Whatever you think of the advertising patches that were worn in the A’s/Bosox series in Japan, one question remains: Why is uniform advertising used exclusively in these season-opening series in Japan?
Our resident expert on all things Far Eastern, Jeremy Brahm, tried to address this question in Tuesday’s comments:
Since the beginning of the MLB tours of Japan, two Japanese newspapers — the Yomiuri Shimbun (owner of the Yomiuri Giants) and the Mainichi Shinbun (which owned the Mainichi Orions, which are now the Chiba Lotte Marines — the paper currently has no ownership stake) — would split who sponsored the tour every two or three years. This has continued until recently.
Now, with the season-opening games, Yomiuri gets sponsorship precedence, because they own a portion of the Tokyo Dome and because of their historical support for MLB Tours.
The tours in the past have always had some sort of sponsorship. Now there are presenting sponsors, such as Ricoh — similar to the situation with a college bowl game.
Even after some private follow-up e-mailing with Jeremy, I don’t fully understand this, but the basic gist seems to be, “Professional baseball in Japan, including all-star tours by MLB players, has always included sponsorship, so that’s just the way it’s gonna be when you’re playing in Japan.”
Anyway: You probably know that American ballplayers have been visiting Japan for decades. The Yankees toured the Asian country in 1934 (details here), and there have been many, many all-star exhibition tours over the years. Most of these tours have had their own logos, and Jeremy has compiled some of the more recent ones: 1986, 1990, 1996, another one from 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006.
Some additional notes:
• I never really paid any attention to MLB tours of Japan until the autumn of 2004, when a larger version of this photo caught my eye. Although you can’t tell in that thumbnail-size shot, Carl Crawford was wearing the road jersey that Tampa would eventually wear in 2005, with different lettering than the 2004 version — and, yes, he was also wearing an advertising sleeve patch. As it turns out, all the MLB players on that all-star tour were wearing Æon sleeve patches and helmet decals (additional views here and here), along with cap patches. Plus Roger Clemens was sporting some truly awful-looking hosiery logo creep. This all looks pretty clownish to me, but hey, these were just exhibition games — they’re allowed to look clownish. Maybe it’s even better if they look clownish, just to reinforce the point that the games don’t really matter and that it’s all in fun. But I still can’t get my head around the idea of wearing uniform advertising for games that count.
• The A’s and Mariners were supposed to open the 2003 season in Japan, but the series was cancelled due to security concerns arising from the Iraq War, which had just started. Programs, however, had already been printed.
• Jeremy has also found a page showing ticket stubs from assorted MLB tours of Japan. Several of them are flat-out gorgeous — check out the full page here.
• Also from Jeremy: This 1979 All-Star Game gym bag, apparently produced for Japanese fans.
• And just to bring us back to the present, Nicholas Schiavo notes that an Oakland player — not sure who — was wearing a sweatshirt in the dugout during Tuesday’s game. And what did that sweatshirt say? “2006 MLB Playoffs.” Wonder if he got fined for not wearing the official ad-sponsored Japan Series version.
Pinstriped Mystery Solved (More or Less): Big thanks to all who responded to Monday’s entry (which focused on an old photo showing Dodgers wearing pinstripes, as seen at left) by suggesting that I get in touch with Dodgers team historian Mark Langill, a man whose acquaintance I clearly should have made long ago. I called his office on Monday afternoon and left a voicemail. When he called me back a few hours later, he said he was standing in the third base coach’s box at the Los Angeles Coliseum, where the Dodgers will be playing a throwback exhibition game against the Red Sox this Saturday. (By coincidence, the Dodgers’ 1958-style uniforms for that game are being furnished by Ebbets Field Flannels, and I was actually in the Ebbets office in Seattle a few weeks ago when the Dodgers called to order the uniforms. The good news: They’re going with classic wool flannels. The bad news: They’re using NOBs, which is soooooo bogus for a 1958 throwback. Sigh.)
Anyway: I e-mailed the photo in question to Langill, who immediately identified it as a 1964 spring training shot of minor league coaches. Apparently the Dodgers had several low-level minor league teams in their system that wore pinstripes along with the classic Dodgers script (Mark isn’t sure which ones are represented in the photo, but he’s working on that), and they were wearing “L.A.” caps because that’s what everyone wore for spring training purposes.
