How great is Ricko? This great. Maybe you were doodling uniform drawings in your notebook or devising new logos for your favorite team, but Ricko basically doing proto-Okkonen-esque work back around 1960, three decades before Okkonen’s book was published. “These look quite juvenile,” he says, “but keep in mind I was just a kid.” Sorry, dude, false modesty doesn’t suit you. I mean, look at this stuff — totally obsessive, totally brilliant. Dude even documented the AFL All-Star Game uniforms!
“These ones show how tough it was, almost 50 years ago, to get things right,” say Ricko. “Nothing was in color — not TV, not newspapers. Maybe an SI cover or article, or Sport magazine (if you wanted to wait for it) or gum cards (ditto). If the play-by-play guys didn’t say the colors of the unis in the new AFL, you didn’t have a clue. Hence the incorrect black-gold Art Powell for ’63. Saw the new unis on a B&W TV and figured Al Davis (who had coached at Army) had decided that the Raiders ought to LOOK like Army. On a later telecast, after I’d already made that card, an announcer said the Raiders were in ’silver pants and helmets’ — that’s how I learned they’d changed their colors. Davis had, in fact, styled the Raiders unis after the Black Knights, but had changed from the earlier Raider black and gold.”
As for the outline template, Ricko says it’s “based on one of the drawings of Jim Brown in the cover story from this issue of SI, which I’m pretty sure I no longer have, so, I can’t show you the original. Anyway, by 1963 I realized it made more sense to just start a clippings file.” Speaking of which, here’s the latest batch of treasures from that stash:
• Nice little item here about the Astros’ 1971 jerseys. Love how the jersey is referred to as a “blouse.”
• This one’s a little hard to believe: According to the photo caption in this 1967 article, Rusty Staub would change his shoes after reaching base. Would the umps really tolerate the delay that must have caused? (And if you ever saw Rusty “run,” you know that it would take a lot more than a footwear switcheroo to help him move around the bases.)
• Speaking of soccer cleats, check out Joe Namath in the Orange Bowl (his last college game).
• We’re all familiar with football players spatting their shoes with tape. But several MLB players were doing it in the ’70s, including Dave Parker, Pops, Ed Herrman, Jay Johnstone, and Ed Ott (who apparently used gold tape in Pittsburgh).
• You probably think of Fred Biletnikoff wearing No. 25 (and lots of stickum). But he wore 14 in his rookie season. Here’s a much later shot of him and Cliff Branch dipping into the glue pot.
• Always good to have color images of the White Sox’s white stirrups from the 1959 World Series. And speaking Chisox stirrups, you’ll never find a better shot of the early-’70s design than this one.
• Some great Washington Senators images here: Gil Hodges exhibiting some serious stripeage and Hondo Howard wearing the white spikes the Sens wore in 1971 (not shown in Dressed to the Nines, but they wore ’em, as confirmed in this Denny McLain shot). As for this card, Ricko explains: “Wasn’t it nice of Calvin Griffith to leave his last D.C. uniforms behind for the new Senators to use during spring training? With the hats and socks they’d take into the regular season.”
• And just because I like Ricko’s artwork so much, here are a few more of his illustrations. “I kinda liked Lionel Taylor when I was 14,” he says. He apparently liked Broadway Joe, too.
That’s enough for this time around. Lots more soon.
Two Reminders: Remember, I’ll participating tonight as part of a “Sports and Design” reading series at KGB. It’s free, and it starts at 7pm.
