New ESPN column today — here’s the link.
Meanwhile: While the rest of the baseball world focused on the hot stove league, the real story was on the uniform scene, where MLB exec Bob Watson announced “the Francona Rule,” which according to Watson means, “You can only wear your uniform top or jacket.” In a truly inspired elaboration that will go down as the uni-related quote of the year, Watson added, “You can’t wear your nightshirt, or whatever it is. You can wear it before games, or after games, but not during games. You have to have your uniform top at all times.”
Watson’s commentary on sleepwear notwithstanding, this means no more sweatshirt for Francona (among others), no more smock for John Gibbons, and I think Buck Showalter just cancelled his latest comeback plans.
There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation about this story and the history surrounding it. I can’t clear up all of that confusion, but I can help with some of it, FAQ-style:
Didn’t MLB and Francona butt heads over this issue a few months ago?
Yes, back in August.
So if they were already enforcing the rule then, why did they have to enact a new rule now?
Good question.
Doesn’t the rulebook already require the manager to wear a uniform, at least if he leaves the dugout and goes onto the field of play?
No. Rule 3.15 states: “No person shall be allowed on the playing field during a game except players and coaches in uniform, managers, news photographers authorized by the home team, umpires, officers of the law in uniform and watchmen or other employees of the home club.” Note that the “in uniform” stipulation is applied to coaches but not to managers.
On the other hand, I recently came across this page, which tells the story of how two beat reporters — George Lederer and Phli Collier — managed a Dodgers intrasquad game during spring training in 1964. Lederer actually donned a Dodgers uniform, but Collier skippered in civvies (you can see them both here). As the account of the game then explains:
Collier, dressed in street clothes … broke the rules when he charged onto the field to argue an umpire’s decision at second base. At this stage of the game, with the score still 1-1, Lederer was sharp enough to remind the umpires that Collier had no right to be on the field.
So this suggests that non-uniformed managers were understood to be barred from the field of play at least as early as 1964, even if the rulebook doesn’t specify this. Why? In going back over my research files, I found a 2005 listserv post by Frank Vaccaro of the Society for American Baseball Research that may shed some light on the subject:
Nearly all non-playing managers before 1900 wore civilian clothes. … [T]here was a [National League] rule in place from 1879 to 1891 preventing non-playing managers from appearing on the field. This was referred to as the “Harry Wright rule.” After he won the championship in 1878 — his sixth in seven years — this rule passed, I suppose, to give other teams a chance. Wright used to stand on the sidelines shouting orders to his players: “WAIT” to take pitches and “FACING” to hit to the opposite field, as well as the names of players who should catch flies, etc. Other teams were in a panic.
So the “Terry Francona rule” is apparently the latest version of the 128-year-old “Harry Wright rule.” I have a feeling Bob Watson doesn’t know this.
Why do managers wear uniforms anyway?
In baseball’s early days, many managers were also active players, and player/managers persisted longer than most people realize. There were three three of them as recently as the 1970s (Frank Robinson, Don Kessenger, and Joe Torre), and one in the 1980s (Pete Rose).
But Connie Mack wore a suit while managing, didn’t he?
Yes. Mack’s a bit of a red herring, though — he owned the A’s, so he wore a suit in large part because he saw himself as a businessman/executive type and dressed accordingly. For a broader analysis, let’s turn once again to Frank Vacarro’s 2005 SABR listserv post:
[T]he interesting question is “How did baseball managers evolve to become the only team leaders in sports with the tradition of wearing the team uniform?” The answer is four-fold. Nearly all managers in the 1890s were playing managers, but a 1900-1920 manager could manage in civilian clothes if:
1) He embraced the style created by the [Harry Wright rule].
2) He wanted to exude the authority of a magnate.
3) He did not want to play or to appear as a base coach.
4) He had never played baseball professionally.
By 1940 these reasons became archaic. The 1880s NL style was forgotten; managers “like magnates” did poorly; teams carried enough coaches (and players — roster sizes grew) to do all delegatable tasks; and all managers had at least some professional playing experience. Offsetting these [factors] were the layout of the grass and the diamond and the fact that a manager could participate, on any corner of the field, in pre-game activities that were low on effort but high on skill, such as hitting grounders or fungos, bullpen catching, or even pitching BP. All these contrast sharply with activities high on athleticism that characterize pre-game practice in the other sports. It’s sometimes said, rightly or wrongly, that baseball is more a game than a sport.
