The new issue of SABR’s Baseball Research Journal has an incredible photo of Billy Martin on the back cover, dating back to his early-’70s stint managing the Tigers — check it out.
That pipe is just amazing, no? It may end up replacing this as my brain’s reflexive go-to image whenever Billy’s name comes up (although the go-to words will always be “Ed Whitson” and “marshmallow salesman”). It also got me thinking that the Tigers’ current manager is known to be a smoker, too. And that in turn got me thinking about images of sports figures and smoking.
Leyland and Martin are hardly the only managers and coaches who’ve been known to light up. Back in the 1970s, Earl Weaver nicknamed erratic Orioles closer Don Stanhouse “Full Pack,” because that’s how many cigs Weaver nervously went through during one of Stanhouse’s tight-wire appearances. And I know I’ve seen pics of NFL coaches smoking, although I can’t find any at the moment.
Much more interesting are shots of smoking athletes. Nowadays, of course, it would be unthinkable for an player to appear with a cigarette dangling from his lip, but that wasn’t always the case. A quick search of the blog’s archives turned up the following:
• One of the classic SI covers of all time.
• What did Don Meredith do after losing the Ice Bowl? He lit up, of course.
• Roger Maris smoked during his epic 1961 season.
• Here’s a postgame celebration from the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFL days (not sure which year). That’s Sherrill Headrick with the coffin nail.
• Not sure who this curler is, but his use of the broom was particularly apropos.
I’m sure I’ve also seen pics of Guy LaFleur and Keith Hernandez smoking, but I can’t find them at the moment.
As for today’s athletes, I know Marlins pitcher Scott Olsen smokes, as does boxer Ricardo Mayorga, but I’ve never seen either of them — or any other current athlete I can think of — photographed with a cigarette. But cigars are apparently more acceptable — so acceptable, in fact, that even Mr. Wholesome White Boy himself, David Wright, appeared with a stogie after the Mets clinched the N.L. East title in 2006.
Sports and tobacco have a long, intertwined history. Most early baseball cards were promotional giveaways to boost sales of tobacco products. History’s most famous baseball card, in fact, owes its scarcity to the fact that Honus Wagner was a non-smoker and didn’t want his likeness used to promote tobacco, so he had the card taken out of production (or at least that’s the prevailing rationale — there are some competing theories as well).
Later on, tobacco companies used sports imagery in their print ads — sometimes just generic illustrations but more often in the form of celebrity endorsements by famous baseball or football players. As for broadcast media, I’m just barely old enough to have seen televised cigarette ads before they were banned, although I don’t recall athletes appearing in the televised spots. Anyone know more about that?
It’s also worth noting that loads of athletes smoke weed, although former Mets pitcher Grant Roberts is the only one I can think of who’s been stupid enough to get photographed in the act. (Roberts shouldn’t be confused with former Mets Tony Tarasco and Mark Corey, who had to admit that they’d been smoking pot shortly after a 2002 game when Corey went into a seizure and collapsed, leaving Tarasco to face the EMTs who asked, “Did he ingest anything unusual in the past hour or so?” Since Corey was still, like, convulsing on the floor, Tarasco figured he’d better tell the truth instead of blaming it on a bad oyster or something like that.)
Of course, there’s also the issue of baseball players who chew tobacco (easily identified by the telltale round canister in their back pockets), but that’s another topic for another day.
Research Project: Yesterday I linked to a photo of Jim Kyte blow-drying his hearing aid. That led to a handful of really interesting notes — some in the comments section, some e-mailed to me directly — about deaf athletes and their specialized equipment needs, a topic I’d never thought about before.
