New ESPN column today (link here), but it’s a short one, so we’ll carry on here as usual.
So: I’ve frequently written about baseball players who’ve had facemasks attached to their helmets after suffering facial injuries, a roster that includes Ellis Valentine, Gary Roenicke, Kevin Seitzer, Charlie Hayes, Terry Steinbach, Terrence Long (here’s a side view), David Justice, and of course Dave Parker (who wore a hockey mask for one plate appearance before switching to a football-style mask, which was later sold at auction), among others.
But who was the first ballplayer to wear a mask attached to his helmet? Depending on how you want to define “mask,” I suppose you could say Earl Battey’s do-it-yourself earflap from 1963 might qualify. But reader Jere Smith may have found a significantly earlier example.
Check out this New York Times item, which ran on September 6th, 1959. It says Billy Martin, then with the Indians, would be wearing “a special helmet fitted with football-type face-guarding bars” after having being beaned a month earlier. But here’s the thing: Despite returning to the active roster, Martin never played again that season. As you can see here, his last game that season was on August 5th (the day he was beaned). So unless he wore the mask-equipped helmet the following season — which is unlikely, since most players who’ve worn the masks have only required them for a month or two — Martin may have been the first player to be outfitted with a mask-inclusive helmet, even though he never got to wear it in a game. Man, I’d love to see the rig they devised for him. My new holy grail.
As it turned out, the most direct effect of Martin’s beaning wasn’t on helmet history — it was on Jim Brewer’s face. Almost exactly a year to the day after Martin took that pitch to the face, Brewer buzzed one over his head, prompting a sequence of events that culminated in a one of history’s most notorious sucker punches. After the game, Martin (who by this time was playing for the Reds) explained that he’d no longer tolerate any pitches near his head after having been beaned the previous season.
Note that Martin was wearing a helmet as he punched Brewer, but no facemask. Maybe Brewer should have worn one instead.
Get Shorty, Continued: Yesterday I linked to this article about the 1975 Sacramento Solons, who wore shorts. The article mentioned that another minor league team, the Houston Buffaloes, had worn shorts way back in 1949, which was news to me. But sure enough, Paul Deaver has come up with this.
Only thing is, the caption says the Buffs wore the shorts in 1950, not ’49. Then again, if you scroll down to the April 1st, 1950 entry on this page, it says the Buffs wore the shorts in 1949, and other sources tell conflicting tales (Rob Neyer and I spent a good portion of last night trading research on this one). It’s a significant point to nail down, because 1950 was the year that the Hollywood Stars unveiled their shorts, so it’s not clear which team was the first to go shorts-clad. I will continue to investigate.
Research Query: I’m currently in the market for any and all photos that show Mets players wearing white cleats in an All-Star Game, especially during the Davey Johnson era. If anyone has Mets yearbooks from that era (no, I don’t have any myself — all my yearbooks are from the ’70s), could you see if the All-Star coverage includes any photos showing white-shod Mets? Thanks.
