I recently scored another vintage uniform catalog. It features some particularly vibrant examples of things we’ve seen before, plus a few things I’ve never seen before. Here are the highlights:
• Good assortment of football jerseys here (the one at upper-right is unusual — you don’t normally see a raglan-sleeved football shirt) and here (love the repeating stripes on the green and black models). As usual, though, my favorite page is the listing of optional details. Interesting to see that the yellow sleeve-number panel (labeled “E26″) was already being referred to as a “TV Insert” in 1963.
• Here’s a standard assortment of football pants. What interests me is the listing of extras. First, note option K14L — I’ve never that type of harness-style color paneling before. And just above it, look at option K7L, which is described as, “Back of knee. Triangle.” Seems like something Nike or Reebok would do today, no?
• Good assortment of old-school hoops jerseys here (note that two of them are sleeved) and here. But once again, the listing of options is where the action is. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a crotch extension on a basketball jersey before. And look at item SKB — rib-knit trim at the hemline! I’d give anything to see a team actually wearing that.
• Basketball shorts are here and here, and warm-ups are here, here, and here. But here’s something that just blew me away: Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the warm-up basketball cape!
• No surprise that I like this page. But you don’t normally see socks listed by knit pattern — amazing stuff.
Cap-ital Punishment: So I attended yesterday’s press conference about MLB’s “Welcome Back Veterans” program. They had most of the star-spangled caps on display (for some reason I was really fixated on the treatment of the Angels’ halo), along with the special ball and base that will be used during this promotion. There were lots of big shots on hand, including David Wright (whose presence was disturbing for me — shouldn’t he have been taking a pregame nap or something?) and Fred Wilpon (whose presence was disturbing for other reasons), plus about half a dozen Iraq and Afghanistan vets.
I don’t like the caps at all, but the charity initiative, at least as described, is clearly a good one, with lots of organizations participating on a pro bono basis (for further details, look here). After a presentation that lasted a little over a half-hour, the floor was opened for questions. The first two of these were total softballs — a guy from MLB.com, for example, asked Wilpon, “Fred, could you tell us a little more about why this is so important to you?” Someone else asked something of a similar tenor.
There’s nothing wrong with those types of questions, of course. There’s also nothing wrong with the kind of question I then asked, which went like this:
All the materials related to this promotion say that “a portion of the proceeds” from the cap sales will go to the charity program [look at the last bullet point here, for example]. Can you tell us what percentage that portion is?
The reason I ask is that some fans — including many who have already expressed their opinions to me as news of this initiative leaked out over the weekend — may view this program as just another merchandising program to move product and generate revenue. So what portion of the cap proceeds will go to the charity? And if it’s not 100%, why not?
And man, you could practically hear them crossing my name off their Christmas card lists. MLB PR czar Rich Levin glared at me like I’d just hocked a loogie in his cappuccino or something. “The answer is that that hasn’t been determined yet,” he growled. “But this is a charity initiative — it isn’t about generating revenue.”
“I’m not suggesting otherwise,” I responded. “But there’s a certain level of cynicism out there among some fans, so I was giving you a chance to clarify…”
“We reject that,” he snapped. “We reject the cynicism.”
And that, my friends, was the end of that. No more questions, cue the photographers for glad-handing pics. Afterward, two gentlemen who were involved with the vets’ program (i.e., not MLB employees) approached me and said, “I thought it was a very good question, and I don’t think you got much of an answer.”
When I got home, I found an e-mail from a local newspaper columnist of my acquaintance. “Loved your question at the news conference,” he wrote. “Then you vanished seconds after. Did security haul you away?” Actually, I’d hung around for about 10 minutes afterward. Anyway, I wrote back, “Heaven forbid anyone should ask a non-softball question, right?” To which he responded, “The reason that he got all offended was because you nailed him! Of course it’s just another marketing initiative! LOL.”