For good measure, Vacarro provided a list of 20th-century managers who skippered in civvies (an asterisk indicates that the manager was known to don a uniform on occasion):
• Bob Allen, Reds, 1900
• Connie Mack, A’s, 1901-1950
• Horace Fogel, Giants, 1902
• Tom Loftus, Senators, 1902-1903
• Bill Armour, Indians, 1902-1904; Tigers, 1905-1906
• Frank Selee, Cubs, 1902-1905
• Ed Barrow, Tigers, 1903-1904; Red Sox, 1918-1920
• John McClosky, Cardinals, 1906-1908*
• Hank O’Day, Reds, 1912; Cubs, 1914
• George Stallings, Braves, 1913-1920
• Hugo Bezdek, Pirates, 1917-1919
• Clark Griffith, Nationals, 1917-1920*
• Branch Rickey, Cardinals, 1919-1925*
• John McGraw, Giants, 1921-1932* (although he usually wore a uniform prior to 1921)
• Wilbert Robinson, Dodgers 1928-1931*
• Burt Shotton, Dodgers, 1947-1950* (additional pics here, here, here, and here, plus here’s one of his game-worn dugout jackets)
It’s not clear how many of these skippers, if any, went onto the field of play during a game, but this photo shows Hank O’Day wearing spikes with his suit while managing the Cubs, suggesting that he went onto the field at some point.
But MLB doesn’t want Francona wearing a pullover even in the dugout. So when did not wearing a full uniform go from being rare to being banned?
I haven’t figured that part out yet.
Couldn’t MLB have avoided this whole mess with Francona if they hadn’t created so many different kinds of officially licensed outerwear for him and other managers to try on?
Gee, what do you think?
Membership Update: Remember, today is the last day for ordering a gift membership at discounted holiday rates.
Today’s showcase card is based on the “shineboy,” the shirt worn by Alpha Phi Omega members when they run the Texas flag onto the field before Texas Longhorns football games.
Beantown Reminder: Uni Watch party tomorrow, 8:30 p.m., at Boston Beer Works. The gathering got a little preview write-up in today’s Boston Herald, plus Randy Moss is gonna stop by and explain why he keeps wearing those upside-down 8s, so come by and join us.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Wisconsin wore their long-awaited throwbacks on Monday night, and man did they look sweet, although it turns out that the beat writer for Madison’s Capital Times totally Doesn’t Get It™ (with thanks to Nicole Haase). … Expect to see lots of NBA throwbacks beginning this Friday. Details here. … Duke guard DeMarcus Nelson is wearing some interesting kicks. Details here (with thanks to intern emeritus Vince Grzegorek). … Awesome female Black Fives photo and info here. … Spectacular discovery by Jared Wheeler, who found a shot of Magic Johnson from the 1980 NBA All-Star Game with two initials on his NOB! … Jeff Meyers, who works for the independent Ft. Worth Cats, informs me that the team has a cat eyes alternate jersey. Look closely and you’ll see that the pupils actually spell out “F” and “W.”
#1 by ryan c #40 on 12.05.07 8:08 am |
WOW! Early one today Paul! Sweet!
#2 by Todd on 12.05.07 8:12 am |
With all the talk about manager’s uniforms, how about a round of applause for Bobby Cox, who wears a full uniform, complete with stirrups AND spikes for every single game.
for example
#3 by LI Phil on 12.05.07 8:13 am |
don imus unavailable for comment
#4 by Robert on 12.05.07 8:15 am |
I can’t tell whether I prefer the featureless cowhead on Texas’ helmets or the faced cow on the Alpha Phi Omega shirts.
#5 by scott on 12.05.07 8:29 am |
Are they really calling this “The Francona Rule”?
#6 by Kyle K. on 12.05.07 8:38 am |
Those cat eyes look more like bra cups from a distance. Could be somewhat weird for some of their heavier players.