Still not sure about the spring training pics showing jerseys with “S” and “X” instead of uni numbers, but I’m trying to get Mark to explain that too.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Cool old newspaper basketball uniform available here. … A little birdie tells me that the Braves’ long-rumored blue alternate jersey may make its debut in the team’s very first game of the season, this Sunday against the Nats. “GM Frank Wren wants it to be a big surprise,” reports my source. “The Braves have delayed putting out their merchandise catalog this year solely because the road alternate jersey is featured in it. The feeling is that by unveiling them in this fashion (nationally televised game on ESPN), sales will be through the roof as soon as the catalog is sent.” Nice to see uniforms reduced to nothing more than a sales gimmick. … Best view yet of the “Japan 2008″ logo. … Looks like Manny was back to his old, skanky “B” logo yesterday. … Speaking of Manny, according to a small item in the middle of this story, MLB wouldn’t let him use his “red-barreled, Diablo brand bat” in Japan, so “he just grabbed some ‘Japanese wood,’ in the form of a couple of SSX models” (with thanks to Tom Horgan). … The “Baseball as America” traveling exhibit is currently residing at the National Constitution Center in Philly. A bonus uniform-centric program will take place there at on Saturday, April 19th, from noon to 3pm, featuring Mitchell & Ness prexy Peter Capolino, M&N researcher (and frequent Uni Watch contributor) Jared Wheeler, and several Phillies old-timers. I’m gonna try to make it to Philly for this event. Assuming my schedule cooperates, we’ll have a Uni Watch party later that same day. Details to come soon-ishly. … Speaking of Peter and Jared, they just sent me this 1943 Sporting News item that explains the origin of the Cardinals’ birds-on-the-bat logo. … New Netherlands soccer kit here, here, and here. … Guess which sporting event I won’t be attending? (As horrifyingly reported by Mike Alper.) … According to this story, the Astros will wear green caps in honor of Earth Day on April 22nd (good find by Jason Chapman). … We all know the old pre-Photoshop phenomenon of Topps airbrushing photos of players who'’d been traded. This blog recently ran a contest to pick the most egregious example from this field of choices. Results here (great discovery by Jason McCarty). … As you may have heard over the past few days, the NFL is considering a ban on long hair (that sound you just heard was Minna H. screaming in horror). … You’ve heard of throwback uniforms? Check this out: throwback police squad cars (courtesy of Billy Duss). … Well, that was fun while it lasted. … Attention Tim Witesock: Here’s the eBay auction of your dreams (with thanks to Jason Libes). … Good number-retirement cartoon from last week’s New Yorker. … More new soccer kits: Switzerland, Austria, Croatia (courtesy of Chris Palatinus). … And more discussion of the new USA black jersey here (with thanks to Mark Coale). … New policy at Northern Illinois: Football players who “skip class, show up late for team meetings or otherwise fail to live up to [head coach Jerry] Kill’s standards” have to wear a yellow shirt with pink “I Let My Team Down” lettering. Idiotic details here (as forwarded by Dan Streed). … Minnesota’s two pro soccer teams have new logos (with thanks to Joel Dunn). … Todd Taylor says this is the story behind the Rays using the same boring insignia for their home and road jerseys: “They did that intentionally, to build name recognition for the new team name. They will go to ‘Tampa Bay’ on the roads next season.” … The whole sports/gang connection refuses to die (with thanks to Chris Flinn). … The long-rumored Miami Hurricanes black alternate jersey will apparently look like this. … Wanna design a new secondary logo for the Colts? Look here. … I was going through some old files and came across a bit of info sent my way five or six years ago by SABR researcher Maxwell Kates. At the time, there was no such thing as this blog or even the Uni Watch News Ticker, so I had no place to publish little tidbits. But now, dear reader, you get to read the following: “Is it true that Wayland Moore was high on acid when he designed those uniforms worn by the Braves between 1972 and 1979? I’ve heard that story once before, but I can’t vouch for its accuracy. When Moore first designed those uniforms, the Braves were actually supposed to have worn red on the road. Hank Aaron took one look at the uniform and said, ‘I’m not wearing that. Take whatever is red, and make it blue.’ Moore complied and later altered the Braves’ road uniforms according to Aaron’s wishes. Aaron and Eddie Mathews were the only ones shown the red uniforms. Also, just out of curiosity, why did the 1985 Texas Rangers wear their 1986 uniforms for the last month of the season? I know that had the 1979 Montreal Expos made the playoffs, they would have worn the ‘racing stripe’ uniforms that were introduced by the team in 1980. That’s in Brodie Snyder’s The Year the Expos Almost Won the Pennant.” All of this is news to me — anyone know more about any of these?
