The truth: Yankee Stadium has never meant that much to me. Part of it is that I’m a Mets fan, and part of it is that the renovated stadium bears little resemblance to the original structure (which I’m old enough to have seen plenty of times on TV, although, unfortunately, I never attended a game there). But the biggest part of it is that the Yankees — and, by extension, the stadium — have become such a loathsome symbol of American corporate excess and jingoism. Even the admirable things about the organization, like the uniforms, have been waved like some idiotic flag of superiority for so long that the underlying tone is bluster, not class. The message emanating from River Ave. and East 161st (esp. the owner’s suite) isn’t “We strive for excellence”; it’s “We’re the goddamn Yankees, and the rest of you can go fuck yourselves.”
I’d be the first to admit that the place is not without its charms. When you go to a game in the Bronx and hear that live organist and Bob Sheppard’s voice and all that, you think to yourself, “Hey, this is so cool!” But by the time they do the 27-minute-long rendition of “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch (which they still insist on doing for every freaking game), you realize that the organ and Sheppard and the postgame Sinatra and all the rest are really just code — they’re signifiers for an era when white America could happily enjoy being the biggest bully on the playground. That’s what the Yankees have always represented: the supremacy of empire, the arrogance of wealth, the strong not just defeating but utterly smashing the weak.
In case you hadn’t noticed, all of those supposed verities have been called into question on the larger American stage lately. Like it or not, a lot of things most people have treated as entitlements for generations (cheap gas, a white-majority populace, the ability to say, “We’re the goddamn United States and the rest of you can go fuck yourselves,” etc.) are changing. Of course, most people don’t like it, and they’d rather be in denial about it than actually deal with it, and few places provide a better oasis from reality than Yankee Stadium, where people can pretend it’s still 1957.
Or at least that’s what it would provide for those people if they could afford to go there. Kind of ironic that the Yanks are passing the torch to a new gold-leafed stadium with ticket prices only corporate execs will be able to afford just a few days after an economic meltdown that no doubt has many corporations rethinking their luxury box expenditures, all while the Yanks are missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. If you can’t see the parallels between all of that and America’s willfully oblivious descent down the crapper, well, I hope you have fun driving that SUV of yours.
Such treatises notwithstanding, they put on a good show for the stadium’s farewell. A few notes:
• Nice to see plenty of old-timers in period-appropriate uniforms (although it would’ve been better if Whitey Ford had hiked up his cuffs — that elastic gap was painful to see). And someone please get Yogi an undershirt.
• Biggest surprise of the evening, at least for me: Dave Winfield fills out his uniform a lot more than he used to. Like, a lot more.
• Several hours prior to the game, they let fans walk on the warning track — a nice gesture. A few people apparently indulged their “robbed him of a home run” fantasies, but anyone wearing an NOB replica should be barred from such shenanigans, no?
• Good spot by Larry Wiederecht and L.I. Phil, who noticed that Reggie Jackson was wearing this old N.Y. Giants logo on his cap while being interviewed in the ESPN booth during the game. Earlier, during pregame festivities, he’d shown off a different cap to the world’s single most annoying Yankees fan.
Our own Scott M.X. Turner attended the game, by the way. I expect I’ll have some first-hand observations from him to pass along tomorrow.
Raffle Results: The winner of the Remember the AFL book is John Flanagan. Congrats to him, and everyone else can look forward to the College Vault book raffle, which I’ll crank up tomorrow or Wednesday.
Uni Watch News Ticker: New System of Dress uniforms for Dayton. Here’s the rear view (with thanks to Matthew Hager). … Remember when I raffled off a futuristic Royals jersey a while back? You can get an entire futuristic Royals uniform, including a batting helmet, here. … Interesting advertising hubbub at Wrigley Field (with thanks to James Huening). … Friday’s entry on Lon Keller’s artwork led sports historian Chuck Miller to check in with the following: “I recently discovered that not only did Spencer Advertising create program cover art for colleges and high school sports, their work was also used by semiprofessional basketball teams like those who played in the Eastern League [which later became the Continental Basketball Assocation]. I have found several examples of such art, mostly by artists like Lon Keller, Larry Tisdale, Fred Fixler and the like. They can be viewed at this link on my CBA Museum homepage.” … “I work with the Potomac Nationals, formerly the Alexandria Dukes of 1979-1983,” writes Paul Barrett. “We were affiliated with the Pirates in Alexandria for the ‘81-’83 seasons, and I found this little beauty in the storage closet along with other treasures (T-shirts, programs, stat sheets, mini-bats). The tag reads, ‘ Since 1920 • NEW ERA • Custom Made For JOHN GILMORE Sporting Goods • Fairfax, VA • Medium-Large • MFG. in USA.’” … Decent article here about UNLV’s NNOB jerseys (with thanks to John Barnes). … It’s nice that Manny has a mouthguard with his name printed on it, but why is he wearing a mouthguard to begin with? … No, branding isn’t getting way out of hand, not even a little bit (with thanks to Paul Ricciardi). … Lots of old Portland Beavers pics here. … Uni Watch is one of several uni-related media projects mentioned in this article. … Oklahoma State’s getting a new court design (with thanks to Andrew Joseph). … The Canadiens are wearing a 100th-anniversary patch. … Check out these photos of the recent Greer/Greenville game — matching Gs (good spot by Jon Pohlman). … Not sure if we’ve covered these specific examples before, but Baylor has not just one but two roman-numeraled NOBs (with thanks to, appropriately, James Spears IV). … Giants equipment director Joe Skiba has revived his series of video reports. The 2008 season premiere is here. … Aussie rules football fans have chosen their favorite jumper (with thanks to Jeremy Brahm, who also sent pics of the odd diagonal pinstriping worn by the Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dolphins). … “This is South African rugby player Percy Montgomery wearing a test cap,” writes Caleb Borchers. “Announcers are always talking about someone’s games for the national teams as ‘caps,’ but you rarely see the actual cap any more. Certainly a little on the dorky side, but an interesting uni tradition, particularly because rugby players don’t wear caps on the field. There are links to some other caps here, here, here, and here.” … Interesting info on the Seahawks logo here. … Pictograms for the 2010 winter Olympics will look like this, and there’s a video about the development of the graphics here (courtesy of Jeremy again). … The Sabres’ third jersey is now official (additional photos here). … So is the Blues’ third jersey (more pics here. … Rutgers University: institute of higher learning. … Mike Chamernik notes that Mitch Maier has been wearing one of those extended-earflap facemasks. … Ken Malone has started a new site NFL uni-related site. “Our primary purpose is to get laughs through the medium of NFL uniform details,” he says. I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, so someone please give it the once-over and give us a full report. … Just what the world needs: a palm swoosh (with thanks to Dave Sizer). … That UGA rear-helmet motif sure is popular (with thanks to Michael Hardman). … Speaking of UGA, they’ll be wearing black this weekend. … Dude, are you wearing pantyhose or what? … Martin Gramatica was wearing his wedding band yesterday. … Man, do I love this. … I’m less fond of this. … How do you make this look good? Have it play against this. Additional crimes against humanity here and here. … “The Hiroshima Toyo Carp are moving into a new stadium next year, and while the stadium is being built, the manhole covers in the area where the new stadium will be have been given Carp designs,” writes Jeremy Brahm. “The funny thing is that they missed a spot — the where the arrow is pointing should be red, to match the undershirt on the right arm. There’s also a one-color version.” … Reprinted from last night’s comments: Check out the uniform on this yearbook vendor. That’s Opening Day at Shea Stadium, 1965. … Morris Levin recently scored a pair of authentic Phillies stirrups, so naturally he wore them to work. Okay, so he didn’t actually wear his pants that way in the office — only for the photo shoot (”I came out of the elevator into PNC’s lobby with my pants hiked up and my friend Peter pretty much fell over on Market St laughing”). But still, if this doesn’t start a casual Friday revolution, I don’t know what will. … Check out this bizarre NOB from a Rangers preseason game. Can anyone think of another NOB that included a mix caps, small cap, and lowercase? I certainly can’t (good spot by Casey Wurzbach, who also noticed some decal peelage at Great American Ballpark). … Reprinted from last night’s comments: Interesting to see that the Seahawks’ Gene Upshaw memorial decals are all partially covered by their neck bumpers (additional examples here, here, and here).
#1 by Scott W (San Jose, CA) on 09.22.08 7:53 am |
Interesting to see Willie Randolph in a Yanks uni again, after so many awkward press conferences in a Mets uni. And good form on that slide
#2 by pete on 09.22.08 8:07 am |
Manny is wearing as mouthgaurd this season to cut down on chewing tobacco use. He only chews tobacco in season and especially while at bat, so the idea is to use the mouthgaurd as a replacement. I say good for him.
Also, I kind of like the Broncos orange jersey. At least it is different and a hint of their past, their blues are very boring.
#3 by Robert on 09.22.08 8:13 am |
Have the Texas Rangers worn green jerseys and stirrups on St. Patrick’s Day in recent years? The team is selling game-worn green stirrups at its authentics store at the Ballpark, and I could not remember whether they actually wore such a thing.
#4 by scott on 09.22.08 8:16 am |
“But by the time they do the 27-minute-long rendition of “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch (which they still insist on doing for every freaking game)”
The Yankees aren’t alone in this regard. The New Britain Rock Cats continue to play it every seventh inning, and I believe the Pawtucket Red Sox do, too. There are probably others who have made it a staple of the seventh inning stretch.
#5 by scott on 09.22.08 8:18 am |
“they’re signifiers for an era when white America could happily enjoy being the biggest bully on the playground.”
It’s always nice to come to this site and get such wonderful political insight.
#6 by Robert on 09.22.08 8:26 am |
I officially apologize to everyone everywhere for living in a suburb, being white, owning a business, investing in the stock market and having a wife who drives an SUV. I am so ashamed.
#7 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 8:29 am |
Well the STL unis didn’t turn out as bad as I thought they would.
http://blues.nhl.com...
Always have been a fan of circular logos, and the arch I have been dreading is very subtle. I was hoping they would go with a darker blue than in years past. Kinda wish they went with other pants for this uni though, those things are God Awlful..
Kinda like those BUF unis? What the hell are those things? Apparantly they were aloud to workout with them on before showing them off because they all had armpit stains on them.
http://media.buffalo...
And what is up with thise stripes? They look like Bettman Stripes on crack…
http://media.canada....