Uni Watch News Ticker: A source at MLB.com checked in yesterday with the following info about the star-spangled caps: “Just Sunday and Monday, they sold almost $250,000 worth of these hats JUST on the mlb.com online store. That doesn’t count sales at the game, sales at stores, or sales at other online sites. They have been the top-selling items all weekend. Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Phillies were the top four, in that order. They are far and away the best-selling item we had last week and one of the hottest-selling items this year.” All very nice, what with “a portion of the proceeds” going to charity. Still waiting to hear what the portion is and what portion, if any, MLB is pocketing. … MLB’s pants problem is nicely summarized in the last sentence of this item (with thanks to Bo Baize). … No photo, but according to this Q&A page, “When the [1996] Packers were honored at the White House [after winning the Super Bowl], Jim McMahon wore a Bears jersey, enraging Green Bay fans. McMahon explained that he did it because the Bears never got a chance to visit the White House after winning Super Bowl XX. Their trip to Washington was canceled after the Challenger space shuttle blew up” (great find by Jesse Benack). … Got a note yesterday from one Jakob Kuriakose, who said he totally digs Uni Watch, except for one thing: “I have one huge objection to your site, and that is your love of stirrups.” Yes, and aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play? … Here’s a puzzler: Phil Garner, circa 1977, wearing a Yosemite Sam sleeve patch! Robert DeCorte noticed the photo in the lower-right corner of the Pirates’ 1978 yearbook cover. “I’m assuming it had something to do with Phil’s bushy mustache, since no other Pirate seems to have that patch.” This is a new one to me — anyone know more? … The Pedro porthole is spreading. That’s Aaron Heilman, from Monday night’s game. … Partial roundup of Olympic outfits here (courtesy of James Yeh). … Very cool 1950s Bear Bryant jacket up for auction (with thanks to Chris Smith). … Uni Watch teamwork in action: Jen Boone told me that Ryan Spilborghs of the Rockies had come to bat with his fly wide open, and Kate Lyden Chavez provided the screen shots, as seen here and here. … Nice to Nike is getting into the American Gladiators scene. All kidding aside, the notion that high socks and arm sleeves can actually make a runner faster is interesting. Designers always like to say, “Less is more,” but in this case maybe more is less. … Manny Ramirez wears Nike cleats these days, but he’s about to cash a $10,000 check from Reebok. Why? Look here (with thanks to Jim Pericotti). … Remember when the Brewers were advertising their web site on the Miller Park mound? Now they’re campaigning for Corey Hart to be elected to the final All-Star spot in the dirt behind home plate. Can’t they leave this shit off the field of play? As most of you know, I love Milwaukee, but these are total Mickey Mouse moves that belong in the minor leagues (screen grab courtesy of John Okray). … Michael Beasley has both of the Nats’ logos tattooed on his arm (with thanks to Eric Arnold). … Several people have forwarded me the URL for this “10 Worst Sports Logos Ever” list. It’s poorly conceived and poorly executed (please, let’s not bother discussing all its shortcomings), so I wasn’t planning on linking to it. But there was lots of chatter in the comments yesterday about one of the items on the list: this secondary Jets logo. Several people said they’d never seen it before, and one went so far as to say he didn’t believe it was the real deal. Ah, but it is, and I have the proof. One of the more interesting items in the Uni Watch library is this Jets style guide (yes, it has an Astroturf cover), which I acquired a few years ago. Entitled Being Green, it lays out strict style guidelines for the team’s logo, typography, graphics, and — wait for it — the “Gameface” (which also makes a cameo appearance here). So yes, the Gameface logo was indeed an official part of the team’s graphic identity as of a few years ago, although I agree that it never seems to have been used in a public setting (and also agree that that’s probably for the best). The style guide — and maybe the Gameface icon itself — was produced by the superstar designer Michael Beirut of Pentagram, who also happens to be one of people with whom I’ll be sharing a lectern at that “Sports and Design” reading on the 22nd, so I’ll ask him about the Gameface then. Or you can show up and ask him yourself.
#1 by Marc M. on 07.09.08 8:12 am |
All very nice, what with “a portion of the proceeds” going to charity. Still waiting to hear what the portion is and what portion, if any, MLB is pocketing.
Radio banter on the Phillies broadcast last weekend (and I don’t have the exact day), the announcer said that %100 of the proceeds from the sale of the hats go to the charity. Don’t know if he was just riffing or if he really knew what he was talking about.
#2 by LI Phil on 07.09.08 8:12 am |
nice uni
does your husband play?
#3 by U.A. on 07.09.08 8:28 am |
Paul, You forgot David Justice who is usualy on your list of masked players
#4 by LI Phil on 07.09.08 8:34 am |
searching for white-cleated amazin’s is proving more difficult that originally thought…but i found this pic of carlos baerga in the ice cream uni…don’t know if you have it paul, but if not…you do now
#5 by U.A. on 07.09.08 8:36 am |
Here it is:
http://www.baseballc...
#6 by Paul Lukas on 07.09.08 8:48 am |
Well, I did say “among others,” but thanks — now added.
