By Bryan Redemske
As a Cubs fan, I often find myself on the wrong of end futility-related jokes, where losses are explained as, “Hey, it’s the Cubs. Of course they’re going to lose.” As such, I tend to avoid crowing too much about winning streaks being in first place, because despite the Cubs’ current fortunes, this always follows: “Yeah, but they’ve sucked for the last hundred years.”
Well, not quite — more like the last 62 years — but we’ll let that go for now. Why? Because in those hundred years, the Cubs have been at the forefront of uniform innovation. Why bother with winning when you can look good? OK, actually I’d rather have the wins. But here’s a quick rundown of firsts from our North Side friends:
1937: First full-zippered jersey.
1940: First vest.
1941: First powder blue uniform. They were abandoned after two years.
1978: First white pinstripes on powder blue. Actually, this is nothing to be proud of. (And yes, I know that link isn’t from 1978. The shoulder patch is wrong and Lee Smith didn’t debut until 1980. It’s just a scary picture.)
Setting aside those dubious firsts — especially the last two — the Cubs are actually one of the more interestingly attired teams in the majors. At first glance, it doesn’t seem to be the case — the Cubs have had pinstripes forever and have a seemingly plain road uniform.
Consider these items:
• Trademarked logo: The Cubs are the only team with a trademark symbol on their game jerseys (just below the S in Cubs). [For more info on this, see editor’s note below. — PL]
• Batting helmets: The Cubs use a cloth appliqué rather than a flat decal on their lids.
• Road pants: The little Cubs logo has been on the left hip since the current roadies debuted in 1997.
• Road jerseys: There are only four teams in the majors that use different colors for letters and numbers on the backs of their jerseys — the Braves, Diamondbacks, Nationals (alts only) and Cubs. The Cubs use it only for the road jerseys (f’ing Jim Edmonds …).
• National League patch: The blue alternate jerseys have a National League patch on the right sleeve. (It was migratory on some gamers and BP jerseys in earlier days).
See, there’s a lot more there than just pinstripes and plain road grays, much like there’s more to the team’s history than the gigantic gap between World Series titles. For example, the Cubs are one of two teams with 10,000 franchise wins. And the Cubs do have 16 pennants. And the back-to-back World Series titles.
But still, there’s always someone fixated on the drought. I have no stats for that person, only this: Shut up.
Editor’s Note: Paul here. Regarding the trademark symbol on the home jersey, several people, including Bryan, have noted that the Cubs’ logo is derived from the Chicago Athletic Association’s logo and suggested that the trademark symbol is required by the CAA. That sounds reasonable, but I’m not so sure it’s accurate. According to this page, the Cubs adopted the CAA’s logo in 1915, when P.K. Wrigley, who was a CAA member, bought the team. Now, I’m pretty sure the “®” symbol didn’t exist in 1915, and I’ve been unable to determine when it debuted (Anthony Verna, do you know?), but I’m fairly certain it existed well before 1983, which is about when the symbol started appearing on the Cubs’ jerseys. Also, the Cubs’ cap logo is a much closer copy of the CAA mark, yet the cap logo has never had a trademark symbol. (As an aside, I attended a big group dinner last night and found myself sitting next to a trademark attorney, so I explained this whole situation to him. His response: “No other team uses the symbol? They all should!”)
I suspect the CAA has nothing to do with the trademark symbol. My hunch: At some point the Cubs’ uni manufacturer (which was Wilson throughout the 1980s) got a new chest patch supplier and provided them with a piece of flat art of the team’s logo. That logo sheet must have had the trademark symbol, which then got incorporated into the resulting patches, and each successive supplier has just copied the specs.
Of course, you’d think we could just ask the Cubs and/or the CAA. I tried the former approach several years ago and got nowhere. But I didn’t know about the CAA connection back then, so yesterday I called the CAA — and learned that they shut their doors last summer and are currently in the process of dissolving their corporate structure. But they still have a shell of an operation running, and I left messages for several people. Hope to have more on this soon.
