An interesting discussion broke out in Saturday’s comments section. First, a few people noticed a bunch of star-spangled caps being sold on MLB.com. They look like fashion caps, but, as several readers noted, they’re being sold in the “Men’s Authentic” category and the product pages all say, “Authentic cap worn on-field to show support for the Welcome Back Veterans Foundation.”
Welcome Back Veterans, it turns out, is an official MLB charity devoted to vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and reader Jonathon Binet quickly found this little item from Friday, which says “Welcome Back Veterans will be the focus at every Major League stadium during the July Fourth weekend and on September 11th.”
Does that mean MLB teams will be wearing the star-spangled caps on those dates? As it turns out, yes. That will be officially announced this afternoon at a press conference, which I’ll be attending, so I should have more info on this tomorrow.
For now, though, we can look at the caps themselves, most of which are pretty ridiculous. A few immediate observations and reactions:
• All of the caps are navy (additional examples here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here), which will look okay for some teams but will clash really badly for others.
• Why navy, by the way? Isn’t the blue in the American flag more of a royal?
• The White Sox and Reds had already announced plans to wear camouflage jerseys during the Fourth of July weekend. So I guess now they’ll be adding these caps to the mix.
• What about the Blue Jays? They’ve been given a Canadian flag version of the cap, which is somewhat weird on a couple of fronts. First of all, they’re playing on the road on the Independence Day weekend and on September 11th (and also on July 1st, which is Canada Day), so they’ll be wearing a foreign flag while playing in America and marking an American holiday. Secondly, is Welcome Back Veterans intended to help Canadian vets along with American ones? (There’s nothing on the charity’s web site to indicate one way or the other.) How many Canadian troops are even fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan?
• Does the September 11th component of this promotion mean that the Mets will no longer be wearing first responder caps on that date, as they’ve done ever since the World Trade Center attacks?
The bigger issue, of course, is whether the American flag is an appropriate motif for an on-field uniform element. I want to make it clear that I love the American flag design — a lot — but I hate how it’s become an all-purpose signifier for anything even vaguely patriotic, and how it gets slapped onto, or morphed into, every worthy cause (along with plenty of unworthy ones). When I see this, I don’t see a merging of two great designs; I see two great designs being cheapened, watered down, and compromised. This isn’t just less than the sum of its parts — it’s less than either one of its parts.
I think it’s also worth considering that a hefty percentage of today’s ballplayers aren’t American. Yes, they’re playing here, making tons of money here, and should wear whatever uniform they’re given, but I still find this a bit unseemly. It’s one thing to say they should stand and face the flag when the national anthem is played — that’s part of a big group display that involves the many thousands of people in the crowd. I can also see the rationale for a flag patch (although I think those are overdone). But it’s something else to make hundreds of foreign players wear the American flag motif as a central component of their uniform while they play, especially at a time when American military and foreign policies aren’t exactly making us lots of friends around the world.
Seems to me there were smarter ways to have gone about this. Why not have players wear a ruptured duck patch, which would not only honor veterans but also provide a valuable history lesson about baseball and the military? Why not just have everyone wear a flag sleeve patch, instead of a cap that will clash with so many teams’ uniforms? Why not stop creating a new uniform-related cause or issues for every day of the week? (Fortunately, I already have other plans for the Fourth of July, so I won’t have to watch.)
I hope to get more info at today’s press conference — details to follow tomorrow.
Raffle Results: The winners of the tickets for the Don Larsen perfect game screening are A.J. Carr and Michael Gawley. Thanks to all who entered. More raffles coming soon.
Uni Watch Family Crisis: Intern Emeritus Vince Grzegorek was handed a raw deal last Friday. The weekly paper where he works is merging with another paper, and a bunch of people — Vince included — will be pink-slipped in three weeks. And I don’t need to tell you that this is a tough time to be cast adrift in the media job market.
Vince, who worked with me on a daily basis for about a year, is a talented and extremely hard-working guy who deserves better. If you need some writing done — straight journalism, catalog copy, short-term, long-term, whatever — please consider hiring him. You can contact him (and request writing samples, a résumé, etc.) here.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Awesome video clip here of Pat Venditte, the switch-pitcher who’s currently in the Yankees’ minor league system. Further coverage here, and here’s a great close-up of his glove (courtesy of Paul Wiederecht and Stephen King, respectively). … Hmmm, does the University of Wisconsin know about this? … The Cardinals have a new bullpen cart, sort of (with thanks to Jon Huensch). … The Timberwolves apparently have a new alternate logo. … Dutch soccer mania has led to a change in Swiss railway uniforms (bizarre find by Brendan Tarpey). … Nice old baseball uniforms here and here. … 1930s pair of stirrups here. … Look at the colored gloves that Spalding was offering way back in 1974! That page is from this catalog. … Tris Wykes has discovered that Frank Sinatra was given a Tidewater Sharks jersey in 1976. The Sharks played in the Southern Hockey League at the time. … “This past weekend I attended the finals of the Churchill Cup (an international rugby tournament run by the USA, Canada, and England rugby unions) in Chicago,” writes Caleb Borchers. “One of the England players had some problems with his sleeves, so a trainer came over and promptly chopped one of them off. Meanwhile, the USA debuted their white kit made by Canterbury (the red version was on the ticker a week or so ago). The dot-matrix pattern Canterbury uses usually looks like dandruff, but the USA has used a blue dot set that actually looks OK. Those Canterbury jerseys apparently aren’t the toughest, though. Mike Petri’s lasted about five minutes. They managed to get him a new one during a time out later.” … Reprinted from Saturday’s comments: Juan Grande found some really interesting old Little League photos from Pasco County, Florida. Check them out here, here, here, and here. Never seen that type of stripe pattern or that half-length zipper used for baseball before. … If you see Tim Donaghy at the craps table saying, “C’mon, daddy needs a new pair of shoes!,” this is why. … Jeff Knepper notes that Todd Helton had some pant cuff inconsistencies during Friday’s Mets/Rockies game. … Jeremy Brahm reports that this is what the Japanese Olympians will wear during the opening ceremonies in Beijing (additional details here, here, and here). Plus they have a separate outfit just for traveling to the games — it’s the blue one here. … Also from Jeremy: Here are the uniforms for the Japanese women’s badminton team. And what’s the deal with Turkey’s women’s volleyball team, which has Adidas jerseys and shorts but Nike kneepads? … History mystery, courtesy of Peter Kotas: Tigers wore uni numbers on their right sleeve of their road uni in the late ’60s. But when they closed out the Cardinals to win the 1968 World Series, Bill Freehan’s number was on his left sleeve. Other shots of Freehan from that era show him with the proper right-sleeve number, so was this just a World Series glitch? … Jason Smith notes that Jack Wilson had a torn sleeve patch yesterday. An anonymous source with the Pirates reports that this is nothing new: “I’ve attached a shot of Jack from a photo shoot we did with him during Spring Training this year. While we supplied the vest for the shoot, I believe this was the shirt that he came in wearing. As you can see, the logo is torn here too. I wasn’t present for this shoot, so no one noticed the tear at the time. I had the Photoshop the entire thing out when I used the photo. … Roger Federer will be wearing this design at Wimbledon (with thanks to Brinke Guthrie). … Chris Flinn got a photo of the Cardinals’ new BP pitcher, Dennis Schutzenhofer, and his lengthy NOB. … My ESPN.com colleague Rob Neyer, who I’d never met in person before, came through NYC over the weekend and convened a get-together in Manhattan. Also on hand was Josh Prager, who wrote that amazing article a few years back about how the 1951 Giants were stealing signs (full text available here — highly recommended). Great guys. … Negro Leagues throwback yesterday in Kansas City (additional pics here and here, plus it looks like Ray Durham suffered a torn stirrup). … Good article here about the Seahawks’ laundry crew.
#1 by logocruncher on 06.23.08 9:35 am |
The teams participating in the Welcome Back Veterans thing will wear their normal uniforms, right? If so, it’s another example of mismatched jerseys and caps. Navy, yellow, and green? Black, Orange, and Navy? This should be ugly. By the way, what about those KC Monarchs uniforms worn last night by the Royals against the Giants? The huge KC looks odd.
#2 by subway on 06.23.08 9:37 am |
The Mets are off this September 11. In the past, whenever they’ve had off on 9/11 they wore the first responder caps on 9/10. I like seeing those caps and I hope MLB makes an exception for the Mets and allows them to continue with it this year on 9/10.
