I read with interest the Uni-watch comments on the Orioles Orange uniforms of 1971 (and possibly 1972). I agree with your observation that taking all reference material as gospel can cause problems for someone doing future research. These days, with the Internet (highlighting the application Wikipedia, where nearly anybody can be an expert by just hitting the “send” button) has allowed tons of “sources” to become immediately available to anyone researching anything. I suggest that back in the days when anything got written it went through a long cycle of editors and fact checking and publishing houses and finally to print and paper, misinformation was not so easy to spread. But by the same token I would have never been able to consider printing this book back in those days.

The Orioles “orange uniform” debate is notable because the photos and information on that topic came to me via a collector who claimed inside knowledge of the Orioles and the topic (down to knowing manufacturer and the actual name of the number font on the jersey that is slightly different from uniforms made by other manufacturers). He supplied me with much help on the chapter including error-checking and editing the large summary table at the front of the chapter to make it more accurate. Help like this is hard to come by, and when someone knows so much about a topic it is tempting to list it all as a part of the permanent record for other collectors to learn from.

So, as you can imagine, when he was so specific as to give me the dates the uniforms were worn, I included that information for all to read. You’ll note that I certainly do not usually include such information as to specific dates uniforms are worn elsewhere in the Guide.

As both the author and fact-checker of my research (a bad combination), I had done everything myself on this project, including all the writing and photo layout. By reaching out to several individuals who wrote to me with corrections after the publication of the prior editions, I attempted to have each chapter fact checked by another set of eyes. And while some people actually followed up and helped, many who promised to review the material did not follow up with me in time for publication. That’s to be expected I suppose, as that’s a lot of work to volunteer to do for nothing in return (except perhaps a free copy of the final product)

As another writer commented on this blog, The Brewers chapter was one that I would have loved to have had checked by another person more familiar with that team than I am. But unfortunately, this was one case where I was unable to find an expert before I published. I agree that the chronology of flannel uniforms should be corrected, and should there be another edition I will attend to this.

There are a few other mistakes that kind collectors have called to my attention in the current edition as well. For example, even though the Mets chapter was among the most thoroughly researched and checked by my experts, the Mets BP jersey featuring the gaudy racing stripes up the sides as well as over the shoulder tops is identified as a 1987 one-year style is indeed listed here in error on page 702. With the help of a couple of collectors we discovered that this jersey was not worn by the MLB club and was instead MOST LIKEY worn by the Port St. Lucie Mets in the minor leagues. I smile now whenever I see one offered for sale on various auction and dealer sites as “rare one year Mets style”; obviously this mis-information comes from me. There are a few other mistakes that I (and others) have found as well. I guess that’s to be expected 1200-odd pages of material.

I am delighted at the following my research has generated. Frankly, it was originally just intended just to be a guide to help lettering shops properly sew the colors of numbers and letters on jerseys in the right order. I am very grateful to all the people who write to me constantly and supply photos and information from their own collections. I’d love it if reader Chance who commented on the Brewers would help me get it right for the next edition- should there be one. He’s a really good guy, and I remember corresponding with him.

And Paul, I am still SHOCKED at the following on this blog… I thought I was the only idiot interested in this stuff…. I know better now!

Bill Henderson
MLB Game Worn Jerseys of the Double Knit Era
http://www.mlbstyleg...

Jets/Mets Fan in Chicagoland said:

Ricko said:

Okay, last comment for the day, and this will probably draw some fire cuz I can’t prove it, but as I recall the Mets flat-out said they took elements from the Giants and Dodgers, to pay homage to them: Orange from Giants, Royal blue from Dodgers; Giants hat logo (making hat literally a combination of the two teams’ hats),; Dodger style script “Mets” for home, Giants style fancy block “NEW YORK” for road. And, while they never said it, I figured at last minute they went to pinstripes just to bring something new of their own to the mix. Sure, Yankee fans will say it was to copy them. Yes, while the Yankees are associated with pinstripes, it still was a common uniform style. In 1962, the Twins, Senators, White Sox, Indians, Cubs, Phillies, Reds wore pins.

,,,,and to pre-empt any Yankee fan reaction – according to Dressed to the Nines, the first team with pinstripes was the 1907 Cubs

And speaking of the wishbone “C” from “How I Met Your Mother” …

The O’s did wear the orange uni’s on April 23, 1972 in Cleveland. I was there as a 14 year old. I remember WERE 1300AM, the Indians radio flagship was giving out free tickets to anyone that came to their parking lot. I think you had to bring a can of food or something. We lived about 10 minutes from the station, my dad drove my brother and me down to the station. We got the tix and went to the game. I was excited to see the orange uniforms, I’d heard about them from 1971. I liked them at the time. Of course I was 14 and it was the early 70’s so I had no taste or sense of tradition. I hate then today. We sat by the O’s bullpen, they were General Admission tickets. My brother and me were exited to be at our second game of the year so soon after attending the strike delayed opener a week earlier. I think the Indians won that day.

according to baseball library dot com the indians defeated the orioles 2-1 in cleveland stadium (wasn’t this known as the mistake on/by the lake?)