Speaking of the Cubs, I’ll be taking a much more detailed look at them next week on ESPN. I’ll be covering everything Bryan touched upon here and plenty more (including one astonishing historical detail we’ve never discussed here — I just discovered it myself yesterday). It’ll be a lot like the survey of Cowboys quirks that I did last fall. Think of Bryan’s entry today a warm-up for the more in-depth treatment to come next week.
And as long as we’re on a Cubbie roll here, yesterday’s throwback game, which found the Cubs and Braves wearing 1948 attire, was a hoot. Yes, they got a bunch of things wrong (the Cubs’ version of the wishbone-C logo never had a white outline, and both teams should have been wearing zippered jerseys instead of button-fronts, and the Cubs had the wrong shade of blue, and, and, and…), but the whole thing was still a pleasure to watch. More, please.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Oregon Senator Gordon Smith is using a very Oregon University-ish typeface for his political campaign. Further details here (with thanks to Travis McGuire). … Last three grafs of this story suggest that the Braves’ blue alternate jerseys might be a jinx (courtesy of Gary Moore). … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: Paul LoDuca, on a rehab assignment, has been wearing a Columbus uni with his Nats helmet. … Black Fives prexy Claude Johnson is auctioning off a really cool jersey for Kevin Garnett’s charity. Details here. … There was a disputed play in Wednesday night’s Mets/Diamondbacks game, when Arizon’s Mark Reynolds claimed he’d been hit in the foot by a pitch. The ump ruled he didn’t try to get out of the way, but here’s the interesting uni-related point: The old shoe polish test wouldn’t work, because it turns out that the Diamondbacks don’t use shoe polish. According to a radio report I heard yesterday, the D-backs use “a special kind of shoe” that doesn’t take polish. Frankly, given all the different shoe contracts that players have, I find it hard to believe that there’d be a team-wide standard regarding shoe material, but I’ll look into this. … Camilo Villegas really needs a new belt (blame Ian Wright). … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: Nashua Pride player Vinny Pennell has a clever way of displaying his initials on his helmet. … FNOB alert: Ron Moore of the Cardinals (good catch by Charles Dettmann). … Good info about the helmets used for The Express here (with thanks to Billy Ramirez). … Several readers noted that when Nick Lidstrom was awarded the Norris Trophy last night, the kid presenting him the trophy was wearing a jersey with “LiNdstrom” (not “Lidstrom”) on the back. Gary Bettman probably had nothing to do with this, but let’s blame it on him anyway, because it’s easier that way. … Fun look at L.A. Kings mustaches here (big thanks to Will Leslie).
#1 by Jim on 06.13.08 8:40 am |
the kid presenting him the trophy was wearing a jersey with “LiNdstrom” (not “Lidstrom”) on the back. Gary Bettman probably had nothing to do with this, but let’s blame it on him anyway, because it’s easier that way
That’s funny, I saw that too, and the first thing I said was “I blame Bettman for that.” My buddy asked me why, and I told him that everything is Bettman’s fault…
Can’t believe that Lidstrom’s jersey misspelling did not get caught before that kid went on stage. Major F-up, on someone’s part. Probably Bettman’s.
#2 by Dane on 06.13.08 8:42 am |
Also from last night’s NHL Awards ceremony:
They had young hockey players present the award nominees while wearing their own junior team jerseys. One of the Bantam-AAA team, the Timberwolves, is using the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves logo as their crest.
We usually see kids teams borrowing from the pro teams in their own sport, but it’s rare to see borrowing a name & logo from a different sport.
#3 by Shaftman on 06.13.08 8:59 am |
OT: But Important
My apologies for the length
This was written by Jayson Stark on espn.com.
• End of an era: Monday is a sad day in the history of this sport. It’s the final Hall of Fame exhibition game at Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field, the needless end of an awesome 68-year tradition.