#7 by LI Phil on 12.05.07 8:44 am |
i liken the ‘francona rule’ to the pine tar incident: in that it’s a stupid rule, but a rule nonetheless
i don’t think francona (or any coach) should be “barred” from wearing a smock…BUT…he MUST have his full uni on underneath
i think they were busting tito’s chops not because of the nightshirt itself (many coaches have been flouting this “rule” for a while) but the fact that francona feels his ‘circulation’ *coughbullshitcough* problems deem him above having to wear the full uni
#8 by And He’d Better Not Wear That Stocking Cap, Either · Gift Card News and Deals on 12.05.07 8:49 am |
[…] Original post by Photo-Frames.net - Best Frames For Your Photos […]
#9 by marc on 12.05.07 8:50 am |
that was a really interesting, well researched story. Good job. As a baseball coach myself, I always wondered that. I always figured wearing anything other than a uniform would look silly. A suit would get dirty on the field
#10 by ryan c #40 on 12.05.07 8:58 am |
Did anybody catch the wings vs. habs game last night? Late in the game they did a quick shot of the fans. There were 2 guys standing, clapping (I think it was right after the Zetterberg goal). Well, one had the traditional red wings jersey… one, no joke, had a BLUE red wings jersey with totally red sleeves. Lol. I didn’t get a screen shot! And I’m SURE it wasn’t a canadiens jersey!!!
Also, at the Steelers game Sunday night, I saw a lady wearing a Steelers jersey with like every classic number in Steelers history. They were the size of the tv numbers and ran horizontal around the jersey like a stripe (with no spaces or separation between the numbers)!
And lastly, I went to the Penguins game Monday night and saw, by far, the WORST knock-off Crosby jersey I’ve ever seen! Unless the guy did it as a joke, Crosby’s name was vertically arched on the back (much like the red wings do), and the numbers were totally the wrong font/text… I threw up in my mouth…
And, amazingly (not amazingly, i’m kind of a tool), not one picture from me! I’m kind of a new member so this won’t happen in the future! Ha-ha. Well…
#11 by Boston Nick on 12.05.07 9:06 am |
I’m hoping I can stop by the UniWatch meet for a second on Thursday, but unfortunately, the second job prevents me from knowing for sure, and if I do, I’ll be wearing the mediocre (at best) uniform of Night Owl Deliveries, rather than the likely choice of a BU alternate (complete with ketchup stains, and unfortunate addition considering I don’t like ketchup and never use it on food…at least on a hockey jersey it kinda looks like a blood stain, and that’s completely acceptable).
#12 by mg12 on 12.05.07 9:17 am |
Another report of Wisconsin suing a school for use of their trademarked “W”. This time it is Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
article
Washburn Helmet
#13 by Eriq Jaffe on 12.05.07 9:17 am |
I wonder what MLB would make of Don Cooper’s short-sleeved windbreaker thing, as it’s not the standard dugout jacket, but it’s not a jersey either, although it does have his number on the back. I haven’t seen another coach wearing that same style, and Coop’s been wearing it for years now.
#14 by Cosmo on 12.05.07 9:22 am |
GREAT socks on display at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last night:
http://omg.yahoo.com...
#15 by Stuby on 12.05.07 9:23 am |
The USA Today Sports section today dedicates 2 1/2 pages to the artwork on goalie masks. I haven’t had a chance to read it all, but it looks pretty interesting.
The most disturbing mask: Dallas Stars goalie Mike Smith with a Garth Brooks homage.
#16 by Stuby on 12.05.07 9:25 am |
The USA Today article is also online.
#17 by Mark in Shiga on 12.05.07 9:29 am |
Just imagine how cool Hank O’Day would have looked managing the 1914 Cubs in his suit, but with the now-wildly-popular road cap of the fantastic 1914 road uniform.
Perhaps that cap was too cute-looking for a man of his age to wear.
#18 by todd krevanchi on 12.05.07 9:32 am |
nelson has been wearing xii’s for years now. i dont know why this is only being mentioned now.
you want serious heat? go out to the galen center where oj majo is wearing a pair of id zoom kobe ii’s with the personalization “juice mayo”,
or head to the nba where a bunch of guys in the nike stable are wearing some nice aj viii PE’s. basically its the same bunch of guys who at the end of last year wore aj v PE’s.