Also, don’t forget my latest research project: Next time you see a home plate ump “cleaning” the plate by kicking the dirt off of it, instead of bending over and using his whisk brush, please make a note of the date, inning, and batter, and then let me know. Thanks.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Remember the NFL’s 1994 throwback program? Ronnie Poore somehow got his hands on all of the official style-guide sheets and sent them my way. Some of them don’t match up with what the teams eventually wore (the Niners sheet, e.g., shows a blank helmet, which isn’t what the team wore), but that just makes it all more interesting. You can see a slideshow of all 28 style sheets here. … Ever wonder about the history of the foam finger? Me neither, but here it is anyway. … The Blackhawks held a convention last weekend, and Ryan Connelly notes that the jerseys worn by past and present players had a little convention patch — a nice touch (plus it appears that Stan Mikita has rather Lindsey Nelson-eque taste in sportscoats). … Jeremy Brahm, who’s previously noted the problem of Portland Timbers jerseys ripping during play, says the phenomenon hasn’t been fixed. … No idea how legit this is, but someone is claiming that the new Hornets jerseys will look like this (blame Chris Mycoskie if it turns out to be hooey). … Check out this shot of the 1925 Pirates — even the scouts are in uniform (with thanks to Jerry Wolper). … Here’s another Pirates team shot, this one from 1903. Man, dig those double-breasted jackets (big thanks to Phil Johnson, who also says he was just in Pittsburgh and was puzzled to see that the “Heinz” in Heinz Field is AWOL). … Interesting article here about the tailor to the U.S. Olympic team (with thanks to Dwayne White). … Most of you have never heard of Anne Occi, but she’s a household name to those of us who work with baseball logos and such, because she’s essentially the overseer of, and gatekeeper for, all of MLB’s new designs. Never seen an article about her until now (with thanks to Bill Erdek). … Peter Colvin and I both wanna know how the hell you can have your uni number retired from the NBA Summer League? … Check out what the Austin Blue Sox — an amateur team in Austin, Minnesota — are wearing on their shins (with thanks to Brian Schulz). … Interesting article, plus an embedded video, here about the guy who makes championship boxing and wrestling belts (nice find by Xavier Otero). … You know those clear plastic throat guards that hockey goalies wear? Eric Borer reports that umpire Kerwin Danley, who missed six weeks of action after taking a fastball off his jaw, is now wearing something similar on his hockey-style ump’s mask. … Good UGA equipment slideshow here (with thanks to Brent Hardman). … Russell, Under Armour, and Nike, all at once — ooof (with “thanks” to Jonathon Binet). … Following up on an item from yesterday: Sure enough, Bobby Layne did wear No. 22 for the Longhorns — look here (big thanks to Jim Parker). … Lots of photo links to Va. Tech’s new football uniforms here. … Scroll down to the bottom of this page for loads more vintage base ball photos (with thanks to Ian Hoadley). … Naomi Campbell apparently has a good throwing arm (at least when throwing cell phones at subordinates), so it’s no surprise to see her taking a turn at bat. Additional crimes against nature here and here. … The pine tar phenomenon has trickled down to high school baseball in Iowa (with thanks to Jesse Gavin, who also notes that this team — Davenport Assumption — is a pretty good approximation of what the Braves would look like if they wore vests).
#1 by Dave F. on 07.22.08 8:13 am |
Those photos of Naomi Campbell were from one episode of the ABC show “Ugly Betty”. It featured a softball game between two fashion magazines, hence the somewhat bizarre uniforms for some of the players. Actually, screencaps for the episode might make for an interesting blog post, Paul.
#2 by stateofmain on 07.22.08 8:26 am |
Dear Phil Johnson:
Thank you for buying a “Pirates Insider.” I’m glad my digging for awesome old uni pictures did not go unnoticed.
- PI’s Designer
#3 by LI Phil on 07.22.08 8:26 am |
…and what the hell is that dude’s uni made from?
…please tell me that’s faux-leather or something besides the real deal…
/leather on the ladies=teh hawt
//leather on teh dude=village person
#4 by LI Phil on 07.22.08 8:37 am |
and of course, a big tip o’ the cap goes out to UW octogenarian ricko for all those mint drawings
dude!
those are the shit!
as someone who attempted (and failed hugely) to draw all my favorite players as a youngun, i can totally appreciate the skill, time and effort that went into all of them…even if you did “trace” the outlines (remember tracing paper?)…that’s still some mad skills
cheers!