Five members of Congress sent letters of complaint to Bud Selig protesting this decision. Selig told them, in a letter back, that the “logistics” of working this game into the schedule had simply become too “complicated.” But what that really means is that players weren’t interested in sacrificing an off day anymore for the greater good.
Selig promised that baseball will promote the Hall of Fame in other ways, including bringing most of the sport’s living Hall of Famers to this year’s All Star Game. Hey, great. We’re all for it. But as someone who has been to a half-dozen Hall of Fame games, I understand what it means — or meant.
The Hall of Fame game meant more to Cooperstown, and to the Hall, than Bud Selig will ever realize.
It supported the museum and the exalted village of Cooperstown. Just as important, it gave players a chance they otherwise wouldn’t get — to see Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame Museum with their own eyes. At a time when players’ appreciation of history has shrunk to embarrassing levels, baseball is now guaranteeing that 99 percent of its players will never set foot in baseball’s most hallowed space. And that’s the biggest tragedy of all.
There will be a “moment” of silence Monday, during the entire bottom half of the third inning. But after Monday, the silence at Doubleday Field will last forever — another tribute to the selfishness of baseball’s leaders and players. If you’d like to add your voice to the protest, visit savethefamegame.com.
#4 by Josh on 06.13.08 9:07 am |
A couple of other fun things from the Cubs WGN broadcast yesterday:
* The game began in black and white to honor the 60th anniversary of the first WGN Cubs broadcast
* When Jim Edmonds hit his homerun the WGN camera crew wild panned in and out in homage to the video of Ernie Banks’ 500th homer (can’t find video)
* Also the call of the home run by Len Kaspar ended with “Hey! Hey!” the famed call of HOF broadcaster Jack Brickhouse
#5 by Jonathan Sluss on 06.13.08 9:11 am |
The Lynchburg Hillcats, a Pirates A-ball affiliate will be honoring the early 1980’s Lynchburg Mets this weekend including throwback uniforms for the occasion. Details here: http://www.lynchburg...
#6 by War Damn Eagle on 06.13.08 9:11 am |
Someone mentioned in yesterday’s comments that the Braves should wear the striped stirrups with their current uniform. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think those stirrups are still part of the official Braves uniform. I know most players don’t use the stripes when they wear the knee-high pants, but I think Andruw Jones wore the stripes a couple years ago for several games (and this was with the current uniform, not part of a throwback promotion). I think it’s similar to the stripes the Cardinals have. Some players, like Anthony Reyes, wear them, while others do not. It’s too bad, b/c the those Braves stirrups rock.
#7 by Wes on 06.13.08 9:16 am |
Add the Twins to your list of teams with different colors for the letters and numbers on the back of their uniforms…
Home:
http://minnesota.pub...
Road:
http://outofthe612.m...
#8 by JF in DC on 06.13.08 9:17 am |
Yes, it’s sad to see the HOF game come to a close, but I think its time has come. Like most exhibitions, you see the shell of a team actually compete and in recent years, it would be rare to see a pitcher on the active roster appear in the game. Minor leaguers would be called up to play most of the game, so that much of what you were seeing were just “guys” in MLB uniforms.
My wife is from the Cooperstown area, so we get there often and the game does mean a lot to the community, however. It is a big day, especially for Cooperstown High School, as they raise tons of money for their senior trip, etc. (BTW, Cooperstown HS shuns PC and still goes by “Redskins.”)
I went to the 1982 game, Mets vs. White Sox, and the thing I remember most about that game was that it was shortened by one of the biggest monsoons I’ve ever seen. And while people started to mill down to the field, while the players were still there, a kid grabbed a Mets helmet from the on-deck circle and started to make off with it. He looked around, saw that I was the only one who saw him in the act, and started to get nervous. I just gave him a nod, and he was on his way…and today that Mets helmet proably still sits in his home…or somewhere on e-bay.
#9 by Mike Engle on 06.13.08 9:17 am |
Point taken, but the original list was restricted to the Senior Circuit.