#7 by Rick on 07.09.08 8:51 am |
Adding to the gallery of Olympic outfits: the Netherlands.
http://www.sport.nl/...
No photos, just a video; presentation starts about 25″ in. Leisure clothing by Asics, no idea about the formal wear.
#8 by Jim on 07.09.08 8:52 am |
Career Retrospective of Jagr.
Lots of mullet and uni goodness here:
http://www.nhl.com/n...
Except for the NYR Liberty and WASH unis. Eww.
And from yesterday:
Teebz, good to hear I’m not the only one that considers hockey a religion!!
#9 by Craig D on 07.09.08 8:53 am |
How is the Brownie Elf one of the worst logos?
It’s a classic that has always been a secondary logo. Never commercialized, never over exposed. It’s almost an inside thing, like you have to be a member of the club
#10 by Craig D on 07.09.08 8:54 am |
Brownie example
http://theburningriv...
#11 by Benjamin on 07.09.08 8:54 am |
As a former NY Jets season tickets holder, I can tell you that Gameface is quite prevalent at the Meadowlands. He is the character they use in all the in-game video animations. Before the start of each game, they have a little cartoon of Gameface getting ready and taking the subway-taxi to the game.
#12 by LI Phil on 07.09.08 8:57 am |
so gameface is actually an angry football and not an airplane on a football then?
/former STH? couldn’t take it anymore ;)
#13 by Sam on 07.09.08 8:58 am |
I forget what day it was, but last week in USA Today there was a very short blurb about the hats that included your question. I don’t remember what day, but it included Paul’s question. It may have had the answer about the percentage of proceeds.
#14 by Peter Wunsch on 07.09.08 9:02 am |
The Challenger space crash happened before SB XX. In fact, the funeral service was the morning of the game.
#15 by Don on 07.09.08 9:02 am |
“Gameface” used to be all over the Jets’ Web site, too.
#16 by Allen on 07.09.08 9:08 am |
The jets gameface also was avaliable as a cellphone wallpaper in the short lived Jets Mobile section of the website. It was available in both green and white faces (I have them both if anyone is interested). It also appeared on several different t-shirt designs of which I have one at home.
#17 by Luther Mahoney on 07.09.08 9:12 am |
Check the Curt Blefary photos (07.07.2008) in Steve’s Baseball Photos pages. What is a that catcher’s helmet that Jeff Torborg is wearing?
It looks like a tank driver’s helmet.
#18 by Chris is Nashville on 07.09.08 9:20 am |
The “U” will be on the field when U of M plays at Dolphins stadium but only after the Marlins’ season concludes. So, they will have 2 football teams and baseball team all playing at the same place. Has that been done before? Chargers, Aztecs, Padres at Jack Murphy?
http://www.orlandose...
#19 by Ditchfarmer on 07.09.08 9:24 am |
Glenn Hubbard wore a face guard for a while with the A’s around 88-89.
About Manny’s “Cleats”, I’ve always thought rubber or plastic were “Cleats” and metal were “spikes”. Can we get a verdict here?
#20 by Ditchfarmer on 07.09.08 9:25 am |
The “U” will be on the field when U of M plays at Dolphins stadium but only after the Marlins’ season concludes. So, they will have 2 football teams and baseball team all playing at the same place. Has that been done before? Chargers, Aztecs, Padres at Jack Murphy?
The Vikings, Twins, and U of M play on the Metrodome every year.
#21 by Paul Lukas on 07.09.08 9:27 am |
What did I say about not picking over the list’s obvious shortcoming? It’s a bad list. Let’s move on.
#22 by Paul Lukas on 07.09.08 9:31 am |
Here’s the photo in question:
http://www.thatsmybo...
That same catcher’s helmet was also worn by Duke Sims:
http://espn.go.com/i...
Anyone know who manufactured that model, or what it was called? Definitely the earliest brimless catcher’s lid I’ve seen. Later versions, made by ABC, didn’t have the ribbing:
http://www.metscolle...