#5 by Anthony on 07.22.08 8:40 am |
Those pictures of the baseball players with tape on their shoes (referred to here as spats) were mostly likely used to keep the tongue from flapping around. I thought that football players used spats as ankle/foot support. That doesn’t look like the case with these baseball players.
Maybe I have the purpose or definition of “Spat” incorrect?
#6 by Tim F. on 07.22.08 8:41 am |
1994 throwback yahoo links are broken
#7 by Paul Lukas on 07.22.08 8:46 am |
That’s the problem with Geocities sites — they crash once they get even a tiny bit of traffic. Too bad. I’ll take out the links now.
#8 by Kek on 07.22.08 8:50 am |
Seriously! I had enough trouble coloring in between the lines at that age!!! That’s some primo shit ricko. I think it would be a neat art exhibit to display all those pieces at once.
#9 by Kek on 07.22.08 8:55 am |
Anthony, I think your definition of spat is correct. Over time, I think that the term has morphed into a description of ANY tape on a shoe but as I understand, spatting was done with ankle/foot support in mind. I had a pair of Nike cross trainers with the real thick velcro strap across the top that was supposed to replicate spatting but came up WAY short. Maybe some of you sneakerheads can help me with the name of the shoe, it was Bruce Smith’s shoe I believe, but many others wore it.
Why would it be so important to keep the tongue of the baseball cleats taped down? Every pair of baseball cleats I ever owned had a tongue like that and I can never remember it being a problem.
#10 by JF in DC on 07.22.08 9:05 am |
So, according to the Ricko Files, the New York Titans officially became the Titans of New York?
You learn something new everyday here.
#11 by Stuby on 07.22.08 9:16 am |
Paul, I believe it is Stan MIKITA, not Makita.
#12 by Dane on 07.22.08 9:19 am |
An error is discovered on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl IX rings:
http://www.post-gaze...
#13 by Ricko on 07.22.08 9:19 am |
Some of the older baseball cleats had long flaps that would, um, “flap” while you ran so that it was like a slo-mo version of baseball cards in bicycle spokes. Players started poking holes in those tongues so they could thread the laces through them and secure the tongues in place. Manufacturers eventually began doing that for them. Actually, addidas was the first, I think, in ‘72 or ‘73. Had grommets in the tongues even.
Parker kinda started the heavy duty taping thing during his facemask period (Johnstone had been doing it for a while). Think he got into a football player mentality. Among those who did it occasionally (don’t have photos, sorry), included Joe Rudi while with the Angels, Ken Landreaux, Hosken Powell, John Milner, Bob Dernier and …
http://vault.sportsi...
#14 by Tom Carlson on 07.22.08 9:21 am |
They forgot one version of the foam finger
http://www.bigshocke...
#15 by Kek on 07.22.08 9:23 am |
OK, that makes sense. I guess I was taking for granted that the holes were always in the flap and the laces were always threaded through them on the pairs of cleats I owned. The tying of the laces does pretty much the same job that the tape did right?
#16 by Ricko on 07.22.08 9:26 am |
Correction. EDDIE Milner.
John Milner is the guy in the “piss-yellow deuce coupe” who outdrags Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford) in AMERICAN GRAFFITTI.
#17 by jesse on 07.22.08 9:26 am |
http://www.postgazet...
Here is an interesting peice of trivia about the Steelers first Super Bowl Ring.
#18 by Bryan Redemske on 07.22.08 9:28 am |
Re: Davenport Assumption
Their old uniforms — pre-vest — were gray and looked exactly like the Atlanta Braves. They just said Assumption instead of Atlanta.
#19 by Ed on 07.22.08 9:28 am |
about the throwbacks…awesome
Do you by any chance have a way to get the dates for when they were all worn? I have been trying to compile a notebook for when throwbacks/alternates have been worn and having this complete list would nearly complete that list that I have right now…
#20 by KC on 07.22.08 9:29 am |
RE: Lexan Dangler
Gary Cedarstrom is also wearing one as well.
Danley was wearing the traditional mask when he was hit in the face. When he first came back he was wearing the HSM with a normal throat extension on it but has changed recently.