Arm/waist/socks striping are good, but I cannot stop staring at the pit stains and the cracked out Bettman stripes. Only thing good about this uni is the logo and the lace-up collar.
Also, all the BUF pants had ‘Reebok’ on them. Is that company getting away from ‘RBK’?
#8 by Billy on 09.22.08 8:56 am |
New Yankee Stadium will have plenty of seats that are affordable…
“Of the non-premium seats, 88 percent will be less than $100,” he said. “It’s easy to say that that’s not cheap, but on the other 55 percent of the ballpark is going to be $45 or less. That’s over 24,000 seats. We recognize everybody can’t afford the suites. At the same time, we’re trying to allow those suite prices to subsidize the other seating in the stadium. Look, the bleachers are $12, will be $12. The grandstand is $20 and $25, will be $20 and $25.”
http://sports.espn.g...
#9 by Frank from B-more on 09.22.08 8:57 am |
I like the Broncos orange jerseys, remind me of the Orange Crush days.
I am glad I am not the only one who thinks the Yankees needed to get over themselves.
I remember when SoD was a big deal, now Dayton???? Wow Nike, maybe CCBC-Essex needs new unis too.
And I personally enjoy driving my Ford Explorer and am willing to pay the cost.
#10 by =bg= on 09.22.08 9:04 am |
Nike jumps out of the pool;
http://www.cnbc.com/...
#11 by Peter Wunsch on 09.22.08 9:06 am |
Can we start calling the NHL third jerseys “Opportunity to sell fans more stuff.”
#12 by Peter Wunsch on 09.22.08 9:09 am |
Yes, Rudy and his starter third wife are annoying, but how annoying was Joba The Hut. he made sure he was in every camnera shot in the dugout with that annoying hat brim.
Whya re the Yankees and Mets getting any revenue from the sale of ballpark memorabilia. If NYC owns the park, don’t they own the seats, foul poles, urinals, etc.?
#13 by Scott on 09.22.08 9:11 am |
No less than SIX Nike logos on display on that Oklahoma player. How cool is he?! (not very)
#14 by Michael M. on 09.22.08 9:18 am |
Actually, Manny’s mouthguard is much more high tech. Supposedly it puts the mouth in an optimal “relaxed” position and cost a lot.
http://fenwaywest.bl...
http://www.youtube.c...
#15 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 9:20 am |
Actually, the city is getting 70% of the proceeds from sales of stuff from Shea. The rest is going to the Mets foundation.
And a lot of Shea’s materials (plumbing fixtures, wire, etc.) will be reused by the Parks Dept. elsewehre in the city.
I don’t know for sure, but I assume something similar is planned for Yankee Stadium.
#16 by John Livewell on 09.22.08 9:22 am |
As a Phillies phan…therefore a defacto “National Leaguer”…I have no official opinion of the Yankees other than to agree with part of what you said Paul. The Yankee players today do not start to be the “posterboys” for machismo until the individual attitudes of the “nation” make them so. It doesn’t hurt that the ESPN LOOOOOOOVESSSSSSS the Yankee-nation and the machismo.
Almost very sports team that resides in a nations largest city gets this treatment…NY for the last 90 years.
I must say that it was great to see Dave Winfield, Reggie and Bernie Williams in pinstripes again. Just as they tore down Veteran’s Stadium…I will never forget seeing my childhood heros in Philles gear again…Carlton, Schmidt, McGraw……Shane Rawley (syke…)
#17 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 9:23 am |
he’s been tipping his pitches
#18 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 9:26 am |
can the ‘comment of the day’ award actually go to a tan box, in the lead?
i say, “YES”
#19 by Stuby on 09.22.08 9:34 am |
Or in Buffalo’s case (both teams), “We are admitting that our current uniforms suck, but are too stupid to make a complete overhaul”
#20 by Greg on 09.22.08 9:36 am |
“If you can’t see the parallels between all of that and America’s willfully oblivious descent down the crapper, well, I hope you have fun driving that SUV of yours.”
Wow someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. This was such a nasty post Paul, are you just upset because Shea isn’t getting the same send off? I don’t exactly understand how being a Yankee fan makes one a gas-guzzling redneck but whatever. I hope your in a better mood tomorrow.
#21 by Jon on 09.22.08 9:39 am |
They said last night that 4 season tickets behind home plate will run $810,000. that is $2,500 per seat per game. So Yankee Stadium will have affordable seating, you just might need binoculrs to see the game.
#22 by Mark K on 09.22.08 9:40 am |
The Bills had the GU decal on their normally blank throwback (no flag or NFL Logo) helmets.
#23 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 9:41 am |
How much did those season tickets cost currently?
#24 by Rick White Un Trois on 09.22.08 9:44 am |
I think it is somewhere in the neighborhood of $356,400.
#25 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 9:44 am |
First look at Tampa Bay’s #1 Overall draft pick Stamkos in a TB uni…
http://www.nhl.com/n...
#26 by Elena on 09.22.08 9:46 am |
Pawtucket et al. may do a 7th inning God Bless America, but do they do they same neverending version the Yankees do? I hope not. The Durham Bulls have never used GBA, thankgod. St Louis Cardinals have it performed before the game starts, after the Anthem, on Sundays and holidays, at least when I have been there recently.
#27 by Taha on 09.22.08 9:47 am |
Apology accepted!
#28 by John Paul Jones on 09.22.08 9:47 am |
For the record, what team placed the name of its new stadium up for sale to the highest corporate bidder? Oh right, the Mets and “Citi” Field.
The say “God Bless America” (which is really, really annoying) and the organ are “code” is really politically and intellectually lazy, but I read this site for the uni talk and not the sophmore year of college “deconstruction” philosphizing. I suppose the opposite site of the coin is the Mets who with all their special nights for every ethnic group are code for “we’re more progressive than you and we love looking at people as part of groups and not individuals.”
Anyway — Jim MI, I had the same feeling about the new Blues uni when I started the slideshow, I was feeling great about things until I saw the pants, what is that stripe? It’s like a strange homage to drunk Zamboni driver….
#29 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 9:47 am |
And those are/were affordable?
#30 by Kek on 09.22.08 9:48 am |
Newsflash, some people put on weight later in life.
Some people, however, eat as much red meat as they like and still stay skinny.
#31 by Paul on 09.22.08 9:53 am |
I just started reading this site in about June, and I made the Ticker for the first time today!
And I checked out that NFL-uni site; Not bad, I enjoyed the Fashion Power Rankings, but they need more content. There are links to other sites including this one. I’ll probably check back in a few weeks to see if there’s more to it.
#32 by Teebz on 09.22.08 9:54 am |
Except their new “alternate” jerseys are just as effing brutal. They wanted to match the colour of the pants, but they still don’t match.
These new alternate jerseys are the biggest crock that two corporate “leaders” have ever released since “New Coke”.
#33 by Coach on 09.22.08 9:54 am |
I knew you were a Mets fan Paul, but this is ridiculous.
I love this site, but that passage was really disgusting. Your attitude towards that baseball is sickening. How can you write that people can come into the Stadium, and be comforted by acting like it is 1957? Firstly, as you pointed out, the Stadium looks extremely different now than it did in 57. Secondly, if Mandela and two Popes hadn’t come to the Stadium since then, I can maybe fathom why you would say that.
Alluding that the traditions of the Yankees in some way signify the remnants of the shameful racist past of “white America” was a despicable thing to do Paul.
Also, as someone who lived through the last gas crisis I can’t believe you honestly think cheap gas is an “entitlements for generations”.
I can hear your screams at night during your recurring dream…”If only Timo Perez had hustled”. I never thought of you as one of the obnoxious Met fans, but you showed yourself to be one of those self-loathing, little brother type fans in this passage.
Enjoy Citi Field and the super cheap prices, because I know the Metropolitans will be giving away tickets and gas because generations of Mets fans are entitled to them.
#34 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 9:58 am |
Talking about the pants stripe? I agree, it needs to go. It’s their regular everyday pants too, so you’ll see it no matter what uni they wear.
#35 by Dan E on 09.22.08 10:01 am |
I’ve been reading Uni Watch for a year, Paul, and I don’t usually leave a comment — but this is absolutely my favorite post so far, so I had to say something. You hit this sucker out of the park, and the short porch in right had nothing to do with it…
As my father (who grew up in Flatbush as a Brooklyn Dodgers fan) used to tell me, “The only kids in my neighborhood who ever rooted for the Yankees were the bullies, racists and sore losers.” Now, some of my best pals are Yankee fans, and I do admire much about the team’s uniforms and history; but it’s also undeniable that the organization’s arrogant, self-satisfied bluster has long appealed to all manner of douchebags out there. And as a parallel the arrogant douchebaggery of America under the Bush administration, I’d say you’re pretty much on the money with this one.
#36 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 10:03 am |
‘douchebaggery’
Did you just invent a word? I’ll contact Webster…
#37 by DZ on 09.22.08 10:06 am |
Does anyone know what the font for the numbers on the Dayton jerseys is? I believe some college used it on throwback jerseys last year as well.
Thanks.
#38 by Helmets Match Pants on 09.22.08 10:11 am |
I’m surprised in the article about the Seahawks logo they didn’t mention the fact the Seahawks didn’t use the logo on their helmet during their first season. The helmet was just plain silver.
#39 by Dan E on 09.22.08 10:11 am |
Jim MI —
It’s actually already in the Urban Dictionary:
http://www.urbandict...
Note that definition #4 includes “the wearing of flat-billed baseball caps backwards”.
#40 by mmwatkin on 09.22.08 10:13 am |
Agreed.
I have never seen such a send off for a 32 year old stadium
Sorry, but as a lifelong baseball fan who has been to the original Yankee Stadium in the 60’s, I can tell you that the real Yankee stadium died in 1973.
#41 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 10:15 am |
lol awesome…
#42 by Adam Vaggalis on 09.22.08 10:16 am |
Does anyone know where I can get those t-shirts Yankee fans were wearing with a basic navy t-shirt with “The Captain” arched in white over the #15, or a “REG-GIE” arched over a 44 all on the left breast of the t-shirt. I have seen them before with a Don Mattingly and Joe Dimaggio 23 and 5. I need HELP!
#43 by doug on 09.22.08 10:17 am |
vin scully actually talked about the mouth guard in manny’s first game as a dodger - he (and a lot of others) wear it because when you are at bat you have a tendency to bite down as you swing, and you can get jaw pain and teeth problems… wearing the mouthguard helps with that.