#23 by Chris is Nashville on 07.09.08 9:31 am |
True, but I was thinking grass surface because of the wear and tear it would endure. They have Gopher games and Twin games the same day. You can’t do that on grass.
#24 by Kek on 07.09.08 9:32 am |
In 2000 (and select big games in the 70s), you’d have the Pirates, Steelers and Pitt sharing Pitt Stadium.
Also in the Commonwealth, the Phils, Eagles and Temple Owls shared the Vet at various times.
#25 by Ricko on 07.09.08 9:34 am |
Going WAY back for another one…when Dodgers first moved to LA, they shared Coliseum with USC and UCLA football teams (Bruins didn’t move to Rose Bowl til years later).
I don’t think that was considered a multi-use stadium, though (rolls eyes).
#26 by Tris Wykes on 07.09.08 9:37 am |
In regards to batting helmet face masks, here in Virginia, high school softball players have been required to use them for a few years now. Some use a sort of rounded model that seems to be softball-specific, but other teams just screw on a football facemask and call it good.
#27 by jesse on 07.09.08 9:38 am |
The Pirates never played at Pitt Stadium. They played at Forbes Field down the street. All three teams did play at Three Rivers from time to time
#28 by Ditchfarmer on 07.09.08 9:38 am |
We had one of those catchers helmets in Babe Ruth, it was a Rawlings model I believe. Really weird because there was no helmet on the forehead, it stopped where the mask started.
#29 by Kek on 07.09.08 9:40 am |
OMG! I meant Three Rivers! My bad!!!!
#30 by War Damn Eagle on 07.09.08 9:40 am |
The Jets, Giants, and New York Red Bulls share the Meadowlands. But that’s with fieldturf (and no baseball).
The Oilers, Astros, and the University of Houston used to share the Astrodome as recently as the 90s.
#31 by josh on 07.09.08 9:40 am |
I worked at Morrie Mages Sports in the ’70s and we sold those. I think they were manufactured by Rawlings. They weren’t full crown helmets, but had straps in the front that attached to the mask. Ed Herrmann also wore one with the White Sox.
#32 by jesse on 07.09.08 9:42 am |
The “U” will be on the field when U of M plays at Dolphins stadium but only after the Marlins’ season concludes.
Also the Steelers and Panthers efforts to switch the painting on the field at Heinz Field was an absolute disaster. I can’t imagine the “U” logo being at the center of the field for more than a season. By next year it will just say “Miami” in the end zone in Orange just like in Pittsburgh.
#33 by Stuby on 07.09.08 9:45 am |
Funny, that Ron Hodges card from ‘77 was the first image that popped into my mind when someone mentioned the brimless catcher’s helmet.
#34 by Kek on 07.09.08 9:46 am |
I think I wore something like that in little league, the mask was attached to it though through straps that were thread through the earholes of the helmet if I remember correctly.
#35 by Nicole on 07.09.08 10:06 am |
Was at the Brewers game last night (yay CC) and watched the guys chalking up the heart/hart and just knew that Paul would hate it.
In addition, it’s quite entertaining to watch 4 or 5 grown men use paper cups and vats of colored chalk to create a heart on a major league diamond. Wonder if they realized how silly they look.
#36 by U.A. on 07.09.08 10:12 am |
#37 by LI Phil on 07.09.08 10:13 am |
hey! that’s how i proposed to my ex-wife, way back in 92…only it was on our high school stadium field
*sniff*
/looking back, of course, i guess it was
the biggest mistake of my entire fucking lifesilly afterall#38 by Paul Lukas on 07.09.08 10:14 am |
Judging strictly by anecdotal evidence, I think it’s a fair bet that Nicole Haase attends sporting events with more regularity than any Uni Watch reader (and certainly WAY more than I do). My hat’s off to her!
Can’t believe nobody’s picked up on my Joseph Cooper reference yet….