#1 by DJ on 03.27.08 9:28 am |
Also, just out of curiosity, why did the 1985 Texas Rangers wear their 1986 uniforms for the last month of the season? I know that had the 1979 Montreal Expos made the playoffs, they would have worn the ‘racing stripe’ uniforms that were introduced by the team in 1980. That’s in Brodie Snyder’s The Year the Expos Almost Won the Pennant.” All of this is news to me — anyone know more about any of these?
The White Sox changed from the navy and red to their current black and silver for the final two homestands and road trip of 1990 (the final season at old Comiskey Park).
#2 by Joey Guns on 03.27.08 9:29 am |
Paul, the Giants open up the NFL season on 9/4/08 at home against the Redskins. Do you think the “21″ sticker will still be on the Redskins’ helmet at that point?
#3 by Ben on 03.27.08 9:34 am |
“All designs submitted should incorporate a youthful hose that is “playful yet strong,” and which should appeal to Colts fans.”
so are the colts looking for a garden hose?
#4 by Miguel on 03.27.08 9:34 am |
“A’s hoody guy” looks like Huston Street.
#5 by Roger on 03.27.08 9:41 am |
I’m an Astros fan, and let me say that the green caps ideal is ridiculous. Cut the BS about the environment and just say you’re conducting a money grab. As if having a history full of umpteen uniform changes and colors doesn’t provide you with enough merchandise choices for your fans.
#6 by Jeremy Brahm on 03.27.08 9:42 am |
Poster of the 1934 NY Yankees trip with Babe Ruth on it at the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Link
The poster which on the bottom left in red has Yomiuri Shinbun (owner of the Yomiuri newspaper and Giants) written from right to left. Even when I first saw this poster in Japan, I couldn’t understand how to read Suuru Buube, then I realized with old Japanese script then read right to left, hence Beebu Ruusu, Babe Ruth.
#7 by Tim on 03.27.08 9:46 am |
A Philly UniWatch Party and its the one weekend i’ll be out of town.
#8 by Mark K on 03.27.08 9:51 am |
The Colts site doesn’t have the registration form and no mention of how to send in your logo designs or what the deadline is- seems like some pretty key info that’s missing.
It seems the entries will be weeded out and voted on by fans all within a month. My guess is the deadline is tomorrow.
#9 by Plannerben on 03.27.08 9:52 am |
Uni-related note on the Japan barnstorming tours. According to the book “The Catcher Was a Spy,” the fascinating Moe Berg (catcher for the Dodgers and Red Sox) donned a kimono, snuck into, I believe, a hospital and took home movies of Tokyo harbor on a visit in the 30s.
Allegedly, the War Department used that footage for WWII intelligence and then hired Berg to spy on physicist Werner Heisenberg in Switzerland.
Of course, this is all according to Berg. It seems unlikely that any Japanese would have been fooled by a six-foot-tall Jewish boy from Newark in a kimono, but what do I know?
#10 by Shaftman on 03.27.08 9:53 am |
I agree. I’m sure the cost of manufacturing the “Green” caps will not be very eco friendly. I wish teams/corporations/people would actually BE eco-friendly instead of PORTRAY that they are.
I liken it to the pink used for the breast cancer awareness. If all of these teams just donated the money it cost to produce all of these pink items to the research funds, it might be equal to the total amount that the awareness programs raised in the first place.
Before anyone rips me and accuses me of maybe not being eco-friendly myself, I would say, you’re right. I’m not the MOST green person in the world (I do what I feel that I can). But at the same time I don’t preach that I am. I would call the latter the Spitzer syndrome.
