It was about a year ago that Ryan Zimmerman pulled a unique version of the hidden-ball trick by losing a ground ball in his jersey (video of the incident is available here). Fifteen years before that, Daryl Boston of the Mets got one of history’s strangest game-winning RBIs when he came to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 13th of a scoreless game and was “hit” by a pitch that lodged inside his jersey (an account of that oddity is here).
Both of those games came to mind yesterday when Braves pitcher Jeff Bennett undressed Pittsburgh’s Jason Michaels — literally. As Michaels tried to dodge Bennett’s inside pitch, the ball buzzed Michaels’s jersey and ripped it open, leaving the hitter seriously exposed. Michaels buttoned up on his way to first base, but he somehow forgot to tuck in.
You can see the whole thing in real time here. Boy, those Atlanta announcers really get caught up in the excitement of the moment, don’t they?
The weirdest thing about this is that the exposed edge of a right-handed batter’s jersey is facing away from the pitcher (if you’re wearing a button-front shirt, look down at your chest and you’ll see what I mean). So the ball couldn’t have caught the edge of the placket, as I had originally assumed; it must have caught a billow or flap. Which means his jersey was probably too billowy to begin with. Which I guess doesn’t really amount to much when you compare it to this jersey.
Raffle Reminder:Today’s the last day to enter the raffle for a free helmet from Gridiron Memories. If you haven’t entered already, send an e-mail to uniraffle [at] earthlink [dot] net (please note that this is not the usual Uni Watch e-mail address) by 10pm tonight. Only one entry per person, I’ll automatically add three bonus entries for all membership program enrollees. The winner will be announced tomorrow.
Uni Watch News Ticker: The Twins wore their Minnesota sesquicentennial sleeve patch over the weekend (betcha all forgot about that one, even though it was in my MLB season-preview column, right?). They were supposed to wear it last night, too, but they went with their patch-free vest look instead. My understanding is that the patch will now be removed for the rest of the season. … “Here’s Tottenham Hotspur at home in striped socks against Liverpool,” writes Gordon Wood. “Their regular white home kit does not have stripes. According to the match day report, they were wearing next season’s kit.” … Mike Pelfrey has stopped wearing his mouthpiece, because he was tipping his pitches by chewing on it. … Memo to the Phillies: Please call Joe Bisenius up to the bigs immediately (with thanks to Danny White). … Great article plus accompanying video here about the Angels’ laundress/seamstress. This is one of the best articles I’ve ever seen on this type of team employee, with loads of good details — highly recommended. … Yesterday I linked to this photo. “I’m pretty sure that’s an all-star game thing,” reports Scott Turner. “For a while, Japanese teams were divided East/West for their all-star game, rather than the current Central and Pacific Leagues.” … Someone posted this 1938 photo over on the Chris Creamer board. Not sure if that’s a logo on top of the Chicago helmets, but it sure looks that way. If so, it’s one of the earliest (and most oddly positioned) helmet logos on record. … Naru Oda and Jeremy Brahm report that the Hanshin Tigers have unveiled some really awful uniforms (here’s the rear view), which they’ll wear in interleague games. “The new unis now have 100 grams less material weight, which would enhance player’s mobility,” says Naru. “Instead of embroidered logos and names, they’re now printed. The shaded pants stripes are supposed to give the impression of a wild tiger (I question that part).” … The Houston Texans have “Take It Away!” and “Protect the Ball!” printed on the back of their practice shorts (good find by Chris Smith). … FNOB alert: Afonso Alves of Middlesbrough (with thanks to Greg Riffenburgh). … Speaking of NOBs, Mike Kingery was poking around the Sporting News archives and came up with this 1963 article. Among other things, it indicates that the second and third teams to use NOBs (after the White Sox, who as we all know were the first) were the Cardinals and Braves, which I hadn’t been aware of. … With all the Mother’s Day rainouts, lots of teams wore pink ribbons in the first games of