#39 by Marty Met on 07.09.08 10:15 am |
Rogers Centre in Toronto is home to the Blue Jays, Argos, and the Buffalo Bills
#40 by u2-horn on 07.09.08 10:15 am |
Yeah, we had catcher’s helmet/masks like that when I played youth baseball in the late 70s/early 80s.
#41 by John T on 07.09.08 10:16 am |
Irish Olympics outfits debuted yesterday
http://www.olympicsp...
http://www.olympicsp...
details here
http://www.olympicsp...
These could be the most bland outfits ever worn!!
#42 by Marty Met on 07.09.08 10:19 am |
Does Joesph Cooper still sell marshmellows?
#43 by Paul Lukas on 07.09.08 10:21 am |
Give that man a cigar (as long as it isn’t one of mine).
#44 by Un-Original Jim on 07.09.08 10:23 am |
I know that I’d wear a face mask if I ever had to dig into an MLB batters box and “Face the Music”.
#45 by Brad on 07.09.08 10:32 am |
I was also there and found it equally amusing.
But unlike holier-than-thou Paul I had no problems with it. It’s not like it’s a company paying to advertise or anything. And the promotion must be working as Hart is #1 in the vote. The Brewers’ promotion department does a great job all year round, probably better than any other team.
#46 by DarkAudit on 07.09.08 10:38 am |
I guess that explains “PITTSBURGH” in one end zone and the simple stripes in the other, and the NFL logos on the sidelines instead of on the field.
#47 by jesse on 07.09.08 10:44 am |
Correct.
Two football teams playing ona grass field has not worked out well at all. It will be interesting to see how the Dolphins deal with similar troubles like two games on a rainy weekend and marching bands. I\’m guessing they don\’t have the problem with the High School football games though.
#48 by Ricko on 07.09.08 10:45 am |
Well, shoot, one of the “themes” I was gonna do for an email to Paul was “Dave Parker’s Facemasks.” Now wish I had. There was a third, a basic two-bar late 60s style. As soon as I get home (no softball tonight; broke little bone in first knuckle of first finger of right hand, LOL), I’ll scan photo and send.
And, yeah, what’s wrong with Brownie? Not good to dump on a logo just cuz it’s old. Part of judging logos is to judge them in the context of their time. I’m sure we’ve all seen the under-used first Cowboys’ non-uni logo (football player on horseback. By today’s standards it’s probably kinda dumb, but it really was one of best of its kind.
This isnt’a very good scan, and the logo looks better in b&w (or royal and white) when the horse isn’t colored in.
http://www.sportslog...
#49 by Paul Lukas on 07.09.08 10:47 am |
I didn’t say they were selling out to corporate advertising (although that would certainly be worse); I simply said advertising FOR ANYTHING, BY ANYONE, has no place on the field of play. And it doesn’t.
Just because I want to preserve a tiny sliver of ad-free space in our increasing ad-infested world, that doesn’t make me “holier than thou” (which is a standard meaningless sound bite that people toss out when they can’t actually refute an argument on the merits) — it’s just something I believe in. If you disagree, go ahead an argue the point instead of trying to insult my character.
#50 by LI Phil on 07.09.08 10:49 am |
at least paul is consistent in bitching about shit he doesn’t like
call him holier-than-thou when
bashingattacking the swoosh, but i think he’s been pretty fair in bemoaning any on-field ’stuff’ (whether it’s adverts, team websites, vote for me, spidey2…etc.)#51 by LI Phil on 07.09.08 10:50 am |
damn, paul already beat me to it
#52 by Johnny O on 07.09.08 10:55 am |
There is just something about us Wisconsin sports fans that love being at the game and feel like they are involved. I don’t want to speak for Nicole, but as a fellow Cheese Head, that is how I feel. If I lived in Milwaukee, and not 1.5 hours away I would have season tickets for the Brewers for sure. These is just something about being at Lambeau, Miller Park, Camp Randall, or the Kohl Center that just gives off some sort of aura. It really is intoxicating, and I can’t explain it. All non-Wisconsin people must go to a Badger Football game, Packer game, and Brewers game at their home venues to truly appreciate it.