Actually, I’m a little less cynical than that. I think it’s more that Levin, and a lot of the other MLB suits, are completely out of touch with the way fans think. And if I told him that, he’d probably say, “Oh no, that’s not true — we do all sorts of focus groups to keep us in touch with fans’ opinions,” without realizing that that’s part of the problem. These guys are so corporate, so expense account, so executive suite and boardroom, they have no freakin’ clue what it’s like to be an average baseball fan, and even less clue as to how their machinations are perceived by the rest of us. They live in a hermetically sealed bubble, sort of like a permanent luxury box. So when they come up with a nice idea — and that’s certainly what the Welcome Back Veterans program is, stupid caps or no stupid caps — they pat themselves on the back and are genuinely surprised when someone (me, in this case) has the temerity to ask a real question that requires a real answer.
Footnote: An MLB spokesman later said he’d try to find an answer to my question.
Meanwhile: About seven hours later, David Wright made an error that led to four unearned runs. He later booted another ball (initially scored an error, then changed to a base hit) and went 0-for-3 at the plate. I rest my case.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Cool-looking vintage uniform catalog – which, unfortunately, I was outbid on — jersey. … Jeffrey Moulden was watching a broadcast of Vinny Testaverde’s first game at Miami (9/7/85) and was surprised to see that the ’Canes wore solid orange (additional pics here and here. … More Textile Mill League throwbacks from the Greenville Drive — I’ve set up a small slide show here (with thanks to Michael Bonasia and Billy Crowe). … “Went to an American Legion baseball game on Friday,” writes Michael Orr. “The West Columbia (SC) team does not have a uniform helmet design for their players, so the guys just wear their regular high school team helmets. This player goes to Airport High School in West Columbia, whose batting helmets apparently have side decals instead of having the logo on the front. I’ve never seen this before.” … The Cubs may be the only MLB team to use an embroidered appliqué on their batting helmets, but there’s at least one minor league team that does it: the Iowa Cubs. And look, they’ve even got the trademark symbol on there (big thanks to Dave Dolmage). … Ever since this site’s very first entry, I’ve been saying that athletes, and their uniforms, have been looking more and more like superheroes. Oregon’s football uniforms are an obvious example, but I didn’t realize Oregon had actually created little comic books for recruiting their top prospects. Unbelievable (with thanks to Greg Riffenburgh). … “The CSC cycling team has picked up a new co-sponsor, Saxo Bank,” reports Benjamin Graff. “Here’s the new jersey.” … Two promising-looking baseball exhibits currently underway at the Bennington Museum in Vermont (as forwarded by Erik Little). … “Mike Stein, a local Philly designer, was hanging outside my local coffee shop, and his tat stood out,” writes Morris Levin. “I’d know that design from the Phils’ 1976 jersey sleeve anywhere.” … Awesome article here about the organist at the College World Series. “Note the fried cheese curds on the organ,” points out Bryan. “Everything for the CWS is either fried, cheese, fried cheese, or beer.” Depressing excerpt from the article: “[Organs at ballparks] peaked in the 1960s and 1970s. Their numbers have dwindled since. The Hall of Fame’s research director, Tim Wiles, traced at least part of the beginning of the end to a change in ownership for the Mets after the 1979 season. The longtime organist Jane Jarvis was nudged out at Shea Stadium in favor of canned music. Teams wanted their music to rock, not reverberate.” … Not uni-related, but interesting nonetheless, from yesterday’s Times: “For the third consecutive game, [Mets manager Jerry] Manuel removed his starting pitcher in the middle of an inning. For the third consecutive game, the starter — this time, Mike Pelfrey — remained on the mound until the reliever arrived.” Seems to me that this used to be common years ago, but at some point pitchers began walking to the dugout as soon as the skipper arrived on the mound. Can anyone confirm or refute? Any idea when the changeover took place? … “It appears that Chris Sabo was way ahead of the Jamie Moyer curve when it comes to having a team logo on low-riding stirrups,” writes Robert Eden. “What’s all the more remarkable is that for years, Sabo had cultivated the fake stirrups look that we all know and loathe.” … Remember yesterday’s Ticker item about Bill Freehan wearing his uni number on his left sleeve during the ’68 World Series, while the other Tigers wore it on the right? Don Montgomery found another left-numbered