#3 by Duckstyle on 06.23.08 9:44 am |
I hope Prince Fielder was watching and talking notes on baggy pants and cuffing from that Kansas City game. Seemed like every guy I saw in teh higjlights had oh so perfect pants on.
http://sports.yahoo....
#4 by LunchBox on 06.23.08 9:44 am |
Of the approximately 15,000 Canadian troops who have been stationed in Afghanistan, 2,500 remain.
Since 2002 there have been 2,500 Canadian troops stationed in the southern part of Iraq. Seventy-eight Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed.
#5 by Jason G. on 06.23.08 9:45 am |
Paul said:
“Why not just have everyone wear a flag sleeve patch, instead of a cap that will clash with so many teams’ uniforms? Why not stop creating a new uniform-related cause or issues for every day of the week?”
Where’s the money in that? If they did that there wouldn’t be a nice new $35 hat for everyone to buy.
#6 by todder85 on 06.23.08 9:45 am |
Currently there are 2,500 Canadian soldiers stationed in Afghanistan at any given time on rotations lasting 6 months. Since 2001, we’ve sent 15,000 soldiers to Afghanistan.
As for Iraq, since the UN didn’t recognize the invasion as legitimate, our government at the time chose to sit by. While it could be adventageous to go, the new government is a minority and deciding to go would be political suicide.
#7 by Jim on 06.23.08 9:49 am |
NHL Draft:
Another perk of getting drafted #1, is you get a jersey with your name and number on it. Not just an ‘08′ like everyone else.
http://www.nhl.com/n...
#8 by Sage Confucius on 06.23.08 9:55 am |
There are some JAL flight attendants missing their uniforms.
#9 by Phil on 06.23.08 9:59 am |
I don’t think those caps are navy. If you look at the Stars & Stripes hat and a NYY gamer side-by-side, you’ll see the discrepancy.
The Stars & Stripes caps are probably Old Glory Blue, which is the official color of the American Flag– not Royal Blue.
#10 by Matt on 06.23.08 10:02 am |
Some of the later draft picks also had their names on their jerseys, including teams which traded up at seemingly the last minute to grab the player they wanted.
Do the teams have a stash of jerseys somewhere with all the names of the players they’d like on them? Or is there someone sewing furiously right before the team gets up on stage to announce their pick?
#11 by Jim on 06.23.08 10:07 am |
I’ve noticed in past drafts that beyond the #1 pick, if you had a name on your jersey, it was a nameplate they literally just stick to the jersey, even if the team doesn’t normally use a nameplate. Most have the draft year on them though.
#12 by Justin B on 06.23.08 10:08 am |
At least they are only doing hats and not adding a stars and stripes design to the lettering of the jerseys.
#13 by Teebz on 06.23.08 10:11 am |
As Jim alluded to, the teams bring a pile of #08 jerseys, and just stick the name of the player on the back using a nameplate.
Toronto had five nameplates made up, but stuck the “Schenn” name plate on their jersey once they traded to the #5 spot.
#14 by Teebz on 06.23.08 10:13 am |
“Bill Freehan’s number was on his left sleeve.”
Which way did he bat? It could have been for television purposes if the game was televised so that you knew who was at the plate.
Just guessing, though, since my knowledge of baseball history is less than admirable.
#15 by floormaster squeeze on 06.23.08 10:17 am |
I am no flag expert by any means but the blue in the American flag (when not washed out) is very much a “navy” color and not close to “royal”. I am sure someone with a spectrometer can confirm.
#16 by floormaster squeeze on 06.23.08 10:17 am |
Apologies if this is some sarcastic inside joke that I missed.
#17 by Chip on 06.23.08 10:20 am |
The shade of blue on the American Flag is actually more of a navy than a royal blue. http://www.ushistory... lists it as Pantone 281C.
#18 by josh on 06.23.08 10:22 am |
You beat me to it. This whole thing is not about commemoration, it’s about merchandising, pure and simple. MLB is becoming the master of the empty gesture available at mlb.com or in the gift shop.
#19 by Jeff H. on 06.23.08 10:27 am |
Paul, I know you’re not trying to offend. But it still stings to hear 86 have lost their lives and so many others have risked theirs in over 6 years of conflict and you wonder if Canadians are even over there.
It’s not hard to look up.
#20 by Paul Lukas on 06.23.08 10:32 am |
Touché.
#21 by Duckstyle on 06.23.08 10:34 am |
Maybe I’m crazy, but I’ve always thought the official American flag blue color was much lighter than portrayed on our national team sports unis. I remember my grandpa raising his flag every morning(ex Navy) and it always looked at lot closer to Royal to me. But aparently I am crazy. It might not be navy, being used on those caps, and a variety of other places, but it’s gotta be a little too dark.
#22 by seven on 06.23.08 10:38 am |
Sharapova will be wearing tuxedo inspired shorts & shirt at Wimbledon. No pictures yet. I think her 1st round match is tomorrow
#23 by Jim on 06.23.08 10:40 am |
I always thought it was against ‘flag rules’ to have the flag modified for clothing. Having the ACTUAL flag on them is ok, but using the colors or modifying the shape of the flag was bad. Maybe I’m wrong…
#24 by josh on 06.23.08 10:42 am |
It may have something to do with material. I remember in grammar school, we had a cloth flag for sunny days and a nylon flag for cloudy/rainy days, and the nylon blue appeared royal, while the cloth blue appeared navy.
#25 by Ricko on 06.23.08 10:46 am |
Yup, sure does look like $$$ is behind it…not the sentiment but the means of displaying it. Cheaper (and easier to meet varying demands for different teams) if all Navy. Just make hats to fill orders…all out of the same stash of Navy hats. Lord knows New Era has plenty of THEM around.
And, no offense intended to our troops but aren’t those two holiday about some different? July 4 is about the Revolution and our Indepedence; 9/11 is about victims and first responders.
Or are we retro-re-defining things again, which seems to be the fashion these day? Y’know, the way that—after no WMD were found in Iraq—it suddenly became the “War to Liberate Iraq”, a concept which, on its face, most American would have opposed presented solely on that basis.
Now, re: Royals/Giants…
http://images.sports...
Looking good (except no stirrups, of course; but some teams WERE solid all the way to the shoe tops) but the bagginess not bad at all when appropriate for the era and properly bloused.
We still had flannel unis in high school (what the hell, everyone knows I’m old) and the baggier the better. Yes, it added weight, but if you wore those suckers tight, either the heat or the itching would get you. For home games, we’d take BP and infield in undersleeves, shorts and stirrups and only put those frickin’ things on when the other team’s bus showed up.
If you check out photos from 30s and 40s–even into 50s–and you’ll see a lot more bagginess than you might expect. “Tight” didn’t become an option until synthetics (first nylon blends) came along in MLB around 1962.
And, yeah, the “KC” was about that huge on that particular uniform.
#26 by Tyler on 06.23.08 10:50 am |
The large KC is how it was on the old Monarchs uniforms. I thought it looked odd at first, too. I got used to it though, and I loved it. As a fan living in KC, I try to make it to every Negro League salute game just to see the uniforms. I just wish they would shell out the extra bucks and get batting helmets to match. Maybe auction them off later so they can make their money back.
#27 by Matt B on 06.23.08 10:50 am |
How exactly is one supposed to dispose of a flag cap when the time arises?
#28 by josh on 06.23.08 10:51 am |
ebay.
#29 by Kevin M. on 06.23.08 10:52 am |
9/11 is a holiday now?
#30 by Ricko on 06.23.08 10:57 am |
Was always interesting back in the 60s when some people would get wildly pissed off if they saw a demonstrating hippie on the news with a flag patch on his jeans, and an hour later watch a variety show with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans wearing flag-styled western outfits…and not say a word.
#31 by Ricko on 06.23.08 11:02 am |
Okay, sorry.
Jesus.
Was thinking should scroll back up and put “holidays” in quotes, and just forgot.
Does such a thing make a post invalid? That what this site is about?
#32 by AndyB on 06.23.08 11:13 am |
The “dot matrix” on the Canterbury jerseys is actually a functional component. The dots are rubberized, which can help with ball retention in tackles and mauls, as well as giving players better a better grip during scrums and rucks, which is important with the trend of tighter-fitting jerseys. I just played in a tournament in Ireland, and one of the teams we played had this style jersey (based on the Scotland national team’s jersey). We use KooGa, ourselves, which used to provide the Eagles’ kit.
#33 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 11:13 am |
why didn’t you?
#34 by Ricko on 06.23.08 11:14 am |
Guy with sleeves lopped off: “Ted Scrumzewski”, maybe?