AND it would also be eco-friendly not to have to produce that many new pink items. Two birds, one stone.
#11 by Luke on 03.27.08 9:53 am |
I enjoy the Braves unveiling their uni like so. It ads some excitement to an already exciting game.
#12 by Seth H on 03.27.08 9:55 am |
New Netherlands soccer kit here, here, and here.
When I read this, I thought we were going to get pictures of unis from the mid-1600s.
#13 by MPowers1634 on 03.27.08 9:55 am |
aaaaarrrrgghhhhhhh! Please, NO MORE!
#14 by Adam on 03.27.08 10:00 am |
Are we sure this is entirely accurate? I know they wore the new uniforms for the last homestand (9/25-9/30 against MIN, MIL and SEA), and it’s possible they wore them for the last road trip (10/1-10/3 against BOS, although I don’t remember that either way), but the second-to-last homestand was 9/13-9/16 against Boston, and I was under the impression that the new uniforms were just for the last week (and if they did use the new road uniforms, you’d have thought they would use them between 9/17 and 9/24, too). Considering we have exact dates, probably wouldn’t be too hard of a research project, but I don’t have time to do it.
#15 by DUCKstyle on 03.27.08 10:11 am |
I was able to find the registration form and info, you speak of, pretty easily.
#16 by scott on 03.27.08 10:12 am |
The White Sox certainly wore the new road uniforms at Fenway during the last week of the 1990 season. Isn’t there a somewhat famous highlight of Tom Brunansky making an outstanding catch to end one of those games and clinch the pennant for Boston?
The Red Sox in 1972, I think, introduced their new uniforms at the All-Star Game in Atlanta.
#17 by derek on 03.27.08 10:17 am |
My friend and former co-worker, Gary, actually designed the Baseball as America logo, you can see the rest of his work here.
#18 by Christopher on 03.27.08 10:18 am |
I’m also pretty sure the White Sox wore their new unis for at least two weeks or so. They played quite a few games in them if I recall.
That was the last year of Old Comiskey Park, and there was a lot of fanfare surrounding those final homestands.
They also could have wanted to give the new uniforms their own introduction, as the next year would be focused around the new park.
#19 by Mike on 03.27.08 10:25 am |
The White Sox most certainly did wear their new uniforms for that series in 1990. I was in college in Boston at the time and my apartment was so close to Fenway that we would watch the night games on our roof with the sound turned down so we could hear the fan noise.
Bruno’s catch clinched the AL East for the Sox that year - which begat Roger Clemens’ “Ninja Turtle Day” in Oakland.
#20 by DMWiz on 03.27.08 10:29 am |
I’m positive on the White Sox wearing their ‘91 jerseys to close out the ‘90 season both at home and on the road. The Brunansky catch was on a ball hit by current WS manager Ozzie Guillen. This was also the season where Bobby Thigpen set the saves record which means the new mark was set in the new uniform.
#21 by Adam on 03.27.08 10:32 am |
Ok, did a bit of research on chicagotribune.com:
9/6/90 - “Confirming weeks of speculation, the White Sox said Wednesday they will wear their new uniforms the last week of the season.”
9/25/90 - “He won’t be alone in his reverie, starting Tuesday when the Sox unveil their new pinstriped uniforms at 7:05 p.m. against Minnesota.”
So it looks like it was just the last week.
#22 by Tyler Young on 03.27.08 10:35 am |
The MLS will be adding a team in Seattle next season. Starting today, you can go to their website and vote for one of three choices for team name. Voting ends on March 31st. The choices are… terrible. Wait, here they are… Seattle FC, Seattle Republic and Seattle Alliance.
#23 by werthj on 03.27.08 10:43 am |
Stacked NOB at the McDonald’s All American Game (girls) last night in Milwaukee
#24 by Anthony on 03.27.08 10:43 am |
Aww, Ben! You beat me to it! Here’s to proper spelling and grammar! :)
#25 by John T on 03.27.08 10:45 am |
David Beckham had 100th cap for England yesterday and wore this to mark occasion, at the end of the match, one of the French team wanted to swap shirts with him, he politely declined the offer.