#19 by Greg on 12.05.07 9:34 am |
How about instead of worrying about managers, the MLB get the players to button up their shirts and not look like they just crawled out of bed.
#20 by Shaeff on 12.05.07 9:41 am |
That longhorn card makes me a little sick to my stomach. In fact, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
To make this Uni related, Can’t we all agree that Maroon is a far superior color to burnt orange??
#21 by todd krevanchi on 12.05.07 9:41 am |
Couldn’t MLB have avoided this whole mess with Francona if they hadn’t created so many different kinds of officially licensed outerwear for him and other managers to try on?
Gee, what do you think?
anything can be licensed to sell, but not everything can be approved for on-field use.
approving certain garments as appropriate on-field gear beyond the uniform, and then saying that you cant wear it is a bit hypocritical, no?
#22 by Chance on 12.05.07 9:43 am |
It isn’t either/or.
Perhaps this is the start of MLB actually enforcing uniform regulations across the board. He’s to hoping.
#23 by John on 12.05.07 9:46 am |
Are you serious about Randy Moss?
#24 by Paul Lukas on 12.05.07 9:50 am |
Here’s what I want for Christmas: I want people to come up with new terms for “tool” and “threw up in my mouth,” both of which I hope never to see in the comments section ever again.
#25 by todd krevanchi on 12.05.07 9:54 am |
adding to that list,
the singular and plural forms of
monstrosity
abomination
#26 by Stuby on 12.05.07 9:57 am |
Are ‘God-awful’ and ‘eyesore’ still OK?
#27 by Paul on 12.05.07 9:58 am |
I think this rule is stupid. I’ve coached high school and JUCO ball and 90 percent(including myself) dont wear jerseys. In fact, I’ve gone entire seasons without putting on my jersey while coaching. There was a similar issue in college baseball a couple years ago. They made it a rule that you had to wear a jersey in order to coach the bases. In fact, Tony Gwynn got ejected from a game because of it. I think they decided to get rid of the rule for the upcoming season.
#28 by Robin on 12.05.07 10:04 am |
*Standing ovation*
Most overused phrases ever, maybe second only to “Overrated”
#29 by Mike Engle on 12.05.07 10:09 am |
All I want for Christmas is some good Chinese food with my friends.
Happy Hanukkah, everybody!
#30 by Paul Lukas on 12.05.07 10:10 am |
OK, I know I started it, but now I’m also going to end it: Let’s not turn today’s discussion into a running gripe session about the quality of the dialogue. Thanks.
#31 by Paul Lukas on 12.05.07 10:12 am |
Whoa, major oversight on my part — Happy Hanukkah indeed!
#32 by LI Phil on 12.05.07 10:14 am |
and festivus for the rest of us ;)
#33 by Matt Powers on 12.05.07 10:16 am |
nelson has been wearing xii’s for years now. i dont know why this is only being mentioned now.
you want serious heat? go out to the galen center where oj majo is wearing a pair of id zoom kobe ii’s with the personalization “juice mayo”,
or head to the nba where a bunch of guys in the nike stable are wearing some nice aj viii PE’s. basically its the same bunch of guys who at the end of last year wore aj v PE’s.
Todd, Nelson has been wearing the Blue XIII’s since he’s been at Duke. I don’t care for Mayo but his shoe game is noticeable. Your name sounds familiar, but if you want to check out some serious PE’s check out my former favorite site:
http://niketalk.yuku...
#34 by Rick on 12.05.07 10:19 am |
Uh … no. Burnt Orange is lots better than moron. :)
#35 by todd krevanchi on 12.05.07 10:25 am |
yeah, i know about that site. i helped start it in 1999 as 1 of the original 4 administrators(check out the uri on my name)
#36 by Marty Met on 12.05.07 10:25 am |
They are when discussing the Yankees uniforms
#37 by Beefalo on 12.05.07 10:26 am |
Interesting to see that Chris Osgood had to put red tape over the old Cooper logo on the forehead and a Nike/Bauer logo sticker over the front Cooper logo on his helmet. (Its picture 10 in the sequence.)
