01.03.08

#1 by Chris on 01.03.08 8:07 am |     

On MLB.com, if you look in the Baseball’s Best area, they allow you to watch the ‘75 All-Star Game for free, and it features Vida Blue wearing the gold tops and pants.

#2 by Robert on 01.03.08 8:23 am |     

There is a somewhat famous photo (in these parts, anyways) of Vida Blue wearing that uniform. He was in the middle of his windup and looked oh so cool.

#3 by Jason Axel on 01.03.08 8:23 am |     

Northeastern’s N on the back of their jersey

#4 by Dave in VA on 01.03.08 8:31 am |     

I always knew USC had the best cheerleaders, but today it is confirmed! Wowza!

#5 by The Pod on 01.03.08 8:35 am |     

The video of that ball bouncing into Ryan Zimmerman’s Jersey is mystifying.

I’ve watched that video 3 times and still can’t believe it got in there.

#6 by TV on 01.03.08 8:36 am |     

I read a Woody Hayes bio a few years back, its in my library at home. There’s a few pages dedicated to Hayes’ focus on new technologies and training innovations that he used to try to gain an edge. One of his biggest concerns was making sure he kept injuries to a minimum, so he was one of the first to demand players stretched out before and after games, and if I recall, he was one of the people who asked McGregor to add padding to the outside of the helmets to reduce concussions. As HelmetHut points out - there were padded versions attributed to the late 50s, early 60s at Ohio State - well before Willie Lanier in 67.

#7 by Robert on 01.03.08 8:38 am |     

The video of that ball bouncing into Ryan Zimmerman’s Jersey is mystifying.

I’ve watched that video 3 times and still can’t believe it got in there.

Ryan Freel was hit by a pitch a couple of years ago, and the ball disappeared into his jersey in a similar manner. A quickie youtube search failed to turn up the video. Sorry.

#8 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 8:45 am |     

when you win, you don’t cry…

but it still looks like clown makeup

#9 by Kek on 01.03.08 8:45 am |     

Not related to anything on today’s post per se, but I thought add a few hockey footnotes.

a. Yesterday someone in the comments mentioned they thought the Pens’ had the triangular stripe on that uniform but that feature didn’t arrive on the Pens’ until 74-75 and lasted through the change to black and gold to the cup years finally being removed when they went away from the skating penguin logo.

b. I came across this ebay auction and thought it was a fraud at first. I know we’ve talked Cooperalls on this board before but is what is stated in that description true? Preseason hockey photos of any era are hard to come by, but I’d love to see some of the other NHL teams in action in Cooperalls.

Growing up in Johnstown as a kid, we used to get Penguins preseason games at the Cambria County War Memorial(after our minor league Red Wings disbanded and before we got the Chiefs… and well before the Pens had Lemieux and were any good. Those teams, in fact, are the reason the Pens were in the place they were to get the draft pick to select #66!). I don’t recall seeing any Cooperall-clad squads and I know that 81-82 would have been one of the seasons the Pens were in town. I’ll have to ask my brother, he’s older and might have a better memory of those times though.

#10 by Paul Lukas on 01.03.08 8:52 am |     

The video of that ball bouncing into Ryan Zimmerman’s Jersey is mystifying.

I’ve watched that video 3 times and still can’t believe it got in there.

Ryan Freel was hit by a pitch a couple of years ago, and the ball disappeared into his jersey in a similar manner. A quickie youtube search failed to turn up the video. Sorry.

I wrote about this when it happened. Screen grabs here, here, here, and here.

In addition, the same thing happened to Darryl Boston of the Mets back around ‘91-ish. Even better, it was the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, tie game. The pitch went into Boston’s jersey, then he fished it out, tossed it to the ump, trotted to first, and celebrated — he’d just won the game.

#11 by Robert on 01.03.08 9:07 am |     

The video of that ball bouncing into Ryan Zimmerman’s Jersey is mystifying.

I’ve watched that video 3 times and still can’t believe it got in there.

Ryan Freel was hit by a pitch a couple of years ago, and the ball disappeared into his jersey in a similar manner. A quickie youtube search failed to turn up the video. Sorry.

I wrote about this when it happened. Screen grabs here, here, here, and here.

In addition, the same thing happened to Darryl Boston of the Mets back around ‘91-ish. Even better, it was the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, tie game. The pitch went into Boston’s jersey, then he fished it out, tossed it to the ump, trotted to first, and celebrated — he’d just won the game.

The Darryl Boston instance has to be the most interesting of the bunch, since his jersey was most likely not three sizes too big for him, making it tougher for the ball to perform a disappearing act.

#12 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 9:08 am |     

sabres should have worn this uni for the classic…and im speaking specifically of the socks

#13 by derek on 01.03.08 9:09 am |     

Is it just me or is the New York Giants red alternate jersey in Madden 08 differnt then the real one?

#14 by DrBear on 01.03.08 9:17 am |     

I remember Ohio State was one of the first schools to wear names on the uniforms - when I was a kid I saw a picture in a book of two OSU players sitting next to each other - Fender and Bender. As for the officials, in those days college refs didn’t wear any indicator of position on the back (except for the referee’s cap being different).

#15 by Paul Lukas on 01.03.08 9:23 am |     

IAs for the officials, in those days college refs didn’t wear any indicator of position on the back (except for the referee’s cap being different).

But did they all wear colored armbands, like the ones seen in these photos?