Both are wearing the Wilson Shock HSM. The mask features little shock absorbers on each side of the cage but the chin area is very short.
https://www.secure.b...
#21 by John on 07.22.08 9:41 am |
That pic of Gil Hodges in a Senators uni should be included on the list of athletes who look strange in the wrong uniform. Gil in anything but a Dodgers uni (and to a lesser extent, a Mets uni), is odd. I know I’ll catch some grief from DC fans, but I think I’m right.
#22 by Stuby on 07.22.08 9:51 am |
This is getting out of control. The ‘Skins introduced Jason Taylor at a presser and gave him a jersey with his name and #1 on it. Now, he is neither their 1st round pick nor will he be wearing #1. Why couldn’t they put together a jersey with what his actual jersey # will be?
#23 by Marty Met on 07.22.08 9:56 am |
Lets hope Stan Mikita gets his sport jackets cleaned on occasion, something Lindsey Nelson never did.
#24 by interlockingtc on 07.22.08 10:03 am |
Ricko, did you ever in the wildest dreams of youth imagine a day when you would be commiserating daily with like-minded obsessives about stripes and colors and logos?
I wasn’t quite at your level of documentation…and nothing was kept, dang it…but your renderings sure ring familiar.
#25 by Wade Harder on 07.22.08 10:04 am |
Awesome drawings there, Ricko. My favorite is obviously the one of Joe Namath is his Alabama gear. Looking at those makes me wish I had saved my uniform sketches from years gone by.
#26 by Marty on 07.22.08 10:06 am |
I noticed a few things on those NFL throwback pages.
1. I believe the Jets had white stripes on their helmets.
2. The Vikings had purple pants (not shown) to where with their white jersey. Denny Green wouldn’t let them. Much like Mike Martz did with those blue pants the Rams where at times. Best thing he ever did.
3. I’m pretty sure the Bills wore the red helmet with a white version of the standing buffalo.
#27 by who cares on 07.22.08 10:09 am |
Nice drawings Rick-o but they don’t quite have the artistic merit of the football drawings I produced in my youth.
http://www.joystiq.c...
#28 by LI Phil on 07.22.08 10:12 am |
heh
while this is john milner…
this john milner played for the mets in the 70’s and the bucs from ‘78-81 or 82…
#29 by Ricko on 07.22.08 10:15 am |
Note to Matt & Paul:
Don’t let ‘em get to you. Softball is suppposed to be fun. People you play with and against will judge you in the end by your attitude, not how you’re dressed. I know in my case a lot of guys thought I was a goofball at first, but now they have almost as much fun with my gear as I do when I do a throwback.
It’s the guys who play like they think ESPN is waiting for the final score who are the schumcks…not the ones who chose to wear baseball pants.
I’ve played a lot of competitive ball, and a lot of casual ball. My 54th consecutive season playing on some kind of team (starting at age 7). Our current travelling team has been ranked as high as 2nd in the Midwest in our classification…and at least in Senior Softball its about whether you’ve having fun being out there, not about your choice of shorts, sweats or pants. Apparel, believe me, is all over the map.
That’s cuz we realized a long time ago what the real issue is: Loving to play the game.
#30 by Ricko on 07.22.08 10:21 am |
Nope, sure never thought that. Good to find others who care, though. Glad I kept all that stuff, cuz maybe can help solve a mystery or two, maybe add to the knowledge base. I know I’ve learned a TON from this site. And that’s always a fun.
#31 by TEH on 07.22.08 10:21 am |
Did anyone notice in the Rusty Staub article that home plate was called the “dishrag”???
I have always heard home plate called the “dish” but assumed it was a nickname for the “plate” - is it possible that there is another origin of the name?
Or is his calling it a dishrag just an extended derivation of dish - kinda like “Copy Guy” from SNL skits..
Anyone have an idea?
#32 by Hurnf on 07.22.08 10:23 am |
I also got a set of those 1994 throwback sheets. Only I got 30 of them. There were two for the 49ers — one with white pants, one with silver pants. There were also two for the Cardinals — one with white pants, one with the canvas-colored pants. I noticed that there were minute variations on the helmets, striping, etc.