And if you want to do it right, you must… MUST tailgate before. There is nothing like it
ON WISCONSIN!
#53 by Ricko on 07.09.08 10:55 am |
http://www.sportslog...
Hmm, Creamer says this logo used from ‘66-’69.
Maybe so, but also was first logo they ever used (letterhead, for magazine, etc.). Was plain royal and white. Remember thinking would look okay on helmet (the “Pat Patriot” school) and was surprised to see just the star when first unis were revealed.
#54 by Beardface on 07.09.08 10:56 am |
Has it been discussed or explained before why the drug store Walgreens and the Washington Nationals have the same logo?
Walgreens: http://allpharmacyjo...
Nats: http://www.capitate....
#55 by Jet on 07.09.08 10:59 am |
Perhaps they identify with the old Washington Senators slogan: First in War, First in Peace, Last in the American League…
-Jet
#56 by Adam on 07.09.08 11:00 am |
Interesting debate raging in Cincinnati about the Reds new Camo unis. Bottom line: are camo unis an insult to the troops…
http://news.cincinna...
#57 by Adam on 07.09.08 11:01 am |
Click on the “Daugherty” tab for the uni camo story
http://news.cincinna...
#58 by Ricko on 07.09.08 11:09 am |
“Must-put-more-crap-on-unis-on-field-on-mound-change-gametimes-
to-7:11-no-space-should-be-left-blank-if-can-be-used-to-send-message”
Ah, the basics of car dealer thinking.
As a longtime ad agency creative, for me this is like listening to those frickin’ clients who think white space in an ad is horrible. “I’m paying for that column inch, I want to SELL something with it.”
Yeah, right.
And now, Mr. or Ms. Client, if possible let’s see if you can grasp the concept of “tacky.”
(Not to mention that if Waldo had a little empty space around him he’d get noticed a helluva lot easier. Think about it).
#59 by GoTerriers on 07.09.08 11:11 am |
Wisconsin fans are AWESOME. When I was in college, BU played Minnesota in the hockey Frozen Four at the Bradley Center. Naturaly there were TONS of Gopher fans who made the trek, tons of Badger fans and not too many BU Terrier faithful. In order to get the crown on our side, the BU Band played both “On Wisconsin” and “The Budweiser Song”. I lost count of the number of people that came over to stand near the band and cheer because of it. (Though it’s possible that they were really cheering AGAINST Minnesota and not so much FOR BU) . . .
Okay . . enough band geek reminiscing . .
#60 by Ricko on 07.09.08 11:11 am |
Kinda like a few years back Western Airlines spent a couple million bucks designing a new logo and ended up with basically the same thing that was on every Winnebago motorhome ever made.
#61 by Michael Emody on 07.09.08 11:13 am |
Ok, I thought I’d give Ricko a few days to bask in his new found notoriety before making my case for grey Sox uniforms in both 69 and 70. First point - using Topps baseball cards as the final word on uniform colors is just plain crazy. Accurate? Here’s a simple comparison:
Did the 1962 Indians wear navy blue caps and sleeves -
http://i213.photobuc...
or did they wear black?
http://i213.photobuc...
Well, gee… the helmet and sleeves in the second picture sure look black - couldn’t possibly be that Topps didn’t give a shit about how the color looked. I mean, how many KIDS are going to point that out? Or maybe the camera recorded it as black and the photographer was too rushed to care.
Even something minor like the sun going behind a cloud can cause the camera to record an image in a way that human eyes would see differently.
So, is this uniform powder blue?
http://i213.photobuc...
Well, yeah, it is in the picture. But was the uniform actually powder blue?
http://www.thatsmybo...
Of course not. There’s the same MLB patch, worn only in 69. Whaaaa? Um… but… my baseball cards! You mean I can’t trust their impeccable photography and rest assured in the wonder of mass production? (Not to mention what a stick of gum does to them.) Nooooo! They must have had an alternate set! Right?