#16 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 9:29 am |     

just so you don’t feel so ‘alone’ in your search for that usc song girl pictured in the ticker, deadspin is on it

#17 by Hank on 01.03.08 9:46 am |     

Not related to anything on today’s post per se, but I thought add a few hockey footnotes.

a. Yesterday someone in the comments mentioned they thought the Pens’ had the triangular stripe on that uniform but that feature didn’t arrive on the Pens’ until 74-75 and lasted through the change to black and gold to the cup years finally being removed when they went away from the skating penguin logo.

b. I came across this ebay auction and thought it was a fraud at first. I know we’ve talked Cooperalls on this board before but is what is stated in that description true? Preseason hockey photos of any era are hard to come by, but I’d love to see some of the other NHL teams in action in Cooperalls.

Growing up in Johnstown as a kid, we used to get Penguins preseason games at the Cambria County War Memorial(after our minor league Red Wings disbanded and before we got the Chiefs… and well before the Pens had Lemieux and were any good. Those teams, in fact, are the reason the Pens were in the place they were to get the draft pick to select #66!). I don’t recall seeing any Cooperall-clad squads and I know that 81-82 would have been one of the seasons the Pens were in town. I’ll have to ask my brother, he’s older and might have a better memory of those times though.

Did a little digging on the Cooperalls and didn’t find anything definitive on the Leafs wearing them pre-season. But, did come across this site for NHL unis.

#18 by Kek on 01.03.08 9:51 am |     

Not related to anything on today’s post per se, but I thought add a few hockey footnotes.

a. Yesterday someone in the comments mentioned they thought the Pens’ had the triangular stripe on that uniform but that feature didn’t arrive on the Pens’ until 74-75 and lasted through the change to black and gold to the cup years finally being removed when they went away from the skating penguin logo.

b. I came across this ebay auction and thought it was a fraud at first. I know we’ve talked Cooperalls on this board before but is what is stated in that description true? Preseason hockey photos of any era are hard to come by, but I’d love to see some of the other NHL teams in action in Cooperalls.

Growing up in Johnstown as a kid, we used to get Penguins preseason games at the Cambria County War Memorial(after our minor league Red Wings disbanded and before we got the Chiefs… and well before the Pens had Lemieux and were any good. Those teams, in fact, are the reason the Pens were in the place they were to get the draft pick to select #66!). I don’t recall seeing any Cooperall-clad squads and I know that 81-82 would have been one of the seasons the Pens were in town. I’ll have to ask my brother, he’s older and might have a better memory of those times though.

Did a little digging on the Cooperalls and didn’t find anything definitive on the Leafs wearing them pre-season. But, did come across this site for NHL unis.

Yeah, that’s a cool site, but acts a little funky at times and doesn’t want to load. They mention the Cooperalls in the main page for the 80s, but only insofar as the Flyers and Whalers wearing them in the regular season.

That’s the site I used to research the Penguins and the triangular stripe on the pants. The Pens’ site itself has a great uniform history page but it only shows the sweaters, omitting the shorts and socks.

#19 by Al Gruwell on 01.03.08 10:17 am |     

Paul,
I think you want “replay”, not “reply”, in the second paragraph.

#20 by Paul Lukas on 01.03.08 10:24 am |     

Paul,
I think you want “replay”, not “reply”, in the second paragraph.

Thanks, Al. Fixed.

#21 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 10:36 am |     

it’s hard to believe this never caught on

#22 by Seth H on 01.03.08 10:37 am |     

Yale wore Cooperalls in the early 80s, but I cannot find photographic evidence.

Anyone know of any other college teams that wore Cooperalls?

#23 by scott on 01.03.08 10:46 am |     

People can help decide the logo for the Oakland Country Cruisers, a baseball team that will begin playing in 2009 in the Frontier League:

http://www.cruisersb...

#24 by Nicole on 01.03.08 10:51 am |     

That business with the USC song girl is a full year old. That happened at last year’s Rose Bowl, I believe. If you look at the date on the Deadspin article it’s from Jan. 07.

#25 by RJ on 01.03.08 10:53 am |     

I’d claim fraud on those “Leafs” Cooperalls. There’s no way the Leafs wore those. More likely they were worn by the OHL (junior) Toronto Marlboros. All the junior teams wore Cooperalls under their blanket Cooper contract and the Marlies would have been the only ones to have straight blue and white. Just because it has a 27 and an “L” doesn’t make it worn by Darryl Sittler.

#26 by Neil on 01.03.08 10:53 am |     

Yale wore Cooperalls in the early 80s, but I cannot find photographic evidence.

Anyone know of any other college teams that wore Cooperalls?

I know that Providence College wore Cooperalls for a brief time.

#27 by todd krevanchi on 01.03.08 10:55 am |     

it’s hard to believe this never caught on

not sure if that was sarcasm or not as you tend to throw some good zingers in from time to time, LI, but with 100% seriousness, i cant believe it didnt catch on either.

im not a hockey guy in the least bit, but would i be wrong in saying if i looked at the frozen ponds of northern north america over the last several decades, i would see players in long pants and not shorts or breezers or whatever they are called?

#28 by Kek on 01.03.08 11:00 am |     

it’s hard to believe this never caught on

I’ve said it before, they never really bothered me that much. I think it’s more of a shock because they were against the tradition. I wasn’t fond of the Flyers look though because I thought the black pants were too close to what the refs wear.