Oh, and I saw a Starter 1994 Steelers Barry Foster throwback in the thrift store the other day. The front number was sewn on, but everything else was screened on like the Logo Athletic tops you could have purchased in Foot Locker stores.
#33 by JF in DC on 07.22.08 10:25 am |
As I Bills fan, I can verify that was the case…I believe they only wore the white standing buffalo on the red helmet once on the road at Houston and against Denver at home on a Monday night.
The team caught some heat from the fans for this outlandish act and thankfully, the Bills have since come to their senses and now employ the white helmet when they wear the throwbacks.
#34 by u2-horn on 07.22.08 10:25 am |
You can see the Jim Brown article with the drawing that became Ricko’s template here:
http://vault.sportsi...
p.65 (p.57 in the actual magazine)
#35 by LI Phil on 07.22.08 10:26 am |
unless, of course, you wear zubaz
#36 by JC on 07.22.08 10:34 am |
Lots of photo links to Va. Tech’s new football uniforms here.
wow…still looks like crap…
#37 by LI Phil on 07.22.08 10:36 am |
u2…that’s great…thanks for posting it…
btw…check out p 58-59 in that magazine for the ad on ‘official nfl merchandise’…to see how times have changed since 1960…
the ad features folks knocking back martinis [or something equally as potent], smoking [w/an official nfl lighter ;)], and young boys playing football in their underwear with older men watching…
classic
#38 by LI Phil on 07.22.08 10:37 am |
*or pp 58-59 in the SI reader…not sure what page, but it’s about 3 pages before the jim brown article
#39 by Paul Lukas on 07.22.08 10:39 am |
Here’s the relevant spread:
http://farm3.static....
And a close-up:
http://farm4.static....
#40 by Kevin on 07.22.08 10:43 am |
Interesting to see that David Ortiz went back to a single ear flap helmet last night during his first rehab game with the AA Portland Sea Dog.
#41 by Jim on 07.22.08 10:45 am |
Thought he was playing with Pawtactet, or however you spell it,for rehab. surprised to see him in AA.
#42 by JeffB on 07.22.08 10:45 am |
Here is a challenge. I have a 1932 Chicago Cubs home alternate jersey, the one with the “Cubs” fancy script logo.
This is the first year that the Cubs wore numbers on their jerseys and I have been unable to locate any photos of this jersey, or any other jersey style from this season showing the number font used on the back of this jersey. The closest I have found is a photo of a reproduction Mitchell and Ness jersey, but no player photos to verify they’ve got it right.
I’ve searched the internet for photos with no results. Nothing on Youtube either. Since they went to the World Series that season, perhaps there are some out there or maybe there’s a photo in a book that might help.
Thanks for any help.
#43 by coogrfan on 07.22.08 10:53 am |
We got our first glimpse yesterday of the Houston Cougars new Nike jerseys. As feared, they’re pretty much standard issue, off the rack, generic crap.
http://smg.photobuck...
Say what you want about the Adidas uni’s and the funky font:
http://smg.photobuck...
At least those uni’s had the advantage of being unique. Now we’re just another nameless, faceless Nike school.
#44 by Kek on 07.22.08 10:58 am |
Just my experience, those were one in the same!!!
I’m not knocking them as bad as SB did in the final post yesterday, it’s just not my cup of tea.
As far as looking good, I’ll just say that’s all in the eye of the beholder. It’s like you guys knocking Paul for his attire but he’s in a unique position as owner of this blog that it makes for intersting content.
And personally, I’ll put my black high tops and black socks, black mesh shorts, team shirt and St. Louis Cardinals Sunday cap (don’t ask why, just my lucky softball hat) look just as good as anyone in the baseball pants crowd!!!!
Paul, I think for those hot days, you should try to score a pair of those coveted White Sox shorts with the corresponding socks. Pair those up with your Obama SOX inspired shirt would be the shit! I know those are two different CHISOX era unis but I think it would work.