Tiger from that same World Series: Willie Horton (who had the number on the proper sleeve earlier that year). … An injured hiker who was stranded in the Bavarian Alps was rescued after using her sports bra to signal local lumberjacks (it’s not clear whether the lumberjacks were attracted by the bra or by her bralessness), which I’m sure will lead to a new ad slogan: “Just Undo It.” … As many of you are already aware, this Virginia Tech jersey is up for sale on the web, although the Hokies haven’t yet confirmed that this will be the school’s new design. The full ensemble will apparently look like this, at least according to this blog entry (courtesy of Ryan McGhee). … “You may have heard that NY Ranger Sean Avery was an intern at Vogue,” writes Dan McCue. “He’s offered up his list of the worst sports uniforms ever. He also explains why he wanted to intern at Vogue. Best line: ‘If you feel like teasing this hockey player about an obsession of his that you might think is a little unusual, go right ahead. Just know that you may get your ass kicked by a very expensive pair of shoes — and that they’ll probably match both my belt and my shirt.’” … I’ve occasionally mentioned the Midnight Sun Game, which takes place every year in Alaska. But here’s something I hadn’t seen before: Players wearing Native Athabascan clothing prior to the 1964 game (great find by Mike Caulfield). … Speaking of finds, Jim Pericotti has discovered something I don’t think anyone else has brought up before: Maryland wears white uni numbers on their white helmets. What’s that about? … Yesterday I mentioned that Roger Federer would be wearing this logo on his sneakers. Turns out he’s also got it on his belt (good spot by Brinke Guthrie). … Jason Giambi’s mustache is getting lots of attention. … Mike Fiala just checked in from Vienna, where the European Soccer Championships have been taking place. “Adidas obviously made it their goal to win the advertising title, as they put a giant shoe for every participating country in front of Vienna’s Museumsquartier,” he writes. “Each shoe is as big as a compact car. Another annoying thing, although i haven’t seen it in person yet, is a 33m-tall Petr Čech in front of one of Vienna’s best known and beloved landmarks, the Riesenrad.” But hey, when I complain about the encroachment of advertising in public spaces, I’m just being an alarmist, right?
#1 by ChrisM70 on 06.24.08 8:59 am |
Leave it to the guy who writes about striped socks to be the only real journalist with the guts to ask real questions.
Hooray for Paul!
#2 by Kevin on 06.24.08 9:01 am |
Nice SI Photo compilation of MLB throwbacks worn this year.
I must say…this may be my favorite throwback of all time.
#3 by LI Phil on 06.24.08 9:03 am |
david wright was obviously so shaken from hearing paul’s question, he made the error leading to the granny (first ever) by the mariners’ pitcher, costing the amazin’s the game
i blame you, mr. lukas, for johan’s loss
#4 by Mike on 06.24.08 9:04 am |
Seems odd the Orioles would go with their BP logo on the Veterans hats….any other teams do that?
#5 by Robert on 06.24.08 9:05 am |
Excellent coverage of the press conference. And ballsy. Well done, sir.
#6 by Johnny O on 06.24.08 9:13 am |
Good for you Paul… way to stick it to the man. I would also have been curious why these “special edition” 5950’s cost a few bucks more than the normal ones. I think it’s because the few bucks will go towards the charity, while MLB gets their original profits as normal. Sons of bitches.
Meanwhile, I went to my local Lids store in the mall yesterday just to see if they were getting any Milwaukee flag 5050’s in, and the guy at the counter, and his manager had no idea what I was talking about. Plus, I asked him if they had any original 5950’s that were cotton with the gray under bill, and again, they looked at me like I had a third eye. So i explained to the counter guy AND his manager the difference between the new 5950’s and the old ones. The manager’s response to me was, “Wow, you sure know a lot about baseball hats.” And I thought to myself that it is just 2nd nature for a Uni Watcher. But can you believe employees of Lids had no clue about 5950’s??? *sigh*
#7 by Jim on 06.24.08 9:14 am |
Wonder what would happan if you sent in the order form from that catalog?
I bought a 1990 pack of hockey cards a bit ago from a vintage store and inside was a card that explained a contest, mail the card into the mailing address (now it would be a website), and be entered to win tickets to the next stanley cup finals (probably 1991). I wanted to send it in to see if I would get a response like ‘That was 18 years ago you dumbass!!’
#8 by KT on 06.24.08 9:15 am |
RE: Worst uniforms ever
The guy left out the Colorado Caribou and the Canucks’ unis he picked aren’t even the worst uniforms in Canucks history.