#10 by Ricko on 06.13.08 9:20 am |
re: end of the Hall of Fame game.
If you’re looking for someone to say that today’s players and today’s Players Associations don’t give all appearances that their number one goal is to do everything possible to preserve the preferential, prima donna status of today’s players…it won’t be me.
They may be among the most self-serving people and organizations on the planet. Granted, the organizations are supposed to be, by definition, self-serving. But their defintion of that seems to come down solely to “pay incredible amonts of money for services and expect the bare minimum of commitment to the game/business/fans who allowed us to make all that money.”
Let’s all pause for a moment and contemplate Latrell Spreewell and his classic response when saying a $7 million offer wasn’t enough: “I got a family to feed.”
Or Andy MacPhail, who, when negotiating with Kirby Puckett who’d said he had to take care of his family, asked, rightly so, “Yes, but for how many generations?”
If what I’m saying isn’t so, why does Mike Ditka’s organization to seek benefits for older NFL vets even need to exist?
#11 by Jim on 06.13.08 9:21 am |
Why do teams give coached jerseys when they hire them? It’s stupid.
I can see baseball, because they actually wear them on the field.
http://sports.espn.g...
#12 by Jim on 06.13.08 9:22 am |
*coaches
#13 by Walaitis on 06.13.08 9:29 am |
Woke up this morning with a 102 fever and the second worst case of the chills I’ve ever had.
Karma sucks.
#14 by Ricko on 06.13.08 9:30 am |
I think Cubs also are the only MLB team ever to have a number dead center on the front of their jerseys. Was on their roads in, I believe, ‘74 under an arched “CHICAGO”.
#15 by Ricko on 06.13.08 9:33 am |
Ooops. Was ‘72.
http://exhibits.base...
#16 by Ricko on 06.13.08 9:34 am |
Doesn’t show well, but there was white edge on letters and numbers.
#17 by Joe Hilseberg on 06.13.08 9:34 am |
Great Cubs info. Perfect timing too…in 2 weeks I’m heading to Chicago to see my very first game in Wrigley against my O’s. I’ll be the guy in the bleachers with the 1979 orange O’s pullover with #35 Roenicke on it!
PS - I will also have that on tonight at Camden Yards because it’s 1979 night…the Pirates are in town! I’m not sure if they are doing throwback unis though.
#18 by Walaitis on 06.13.08 9:37 am |
Sorry to repost, but I did this one late last night (at least late for someone with 3 kids under 7) …
Ugh … just watched the highlights of the Cubs game on MLB.com. When Edmonds hit the home run to tie the game for the Cubs (oops … just put some pea soup in my mouth [is that better? … though I beg for mercy … I’m sure you did the same when that happened]), they flashed “HEY HEY” on the screen, as Len Kasper said the same. The 12 year old MLB.com “studio host” noted “What a great old school Harry Carey call”. He should be fired today.
#19 by ESS on 06.13.08 9:37 am |
Jamie Moyer, 45 years old, threw a 2 hit, 8 inning gem last night in the South Florida heat and humidity (so bad his opposing pitcher had sweat literally pouring off of his cap, graphically highlighted by Wheeler and Kalas with a closeup of the cap-based Niagara Falls) striking out 3 and walking 1.
He was also the only player on the field wearing stirrups.
Coincidence? I think not.
#20 by Joe Hilseberg on 06.13.08 9:39 am |
A small town in MD is looking for old-time baseball players
http://www.daggerpre...
#21 by Ricko on 06.13.08 9:41 am |
You’ll love Wrigley. In 1990, after eight years of “Dome Ball” I took my son to Chicago. Came up out of that dark tunnel, looked out onto the green grass and bright blue cloudless sky and felt the same sensations I’d felt at my first game as a seven-year-old, and a complete sentence formed in my head: “Oh, my god, I forgot how much I really love this game.”
Yeah, I’m looking forward to the new Twins ballpark.