I’d like to explore this subject in more detail. If anyone knows more about it, please get in touch.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: Great article here about the guy who designed the leather football helmets for the upcoming Leatherheads flick. … Also from yesterday: Under Armour has gotten into the chest protector biz (which means they’re basically making outer armor). … First pics of the Giants’ starting pitchers wearing stirrups are here, here, and here. I’d prefer to see a lot more white showing, but it’s a good start (with thanks to Jamie Costello). … Some of the subtlest uniform branding I’ve ever seen was on Dale Ernhardt Jr.’s fire suit at the Daytona 500 on Sunday,” writes Greg Riffenburgh. “As you may know, he recently signed a contract to be outfitted by Adidas. But since so many other brands have their logos on the suit, Adidas used a triple-stiching quilt pattern.” … While researching something else, I came across a great site featuring military ribbon insignia — fun to click through. … Rutgers has unveiled new baseball uniforms. Note the distinction between the new cap logo and last year’s model (with thanks to David Berger). … The Pirates’ spring training 40th-anniversary patch is really, uh, subtle. … Lots of surprisingly interesting arena football helmet details available in item No. 18 on this list (with thanks to Neal Shaffer). … Christopher Drouin reports that Michigan State’s lacrosse team puts the players’ names on the back of the helmets. … Kenn Tomasch spent yesterday at Cubs camp, where he snapped this shot of Alfonso Soriano inspecting an unidentified teammate’s collar tag, while the teammate appears to be examining his shirttail tag. Odd. … Third question on this Q&A page features some news regarding Reds uni numbers (with thanks to David Sonny). … Interesting article here about high-tech performance gear in many different sports (as spotted by Patrick Baude).
#1 by Teebz on 02.19.08 8:33 am |
Good research project, Paul. In looking for other hockey players who have suffered from hearing loss from yesterday’s topic, Steve Downie of the Philadelphia Flyers has some sort of hearing loss. I’ve been searching for others, but have had no such luck yet.
I’ll keep you posted if I find any.
#2 by Pat on 02.19.08 8:40 am |
The most famous smoker in sports history.
Also, Tommy Heinsohn was known to smoke a lot as well. I know I’ve seen locker room pics of him ripping butts but I can’t seem to find one online.
#3 by Football » Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It on 02.19.08 8:42 am |
[…] Paul Lukas wrote a fantastic post today on “Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It”Here’s ONLY a quick extractHere’sa postgame celebration from the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFL days (not sure which year). That’s Sherrill Headrick with the coffin nail. • Not sure who this curler is, but his use of the broom was particularly apropos. … […]
#4 by Jim on 02.19.08 8:48 am |
Think that’s why Downie apparantly can’t hear people telling him to stop playing so dirty this season?!?
#5 by steve on 02.19.08 8:48 am |
James Hunt after the race.
http://zerofilter.ty...
#6 by CraigD on 02.19.08 8:52 am |
I have worn hearing aids since I was 3. Played high school football. Fortunately for the hearing aid, I wasn’t very good. So there was no danger of too much sweat shorting it out or a major collision or anything. Biggest worry for me was having the stupid battery run out during practice and having to say “WHAT?” every 5 seconds.
#7 by Rich on 02.19.08 8:55 am |
Reminds me of an article I saw somewhere (sorry, don’t remember) about John Kruk. Some lady was criticizing him for smoking, and said something about how athlete’s shouldn’t smoke, etc., and he told her “I’m not an athlete, I’m a baseball player.”
:-)
#8 by Adam on 02.19.08 8:56 am |
I couldn’t find it this morning, but I know I once saw a picture of Michael Vick smoking what appears to be a blunt with a female companion in the back of a limo. I’ll continue my search…
#9 by Mike on 02.19.08 8:57 am |
You can see the three stripe Adidas on Jr’s pants here: http://news.yahoo.co...
During the race you could see he had gloves with the three stripes on them…..
#10 by Breezy on 02.19.08 8:59 am |
Good thing Junior stayed with red 8’s…
yeehaa!
#11 by Joey Guns on 02.19.08 9:00 am |
Does this count as an athlete with a cigarette, or are we not counting golf?
http://images.usatod...
#12 by Adam on 02.19.08 9:00 am |
Follow up to above item re: Michael Vick’s cannabis consumption.
#13 by LI Phil on 02.19.08 9:01 am |
this?
#14 by LI Phil on 02.19.08 9:01 am |
damn skippy…beat me to the blunt
#15 by John on 02.19.08 9:06 am |
Rich, you magnificent bastard! You beat me to it!
#16 by KW on 02.19.08 9:10 am |
Paul -
Yesterday I thought that UA Chest Protector was a fake that was really a butchered All-Star but then I found this…you would think UA would come up with their own look for the design.