That picture of the Flyers player is from 82-83, the Cooperalls they wore in 81-82 had an orange stripe down the side accoring to nhluniforms.com. I like the Flyers logo down at the bottom of the pant leg by the skate too. I’ve always thought the Flyers’ logo was pretty cool.

#29 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 11:00 am |     

That business with the USC song girl is a full year old. That happened at last year’s Rose Bowl, I believe. If you look at the date on the Deadspin article it’s from Jan. 07.

yeah…just havin fun…the tip should have been the teams playing…i don’t believe USC played michigan in this year’s bowl, and the score was sure as hell NOT 3-3…at any point…but i guess most people weren’t focused on THAT part of the picture

but a good catch nicole ;)

now…as to who ORIGINALLY posted the pic…

#30 by Philly Bill on 01.03.08 11:17 am |     

Yale wore Cooperalls in the early 80s, but I cannot find photographic evidence.

Anyone know of any other college teams that wore Cooperalls?

I know that Providence College wore Cooperalls for a brief time.

Many junior and minor-league teams wore them, including the Kamloops Jr Oilers/Blazers in the early ’80s. Obviously, it’s not easy to find photos from this time period…

Most half-baked ideas in hockey are tested in the minors before we ever see them in the NHL.

#31 by Lavalord on 01.03.08 11:17 am |     

People can help decide the logo for the Oakland Country Cruisers, a baseball team that will begin playing in 2009 in the Frontier League:

http://www.cruisersb...

I’ll go with none…if that is what we get to choose from.

#32 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 11:19 am |     

it’s hard to believe this never caught on

not sure if that was sarcasm or not as you tend to throw some good zingers in from time to time, LI, but with 100% seriousness, i cant believe it didnt catch on either.

im not a hockey guy in the least bit, but would i be wrong in saying if i looked at the frozen ponds of northern north america over the last several decades, i would see players in long pants and not shorts or breezers or whatever they are called?

todd, thanks for the compliment…it was sarcasm, but more for the aesthetics than that actual practicality of the uni…i mean…just look at the whaler uni…it’s a look only marty could love

it’s hard to believe this never caught on

I’ve said it before, they never really bothered me that much. I think it’s more of a shock because they were against the tradition. I wasn’t fond of the Flyers look though because I thought the black pants were too close to what the refs wear.

That picture of the Flyers player is from 82-83, the Cooperalls they wore in 81-82 had an orange stripe down the side accoring to nhluniforms.com. I like the Flyers logo down at the bottom of the pant leg by the skate too. I’ve always thought the Flyers’ logo was pretty cool.

Growing up in Johnstown as a kid, we used to get Penguins preseason games at the Cambria County War Memorial(after our minor league Red Wings disbanded and before we got the Chiefs… and well before the Pens had Lemieux and were any good. Those teams, in fact, are the reason the Pens were in the place they were to get the draft pick to select #66!). I don’t recall seeing any Cooperall-clad squads and I know that 81-82 would have been one of the seasons the Pens were in town. I’ll have to ask my brother, he’s older and might have a better memory of those times though.

kek…not sure if you ever saw this site…but it has some amazing historical facts and photos…enjoy

#33 by KT on 01.03.08 11:21 am |     

Apparently only linesmen wore the armbands, and I don’t know for how long. But fellow officials have told me since I posted that in a couple of other places that back in the day, substitutes actually had to report in to an official as they entered, and the armbands made sure they would report to the correct one. One team went to the guy with the red armbands, one to the guy with the green.

I don’t know who else might have video of games from the mid-1960s who could see when that trend started and how long it lived, but if you do, please check it out.

As for positions on the back, yeah, that’s a fairly recent development. But I’ve still never seen a bowl game logo on an official’s back before. The NFL just got around to putting its shield on officials’ uniforms not too long ago, if memory serves, and I can’t recall if they put Super Bowl logos on them or not. But they’re certainly not as big and garish as the ones shown here.

Now, back to the Star Spangled Banner for a moment…. ;)

#34 by Rick on 01.03.08 11:21 am |     

just so you don’t feel so ‘alone’ in your search for that usc song girl pictured in the ticker, deadspin is on it

Am I the only person on here that remembers that picture of the USC Song Girl from last year? That Deadspin article you just linked is even dated 1/3/07.

#35 by Taha on 01.03.08 11:26 am |     

Wow, check out the threads on (unusually sedate) Clinton Portis and Carlos Rogers. Purlpe Jacket with matching purple hightop dress shoes?.

#36 by Philly Bill on 01.03.08 11:27 am |     

Yale wore Cooperalls in the early 80s, but I cannot find photographic evidence.

Anyone know of any other college teams that wore Cooperalls?

I know that Providence College wore Cooperalls for a brief time.

Many junior and minor-league teams wore them, including the Kamloops Jr Oilers/Blazers in the early ’80s. Obviously, it’s not easy to find photos from this time period…

Most half-baked ideas in hockey are tested in the minors before we ever see them in the NHL.

Here’s a team photo of the 1983-84 Brandon (MB) Wheat Kings in which they’re sporting Cooperalls. Apparently at least one WHL team continued to wear them after the NHL scuttled them.

And note that the front row includes future Flyer Ron Hextall and future Whaler Ray Ferraro — those were the two Cooperall-wearing teams in the NHL. Also, current Stars GM Les Jackson is front and center.

#37 by Paul Lukas on 01.03.08 11:32 am |     

New ESPN column is up.