Man, seeing Nike/Bauer stickers on his helmet made me throw up in my mouth a little…jeez, he is such an overrated tool! (sorry, Paul, should have resisted but couldn’t–I’ll go to my room now.)
#38 by Paul Lukas on 12.05.07 10:26 am |
Today’s ESPN column is up.
#39 by Jim on 12.05.07 10:26 am |
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth….
#40 by devin on 12.05.07 10:29 am |
There are two ways to make Maroon:
Take Burnt Orange and burn it more
OR - (the Aggie way)
Take purple and add black. That should be a UniWatch sin.
#41 by scott on 12.05.07 10:37 am |
Don’t care much for the Fort Worth Cats “cat eyes” jersey, but their regular cap is one of the best in the minor leagues because it hearkens back to what the team wore in the 1940s and 1950s as a Dodgers affiliate:
http://www.fwcatssto...
It’s such a classy look.
#42 by rc on 12.05.07 10:41 am |
Most of the top European soccer league manangers wear suits on the field, and it does not seem that a baseball field in the summer is any dirtier than a wet pitch in England in November.
Jose Mourinho
Now with that said, I couldn’t imagine how weird it woudl look for a baseball manager to wear a suit. The baseball managers uniform is ingrained in our society.
#43 by ampersand on 12.05.07 10:44 am |
it’s a happy/sad day for the detroit tigers…it looks like brandon inge and his socks are on the way out as willis and cabrera move in with their jammy pants. sigh.
#44 by LI Phil on 12.05.07 10:45 am |
absolutely OUTSTANDING holiday gift column today paul…i want it all and i want it now
im guessing, however that some will not see the humor in this shirt, which you identified as the perfect chanukkah gift…couple that with a “afros” or “stacks” cap and let the holiday merriment begin
#45 by Rich on 12.05.07 10:48 am |
Great, now that the managers’ uniform issues are taken care of, all MLB has to do is require players to wear THEIR uniforms properly. Pants UP, socks AND stirrups, instead of this garbage.
#46 by GoTerriers on 12.05.07 10:55 am |
Actually it’s an even swap . . . Dontrelle wears ‘em high.
No stirrups, though . . .
#47 by Justin B on 12.05.07 10:56 am |
All I want for Christmas is this. Perhaps signed by the person in the photo. Great Article Paul.
#48 by Dane on 12.05.07 11:05 am |
Yeah, these “Greats of the Century” jerseys need to disappear. Like, yesterday.
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
Especially when they pick players from 4 DIFFERENT teams!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
#49 by Rick on 12.05.07 11:05 am |
I think that is a fairly recent development in soccer. I know that the UEFA’s champions league now requires managers to wear suites during European cup games. However some 10 to 15 years ago it most of them would wear warm-up/training sweat while coaching, at least in the Dutch league.
But pretty much anything was okay then. I remember a manager in the German Bundesliga who would wear jeans and a leather jacket for every game. And Jackie Charlton coached the Ireland national team at the European championships in 1988 wearing the same shorts his players were wearing, and even donned soccer shoes.
Soccer seems to go in the opposite direction from baseball, I think. But then again, when a soccer coach ever gets onto the playing field/pitch during a game, inappropriate clothing is the least of his problems. He’s probably going to be ejected anyway.
#50 by skott daltonic on 12.05.07 11:05 am |
perfect gift for paul:
http://www.machetemf...
#51 by Paul P on 12.05.07 11:06 am |
Is Randy Moss really going to Boston Beer Works tomorrow night? Plan on going anyway, but man that would be cool…
#52 by mj on 12.05.07 11:06 am |
with the discussion of numbers on baseball pants last week, here is a photo of an LSU player in the the early 60s
http://images.pictop...
http://images.pictop...
#53 by Mike on 12.05.07 11:08 am |
The Ft. Worth jersey is my new favorite in any league.
#54 by Mike on 12.05.07 11:09 am |
Haha people, people…OBVIOUSLY a joke.