#9 by shadoquad on 06.24.08 9:15 am |
Is it a Friday game? I haven’t watched the O’s all that much lately, but I think they usually wear those caps on Friday games with their black jerseys when possible.
#10 by Johnny O on 06.24.08 9:16 am |
It obviously should have been written “Milwaukee flag 5950’s”…not “5050’s”
…back to the program
#11 by Jim on 06.24.08 9:21 am |
I actually like the Canucks uni they showed… it’s first on my list with the blue/green stick uni as second. Hopeing to buy one and make it into a Pavel Bure 1994 Stanley Cup Final Jersey.
#12 by Robert on 06.24.08 9:21 am |
It isn’t surprising, really. The employees are likely regular folks who needed a gig, whether it be selling hats, shoes or tires. Lids is just another corporate entity hiring whomever can fill the job.
It’s the mom and pop types, who start a store because they love the product (independent record stores come to mind), who will have impressive knowledge of the stuff that they sell.
#13 by Frank from B-more on 06.24.08 9:22 am |
The lame O’s hat is indeed the Friday hat and the logo is used on the BP hat. Public Opinion among O’s fans is that this is the worst logo ever from the Birds, but it is being forced on us. With the cartoon bird a favorite among many fans (me included) I hope with the upcoming uni changes the PTB see fit to add it to some sort of uniform design.
#14 by Jeremy Brahm on 06.24.08 9:22 am |
After the NCAA got wind of the Ducks’ comic books, they were told to stop because they would have to make comic books for every single recruit, which was something that not every school could do.
Great idea to intrigue recruits, but got killed to possible NCAA violations.
#15 by Stuby on 06.24.08 9:23 am |
He included several outfits that weren’t really uniforms at all (Serena, Anne White, Jorge Campos). Ill-conceived for sure, but not uniforms.
#16 by dgc on 06.24.08 9:29 am |
Speaking of finds, Jim Pericotti has discovered something I don’t think anyone else has brought up before: Maryland wears white uni numbers on their white helmets. What’s that about?
I could’ve sworn that this was mentioned before, either here or in the ESPN column. Or was it on the Chargers’ white helmets?
#17 by Jeff B on 06.24.08 9:31 am |
Correct spelling is Petr Čech, vice Petr Czech.
#18 by Stuby on 06.24.08 9:35 am |
I may not know much about fashion, but it sure looked like Venus had her dress on backwards for her Wimbledon match today.
#19 by carmenfanzone on 06.24.08 9:36 am |
Good for you, Paul. How the bigwigs get away without answering these honest type of questions always amazes me.
#20 by Hank on 06.24.08 9:37 am |
Hey, Paul: Kudos for asking the question no one had the guts to answer. Reminds me of the M*A*S*H episode where Hawkeye and Trapper try getting an incubator for the 4077. They wound up at a press conference posed as journalists and asked the general why MASH units couldn’t get an incubator. The general gives all kind of double-speak before getting totally flumoxed and they were led out of the room.
#21 by Rob Ullman on 06.24.08 9:45 am |
Fantastic job at the “press conference”…I’m totally impressed. The world of pro sports has become SO corporate, and every now and then someone needs to call it for what it is! Well done!
#22 by Walaitis on 06.24.08 9:46 am |
Sorry to repost from last night, but I was suprised to see no mention of the USA Basketball uniforms and “unique” way of displaying (or should we say hiding?) players names. I kind of like the “anonymous” aspect of the unis, but why bother putting the names on at all?
#23 by ChrisM70 on 06.24.08 9:47 am |
You know the sad thing isn’t that Paul’s question was especially “ballsy” - the sad thing is that it is a very appropriate and important question that none of the other sports “journalists” thought to ask. They would rather be fed MLB propaganda so they can continue coming to press conferences with free food.
#24 by Jason G. on 06.24.08 9:49 am |
Good luck finding any of the older 5950’s. I haven’t seen one in awhile and they were hard to find about 6 months after the new ones came out. I haven’t even had any success finding any on the internet other than on eBay.
By the way, they were wool, not cotton.
#25 by Paul Lukas on 06.24.08 9:55 am |
I generally agree. I appreciate all the kind words, but really, I didn’t do anything so remarkable — I just asked a simple question, one that had been on my mind for the preceding 24 hrs or so. The bigger issue is why nobody else asked anything relevant.