#26 by Perry on 03.27.08 10:47 am |
So… on that photo (apparently a magazine page) of Ruud van Nistelrooy modeling the new Holland national team kit, why are the words “Sport Interview” in English at the top of a page that’s otherwise entirely in Dutch? Also, who knew that the Dutch spelling of Ruud’s name is “Van Nistelrooij”? And given that, why does it always appear as “Van Nistelrooy” in the English-language press and, more importantly, on the back of his Real Madrid shirt?
#27 by MPowers1634 on 03.27.08 10:56 am |
Just to be a p.i.t.a., but wouldn’t the harming of avian creatures be considered not eco-friendly?
Seriously though, I agree with what you are saying.
Also, what is with the rampant color on color games in SP? It’s disturbing!
#28 by chance on 03.27.08 10:56 am |
Or you could do what I did - write in “Seattle Sounders.”
#29 by RJ on 03.27.08 11:07 am |
“So… on that photo (apparently a magazine page) of Ruud van Nistelrooy modeling the new Holland national team kit, why are the words “Sport Interview” in English at the top of a page that’s otherwise entirely in Dutch? Also, who knew that the Dutch spelling of Ruud’s name is “Van Nistelrooij”? And given that, why does it always appear as “Van Nistelrooy” in the English-language press and, more importantly, on the back of his Real Madrid shirt?”
That’s the Dutch digraph IJ (see here: ). Steve Yzerman’s family, before they moved to Canada and the name was anglicized, spelled their last name IJzerman.
#30 by RJ on 03.27.08 11:08 am |
IJ digraph
#31 by Chris ATL on 03.27.08 11:09 am |
Say thanks to your little birdie Paul I was actually looking for any news on the Blue jersey yesterday so I could order one so I am glad they are going to make them I really want a new Braves jersey this year can’t wait for it to become available to order. Any word on if it will say Atlanta? It should but the Rays show that that’s not always the case.
#32 by Philly Bill on 03.27.08 11:17 am |
Yr word of the day: “Greenwashing”.
Shameful, and ripe for ridicule. Celebrating Earth Day at the former Enron Field, built proudly by Halliburton and widely festooned with advertising thereof? Where I can’t locate an out-of-town scoreboard but there are two tickers showing energy industry stock and oil prices? Where the roof is closed and the A/C cranked even when it’s not even hot outside?
Oy gevalt.
#33 by John Livewell on 03.27.08 11:20 am |
Peter: I live in Philly. If you are looking for a good place to meet we can always discuss. Good Center City Bars.
#34 by Brian on 03.27.08 11:21 am |
About halfway down on this article it says that the Philadelphia Phantoms will be wearing replica jerseys of the ‘68-’69 Flin Flon Bombers in honor of Bobby Clarke. Here’s a picture of the original jersey.
#35 by Geeman on 03.27.08 11:25 am |
The Rangers started wearing their ‘86 uniforms midway through ‘85 season, according to Mark Okkonen’s classic book “Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century” (1991). Why, I do not know.
#36 by Brian on 03.27.08 11:25 am |
It would be nice if I put in the links. Here’s the article and here’s the picture.
#37 by Mike Edgerly on 03.27.08 11:26 am |
Bravo! I’ll do the same! I think the MLS should do more to revive the old NASL nicknames, they did it with the San Jose Earthquakes, and if the Tampa Bay team had been able to be called the “Rowdies” rather than “Mutiny” IMHO they’d still exist in MLS.
#38 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 03.27.08 11:26 am |
I wrote in Seattle Sounders as well. Maybe if enough of us do a write-in for Sounders thay’ll pick it.
#39 by DUCKstyle on 03.27.08 11:34 am |
I’ll be doing the same once I get home. Work computers block 99% of the MLS site’s content. The Sounders is a great and unique name, to lose it would be a shame, especially considering the terrible choices they came up with. Seriously though, European traditon aside, why are they naming teams ____FC or FC____ when we call it soccer. Why not Seattle SC? Am I the only one who shakes his head when they hear FC Dallas??
#40 by chance on 03.27.08 11:36 am |
That’s the general idea….
#41 by Brendon on 03.27.08 11:36 am |
Hey Paul,
Do you know a good site to knee high socks for baseball, in particular striped socks???