their doubleheaders yesterday, including the Indians, Pirates (tough to see, but it’s there, plus Freddy Sanchez used a pink bat), and Braves. The Braves/Bucs game had pink-accessorized umps, too. … Here’s something you don’t often see: a Little League throwback game, with the kids wearing uniforms based on the 1978 Cubs road design. “We weren’t able to pull of the white pinstripes,” writes the team’s coach, who prefers to remain anonymous, “but the classic impossible-to-read royal blue lettering on powder blue jersey was preserved. We even did the names on the back in the true to the original vertical arch.” … Not uni-related, but this video clip is pretty funny. … “On Friday, La Salle Prep in Milwaukie, Oregon celebrated Senior Day in style,” writes Travis McGuire. “They broke out the striped stirrups for the first time this season. I think they looked pretty sharp with the off-white unis.” … Speaking of striped hose, check out Chris King of Tennessee Tech (with thanks to Ernie Goens). … And still more lower-leg goodness, this time from Matt Campbell, who reports that the Toledo Mud Hens were all wearing stirrups on Sunday. He also notes that the Mud Hens had the International League’s 125th Anniversary patch on their vest chests (other teams are wearing it on their sleeves) and that Charlotte player Brad Eldred “must have left his locker in a hurry, because right before the national anthem I happened to glance in the Charlotte dugout and saw this horrifying sight.” Best of all, Matt took a bunch of dynamite shots at the traveling Minor League Baseball Museum (part of this promotion) — check out his slideshow of photos here. … We’ve all seen batters drop their bat in disgust and leave it at home plate if they don’t like an ump’s call. And then there are the players (and managers) who’ll throw stuff from the dugout onto the field after getting tossed from a game. But last night is the first time I’ve seen a catcher shed his gear in protest: Yadier Molina got into an argument and left his gear at the plate. Very short video clip here. … Have you seen these Dodgers wigs thingies? There’s a good article on the woman who makes them here (with thanks to Murketing’s Rob Walker).
#1 by Ben on 05.13.08 8:55 am |
Ryan Zimmerman, not Jeff.
#2 by Kek on 05.13.08 8:57 am |
Paul, I will work my hardest to find something, but when Ed Ott was catching for the Pirates, he took his gear off in a similar fashion. It was somewhat of an infamous thing that my parents always talked about but was before my time.
In the early 90s, I got Ott’s autograph at PirateFest and he did confirm it happened. He said he was arguing with the homeplate umpire over a foul tip that he felt he caught for the third strike but the ump said hit the ground and he didn’t make the catch clean.
#3 by lukejameslarson on 05.13.08 8:57 am |
i went down to toledo to see a mudhens game during curtis granderson’s rehab stint last month. it was a saturday night game, against the louisville bats. everybody wore stirrups during that game, as well. i live north of detroit, so i don’t get down there often, but i wonder if they might wear them all the time..?
#4 by Chris is Nashville on 05.13.08 9:00 am |
Chris King plays for Tennessee Tech not the University of Tennessee
#5 by Kevin G. on 05.13.08 9:02 am |
I believe that is the University of Chicago Maroons logo on the top of their helmet in the 1938 picture. Their logo was a wishbone “C”, and that is sure what it looks like.
#6 by Patrick on 05.13.08 9:05 am |
The same thing happened to Chris Truby while he was playing for the Houston Astros. I forget which year, but it was when Caminiti was still with the Astros and got hurt in the middle of the season. Truby played third base for the rest of the season and, fielding a bouncing grounder not unlike the one shown here, the ball went through the gap where the team name doesn’t have any buttons.
#7 by Paul Lukas on 05.13.08 9:06 am |
Thanks. Fixed.
Thanks. Fixed.
#8 by Paul Lukas on 05.13.08 9:11 am |
Good one. An account of that game, and of other ball/jersey interactions, is here:
http://findarticles....
#9 by Kevin M. on 05.13.08 9:11 am |
Is it me or does it seem like a lot of guys will wear stirrups in the minors but not when they get into the majors? It seems most of Paul’s stirrups pictures come from the minors. Wonder if the vet’s tell the rookies to stop wearing them?