#38 by Dan W on 01.03.08 11:38 am |     

Sorry if this has already been mentioned but when watching the Rose Bowl, I noticed that USC wasn’t wearing the BCS sticker on their helmets. At first, I thought it was just a “been there, done that” kind of thing but Illinois wasn’t wearing them either so I thought maybe they weren’t doing that this year. When the Sugar Bowl came on both Hawaii and Georgia had them and so did WVU and Oklahoma last night.

#39 by » Blog Archive » Nice Threads on 01.03.08 11:38 am |     

[…] Today it should be a must-visit for you because I get some love. […]

#40 by Rick on 01.03.08 11:53 am |     

New ESPN column is up.

Nice article Paul. I don’t see any mention of the memorial patch for the bridge collapse in Minnesota though. I do believe the Golden Gophers wore a patch that said “35W” or something to that effect.

#41 by KT on 01.03.08 11:54 am |     

New ESPN column is up.

Good stuff.

Got another one for ya. I was thumbing through Dr. Rob Huizenga’s book You’re Okay, It’s Just a Bruise in the bookstore the other day (Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday was based on a lot of that) and there’s a section about the death of Raiders’ safety Stacey Toran in 1989.

One of the photos in the centerspread of the book is of Steve Beuerlein with a little something on his belt, maybe a piece of fabric or something, a circle with a “30″ on it (Toran’s number), just to the left (his left) of the belt buckle. I don’t know if it was a wristband, if all the Raiders wore it, if it was unofficial, what have you.

#42 by College Kid on 01.03.08 11:59 am |     

Good article Paul……couldn’t help but notice the haircut on the Chargers player in the bottom of this picture though!

#43 by Kek on 01.03.08 11:59 am |     

New ESPN column is up.

Good stuff man. I knew about the Cowboys sporting the “AJR” but I have no recollection of the Eagles wearing it, and on the front of the helmet no less. Add to that the electrical tape salute and the Eagles win for best helmet memorials. The Tom Landry fedora will probably always be my favorite jersey memorial.

One of the things I always found ironic was the “AJR” helmet decal was far superior to the jersey patch that the Steelers wore.

I agree with you about the Bears and the “GSH” being part of the identity on the sleeve. That football patch is terrible looking, I totally don’t remember that, they made a much better choice moving to the more subtle approach.

When I was in grade school, long before the days of officially licensed replica jerseys, I had a Walter Payton jersey/modified t-shirt and one of the things I always was fond of was that it had the “GSH” on the faux sleeves.

#44 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 12:01 pm |     

great article, paul…from which i quote thusly:

the breakthrough came in 1909, when National League president Harry Pulliam committed suicide

wonder what they’d do today, if allan h. took the tailpipe

#45 by Zach Smith on 01.03.08 12:04 pm |     

Noticed a small typo in the ESPN article (which I greatly enjoyed, by the way)

In the GSH Bears part, the last part about the “eternal flame” you left out the word “of” in “sort of”

Great work!

#46 by Ian K on 01.03.08 12:06 pm |     

New ESPN column is up.

Nice article Paul.

I don’t see any mention of the memorial patch for the bridge collapse in Minnesota though.

I do believe the Golden Gophers wore a patch that said “35W” or something to that effect.

The Twins wore a decal on their batting helmets. After reading Paul’s column, I didn’t see any other batting helmet-only tribute decals - for baseball, a sleeve patch seems to be the norm.

#47 by teamcinnamon on 01.03.08 12:06 pm |     

Good read Paul, no mention of the Jerome Brown memorial patch worn in 1992 by the Eagles though.

#48 by Barno on 01.03.08 12:06 pm |     

The article about Georgia’s players adding bone decals to their helmets made me wonder why NFL teams don’t reward players for individual accomplishments. Since I’m a Browns fan, I thought bone decals would be a nice incentive to inspire the players to beat the Bungles and make the playoffs next year. I still can’t believe they aren’t playing this weekend. They were really fun to watch!

#49 by dm00n [Doug] on 01.03.08 12:11 pm |     

None of the stuff I sent in made the cut for Paul’s column, but I am curious about something. In 1983 Bear Bryant died and a news account of the Alabama - Georgia Tech game says “Each Alabama player wore a decal of Bryant’s familiar houndstooth hat
on the back of his helmet.”

Anyone have any pictures of that?

#50 by Paul Lukas on 01.03.08 12:12 pm |     

Good read Paul, no mention of the Jerome Brown memorial patch worn in 1992 by the Eagles though.

Good one. For the record (and to repeat what I wrote in the column), I was not attempting to create a comprehensive or exhaustive listing — just trying to show a range of what’s been done. So if I left something out, it wasn’t necessarily an oversight or a slight. It’s already a pretty long column!

#51 by James Craven on 01.03.08 12:15 pm |     

Getting back on the topic of what many lusty males call “the best uniform in sports” (those of the Southern California Song Girls), if they weren’t screwed out of the Sugar Bowl in 2003, what would they have worn on those sweaters, maybe a Mardi Gras jester hat in honor of New Orleans where the Rose would be?

#52 by Kerry P on 01.03.08 12:20 pm |     

Sorry if this has already been mentioned but when watching the Rose Bowl, I noticed that USC wasn’t wearing the BCS sticker on their helmets. At first, I thought it was just a “been there, done that” kind of thing but Illinois wasn’t wearing them either so I thought maybe they weren’t doing that this year. When the Sugar Bowl came on both Hawaii and Georgia had them and so did WVU and Oklahoma last night.