By the way, did you get the package I sent?
#17 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 02.19.08 9:15 am |
Dang! Look at the scratches on his face!
#18 by Ash on 02.19.08 9:16 am |
I believe that Cowboy running back Julius Jones is a smoker.
#19 by LI Phil on 02.19.08 9:27 am |
supposedly his wife attacked him with a knife…police were called…daly’s wife, children, the knife and whatever remained of his manhood, were never found
#20 by teamcinnamon on 02.19.08 9:27 am |
I’m sure I’ve also seen pics of Guy LaFleur and Keith Hernandez smoking, but I can’t find them at the moment.
Best episode ever!
#21 by Glen on 02.19.08 9:29 am |
HOw can anyone forget Angel Cabrera at the us open?
#22 by Craig Pillow on 02.19.08 9:30 am |
I’ll bet you that the picture of the Chiefs celebrating a championship actually was from 1962, when they were the Dallas Texans, and they defeated the Houston Oilers 20-17 in what is still the longest professional football game ever.
#23 by Stuby on 02.19.08 9:30 am |
I remember former Cowboy (and I guess rodeo star)Walt Garrison doing TV ads for Skoal, Copenhagen and Happy Days smokeless tobacco in the 70s. Here’s a print ad.
Also, I don’t think this awesome picture has been linked yet. Sorry if it has.
#24 by Truman Winbush on 02.19.08 9:36 am |
One of the classic shots of all is Dave Parker in the canary Pirate uni taking a deep drag.
#25 by Killbot Factory on 02.19.08 9:39 am |
Lenny Dykstra sez: “Those wimpy little canisters are smokeless tobacco, not chewing tobacco, trust me.”
http://www.thesports...
#26 by Shaftman on 02.19.08 9:41 am |
Here’s one of Jim Leyland (when he was with the Pirates).
#27 by Miguel on 02.19.08 9:43 am |
I’m at work, so I can’t make a screen cap, but you can catch Keith Hernandez smoking on Seinfeld.
#28 by Killbot Factory on 02.19.08 9:43 am |
Ugh.
#29 by dm00n [Doug] on 02.19.08 9:43 am |
Here is a grab bag of smokers, or smoking spokesmen anyways.
#30 by Breezy on 02.19.08 9:45 am |
Of course the Babe was known to smoke a few cigars…wchihc I if I am not mistaken was a cause of his throat cancer. But who knew he rolled his own:
Bambino!
#31 by dm00n [Doug] on 02.19.08 9:45 am |
Damned tripod and hotlinking, here is the page with a Chesterfield multi-sport ad (and a lot of other good stuff as well).
#32 by Stuby on 02.19.08 9:45 am |
The funny thing about the Dave Parker pic I linked in Comment #23 is that The player wearing #23 in the background is also firing it up, just more discreetly.
#33 by Breezy on 02.19.08 9:48 am |
Everybody loves a smoke!
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em
#34 by Nfl » Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It on 02.19.08 9:49 am |
[…] andPOP | Music, Entertainment, Technology and Gaming News wrote an interesting post today on Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke ItHere’s a quick excerpt The new issue of SABR’s Baseball Research Journal has an incredible photo of Billy Martin on the back cover, dating back to his early-’70s stint managing the Tigers — check it out. That pipe is just amazing, no? It may end up replacing this as my brain’s reflexive go-to image whenever Billy’s name comes up (although the go-to words will always be “Ed Whitson” and “marshmallow salesman”). It also got me thinking that the Tigers’ current manager is known to be a smoker, too. And that in turn g […]
#35 by Richard from MA on 02.19.08 9:49 am |
Bryan will probably recognize this Tour de France poster.
And the accompanying drinking one.
#36 by El Boydelz on 02.19.08 9:49 am |
Sports Cigarette Ads:
http://www.billstuff...
http://www.decodog.c...
http://www.decodog.c...
http://www.decodog.c...
http://euro-cig.com/...
http://www.takingont...
http://www.gasolinea...
http://www.aliciapat...
http://www.gasolinea...