#10 by Adam on 05.13.08 9:11 am |
Ozzie Guillen still had a pink ribbon on his jacket yesterday, even though the team wore them on Sunday (and they were gone yesterday, even though they were wearing the same uniforms).
#11 by S Dot on 05.13.08 9:12 am |
Do all little leagues require the cages on batting helmets now? I weep for the future and how soft this country has become. Getting hurt is part of growing up. Shiloh and Dakota can take a shot or two, probably be good for them.
#12 by Jeff E. on 05.13.08 9:14 am |
My guess is that they do wear them all the time. I live in Columbus and went to a couple Clippers games 2 years ago when they played the Mud Hens, and both times the entire team was wearing stirrups.
#13 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 9:19 am |
name that molina?
suspended molina
also i barely remember jr. wearing stirrups with the mariners…question is…are those REAL stirrups of the terry steinbach fake pieces of sh*t?
im guessing jr. will take #24 when he returns to the M’s
#14 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 9:20 am |
might help if i include the photo of jr. wearing said stirrups
#15 by Jim on 05.13.08 9:21 am |
The Houston Texans have “Take It Away!” and “Protect the Ball!” printed on the back of their practice shorts
I thought only girls wore lettering on the butts of their pants/shorts….. guess I was wrong. Kind of weird they have to look at each other’s butts now to be reminded what their motto is. NTTAWWT. Wait, yes there is.
http://houstontexans...
#16 by jjm on 05.13.08 9:21 am |
On the Bisenius pic it looks like those are fake stirrups. It all looks like one piece, the stirrup should be raised off the sock and doesn’t appear to be. If so he should stay down in the minors.
#17 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 9:23 am |
david carr…your thoughts?
#18 by scott on 05.13.08 9:33 am |
Some organizations require all of their players to wear stirrups in the minor leagues, others don’t. So the Mud Hens wearing stirrups is likely an every-day occurrence.
#19 by Jon on 05.13.08 9:33 am |
Oh brother…
#20 by Kek on 05.13.08 9:33 am |
Paul, didn’t you cite a blog that David Wright stated that he’d rather wear the pants high but that the look was frowned upon in the Mets’ clubhouse as being unprofessional?
#21 by Joey Guns on 05.13.08 9:34 am |
He probably already asked Joe Skiba for them for the NY Giants!
#22 by Nicole on 05.13.08 9:35 am |
A lot of minor league teams require their guys to wear stirrups/high pants.
#23 by Paul Lukas on 05.13.08 9:36 am |
Yeah. That was in 2006, though. Wright now goes high-cuffed for day games and pajama-pantsed for night games. Carlos Delgado appears to have joined him in this protocol.
#24 by Joe H on 05.13.08 9:36 am |
Frayed/torn Sleeve piping from Angels vid…it happens
#25 by Oliver Clothesoff on 05.13.08 9:37 am |
So now that we can vote for the Allstars…any one know what the batting practice jerseys will look like for the ASG?
#26 by Kek on 05.13.08 9:39 am |
Umm, no, protection has evolved. Apparently you must want all hockey goalies to look like this: http://bp3.blogger.c... or football players like this: http://www.springdal...
Look, I think we have become softer, and we coddle kids too much. But this is the avenue of participation rules, mercy rules, everybody’s-a-winner let’s-not-keep-score, etc.
However, if I’m a parent, I think I’m OK with having a little leaguer wear a mask over their helmet. Apples and oranges.
#27 by Jon on 05.13.08 9:42 am |
The ump really pushed this by choosing the middle of the AB to clean the plate right in front of Molina.
#28 by Robert on 05.13.08 9:44 am |
Re: Great article plus accompanying video here about the Angels’ laundress/seamstress. This is one of the best articles I’ve ever seen on this type of team employee, with loads of good details — highly recommended. …
The article references a time when the Mariners requested that the seamstress make an unspecified change to their uniform overnight, in an effort to stop a losing streak. Does anyone know what this change was?