To be fair, though, most of the other journalists in attendance probably didn’t know as much about the initiative as I did prior to the press conference. And the reason I knew a lot about it, and had had time to think about it, is that it surfaced in Saturday’s comments on this site. So if I “done good,” it’s largely because of you guys. Thanks.
And there was no food at this event, by the way.
#26 by Hank on 06.24.08 9:58 am |
SI misclassified the Phillies uniform. It’s not a throwback per se, but rather their alternate uniform for day games. Still one of the better looking ones showcased.
#27 by Mark in Shiga on 06.24.08 10:01 am |
I can’t remember either, but I think it’s a great idea. The white numbers just stand out enough so that guys on the bench and in the locker room can tell whose helmet is whose, while at the same time being unobtrusive enough that you don’t even notice the numbers from afar. One less thing to clutter up a clean look.
#28 by Chris A. on 06.24.08 10:05 am |
Umm… Has anyone seen these hideous MLB All-Star Game Statue of Liberty “Statues on Parade” things?
http://shop.mlb.com/...
MLB will have some of these around NYC for the All-Star game, at 8 feet tall, and you can get your own 9 inch replica.
These designs are over-the-top when placed on a flat surface. When splashed all over lady liberty… I’m speechless.
And as a Jays’ fan, why is their a Toronto version?
#29 by ChrisM70 on 06.24.08 10:05 am |
The food comment was more about figuratively feeding at the MLB “trough”. A couple of years back a reporter in Kansas City asked a question that the organization deemed “inappropriate” and he ended up being banned from the press conferences for the rest of the year. That’s the kind of thing that most media companies can’t afford to have happen, so they reporters play nice, and don’t rock the boat.
#30 by LI Phil on 06.24.08 10:08 am |
venus is in the steve and barry stable, i believe, and while im sure her dress isn’t available in their stores, their current pitch is “nothing is over $8.88″ …
you do the math
#31 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 06.24.08 10:11 am |
Way to go Paul! Too many times people do things for ‘charity’ and the charity gets a minimal percentage of the sales. If the MLB had any balls (pun intended) they’d tell the manufacturer that the hats were for charity and to, at least, provide them at cost. Then, the MLB should give 100% of the proceeds to charity.
#32 by chance on 06.24.08 10:12 am |
You’re right that it’s not a strict throwback, but it is a modern interpretation of a throwback uniform.
Just like the Brewers’ throwbacks, which are widely considered as such - it’s as though the team had never changed its unform, just kept up with modern innovations.
#33 by Stuby on 06.24.08 10:17 am |
Kinda goes with this ‘hand’ thingie. Looks like a boxing glove holding an ice cream cone.
http://shop.mlb.com/...
#34 by David on 06.24.08 10:17 am |
Watched the Braves/ Brewers last night, and after the game was over, all the Brewers starters untucked their jerseys, and the announcers even mentioned that they do it after every win. Anyone know why?
BTW, it seemed that JJ Hardy was in such a hurry to untuck his jersey that he bobbled the last play, but recovered in time to make the catch!
#35 by James Craven on 06.24.08 10:19 am |
Personally, I hope that it will be a one-year-only thing. I’m more partial to the traditional red pinstripes. And yeah, they also misclassified the Brewers and the Blue Jays as throwbacks, as they both wear those unis on Friday nights.
#36 by Dave F. on 06.24.08 10:19 am |
To take my mind off the sorry state of journalism today (kudos to you, though, Paul), I’ll just say that I like those Va Tech uniforms a lot, underarm colors and all.
#37 by Mark in Shiga on 06.24.08 10:20 am |
I think most of the recent “throwbacks” should be viewed like this — the Astros and their mis-lettered, botched-stripes uniform, and the Jays and their blue pajamas, are two examples. Only a few teams (Cubs ‘48, Braves ‘48, Indians ’50s, among others) have really gotten it right.
#38 by chance on 06.24.08 10:22 am |
What does frequency have to do with it?
#39 by chance on 06.24.08 10:23 am |
I think it’s a matter of intent. The Brewers never set out to do a strict throwback with their Friday, originally Sunday, alts (though they do those as well). They wanted to do a modern interpretation, with belts, buttons and NOB. In that sense, they “got it right.”