#22 by scott on 06.13.08 9:45 am |
Add the Holyoke Blue Sox of the NECBL summer collegiate baseball league to the list of teams wearing numerals on the left side of the front of the jerseys. The home white uniforms appear to be modeled after the Boston Red Sox.
#23 by Nick on 06.13.08 9:49 am |
Here’s a screen capture of Li“N”dstrom:
Empty Nettters
#24 by War Damn Eagle on 06.13.08 9:50 am |
According to this web article, the Pirates and O’s are a go for 1979 throwback unis.
http://www.verizon.n...
#25 by Russ on 06.13.08 9:50 am |
Not only were the Cubs the first to sport white pinstripes on an away uni, but according to a 1912 NY Times article (via this snopes.com article) they were the first baseball team to introduce pinstripes, period.
#26 by KT on 06.13.08 9:52 am |
“I don’t mean to sound insensitive,” said McDonough after fruitlessly searching his files for relevant info, “but really, who cares?”
That really sums up the whole thing here, doesn’t it? ;)
#27 by Jim on 06.13.08 9:52 am |
That is SO brutal…
#28 by Kevin on 06.13.08 9:57 am |
Blue Sox uniforms:
#29 by Kevin on 06.13.08 9:59 am |
Link isn’t working properly, gonna have to copy and paste it:
http://americanviewp...
#30 by Walaitis on 06.13.08 10:02 am |
1. Odd to call themselves Blue Sox when their primary colors are red and white.
2. At least according to THAT picture, maybe they DO live up to the name, but nobody outside of the locker room will ever know.
#31 by LI Phil on 06.13.08 10:03 am |
did the highlanders win? ;)
#32 by Walaitis on 06.13.08 10:05 am |
OK, Paul … rate THIS one (the Blue Sox opponent in that game):
http://americanviewp...
#33 by Duckstyle on 06.13.08 10:12 am |
You can’t polish a turd.
#34 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 06.13.08 10:17 am |
WHAT!? FIRE THAT MAN NOW!!!
I tip my hat to you Bryan, I’m still waiting for that jackass to bring up the 100 year drought. Us Cubs fans have to stick together! HOO-RA!
More cool tid-bits from yesterday’s game:
-Bob Brenly & Len Casper donned full 3 piece suits.
-a sports reporter in the back typed away on a typewriter through out the game.
-Hot Dog and Pop (that what we call it here in Chicago) vendors wore bow ties, white collared shirts, slacks and paper hats. “Pepsi Cola” was printed on the Pepsi vendor’s hats.
-a few on field photographers wore suits and Fedoras with a “Press” card on it.
-The first 2 innings were in black-n-white and featured camera angles that were used in 1948 (tough to watch the game though).
#35 by Duckstyle on 06.13.08 10:17 am |
What exactly is going on with the NOB of Lima’s jersey here? Any Korean League fans in the house?
http://deadspin.com/...
#36 by Jet on 06.13.08 10:29 am |
Great edition today!! (Although it seems I say that nearly every day!) Love all those Cubbie tidbits and also revisiting the Cowboys uni quirks.
“A practiced uniform acolyte” (from the Cowboy article) … yeah, that’s what I like to think of myself as!!
Yee ha!
#37 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 06.13.08 10:30 am |
Even though the uniforms were pure white and not off white, buttons were used instead of zippers, blue cleats were used instead of black, navy cap and white outlined “C” instead of royal and no outline, and current Cool Flo batting helmets were used instead of non Cool Flow…it still was great!
A few pics from yesterday’s EFFING AWESOME throwback game…
http://bc.images.trb...
http://bc.images.trb...
http://bc.images.trb...
http://bc.images.trb...
http://bc.images.trb...
http://bc.images.trb...
http://bc.images.trb...
#38 by Tony In Erie on 06.13.08 10:30 am |
Two things:
Has anyone ever discussed the yellow hockey helmets from the 80’s? Not that its in depth but they were sure GOD AWFUL.