#35 by Steve on 06.23.08 11:17 am |
Or your local VFW will burn it for you. Which I highly suggest with how those things look.
Bigger question: what if Pinella or another manager gets a little heated and spikes and kicks his hat during a tirade. Does he get ejected, suspended, fined, and sent to Guantanamo?
#36 by Priest on 06.23.08 11:17 am |
When you go onto the the Jays shop from bluejays.com, you are given a choice between the Canadian Jays Shop or an American Jays Shop. Interestingly, the hat is NOT availible in the Canadian shop, but it is availible in the American shop.
Also, I posted this late Friday night, so most people probably missed it. With the return of Cito Gaston, Jesse Carlson had to change his # from 43 to 48. So far I haven’t seen Cito in anything other than a team jacket.
#37 by Switch-hitter vs. Switch-pitcher on 06.23.08 11:20 am |
[…] This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. Just absolutely crazy. The Yankees currently have a guy in their farm system that is a switch-pitcher. He can throw incredibly well with either his right or left hand. His glove has six fingers and two webbs. (You can see a close-up of his glove in the Ticker at the end of this post.) It’s just insane. […]
#38 by John C. on 06.23.08 11:22 am |
Anyone else think that that T-Wolves alternate bares a striking similarity to the Dallas Mavericks primary logo? Is it the same graphic designer, someone just being unoriginal, or both?
#39 by Ricko on 06.23.08 11:23 am |
I did. About the double standard of it all. and that, technically, the hippie’s reproduced flag was okay, and Roy and Dale’s duds were wrong.
My personal opinion? Both honoring the flag and dissent are in our collective genes. This country exists because of dissent. If “My monarchy right or wrong” had been a solid notion, our soccer teams would be a helluva lot better.
So I guess I don’t mind the flag logos on these hats for any philosphical reasons, I just think it’s lazy and marketing oriented and almost as stupid as those painted Statue of Liberty designs.
#40 by Mark Max on 06.23.08 11:24 am |
Wilson played with the torn pirate patch all weekend from what I saw. and I am pretty sure that it was Jason Bay who had the top part of one of the bats torn off on his patch as well. But what surprises me is that the pirates wore their solid white vests on the sunday afternoon game. They normally wear their pinstripe vests. Does anyone know why they did so?
#41 by DarkAudit on 06.23.08 11:26 am |
That Timberwolves logo looks like a reverse of the Amarok logo.
Which is itself a variation of the WaRP Graphics logo.
Gentlemen, start your lawyers!
#42 by Ricko on 06.23.08 11:26 am |
MLB, sadly, is now in business of producing “kitch”.
Coming soon, lawn flamingoes in your favorite team’s colors?
#43 by Vincent on 06.23.08 11:29 am |
Well, he had a jersey like everyone else (#08 + name) when he was call on stage:
http://sports.espn.g...
#44 by josh on 06.23.08 11:29 am |
A lawn flamingo in Rocikies colors would look like a vulture, no?
#45 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 11:31 am |
dissent is patriotic?
RIP george carlin, who had, i believe, one of the most excellent raves ever on the bullshit that surrounds the flag…he KNEW the proper etiquette, and wonderfully pointed out the hypocracy of those who ‘wrapped themselves in it’
but…lets get back to unis
#46 by Tony In Erie (at home) on 06.23.08 11:31 am |
God, Jack Wilson looks so sad in that promo pick. Trade the guy for gods sakes! :o)
Plus, I think I heard that 9/11 IS in talks to become a holiday. I remember seeing on a calendar that it was “Freedom Day” or something of that sort.
#47 by Tony In Erie (at home) on 06.23.08 11:33 am |
I second that, Mr. LI Phil. Carlin’s voice in the last few years was one of the only voices of reason out there.
Plus, he started the “go black” uniform thing, didn’t he? :)
http://www.lesliehaw...
#48 by josh on 06.23.08 11:36 am |
The day that marked the beginning of Constitutional evisceration is to be called, “Freedom Day”? That’s rich.
#49 by troymccluresf on 06.23.08 11:36 am |
Damn right it is.
Huh, so the San Francisco Giants will be wearing blue. Yeah, I’m looking forward to this.
#50 by Bryan Redemske on 06.23.08 11:38 am |
Free Vince!
You can have my old job. I make no guarantees about pay, hours, duties or … well, whether the job will even be filled.
#51 by Ricko on 06.23.08 11:39 am |
“dissent is patriotic?” If the Founding Fathers’ ideas have any validity, yes.
And now, as you say, back to uniforms…and what evidently are going be “National Navy Blue Hat Days.”
#52 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 11:41 am |
hey! i remember you from such driver’s ed films as alice’s adventures through the windshield glass and the decapitation of larry leadfoot
oh…i wasn’t questioning whether dissent is patriotic per se…just seems that just as many have accused the GOP of coopting the flag for their own personal use, seems as the dissent slogan is being closely associated with one particular presidential candidate…
indeed, dissent is patriotic…
what’s the phrase that’s cliched now, but still rings true? “i don’t agree with a word you say, but i’d fight to the death for your right to say it”
#53 by Jeff P on 06.23.08 11:42 am |
It’s the Magic they call “velcro”…
#54 by Bryan Redemske on 06.23.08 11:43 am |
Well, at least the name was well thought-out. “Freedom Day: It may sound like Independence Day, but trust me, it’s the exact opposite.”
#55 by C-Dublin on 06.23.08 11:44 am |
There is no green in that new T-Wolves logo which tells me they are probably getting new uniforms altogether.
Also this makes me believe that the new Magic uniforms will have more of a black theme like they did in the Shaq and Penny era.
http://store.nba.com...
#56 by Ricko on 06.23.08 11:45 am |
The (NY) Giants supposedly changed their team colors to navy and red as a patriotic gesture during World War II. But they made the change for their 1941 unis, so I kinda doubt it.
Speaking of different ways for a TBTC…Here’s a look at what Giants did in ‘91. Took the look of their unis from about 1925 (which were red and blue) and re-did them in current colors of black and orange (softcaps were white with black pins and visor an orange lettering).
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
I think that’s the only time that’s been done: Old uni style but in current colors, that is.
#57 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 11:46 am |
actually it’s being billed as “patriot’s day”
/not that that’s any better
#58 by Kevin M. on 06.23.08 11:47 am |
I have long suspected that 9/11 will become an offical holiday on the 10th anniversary of it.
#59 by KT on 06.23.08 11:53 am |
Dissent is absolutely patriotic.
I’m fairly certain the Founding Fathers would back me up on that. Else they’d be hypocrites of major stature.
Their handiwork (the Declaration, the Constitution, etc.) are all about making sure that people who have a beef have a voice and that it’s not illegal to express dissent.
As for the flag, yes, the official “rules” regarding the American flag say you can’t make it into clothing. Of course, this “rule” has been ignored for decades and I don’t think you’re going to get that genie back in the bottle.
And if Sept. 11 becomes an official holiday and December 7 doesn’t, I think there’s something wrong there. But that’s just me.
#60 by Filthy McNasty on 06.23.08 11:54 am |
Interesting point by Paul about foreigners standing in front of the flag during the anthem.
I had a fascinating discussion with my girlfriend about anthems at sporting events, my girlfriend is from Oklahoma and I’m English. Recently my team (Hull City) played it’s first game of true national significance in it’s 104 year history, the Championship Play Off Final at Wembley, the winners would be promoted to the English Premier League.
In England we don’t play the anthem before every game, only before ones of import (international fixtures, cup and play off finals) and this was the first time I’d ever seen the national anthem sang at a Hull City game, as a result it made me somewhat emotional.
“I should learn the words to that” [God save the Queen] said my girlfriend, and my instinctive reply was “don’t be daft, it’s not YOUR anthem, even if you now live in England”. She looked miffed and I asked “Would you expect me to sing the anthem at an NFL game?” and she said yes, which shocked me. We are both planning to attend a St. Louis Rams game in November and though I fully intend to stand respectfully during the anthem, I have no plans to join in singing it. From my point of view that would be taking something that doesn’t belong to me, and it’s even more odd when you consider the ‘bombs bursting in air’ were part of a battle between British and American forces. Nope, I’ll stand but I won’t sing, even if it miffs my girlfriend.
We’re both attending the Saints - Chargers game at Wembley in October and they’ll likely play both anthems as they did at the Giants - Dolphins game, so we’ll both have an anthem to sing.