#44 by tomeboy on 09.22.08 10:18 am |
Paul - This sandbox of yours, Uniwatch, has become part of my morning routine. I thoroughly enjoy your reading your insight and musings…..of those things sports-related. I must admit however that interjections, subtle or otherwise, of political commentary within non-politcal milieus have become all too commonplace and are frankly disappointing.
You have a terrific site here Paul, and much like the “logo creep” of which you so aptly keep vigilant, please don’t sully your Uniwatch site as a forum for partisan politics.
Best
#45 by John Paul Jones on 09.22.08 10:21 am |
Talking about the pants stripe? I agree, it needs to go. It’s their regular everyday pants too, so you’ll see it no matter what uni they wear.
Damn, well, that is most unfortunate. Does anyone know if EA or RBK is releasing a code to get the uni updates for NHL ‘09?
#46 by rob on 09.22.08 10:34 am |
Insert leftist dribble here.
I come to read about uniforms, if I wanted this crap I would go to moveon.org or daily kos.
#47 by Rob on 09.22.08 10:35 am |
Couldn’t have said it any better myself.
#48 by Nick on 09.22.08 10:39 am |
Paul, thanks for stating what most people who have stayed off the Yankee mystique bandwagon feel about the Yankees.
#49 by Jim Bullard on 09.22.08 10:42 am |
Oh my, singing God Bless America during the Seventh Inning Stretch…those Yankees are truly elitist assholes….what a joke.
I think what’s really going on here is Paul can’t get over is the fact that his team is the enviously less-successful cousin to the Yankees.
And when I go to Yankees games, I see a very diverse crowd, and none of them seem to have a problem with Yankee traditions.
#50 by cah on 09.22.08 10:43 am |
Paul, if I am a conservative, and I don’t necessarily agree with your political viewpoint, does that make me one of the people you ranted against? Would you prefer that I spent my time someplace else? Granted, as a knuckledragger, I have problems with multisyllabic words, but I wouldn’t want to darken your site with my latent racism.
#51 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 10:43 am |
Cleat Observation:
http://static.nfl.co...
In this pic of the Seahawks, #92, second year defensive Air Jordan Reto III general release cleats. Their colors are Black, grey, and red.
BTW, the mudguard’s print is referred to as elephant print!
http://www.myairshoe...
Snot green, as in #98 Julian Peterson’s Nike Super Bad 2’s, is their accent color! W
Will he get fined is the question?
#52 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 10:45 am |
Wow, proofreading snafu…let’s try that again
#53 by Duckstyle on 09.22.08 10:47 am |
Paul,
I thought it’s was a damn fine post today. I guess I just not seeing these terrible politcal slights that some are, maybe because they all seemed either tongue-in-cheek, or, dare I say it, telling the truth. I’ve never been able to figure out how certain groups can be so short-sighted, and never see the other side of an argument/viewpoint etc. I feel free to bash any other fan base for their shortcomings, and the elitest groups even moreso; Yankee fans, Duke basketball fans, Cowboys fans, THE Ohio State fans etc. But I do this knowing full well that at some point people will point out the shortcomings of my own fanbase(fat and drunk Packer fans, White Sox t-shirts white the sox crossed out and trash penciled in). It comes with the territory.
I’ve never fully understood why people love-to-hate others, and read a Mariotti column or watch Skip Bayless for example. But aparently Paul has become one-of-those to some. Well, whatever, it only seems to increase his website hits, que sera sera. If you don’t like it, don’t drink, say no thanks and move on.
That being said, the off-white Yankee uni’s were a beaut, only reaosn I watched any of the festivities, glad to see someone in Yankee land “gets it”.
#54 by Mark on 09.22.08 10:47 am |
I have regarded the Yankee$ as a stain upon baseball for many years without feeling the need to make strained connections between their arrogant, bullying reign over MLB, and some imagined cracker conspiracy to keep the dark people down.
And their uniforms are one of the things I despise about them…not something to admire.
#55 by Kek on 09.22.08 10:49 am |
Does anyone know if PlayerExclusive is still going? The site had a great week one recap but there hasn’t been an entry since then.
#56 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 10:49 am |
Here in New York and the rest of the metro area, Modell’s is a popular sporting goods franchise. You can find almost all of those T-Shirt jerseys there.
Another one is the Sports Authority.
If neither of them have them, check out Mickey’sPlace online.
Hope that helps!
#57 by Ricko on 09.22.08 10:50 am |
No. It wasn’t. That logo was on the helmets the entire first season. You’re going by those goofy football cards from back then when NOBODY’s logos were on the helmets.
Saw Seahawks play during their first season in Minnesota vs. Vikings. Spent time trying to tell from the stands if the green on the helmet logo was kelly or lime or something in between. Don’t think I’d have done that if the helmet had been plain silver.
—Ricko
#58 by Kek on 09.22.08 10:51 am |
I’ll have to call my mom and make sure she doesn’t wear blackface anymore.
#59 by haroldP on 09.22.08 10:56 am |
I agree. I’ve been going to UniWatch every morning — before even any news site — for a long as I can remember. It’s reflexive for me. 1) Turn on computer. 2) Go to UniWatch. An occasional political comment is nothing to get worked up about (who is to say I don’t agree?). But this morning’s post was pretty bad. The Yankees represent jingoism? Have you ever lived anywhere other than NYC? This post sounded more like you telling non-politically correct Americans they “can go f**k themselves”. I saw your post at first and initially thought “cool, a Mets fan is blasting the Yankees!” and was instead treated to “America’s chickens are coming home to roost”. I am now taking your website out of my bookmarks list.
#60 by lwiedy on 09.22.08 10:59 am |
We may have to add “Seahawks wore a plain silver helmet” to the list with green dot, et al.
#61 by Brandon on 09.22.08 11:02 am |
I agree with Paul’s comments on Yankee stadium being part of the corporate machine. Being only 23 and never have been to NY, I have never seen Yankee stadium in person, but the advertising is not lost on me when I see it on TV. They go on and on about how majestic Yankee Stadium is, but look to the outfield with all the modern day ads and all of that is lost on me. I’m sure all of this advertising will make its way to the new park. Thats what makes Fenway Park and Wrigley Field so great. They aren’t free from ads, but they aren’t dominated by them either keeping that historic charm.
#62 by jesse on 09.22.08 11:03 am |
I went to Yankee Stadium this year for the first and only time…
God Bless America. I hate this generally and I really hate it during the Seventh Inning Stretch. But I will say I thought the fact that Yankees coming out of the dug out during it was a really nice touch, and I was impressed at how quickly they moved it along the day I was there. They simply played a canned version that moves quick and got on with the game.
In terms of the fans and employees, I heard horror stories, but while they weren’t necessarily the friendliest people I ever encountered, they were polite and generally respectful fans.
I was really impressed at how much deference the Yankee players show to the fans in terms of acknowledging cheers, etc.
On the whole though, as much as I really wanted to be impressed, I wasn’t. It seemed like Veterans Stadium with a better PR guy to me. If I am a Yankee fan, I am looking forward to the new stadium, because I am already getting charged a fortune, at least at the new place you might get a little more for your money.
#63 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 11:04 am |
I have a busy day today (and I’m heading out at about 4pm, won’t be back until midnight-ish) and may not have time to respond to all the blowback. Three major points, though:
1) The whole “This isn’t why I come here” or “If I wanted this crap, I’d go to…” line of argument is a red herring. I’m sorry Uni Watch isn’t exactly what you want it to be every single day. The fact is, I came here today to talk about Yankee Stadium, which I see as a fairly perfect metaphor for American empire. Not your cuppa? No problem. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop writing what’s on my mind.
2) It’s fascinating to see today’s content described as “partisan,” “leftist,” etc. I didn’t mention the political parties, I didn’t mention the presidential candidates, nothing like that. Seems to me that the economic meltdown is something that affects ALL of us. High ticket prices affect ALL of us. Racism, whether or not you think it’s germane to this web site, is bad for ALL of us. If you think these are partisan issues, it says a lot more about your politics than it does about mine. (UPDATE: I realize now that I did take a cheap shot at Giuliani. OK, that’s a fair criticism.)
3) I can assure you that this has nothing about me being a Mets fan. For the record: I’m no fan of the Wilpons, I cringe at the very sound of the name “Citi Field,” and my embarrassment over the Mets’ longstanding marketing approach (best described as suburban lite) is well-documented. Yes, the Yankees are a much more successful franchise than the Mets. Yes, they were a much better team than the Mets in 2000 (and would’ve won that World Series even if Timo had run harder). Yes, Yankee Stadium is a much more historic and important ballpark than Shea (although Shea is more important to me personally, simply because I’m a Mets fan). But none of that has anything to do with my feelings about Yankee Stadium as a cultural signifier.
Sports are complex. That’s why they’re so powerful. That’s why baseball is “the national pastime.” It isn’t always as simple as saying, “I really like stirrups and hate purple.”
#64 by Teebz on 09.22.08 11:05 am |
And this entire outcry and rage towards Paul’s commentary towards The Evil Empire is why I follow hockey.
While the commissioner and owners may be somewhat corrupt, the product on the ice is still bigger than everything else. And that’s what “sport” is entirely about.
#65 by jeag on 09.22.08 11:05 am |
“a white-majority populace?” WTF was that? You won’t invoke my white guilt on Uni Watch, Lukas. I won’t let you.
#66 by RS Rogers on 09.22.08 11:06 am |
I’d just like to mention what a class act the Potomac Nationals organization is. (Now, every minor-league back office I’ve ever interacted with has been an impressive class act, but the Quad Cities River Bandits didn’t write in to Paul today, so there.) Anyway, my wife and I took a neighbor couple to a P-Nats game last month. The wife of the couple noticed in the fourth inning that a diamond had fallen out of an anniversary ring her husband had recently given her, and she was panicked. Looked all around the seats (true fact: pretzel salt looks exactly like a lost diamond when you’re looking for a lost diamond at a ballgame) and where we’d walked behind the stands. No luck.
So we left a note with the team office to the effect of, “We lost a tiny diamond while sitting in Section 9, so if you happen to find it …” But let me tell you, when you write that note, you don’t really expect anything to come of it. I mean, we’d already looked and not found the thing, and what are the odds that anyone else could find it? For all we knew, the stone fell out while we were walking on the warning track before the game when they let some fans on the field, and you’re just not going to find a tiny diamond lost on a baseball diamond.