Of course, technically, those weren’t stirrups, but I think I could give you a pass!
#45 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 11:09 am |
Nike Air Veer?
http://www.pickyours...
#46 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 11:13 am |
#47 by Teebz on 07.22.08 11:13 am |
Softball Guy… this says it all. Thank you, Jim Rome.
#48 by Ricko on 07.22.08 11:14 am |
Looking good I meant, of course, is how the individual feels about how they look. Sometimes is just a matter of what they’re used to wearing. A guy in baseball pants who shows up and plays is one thing. So is a guy in shorts. It’s the ones who strut, or whose eyes are practically vibrating in their sockets, that are tough to stomach no matter what they’re wearing.
I always want to remind them to relax, there are no MLB scouts in the stands. No one likes someone who thinks they’re hot shit.
When I first started wearing wristbands I got all kinds of crap. Now whoever wants can wear them and no one says a word.
I guess most of my softball is in leagues where it just matters what kind of player (or guy) you are.
Of course, I don’t play Classic ball anymore. Got out of it years ago. Too many “eye vibrators.” Too much posturing. Took all the fun out of it.
I just try to play well enough that if we win I had something to do with it, and if we lose it wasn’t my fault. LOL
#49 by Teebz on 07.22.08 11:14 am |
Crap! The link disappeared!
http://www.youtube.c...
#50 by Brian on 07.22.08 11:15 am |
When I first discovered this site, I thought of an old article in SI that I read as a kid that gave a great synopsis of the baseball uniform. I remembered it was the year the O’s changed their cap to the anatomical bird, 1989. After a little research, I found the article. (click on view this issuse, go to page 112 “Fabric of the Game”). I don’t know if it’s been posted here before, but I’m sure UniWatch readers would enjoy this as the pennant races heat up.
#51 by James Craven on 07.22.08 11:15 am |
Couple thing to point out…
First, on the previous year’s Houston football jerseys, the adidas plant was actually an old Champion manufacturing location. They just picked up that funny looking (yet Champion’s own distinctive) number font from there.
And second, the Green bay Packers’ numbering on the white jersey was in navy blue, not “athletic gold” (read: yellow) as the spec sheet pointed out. I should remember because it was in that Monday Night Football game on Halloween against the Bears in the mud at Soldier Field (pre-2004 renovation) that those numbers were easier to see for TV purposes.
#52 by Brian on 07.22.08 11:16 am |
http://vault.sportsi...
I guess I don’t know how to put a link into my comments.
#53 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 11:17 am |
After seeing those pics of Glennon, Taylor and Chancellor, I REALLY like the unis!
As for those Naomi Campbell shots…sheesh!
Davenport Assumption LOOKS GOOD!
I knew I’d catch some heat for the softball pics, hence I posted them…all in fun
#54 by Kek on 07.22.08 11:18 am |
THAT’S IT! And those are the ones I had. Those, along with both pairs of Air Jordans I owned (V and XIII, still have the XIIIs, wish I still had the Vs) were my most comfortable sneakers I’ve had.
#55 by Brian on 07.22.08 11:19 am |
http://vault.sportsi...
#56 by LI Phil on 07.22.08 11:25 am |
matt powers…”angry young (softball) guy”
this shall be your new nickname from now on! ;)
#57 by LI Phil on 07.22.08 11:28 am |
OH…and teebz…
you owe me a new keyboard ;)
/thanks for the JR softball guy link…
#58 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 11:28 am |
I hope those are Frat paddles on the wall!
And Kek,
If you loved the XIII’s so much, you can still get them reasonably:
http://www.pickyours...
Ha!
BTW, the V’s just came back out as well:
http://www.pickyours...
I hope that dude who made Native American art out of Jordans doesn’t get his materials there!
#59 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 11:32 am |
The Nike Air Veer spurned some of the funniest commercials Nike ever made starring none other than Dennis Hopper:
http://www.youtube.c...
“Bad Things, Man”!