John Daly Bonus Photo:
http://www.nndb.com/...
#37 by DawgFan on 02.19.08 9:52 am |
I saw an interview with Hank Aaron on ESPN during Bonds chase. It was a replay of Hank in 1973 when he was chasing Ruth, a few times they showed him sitting in the lockerroom smoking during the interview.
#38 by Pat on 02.19.08 9:52 am |
There is a big difference. You try chewing on a lip of skoal or coppenhagen. Good luck to you. Red Man chews much better. But skoal is more delicious.
My comment was really to say that I love the opening picture. Rene Magritte does some genious work, the least of which being The Treachery of Images. Thanks, Paul, for bringing me back to my 20th Century Art class in college. Magritte was one of my favorites. Very nice.
This is not a pipe.
#39 by kings33 on 02.19.08 9:53 am |
Vlade Divac was notorious for smoking before/after Charlotte Hornets games.
Can’t find a pic, though
#40 by Robert on 02.19.08 9:54 am |
Carlton Fisk did similar ads. The catchline, issued as he was chopping down a tree, was “I hope it clears the fence,” an obvious reference to his theatrics in the 1975 World Series.
#41 by dm00n [Doug] on 02.19.08 9:56 am |
Marlboro presents the NFL
#42 by ryan c #40 on 02.19.08 10:00 am |
dick trickle used to smoke in his car during nascar caution laps (back in the day. google “dick trickle smoking”. couldn’t find pictures).
and i remember seeing a picture of al iafrate of the cpaitals lighting a cig with the blow torch he used to fix the curve on his stick. can’t find the picture though.
phil? anything on either???
#43 by ryan c #40 on 02.19.08 10:00 am |
dick trickle used to smoke in his car during nascar caution laps (back in the day. google “dick trickle smoking”. couldn’t find pictures).
and i remember seeing a picture of al iafrate of the cpaital lighting a cig with the blow torch he used to fix the curve on his stick. can’t find the picture though.
phil? anything on either???
#44 by Bob on 02.19.08 10:00 am |
On the statue of Craig Biggio outside Minute Maid Park, you can see a can of dip in his back pocket.
You can kinda see it here
#45 by Kevin on 02.19.08 10:01 am |
Didn’t Mario Lemieux used to be a very heavy smoker?
#46 by Nick on 02.19.08 10:05 am |
DEAF NFL PLAYERS
St. Louis NFL Cardinals DL Bonnie Sloan played in the 1970s and I believe was the only deaf player in the NFL at that time.
________________________________
SMOKING COACHES IN THE NFL
Cardinals OL Coach, later Head Coach Jim Hanifan was the ALL-TIME SMOKING KING of the NFL. He would often be seen by the TV cameras smoking on the sidelines, one after another.
Hanifan was the Kobiashi of NFL smoking !!!!
In the 1970s Dick Nolan smoked alot while coaching the 49ers in his sharp-looking SUIT !!!
He resembled an NFL version of Dean Martin !!!
#47 by Nick on 02.19.08 10:06 am |
DEAF NFL PLAYERS
St. Louis NFL Cardinals DL Bonnie Sloan played in the 1970s and I believe was the only deaf player in the NFL at that time.
________________________________
SMOKING COACHES IN THE NFL
Cardinals OL Coach, later Head Coach Jim Hanifan was the ALL-TIME SMOKING KING of the NFL. He would often be seen by the TV cameras smoking on the sidelines, one after another.
Hanifan was the Kobiashi of NFL smoking !!!!
In the 1970s Dick Nolan smoked alot while coaching the 49ers in his sharp-looking SUIT !!!
He resembled an NFL version of Dean Martin !!!
#48 by todd krevanchi on 02.19.08 10:11 am |
as a lifelong asthmatic, and one who has recently been diagnosed with the inflammatory lung disorder sarcoidosis, i cant help but shudder any time i see anyone, let alone an athlete smoke.
its interesting how i pay hundreds of dollars a month just so i can inhale air somewhat normally, while these guys, who need to rely on their lungs for stamina, pay hundreds of dollars per month just so they can inhale smoke.
however i did have a habit of chewing kodiak for 15 years. on thursday, it will be 1 year that i quit cold turkey.