That was Sunday night. Monday morning, my neighbor gets a call from the P-Nats office. A staffer went out with a flashlight after the game and found the diamond in the bleachers. The team mailed it securely to her, and what had become a complete crying-in-the-car-on-the-way-home disaster became a happy story my neighbors will be telling for years.
Also, my wife and I are totally switching our season tickets from the big-league Nats to the P-Nats for 2009. I hope to see that pillbox Dukes cap on display at the park!
#67 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 11:06 am |
extremely busy here (work) today…(i know you’re all like “sweet”)…
but i think PL’s column today was absolutely perfect…
many took offense to it and most took it literally…and from that perspective it hit its mark
well done i say
#68 by Teebz on 09.22.08 11:07 am |
You know that red X in the upper right-hand corner? Click it and wait a day. I guarantee you that something else will be printed where you normally read via your reflexes.
#69 by John Paul Jones on 09.22.08 11:09 am |
One other point (and hopefully better spelled than my first post of the morning) is for all the crying about “Big Business” and “bullying” –the Yanks pay the luxury tax along with the METS, Sox and Dodgers and that money is pooled and given out to other teams in smaller markets to help them stay profitable (god knows the Royals don’t spend the money on talent). Maybe you didn’t mention that aspect Paul because you are comfortable with the “soak the rich” aspect of MLB.
#70 by jesse on 09.22.08 11:09 am |
We’re the goddamn Yankees, and the rest of you can go fuck yourselves.
Put that on a T-Shirt, and I’ll buy one.
#71 by Adam on 09.22.08 11:10 am |
“But by the time they do the 27-minute-long rendition of “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch (which they still insist on doing for every freaking game)”
Yes, it is so annoying to have to listen to a patriotic song instead of some semi-celebrity stumble through “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”. Us stupid, patriotic Americans, how dare we enjoy something that truly reps people who still give a shit about their country?
Go move to fucking Canada with the rest of the self-loathing citizens.
#72 by MV on 09.22.08 11:11 am |
Coach (#33) and tomeboy (#44) said it best. Love this site, read it daily, but not for articles like this. Your political commentary is so mis-guided it is not even worth recognizing. Having been in that building you loathe so deeply last night, I can tell you it has an undeniable mystique - an aura Shea and other stadiums dream to have. There were baseball fans in attendance last night, not just Yankees fans, and they were there to be part of something special. Orioles fans were on their feet applauding the HOF’s introduced prior to the game - which is impressive considering the Yankee fan invasion on Camden Yards for every game down there. It was not just another closing of a stadium. It was the closing of “The Stadium.” As a fan of the game and its history, I am glad I can say “I was there.” FYI - the extended version of God Bless America is not done every night, only on special occassions. Most nights it is a recording by Kate Smith, which is not dragged out. As an American, I really don’t have an issue with standing for a patriotic song twice during the night.
#73 by Nate on 09.22.08 11:13 am |
two things: first- checked out the nfl jersey fan site, nothing special at all, I won’t return.
Second, as to the Yankees remarks, saying the Yankees are tied to an out-moded idea of America is interesting, but here it is underdeveloped and seem narrow-minded in the space you provide for them. You aren’t necessarily wrong, but I think you did it poorly here, and in the process fell back on some pretty small-minded ideas about what the US is like outside of NYC.
#74 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 11:13 am |
teebz?
your thoughts…
#75 by KilroyFSU on 09.22.08 11:16 am |
Bro, your leftist rants are getting old. We all know you’re a lefty. We get it. If you want to get into political rants, maybe another blog would be a better forum. Yeah, yeah, it’s your blog. You can do whatever you want.
Nobody’s censoring you here. Just a suggestion that some of your readers maybe don’t particularly enjoy coming to a sports uni site and being called knuckle dragging racists because we don’t see things through the same lens as you, Karl Marx, and Che Guevara.
#76 by Teebz on 09.22.08 11:17 am |
Oh boy… if I were to start on this… oh boy.
#77 by joe on 09.22.08 11:20 am |
I would doubt that, I assume Shea is city owned, but yankee stadium is private, they’ll sell everything and it will all to to Steinbrenner.
#78 by Tank on 09.22.08 11:20 am |
Why did you have to trash America along with the Yankees?
#79 by Sammy on 09.22.08 11:22 am |
With the Broncos’ orange alts, they used an orange captain patch–I’m pretty sure that they are only the second NFL team to have two different captains’ patches. Joe Skiba pointed out last year that the Giants have both a blue and red version. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
#80 by floormaster squeeze on 09.22.08 11:24 am |
Thanks Paul. I really appreciate point 2 in #63 above. I cannot believe the pathetic “victim” whining and sarcasm of those who do not understand what you were writing about. Here is a tip for those who feel offended, instead feeling threatened and defensive, think.
There is a weird defensive posture some people have to things that are injuring sports. If you love sports, you understand.
#81 by Tree Missile on 09.22.08 11:24 am |
Seconded.
#82 by Shane on 09.22.08 11:25 am |
They honestly look like what the rest of the league are using as practice sweaters.
Probably. I was at Bruins camp on Saturday, and Manny Fernandez’s pads had “Reebok” instead of RBK. As did the center red line and the blue lines painted on the boards at the Garden.
#83 by Frank Mercogliano on 09.22.08 11:25 am |
But Take Me Out to the Ballgame is done during the seventh inning stretch….the Yankees, in the way they do God Bless America, it basically is a four minute timeout to ice the pitcher. I totally see Paul’s point on that one.
Frank
#84 by Kevin Z. on 09.22.08 11:26 am |
Driving an SUV does not make you a Yankees-esque elitist.
#85 by joe on 09.22.08 11:26 am |
I don’t mind the ads on the walls, thats how the old parks usually were. If the ads are done right (old school looking) it can feel right.
#86 by cah on 09.22.08 11:29 am |
We’re the Mets and we’ll try harder.
Well, most of the time.
Except when we don’t.
Like after the seventh inning of every third game.
#87 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 11:31 am |
The thing about ads on walls is that in the old days they were MOSTLY for local or regional businesses (just as they still are at minor league parks). Nowadays they’re for huge corporate multinationals. That’s why it feels so different.
#88 by Duckstyle on 09.22.08 11:31 am |
Seriously, dude? Why does questioning something automatically mean a person hates America? I just don’t get this ridiculous argument. I hope you run into a rowdy group of Canadians someday, quote that gem to them and see how far it gets you. Take off the blinders, man, what makes America great is our ability to question, and to stand and and scream our beliefs. Personally, short-sighted BS like this makes me think maybe YOU hate America, and YOU hate our liberties.
#89 by Mark K on 09.22.08 11:32 am |
And here’s the kicker- the new alternates actually DO match the color of the pants but they’re wearing those shells over the normal pants for some reason and those shells are slightly lighter! You can see the standard pants coming out at the bottom of the shells in some photos.
All which begs the question- why couldn’t they have worn shells the last 2 years that matched their original “throwbacks”??
Man, the Sabres really know how to fuck things up.
#90 by joe on 09.22.08 11:34 am |
I agree its better if its local stuff, but I think it can be acceptable if its made to look right. I’d prefer to see the “hit it here win a suit” and buy a “insert local paper here” every morning sign.
#91 by Teebz on 09.22.08 11:34 am |
I’m a rowdy Canadian. And if you think that jerseying someone only happens in hockey, you’re in for a rude awakening in a mall. ;o) LOL
#92 by Kek on 09.22.08 11:36 am |
Huh? An ad is an ad. I laugh when people get all upset at ads today but look at the ballparks of old with nostalgia.
But these companies like Gap, Under Armor, etc are so evil…not like back in the day when harmless stuff like Chesterfield Cigarette ads were plastered everywhere.
Never heard of anyone getting lung cancer or emphysema from a pair of chinos or cross-trainers.
#93 by Seth H on 09.22.08 11:36 am |
Re post 77 and prior: Both Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium are owned by New York City and fall under the City Parks Department. When the city renovated Yankee Stadium in 73 they bought it from the Yankees.
The reason the teams are getting anything from the sale of pieces of the stadia is that the City realized that the teams could do a much more effective job of marketing the items. So the teams are essentially acting as sales agents and receiving commissions for their efforts.
Re post 46: “Leftist dribble”? Is that a point guard who can’t go to his right?
#94 by RS Rogers on 09.22.08 11:36 am |
Regarding the political commentary commentary, I’d just like to point out that this is America, and there was a time when that meant that people understood that their fellow citizens were allowed to hold and even express political opinions. Give Paul a break — if the fact that he expressed a “political” opinion offends you, then the truth is you’re the one with the problem, not Paul. Grow up, and while you’re at it maybe ask your grandparents to teach you a little bit about what it’s supposed to mean to be an American.
However, as a counterpoint to Paul’s equation of the Yankees with the worst aspects of American triumphalism, I lived in Europe during the runup to and the early years of the Iraq invasion. America was widely derided, anti-American sentiment was widely expressed, and many symbols of American culture and authority were mocked or even physically attacked. And yet the very same European youths who would gather by the hundreds of thousands on weekends to throw rocks at their local American consulates wore Yankees caps. Almost to the man.
Honestly, I saw more Yankees caps on the streets of Amsterdam in 2003 and 2004 than I’d ever seen in any American city.
It got to the point where some American expats I knew started wearing Yankees caps in order to blend in with the locals and not stand out as an American. I and some others adopted a contrary approach: We started wearing Red Sox caps, which instantly identified us to any other Americans as Americans, whereas the locals didn’t pick up on the meaning of the bright red B.
(It really worked. Even had Dave Eggers approach me on a train in North Holland on account of my Red Sox cap making it apparent that I was an American.)
#95 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 11:41 am |
ohhhh…you no ‘big papi’
#96 by Shane on 09.22.08 11:41 am |
I’ve heard stories about Manchester City fans starting to wear Red Sox caps as some sort of “Man United are like the Yankees and we’re the Sox” sort of thing.
It saddens me, being both a Sox fan AND a Man United fan.
#97 by Mickel on 09.22.08 11:42 am |
The Lime green accent shoe was worn by most of the team in last years playoffs against the Redskins. Some players stopped wearing them, but Peterson, and a couple others, have continued to wear them. No fine.
#98 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 11:43 am |
this
#99 by Rich O on 09.22.08 11:46 am |
The post may be a bit over the top in parts- but who can deny that Yankees have come to embody the collision of excess and commercialism in sports (and by extension society)?
I’m as patriotic as most I think- I vote in every election, stand and face the flag undistracted during the national anthem and get the words right, I put the flag out for more holidays than my neighbors do.