#61 by KT on 06.23.08 11:55 am |
In other news, how can the Royals do a throwback day honoring a team outside of their franchise history? And if you’re not going to do it right, don’t do it at all, you lameasses! Where’s the number on the hip? Blah blah blah blah blah blah.
/typical bs throwback rant
#62 by Duckstyle on 06.23.08 11:56 am |
http://sports.yahoo....
Orange jerseys? I thought they looked orangeish on TV, but they look just as orange-red to me in pictures too.
#63 by Broadway Connie on 06.23.08 11:56 am |
Complete rip-off of an unsatisfactory design. I’ve noticed that few teams seem capable of coming up with a dark blue / light blue color combination that they’re willing to stick with. Ditto blue / green combos (like the early Mavs and early Seahawks). There are some light blue / white colleges that sneak in a little dark blue more more or less successfully (UNC), but I can’t recall any school that has stuck with a dominant dark blue highlighted with light blue. Or am I wrong?
And - to join the chorus - Paul is so right about those flaggish caps. Micro-abominations.
#64 by KT on 06.23.08 11:56 am |
Wonder how that will play in Boston.
“Well, I’ll ask heem, but I don’t think he’ll be very keen. He’s already got one, you see.”
#65 by josh on 06.23.08 11:56 am |
Swell idea. Then how long before it’s all about Mondays off, barbecues,and sports on tv in the daytime, like all other American holidays? Ironic that Dec. 7 is not a holiday, and most people still know what it’s about. Labor Day? Not so much.
#66 by logocruncher on 06.23.08 11:58 am |
i think there already is a patriot’s day. it’s a state holiday in Massachusetts. April 19, for the start of the revolutionary war. i’m just kind of disgusted by the people who are using the 9/11 tragedy as a promotion for their own gains. like mlb and their Welcome Back Veterans thing. back to uniforms, though!
#67 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 12:01 pm |
kenn beat me to it, but if pearl harbor day isn’t a “holiday” then 9/11 won’t be either
…and to clarify…i wasn’t questioning whether “dissent is patriotic”…i FIRMLY believe it is…
‘my country right or wrong’ doesn’t apply and it never did…and the founding fathers knew this
#68 by KT on 06.23.08 12:06 pm |
Hey, we’ve got Americans who won’t stand and face the flag during the anthem.
Not to mention Americans who will play for Russia in the Olympics (yes, the Cold War is good and over, folks).
I don’t think either one (or burning a flag) makes one a traitor. An asshat, maybe. But it’s the price of a free society.
Filthy, I wouldn’t expect you to sing our anthem given the history between the two countries. I’d give any other country’s anthem the respect I’d expect to be given ours in a sports context.
But respecting it and participating in it are two different things. I probably wouldn’t sing God Save the Queen or Oh, Canada or anybody else’s anthem, but I’m not going to expect a citizen of one country to kiss the ring to that extent.
If you’re in my country (my country, how pretentious) making money and living better than you would in Pakistan, good on ya. My grandparents came here for a better life, too. It’s part of the deal. So I don’t expect someone to wear red, white and blue or drape themselves in the flag, but they can come to the barbecue if they’re going to take the paid day off and they can certainly respect the flag and anthem the way I’d respect yours if the situation was reversed.
#69 by Ricko on 06.23.08 12:10 pm |
‘my country right or wrong’
Divided into two separate statements, its inherent wrong-headedness is glaringly obvious. One of them becomes…
“My country even when it’s wrong.”
Huh?
#70 by Rich on 06.23.08 12:12 pm |
Fitting that i just saw this in my local paper:
http://www.heraldnew...
That is the US military all-stars helping David Ortiz open the new Nokona bat factory in Fall River MA.
#71 by Bud Selig on 06.23.08 12:13 pm |
Hey, AWESOME idea. We’ll do that next year!
#72 by josh on 06.23.08 12:15 pm |
Authentics, $299.99
Replicas, $99.99
#73 by Ricko on 06.23.08 12:21 pm |
And the White Sox, with their usual application of anachronistic design, next year will remember the War Between the States with “Blue-Taupe Day.”
That way they can sell twice as many jerseys…what with having two different colors and all.
#74 by Rich on 06.23.08 12:21 pm |
Ruptured Duck on the sleeve??
http://www.heraldnew...
#75 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 12:22 pm |
oy…my bad
9/11 is being called “patriot day” not patriot’s day…
again…not that that’s any better…it’s on my desk calendar and my “page-a-day” and they’re from different makers…so…i guess beantown is safe
#76 by Ricko on 06.23.08 12:25 pm |
Yeah, honor the Patriot Act. Good idea. And they can take down the names of everyone who doesn’t buy a ticket. Won’t that be…fun.
#77 by SWC Susan (aka Tex) on 06.23.08 12:27 pm |
Are you kidding me? Pantone 281c!
As for wearing the hat with unis that don’t match… meh. Kind of like the green ones or the camo ones on ocassion. I have NEVER been a fan of say a green Longhorn hat either… why is that, color of money gangsta? Anyway, if you are going to sell ANY cap that is not in team colors… patriotic is the only way acceptable! If they weren’t those damn 5950’s I would own one or two (but of course would only wear it with navy outfits)!
#78 by Ricko on 06.23.08 12:30 pm |
We don’t celebrate days we were attacked, for pete’s sake. That’s why no Dec. 7 holiday.
If we’re gonna to make 9/11 a holiday let it be as a tribute to the victims and to the firefighters, police officers and other first responders. It’s their bravery that makes us proud and want to remember that day, not that we were sneak-attacked.
#79 by KT on 06.23.08 12:32 pm |
No, it’s honoring this guy.
Or Tony Eason. I forget which.
#80 by Ben on 06.23.08 12:39 pm |
University of Maine has the dark blue, light blue thing going. They’re not big as far as the major sports are concerned, but they’ve done well in hockey recently (they’re jerseys are pretty sweet by the way).
December 7 probably hasn’t become a holiday because the media wasn’t quite as evolved as it is now. I think now since there is so much more coverage on everything, it would garner more attention to become a holiday in this day and age. Although I wasn’t around in the forties to know what people thought about Dec. 7th becoming a holiday then. As far as I’m concerned, if your going to make 9/11 a holiday, make December 7th one as well.
Sorry, back to unis.
#81 by Tony In Erie (at home) on 06.23.08 12:40 pm |
Thanks for the followup, Phil. Patriot Day is what I saw.
#82 by Ricko on 06.23.08 12:49 pm |
One more time. Nationally speaking, we have virtually no history of holidays for days marking when conflicts/strife begin or end. Not Dec. 7, not V-E day, not V-J day. Closest thing was Armistice Day, which morphed relatively quickly into Veteran’s Day once it was obvious WWI didn’t turn out to be the “war to end all wars” after all.
Let 9/11 be about the first responders if it’s to be a holiday.
#83 by SWC Susan (aka Tex) on 06.23.08 12:50 pm |
Are you kidding me? Pantone 281c!
As for wearing the hat with unis that don’t match… meh. Kind of like the green ones or the camo ones on ocassion. I have NEVER been a fan of say a green Longhorn hat either… why is that, color of money gangsta? Anyway, if you are going to sell ANY cap that is not in team colors… patriotic is the only way acceptable! If they weren’t those damn 5950’s I would own one or two (but of course would only wear it with navy outfits)!
#84 by Andrew on 06.23.08 12:51 pm |
along the same note as the Turkish volleyball brand discrepancy, Spain’s EURO team is sponsored by adidas, but Iniesta and Fabregas both have not-so-candid nike boots… seen in the gallery here:
http://news.bbc.co.u...
#85 by Awesome Sauce Malone on 06.23.08 1:07 pm |
Some players were wearing stirrups at the Royals-Giants game. You cant tell by the pics but Todd Lincecum was wearing a nice pair.
Also why question why the Kansas City Royals would honor the Kansas City Monarchs. ESPECIALLY ON A SALUTE TO THE NEGRO LEAGUE DAY. Are you serious? Is it that hard to figure out.
And Venditte is not that great of a pitcher. The whole using both hands is really cool. but he needs some work.
Im done.
#86 by KT on 06.23.08 1:10 pm |
Ummmmm…reset from over the weekend.
I wasn’t questioning it, only mocking those who have questioned such things in the past in the midst of their whiny throwback rants.
#87 by bmarlowe on 06.23.08 1:13 pm |
_____________________
The Canadian contribution in Afghanistan has received a good deal of coverage in the US. Anyone paying attention would be aware of it. Particularly, anyone running a blog where he occasionally rants on issues related to this (like today) should be paying more attention.