Has anyone noticed that Justin Timberlake’s character in the upcoming stink fest “The Love Guru” is sporting a fiberglass mask that hasn’t been seen on the rinks in twenty years, but whose other equipment is current?
You’re welcome for the run-on sentence.
#39 by Jim on 06.13.08 10:31 am |
The number on the front looks horrible. Would look better with no number and larger name.
#40 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 06.13.08 10:36 am |
I found the video for the Len Kasper “Jack Brickhouse” call!
Just go to the Cubs website, on the homepage the video automatically opens up on the right. If not you can still just click play. Enjoy!
http://chicago.cubs....
#41 by biggswede on 06.13.08 10:36 am |
there was a mention today about the cubs having the first powder blues. i’ve seen many mentions in UW of the greatness of the powder blues. why in the world is uni-watch et al a fan of the powder blue uni? when i was a kid in the 70s, i always thought the expos, jays, cubs and phils (pardon me if i missed any others) looked godawful in their blues — the royals being the exception (it somehow worked for them). how could road blue possibly be cooler looking than something like the old boston road grey with black (navy?) lettering? they looked like prison uniforms… in a good way! you may be thinking i’m not a fan of adventurous color schemes. on the contrary, i truly dig such things as the technicolor-soaked astros and canucks jerseys. do i need therapy or does anyone else have an aversion to these abominations? perhaps it’s an acquired taste… like lutefisk.
#42 by LI Phil on 06.13.08 10:38 am |
how
fucking insanegreat is it that we UWers can find that many things wrong with the throwback game…and STILL say it was “EFFING AWESOME” and that the unis were STILL better than they are now?also…i think brenley’s hat isn’t new…im pretty sure that’s from his clubbin’ gear
#43 by JJD on 06.13.08 10:39 am |
Oregon Senator Gordon Smith is using a very Oregon University-ish typeface for his political campaign.
It’s “the University of Oregon”.
#44 by J-Dub on 06.13.08 10:39 am |
Joe H. - Some things to remember before going:
1) Put some Scotchguard on that O’s jersey. Wrigley bleacherites are usually not too “friendly” to fans of the opposition, especially when wearing their jerseys. You may end up with a few Budweisers “accidentally” spilled on your person.
2) God bless you if you happen to be seated anywhere near Ronnie Woo-Woo Wickers: http://www.ronniewoo...
It will be a “unique” experience, to say the least.
3) If you catch an O’s home run ball, throw it back. Otherwise, refer back to #1.
On the other hand, it is second only to Fenway (IMHO) as a “classic” baseball experience. Enjoy!
#45 by Ricko on 06.13.08 10:42 am |
In the bottom of the ninth, yes.
And my dad caught a foul ball with his new straw skimmer (for you young pups, that’s a hat). Punched a hole right through that sucker, though.
#46 by Ricko on 06.13.08 10:48 am |
Re: Cubs TBTC. Yeah, on balance, it looked like it was great fun. The highlights I saw seemed better cuz when batting at least whatever was on the Cubs’ heads was the right color.
Overall reaction to the entire day, as I ponder those “never existed” hats, was to think of Maxwell Smart…
“Missed it by THAT much.”
#47 by Jim on 06.13.08 10:49 am |
You mean these?
http://www.sealshock...
Look just as bad as everything else in the 70’s
Love the fiberglass mask, not accurate to current masks for safety reasons, but I’d love to watch him take one off the face with it on though :)
#48 by Ricko on 06.13.08 10:54 am |
Not bad if your team is sponsored by “Lemonheads”
#49 by Ricko on 06.13.08 10:55 am |
Those look about as dopey as those white helmets Oregon football has in their equipment locker (which is where they oughta stay, btw).
#50 by Joe Hilseberg on 06.13.08 10:56 am |
Thanks for the pointers! Luckily for me I’m going with a group of 40 who will all be Orange-Clad!