Now for the hats and sleeves: whatever we call the blue - let’s say “Royal” - it’s lighter than Navy in both 69 and 70. And the same color for both years.
69:
http://i213.photobuc...
70:
http://i213.photobuc...
Wait a minute! Those hats look kinda dark - are they navy? Nope.
69:
http://i213.photobuc...
70:
http://i213.photobuc...
Now, for an accurate photographic representation of the road uni’s:
69:
http://www.thatsmybo...
70:
http://i213.photobuc...
Nice, eh? And as grey as your hair might be, on “topps” of your head - that is, if you were in this crowd:
http://www.thatsmybo...
which was in 1968.
I’ll say it again: there are NO powder blue 69 White Sox road uni’s. They only exist on baseball cards. Some people think the color on the cards is correct. I’m convinced it’s wrong.
Hey JExcel - hope you sleep well tonight, now that I’ve dismissed the horrible tales of powder blue coming from the dark north woods. So your 69 M&N - I’m sure the front is great, but did they get the back right? Should look like this:
http://i213.photobuc...
#62 by LI Phil on 07.09.08 11:13 am |
has anyone ever tried to copy the wisconsin logo?
#63 by Stuby on 07.09.08 11:14 am |
I’m not sure how playing “The Budweiser Song” would get Wisconsin fans on your side. Seems like it might get you run out of the state.
#64 by GoTerriers on 07.09.08 11:17 am |
“When You’ve Said Budweiser, you’ve said it all”
Change the “Budweiser” to “WISCONSIN” and your made a friend of a Badger fan for life.
#65 by Ricko on 07.09.08 11:18 am |
How long has that been the Walgreens logo? Cuz also is Senators logo from 60s and early 70s. If sometime after team moved to Texas Walgreens sort of appropriated the “W” (and used in a different context) and Rangers (if they still owned the tradmark–if had ever been protected in the first place) didn’t contest the use of it…then they have, I think, let it slip into the public domain, especially now, after thirty years since been in Washington.
Where’s are trademark attorney guy to clear this up?
#66 by MPowers1634 on 07.09.08 11:19 am |
Something Intoxicating…Milwaukee…Hmmmm?
And I found this interesting that on the same day. we are discussing protective attachments on batting helmets and the Jets oft-forgotten logo…
In women’s softball, one brand has named their helmet extensions…the Gameface, same as the Jets logo!!!
Wow
#67 by Ricko on 07.09.08 11:21 am |
Where’s OUR trademark attorney guy to clear this up?
(self-edited cuz I’m a knob)
#68 by MPowers1634 on 07.09.08 11:21 am |
In this era of steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their tainting of the game, that is just too strange of a coincidence!
Or Walgreens is their sponsor, since so many of the Nats often shop there!!!
#69 by Beardface on 07.09.08 11:28 am |
Honestly, I have no idea, thats why I asked… I just recently saw a Walgreen’s ad on a website only using the ‘W’ logo without anything behind it and thought it was the Nationals advertising down here in NC…
Very interesting
#70 by Johnny O on 07.09.08 11:29 am |
That is another thing about Wisconsin fans. I have never seen or heard of any other fans that have such organized and regular cheers (Especially at Badger games).
To make this uni related. I heard a crazy rumor the the Brew Crew are thinking of having another retro design… this time the Barrel Man logo back from the early 70’s. This may be combined with the Crew who just had a Barrel Man bobble head giveaway on Sunday. Any one hear if there is any truth to this… or just a crazy rumor???
#71 by Ricko on 07.09.08 11:29 am |
Something that is a real consideration regarding some sports team logos.
Know why, for example, the little “Fighting Saints” guy or the “Ahaheim Amigos” hat 7 basketball or the Houston Gamblers “G” (and plenty of others) instantly become fair game once the team isn’t around anymore?
Because if someone were to step forward and claim ownership they would have claims filed against them by every left-holding-the-bag creditor the franchise had.
Better to walk away and leave the logo to whomever.