#29 by Kevin M. on 05.13.08 9:47 am |
I have seen a lot of plate arguments get out of control because the ump was trying to upstage the person they were having the argument with. I think some of these umps need to be fined as well for their actions…they can do whatever they want and dont get in any trouble.
#30 by chance on 05.13.08 9:53 am |
Wow. Great find, Mike.
So the Braves adopted the NOB in 1963, but dropped it at some point before 1965, their last season in Milwaukee….
http://tinyurl.com/6...
#31 by Joe H on 05.13.08 9:55 am |
Not having that little link button screws me up - http://www.jerseynam...
#32 by Glenn Chamberlain on 05.13.08 10:00 am |
Why is Yadier Molina not wearing a hard hat while he catches? Does he always wear a soft hat behind the plate?
#33 by Paul Lukas on 05.13.08 10:04 am |
He wear the hockey-style mask, which is essentially a helmet. Catchers who wear this type of mask usually wear a cap.
#34 by WFY on 05.13.08 10:05 am |
Danny White? As in captain’s “C” on the shoulder Danny White?
“This horrifying sight” — in addition to the woman in the purple shirt, there is a player with his pants down.
#35 by KC on 05.13.08 10:10 am |
What probably happened is that Molina was spouting off his mouth about a pitch taht wasn’t called and the umpy stepped out cleaned the plate and gave molina a little talking to/warning. It’s a little subtle umping trick that people use to communicte with the catcher. It’s not as obvious as standing there jawing back and forth with the catcher. It’s only the two of you having a conversation.
Re: Toledo’s Stirrups
The Erie Seawolves, Detroits AA team also wear full stirrups with the sanatries as well. Everyone on the team does. Most of the teams in the Eastern League follow suit with at least the high pant legs. Most teams though choose the colored sock approach.
#36 by Robert on 05.13.08 10:13 am |
We are closing in on twenty years since the great Marc Okkonen book “Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century” was released. In those pre-internet days, this book became like a bible to a Uni Nerd like myself, and to this day, I thumb through it at least once a week.
Does any know whether the book will ever be updated? Or is it just not necessary in the internet age?
#37 by Jim on 05.13.08 10:13 am |
Mike Pelfrey has stopped wearing his mouthpiece, because he was tipping his pitches by chewing on it.
Non baseball fan question, what does tipping his pitches mean? Batter can tell what he is going to pitch?
#38 by Steve on 05.13.08 10:18 am |
Yup.
This is weird though. I thought he was wearing the piece because his tongue was tipping off pitches…
#39 by Mike on 05.13.08 10:19 am |
Sometimes the plate umpire cleans the plate so they can talk to the catcher without upstaging him. I didn’t see the game last night but unless the prior pitch hit in front of the plate, he was likely sweeping the plate to give Molina a warning.
#40 by Jim on 05.13.08 10:19 am |
So for example, he only sticks his tongue out when he thorws a fastball?
#41 by Kek on 05.13.08 10:21 am |
Paul, kudos to whatever you had to do with this Page story on an NHL Renaissance: http://sports.espn.g...
#42 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 10:23 am |
usually, the answers found here aren’t worth reading…this entry on tipping pitches is a pleasant exception…gives a good description actually
#43 by Jon on 05.13.08 10:23 am |
The teaxns shorts thing is so bush league. it looks like a junior high volleyball team. You would think a pro team would come up with something more original then that.
#44 by Kek on 05.13.08 10:24 am |
I wrote Marc a letter quite a few years ago. He responded with a postcard that said he had no plans on updating the book. He referred to the Dressed to the Nines exhibit page that we reference so often here. I would love to have an addendum from the year he left off to present.
I bought that book at the All Star Game fanfest in Pittsburgh in 1994 and shortly thereafter had a copy special ordered from my brother from the old B. Dalton bookstore. Speaking for both of us, it has been one of most treasured books, used many times for reference and just hours of enjoyment.