#51 by J-Dub on 06.13.08 10:58 am |
He wasn’t wearing a boater? Did he bring a bumbershoot, as well? ;-)
(Sorry, Ricko - I was on the receiving end yesterday for my “DuMont 13″ B&W” comment - although my first baseball game was the first Mets (home) Opening Day in 1962 at the Polo Grounds, so I know of what you speak)
#52 by SWC Susan (aka Tex) on 06.13.08 11:00 am |
The broadcasters were also dressed in era style clothing - even the Wrigley Staff was! Concessions were rolled back to the era prices for the first hour.
And I really have to commend WGN for the level of detail they went to - digged the old school simple game status graphics (and by graphics I mean, simple white text!) I can not wait to sit down and watch the entire game (yes, I recorded it)!
I would really like to know some of the work that went into producing that game - down to the equipment manager making sure ALL pants were high cuffed to illustrate the sheer beuty of those stirrups. Any possibilities, Paul?
#53 by LI Phil on 06.13.08 11:00 am |
to complete that thought…
y’all should go like this…including the stirrups
#54 by J-Dub on 06.13.08 11:01 am |
COOL! Go to the Cubby Bear (or the Goose Island brewpub, or Murphy’s Bleachers - all nearby) before the game - you’ll attract some attention ;-)
#55 by Duckstyle on 06.13.08 11:02 am |
Nah, you’ll hear plenty of f-bombs and you’ll get called a stupid “bundle of sticks” about 200 times. (Seriously why haven’t Cubs fans found a better word by now?) But I’ve never seen beer poured, accidentally or otherwise, on an opposing fan. They’re acctually fairly nice as a whole. The Old Style isn’t however, get your drinks before the game, or hunt down the one vendor out of a hundred thats selling Bud, you’ll know it’s him cause of the swarm of people waving $10’s and pushing each other like there’s a fire to get away from.
#56 by LI Phil on 06.13.08 11:05 am |
too soon?
#57 by Duckstyle on 06.13.08 11:06 am |
Ok, if you go to the Cubby Bear, then you will probably have a nice beer smell on you.
#58 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 06.13.08 11:07 am |
I was only disappointed by only the helmets and caps. As Brenly said “You can only throwback so much.” The whole overall experience was incredible. I don’t think any other team has gone that far for a throwback game.
I like todays uniforms, I have no major complaints about them (unlike some on this site). But the uniforms of yesteryear had this charm that is hard to replicate today. There was color, character, flair and uniqueness. I LOVE IT! (I’m 23 years young for the record here, I’m not some old guy who complains that everything new and Nike sucks hahaha.)
I’m sure Mr. Lukas and everybody on UniWatch will agree that the stir ups were GREAT!!! The best part is EVERYBODY wore them, unlike other game where throwback unis were worn.
#59 by JustinPGH on 06.13.08 11:09 am |
Not sure if this has ever been mentioned on here…
Obama Throwback Jersey
http://www.neighborh...
#60 by Marty Met on 06.13.08 11:12 am |
YUCK!!! The 80’s Boston Road greys were even more boring than the Yankee home uniforms. Probably the worst uniform I ever remember
The powder blues were fun and exciting just like those GREAT Pirates uniforms from the late 70’s early 80’s.
Abominations??? Come on now. The blue road Phillies and Expos were so SWEET!!! 1,000 times better than the dreck the Phils and nationals wear now.
#61 by Kasey on 06.13.08 11:17 am |
No Zippers? According to the notes in the Cubs scorecards yeaterday, MLB would not let them use zippers. Thats why the jerseys were button-ups instead of zippers.
#62 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 06.13.08 11:18 am |
God! I wish I were even close to 23 again.
#63 by Stuby on 06.13.08 11:19 am |
Thanks for the great pics. Brenly looks like a pimp, though.
#64 by floormaster squeeze on 06.13.08 11:20 am |
I had a great uni related experience in my softball league last night (not me or my team–we have gray and green t-shirts and there is no way to make that look good).