And when I saw the part about jingoism and the Yankees- I thought it was spot on.
And with any blog- you get semi-tangents like this now and then. If some can’t handle that- que sera.
#100 by JTH on 09.22.08 11:47 am |
The bears wore orange captain patches with their alternate jerseys last year: http://www.brendanmc...
#101 by JTH on 09.22.08 11:51 am |
OK, that link doesn’t seem to work. How ’bout this instead?
http://farm4.static....
#102 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 11:52 am |
Hmmm this is the first I have ever heard of this. Wonder if it’s a league wide thing…
#103 by chance on 09.22.08 11:53 am |
Thanks for the beautiful Portland Beavers gallery.
Gotta love the PCL heritage - if the Rose City ever got a MLB club, I can’t believe there’d be any question as to the name.
#104 by Happy Joe on 09.22.08 11:53 am |
“Martin Gramatica was wearing his wedding band yesterday.”
And unless my eyes deceived me, the Saints’ holder was wearing a wristwatch (sorry, no screen grab).
I also enjoyed the Broncos orange jerseys. I like them much better than the blue.
I don’t want to sound like a ballwasher, but none of us have to agree with Paul on everyting he posts. If you do, great. If you don’t, post a comment and say why. That is what makes blogs so great. Remember, it is a dialogue, but not a democracy.
#105 by Bob Andrews on 09.22.08 11:55 am |
Last night’s festivities at Yankee Stadium provided a great opportunity for a Uni related entry (different pinstripe arrangements, cap styles, stirrups, etc). Instead for the first time I can recall I came away thinking “Paul is full of crap and I just wasted my time here”.
#106 by Steve on 09.22.08 11:55 am |
I actually noticed a number of kickers/placeholders wearing wedding bands yesterday. If you look at the picture of Bills kicker Rian Lindell that Paul posted (right after the pic of Gramatica)you will see one on his finger, too.
#107 by Ian on 09.22.08 11:56 am |
Can someone please explain why Whitey Ford is levitating in the second photo of him?
#108 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 11:57 am |
yes…this is much better than
#109 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 11:58 am |
yes…this is much better than this
WTF…fixed now i hope
#110 by tomeboy on 09.22.08 11:58 am |
Paul - You are correct. Explicitly, your column made no mention of either Republican or Democrat. However there is an implicit message here that a doubt few here missed. To assert otherwise demeans the intelligence of your readership. This should be taken as a compliment.
We are in agreement re ticket prices, mortgage meltdown, gas prices…..I would also go as far to suggest that few regulars around here would support a repeal of Board vs. Board of Education of Topeka. This said, I would gently suggest that linkage of the Yankee organization, rituals and, ostensibly fans, to social injustices and macroeconomics may be more a projection of your bias than of reality.
For those who may construe my thoughts here as strident - they are not. I will most likely continue reading Uniwatch.
Again, best
#111 by Teebz on 09.22.08 12:00 pm |
All the new breezers say “Reebok” on them.
#112 by Alex on 09.22.08 12:04 pm |
ding ding ding….i was pretty sure i typed Uniwatchblog.com this morning but for some reason I was redirected to Michael Moore’s blog
first time i’ve been let down by uniwatch in the several years i’ve been tuning in.
#113 by Kek on 09.22.08 12:05 pm |
You write something that opinionated and then you’re going to bail on us….BOO! Poor form. (just kidding of course! Life is life, you gotta go, you gotta go)
All true, however, when you post a photo of yourself playing softball in an Obama t-shirt, don’t be surprised if people remember.
The Yankees may be what one would call a poor corporate citizen with some of that ticket pricing but fleecing is happening all around us. College football teams charging more face value for Notre Dame than the rest of the schedule. NFL insisting that season ticket holders and single game buyers pay full price for preseason. I read a Penguins’ blog that a person just paid nearly $600 for a grand total of 4 tickets…and was still excited. The list could go on and on. The Yanks aren’t the only participant in this game.
As to the political/social commentary, let me state this right off the bat: I am a registered Democrat, consider myself liberal/progressive of most issues, plan on voting for Obama and have voted for the Democratic candidate for President in the previous three elections (the only ones I’ve particpated in).
However, I couldn’t disagree with your stance more in the first four paragraphs. Yankee Stadium wasn’t anything like 1957 when I was there last summer. I was surrounded by a Puerto Rican family, Asian-Americans and a black father and his son. White America wasn’t the biggest bully on the playground for sure.
Look, I’m not an Yanks apologist (truth be told, I was in town to see the Pirates and throw my best friend a bachelor party) and I loathed the overdone stuff about how great they are. I thought I was going to vomit when, if you recall that was the game Clemens made his return, they played “Rocket Man” because it was so staged.
That all being said, there’s so much tradition I can’t be a hater. I have to admit I have major chills hearing “Enter Sandman” and seeing Mariano come out for the ninth. He’ll always be one of my all-time favorite players.
Maybe they’re arrogant in the sense of the world of baseball, they’ve kind of earned that with the amount of World Series they’ve won but spin that into some larger commentary on US/World affairs is misguided.
…and I thought your Piazza column was bad…..geesh!
#114 by joe on 09.22.08 12:05 pm |
yes it is. Make the UA sign look like it belongs there andd it wouldn’t be as bad. You have a classic park, make the ads look like they belong there. You are going to have ads, make them look appropriate.
#115 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 12:08 pm |
Yup, I’ve been doing some pic hunting and finding the same…
#116 by Shane on 09.22.08 12:08 pm |
Sticks as well (note the picture I posted at #82).
#117 by tomeboy on 09.22.08 12:11 pm |
#118 by Ed R. on 09.22.08 12:14 pm |
Paul has every right to fill this blog with any type of content he wants so I’m not going to complain that I’m going to stop reading because of this post or anything to that effect. What really bothers me is the number of you complaining about “God Bless America.” The Yankee organization has chosen to take about 2 minutes during the seventh inning to recognize that this country is at war and to remember those who are defending this country all over the world. Whether you agree with the reasons for this war is irrelevant, its merely meant to remember that there are people over there who may never make it home. If you watch a Yankee game on t.v. and see the number of flags, etc. in the crowd during the seventh inning its obvious this doesn’t bother the fans at the game. Sorry if it inconveniences you to have to take a moment to remember the men and women of our armed forces.
#119 by Ronnie Poore on 09.22.08 12:15 pm |
The Bills vs Raiders game was the best uni matchup of the weekend. it was like seeing an AFL game from 1966. The Bills need to ditch the current uniform and go completely with the throwbacks.
interesting difference in the color of the Yankees unis worn by the old timers. didn’t realize how much whiter the modern pinstripes were when compared to the old flannels.
#120 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 12:18 pm |
America=Free Speech
UniWatchblog.com =Free Speech for Paul Lukas and anyone else who WANTS to play
#121 by DarkAudit on 09.22.08 12:20 pm |
Seconded.
The Pirates have many self-inflicted wounds over the last 16 years, but I couldn’t agree more.
And fuck Red Sox “nation” while you’re at it.
#122 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 12:21 pm |
Ok, non-baseball fan question:
Why were they off white? Was that the actual color they wanted? Was that as white as flannel got back in the day? Something about them being easier to clean than actual white is ringing a bell for some reason…
#123 by Smail on 09.22.08 12:22 pm |
The holder for Scobee’s game winning field goal was also wearing his wedding band and a rather large wrist watch.
#124 by Kek on 09.22.08 12:23 pm |
I’m not sure anyone is “offended”. I think every single post, that either agreed or disagreed with Paul, embodies EXACTLY what is so great about America. No one said Paul isn’t allowed to have an opinion. Your comment almost makes it sound like the dissenters shouldn’t express disagreement and that’s about as un-American as it gets. (Move to China with that)
#125 by Al on 09.22.08 12:25 pm |
Let the record show that the elongated Ronan Tynan version is not done at [i]every freaking game[/i]. I could be wrong, but this might be his first appearence this season. They usually play a quick Kate Smith recording — I say quick because it doesn’t include the relatively unknown first verse that Tynan starts with.
#126 by david on 09.22.08 12:25 pm |
cannot locate any photos but….
baldwin wallace wore all yellow this weekend when the played john carroll-saw the game on tv. john it self has horrible typography and gold numbers which do not really stand out. they changed their classic-notre dame style look. but if anyone can find the photos-its not pretty.
#127 by Smail on 09.22.08 12:26 pm |
Sorry, not Scobee, Gramatica’s kick.
http://assets.espn.g...
#128 by steve on 09.22.08 12:26 pm |
were it not for the stupid pant stripes, those Blues uniforms would be pretty close to perfect in my eyes. Great job on that jersey.
#129 by ss on 09.22.08 12:26 pm |
Paul,
I’m happy for your response to the crticism, but the reason people accused you of being “partisan” is because you attacked America and its values in a very partisan-sounding manner. What you said was not something complex about sports. You wrote in a manner that made many of your readers feel threatened. Their reaction is not just their problem, it’s yours, and there are consequences to doing that, even if they never amount to anything more than complaints in the message section. Those complaints don’t saying as much about their views as they do yours, as you felt so strong about having to write what you wrote today that you took your own sports/uniform-related website and instead went on an aggressive monologue about American values and greed and how we get what we deserve. We can get political stuff almost anywhere on the internet these days. A usually wonderful website like this provides a means of escaping it. Perhaps some people just don’t want to be bombarded with political issues, whether or not they agree with them. Had your post simply been about how the Yankees suck or how people are waxing nostalgic about something overblown, or ticket prices, then whatever. Fan boys can be dismissed. But it bothered the very type of people that DO like the hear “God bless America” and DO drive SUVs (and because of 4-wheel drive and high ground-clearance…it snows an awful lot in places less populated than New York City). One could write a post about how the Yankees represent everything GOOD about America as well, but that wouldn’t be any more appropriate for what people expect out of this website. Actually, now that I think about it, doing that would be quite brave :)
Thank you for your time and efforts on this site.
#130 by Adam G. on 09.22.08 12:27 pm |
Well not everyone agrees that this is the most appropriate way to honor soldiers and sailors. People are getting killed all the time–let’s sing a song.
And it’s a divisive song at that. Not everyone shares your narrowminded view that “God” should be inserted everywhere and that it’s unpatriotic not to share the (apparently now nationally official) Christianist religion. To the extent that you feel that singing a song actually does anything to support anyone, couldn’t you at least pick one that’s patriotic but not so obviously divisive.