This book and my “Simpsons Forever” episode guides could entertain for HOURS in one of those desert island-type scenarios.
#45 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 05.13.08 10:27 am |
I’ll buy that. And, I think it is a great idea for an umpire to do something like that. Make it discreet.
What I don’t like is baseball umpires jawing back at players and managers. You don’t see this in football and coaches certainly get into the ears of the side judges and linesmen in football. I’d rather see the umpires just ignore the yelling. If the manager/player goes too far, just toss them. Don’t start yelling too.
#46 by Mpowers1634 on 05.13.08 10:29 am |
In reference to the Tennessee Tech/LSU, don’t the stripes look to be way up too high?
http://www.apsugover...
And check out the kid in the grass outside of the fence. I hope that’s a rally visor!
#47 by John in PA on 05.13.08 10:30 am |
Story about Much-Maligned Johnnie LeMaster changing his NOB to “Boo” for a day:
#48 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 10:31 am |
while i agree that a certain amount of decorum is not only expected but required of blue…especially in the bigs…i have to ask one question rick
you ever ump on any level?
#49 by Shane on 05.13.08 10:34 am |
Twins looked horrible last night. The vests were way too baggy looking, imo.
#50 by Mpowers1634 on 05.13.08 10:37 am |
I meant up way too high!
Two other points:
1. Pitchers hat is near flat-brimmed
2. Tech has stolen the Texas A&M logo
#51 by Kevin on 05.13.08 10:37 am |
Great stirrups by one team….horrible pants by the other.
http://www.coachesai...
#52 by seven on 05.13.08 10:37 am |
Alfonso Alves’ full name is Alfonso Alves Martins Junior so he doesn’t really have FNOB.
#53 by possum on 05.13.08 10:38 am |
My pics from the Knights/Hens game were from Sunday. They were wearing them again last night in Dontrelle Willis’s rehab start. I put a couple more pics on my Flickr page of D-Train.
#54 by possum on 05.13.08 10:44 am |
Additionally, if you look at this pic of Dontrelle, you’ll see he has “D-Train” on the top of his cleats.
#55 by possum on 05.13.08 10:44 am |
http://farm3.static....
#56 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 05.13.08 10:52 am |
Hey Phil …
Yes sir I have. Mostly softball and anywhere from 10 year olds to adults. I never, ever argued with a player, manager, or fan/parent.
Of course, I also officiated footbal. So, maybe that’s where my demeaner came from.
Thanks for askin’.
#57 by Tinger on 05.13.08 10:56 am |
A brief mention (second paragraph) in the Philadelphia Inquirer of the the way the Califonia (sic) Angels handle their dirty laundry.
http://www.philly.co...
#58 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 10:59 am |
never argued? or never vociferiously defended your call? there’s an art (as i am sure you are keenly aware) to reading the opposing manager/coach/player and to convey your point in a manner which will most effectively prove your point, KEEP ORDER, and assert your authority
showboating by umpires has no place in the game to be sure…but there are sometimes when you must show the other team who’s running the show without showing that player/coach/manager up
i guess what im saying is there may be a time when you need to let the other team know you are in charge and no matter what, you will not be bullied…if that means getting in the face (arguing) as a last resort, then i would say then such is what must be done
#59 by MPowers1634 on 05.13.08 11:02 am |
Perhaps, if the Jerseys matched, they might pass as unique as opposed to something inmates might be forced to wear!
#60 by Mike D on 05.13.08 11:02 am |
That Sporting News article also mentions that Bill Veeck’s father was discussing interleague play as far back as the 1930’s. I found that interesting.
#61 by Scott M. on 05.13.08 11:05 am |
Interesting point at the end of the first column of the 1963 article about NOB…Bill Veeck talks about how eventually interleague play will become the norm, much like night games went from oddity to norm. Kind of cool understanding how much of a visionary that guy was.