#40 by Mark in Shiga on 06.24.08 10:27 am |
Anyone else notice (in that SI throwback collection) that the Astros not only have non-throwback helmets, but that their current helmets use the number font that they used in the 1990s?
#41 by MPowers1634 on 06.24.08 10:32 am |
Absolutely…you have to take into account your audience. many people don’t aspire to become Lids employees, especially those who are as uni-driven as we are.
I have the same issues with employees at the franchise shoe stores…I’ll stop in and attempt to engage in some “shop talk” with employees, even the managers, and they will often not be as informed as I am.
The blame should be mine for expecting people, mostly high school and college aged kids working at a job, not a career or profession, mind you, to delve as deeply as we enthusiasts do.
We love our unis because we Want to, not because we Have to!
#42 by Dan Stevens on 06.24.08 10:32 am |
As a VT alum, I have to say, I’m starting to like those unis more than I thought I would. The photoshop mock-up definitely eases a few of my worries, but they’re still a drastic change nonetheless. I mean, those orange sleeve jerseys were such a disaster in 2005… I’ll have to wait to see them on the field before I really make up my mind.
With that said, where’s the credit for breaking this story on Friday, Paul? Not only did I provide the VT jersey and the original photoshop (which you credited to someone else today), but I also provided the new unis for UNC, Duke, Colorado, etc.
#43 by JFront10 on 06.24.08 10:34 am |
The 4th is on a Friday but Sept. 11th is on a Thursday.
#44 by Tony In Erie (at home) on 06.24.08 10:38 am |
MPowers…
At least when you go to Burger King, the employees know what a Whopper is.
They work at a HAT store, heck its even CALLED “LIDS”. They SHOULD know.
I’d agree with you if they worked at a big box sporting goods store.
#45 by MPowers1634 on 06.24.08 10:38 am |
Occasionally on the New Era website, they will have a small number of them on sale.
There is a Mom & Pop store in my area, where I found some great stirrups awhile back, that still carries some of the woll 5950’s albeit for the not so geographically popular teams, old Devil Rays etc….and no, I don’t live in Tampa!
#46 by Dan Stevens on 06.24.08 10:40 am |
Yea, but who goes into a Burger King and asks the employees from what country or region the tomatoes are from?
Thats essentially what you’re doing when you’re going into the relatively minor details like grey billed 5950’s vs the ones nowadays
#47 by Stuby on 06.24.08 10:41 am |
I could spend all day perusing the ridiculous crap they sell on mlb.com, but with all the pink days for breast cancer and blue days for prostate cancer, this is kind of hypocritical, no…?
http://shop.mlb.com/...
#48 by LI Phil on 06.24.08 10:42 am |
not always…
*sigh*
#49 by MPowers1634 on 06.24.08 10:43 am |
For 7.15 an hour minus taxes, I wouldn’t be researching all of the upcoming “cap” initiatives in my downtime.
I would be going to school, or my second and third jobs to get by.
It’s all perspctive, I guess!
BTW…The Phillies new alternates are extremely well done, IMHO.
I love the Brewers modern interpretation as well.
As for others, like the Astros and Pelicans this past weekend…They were unique but with a new more discerning eye, due to UW, I was disappointed, especially by the Astros.
White spikes, fellas!
I, like most of us here, am an attention to detail disciple, Maryland’s helmet stickers: well-done. Astros’ pants stipes, batting helmets, non-matching cleats: BAD FORM!
#50 by chance on 06.24.08 10:46 am |
Paul, good call on the raglan sleeves. I can’t think of many teams that have used them - the 1935-36 Packers and, of course, the Cowboys both now and then.
Wonder why it never took hold in football - aren’t raglan sleeves supposed to give you freer arm motion? I thought that is why some baseball teams wear them.
#51 by Tony In Erie (at home) on 06.24.08 10:48 am |
The Lids store at my mall actually has the nerve to advertise “experts” where you can give them designs and they can put it in their little Apple IIe and it stitches out your logo.
But I agree on the $7.15. And sorry to hear you have trouble at BK, Mr LI Phil.
And agreed on the Phillies alts.
or is it acquiesce?