#88 by Johnny O on 06.23.08 1:18 pm |
With all the political aside on these flag caps… how can this:
http://mlb.imageg.ne...
be described as “ridiculous”? It is basically the same color cap they wear 90% of the time. Now the D-Backs hat… that is ridiculous.
#89 by bmarlowe on 06.23.08 1:19 pm |
The day that marked the beginning of Constitutional evisceration is to be called, “Freedom Day”? That’s rich.
_______________
Are they coming to get you yet? Check out the Sedition Act of 1918.
#90 by Jim on 06.23.08 1:22 pm |
I think MLB should wear these instead…
http://www.theclothi...
:)
#91 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 1:23 pm |
which would be what? that the manufacturer screwed up some ’seemingly insignificant’ detail (which doesn’t matter to anyone but the UW readership)…that the manufacturer (and of course, it’s always the home team’s fault somehow) got the colors, nameplates and cetera all wrong? where might such ‘whiny rants’ be directed, if not here?
whom amongst us doesn’t enjoy a properly done throwback while railing against such unitrocities as that which were donned by the stros vs the pelicans?
#92 by Original Jim on 06.23.08 1:30 pm |
One of UConn’s official athletic colors is called National Flag Blue, and I think it’s Pantone 289, which is very dark blue. I suppose one can assume that the Nation referred to is the USA, so UConn’s version is darker than the blue on the Flag, which is a little darker than royal blue.
#93 by Kevin M. on 06.23.08 1:34 pm |
Oh I do not think 9/11 should be a holiday, I was just responding to the post that said it is in the works. I have long said that if they do make it a holiday it will be in 2011. I agree December 7 should be first if you are gonna go that route with holiday’s.
#94 by Russ on 06.23.08 1:36 pm |
Could that Twolves logo be the new logo? I thought I read something on here earlier this year saying a bunch of teams in the NBA are getting new logos/uniforms and I thought the twolves were one of the ones mentioned…
#95 by Russ on 06.23.08 1:37 pm |
Now that I look at it again the twolves logo looks like an updated version of the their previous logo during the early 90’s
#96 by Mark K on 06.23.08 1:43 pm |
They sing both the Canadian and American anthems at hockey games here and I usually sing along to both. I never thought of it as “taking something that doesn’t belong to me”.
#97 by Neil on 06.23.08 1:45 pm |
And what Pantone blue might this be?
http://www.marbletea...
#98 by Mike A on 06.23.08 1:48 pm |
Oh, I’m sorry….is this the wrong place to discuss uniforms? perhaps you could direct me to another site…one where your judgements on others opinions don’t apply?
#99 by SWC Susan (aka Tex) on 06.23.08 2:06 pm |
Reposting - hoping for success this time…
Are you kidding me? Pantone 281c!
As for wearing the hat with unis that don’t match… meh. Kind of like the green ones or the camo ones on ocassion. I have NEVER been a fan of say a green Longhorn hat either… why is that, color of money gangsta? Anyway, if you are going to sell ANY cap that is not in team colors… patriotic is the only way acceptable! If they weren’t those damn 5950’s I would own one or two (but of course would only wear it with navy outfits)!
#100 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 2:07 pm |
blue tobias?
i can’t believe you just blue tobias…
#101 by Tyler on 06.23.08 2:12 pm |
What do you mean how can they do a throwback day honoring the Negro League team that was rooted in Kansas City? The Monarchs were one of the best Negro League teams, and Buck O’Neil dedicated his life to baseball and Kansas City. The Royals do the tribute one home game a year, and I don’t see a problem in it.
The Negro League Hall of Fame is also in Kansas City, so the league has history in the city, so why not honor it? Who cares if they forgot the numbers on the hip. Boo-hoo.
#102 by Duckstyle on 06.23.08 2:14 pm |
Good point, holidays are for celebrations, and we shouldn’t celebrate being attacked. Days like 9/11 should be on the calender and recieve tributes, moments of silence etc. Never thought of it quite that way before.
#103 by Broadway Connie on 06.23.08 2:29 pm |
The Maine Black Bears? Plenty big enough, I’d say. And you’re right, those hockey sweaters are strong.
My chromatically-challenged neighborhood teams (Columbia) should take a page from Orono.
#104 by Walaitis on 06.23.08 2:30 pm |
Not to get all weepy-sounding here, but while I agree 9/11 is not a day for a holiday (I mean, yeah, it’s my birthday, but I don’t know that an entire COUNTRY should celebrate that … maybe just those in MO) … but it IS a day of celebration. Of the American Spirit. In my opinion, we had been going the wrong way as a country for quite a while (a downhill slide since, maybe, 1976). The horrific loss of 3,000 fine citizens was overwhelming and absolutely tragic, but the ability of 300 million Americans to rise up from fear and hatrid in the days and weeks to follow SHOULD be celebrated.
If MLB took EVERY PENNY of profit from the caps and gave it to veteran’s groups, or families of 9/11 victims, I would be 100% behind the effort. My problem is the not only profit, but the EXTRA profit MLB will make from the sales. THAT, my friends, is where this program is flawed.
#105 by Ed on 06.23.08 2:30 pm |
Vague uni-related observation over the weekend. I happened to catch a rebroadcast of the remake of the Andromeda Strain on A&E the other night, and couldn’t help noticing that the high-tech uniforms that the scientists in the bunker were wearing included de-spiked (or convertible) racing flats as footwear. The scene was when the lead scientist had his feet up resting on a conference table or something.
No link or pic, sorry!
ed
#106 by u2-horn on 06.23.08 2:38 pm |
How’s this for a colored glove? Even matches the uniform!
http://i33.photobuck...
This is from 1980-81. My brother’s on the left, and on the right is Lin Elliot
#107 by Jeremy Brahm on 06.23.08 2:38 pm |
With the boots and Spanish players or any professional players, they are probably paid to wear the boots.
Volleyball players usually are not the highest paid athletes in their countries (barring Italy, Brazil, Japan and China) so they would only have a shoe deal at the most, not for the kneepads.
But for looking at the Turkish women’s team, Nike or Adidas will say, look certain parts of the uniform, you must wear our gear (shirt, shorts, belt, etc.). I’m very surprised to see both sponsors on their bodies, excluding feet.
Kind of like Michael Jordan covering the logo with the American flag when he won with the Dream Team in Barcelona.
http://sportsillustr...
21. GOOD AS GOLD
Gold medal game, ‘92 Barcelona Olympics, August 8, 1992
Jordan scores a team-high 22 points as the U.S. routs Croatia 117-85 to win the gold medal at the ‘92 Games in Barcelona. Afterward Jordan, draped in a U.S. flag to cover his Reebok sweats, takes the medal stand to collect a second gold medal to pair with the one he earned in ‘84.
Michael had to wear the Reebok gear, but tried to prevent the logo from being seen.
#108 by u2-horn on 06.23.08 2:38 pm |
oops, this Lin Elliot:
http://www.nfl.com/p...
#109 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 2:39 pm |
so…basically right after the nixon administration ended (and a little of ford)…THEN we started going downhill?
#110 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 06.23.08 2:45 pm |
What, pray tell, is your opinion of “the wrong way”?
#111 by Wollen1 on 06.23.08 2:47 pm |
I can’t find the answer to this: which Negro League team were the Giants emulating yesterday? It looks like there’s a “CR” design from the game video.
#112 by Dane on 06.23.08 2:51 pm |
I find it curious that the flag-themed caps are not going to be worn on Flag Day.
#113 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 2:52 pm |
apparently it was the brooklyn royal giants see yesterday’s comments beginning here
#114 by Walaitis on 06.23.08 2:53 pm |
Sorry for the lack of clarity there. I was only 5 in 1976 during the bicentenial celebration, but I remember more flags and displays of Americana that year than any point since (including all non-corporate advertising-convenient post 9-11 displays). It had nothing to do with Nixon or Carter or anything else (that I’m aware of). Just pride to be an American!
#115 by Minna H. on 06.23.08 2:53 pm |
Oh.Hell.No. That Timberwolves alternate logo (or worse yet, replacement logo) better be a damn joke. The one they have now is just fine, thank you (except that it’s a constant, aching reminder of the team’s futility, but that’s not the logo’s fault).
As for the spangled-banner caps, it is ridiculous, especially as it’s nothing more than a cold-hearted money-grab. And they are ugly to boot. The Twins wear navy, yes, but the stars and stripes look like crap in the logo.