#62 by B Johnson on 05.13.08 11:06 am |
Hey Paul,
Your site is the first to be featured on my new blog, Homicidal Neckties.
- B Johnson
#63 by B Johnson on 05.13.08 11:10 am |
Whoops, forgot the link.
Here.
#64 by chance on 05.13.08 11:10 am |
Matt, those are great photos of the minor league exhibit. Thanks!
I’m particularly interested by the 1959 Portland Beavers program, as that was the source of their new logo.
They also have a full-body alternate (best pic I can find of it is on this cap.
#65 by B Johnson on 05.13.08 11:11 am |
Dang. Forgot again.
okay, i think this is it.
#66 by KT on 05.13.08 11:13 am |
RE: Rick and Phil on umpiring/officiating.
The idea is to stay above the fray. To remain cool. To not get into it with a participant.
It’s a skill that I’m still working on, just because of my personality. I don’t like to put up with it from coaches and parents. But in our position, you have to.
I haven’t been perfect in that regard, but it’s something I try to work on. And once I moved from linesman to back judge, it got a whole lot easier because I was 25 yards off the sideline. :)
To make this uni-related, I was watching Cubs/Dbacks on Sunday and the home plate ump had the blazer on, while the base umps had windbreakers. It’s not standard protocol for the home plate ump to wear the blazer anymore, is it? I remember thinking “Wow, that’s old school” and then “actually, that’s fairly pretentious.”
I know home plate umps will wear the short sleeved shirt (either light blue or black) if the weather’s okay. And back in the day, World Series umpires all had the blazer look. Just wondering what the rules are (if there are any rules) about how the umps dress.
#67 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 05.13.08 11:13 am |
I do understand your point Phil. My philosophy was always to stay calm. If it was a judgement call, then I might explain my judgement. If it was a disagreement about the rules, I would quote the rule. Maybe I was just lucky and never got guys that wanted to yell at me.
I think we agree though. You did indicate that the in your face arguing should be used as a last resort and that umpires shouldn’t be showboating. And, I can agree that there could be circumstances in which the umpire might need to be more assertive than normal.
Gee … did we just have a discussion without resorting to name calling?? Isn’t that against some rule?
#68 by Robert on 05.13.08 11:15 am |
It’s funny how some of the facemasks worn by today’s high school baseball players resemble those seen in the NFL in the ’50s or ’60s, and which we view today as being so quaint and unsophisticated.
http://www.journalst...
#69 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 05.13.08 11:17 am |
Good points KT. Personally, I liked moving from Line Judge to Umpire in football for similar reasons. I kinda got tired of tripping over coaches and players on the sideline. I knew where the players were on the field … mostly.
#70 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 11:24 am |
thanks kenn…last post from me on this
i agree that the best umpire is the one who is, in a manner of speaking, neither seen nor heard…no calls questioned, no controversy, etc…
all im saying is that when all else has failed, it is still the umpire who is the final arbiter of things…i remember when i was a young pup in my first season umping 12 YOs, an opposing dad (coincidentally the manager of the WORST kid on the team) got into it with me on what he perceived to be a blown call at first…i made the mistake of saying “tie goes to the runner” and in no uncertain terms this jackass undressed me in front of about 35-40 parents…i was intimidated and scared, not being but 3-4 years older than the players…by the time the older blue behind the dish came to my rescue i was almost in tears…well…
he let that dad know in no uncertain terms that this was a game, played by kids and in this case, umped by kids, that if he ever stepped foot out of the dugout again, he’d be removed from the field of play, and to sit his butt back down (no cursing, no shouting by my savior)…i never forgot that
i figured, hey…that’s cool
after another close play at first (just my luck) this guy stormed out of the dugout AGAIN…to confront a 15 YO shaking kid (me)…true blue behind the dish made sure he never reached me…this time he was loud (but in control) and demonstrative, and the opposing manager not only managed his last game, he was barred from the league…apparently blue’s first discussion didn’t have the proper effect…
sorry for babbling, but that incident (incidents) always stuck with me…i know this wasn’t the bigs or even anything remotely approaching it, but it taught me that (a) when im on the other side, always RESPECT blue, and (b) sometimes turning the opposite cheek doesn’t always work
/done…thanks for listening
#71 by Jim on 05.13.08 11:29 am |
Did Gary Coleman lend Messier his towel?
http://www.thescore....