#52 by MPowers1634 on 06.24.08 10:58 am |
Attention to detail:
Look at the cleats in accordance with the uni:
http://i258.photobuc...
http://i258.photobuc...
Beautiful!
In contrast:
http://i287.photobuc...
Lee’s attempt to disrupt the DP was a method I have never seen before, however his cleast were still maroon accented.
That kind of stuff bothers me.
Like when Texas, or LSU don’t wear cleats or gear accented with either Burnt Umber or Purple and yellow. Instead they go with black!
Poorly Done.
#53 by interlockingtc on 06.24.08 10:59 am |
Those flag hats are just atrocious looking. Awful. A simple U.S.A. flag shoulder patch–as Paul has suggested, I believe–would be so much more appropriate and dignified. True, there would be little revenue generated from flag patch sales, but perhaps each club could make a sizable donation towards the veteran’s program anyway. (See how that idea goes over in the board rooms.)
Meanwhile, I have followed basketball aesthetics for many decades and have never seen one of those magnificent Rawlings warm up capes in action. I wonder why? Something to do with appendage restriction, maybe.
#54 by Ricko on 06.24.08 11:02 am |
re: Indians getting 50’s throwbacks right. When did they do that this year? If you mean the recent game vs. Padres, yeah, they did pretty good job. Did they do a 50s game, too? I wish the Indians WOULD do a 1954 TBTC. Those unis were classic. Wahoo on the hat and sleeve, script at home, plain block on the road, no pant or jersey striping. A clean, really overlooked, underappreciated uni. Now, f you mean those alternates they’re wearing at home, that’s nothing they have ever wore before. It’s a new, old-fashioned look, yeah, but it isn’t a throwback. That uni never existed until this year.
Here’s that ‘54 era uni (on the catcher, too)
http://vault.sportsi...
#55 by Cathy on 06.24.08 11:04 am |
You’re modest Paul. My dad is a retired journalist and he often gets disgusted with today’s “news readers” and TV news in general. He worries that there soon will be no “real journalist” left in this country. You know, people like you who not only asks relevant and challenging questions but also possesses the writing skills required to report the information. Unfortunately, most Americans like to get their news in two minute sound bites on television rather than reading a paper, blog or magazine.
#56 by shadoquad on 06.24.08 11:10 am |
I’m not a huge fan of that hat to begin with, and I think it looks twice as stupid with the stars ‘n’ stripes treatment. I’m with you, Frank. I hope that they do away with that. I loved the cartoon bird. I grew up with it (yeah, I’m from B-more too). I am glad to see they said something about bringing “Baltimore” back to the road jerseys.
JFront, I bet they’ll wear that for both days then. It’d be excessive to vet-design both hat designs. Thanks for the info, tho!
#57 by Ricko on 06.24.08 11:10 am |
Indians ‘54 road (still wore in ‘56…photo for ‘57 card).
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
and the home…
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
#58 by josh on 06.24.08 11:12 am |
It’s telling that the Angels ‘71 throwback game was so lame, it didn’t even make the SI gallery.
#59 by Jeff on 06.24.08 11:16 am |
What MLB PR czar Rich Levin was thinking during his exchange with Paul: “Damn bloggers. Why won’t they stay in their parents’ basements?”
By the way, Rich, we reject your cynicism.
#60 by Jim on 06.24.08 11:17 am |
Is that a posed picture? Why would an Indian be hitting AND catching?
#61 by RJK on 06.24.08 11:19 am |
Bravo, Mr. Lukas.
Shouldn’t we all be outraged at the depiction of a flag on the top of the bases for the July 4 games? I doubt the cameras will bother too zoom in flags covered in dirt and being trampled on by players.
In any event, I suspect this marketing promotion will be a dud. I think the flag-wearing hoopla has subsided a lot in the past five years. Plus, the hats mostly look pretty weird. Makes you wonder how much revenue the charity will get from a 75% off hat…
#62 by Ricko on 06.24.08 11:23 am |
That was SI’s Baseall Issue that year, so photo probably was taken during spring training, possibly during an intrasquad game, but more likely just before one as a setup for the cover shot (crowd, but no umpire).