A team that played on the field before us (Boston area) used a clever idea for jerseys. They all wore the same discontinued Falcons jersey of Alge Crumpler. It was hilarious and it looked good.
Our captain thought it was a brilliant idea and assumed it was a cheap way to look uniform (he assumed they had got them at some bargain basement retail). We asked some players and they said they have some Reebok employees on the team and they got them from “the inside”.
I have no idea how common this idea is but I like the idea (get uniformity, save money, get some kitsch appeal, and recycle!). Our captain said he saw about a dozen bright orange Bears “Grossman” jersey’s recently for $5 so maybe that will be our next uni.
#65 by Stuby on 06.13.08 11:21 am |
Yet Jim Palmer says the Pirate uniforms were ugliest he had ever seen? Pssh.
#66 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 06.13.08 11:21 am |
Agreed, they were ugly but its one of those “It’s so ugly but I like it” things….if that makes sense haha!
#67 by Ronnie Poore on 06.13.08 11:23 am |
more bad baseball powder blues….
the Braves:
http://mlb.imageg.ne...
Cardinals:
http://homerderby.co...
for me, powder blue always looks lousy in baseball. the only teams that should wear powder blue are the Chargers:
http://i.a.cnn.net/s...
the Chargers cheerleaders:
http://i40.photobuck...
and the Tar Heels:
http://infinitekicks...
#68 by LI Phil on 06.13.08 11:24 am |
true
#69 by J-Dub on 06.13.08 11:24 am |
Perhaps my “beer shower” was due to the fact that I wore my Tom Seaver replica 1969 jersey to the game (some of them bums have long memories”).
Forgot to include the f-bombs, should we mention the lack of cell phone etiquette as well?
Bud? C’mon - don’t they still sell the micros at the main concourse concession stand (behind home plate, IIRC)? Sorry, haven’t been there in about 5 years or more
#70 by u2-horn on 06.13.08 11:24 am |
Those white-pinstriped powder blues are a thing of beauty! One of my favorite uniforms ever.
#71 by Saru on 06.13.08 11:26 am |
What exactly is going on with the NOB of Lima’s jersey here?
It just says “Ri-ma” in Hangul (no distinct sounds for “r” and “l” in Korean)
#72 by LI Phil on 06.13.08 11:26 am |
jim palmer dint design the pirate unis
#73 by Stuby on 06.13.08 11:27 am |
I though Brooksie designed those pumpkin getups.
#74 by LI Phil on 06.13.08 11:29 am |
you owe me a new keyboard
#75 by Jim on 06.13.08 11:36 am |
PIT doesn’t look too bad in powder blue. WOuldn’t want to see them in it all the time though.
REALLY wish Dany Sabourin played in that game, he had vintage colored pads made just for that game. Would have looked sweet.
http://www.zimbio.co...
#76 by Ricko on 06.13.08 11:46 am |
A point on the Chargers powder blues. The truth is (and if anyone does they research they’ll learn this is true), the Chargers never wore power blue jerseys with white pants until as “throwbacks”. The first powder blues came along a season or two after the switch to gold pants, which was in ‘66 (remember cuz was in San Francisco Labor Day weekend watching Chargers on a national telecast and, hey, they went to gold pants; then was in San Diego a week or so later and saw them in person against the Jets at old Balboa Stadium…jerseys were royal, as they had been every year prior to that). They didn’t wear white pants again until they switched to navy jerseys and helmets many, many years later.
So, bottom line? Powder blue with white helmets and pants never happened. Not in the 60s or 70s.
#77 by Patrick on 06.13.08 11:46 am |
#78 by Patrick on 06.13.08 11:50 am |
These are undoubtedly my favorite stirrups ever
http://espn-i.starwa...
Honestly, just slap the A on that cap in place of the B, and the Braves uniforms are tweaked to perfection. I love the dark tomahawk instead of the current red one. What a beautiful baseball uniform!
#79 by Jim on 06.13.08 11:50 am |
#80 by LI Phil on 06.13.08 11:54 am |