Thanks,
-B
#42 by UW justin on 03.27.08 11:47 am |
I did the same…and mine counts twice since I have reserved two season tickets.
#43 by Geoff on 03.27.08 11:49 am |
Yea, it’s definitley him.
#44 by Mattattack on 03.27.08 11:55 am |
I don’t know why he would want to be reminded of the 2006 playoffs after dishing up the series ending home run to Magglio Ordonez.
#45 by A.J. Zydzik on 03.27.08 11:56 am |
Sport and Interview are both words that are used in Dutch as well…
I love the new Netherlands kits too, Im glad they got rid of the collars that were on the old ones and I love how they put the first lines of “Het Wilhelmus” (the Dutch “national anthem”) on the inside of the collar, I think its a really cool touch
#46 by craig g on 03.27.08 12:06 pm |
Looking at the story’s second link, of the Bosox player’s right shoulder,I have to ask. Who was the wise guy that decided to put EMC2 patches on the jerseys of American players that are playing in Japan of all places?
#47 by RS on 03.27.08 12:10 pm |
Looking at those Japanese Tour ticket stubs, the Japanese philosophy of baseball is evident. An American ticket stub would have featured the stars and home runs. Japan, based on the ticket stubs, seems to love a close play at second.
#48 by lwiedy on 03.27.08 12:13 pm |
Odd how the Airbrush Invitational Rodeo excluded pre-1974 entries. They missed this gem. Also, how many caps were “redesigned” by Topps?
#49 by MLB2PDX on 03.27.08 12:17 pm |
Pretty big Portland Timbers fan here, and I will admit that I’m even very disappointed with the fact that they may not be called the Sounders. That owner needs to wake up.
And as for the whole “FC” thing, completely agree. While I’d rather they all just stuck with American style names, if they’re going to choose a Euro tradition then use “SC”. A few clubs in Europe use it anyway, for “Sports Club”.
#50 by lwiedy on 03.27.08 12:18 pm |
It would nice if it were that simple.
#51 by MLB2PDX on 03.27.08 12:20 pm |
“So how are people doing so far in the Uni Watch pool?”
I’m sure I’m out of it, but so far I have 65…and will probably end with 65. :-)
(Nova =24; W.Ky =24; Kansas St =11; Marquette =6; Zona and St. Joe’s = 0). Gotta love March Madness…
#52 by steve on 03.27.08 12:29 pm |
Write in is available too.
Seattle Sounders!
#53 by Joey Guns on 03.27.08 12:32 pm |
Top 10 quotes from the movie Major League:
http://www.toptenchi...
#54 by James Craven on 03.27.08 12:37 pm |
I’m there!
#55 by Casey (Davis, CA) on 03.27.08 12:37 pm |
I personally liked the USMNT Soccer Kits. They are not black. They are a cross between a charcoal color and a midnight blue. I think they look sharp and distinctive. They are simple, but unique.
#56 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 03.27.08 12:37 pm |
DIG THOSE NEW NETHERLANDS Uni’s. Are those socks Mint? It might just be the filter on the image.
I shake my head in disgust at the new font Puma is using on their soccer templates.
#57 by Mets/Jets Fan in Chicagoland on 03.27.08 12:38 pm |
Doing better than me, brother:
My six teams:
Tennessee = 4
Pittsburgh = 4
UCLA = 2
Georgetown = 2
St. Mary’s = 0
West Virginia = 14
TOTAL = 26
Any chance of qualifying for the boobie prize of having the lowest point total? Maybe a plain purple RBK Edge jersey with a green dot on the back and a yellow C on the front? ;-)
#58 by Minna H. on 03.27.08 12:39 pm |
No. I refuse to accept a ban on long hair in the NFL (though I love the accompanying pic). If Troy himself is not concerned about his safety (no pun intended), then let the long locks flow for the betterment of my sports’ viewing enjoyment.
Thanks, Paul, for ruining my day. I need chocolate.
#59 by Minna H. on 03.27.08 12:43 pm |
The pool: I had San Diego picked–in my head. I think Siena is the only team I picked that actually won. I like the booby prize idea–as long as it’s not pink (whatever it is).