#49 by Helmets Match Pants on 02.19.08 10:13 am |
Junior’s firesuit stitching subtle?????
I guess my logo creep detector is much too sensitive…
I hope it doesn’t pose a problem for me in life.
#50 by Anthony Verna on 02.19.08 10:15 am |
René and Georgette Magritte with their dog after the war. . .
Wonderful picture today, Paul!
#51 by Anthony Verna on 02.19.08 10:16 am |
Todd - congratulations.
I also know that quite a few tennis players today smoke - I figure there’s a cultural reason behind it.
#52 by Zach Smith on 02.19.08 10:19 am |
Let us not forget that Wake Forest Unversity was moved from Wake Forest, NC to Winston-Salem, NC because the RJ Reynolds Tobacco family basically paid for the move.
All of the schools major athletic facilities are right next door to the RJ Reynolds plant and you can often smell the tobacco from the plants when at fall afternoon football games.
#53 by Jim W on 02.19.08 10:20 am |
I can’t find any pics but did you see the Sharks/Islanders game yesterday? Nabokov took one in the mask - the cage broke and cut him in the cheek. He came back to start the third period.
Go to: http://www.tsn.ca/
Click on “TSN Broadband” and choose Sharks/Islanders Highlights. Good stuff.
#54 by Joe Drennan on 02.19.08 10:22 am |
lemuix did smoke a lot, but later quit. I remember him talking about it on the old NHL Cool Shots show. Blackhawks coach Denis Savard is a heavy smoker too.
#55 by LI Phil on 02.19.08 10:23 am |
did someone ask for dick trickle?
see dick smoke
#56 by JMC on 02.19.08 10:29 am |
Thanks for the shoutout Paul but all the credit goes to GiantFan9 who writes a great spring training blog where those pictures come from:
http://giantsjotting...
#57 by Shaftman on 02.19.08 10:37 am |
Mike Ditka (cigar)
Babe Ruth (pipe)
#58 by Walaitis on 02.19.08 10:45 am |
Are you sure those aren’t stretch marks? ;)
on a curious note … what’s with comments in recent days that are just quotes attributed back to what Paul says without any comment or reference of any kind (with the comment attributed to a user name = that days post headline)?
#59 by Shaftman on 02.19.08 10:45 am |
Also, as long as we’re on the topic we should remember that most of us are not advocating smoking or chewing of anything. We are merely displaying the acts that have previously been documented.
With that in mind never forget people like Rick Bender whose own choices led to him having to survive oral cancer caused by chewing tobacco. He lost part of his tongue and jaw in surgeries.
#60 by todd krevanchi on 02.19.08 10:48 am |
there is a difference between cigar smokers.
you have the cigar smoker. the guy who just smokes cigars… just like they are cigarettes.
the event cigar smoker. the guy who smokes at events. golf, race track, etc.
the celebration cigar smoker. the guy who smokes in celebration of something. bachelor party, wedding, baby, championship, etc.
you have to distinguish which is which. i used to be an event and celebration smoker.
one man who was all 3 at once was larry laoretti. winner of the 1992 us senior open.
#61 by Pat on 02.19.08 10:54 am |
Good call. I flat out quit at midnight New Years Day. It’s tough. My friends still dip when we go out and as soon as they open a tin I can smell it and crave it. Seeing that guy and a few others with faces like his scared me straight.
I’ll always love the smell, just like he said. And I’ll always want a lip when someone opens a tin.
I don’t know if there is anymore, but I used to see a ton of skoal and copenhagen ads in Sports Illustrated (I don’t get it anymore). The ones I remember didn’t use athletes, but a I remember a lot of them used NASCAR (or NASCAR-like) images.
All I ever remember is “Always there in a pinch.” I never really got that until many years later.
#62 by art on 02.19.08 10:59 am |
Here’s a classic shot of Super Mario smoking during a race long after cyclists stopped believing that cigarettes, “opened up the lungs”:
http://grahamwatson....
#63 by Ryan M. on 02.19.08 11:01 am |
I am pretty sure there is a pic of Kieth Hernandez smoking in the Jeff Pearlman book, “The Bad Guys Won.”