“Who wears short shorts?”
#72 by Mpowers1634 on 05.13.08 11:32 am |
So many aspects of that picture are disturbing to me!
#73 by KT on 05.13.08 11:34 am |
Oh, absolutely. You’re 100% correct.
You have to assert your authority.
The key is how you do it. I’ve known guys who could do it just with a calm word and a palm facing the ranter. I’ve also been guilty of snapping back at someone who snaps back at me.
Officials are the final authority. That should be respected. And in a youth scenario, or at a level where the officials in question are not full-time professionals working major-league games, they should be given a bit of slack because the job is really, really difficult. But it’s one of those jobs that every Joe Schmoe sitting on his couch figures he could do (hint: he couldn’t) and we’re an easy target.
The best officials defuse those situations while asserting their authority as the final arbiter. If they rant at me, they’re just ranting at the stripes more than they are me. But if they rant at a kid who’s just getting started in officiating, I’m probably going to be a little more stern and stick up for the kid so that he or she doesn’t get turned off and quit the avocation forever. We already have a lack of officials - we don’t need to lose people because they take unnecessary abuse.
#74 by Alan #44 on 05.13.08 11:35 am |
This isnt uni-related, but it is an amazing story about sportsmanship. Check out the video too.
http://well.blogs.ny...
#75 by Lexie on 05.13.08 11:36 am |
I went to high school with Mike Pelfrey and don’t remember him using a mouth guard. According to this article Pelfrey uses his mouth guard because he has TMJ (which started in 2004). He doesn’t want his jaw to lock up while he is pitching. Wonder what he is going to do now.
http://www.newsday.c...
#76 by Mpowers1634 on 05.13.08 11:37 am |
Phil,
Very well stated. Congrats by the way!
#77 by Latrell on 05.13.08 11:46 am |
They look more like the \’78 Royals or the \’78 Blue Jays. \’78 Cubs didn\’t have a waistband like that.
#78 by The Ol Goaler on 05.13.08 11:47 am |
Oh, an umpire can get fined or reprimanded by MLB… it’s just not made public! With umpires now allowed to take in-season “vacations”, one could even get suspended and nobody but MLB and the umpire would know!
Best guess on what the umps wear from their “collection” of league-issued shirts? I’d guess the crew chief makes the selection for the base umpires, while the plate umpire wears whatever he finds most comfortable.
#79 by Jerry on 05.13.08 11:56 am |
The previous pitch was a home run by Ryan Braun. Molina was upset that the Cardinals weren’t getting any pitches.
#80 by todd krevanchi on 05.13.08 12:10 pm |
LI PHIL
Happy 2 Year Anniversary!
Here’s to a lifetime of annual congratulatory happy anniversaries!
#81 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 12:17 pm |
thanks matt and todd…i appreciate your support!
one day at a time adds up don’t it
#82 by Mike on 05.13.08 12:20 pm |
The previous pitch was a home run by Ryan Braun. Molina was upset that the Cardinals weren’t getting any pitches.
I thought the original poster was referring the the umpire cleaning the plate in the middle of the AB which is usually used to give a discreet warning. As a base umpire I do the same thing while cleaning the pitcher’s plate - reminding him to come to a complete stop.
I enjoyed and agreed with the umpire argument discussion - the key is to simultaneously remain in authority and control and if they argue a call that you know you missed - own it - the call is not changing but discreetly admiting you may have missed it usually goes a long way with the manager.
#83 by Mike on 05.13.08 12:22 pm |
This reminded me of the Obama of Dreams shirts - makes me want to start collected uni-related election apparel.
http://blog.oregonli...