#63 by LI Phil on 06.24.08 11:25 am |
75% less?
im not real good with math and numbers and stuff tho
#64 by Ricko on 06.24.08 11:26 am |
Check out the preceding week’s cover…
Willie, the Lip and Mrs. Lip (actress Larraine Day)
http://vault.sportsi...
#65 by John T on 06.24.08 11:32 am |
Just because I know that we all love our Tennis….
http://uk.eurosport....
#66 by Paul Lukas on 06.24.08 11:33 am |
For the record, when I raised my hand and was called upon to ask a question, I identified myself as “Paul Lukas, ESPN.com.”
#67 by John T on 06.24.08 11:36 am |
And here is Venus Dress
http://uk.eurosport....
#68 by Mike N. on 06.24.08 11:46 am |
While the Georgia Bulldogs baseball team is one win away from the College World Series title, the folks over at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution thought it would be a good time to take a poll on your favorite UGA football uniform.
Brilliant! See the poll here.
#69 by LI Phil on 06.24.08 11:49 am |
sweet
#70 by Bob Andrews on 06.24.08 11:51 am |
As a long time O’s fan I’d like to see them use these as a throw back hat. Is my uni conservatism showing?
#71 by Dusty on 06.24.08 11:52 am |
San Diego’s star-spangled cap doesn’t even appear to have the correct interlocking SD logo. It looks like the one used pre-2004.
#72 by LarenR on 06.24.08 11:55 am |
Yes, bad effort by Houston, but remember that theirs was a one-time TBTC day, whereas the Phils and Pads are sporting regularly worn alternate unis, so having matching spikes makes a little more sense.
#73 by James Craven on 06.24.08 11:56 am |
Have you ever thought for a nanosecond that sometimes, they don’t have those colors in stock and they must be custom made for the school (or team)? Black’s merely a shortcut, as is white.
#74 by chance on 06.24.08 12:10 pm |
I guess that whole in the future, everyone will wear clothes backwards thing is really coming true, huh?
#75 by KT on 06.24.08 12:12 pm |
Another instance of the (R) on a logo on a uniform.
#76 by Dan Stevens on 06.24.08 12:13 pm |
Take this for what it’s worth, but there are reports (or at least one) on the VT message boards that are claiming that the uniforms that Eastbay released for Tech are not accurate. Apparently, the amount of orange depicted in that uniform is overdone and that basically there is no orange on the sleeves, only on the sides.
Also, they are claiming that the design is completely different from anything anyone else has out there, which would rule out these, because its basically the exact design of Minnesota’s. I’ll keep you updated if I hear any more into this.
#77 by Brad on 06.24.08 12:15 pm |
That, and the fact that players who chew tobacco all game long as also using pink bats and wearing ribbons.
#78 by JC on 06.24.08 12:15 pm |
the Airport HS batting helmet in question is one they’ve used as long as i can remember…the logo is on both sides of the helmet if i’m correct.
on a side note, as a greenville drive fan, i wish that their uniforms were simpler like the mill throwbacks, not red sox unis with a different patch.
#79 by ScottS on 06.24.08 12:18 pm |
News from Euro 2008 - if yellow is considered unlucky, why did they change over from white?
http://soccernet.esp...
Pretty funny about the coach turning down flowers. Almost makes me want to chase him down the street with a bouquet of daisies.
#80 by Marty Met on 06.24.08 12:26 pm |
when were they made out of cotton?
#81 by jesse on 06.24.08 12:30 pm |
It looks like the replica jerseys are going to look awful, but they might be okay on the field because the way the sleaves are cut on an on-field jersey. They may be okay.
#82 by Ian K on 06.24.08 12:44 pm |
Great entry today, Paul. I have mixed feelings on the hat designs though. I look at this picture and think, they don’t look half bad sitting on the table. But you’re right: coupled with Pittsburgh’s black and yellow or ANY black alt top and it could be a disaster.
On the subject of Lids and their employees, I talked to one awhile back who said he’s allowed to wear any hat in the store during a shift to promote the product. Sounds reasonable, except he wore it with the New Era bill sticker still on (logically - it’s unsold merchandise). Unfortunately this perpetuates my least favorite hat fashion “trend” of the day: leaving the sticker on. If the hat’s yours, take off the damn sticker - nobody wants to know you’re a 7 5/8.
#83 by Ricko on 06.24.08 12:47 pm |