#64 by Johnny O on 02.19.08 11:01 am |
Along with John Daly I think it is pretty common for golfers to smoke…especially on the European Tour. For example; Thomas Bjorn Darren Clarke always has a cigar in his mouth And then there is lesser known Nicolas Colsaerts Last but not least, Ben Hogan usually was smoking, and in this famous picture it shows Hogan lighting up with Arnie. It’s actually called “The smoking picture”.
#65 by Shaftman on 02.19.08 11:04 am |
I believe you meant to link to this picture.
#66 by todd krevanchi on 02.19.08 11:04 am |
i started in college. sophomore year.
a friend worked for skoal in the summer and he would come to our apt and drop off duffle bags of sleeves of straight, mint, and cherry (which had just come out at that time).
during IM softball i jumped to levi garrett which turned to red man golden blend and then to one of my favorites, lancaster.
it just became a habit after that. my tin was no different than my watch or my keys. had to have it with me.
finally i gave it up for lent last year.
90% of my friends still chew and id be lying if i said that in the summer at softball, or at an outdoor picnic, i dont want to snag a lip.
my dentist has noticed a recognizeable difference. he always had said to me, “you need to lay off of the, ‘ahem’, candy.”
#67 by Phil on 02.19.08 11:04 am |
David Letterman’s NBC Bookmobile once featured “Keith Hernandez’ Smoke Like a Big Leaguer.”
#68 by Duckstyle on 02.19.08 11:06 am |
I’ll admitt that up until the middle of December I was a pack-a-day smoker. And I have chronic bronchitis, basically I have bronchitis about 4-5 months out of the year. Stupid, but I still rationalized why I needed to smoke for about 8 years.
#69 by The Ol Goaler on 02.19.08 11:07 am |
Oddly enough, Stan “The Man” Musial (the guy in the center of the photo) wasn’t a smoker…
Musial became a wealthy man due to his restaurant and hotel businesses following his playing career. While still a player, he’d show up at “Stan Musial and Biggie’s” to meet-and-greet; he avoided the constant offers of “Lemme buy you a drink!” by walking about with an ice-filled glass in his hand, smiling, and saying, “Thanks! Already got one!”
Mr. Musial autographed a baseball and a B&W “glossy” of himself for me at that restaurant — those items won’t be seen on E-Bay until I’ve shuffled off this mortal coil!
#70 by Brian K. on 02.19.08 11:07 am |
If you look closely at the link in post #16, it appears the catcher is wearing an Under Armour mask as well. Makes sense, if UA is making chest protectors, they probably are doing masks and shin guards as well.
Also, didn’t get a chance to post yesterday, but those NBA All-Star Uni’s were an utter and absolute abomination. I didn’t watch the game live, but when the highlights were on SportsCenter later that night, it literally took me a couple of minutes to figure out what the hell was going on! It was totally unwatchable. Add Steven A. Smith to the mix and it was unlistenble too!
#71 by Joey Guns on 02.19.08 11:09 am |
No play for Mister Gray…..
http://wuzzadem.type...
#72 by Joe J. on 02.19.08 11:14 am |
Dale Jr. has a Redskin’s logo on his glasses?
#73 by Joe J. on 02.19.08 11:16 am |
^^ nevermind. I zoomed in and it’s not…
#74 by Cork on 02.19.08 11:17 am |
I would say THIS is the most famous magazine cover featuring a smoking athlete.
#75 by TOG on 02.19.08 11:19 am |
http://sportsillustr...
And Jim Leyland continues to puff away (and looks like it)…
#76 by Shaftman on 02.19.08 11:22 am |
Looks like a Chevy logo to me.
#77 by Mike on 02.19.08 11:27 am |
#78 by steve on 02.19.08 11:29 am |
They are SPY glasses.
#79 by Bo in Boulder on 02.19.08 11:29 am |
I know this has nothing to do with the smoking, but I remember watching one of the Reds’ World Series from ‘75 or ‘76 on ESPN Classic and one of the Reds players (can’t remember who) was chewing on a toothpick while he was up to bat.