It’s bad enough we’ve got to put up with the flag-worshipping, war-mongering national anthem. (And its first verse at that, which is nothing more than a question: Can you see the flag? Until someone sings the second verse, the answer could very well be “no”.)
#131 by Ricko on 09.22.08 12:27 pm |
I guess the whole Yankee Stadium thing went down about the only way it could, I suppose. ESPN did a nice job of remembering all the sporting events and socially significant aspects of Yankee Stadium, if not the structure itself, but the site.
The Yankees, as they were entitled to do, celebrated themselves AT the stadium. I didn think it was kind of ludicrouc to include all current starters at the end of every position montage, though. Better to leave them off adn limit the diamond vison presentation to former Yankees. Robinson Cano, or example, is an okay major leaguer, but I don’t that I’d put him in the same group as Bobby Richardson and Gil McDougald at second base.
I spent the day thinking about things like the Sudden Death game, too.
#132 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 12:33 pm |
hells yes
#133 by chance on 09.22.08 12:37 pm |
Nah, you attacked him not for promoting one social viewpoint or agenda over another, but because the guy’s annoying. Fair shot, to my eyes.
Besides, not even conservatives can stand the guy. Witness his dreadful showing in the party primaries.
#134 by ryan on 09.22.08 12:39 pm |
I noticed while watching the game, and you can see on the photos, that the style of the numerals on the Baylor jerseys is different for the NOB. The III has a serif and IV does not.
#135 by Nick on 09.22.08 12:39 pm |
Paul, unfortunately in this post you proved that you are no better than the rest of the whiny Met fans. Don’t be upset because the most World Series have been played at our stadium and that Yankee Stadium is a stadium for winners. Or that we have the richest baseball tradition. Like Coach said before me, enjoy your “cheap Citifield” next year
#136 by Art on 09.22.08 12:40 pm |
Paul,
I enjoyed the Portland Beaver photo galley. As a Phillies fan growing up, the Beavers were our triple A team. If you look at the 1983 photo, you will see that “beavers” is spelled with an upside Philles p (circa 1970 -1990). Great photos!
#137 by Paul on 09.22.08 12:41 pm |
If you ask for me, Paul Barrett, I will personally take that hat out of storage and let you take a look at it.
#138 by Wollen1 on 09.22.08 12:42 pm |
Paul, I must protest your dissing of the Broncos orange jerseys. I love the look. It reminds me so much of the old days when I became a Broncos fan in the first place. I was terrified they were going to lose yesterday, and by all rghts, they should have.
My terror was not so much as a result of the actual loss counting in the standings as it was that owner Pat Bowlen has reportedly banned the orange jerseys before because the Broncos tend to have horrible luck while wearing them. If the team would have lost a game that they lead 21-3 at one point, I fear we would have never seen the jerseys again.
That’s right. I’m so much a fan of the orange jerseys that I’m advocating wearing them although my team routinely performs poorly in them. Sometimes I don’t make any sense even to myself.
#139 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 12:44 pm |
what position do you play again?
#140 by troyan on 09.22.08 12:44 pm |
I’ve read uniwatch for about two years now and i’m also a proud yankee fan. I’m also a liberal who hates the commercialization of everything this country has to offer. The thing is though i root for the yankees, not the corperations that make money off the adevertising or the steinbrenner family and the wealth they make off my hard earned dollar. I root for the team my great grandmother told me to root for when i was a kid, a team that she rooted for because when she got off the boat from Poland she wanted to feel like she was the fabric of the city. Paul i love your blog and i love your views in this post even more but please trash the business side of things stay away from the fans who have many different reasons for rooting for the team.
#141 by cah on 09.22.08 12:45 pm |
Buried in all the other stuff is a good point that wasn’t mentioned very much. The stadium that’s being torn down isn’t the original Yankee Stadium. Some of the original parts are still there, but if you take away the propaganda, it’s really just an average ballpark built in the 70s, with some nice nostalgic touches. The stadium where Ruth and Charlie Connerly played doesn’t exist anymore.
#142 by Patrick on 09.22.08 12:46 pm |
Makes sense to me.
I don’t care for the Broncos goofy template and never have, but if they MUST wear it, the orange jersey looks so much better than the drab navy one. Plus it is a nice nod to the team’s past.
#143 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 12:49 pm |
This is, hands down, the comment of the day. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go burn a flag, reread ‘Trotsky for Dummies,’ and answer all my e-mail from Fidel.
#144 by James P. on 09.22.08 12:50 pm |
Paul, it’s your site, you get to say what you want. I have to bite my tongue when I see the political crap, but your site, your content. I don’t agree with your assessment of last night, or the Yankees in general, but again, it’s your site.
Now, onto the uni related portion of this comment. Seeing the throwback unis last night made me want one! The “white” wool pin-stripes were a thing of beauty. I wish the caps they were given were accurate reproductions of the caps the old timers wore in their day, but considering the NY hasn’t really changed in a long time, I looked past it. Though the freaking MLB logo on the back of the caps I could have done without. Anyone have close-up shots of the re-enactors who represented the 1923 and 1951(?) players?
Paul, thanks for pointing out what the hell that logo was on Reggie’s cap! Even my wife saw it and asked why he wasn’t wearing a Yankees cap while he was doing the interviews.
#145 by Al on 09.22.08 12:56 pm |
Because Republicans, through their primary votes, thought their were better Presidential candidates than Giuliani, that means that fellow conservatives can’t stand the guy? Or, because the same reason that some Democrats will not vote for their black candidate come November was the same reason why some Republicans did not vote for an Italian man during the primaries, that means conservatives can’t stand the guy? Really?
Sorry, Mr. Michaels, that the little midwest cocoon you are in provides you such a narrow view.
#146 by E_Ro on 09.22.08 12:57 pm |
Also in NHL 09, the dasher ads all say Reebok. As much as I hate what reebok has done to hockey, i think reebok is hell of a lot more classier than “rbk”.
#147 by Al on 09.22.08 12:58 pm |
Pardon my awful spelling.
“their” s/b “there”
And, to think, I used to edit my high school newspaper…
#148 by Kek on 09.22.08 12:58 pm |
My two cents: post-9/11, “God Bless America” has taken on a life of its own. My personal opinion is that aside from Sundays and holidays, teams should play “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at the 7th inning stretch.
I mean, we play “The Star Spangled Banner” before EVERY game and that’s the National Anthem. Exactly how much honoring America is needed at a baseball game.
My friends and I attend an amateur baseball tournament every summer and they started doing this at their night games. No more “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at all, only “God Bless America. I’m sorry, it’s a baseball game, people want to hear “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. That doesn’t make me any less American. Once “God Bless America” is over, we sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” ourselves and it has gone over very well. I had an old man come up to me and say “thanks for doing that”. And one of the guys doing it with us has served in the military.
It’s like the joke of “security” that they put you through at SOME venues as if to give some false sense of security. Tell me why I go through security in seconds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway yet I have to wait nearly 30 minutes to get through Heinz Field (and at a Pitt game to boot!)?
I said it right after 9/11 and I’ll say it again, when we start changing the way we live our lives and way of doing things, God damned terrorists win.
#149 by random reader on 09.22.08 1:00 pm |
Enough of the semantics. The Stadium may look different but it’s still the same Yankee Stadium in my book.
This is the only Yankee Stadium I know (since I was born long after it was renovated). Is it wrong for other fans like me to celebrate its history?
I was hoping for tidbits about the old-style Yankee uniforms the old-timers wore (I was honestly expecting complaints about the Adidas shoes they wore since they are technically anachronisms) but instead I had to read this biased rant about the Yankees. Can’t wait to see what you have to write about the Mets and Shea Stadium, Paul, when they finish their season next week.
#150 by Adam Vaggalis on 09.22.08 1:07 pm |
Thanks for the tip, anyone else have any leads to where I can get one of these Yankee tees? Online? Go Yankees!
#151 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 1:08 pm |
I’ve got a big ESPN column-plus-video coming later this week, devoted to Shea’s overlooked visual details, past and present. I wish I could do this for every stadium, frankly, but Shea is the only one I know well enough.
When that column runs, some of you will no doubt complain that I’m pro-Shea and anti-Yankee Stadium, but that’s really an apples/oranges thing. Shea isn’t a particularly powerful cultural signifier — never has been, unless you count the Beatles. I’ll be discussing its visual details because that’s pretty much all it’s got. Yankee Stadium is a much more complex proposition, and that’s why I wrote about it in the terms I chose today.
#152 by Talon Lardner on 09.22.08 1:08 pm |
Forgive my ignorance, but were the old Yankees uniform really that sepia toned back in the day, or is it the sort of thing like how newspapers come pre-yellowed like in bad Western movies?
As for the rant, I don’t mind it too much, there’s parts I agree with, and parts I disagree with, but if I were to eliminate every site with an opinion I disagreed with from my daily web crawl, I’d have a VERY boring web crawl.
#153 by Beantown on 09.22.08 1:11 pm |
Kudos! I’m with this guy. I don’t care anymore that being a hockey-krishna entails verbal abuse, and the same sort of reaction from some that being a WNBA fan incites.
As far as Paul’s comments, I’m a Red Sox fan so I’m always up for a good Yankee bashing, but I thought it was a bit over the top. The Yankees are arrogant no doubt, both organization and fan-base, but racism claims seem a bit over the top. To each their own though.
Side Note: Is is just me, or are the System of Dress jerseys getting a lot more spacious than the original designs? I remember when the first batch came out, I was watching a Syracuse game and they looked absurd. I don’t think that those Dayton unis look as tight.
#154 by Mike D on 09.22.08 1:15 pm |
The Yankees have always been, continue to be, and will always be the classiest sports organization in America. ‘Nuff said!
Go Yankees!
The old school uniforms looked good. It would have been nice if the Yankees wore those uniforms in a game this year.
#155 by Al G on 09.22.08 1:16 pm |
If I wanted loony political thought I would watch Keith Olberman. Can’t you just talk about uni’s?
#156 by Kek on 09.22.08 1:17 pm |
Fair enough, I mean, it is the blogosphere and an occasional dabble into off-topic material is OK.
However, when the owner of the site not to long ago puts a message out in the comments that too many people are starting comments off with “not uni-related but…” and that we should try to keep things on topic, then, on a blog advertised as “The Obsessive Study of Athletics Aesthetics” authors a four paragraph rant, not in the least bit uni-related…well, you could see why some might smell hypocrisy and be a tad pissed off.