#55 by Duckstyle on 12.05.07 11:11 am |
Washburn Helmet
It’s official, Wisconsin has nothing better to do then sue people. This logo isn’t the same. Is it a W, yes, but that’s about it. Do they plan on sueing the president for all the W bumper stickers now too. UW’s legal department is a joke.
#56 by My name is not Earl on 12.05.07 11:14 am |
Last night, UT-Chattanooga wore its road black uniforms at home against Tennessee. UT-Knoxville wore its road orange jerseys. Not quite as bad as that game where the Vols wore orange and West Virginia wore gold, but I think the NCAA needs to adopt a rule like the high school governing body and mandate that that the home team in a basketball game must wear white.
#57 by Nick on 12.05.07 11:15 am |
Those FtW Cats unis are unfortunate for a baseball team, not so much in other arenas.
#58 by My name is not Earl on 12.05.07 11:16 am |
Photo evidence of the dark-on-dark matchup between the two Tennessee universities.
#59 by Phil on 12.05.07 11:22 am |
Today’s showcase card is based on the “shineboy,” the shirt worn by Alpha Phi Omega members when they run the Texas flag onto the field before Texas Longhorns football games.
Geez, kids today. I remember when I couldn’t get a CFL uniform on my card.
#60 by Matt Lake on 12.05.07 11:23 am |
I think that looks great, and I wish it would happen more often. I’m not a fan of teams wearing white, especially at home [baseball excluded]. To me, it’s about wearing the team colors proudly and having the fans follow suit.
For example, if I were running Syracuse hoops, I’d have them wear orange every game. It’s their freaking name, after all. Having them wear white at home full of Orange fans seems stupid to me.
#61 by LI Phil on 12.05.07 11:27 am |
you are talking about the unis, right?
#62 by Robin on 12.05.07 11:28 am |
links didn’t work, I wanted to see these. Oh well
#63 by Duckstyle on 12.05.07 11:32 am |
No way. There’s gotta be a rule enforced. Doesn’t anyone remember the Illinois-Wisonsin fisasco a couple years back. The Illini in orange, the Badgers in red, it was ridiculous. Even the broadcasters were confusing players and they’re 15 feet away! I’d personally prefer the usual route of having colored unis at home, white on the road. then you can still have the home fans match the team with black-out nights or whatever floats-your-boat.
#64 by SWC Susan (aka Tex) on 12.05.07 11:34 am |
Not to be a nitpick, but I have to say that I am a little dissappointed the Alpha Phi Omega did not have the seam above the logo. It is a button down, after all…
#65 by Kek on 12.05.07 11:35 am |
I respectfully disagree. I think as long as the colors contrast enough, there should be no rule and wearing of the team colors should be encouraged. Sure, white/yellow, yellow/orange, etc shouldn’t be allowed, but if the colors clash, go with it.
The “City Game” between Pitt and Duquesne is tonight. A few years back when the Dukes had the home game I remember them wearing red jerseys while Pitt wore their normal navy road kit. I think it looked great and I hope they do it again tonight.
#66 by DonD on 12.05.07 11:36 am |
New uniforms for inmates in SCC Department of corrections
#67 by Johnny O on 12.05.07 11:37 am |
Actually, Festivus is celebrated on December 23rd. My friends and I have been formally celebrating it formally since 1999. Complete with airing of grievances, feats of strength, and Seinfeld themed food. (i.e. eat snickers with our knives and forks, black and white cookies, calzones, and my favorite… cinnamon babka.)
Everyone should check out the Festivus book by Allen Salkin. It’s pretty cool.
And to make this post uni-related. I love Wisconsin’s retro socks, but does anyone have an old school pic. of when they did actually wear those? I think I have seen em on here a few times but am not sure.
#68 by Gary on 12.05.07 11:38 am |
Number 14 on the Memphis BBall team has a surname of Douglas-Roberts, which has 14 letters. coincidence i think not
#69 by todd krevanchi on 12.05.07 11:38 am |
interestingly enough, i did request for christmas the lehigh valley iron pigs therma base fleece (the same therma base fleece which is now banned from manager wear).
i certainly hope next season when im at games, i can wear it without consequence, in addition to calling its mascot pork chop.