Weird to see someone with something dangling from his mouth swinging the bat…
#80 by TOG on 02.19.08 11:32 am |
Dale Jr. has a Redskin’s logo on his glasses?
Looks like a Chevy logo to me.
You would not be far off…
Might not be the Redskins logo but Jr. is a huge Redskins fan. When we were working with Dan Snyder on the Redskins black alternate uni, we met with Dan and he had a replica Dale Jr car (small scale of course) in his office and mentioned Dale’s passion for the Redskins. Not sure if there’s a Gibbs tie in there or not?
http://www.faniq.com...
#81 by Joey Guns on 02.19.08 11:37 am |
#82 by Stuby on 02.19.08 11:37 am |
UL Washington of the 1980 Royals always had a toothpick in his mouth. It can sort of be seen on this baseball card.
#83 by steve on 02.19.08 11:38 am |
They are Spy glasses
http://www.spyoptic....
#84 by Marty Met on 02.19.08 11:41 am |
Hopefully today’s post will prompt Vince to quit.
#85 by Phil on 02.19.08 11:45 am |
At work so no pics, but Glenallen Hill, Mark Grace, Kaz Ishii and Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez were/are all smokers… El Duque was the best- a few years ago (99-00) at Yankee Spring Training, the guy ripped butts like it was going out of style. In the bullpen, outside of the stadium… everywhere. Gotta love that guy.
#86 by Mike on 02.19.08 11:45 am |
As far as branding goes, isn’t this a bit much…?
Under Armor indeed
#87 by Moose on 02.19.08 11:49 am |
mnmm…..levi garrett. i too quite, 3 years ago, but just the sound of it makes me want a plug.
#88 by Mike D on 02.19.08 11:50 am |
I seem to recall Lou Pinella smoking a cigarette a few years back in the dugout. Can’t find any pictures though.
#89 by KT on 02.19.08 11:51 am |
That’s not even the longest game played by the Texans/Chiefs franchise. December 25, 1971 when the Dolphins beat the Chiefs 27-24 in double overtime - that game went 82:40 (Texans/Oilers went 77:54).
And, if you’re like me and you consider the USFL to have been “professional football” (though not NFL calibre), on June 30, 1984, the Los Angeles Express/Arizona Wranglers USFL playoff game that went into a third overtime for a total playing time of 93:33.
That’s the longest professional football game ever.
#90 by Surface Water Runoff on 02.19.08 11:55 am |
I’m not sure where Grant Roberts is from, but that picture is country stupid. He was the equivalent of a batting practice pitcher in MVP Baseball 2003, as I recall.
#91 by Joey Guns on 02.19.08 11:55 am |
The Suns and Nuggets will be playing a pre-season game outdoors in October 2008…..
http://sports.espn.g...
#92 by KT on 02.19.08 11:56 am |
Speaking of an SI cover of an athlete who is smoking…
#93 by Joe Drennan on 02.19.08 12:05 pm |
OK, I sent the comment onto Paul that I remember seeing a picture of Stan Mikita smoking after a game, but I can’t find it and neither can he. Anybody out there have any luck finding it?
#94 by TOG on 02.19.08 12:06 pm |
Original Six uniforms on the big screen?
Blackhawks uniforms
Wayne’s World 2
http://www.truveo.co...
Clark Griswold // Natonal Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
http://www.thegreenh...
Red Wings
Gordie Howe // Ferris Buller’s Day Off
http://www.nickfruhl...
Other recollections of NHL O-6 in the movies???
#95 by Al Gruwell on 02.19.08 12:09 pm |
Mark Grace ripped butts like crazy, usually in the tunnel to the clubhouse at Wrigley.
#96 by Donnie Darko on 02.19.08 12:09 pm |
The pic below sent shockwaves through the international media covering the ‘06 World Cup in Germany… of course many already knew Zizou enjoyed his a nic fix.
http://www.hurriyet....
#97 by Kenny on 02.19.08 12:12 pm |
X marks the spot
#98 by Mike on 02.19.08 12:12 pm |
Blackhawks played the Pens in Sudden Death if I am not mistaken.