If you think about it, you’ll realize that the Rose Bowl did not use ANY BCS logo (that I’m aware of). That’s because the BCS logo incorporates the “Fox” wordmark. The Rose Bowl is not part of the BCS television package and they have their own agreement with ABC to broadcast the game. I’m not sure what the Rose Bowl will do in 2010 when they’re the host of the BCS championship. And also, I’m not sure why they couldn’t just use this logo instead.

#53 by SACook on 01.03.08 12:29 pm |     

what was the purpose behind the seemingly multi-year black memorial band that the Jordan era Bulls wore?

#54 by SACook on 01.03.08 12:29 pm |     

what was the purpose behind the seemingly multi-year black memorial band that the Jordan era Bulls wore?

#55 by Pat on 01.03.08 12:29 pm |     

Just to expand on the DK57 notes in the article…

The Cardinals also added the design for the patch to the bullpens that year as well. They remained the next couple seasons all the way til Busch II was torn down and it is still in place in the bullpen today in Busch III.

also, Jim Edmonds has DK57 tattooed on his wrist. I don’t think it resembles the patch at all however.

#56 by teamcinnamon on 01.03.08 12:29 pm |     

Good read Paul, no mention of the Jerome Brown memorial patch worn in 1992 by the Eagles though.

Good one. For the record (and to repeat what I wrote in the column), I was not attempting to create a comprehensive or exhaustive listing — just trying to show a range of what’s been done. So if I left something out, it wasn’t necessarily an oversight or a slight. It’s already a pretty long column!

You got it - thought it would’ve fit in w/the other mention of the Eagles with the black tape on the wings (which I completely forgot about!).

#57 by Teebz on 01.03.08 12:34 pm |     

I’d have selected some different patches for the hockey ones, but I think you did a great job on article, Paul. There are some great patches in there from the other sports of which I wasn’t aware. :o)

#58 by Paul Lukas on 01.03.08 12:36 pm |     

I’d have selected some different patches for the hockey ones, but I think you did a great job on article, Paul. There are some great patches in there from the other sports of which I wasn’t aware. :o)

Teebz, I knew I was going to disappoint you! Probably should have asked for your picks of the best NHL patches. Your three-part patch retrospective was invaluable, though.

#59 by Hank on 01.03.08 12:39 pm |     

If my recollection is right, the NHL banned the Cooperalls because of complaints that some players (i.e. goalies) were losing site of the puck with the black pants. Maybe it was for some other reason, too? Funny thing is that years later, here come the all black unis and the puck is not lost on occassion now? Perhaps the real reason was that the NHL board of governors were filled with old stodgy guys whose only progressive outlook was using ballpoint pens in place of fountain pens.

#60 by Marty Met on 01.03.08 12:50 pm |     

10. 2000 MONTREAL EXPOS
At first glance, the black “9″ that the ‘Spos wore on their right sleeves in 2000 looks pretty unremarkable — until you realize that it’s in honor of former Canadiens great Maurice Richard. This is, to Uni Watch’s knowledge, the only time an athlete in one sport has been memorialized on the uniform of another sport. It also tells you everything you need to know about the relative status of baseball and hockey in Montreal.

Richard meant more to the city of Montreal than just being star hockey player, he may have been the premeire Quebecois cultural icon of the 20th Century. Many people have linked the Richard Riot in 1955 with the birth of Quebec nationalism and the Quiet Revolution.

#61 by Big L on 01.03.08 12:55 pm |     

That business with the USC song girl is a full year old. That happened at last year’s Rose Bowl, I believe. If you look at the date on the Deadspin article it’s from Jan. 07.

I posted this late last night/early this morning. My Illini faced the Trojans on Tuesday. I knew very well that the pic was over a year old, and seeing that I currently have no good feelings towards anything USC right now, I dipped into the archives for that booty… I mean goodie

#62 by MikeR on 01.03.08 12:57 pm |     

If you think about it, you’ll realize that the Rose Bowl did not use ANY BCS logo (that I’m aware of). That’s because the BCS logo incorporates the “Fox” wordmark. The Rose Bowl is not part of the BCS television package and they have their own agreement with ABC to broadcast the game. I’m not sure what the Rose Bowl will do in 2010 when they’re the host of the BCS championship. And also, I’m not sure why they couldn’t just use this logo instead.

That reminds me of the ‘03 Rose Bowl, when Washington State faced Oklahoma. I worked for the WSU athletic department, so I saw a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff with the Rose Bowl officials. The Rose Bowl that year ended up being the only BCS bowl without the BCS logo anywhere on the field. I asked one of the RB officials about it, and he told me that when the BCS powers-that-be told them they needed to put it on the field, they merely responded, “We’re the Rose Bowl, and we don’t want to do it.” And they didn’t.

Same goes for the Sony sponsorship for that year’s game. Sony provided the two teams with Sony/Rose Bowl patches for their uniforms, and the Rose Bowl folks made it clear to both teams that they had no interest in seeing them wearing the patches. And neither team did.

The Rose Bowl — fighting logo creep one game at a time.

#63 by Big L on 01.03.08 12:58 pm |     

New ESPN column is up.

Solid gold article!

#64 by Kek on 01.03.08 12:59 pm |     

If my recollection is right, the NHL banned the Cooperalls because of complaints that some players (i.e. goalies) were losing site of the puck with the black pants. Maybe it was for some other reason, too? Funny thing is that years later, here come the all black unis and the puck is not lost on occassion now? Perhaps the real reason was that the NHL board of governors were filled with old stodgy guys whose only progressive outlook was using ballpoint pens in place of fountain pens.