#70 by Justin B on 12.05.07 11:39 am |
Thanks from everyone.
#71 by scott on 12.05.07 11:40 am |
Whites at home is a basketball tradition. Let’s not mess too much with tradition. If teams want to occasionally break out a dark color for home, I guess I’m OK with it. But all the time? Nope.
#72 by B. Hill on 12.05.07 11:52 am |
Decided to drop Rob Schultz (the Non-Getting It author of the Wisconsin throwback game article a line.) I’ll keep you posted of the response. Of course I sent him the link to this site! :)
#73 by Matt from L.A. on 12.05.07 11:57 am |
That final bumper entry on ESPN.com about Pacific Lutheran was great to see. I played against Pac Lu when I played at Azusa Pacific and their coach Frosty Westering came up with that phrase and from what I heard about him, those who played for him loved to play for him and he got the most out of them.
They also had a rallying cry after the games I’m not sure how it went but it was inspirational to hear it even as an opponent. Any Pacific Lutheran players out there?
#74 by dm00n [Doug] on 12.05.07 11:59 am |
Maybe this has been posted here before:
I should look for the banned words list. I mean, who is going to spend all that money to order a jersey with the colors and number of a player they don’t like and put “GAY” on the back?
#75 by dm00n [Doug] on 12.05.07 12:00 pm |
Oops, forgot the Gay jerseys link.
#76 by dm00n [Doug] on 12.05.07 12:01 pm |
Oops screwed up the Gay jerseys link.
#77 by Chance on 12.05.07 12:02 pm |
It’s official, Wisconsin has nothing better to do then sue people. This logo isn’t the same. Is it a W, yes, but that’s about it. Do they plan on sueing the president for all the W bumper stickers now too. UW’s legal department is a joke.
Hate to break it to you, but Wisconsin has a legitimate beef.
Washburn started out using Wisconsin’s Motion W, then when served with a cease-and-desist took it into Illustrator and made a couple modifications. Maybe they actually believed the whole “change 25% and the design is magically yours” myth, but in any case it still infringes, and Wisconsin still has the legal right (and obligation) to ask them to stop.
Theft is theft.
#78 by Eric on 12.05.07 12:09 pm |
How long has it been since Nike/Bauer rebranded all the Cooper stuff? As in, just how old is that helmet? And what happens when that thing breaks, how does he get a new SK2000, do they even make those? Or will he follow Dom’s and Tim Thomas’ route and go with a mage…
#79 by Quint on 12.05.07 12:13 pm |
Do you also have a Festivus pole?
#80 by jere on 12.05.07 12:15 pm |
So you think he made up a story because he really likes wearing a certain type of clothing. This is a guy with known health problems. He’s also a guy a doesn’t take any shit and wouldn’t even have time to think up an excuse for why he wears what he wears, let alone worry about keeping up the “lie.” I can’t even believe that Watson would mock someone like that, especially in some kind of official statement. I think now Tito’s should wear headbands with little messages mocking Yankee Bob all season long.
#81 by Taha on 12.05.07 12:16 pm |
The “E.M. Johnson” from the 1980 All-star game is interesting. There were a handful of Johnsons in that game, incuding Earvin, Marques, Dennis, and ‘Fast Eddie’ who played for the Hawks. Granted, Magic and Eddie were on different teams (east and west) but perhaps this was to distinguish between the two.
#82 by dm00n [Doug] on 12.05.07 12:19 pm |
Accoding to this source, it is not only Hanukkah, but today is the 98th anniversary of numbers on football jerseys.
(Of course some pendant will point out it is actually the 98th anniversary!)
#83 by Rick on 12.05.07 12:21 pm |
It’s official, Wisconsin has nothing better to do then sue people. This logo isn’t the same. Is it a W, yes, but that’s about it. Do they plan on sueing the president for all the W bumper stickers now too. UW’s legal department is a joke.
Hate to break it to you, but Wisconsin has a legitimate beef.
Washburn started out using Wisconsin’s Motion W, then when served with a cease-and-desist took it into Illustrator and made a couple modifications. Maybe they actually believed the whole “change 25% and the design is magically yours” myth, but in any case it still infringes, and Wisconsin still has the legal right (and obligation) to ask them to stop.