#72 by Dave on 07.09.08 11:30 am |
anyone know anything about randy johnson wearing different uni numbers? i know he wore 51 and 41 but i found this and it appears he wore something in the 30’s
goofy randy
i personally think he could give trya banks a run for her money.
#73 by Mark W on 07.09.08 11:34 am |
100% of the proceeds might be true - but how do you define proceeds? The Cost of the $25 hat? I guarantee that MLB is not giving $25/hat to anyone. More likely, the hat costs $11 to manufacture, $4 to design, $5 to distribute, and $4.90 to market - leaving “proceeds” of $0.10 per hat - 100% of that dime goes to the charity.
#74 by Rick on 07.09.08 11:35 am |
RE: Has it been discussed or explained before why the drug store Walgreens and the Washington Nationals have the same logo?
–Or have you noticed that their other font is a rip off of the Fudruckers font?
#75 by Ricko on 07.09.08 11:36 am |
I don’t know that barrel-head guy has never been part of Brewers unis. At least not the major league Brewers. Maybe in minor league days.
#76 by Stuby on 07.09.08 11:38 am |
According to Baseball Almanac, he wore #34 for part of the ‘93 season. I have no idea why, though.
http://www.baseball-...
Can’t remember what # he wore at Livermore High School, just that he was really, really tall.
#77 by Ricko on 07.09.08 11:45 am |
Oh, wow, thinking about old logos, I just realized something. When I drew the World Team Tennis Minnesota Buckskins logo back in ‘73 it may have been the first intentionally uni-sexual, non-gender specific logo ever.
Because teams had both men and women, I made of point of drawing a little character that could be seen as either male or female (good thing men’s hair wore their longer then).
Not patting myself on the back, honest. Largely is cuz was first co-ed league, but I just never realized it til I started thinking about logos “in the context of their time.”
To be honest, I drew the image. My dad did the lettering. By hand. He was a helluva craftsman (commercial artist, by trade).
http://www.logoserve...
#78 by LI Phil on 07.09.08 11:46 am |
im pretty sure that card had been discussed at length, several times, on past UW threads (i wanna say w/in the past 2 months)…you can check out the dialog by using the search function at the top of the page
#79 by Paul Lukas on 07.09.08 11:46 am |
One-game thing that he did as a tribute to Nolan Ryan.
#80 by Gabe on 07.09.08 11:47 am |
Don’t know if this was covered or not but yesterdays Page 2 on ESPN.com ran a great uni-related link.
http://straightcashh...
#81 by Leo on 07.09.08 11:48 am |
That sounds about right… as long as MLB gets some sort of tax rebate on that dime.
#82 by brian on 07.09.08 11:51 am |
i was also at the brewers game last night, and thought the hart thing was pretty tacky/unnecessary. i was lifelong east coaster until i moved here last summer, and i must say that the miller park brewers experience is 6000 times more enjoyable than any time i’ve spent at yankee/shea stadium.
#83 by Paul Lukas on 07.09.08 11:52 am |
Site-search function is on the fucking blink again. Trouble just started yesterday. I am (read: Ek is) investigating.
#84 by Robert on 07.09.08 11:54 am |
I used to have one of those little plastic footballs with that Cowboys logo on it. Some crazy aunt bought it for me when I was a very little kid.
#85 by BCrisp on 07.09.08 11:57 am |
I know the search function is down, but I know I’ve sent in that same picutre of the Houston Buffaloes wearing those shorts before. There was even an entry on it. If I could search, I’d look for it.
#86 by Johnny O on 07.09.08 12:05 pm |
Right, I knew that didn’t have the Barrel Man logo present on their uni, but to clarify, I was just referring to that era of uni’s (Right when they came from Seattle 1970-1974 era)
Anyone else hear the rumor?
#87 by wrecking_ball on 07.09.08 12:06 pm |
Lots of Wisconsin love today, so I’ve got to give way belated props to Jim McMahon’s stunt. Anything to piss off the cheeseheads/gravy-bloods for the rest of us dealing with Bretty’s saga.
#88 by BCrisp on 07.09.