This is the reason given by the NHL Uniforms site:

“For the 1981-82 season, the Philadelphia Flyers introduced the decade’s most radical idea — long pants, as modeled here by Brian Propp. The idea behind the new pants, manufactured by Cooper under the name Cooperall, was to create a faster, lighter uniform, with lighter padding underneath. The pants did make the skaters faster; unfortunately, they were also faster whenever they took a spill and would crash very hard into the boards. The Hartford Whalers joined the Flyers in wearing long pants the following season. At the end of the 1982-83 season, the NHL outlawed the long pants, causing both the Flyers and the Whalers to revert back to the old faithful, time-tested short pants.”

#65 by Dane on 01.03.08 1:00 pm |     

Getting back on the topic of what many lusty males call “the best uniform in sports” (those of the Southern California Song Girls), if they weren’t screwed out of the Sugar Bowl in 2003, what would they have worn on those sweaters, maybe a Mardi Gras jester hat in honor of New Orleans where the Rose would be?

The Girls Gone Wild logo.

#66 by KT on 01.03.08 1:00 pm |     

Good for the Rose Bowl. Though, to be honest, I would imagine it’s more about comparing johnsons than fighting logo creep. The Rose Bowl likes its status as granddaddy and knows that somebody’s going to give them boatloads of money, whether it’s Sony or somebody else. They don’t really care.

#67 by Teebz on 01.03.08 1:04 pm |     

I’d have selected some different patches for the hockey ones, but I think you did a great job on article, Paul. There are some great patches in there from the other sports of which I wasn’t aware. :o)

Teebz, I knew I was going to disappoint you! Probably should have asked for your picks of the best NHL patches. Your three-part patch retrospective was invaluable, though.

Nah, the patches you selected were great! I’m not disappointed at all! There were some that had interesting stories with them on my article, but overall I like what you did, Paul. :o)

#68 by Kek on 01.03.08 1:05 pm |     

it’s hard to believe this never caught on

not sure if that was sarcasm or not as you tend to throw some good zingers in from time to time, LI, but with 100% seriousness, i cant believe it didnt catch on either.

im not a hockey guy in the least bit, but would i be wrong in saying if i looked at the frozen ponds of northern north america over the last several decades, i would see players in long pants and not shorts or breezers or whatever they are called?

todd, thanks for the compliment…it was sarcasm, but more for the aesthetics than that actual practicality of the uni…i mean…just look at the whaler uni…it’s a look only marty could love

it’s hard to believe this never caught on

I’ve said it before, they never really bothered me that much. I think it’s more of a shock because they were against the tradition. I wasn’t fond of the Flyers look though because I thought the black pants were too close to what the refs wear.

That picture of the Flyers player is from 82-83, the Cooperalls they wore in 81-82 had an orange stripe down the side accoring to nhluniforms.com. I like the Flyers logo down at the bottom of the pant leg by the skate too. I’ve always thought the Flyers’ logo was pretty cool.

Growing up in Johnstown as a kid, we used to get Penguins preseason games at the Cambria County War Memorial(after our minor league Red Wings disbanded and before we got the Chiefs… and well before the Pens had Lemieux and were any good. Those teams, in fact, are the reason the Pens were in the place they were to get the draft pick to select #66!). I don’t recall seeing any Cooperall-clad squads and I know that 81-82 would have been one of the seasons the Pens were in town. I’ll have to ask my brother, he’s older and might have a better memory of those times though.

kek…not sure if you ever saw this site…but it has some amazing historical facts and photos…enjoy

I had seen that site before but it’s worth a second look for sure, if anything for that Pittsburgh Shamrocks sweater!

There used to be an East Pittsburgh High School and their nickname was the Shamrocks, I wonder if they had similar motifs for their football and basketball teams.

#69 by Brian on 01.03.08 1:06 pm |     

Very good ESPN read today. I can think of one you forgot. In 2001 when 10 members of the OSU basketball travelling party were killed in a plane crash, the entire conference wore a black and orange band with “XII” on their jerseys.

#70 by Chance on 01.03.08 1:07 pm |     

The article about Georgia’s players adding bone decals to their helmets made me wonder why NFL teams don’t reward players for individual accomplishments.

The difference is that NFL players are paid, and “pride stickers” would invariably become the subject of contract negotiations.

They only mean something when they mean something on their own, if you’ll forgive my twisted syntax. Wouldn’t work in the pros, although Willie Stargell used to give them to his teammates in the late 1970s - a fact honored in his memorial patch.

#71 by Kek on 01.03.08 1:15 pm |     

I’d claim fraud on those “Leafs” Cooperalls. There’s no way the Leafs wore those. More likely they were worn by the OHL (junior) Toronto Marlboros. All the junior teams wore Cooperalls under their blanket Cooper contract and the Marlies would have been the only ones to have straight blue and white. Just because it has a 27 and an “L” doesn’t make it worn by Darryl Sittler.

Yeah, I’ve come up empty on internet research, might have to make a trip to the library and do some microfiche research (old school). I have an email out to some hardcore hockey fans (and uni fans) that I know to see if it jogs anyone’s memory.

#72 by Slam on 01.03.08 1:19 pm |     

The reason the Cooperall were banned was because the first versions of the shells were made of nylon. The nylon did not offer enough friction to slow down a player rapidly when he fell. As you can imagine, that can be quite dangerous when going towards the boards. I had some in minor hockey. Think of it as those snow pants you had a child. Mom would get mad that you were wearing out the bottom using them as a sled to go down snowbanks. Those first versions were also very warm and did not offer much ventilation.