Angry Young Man/Guy ???????????????????????
#60 by Urban Runoff on 07.22.08 11:33 am |
I read somewhere that the 49ers are going back to the 1980s uniforms in 2009. I don’t know why they got away from them in the first place. That Super Bowl in 1995 (?) was a pretty bad uni Super Bowl: the weird mid-’90s Niners jerseys vs. the drab Chargers. -Runoff
#61 by Ricko on 07.22.08 11:33 am |
Some of those 1994 throwback jerseys like the Packers were invented out of necessity. Packers, I don’t think, HAD any white jerseys back then. The yellow shoulder yoke was deemed enough of a difference form other teams…when only issue was the in-person audience (can’t think of very many teams that DID have white jerseys, even into the late 40’s. And the Rams had nothing but gold jerseys–home AND road–until the NFL required them to get something else in the mid 50’s).
I say that cuz I have yet to see a game photo of Hutson or Herber or Isbell or any Packers from their era in a white jersey. Lostsa game action, and is from places like Detroit or Chicago and both teams are in dark. The Bears were one of the few teams that had white jerseys (as with navy pants when they hammered the Redskins in that NFL title game). In fact, has anyone ever checked: Were those jerseys and pants special just for that championship? Cuz only photos of Bears white jerseys from that era I’ve ever seen are from that particular game.
#62 by chance on 07.22.08 11:35 am |
Wow, man.
This is just a thing of beauty. I’d like to adapt something like it as a template for my database.
#63 by Kevin on 07.22.08 11:35 am |
The plan was for Ortiz to do 3 games in AAA Pawtucket, a day off, then 3 days in AA Portland, and then rejoin the Sox in Boston on Friday. I think it was all done to avoid having him fly across the country. Pawtucket is 1 hour from Boston, and Portland is only 2 hrs. So it’s all close.
#64 by chance on 07.22.08 11:35 am |
Sorry, screwed up the link.
#65 by Teebz on 07.22.08 11:37 am |
Anytime, Phil. I actually play in a pretty solid men’s softball league, and there are guys who come decked out in full garb. I wear a t-shirt jersey, and two options for pants depending on where we play.
Option A: long, pyjama-style, gray pants when we play at the fields outside the city (no mosquito spraying outside the city limits = need for added protection).
Option B: high socks with gray, short-legged pants. Perfect for rolling the elastic hem under the socks for a real old-time feel.
I haven’t found stirrups I prefer for the look of our team, so I haven’t gone to them yet. However, I’m not “mashing” whatsoever when we play. Hit for average and run the bases. If you want to trot, you’re in it for the wrong reasons.
Mr. Powers, this has nothing to do with you, though. Just as a side question, what kind of cleats are those? I’m a Mizuno guy, but I liked the looks of those cleats you were wearing. :o)
#66 by Dirty Davey on 07.22.08 11:41 am |
Nice detail on the style-guide sheets from 1994… the sheets for most of the relocated franchises are identified by team name without a city: “Cardinals”, “Colts”, and “Raiders”. No love for the Cleveland Rams, though–it’s “Los Angeles” on the style guide.
#67 by Ricko on 07.22.08 11:41 am |
Well, yes, some things are over the line no matter what.
Although it would be fun to see someone bloue those things and wear them with classic striped stirrups.
(shudder. wince.)
#68 by Kek on 07.22.08 11:42 am |
Still have the XIIIs and they’re in reasonably good shape. I actually wore them a lot as I played a lot of pickup hoops at that point in my life.
I’d love to have the Vs again, but isn’t that shot of the IVs? I had the purple (grape?) ones. They also had a white pair with a 23 stitched on the side.
#69 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 07.22.08 11:43 am |
That would be the Air Jordan “IV” not the “V”…we don’t want to screw up non-Sneaker aficionados out there. Both make me drool the same anyways.
#70 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 07.22.08 11:45 am |
Dude has a Gucci belt on! Ahahahahaha! I was looking for a Goyard or Louis V. fielders mitt too .