Oh, and I would posit the country has been going even more rapidly into decline since 9/11 for all of the reasons aforementioned (like chipping away at our rights), so I see no reason for a holiday or a rememberance day or anything else. I have confidence that I will never forget that day without needing anyone or anything to remind me.
Plus, all the ‘patriotic’ garb just looks crappy–including the camo.
#116 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 3:00 pm |
thanks for the clarification, jim
for a minute there, i thought UW was going to become a place to discuss politics
#117 by Juan Grande on 06.23.08 3:00 pm |
My question is why can’t the Reds or Phillies keep their red hats with the flag-themed logo? That would look just as good. Maybe this will shake some sense into San Diego and the White Sox to ditch the camo uniforms. If major league clubs really want to honor veterans and active duty personnel, give them half-price admission and beer for the rest of the season. I think the Rockies and D-Backs should be penalized for wearing black and purple in their history to be forced to wear these “Patriot Hats”.
PS: How cool would it have been if the Expos were still around for this? The old pinwheel red/white/blue cap with a maple-leafed logo! BRILLIANT!!!
#118 by Duckstyle on 06.23.08 3:06 pm |
#119 by Ricko on 06.23.08 3:08 pm |
If we’re going to celebrate a day of the American Spirit then December 7 should be first in line. What followed that day were unprecented enlistments in the Armed Services, an national unity and resolve still unmatched, an industrialized effort that confouded the world (Gen. Rommel later said he knew Germany was doomed the moment he saw the first new U.S. tanks, saying he realized no nation that could produce such marvelous weaponry so quicky could be defeated) and an extraordinary sense that the “job must be done, and it’s ours to do.” As Brokaw said of that generation, “They won the war; they saved the world.”
But still…if we “christen” 9/ll, we somehow give recognition to those who attacked us.
So yeah, as I said, if 9/11 MUST be a national holiday, make sure it is in honor of the first responders whose sacfrices that day helped us appreciate them so much more than we ever had before.
Call it “Heroes Day” or something, and remember all the cops and all the firefighters and others from the San Francisco Eartquake to the Chicago Fire to any any other time we needed them.
But do NOT make it “The Day Those Dirty Sumbitches Attacked Us.”
#120 by James Craven on 06.23.08 3:11 pm |
According to the Royals’ website, the Giants were wearing a uniform of The Pacific Royal Giants, a barnstorming team, kinda like the old Atlantic League Road Warriors or the Can-Am League Grays. This was not to be confused with the Brooklyn Royal Giants (which would have fit the Los Angeles dodgers better) or the Boston Royal Giants/Philadelphia Giants, of which the BoSox wore for a Canadaian Negro Leagues day in ‘02 against the Blue Jays.
#121 by Nicole on 06.23.08 3:14 pm |
I have a gripe similar to this. I think it’s “wrong” to stand, remove your cap and put your hand over your heart for “God Bless America” which is played here in Milwaukee at every Sunday game.
I feel that by doing the same things you would do during the National Anthem, you are giving too much credence to a song that is not the NA and you’re taking away from the very things that we do to honor the NA.
It’s a bit wordy and clunky to explain, but I feel like it’s downplaying the NA - giving it a less special place since any song about America has people standing with their hands over their hearts. I actually think it’s a little offensive, but I know I’m in the minority.
#122 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 3:17 pm |
i fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve
#123 by Juan Grande on 06.23.08 3:21 pm |
I think it is just common courtesy to stand for another nation’s anthem. I wouldn’t sing “O Canada” or “God Save the Queen” but I would stand for the song.
#124 by Ricko on 06.23.08 3:23 pm |
As someone here said, anybody really think we need national holidays to remember Dec 7 and Sept 11?
No. They are, first and foremost, days of national sorrow and should remain that way.
#125 by Juan Grande on 06.23.08 3:23 pm |
Good quote Phil but Yamamoto never sctually said it. It was attributed to him by Gordon Prange, the author of “At Dawn We Slept”.
#126 by Nicole on 06.23.08 3:25 pm |
But God Bless America isn’t an anthem.
#127 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 3:28 pm |
i never said he did…however, neither At Dawn We Slept, written by gordon prange, nor The Reluctant Admiral, the definitive biography of yamamoto in english by agawa hiroyu, contain the line.…of course, it’s wiki, so take THAT for what it’s worth…i had heard it attributed to prange, and also to the screenwriter of TORA TORA TORA (a MUST SEE btw)…
#128 by River Ave. Blues | MLB starts initiative to help Veterans on 06.23.08 3:30 pm |
[…] While Paul Lukas at the Uni Watch blog finds them to be “ridiculous,” I think that assessment misses the mark a bit. No matter what your views on America’s overseas involvements are, many returning veterans, scarred emotionally and physically by the wars the U.S. is fighting, have not received the care they need and deserve. While Major League Baseball has long been facing an uphill battle over its perceived response to drug testing and various other issues surrounding the game, those organizing this effort should be applauded. […]
#129 by Jim on 06.23.08 3:31 pm |
Who wants to spend $250 on something that will burn your retinas?
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
#130 by Paul Lukas on 06.23.08 3:42 pm |
Regarding flag colors: Uni Watch special operations officer Milesofsparks reports the following:
“The official regulation at the Defense Technology Information Center website http://www.dtic.mil is General Services Administration’s ‘Federal Specification, Flag, National, United States of America and Flag, Union Jack,’ DDD-F-416E, dated November 27, 1981. It specifies the colors by reference to ‘Standard Color Cards of America’ maintained by the Color Association of the United States, Inc. These are:
Cable No. 70180 Old Glory Red
Cable No. 70001 White
Cable No. 70075 Old Glory Blue
In the Pantone system the colors are: Blue PMS 282 and Red PMS 193.”
#131 by Walaitis on 06.23.08 3:48 pm |
WHEW! I thought it was going to be Harry Carey in a bikini. On a LIGHTER note (which I’m sure we can all use right now), I don’t think this is real, but it sure is amusing:
http://youtube.com/w...
#132 by Stephen on 06.23.08 4:10 pm |
\”The horrific loss of 3,000 fine citizens was overwhelming and absolutely tragic, but the ability of 300 million Americans to rise up from fear and hatrid in the days and weeks to follow SHOULD be celebrated.\”
Psst - quite a few of the people in those attacks weren’t American. Every time Americans think that they were the only country effected by the attacks ticks me off just a little bit, because I’ve done quite a bit of work with the families of the 24 Canadians killed in the attacks.
It’s not a day to celebrate the American spirit, it’s a day of mourning for a tragedy shared by the world. Please don’t homogenously wrap the victims in a flag that a lot of them didn’t have anything to do with.
Sorry, personal soapbox there.
#133 by Ricko on 06.23.08 4:11 pm |
Tthe camera positions and cuts seem too precise to be impromptu, esp. reaction shot of leftfielder and her in that two-shot. Looks like it might be the rough edit for a scrapped Nike commercial from that campaign of a couple years ago where the jogger ran up–and leaped across–an opening drawbridge. Or where young Mike Vick threw the football (or was it Tshitzu?) out of the stadium.
#134 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 06.23.08 4:16 pm |
It appears to be a Gatorade spot filmed by a company called Element 79. Unfortunately for Element 79, it was the last spot they did for Gatorade before going out of business.
#135 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 06.23.08 4:18 pm |
A link to an article about the firm.
#136 by Matt Lesser on 06.23.08 4:24 pm |
Is it just me, or is Jack Wilson the ugliest person alive?
No?
#137 by KT on 06.23.08 4:24 pm |
Feel free to send a strongly worded email to your own address.
#138 by KT on 06.23.08 4:26 pm |
If you find one, knock yourself out.
But the same Constitution that guarantees you the right to express your opinions guarantees me the right to ridicule you mercilessly for them if I, in my sole judgment, feel you’re being a whiner.
#139 by KT on 06.23.08 4:26 pm |
Asked and answered, counselor.
New here?
#140 by KT on 06.23.08 4:29 pm |
How’ve we done since then? Apart from an increased respect for first responders and our men and women in uniform, I think in a lot of ways we’ve reverted right back to many of our attitudes of September 10. And when something that’s put forth as a “tribute” and “helping the cause” smacks of nothing more than commercialism (to me), then I’m fairly certain that I’m right that we’re the Same Old America in so many ways.
#141 by Eric on 06.23.08 4:33 pm |
“Please don’t homogenously wrap the victims in a flag that a lot of them didn’t have anything to do with.”
Interesting, I always thought I had “something to do with” all the different countries I was currently in.