#157 by Teebz on 09.22.08 1:19 pm |
Can’t you? ;o)
Look… if you don’t like it, you certainly have the right to bitch and complain, but what good does it do?
I’ve never understood why people complain about someone’s opinion. Not fact, opinion.
I mean, we’re talking about practice. Practice… wait, that’s another rant altogether. LOL
#158 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 1:22 pm |
Sigh. A few points:
1) We established a long time ago that fields and stadiums and arenas were part of Uni Watch’s purview.
2) Indeed, I think if I hadn’t mentioned Yankee Stadium today, a lot of people would’ve thought I’d lost my mind.
3) I mentioned some specifics of the Yankee Stadium experience — the organ, the P.A., “God Bless America,” Sinatra, the gold leaf being used at the new ballpark, etc. — and riffed on them. To say that I ignored “what Uni Watch is supposed to be about” is simply wrong. You may not like how I riffed or the direction I went in, but my points of reference were the kinds of small, experiential details that this site has always been about.
#159 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 1:23 pm |
One of the most beautiful things is hearing some old-timer reminisce about old-time baseball. My father-in-law lived through a lot of the Yankees championships and to have him regale us with tales about Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, etc. is really awesome. Never once, have I heard him, or any other old-timer, mention anything about the Yankees having 26 titles, about the Yankees being the greatest sports franchise in history, blah blah blah blah. Those are lines spouted by the current generation of “fans”, many of whom embraced the team once it started winning again in the late 90’s and could care less about the greats of the past, save for those 26 titles and the bragging rights they feel that come with them.
My personal favorite is when you find a so-called “lifelong Yankee fan” who doesn’t know the team started out as a transplanted Baltimore franchise and was christened as the Highlanders, doesn’t know who Thurman Munson was, or just knows Yogi Berra as “that old guy who does Aflac commercials”. And yet these are the same people who walk around telling you that your team sucks because it doesn’t have as many titles as the Yankees. Yeah, we get it. The Yankees have a long history of excellence. They have 26 titles, about 20 or so of which you were never around for.
It never fails to amaze me how someone will root for another team, and yet here comes the Yankee “fan” with “yeah, but they’ll never be as good as the Yankees because they don’t have 26 titles.” Along those lines, I never understand why Yankee “fans” are threatened by “that team in Flushing” and never spare any opportunity to point out that, wow, the Mets don’t have 26 titles like the Yankees. I guess the fact that the Yankees started playing in 1903 and the Mets didn’t debut until 59 years later couldn’t possibly play some role in the Yankees having a huge lead in the championships department. Quite honestly, that says more about the level of insecurity of the Yankee “fan” than it does about Mets fans, who are always goofed on as having “little brother syndrome”. It somehow becomes a crime to root for your team. God forbid you even attempt to make totally valid points like “the Mets won the Subway Series this year 4 games to 2″, because the Yankee “fan” responds with an almost Pavlovian “THE YANKEES HAVE 26 TITLES!!!!!”
If that’s what being a Yankee “fan” is all about, then you can keep it. If it makes you feel better about yourself and your place in life to have a t-shirt that says “We’re the goddamn Yankees, and the rest of you can go fuck yourselves”, knock yourself out. Sadly, being a Yankee “fan” has become little more than an expression of elitism and the “in-thing” to do than it is about having pride in your team. I’m perfectly content with my team’s 2 championships and good times, memories and longtime friends I have experienced and made over the years.
Nice piece today Paul. Good for you that you got to express what it was that you felt on your own blog. Sometimes the truth hurts.
#160 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 1:25 pm |
Here’s some of the other combos they’ve worn:
http://www.bw.edu/at...
However, on the John Caroll website, this was said to have come from Saturday’s game:
http://www.jcusports...
Here’s a pic from BW practice:
http://img.photobuck...
#161 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 1:27 pm |
except the mets will be playing baseball in shea in october
#162 by Ian K on 09.22.08 1:29 pm |
The “semi-celebrity” singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame does not happen at every game at every park. It’s rarely done at the Ballpark in Arlington and wasn’t done at the game I went to at Dodger Stadium this year. But I do prefer singing that to God Bless America…feels more right to me.
I don’t post as much as I used to, but I still come every day for quality writing from Paul and others that I can read for free. And I will continue wearing purple to cheer on my alma mater regardless of the dominant feelings ’round these parts…
#163 by Patrick on 09.22.08 1:30 pm |
So, you want to “just talk about uni’s” after getting in your partisan political jab? Funny.
#164 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 1:31 pm |
Sorry to quote myself…but I viewed the album that the BW pic came from and it is a TREASURE TROVE of Cleveland sports stuff, including:
http://img.photobuck...
http://img.photobuck...
http://img.photobuck...
http://img.photobuck...
Where are the solid brown in the last pic?
http://img.photobuck...
#165 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 1:32 pm |
mr. met
well said, mi amigo
when i came into the office this morning, my 24-year-old yankee-loving co-worker said, “so did you see the festivities last night? guess YOU (meaning met fans? the met organization? casual observer???) won’t have such a sendoff”
to which i replied, as sarcastically as i am on here, “typical yankee excess”
he literally went ballistic, saying something to the effect that “well, when YOU win (implying, i guess, that he had done so singlehandedly) 26 rings, then you can talk to me about excess”
he’s also a fan of the cowboys and bulls (gee…wonder when he grew up)…
i can only surmise that had the mets had the same success during the late 90’s-early oughts that the yanks had, he’d be a met fan now
/kids today ;)
#166 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 1:33 pm |
Where are the solid brown in the last pic?
I meant this pic:
http://img.photobuck...
#167 by Justin in AR on 09.22.08 1:35 pm |
I agree with the poster who said the Bills vs. Raiders game was a visually perfect game.
Speaking of the Raiders, Lane Kiffin is supposed to be fired today. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob Ryan is the interim coach. It appears he enjoys throwing Kiffin under the bus and he and Al Davis are apparently pretty tight. Anyone else have an opinion on this?
#168 by Kek on 09.22.08 1:38 pm |
Sometimes you just don’t get it.
Sure, ballparks, etc are part of Uni-related territory but it’s a stretch to say your opening four paragraphs are really in the spirit of that. You used the blog as your personal soapbox to put your opinion our there. Look, I already said I disagree and think you’re views are a little misguided. Do I want you to stop speaking your mind on topics uni and non-uni related? No effin’ way.
Sometimes you just come off as the guy that says he’s all about free exchange of opinion, open dialogue, etc but the second someone doesn’t see it your way, you take your ball and go home.
I’ve learned a long time ago you’re going to do what the fuck you want to do anyway. So people saying “I don’t come here for politics”, give it up. Not going to happen.
#169 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 1:38 pm |
Since it came up during the olympics:
http://www.iht.com/a...
#170 by jesse on 09.22.08 1:39 pm |
the Mets won the Subway Series this year 4 games to 2″, because the Yankee “fan†responds with an almost Pavlovian THE YANKEES HAVE 26 TITLES!!!!!
Lincoln Financial Field Bathroom at the conclusion of yesterday’s game…
Eagles fan: STEELERS SUCK!
Steelers Fan: Yeah but we’ve got FIVE RINGS!!
Different Eagles Fan: That’s true, you should put them in the game and see if they can block better than your offensive line.
#171 by Beeker on 09.22.08 1:40 pm |
Just a few Monday comments.
1) Over the weekend I watched the Raiders/Bills game and during the post-game news conferencesce, I noticed that one of the Raiders coaches was wearing a GU pin on the collar of his white Radiers windbreaker. Hadn’t seen that before - sorry no screenshot.
2) Saw a great video on the creation of the ice for the Minnesota Wild - here’s the link - http://link.brightco...
3) My Alma Matter just re-named their basketball court. From the PR - Saint John’s names court in honor of winningest coach in Minnesota collegiate history. Here’s the PR - http://www.gojohnnie..., and here is a great set of photos of the transformation- http://www.flickr.co...
Enjoy, and Paul, keep speaking your mind, it’s what this country is all about.
#172 by Kek on 09.22.08 1:43 pm |
Had to deal with one of these clowns when the Yanks came to PNC this summer.
Drunk and had been going at it for a long time and finally my brother-in-law yells “Oh sit down, you weren’t alive for three fourths of them!”
Cue of tongue tied drunk guy to sit the hell down!
#173 by Jim McCue on 09.22.08 1:45 pm |
Regarding politics, I just skip past those opinions and check the links and the rest of the uni-related stuff. No reason to get bent over Paul expressing his views on the Yankees/corporate America, etc.
As for the stadium program vendor, all I could think of was this:
http://www.gohuckyou...
#174 by ALK on 09.22.08 1:45 pm |
All history/memories aside, Yankee stadium was a dump and I definately will not miss it. It was dirty, the facilities sucked and it smelled like a piss soaked subway platform. Hopefully the new stadium will provide a much better experience.
#175 by Al on 09.22.08 1:48 pm |
Be prepared to copy-and-paste this verbatim into the comments for Paul’s Shea post next week…
#176 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 1:53 pm |
Didn’t the Browns have two sets of white pants at one point? The one that you posted has a thin white stripe in-between the brown and orange stripes. But they also wore a pair that had no thin white stripe, just brown-orange-brown. I remember first noticing that in one of the Madden games, where they wore one pair of white pants with the brown top and a different pair of white pants with the white tops.
Speaking of Madden, really disappointed with the uniforms in the 09 version of the game. They left out a lot of them from the previous editions. Hope eventually they have some downloads that will correct that; I remember for one of the previous editions you were able to download throwback uniforms, which was pretty neat.
#177 by Frank in G'ville on 09.22.08 1:53 pm |
I almost never post here, mostly because by the time i sign on anything I had noticed has long since been beaten to death.
Now Paul can rant, rave, and spit whatever he likes till he passes out, his blog his rules. He cannot however accuse all Yankees fans of being racist and not expect backlash.
As for the ‘young people are only Yankee fans because they win’ junk let me speak for at least a few of us. I may only be 20, I may have never seen the Reggie years, not to mention the golden era. I never survived what my father refers to as the dark ages (even though he thinks Reagan should have been king). But I understand what the Yankees are and I hate the bandwagon assclowns who can only shout 26 at the top of their lungs. There are some of us who understand what the Yankees are and take pride in that tradition, and no we are not racist, we do not wish it were 1957 and that “negroes and women knew their place”
Paul you blog is something of a gem, don’t let your politics push readers away, after all its like MJ once said, “Republicans buy sneakers too.”