#99 by Joe Drennan on 02.19.08 12:16 pm |
The charecter Doug in Cutting Edge had a Hull Hawks Jersey
Let’s not forget the movie the Mighty Ducks 3 when the JV team comes out in the 3rd period wearing the NHL team’s jerseys, only to go on and beat the mighty varsity. Who saw that one coming?
The movie The Rocket had some nice views of original 6 teams too as it is the story of Henri Richard. Kinda weird watching a French movie with English dubbing though
#100 by Donnie Darko on 02.19.08 12:19 pm |
On the All-Star game, checked the comments and didn’t see a mention of the Kevin Durant ad, which was pretty cool for uni-watchers
http://youtube.com/w...
#101 by John T on 02.19.08 12:20 pm |
With St. Patricks day upon us, we get the usual Green treatment, nhl shop has a whole section for green wear(UGH!!)
http://shop.nhl.com/...
#102 by Ronnie Poore on 02.19.08 12:23 pm |
Joe DiMaggio endorses Camel cigarettes:
http://www.sportsart...
and Joe photographed smoking:
http://jpg2.lapl.org...
#103 by Jim on 02.19.08 12:27 pm |
I was at the Phoenix Open about 10 years ago - #1 tee box. Fuzzy Zoeller is introduced, he walks up to the tee box, puts his cigarette on the grass, tees up, drives the ball about 290 down the middle (no practice swing), picks up the cig and walks down the fairway… classic.
#104 by Ryne on 02.19.08 12:29 pm |
#105 by Joe from WV on 02.19.08 12:30 pm |
John Kruk was (is?) a smoker. He even named his autobiography after an incident in which a woman told him he shouldn’t be smoking as he was a professional athlete. His reply was, of course “I ain’t an athlete, lady; I play baseball.”
#106 by Al on 02.19.08 12:32 pm |
One thing regarding Adidas logo creep.
Nike had its logos on the race shoes of Al Unser Jr. and Dale Earnhardt, but who knows if these were made by Beaverton, Ore., or were commissioned to Bill Simpson to make a fireproof shoe?
Also, those Adidas stripes had to have been quilted in and not sewn in; the construction of those full suits changed after Tom Sneva’s fiery crash at Indy in 1975. Sneva was OK except for pinhole-sized burn marks around his shoulders.
Seems that epaulets were made mandatory in USAC racing at the time to help rescue workers pull drivers out of the cars, but the people making Sneva’s suit sewed the epaulets onto the suit by stitching all the way through the suit instead of fastening it to the outer skin.
#107 by Neil on 02.19.08 12:33 pm |
Dion Phaneuf and Miikka Kiprusoff lighting up:
http://jesgolbez.blo...
#108 by emd2k3 on 02.19.08 12:34 pm |
I can’t believe Jersey Joe is still a UW sponsor … a GREEN METS BP JERSEY in an ad? What the?
Heresy!!
#109 by Mark W on 02.19.08 12:35 pm |
Nearly 100 posts and no one posts this famous smoker?
This isn’t the photo I was looking for, but it’ll do.
#110 by Lincoln on 02.19.08 12:37 pm |
I believe that is Felix Pie that Soriano is looking at. They have a brother-like relationship, so maybe he is making sure Pie is dressed properly.
#111 by KT on 02.19.08 12:40 pm |
Let us also not forget…
#112 by MPowers1634 on 02.19.08 12:40 pm |
The U and A are interlocking, not an X.
#113 by B. Hill on 02.19.08 12:41 pm |
The Chicago Rush need your help, UniWatch loyalists!!! Paul’s ticker item on the new Arena League helmets got me looking at the Rush site. They’re letting the public vote on whether they should go monochrome black with their third uniform this year. Please go to www.chicagorush.com and vote for silver pants … PLEASE!!!!
#114 by Joe Drennan on 02.19.08 12:45 pm |
I’ve done my civic duty today and voted against the black.
#115 by Ryan B on 02.19.08 12:49 pm |
Boston Bruins - Happy Gilmore (especially in the Sandler/Bob Barker fight scene)
I can’t believe nobody thought of that one before now!
#116 by Rick on 02.19.08 12:50 pm |
That ad has been on since at least November, when it was posted to YouTube.
#117 by