Naomi Campbell has some SUUURIOUS LEGS!…she’s a bitch though and her Sobe commercials suck.
#71 by Kek on 07.22.08 11:48 am |
MAN!!! I remember that issue of SI like it was yesterday. Benito was my boy! Plus, several good catching stories inside.
Page 32: Bob Boone with the skull cap and older style catcher’s mask (what was the name of that style?)
Page 62: Shot of Andy Van Slyke in the ROOS spikes.
The first shot, I could remember, of the Okkonnen sketches.
Regarding the cover: where those player wristbands part of a say no to drugs campaign? I remember Bonds wearing them too (among others)?
#72 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 07.22.08 11:48 am |
These are so dope! Such an improvement and so clean looking. They finally got it right.
http://img.photobuck...
http://img.photobuck...
#73 by RCheli on 07.22.08 11:48 am |
I’m trying to search the archives of the site, and either I’m a moron or something isn’t working (or both).
Does anyone remember the link to a video of the guy from New York who tries and get all of the batting practice balls? It was recent — proabably in the last two months.
#74 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 11:51 am |
I wish there was an Edit button…my mistake..you’re right!
Those ARE the IV’s.
The V’s came out two years ago and the Fusion Air Force 1/Air Jordan V’s came out this Spring!
AJ V:
http://www.pickyours...
AJ V/AF1:
http://www.pickyours...
#75 by Jet on 07.22.08 11:53 am |
Ricko man, I am just in awe at what you’ve brought to this site, this stuff is so freakin’ awesome!
-Jet
#76 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 12:02 pm |
Teebz,
They are the Nike Air Five Tool MCS. That color is sold exclusively at Sports Authority because it is an Albert Pujols signature shoe!
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
Eastbay has the solid colors!
Red:
http://a712.g.akamai...
Blue:
http://a712.g.akamai...
Black:
http://a712.g.akamai...
Conversion Black:
http://a712.g.akamai...
Baseball Express is usually a really good site as well!
#77 by Chris Mycoskie on 07.22.08 12:03 pm |
Just passing along a rumor I saw… Don’t shoot the messenger… :-)
#78 by Kerry P on 07.22.08 12:04 pm |
Dope? Not really. And why would they not have “Hornets” on the home whites instead of “New Orleans”. If that IS the actual design they’re going with, then I am highly disappointed. I’ve seen SEVERAL concepts on the Chris Creamer boards that are 1,000,000 times better.
#79 by Paul Lukas on 07.22.08 12:07 pm |
Site-search function is down. Google problems. Working on it. Might be two more weeks (these problems usually take 30 days to resolve). Sorry.
#80 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 12:08 pm |
Because of the Shockey Trade, my local paper ran some pics of him that I’d never seen before:
Check out his eye black strips:
http://i256.photobuc...
And to further irritate Paul, these are from a while back, but I’ll repost my finds from the same place I found those stirrups last week:
If the polish doesn’t work on those Copas, we have a backup plan!
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
#81 by LarenR on 07.22.08 12:09 pm |
Don’t know about the comeback of the 80’s unis, but that would be great. As to SuperBowl XXIX (94 season/January 95), those weren’t “new” unis, they were the throwbacks everyone wore that year. The Niners won a couple games in them early in the year and decided they were lucky, so made them the unis for the rest of the season and postseason. They went 14-2 and destroyed San Diego in the SB, so maybe they had the right idea.
#82 by MPowers1634 on 07.22.08 12:11 pm |
If Paul isn’t frightened enough already, I have found his Hell on Earth:
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
#83 by Christopher on 07.22.08 12:12 pm |
I really hope those are not the new Hornets unis. Ugh.
I’m hoping they ditch the teal, for starters. They need their own identity, they still feel like the Charlotte team far too much.
I know the disdain for purple here, but I’m hoping they go with the traditional green, purple and gold for NOLA.
#84 by Ricko on 07.22.08 12:21 pm |
Who likes Robert Riger’s football art?
Check out the “Ray Berry on Pass Catching” article.
http://vault.sportsi...