#60 by diz on 03.27.08 12:44 pm |
There’s AFC (Association Football Club) as well, quite commonly used for sides in places where another code of football is dominant (cf Hull City, Leeds United,) which saves on creating/misusing an SC.
#61 by MPowers1634 on 03.27.08 12:44 pm |
Very interesting point but I am certain that only we uni-watchers would have ever made that connection.
They might as well have placed Fermi or Oppenheimer on the patch!
#62 by James Craven on 03.27.08 12:46 pm |
I say in the words of Emril Lagasse that we kick this bad boy up another notch, and vote in the write-in for Emerald City Sounders AFC. “AFC” are the initials for “Association Football Club”. If KC can have the Wizards, let’s get another Wizard of Oz reference into MLS and put Seattle’s unofficial nickname into play. That’ll make the host of The Price is Right happy.
#63 by Matt on 03.27.08 12:54 pm |
My main hope for the new jerseys for my beloved Braves: they actually have the script “Braves” or “Atlanta” with the tomahawk. I don’t want it to be simply the new “Tomahawk-A” logo over the heart, it would look like a cheap little league travel team logo.
The most awesome option would be the aforementioned throwback blues from the 70s, a la the Brewers and Blue Jays, but they wouldn’t do that simply for road games.
#64 by James Craven on 03.27.08 1:11 pm |
Sorry, but that comment deserved the picture!
#65 by James Craven on 03.27.08 1:13 pm |
Sorry, but that comment deserved the picture!
And fixed.
#66 by BobA on 03.27.08 1:15 pm |
New Colts secondary logo? I suggest they work this in.
-signed
Still Bitter Baltimore Colt fan
#67 by Jerico on 03.27.08 1:15 pm |
There is hope: according to the Denver Post, Ralphie stays at Boulder, but the University of Colorado is hinting at “expansion”.
#68 by Gordon van de Kamp on 03.27.08 1:37 pm |
Cool, I hadn’t been able to make out what was written on the inside of the collar.
Here are some more of the Holland kit, mostly promo shots with Huntelaar:
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Note sure if I dig the blue socks as much, I don’t think the light blue fits in too much with the darker blue that’s on the collar. I also liked the old badge better with no polygonal border around the KNVB logo.
Some additional if about IJ and correct me if I’m wrong, but the IJ digraph is usually changed to make pronunciation of Dutch words using it easier for non-Dutch speakers. A big example is the soccer club Feyenoord Rotterdam, which was originially spelled Feijenoord (named after part of the city, the stadium still uses this spelling), but the club name was changed in the 70’s as they gained international recognition.
#69 by Mets/Jets Fan in Chicagoland on 03.27.08 1:47 pm |
Was the “wink” emoticon not enough of a hint, or do I need to make sure I hit the “sarcasm” tag first? :-)
#70 by Stephen on 03.27.08 1:55 pm |
Well, pretty much dead in my tracks for the pool:
North Carolina = 2
Memphis = 2
Georgia = 0
Marquette = 6
George Mason = 0
Kansas = 2
Total so far, 12 pts. Too many Cinderellas in my picks.
~E~
#71 by DUCKstyle on 03.27.08 2:09 pm |
My picks were”….just a big ol’ frozen chunk of poopy.”
Pitt = 4
Texas = 4(still alive)
Drake = 0
Purdue = 6
Wisconsin = 6(still alive)
West Virginia = 14(still alive)
Total = 34….aka not enough of the little guys.
“See that peanut? Dead giveaway.”
#72 by Juan Grande on 03.27.08 2:14 pm |
Bruno’s catch in the right field corner still ranks as one of my all-time Red Sox moments. After the 1990 ALCS, Clemens was on Letterman. Letterman asked Roger what he said to the umpire to be ejected from the game. Roger responded that he had said “vacuum” to the umpire. (Stand in front of a mirror and say “vacuum” and “f**k you”)
#73 by Robby Z on 03.27.08 2:18 pm |
The ’86 Japan Logo:
Reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld’s appearance on the “Super-Terrific Happy Hour”.