#142 by Tyler on 06.23.08 4:34 pm |
Nope, I’m not new. I’ve been coming here for quite some time now. Sorry, I just missed where the reply was to that post.
#143 by chance on 06.23.08 4:36 pm |
I don’t think we really need a holiday celebrating “Go to the Mall for the War Effort.”
#144 by Brian on 06.23.08 4:37 pm |
First, let me just say really fast that I’ve been fascinated with sports uniforms (mainly MLB hats) for years now, but I never knew so many people shared my interest. I found this blog about a week ago, and have been trolling the archive reading so many wonderful articles. That being said, I think I have to buck trend here on my first comment, and say that I really don’t mind the flag caps. Ignoring my political feelings feelings on the war for a moment, I’m fully in favor of anything that will bring Veterans Care to the forefront, and while MLB is most likely just doing this to turn a profit, the issue will be there nonetheless. As for the caps themselves, while some are quite garish, I don’t mind them for the Fourth of July. In any case, I will be buying the Yankees one as I am A. An Obsessive Yankees fan and B. An obsessive cap collector.
#145 by KT on 06.23.08 4:37 pm |
#146 by KT on 06.23.08 4:38 pm |
Damn. The way that SHOULD have looked:
I don’t think it’s wrong per se, but I’ve not been a fan of willy-nilly playing GBA as a sort of national anthem substitute. It’s not, as has been pointed out, our Anthem (truth be told, the Star Spangled Banner has only officially been our National Anthem since 1931).
Because of the spirit in which God Bless America is intended, I can see it deserving more respect than, say, Sweet Caroline but certainly less than the Star Spangled Banner.
I personally have always thought that Francis Scott Key’s composition was a more fitting national anthem because it speaks more to the struggle from which our country was birthed and the perseverance that has kept it alive for 232 years, whereas God Bless America is more “Nice place you got here, say a prayer, will ya?”
Having taken a trip to Fort McHenry this past spring, my faith in that opinion is stronger now than ever.
Then again, this is America. You’re free to put your hand over your heart for Jason Castro singing What a Wonderful World on the ukelele if you like.
#147 by KT on 06.23.08 4:40 pm |
And that, ladies and jellyspoons, is not only the first thing chance has ever said that I agree with, but absolutely spot-on and brilliant as well.
#148 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 4:41 pm |
you’ll be made to feel quite welcome here
#149 by Banker Bill on 06.23.08 4:48 pm |
I feel that if the players sign and auction off the caps, and all the money would be donated to the cause, then it is a worthwhile thing to do for one day. July 4th is the preferred day - I still feel that First Responder caps are much more appropriate for Sept. 11.
Just my $.02
#150 by Ricko on 06.23.08 4:52 pm |
Aw, heck with it. Enough trying to be thought-provoking and persuasive. The causes may be laudatory and the results important but, as I’ve said before, I really hate to see this turning into Cause-Apparel-Event(Gimmick) of the Week.
If they do too many it cheapens them all. When everything is unique, nothing is.
There. That’s my gut point.
#151 by Wollen1 on 06.23.08 4:59 pm |
Thank you, sir.
#152 by Paul Lukas on 06.23.08 5:00 pm |
Beautifully stated.
By the way, Ricko, you were gonna send me something — weren’t you..?
#153 by u2-horn on 06.23.08 5:11 pm |
So, uniforms are cool and stuff…
#154 by Jeff P on 06.23.08 5:17 pm |
Funny. I’ve always thought that it’s an awful national anthem. It’s warlike, belligerent, and an accurate portrayal of what America is. I’ve always thought that America the beautiful would fit more as a national anthem. Most countries don’t use anything as warlike as ours, it’s usually praise of the country.
Oh, and the war of 1812 was not “the perseverance that kept this country alive” It was a war of aggression on the part of the US. We wanted to take over Canada, for crying out loud.
Oh Canada is the model of what a national anthem should be. I mean, Christ, even the soviet national anthem wasn’t as violent as ours!
[/rant]
On a uni note, I actually don’t think the caps look half bad. There is is issue of the flag code, but I like the design concept as a design. And despite the profit MLB makes, they are raising money for a good cause.
#155 by Patrick on 06.23.08 5:17 pm |
I hate to interrupt the political discussion, but here’s something uni-related…
Some of you may have already noticed or even mentioned it here, but right now the 4 champions of the major sports also happen to have 4 of the most classic uni’s:
Red Wings
Giants
Red Sox
Celtics
Don’t remember that happening in a while without at least one Patriots or Marlins turd in the punch bowl.
#156 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 5:17 pm |
or even somewhere over the rainbow but why let the facts get in the way of a good argument…;)
#157 by Ricko on 06.23.08 5:34 pm |
You’re right. All four of those uniforms are essentially the same as 45 years ago or so. Back then Celtics wore black shoes, and Red Sox has navy sleeves, those classic striped stirrups and road jerseys were a bit plainer.
Yes, yes, Celtics didn’t have alternates, but Patrick’s point is still well taken.
And kinda cool.
So the question is…what other combination of teams could be next?
Leafs or Canadiens?
Colts or Bears or Packers?
Egad…the Knicks and, dare I say, Cubs?
Yikes, there’s something to ponder.
#158 by Ricko on 06.23.08 5:46 pm |
Parting thought, relevant to recent Cubs discussion: I like the Cubs’ home jersey logo with the narrow blue outline of late 50s, early 60’s better than the current version. Seems, I dunno, classier cuz not so clunky. Heavier blue border not so bad with sansabelts, kinda balanced the visual “weight” of the solid royal waistband and sleeve ends. But in the years since they went back to belts…
Strictly a personal preference thing, so no right or wrong involved, but just wondering if anyone else feels that way, or am I the Lone Ranger on this one?
#159 by DP on 06.23.08 5:57 pm |
It seems Oregon’s superhero mentality actually transcends uniforms and is apparently part of the team’s culture.
Article about recruiting, including Oregon.
#160 by Tyler on 06.23.08 6:11 pm |
Just throwing it out there, but how about this one:
Chiefs and Royals
I’ll let you have a good laugh on that one.
#161 by Juan Grande on 06.23.08 6:15 pm |
Yeah, I got the same thing at Disneyworld when I was a kid. It was a Time Magazine with my picture on the cover as “Man of the Year”. That was cool when I was eight. That is pretty sad if you’re eighteen.
#162 by Ari on 06.23.08 6:22 pm |
To follow up on my post last week, thought you cats might dig the poster my company just finished for “The Perfect Game”
http://impawards.com...
#163 by Brian on 06.23.08 6:38 pm |
Are the Patriots uniforms not looked at kindly? I’ve always loved the Pats “Flying Elvis” uni’s, especially the Pre-2000 ones. Now granted I’m a huge Pats fan (and yes I know how weird it is to be a huge Yankee/Pats fan, but I have been since I was about 7, and I’m almost 21 now), but I’ve always like them better than the old red/Pat The Patriot style jerseys.
#164 by Aaron Scholder on 06.23.08 6:50 pm |
List of the worst sports uniforms of all time here by Men’s Vogue: (edited by NY Ranger Sean Avery)
http://www.mensvogue...
#165 by Ricko on 06.23.08 7:11 pm |
The early L.A. Angels unis are among the worst ever? Just because of the halo hats? Puh-leez. Evidently he never saw the first all-yellow-gold Padres (the black shoes version), the new Cincinnat Bearcats football gear, the Bengals’ orange jersey-black pants ensemble or the current Arizona Rattlers, (now THERE’S are an ugly uniform!)…among others.
Plus, I have a problem with singling out the one-shot Eagles’ gold and powder. If it ain’t a regular uniform it shouldn’t be grist for this particular mill.
#166 by J Excel on 06.23.08 8:17 pm |
Watching my first Fresno State baseball game of the year in HD and lo and behold, Fresno State is in the field with wonderful caps- Navy blue, red lettering in white trim.
but get this:
as you look at the front of the cap
there’s a tiny TM (trademark) sewn in white, near the bottom right of the FS logo.
no TMs on the jersey from what I can see.
apologies if this has been covered before.
#167 by Brian from Short Island on 06.23.08 8:35 pm |
Good to see the problem with Dutch fans solved… Will they now force Italian restaurants to change their tablecloths after unconfirmed incidents of Italians eating off the Croatian fans?
#168 by MPowers1634 on 06.23.08 8:57 pm |
Just don’t admit to admiring anything purple, lightning yellow or adorned with a swoosh
or openly pondering the meaning behind greeen dots or gold C’s.
That should just about cover everything!