The second version of the shells were made of a polyester blend. They offered the friction required to slow down a fallen player and the ventilation was improved. They were however heavier and would soak up some water. These probably could have been adapted to the NHL but the damage had already been done.

BTW, the on-ice officials use this type of system today. Of course, their padding is not as bulky as what a player would require. The shells a re also tailored to look more like dress pants.

#73 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 1:21 pm |     

what’s the opposite of ‘a thing of beauty’?

answer here

#74 by MikeR on 01.03.08 1:24 pm |     

Good for the Rose Bowl. Though, to be honest, I would imagine it’s more about comparing johnsons than fighting logo creep.

There’s definitely a lot of truth to that. However, it’s quite obvious the Rose Bowl also cares very deeply about its tradition, for better (lack of corporate logos) or for worse (lopsided matchups for the sake of preserving the Pac10-Big10 history).

#75 by teamcinnamon on 01.03.08 1:29 pm |     

Good for the Rose Bowl. Though, to be honest, I would imagine it’s more about comparing johnsons than fighting logo creep.

There’s definitely a lot of truth to that. However, it’s quite obvious the Rose Bowl also cares very deeply about its tradition, for better (lack of corporate logos) or for worse (lopsided matchups for the sake of preserving the Pac10-Big10 history).

Good call - the RB is still the only bowl not fully entrenched in corporate idiocy.

Although it’s “The Rose Bowl presented by XXXXX”.

This and the rest of the BCS on Fox is completely irritating!

#76 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.03.08 1:42 pm |     

Good for the Rose Bowl. Though, to be honest, I would imagine it’s more about comparing johnsons than fighting logo creep.

There’s definitely a lot of truth to that. However, it’s quite obvious the Rose Bowl also cares very deeply about its tradition, for better (lack of corporate logos) or for worse (lopsided matchups for the sake of preserving the Pac10-Big10 history).

Good call - the RB is still the only bowl not fully entrenched in corporate idiocy.

Although it’s “The Rose Bowl presented by XXXXX”.

This and the rest of the BCS on Fox is completely irritating!

Is anyone else (other than me) upset that the major bowls (yes, BCS) are now spread out over a week’s time? Games that start at 8:00 on the east coast on weeknights is a bit stupid if you ask me. Plus, now fans that want to go to the game have to spend more of their vacation time to go.

#77 by KT on 01.03.08 1:46 pm |     

And yet, there’s a story about a Rose Bowl radio broadcast back in the pre-TV days where the announcer was instructed to tell the national audience what a perfect sunny day it was in Pasadena, when it was actually crappy and rainy.

The Rose Bowl, like the Masters, is mostly concerned with preserving its own agenda and place in the universe. We can talk about how deeply it cares about tradition, but it cares even more about having the biggest johnson, near as I can tell.

#78 by Big L on 01.03.08 1:49 pm |     

SI.com has compiled what they believe are the greatest players to have worn a number (#1-99) in their front-page story “College Football’s All-Time Best Players By Number”.

#79 by KT on 01.03.08 1:49 pm |     

Is anyone else (other than me) upset that the major bowls (yes, BCS) are now spread out over a week’s time? Games that start at 8:00 on the east coast on weeknights is a bit stupid if you ask me. Plus, now fans that want to go to the game have to spend more of their vacation time to go.

I’m sure some folks are. But that ship sailed in the mid-70s when they put World Series games at night. TV pays the bills, TV sets the rules.

I was thinking about the last part of that this morning, though. The Fiesta Bowl was last night - anyone from Oklahoma or West Virginia could have come here over the weekend and if they had NYE off, great. But then they had all day Tuesday and all day yesterday before the game, likely had to take another vacation day today and if they’re lucky, they can catch a flight home today. So they can go back to work for one day tomorrow or take tomorrow off as well.

And the Orange Bowl is tonight. Yeah, spreading them out is just one of the ways the new way isn’t quite the same as the old way.

Now get off my lawn.

#80 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 1:50 pm |     

The Rose Bowl, like the Masters, is mostly concerned with preserving its own agenda and place in the universe. We can talk about how deeply it cares about tradition, but it cares even more about having the biggest johnson, near as I can tell.

the biggest johnson at the masters is zach

#81 by todd krevanchi on 01.03.08 1:55 pm |     

im telling you the cooperall look isnt a bad look!

#82 by Myles on 01.03.08 1:56 pm |     

Been trying to track down any info on the changes Nike was going to make to the Minnesota Gophers football unis. Haven’t found anything yet, but there were rumors they were going to look like Virginia Tech, Miami, Mizzou, or a combo of those 3 listed. They’re supposedly be shown to recruits and will be released in the next month or so, but haven’t found anything. Anyone have any info or contacts that know anything? Thanks!

#83 by Kek on 01.03.08 2:04 pm |     

More on Cooperalls, this document put out by the NHL says that the Jets were the first team to test them in their training camp.

However, take it for what it’s worth because i think there are two mistakes in the piece on Cooperalls (page 8). First of all, and I could be wrong, I thought the entire Whalers team wore them, not some players as that paragraph suggests. Also, only the Flyers wore them for 81-82 and 82-83. hartford only in 82-83.