#74 by Juan Grande on 03.27.08 2:22 pm |
Moe Berg was very smart (Princeton and Columbia Law School), spoke multiple languages, but not much of a ball player. Apparently he was a good guy to have around so he was in the majors as a back-up catcher hitting not much above the Mendoza line for a number of years. Yogi Berra had a great quote about him: “Moe Berg can speak six languages but can’t hit in a single one of them!”
#75 by A.J. Zydzik on 03.27.08 2:26 pm |
those socks seem to match the away jerseys,
#76 by A.J. Zydzik on 03.27.08 2:27 pm |
as usual I cant get links to work, but the away jerseys are the same sky blue-ish color as those socks
#77 by todd krevanchi on 03.27.08 2:32 pm |
the sports century on moe berg is one of the best theyve made.
#78 by Tim on 03.27.08 2:57 pm |
As
The Phillies did this in 1992 when they switched over to their current style. They wore the old colors/uniforms for all of spring training and didn’t unveil the new logo, uniforms, or caps until opening day 1992.
#79 by Marty Met on 03.27.08 3:00 pm |
Too many cinderellas? What are you drinking. NC, KU and Memphis are #1’s. I got more points with a first round Kansas State win than you would get if NC plays Memphis in the final.
#80 by patrick on 03.27.08 3:10 pm |
Those “sports club” use it because, they usually fit the definition of sports club, in that they have teams in more than one sport. Seattle Sports Club sounds like a gym, not a soccer team. I understand the desire to get away from european naming but, I got news for ya, at the youth level, teams go by names like FC delco, FC Westchester etc, FC Oyster Bay. Whether you call it soccer or football, the naming of a club should be FC, but thats just my opinion.
#81 by Mark K on 03.27.08 3:11 pm |
Not sure if you guys have seen the Sports Illustrated baseball preview issue. They use Uni numbers for each team’s predicted rank within their division.
Just looking at it quickly I noticed the Reds have some crazy looking numbers- is that new this year? Nothing else jumped out at me but I’m sure folks on here will pick it apart. They apparently didn’t avoid retired numbers- they had the Yankees #1 in the AL East.
I checked and they don’t have this online.
#82 by Stephen on 03.27.08 3:14 pm |
Exactly. I hoped that Georgia would make the sweet 16 (ugh, this coming from a Tech guy…sheesh), because they got hot at the right time. Also felt like Marquette would go deep, and I just grabbed George Mason because they were a low seed, and, well, I hate Notre Dame. If any of those guys won a game or two, it would have been gravy. But they didn’t (well, Marquette won one). And the #1 seeds were because I wanted some points.
Basketball futility.
~E~
#83 by Josh on 03.27.08 3:16 pm |
Totally unrelated to anything uniform story:
When I was in school at the University of Arizona I did play by play for their softball team (When Jennie Finch was a freshman)
One of the most interesting aspects of their uniforms - other than the 80’s style elastic waistband pants - was the fact that their player wore REVERSIBLE stirrups. I have never seen it on any other team, baseball or softball. Now, I’ve finally found some good pics to include.
Blue side of stirrups
Red side of stirrups
And oh yeah, that’s K’Lee Arredondo…if you move past the stirrups she’s not bad to look at either.
#84 by Josh on 03.27.08 3:20 pm |
One more Arizona Softball pic…
I’d imagine that you anti-Nike guys could get past the logo creep in this one
Nice…uh…logo
#85 by DUCKstyle on 03.27.08 3:21 pm |
Well if you’d have actually read what I said I said use Seattle SC for SOCCER CLUB, not sporting club like in Europe. I realize youth clubs might use it, although I’ve never seen any in my neck of the woods. So you really think that using FC in the US makes sense? Explain how….because IMO it makes no sense at all seeing as noone born here calls it football. I realize that some kids found it cool to call it football when I was little because their d-bag, suedo-British soccer coach tried to convince them otherwise, but sorry we’ve already got a sport called football and that isn’t changing. To go along with that DC United doesn’t make any sense either. My understanding is that teams were called united because, in the days of yore, 2 or more teams combined, and made their new name United to show that union. Just my 2 222 cents on the subject.
#86 by A.J. Zydzik on 03.27.08 3:27 pm |
Im at 48 points…west virginia, davidson, louisville, unc, xavier, and usc…not much of a chance for much more, especially since my highest scoring team is davidson, whom i hop