#84 by AK on 05.13.08 12:29 pm |
Is Mess drinking a Red Stripe?!?!
#85 by Joey Guns on 05.13.08 12:31 pm |
With the Mets/Yankees subway series approaching this weekend, a look back to the 2004 series…..
“The Mets relied on a battery of (Matt) Ginter and Tom Wilson, a catcher making his first start with the team. The Mets did not even bring the right uniform for Wilson or reliever Jose Parra. While everyone else wore the black road alternate jerseys with ‘’New York'’ across the front, Wilson and Parra wore black home alternate jerseys with ‘’Mets'’ across the front.”
http://query.nytimes...
#86 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 12:31 pm |
morris levin is not amused
#87 by seven on 05.13.08 12:42 pm |
My guess would be a Molson Export. All Canadian beers were sold in glorious ’stubbies’ until 1984.
http://www.stubby.ca...
#88 by E_Ro on 05.13.08 12:43 pm |
God, i hope not. The pitchers are probably more at risk for facial injuries with those fancy bats.
#89 by JoeMarchio on 05.13.08 12:47 pm |
Found something very interesting over on the gem mint tin blog. It’s a card of Ellis Valentine of the Expos from 1980 (81 card = 80 pic). Has the most interesting modification to a batting helmet I’ve ever seen. He’s got half of what appears to be a 2-bar football facemask attached to his earflap!
http://bp1.blogger.c...
#90 by Joey Guns on 05.13.08 12:52 pm |
Anyone on here get a chance to go to the Sports Museum Of America (in NYC) yet?
#91 by Chad G on 05.13.08 12:53 pm |
I’m pretty sure the TMJ thing is B.S., the Mets just didn’t want to acknowledge that he tips his pitches with his tongue. But now that he is doing the same thing with the mouthguard, I guess he is just going to keep a conscious effort to kep his tongue in his mouth.
#92 by Nicole on 05.13.08 12:54 pm |
I was a licensed soccer referee for most of my teenage and college years. Being female, I often found that coaches tried to bully me.
My approach was to be a hard-as* from the start so that they knew they couldn’t walk all over me. I didn’t take jawing from anyone - coaches and parents - and carded more than one person and sent them to watch from their car. I developed a reputation pretty quickly, but it was worth it to get the respect that came with it. Once I worked with teams multiple times, they knew I was a good ref and that I was fair and therefore we all relaxed.
Remember this was the mid 90s and “there was no way a girl could know anything about soccer” so I found it best to assert my authority from the get-go. If you’re wishy-washy, they’ll walk all over you. You have to have confidence that you know what you’re doing and that you’re making the best call possible.
#93 by Chad G on 05.13.08 12:57 pm |
you know, I was thinking about this the other day and one thing doesn’t quite make sense to me. In baseball and softball when someone hits a home run the base coaches routinely high-five or ass slap the person rounding the bases, which obviously counts as touching the player, so why in this situation could the 1st or 3rd base coach not touch the player to help her around the bases?
#94 by Elliott on 05.13.08 1:03 pm |
INTERESTING FNOB PHOTOS
Watching a video of the 1986 (1985 season) Fiesta Bowl between Michigan and Nebraska.
I found it quite interesting because Michigan feature a number of players who are FNOB, I assume because of brothers, although I struggled to find a roster.
However, what’s interesting is the different styles of FNOB used (in the same game!). I made some caps of the video:
Mike Hammerstein has the double line FNOB and Tim Schultz has just the single line FNOB.
I found it quite interesting anyway!!!
http://huskerpedia.c... has a review of the game
http://www.youtube.c... has footage
#95 by LI Phil on 05.13.08 1:08 pm |
how old is arnold in that pic anyway? 27?
#96 by Kevin M. on 05.13.08 1:14 pm |
There is, what I believe to be, poor wording in the story. I think by “touching” they mean assist them around the bases, becuase that would be an out. Also it came out afterwards that the umps had the wrong ca