#84 by Aaron Scholder on 01.03.08 2:04 pm |     

Paul, you forgot one patch that the Rangers wore in the ‘01-’02 season for 9/11. It’s seen here:
http://www.meigray.c...
and on the shoulder here:
http://www.meigray.c...

#85 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 2:07 pm |     

The article about Georgia’s players adding bone decals to their helmets made me wonder why NFL teams don’t reward players for individual accomplishments.

sure they do…you can see all the dolphin pride stickers for the 2007 season in this pic

#86 by Johnny O on 01.03.08 2:21 pm |     

The permanent tribute initials got me to wondering… how long has Marquette had “AL” on the front on their jersey remembering the late Al McGuire? McGuire died in 2001, and I know D Wade had the memorial on his uni, and I know they still do . So does anyone know how long this memorial has gone on?

#87 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.03.08 2:23 pm |     

The article about Georgia’s players adding bone decals to their helmets made me wonder why NFL teams don’t reward players for individual accomplishments.

sure they do…you can see all the dolphin pride stickers for the 2007 season in this pic

That’s cold Phil! True, but cold.

#88 by derek on 01.03.08 2:24 pm |     

Paul you forgot about what the buffalo sabres did, they had new york written across the front of their jerseys as a 9/11 tribute. cant find any pics

#89 by Minna H. on 01.03.08 2:25 pm |     

God help me, I LOVE the Penguins’ baby blues. The Sabres looked sweet, and the snow! I loved the snow. Hockey–how it should be played. Yes, I know it’s yesterday’s topic, so sue me.

#90 by todd krevanchi on 01.03.08 2:25 pm |     

The Rose Bowl, like the Masters, is mostly concerned with preserving its own agenda and place in the universe. We can talk about how deeply it cares about tradition, but it cares even more about having the biggest johnson, near as I can tell.

the biggest johnson at the masters is zach

only since hootie left.

#91 by LI Phil on 01.03.08 2:38 pm |     

Paul you forgot about what the buffalo sabres did, they had new york written across the front of their jerseys as a 9/11 tribute. cant find any pics

here

#92 by Kek on 01.03.08 2:45 pm |     

SI.com has compiled what they believe are the greatest players to have worn a number (#1-99) in their front-page story “College Football’s All-Time Best Players By Number”.

Cool article.

Of course, these lists spark debate and as soon as I saw #1 I was already heated. AC was a great college player but Larry Fitzgerald made more of an impact in his short, two-year career at Pitt. Alas my Panthers were well represented with Marino (13), Dorsett (33), Goldberg (42) and Green (99). All well deserved and retired by the university. Not mention SI gave numerous Pitt players honorable mention. Oh, the photos of thre of those four make yet another case for Pitt to switch back to the old unis.

I loved looking at the photos. Favre in that plain and understated yet very sharp Southern Miss uni and Singeltary wearing an unconventional LB number (63) for Baylor both wearing Converse cleats. I love looking at older football pics and seeing some of the brands you don’t see anymore like Pony and Puma. I think Elway and Montana wore a Mizuno football cleat for a short period of time.

This might have been discussed on here before, but what do the stars on Butkus’ helmet signify? It doesn’t look like they are on anyone else’s helmet in the photo. Did they perhaps signify he was an all-american? If so, didn’t Notre Dame do something similar to this after they won the 88 title. I think they played in the kickoff classic the next season and i remember ND players that earned all-american honors had this noted on the rear bumper of their helmet.

#93 by teamcinnamon on 01.03.08 2:45 pm |     

God help me, I LOVE the Penguins’ baby blues. The Sabres looked sweet, and the snow! I loved the snow. Hockey–how it should be played. Yes, I know it’s yesterday’s topic, so sue me.

They replayed the game on UHD last night.

I had to watch it again.

#94 by Shaftman on 01.03.08 2:47 pm |     

Paul you forgot about what the buffalo sabres did, they had new york written across the front of their jerseys as a 9/11 tribute. cant find any pics

here

Better pic.

#95 by ScottyJ in WV on 01.03.08 2:50 pm |     

Not uni related, but….IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A MOUNTAINEER!!!!!!!

Man, what a game!!!!!

#96 by Jerico on 01.03.08 2:51 pm |     

The Pedro Borbon card reminds me of a trivia question that appeared on the back of a baseball card the same time:

Q: How big is the pitcher’s rubber?
A: 24 inches.

#97 by Bryan Barich on 01.03.08 2:52 pm |     

I havent read all the comments but I was just writing with a patch that the Red Wings wore in the 1997-1998 season to remember Vladamir Konstantinov and Sergei Manotsakonov after they were in a Limo accident following the 1997 stanley cup victory. The coach even wore the patch on his practice jacket.

#98 by John L. on 01.03.08 2:54 pm |     

Paul-

One of my favorite articles you have done on ESPN. I have to nitpick a bit though (thats why I like uniforms, attention to detail) on the chart at the bottom of the article the San Jose Sharks patch date reads 2007-2008 when it was in fact warn 2006-2007 because the picture of Big Joe is in the old uniforms.

Awesome job w/ the article!

#99 by Kek on 01.03.08 2:57 pm |     

Not uni related, but….IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A MOUNTAINEER!!!!!!!

Man, what a game!!!!!

Yeah, great game for you guys and the new coach. What are your thoughts on that hire rather than going after a big name, outside the program type guy? I think it’s good because he knows the offense. You think he’ll be able to get WVU back on Terrelle Pryor’s list?

Oh, and I’d be remiss….. it was a better day this was!!!! <