jerseys, since it is NASCAR, but Richard Petty buying into the World 600 (now the Coca-Cola 600) in 1985 since he missed the race, driving a #6 car owned by D.K. Ulrich, instead of the famous STP #43 owned by himself and Mike Curb.
The #6 car he ran that day:
#87 by dm00n on 11.02.07 12:11 pm |
It is Black Friday in Troy, NY and Blue Friday in Indianapolis.
#88 by phil on 11.02.07 12:13 pm |
oops.. new to this. i need to learn this crap.
Petty’s #6 he ran that day.
http://tinyurl.com/y...
Petty’s 1985 #43
http://tinyurl.com/2...
#89 by Shane on 11.02.07 12:21 pm |
Apparently DC United was doing the whole “blackout” thing last night, too.
#90 by Tuffy on 11.02.07 12:22 pm |
1) Why didn’t the Blue Claws reverse image their new secondary logo so that the claw would actually form the letter “C”? Would that be so hard?
2) I scrolled through the comments quickly, so I didn’t see it (though it may be there):
Remember Lou Whitaker’s missing jersey at the MLB All-Star game in Mpls (1985?) — he bought a souvenir jersey and sharpie-d his number on the back.
#91 by Philly Bill on 11.02.07 12:36 pm |
There’s a photo of it linked up there someplace.
I’m not a Bucs fan, but I do own a creamsicle-orange t-shirt with an ENORMOUS “Bucco Bruce” logo on the front. It’s hellaciously ugly. I love it.
#92 by dm00n on 11.02.07 12:43 pm |
The introductions for the 1992 All-Star Game in Orlando are on youtube (here and continued here).
Everyone wears the correct team warm-ups except Clyde Drexler, Reggie Lewis, and David Robinson. They just get introduced in the All Star uniform. Dominique Wilkins is introduced in some sort of non-team looking Reebok tracksuit, but he is behind the bench and it doesn’t appear he is dressed for the game.
It does look like some players might have been wearing Magic gear in the pre-game warm-ups, but they focus mainly on following around Jordan and Magic Johnson.
#93 by Kevin on 11.02.07 12:48 pm |
The Blue Claws probably thought it would be too similar to the Columbus Catfish cap logo and since they both play in the SAL that would be bad.
#94 by BCrisp on 11.02.07 12:48 pm |
I’ve been doing some resaerch on that green Astros jersey.
J.R.Richards played for the Astros from 1971-1980, and the team only wore that font during his career from 1975-1980. So far I haven’t found a record of these uniforms in that time. So far all I can find is this 1978 green jersey Obviously different from the e-bay jersey.
#95 by Ray on 11.02.07 12:48 pm |
Don’t like the NBA or the Wizards but you can’t complain about this treatment of a uni…
http://sportsillustr...
#96 by Joe H on 11.02.07 12:50 pm |
Man…in meetings all morning and I miss all of this great stuff!
Last night’s VT jersey situation is a prime example of why EVERY team should have a heat press and a set of standard vinyl letters for emergencies. There is no excuse for hand drawn letters.
#97 by Broker75 on 11.02.07 12:56 pm |
I wonder what the outcome would’ve been if this were to happen in the stingy NFL.
#98 by mrlumpy on 11.02.07 1:01 pm |
Believe it or not, I’m pretty sure it was a woman who handed her jersey over the glass.
#99 by bobwool on 11.02.07 1:03 pm |
Paging through SI this week and saw an article on Alberto Salazar. “Cool”, I thought, “wonder what he’s doing now.” That was as far as I got - the 2nd page of the article had a huge side portrait of him and prominently tattooed on his upper left arm is the swoosh. Ugh.
#100 by Jonathan on 11.02.07 1:04 pm |
One additional comment, while being recruited, Sean Glennon’s top two choices: Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, how many guys can say they’ve worn the jersey’s of their top two choices in actual game action?
#101 by Christopher on 11.02.07 1:07 pm |
I don’t think this has been asked yet…
How did their jerseys not arrive, but their helmets, and especially pants, get there on time?
Wouldn’t the pants and jerseys always pretty much be in the same place?
#102 by baude on 11.02.07 1:08 pm |
Vintage Hockey Goalie Masks
Look at the links at the right for vintage replicas. I was looking for a new mask for myslef (a Mage, a la Tim Thomas) and I thought you all might like to look at some of the old mask designs. There is also a funny video of a mask being tested using on of the links on the left.
#103 by Joe B on 11.02.07 1:09 pm |
Last night i was watching the game at work and noticed the jerseys. it took me a few minutes to realize the scope of the events and point it out to my co-workers. somebody immediately said “Thats gonna be on Uni-Watch tomorrow!”
anybody else need proof of God’s existence?
#104 by Mark in Shiga on 11.02.07 1:10 pm |
Alan, I can explain this one to you.
Japanese high school teams don’t have numbers sewn on to them, in part because schools usually don’t cut guys and so you’d have some very high numbers (not that this is unheard of even at the pro level).
What happens is that only the people actually eligible to participate in a given game get numbers. In the national tournament, the roster is only 15 or 16 players, so fabric squares printed with 1 through 16 are issued to those players.
In principle, the nine starters