Theft is theft.
_ell, since _isconsin uses several different logos _ith the letter _, maybe _e need to all stop using that letter. I think I’ll send a letter to all of the congressmen and senators in _ashington D.C. I certainly _ould not _ant to be sued by _isconsin for using their letter. I have to go change my last name to _hite now.
#84 by LI Phil on 12.05.07 12:24 pm |
a gentleman i used to work with had either a portion of or an entire lung removed due to cancer, and ya know what, he STILL wore a full suit to work everyday
and oh yeah, he needed a VENTILATOR to breathe…used to wheel this contraption into the building every day (and up stairs, since the building was non-ADA compliant)…
so…boo f’ckn hoo on francona (an everyone else who won’t wear the full uni)
“yankee” bob…priceless…you dead sox fans are amazing
#85 by Duckstyle on 12.05.07 12:26 pm |
It’s official, Wisconsin has nothing better to do then sue people. This logo isn’t the same. Is it a W, yes, but that’s about it. Do they plan on sueing the president for all the W bumper stickers now too. UW’s legal department is a joke.
Hate to break it to you, but Wisconsin has a legitimate beef.
Washburn started out using Wisconsin’s Motion W, then when served with a cease-and-desist took it into Illustrator and made a couple modifications. Maybe they actually believed the whole “change 25% and the design is magically yours” myth, but in any case it still infringes, and Wisconsin still has the legal right (and obligation) to ask them to stop.
Theft is theft.
Dude, you’re ridiculous. Is your last name actually “Theman”?
#86 by Hama on 12.05.07 12:27 pm |
The Cooper name hasn’t been used for hockey for about 10 years. As far as the SK2000s go, I think I remember hearing that when they were being discountinued that he bought up a pile of them for reserve. If not, he is probably getting them re-padded every few months. I never understood the attachment to those helmets, I never found them to be particularly comfortable
#87 by Patrick on 12.05.07 12:38 pm |
This is horrible, but I have to say that this is really, really nice.
#88 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 12.05.07 12:41 pm |
then today in the our UNIverse, has to be some sort of major holiday.
May 16 is New Years Eve
May 17 is New Years Day
any others?
#89 by Moose on 12.05.07 12:43 pm |
It’s official, Wisconsin has nothing better to do then sue people. This logo isn’t the same. Is it a W, yes, but that’s about it. Do they plan on sueing the president for all the W bumper stickers now too. UW’s legal department is a joke.
Are you kidding? The “W” looks the exact same but with an outline. You’re a day late on this discussion anyways. Things are copyrighted for a reason.
#90 by fun bobby on 12.05.07 12:46 pm |
Talk about throwbacks
It certainly does scream PRISONER
#91 by Moose on 12.05.07 12:47 pm |
Hate to break it to you, but Wisconsin has a legitimate beef.
Washburn started out using Wisconsin’s Motion W, then when served with a cease-and-desist took it into Illustrator and made a couple modifications. Maybe they actually believed the whole “change 25% and the design is magically yours” myth, but in any case it still infringes, and Wisconsin still has the legal right (and obligation) to ask them to stop.
Theft is theft.
_ell, since _isconsin uses several different logos _ith the letter _, maybe _e need to all stop using that letter. I think I’ll send a letter to all of the congressmen and senators in _ashington D.C. I certainly _ould not _ant to be sued by _isconsin for using their letter. I have to go change my last name to _hite now.
You could do that, but then a raging large fiasco would ensue. I would imagine, no matter hard Congress tried, it would be very, VERY difficult for them to repeal copyright laws. Chaos would ensue.
#92 by fun bobby on 12.05.07 12:51 pm |
trying again…
Inmates back in black-and-white stripes
#93 by Matt Berry on 12.05.07 12:52 pm |
If this has been asked before I apologize, but on the MLB.com sites and other media which use official portraits for MLB players, when a trade takes place do they simply photoshop the new hat onto the former team’s hat? Looking at Edgar Renteria’s today showed me that there’s a little bit of an attention to detail, since the photo is the same as his with the Braves, but not only was the cap altered by th