#169 by Russ on 06.23.08 8:59 pm |
I always hate to see the Padres uniforms on those lists, being a huge Padre fan, I actually think those have more character than the current ones. I wish the padres would ditch the overdone navy blue and go back to some combo of brown and gold/yellow, because that says padres to me.
#170 by Mike Engle on 06.23.08 9:08 pm |
Or the Buccaneers’ crazy number font, which they only use in practice.
#171 by Jack on 06.23.08 9:16 pm |
When’s the last time the Jays actually played at home on Canada Day? I feel like this has been mentioned on here before but I forgot. Either way, those Jays Canadian flag hats are ultra-lame. The least they could have done wa make them red.
#172 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 9:20 pm |
i agree with ya ricko on the angels…and i kind of liked (ducks tomatoes) the iggles throwback…but like everything, especially on this board…taste is relative
bonus: they posted a photo of a young ricko in that piece ;)
#173 by Chris Mayberry on 06.23.08 9:34 pm |
Just two years ago…a 5-2 win over those “original” Blue Jays — the Philadelphia Phillies…
http://www.baseball-...
#174 by Chris Mayberry on 06.23.08 9:37 pm |
Bill Freehan batted right, but so did Al Kaline, Willie Horton and a host of other Tigers who wore the number on the right sleeve…
I’m certain there were others who had the number on the left, but I can’t find any evidence yet — maybe it’s just my wonky 40-year-old memory…
#175 by Chris Mayberry on 06.23.08 9:43 pm |
And Freehan didn’t always wear that 11 on his left sleeve…
http://h1.ripway.com...
#176 by James Craven on 06.23.08 9:45 pm |
DAMN IT PHIL AND RICKO!
#177 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 10:05 pm |
did kris tomlinson lose a bet in the CWS?
subtle message to the hitter?
#178 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 10:14 pm |
further proof that mets fans are confused
#179 by Tallboy on 06.23.08 10:42 pm |
In response to the Cubs captain’s “C” on the sleeve, the Reds used to do that also. If you can find a photo of Dave Concepcion in the 1980’s, you’ll see the C on his left sleeve, and in a couple different types if I remember right. It’s sad that I remember this.
#180 by =bg= on 06.23.08 11:23 pm |
ACK.
Mentioning “Oregon” reminded me that college football season is bearing. And so are those painful Oregon outfits. Lovely.
#181 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 11:28 pm |
hey =bg=
can you get a screengrab of maria’s tux tomorrow?
she plays the second match on court 1 tomorrow
thx!
#182 by =bg= on 06.23.08 11:28 pm |
PS oops that’s “season is nearing.”
How about an edit function here Paul, whadyasay?
#183 by =bg= on 06.23.08 11:31 pm |
It starts “at 1 pm.” ET, PT, what? do we know?
But yeah I can, Windows Media Center is great for that.
#184 by =bg= on 06.23.08 11:32 pm |
What am I thinking, it’s all tape delay. If I can locate it, I will.
#185 by LI Phil on 06.23.08 11:35 pm |
that’s 1 pm GMT
so… -4 hours EDT (9:00 am) for the first match…and it’s gasquet against mardy…so that could go 5
#186 by Azul Army on 06.23.08 11:40 pm |
Is that Andy Samberg or a dead ringer for him?
Mr. Pibb and Red Vines equals CRAZY DELICIOUS!
#187 by Dan on 06.23.08 11:44 pm |
What I hate about Major League Baseball is their so unconcerned about their uniforms and all. Two years ago the NBA started that dress code thing, the NFL had already had that instated, and when the NFL plays throw back games, THEIR OWN UNIFORM MATCHES. From helmets to socks.
Yet the MLB can’t even get helmets that match their throw backs, and they let players, the people representing the team walk around with torn patches.
#188 by Ricko on 06.23.08 11:47 pm |
I assume you meant this one.
http://www.mensvogue...
They always took those shirt laces away from me when I was gonna be alone, though.
#189 by Walaitis on 06.23.08 11:56 pm |
Alrighty now …
Late to come up with stuff like this, but two things I noticed while watching the news (sports, in particular):
1) They showed members of the 2008 (soon to be bronze winning) USA Olympic basketball team with their jerseys. The white jersey appears to have bold blue/black numbers on the back, with the name printed in white and a faint blue/black outline. The dark (blue/black) jersey seems to have a similar treatment (white numbers, blue/black names with a faint white outline). I don’t know if that was a mistake or an intentional “name on the front means ALOT MORE than the name on the back” type of statement, but I’m intrigued nonetheless. Sorry. No photos.
2) In a story about Mark Mulder being hurt and not being able to pitch as expected today, Channel 5 in St. Louis showed file footage of Mulder pitching AAA ball. From what I can tell, #10 appears to be retired for Stubby Clapp. Sorry. No pictures of the actual retired number, but he is shown in the banner of the Redbirds website with all the other Cardinal minor league greats (you know, Pujols … Coleman … Wainright … Clapp???) . True, I’m not a Cardinal fan, but seriously, folks, STUBBY CLAPP?? Sure, one of the great baseball names of all time, but what else did he do to deserve his name on the wall? Another question, looking at the website: Why is he upside down?
#190 by Ricko on 06.23.08 11:57 pm |
And I’ve always been proud that Joe Namath told me he learned to slump just like me. A round back always looks so cool on a pro athlete.
#191 by Reed on 06.23.08 11:59 pm |
check out the bottom of the picture…
http://sportsillustr...
#192 by Walaitis on 06.24.08 12:03 am |
Ah HAH!
#193 by LI Phil on 06.24.08 12:08 am |
how stoned is melo?
#194 by Jeff Frank on 06.24.08 2:09 am |
I’m going to get rocked for this, but I think the Nats flag cap is resonable looking, if not down right cool.
I saw another cool thing wihile looking for the cap photos, a site that has flipped color hats for each team, strange but cool.
http://www.lids.com/...
#195 by Brian on 06.24.08 2:36 am |
Just did a little research on Clapp:
\”Clapp became a popular figure in the City of Memphis during his four-year stint (1999-2002) with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. He was often referred to as the \”Mayor of Memphis.\” During the 2002 season, The 5-foot-8 Clapp was featured on a growth chart for kids, sponsored by a Memphis-area medical group\”
Now I got that from Wikipedia, but I do know that many Minor League teams, including my hometown SI Yankees, will retire numbers and honor players who make large impacts with them, even if their Major League careers are short-lived.
#196 by Cowboy7130 on 06.24.08 4:37 am |
Regarding the pic of Durham, and the notice of his ripped stirrup: I am more put off by the lack of a white “sanitary” sock under his stirrups, as evidenced by the bare skin of his left ankle in the pic!
#197 by James Craven on 06.24.08 6:22 am |
Correction, LI Phil:
How fucking stoned is Nike’s Design Team?
#198 by rpt319 on 06.24.08 7:10 am |
While making them red would’ve been icing on the cake, at least MLB didn’t force the US Flag on them. So many times the Jays wear the US Flag for a holiday or event that has no historical standing in Canada. I haven’t been to a Jays home game in many years, nor do I watch them on tv (die hard Expos fan here), but did MLB force them to play God Bless America during the 7th Inning Stretch?
#199 by Bill Fenbers on 06.24.08 8:07 am |
What will the Reds camouflage unis looke like? I can’t find any pics on their website team shop. Also, are the Reds wearing their alternate red unis for all day games now?
#200 by RS Rogers on 06.24.08 8:39 am |
Yes, the blue in the union of the American flag looks lighter than navy when you see it flying from a flagpole. Because it’s fabric and it actually lets some light through from the other side. But the dye color is a shade of navy blue. It’s telling that when Paul wanted to illustrate the royal-ness of the blue in the union, he didn’t link to an actual flag, but to a flag printed on children’s merchandise.
Also, the U.S. Flag Code quite clearly bans any use of the American flag on an athletic uniform, and it also defines any depiction of the flag as a flag for the purposes of flag etiquette. When you put a flag patch on a baseball uniform — whether on the cap or sleeve — you are guaranteeing that some American flags are going to be rubbed in the dirt and smeared with grass and stained with tar. And does anyone really think that rubbing the flag in the dirt, smearing it in the grass, and rubbing tar on it is a patriotic thing to do?
When MLB puts flag patches on its caps and jerseys, it is committing flag desecration as established by the U.S. Flag Code, which is an actual law passed by Congress to define the rules of flag etiquette in America.
#201 by bmarlowe on 06.24.08 12:44 pm |