#178 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 1:54 pm |
That’s what I do every single day.
What are you talking about? I’m here every day, I haven’t closed off the comments, I’m debating the points people bring up, etc. So now sticking up for my point of view, because I believe in it, is “taking my ball and going home”?
#179 by Al on 09.22.08 1:57 pm |
Frank in G’Ville — VERY well written.
Especially for a twenty-year-old. ;)
#180 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 1:59 pm |
i think i can speak for most mets fans when you say that…i know i think shea is a dump (facility wise)…it’s also 46 years old…unlike yankee stadium, which is, in reality, only 32…BIG difference
i, for one, welcome our new corporate overlords (citi) and the beautiful new cathedral our tax dollars (or part of them anyway) will be erecting
#181 by Minna H. on 09.22.08 1:59 pm |
Paul, I know you got a lot of guff today for your ‘rant’, (I skimmed, but didn’t read, and I knew as I read that a core of the site’s readership would be up in arms), so I just wanted to let you know that some of us (ok, me) enjoy it when you wax politic. To those who don’t like it, that’s fine, too, but do what I do in such a situation–grit your teeth and take it like a man/woman/grownup.
I DO come here for thoughtful discourse, and not just on unis. Paul said it best when he stated that all these things affect all of us, and it’s just not realistic to parse out everything considered not uni-related because context adds importance and sports don’t exist in a vacuum.
I say this in part because I just watched my state strong-arm the citizens of Hennepin County, one of the poorer counties in MN, into paying for a billionaire’s ballpark, and then they turn around and take money from Target in order for Target to be able to name said ballpark. Hennepin County Taxpayers’ Stadium SHOULD be the name because they are the ones paying for it. Yes, these things matter.
Hey, Teebz, any room for me on that hockey bandwagon? I promise I won’t wear a pink Wild! jersey.
On to unis–I am glad Georgia is wearing all black this weekend. They are one of my favorite teams, (I love the SEC for some unknown reason), black is my favorite color, and the marriage of the two is a thing of beauty.
As for Rutgers, I just think they were trying to put on airs by spelling the team’s name the French way.
#182 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 2:01 pm |
I jut don’t get Al Davis’ animus towards Lane Kiffin. Dude, you hired him. That was your call. And everyone knows that that was your call because you don’t listen to anybody else’s opinion in that organization. It’s not like there were write-ups in SI or ESPN The Magazine calling Lane Kiffin the hot young college coach who should get an NFL shot. Until you hired, I didn’t even know Monte had a son!
Yeah Rob Ryan and Al Davis are extremely close. They both work hand-in-hand drawing up the defensive schemes for the club. Whatever. Rob Ryan will get burnt by Al Davis somewhere down the line, because the only person Al Davis has never screwed is Al Davis.
#183 by Udo on 09.22.08 2:04 pm |
I signed up for this blog because it seemed somewhat charming at the time. But it’s not: sadly self-inflated and fixated on some of the most esoteric stuff in the culture, while simultaneously a repository for clumsy and bizarrely out-of-place attempts at political philosophy. It’s lame that I subscribed for as long as I did.
I agree (passionately, actually) with everyone who says the author has the right to say whatever he wants. As do I. No more for me, thanks.
#184 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 2:04 pm |
Frank in G’ville, you’re one of the good guys, the ones that can sit down with a Mets fan (or any other fan, for that matter) and have great discussions about baseball over some beers. Even though you’re only 20 years old.
#185 by Al on 09.22.08 2:04 pm |
If only to keep with the theme of breaking each other’s b_lls, I’ll point out that Shea is only 44 years old…
#186 by JTH on 09.22.08 2:09 pm |
So where is it in Paul’s post that he brands all Yankees fans as racists?
#187 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 2:11 pm |
christ…my bad
IM 42…and shea is 2 years older…42+2=46?
somehow my math skills went down the shitter…well it IS monday
keep on breakin my balls when i make THAT big a error ;)
#188 by Wollen1 on 09.22.08 2:11 pm |
Never feel like it’s a bad thing to take a “cheap shot” at No. 1 Yankee fan d-bag Rudi Guiliani. It amazes me how right wingers despise so much liberal political correctness in society, yet when somebody criticizes them or their ways, they whine and cry like they just had feces thrown on them.
#189 by Teebz on 09.22.08 2:11 pm |
Absolutely, Minna. The few of us who live in the hockey wing always appreciate “the converted”. Just make sure to bring back the Wild’s green uniforms!!! ;o)
#190 by Chris M on 09.22.08 2:12 pm |
Don’t forget the Bills as well:
Regular and Throwback
#191 by Kek on 09.22.08 2:16 pm |
I do get the feeling sometimes that you try and close debates off by saying “move on”. (Not that you did it today, just saying.)
Also, I don’t know how you can make a post like today’s and then seem surprised that you might piss a few people off.
#192 by Frank in G'ville on 09.22.08 2:17 pm |
Thanks Al,
And Mr. Met I didn’t mention but I’m also an Iggles fan so I have learned to take pride but also take shit from all angles. As long as who ever I am talking with tries to make good points I’m all in, sports, politics, UF vs. your college, its all in good fun.
#193 by dwight on 09.22.08 2:18 pm |
“WHAHAHAHAHAHA! WHAAAAAAAAA! Paul said something:
a)I don’t agree with
b)may offend
c)isn’t PC/
d)is not representative of me or my circle of friends”
Pardon my language - but you can all shut the fuck up, start your own site, say what you want, quit crying, and go on your merry fucking way. And kudos to Paul for responding to most of these morons - when he is under no obligation to do so.
#194 by Happy Joe on 09.22.08 2:18 pm |
Thanks Smail. That was the guy I was thinking of.
#195 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 2:21 pm |
i don’t care who started it, i don’t care who was acting as the voice of reason vs. the voice of nastiness, and I don’t care whose point of view was misrepresented by whom…i just want it to stop…now
#196 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 2:22 pm |
I’ve seen guy like Torry Holt and some DB’s use the biking shorts, but a kicker? Those things are way up on his thighs. He’s such a small guy, those things must have been made for a 5-year old if they fit him like that. Grammatica sure looks weird……
#197 by Teebz on 09.22.08 2:23 pm |
This is in no way a shot at you, Kek, but it brings up an interesting point.
I’m far from being interested in American politicking, but, as a social experiment, why does it matter to everyone what Paul says regarding his views on his blog?
If you find something you don’t like on TV, do you write the ombudsman of that station and have it pulled? Do you ask the FCC to pull the station’s license and have them reviewed?
No, you simply turn the channel. The internet is the same thing - just change the channel.
I don’t hear anyone canceling their cable and satellite connections because Tina Fey was mocking Sarah Palin on SNL. And I’m quite certain that USA Today is still read by millions even though they have an editorial section that routinely rips political candidates and ideas. You simply turn the page, and move on.
Honestly, people, for every accusation that people have made of Paul being on his soapbox, you’ve pulled out your own. Before you point fingers, check how many are pointing back at yourself.
#198 by Kek on 09.22.08 2:24 pm |
Wow. I can’t believe it took this long for the obligatory “start your own site” email.
That’s an original thought.
In other events:
1. What’s the deal with the green dot on the back of the QB’s helmet?
2. Can the refs see that yellow line on the field?
3. Is this American League pillbox hat I find out ebay a replica of something game worn.
4. I don’t know if anyone knows this, but the Seahawks wore a plain silver helmet during their first year in the league.
#199 by dwight on 09.22.08 2:25 pm |
That would be a post, not an e-mail
That would be a post, not an e-mail
#200 by Kek on 09.22.08 2:28 pm |
THANK YOU! Wasn’t going to go there but that was classic. Especially since Chance and I pretty much resolved that issue before Paul even got back and I thought that post was unneeded and simply an “I’m-in-charge” power move. Plus, I didn’t think it was nasty at all, I thought it was an honest debate.
#201 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 2:29 pm |
The reason people (myself included) say “So start your own site” or “If you don’t like it, go read something else” so frequently is that it’s a very appropriate response to someone complaining about the content on a free site that was created as an expressive outlet for one person’s sensibility.
If someone keeps asking me “How much is 2 + 2?”, I’ll keep saying 4, and the answer will still be right, no matter how tiresome or “[un]original” you find it to be.
#202 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 2:31 pm |
check it out!
[/green dots, yellow “c”s, and 21 stickers]
#203 by Kek on 09.22.08 2:32 pm |
My bad, of course I meant post. (not sure why you needed to say it twice)
It doesn’t make your post any smarter or more original though.
#204 by Duckstyle on 09.22.08 2:33 pm |
You could probably add:
5. Kek again goes out of his way to disagree with (insert what Paul said in today’s post)
#205 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 2:40 pm |
It’s funny that you say that, Teebz. Howe many times have I seen this same thing done on other sites? The Daily News has some sportswriters (most famously Mike Lupica, Gary Myers and Bob Raissman) who are, shall we say, incendiary. So much so that every time they put out a column (save for Lupica, who the paper doesn’t allow comments for), 9 times out of 10 the comment will be something along tyhe lines “Myers/Raissman, you’re a hack, I don’t know why the paper keep employing you, your column is the worst crap ever…” etc. etc. etc. It’s amazing how that happens every time. And I start thinking to myself, Jeez, if you hate the guy and his work so much, why the hell do you keep reading it every time he puts up a new column?
It just seems to be that your approach is the right one: If you despise that particular aspect of Paul’s blog, then why do you read it? As someone else mentioned before, why not just skip it and move on to the parts you like? Hell, there have been columns of Paul’s that I have found downright boring and useless, but hey, someone else might be into it and so that column is tailored for that person.
I’m sure some of it can be chalked up to self importance; some people think that the world should revolve around what they like or dislike, and how dare you put up something that they don’t think belongs. Whatever. It’s just easier, and would save a lot of time having to look though 20-30 posts that keep saying the same thing, if you just look at it, and if you don’t like it, just move on to what you do like.
That’s the beautiful thing abou it: Nobody is forcing you to read it. If you don’t like it, just move on.
#206 by dwight on 09.22.08 2:41 pm |
Figured by saying it twice, it would keep an ass like you from bowing up and saying “what did you say?” And the intent of my post wasn’t to try and be smart or original - but to make a point. This site is GENERALLY centered around unis, but if it’s not, so what - that’s Paul’s (or whomever he chooses to replace him) choice - and to disagree and say something like “i think yankee stadium is beautiful” is OK, you don’t have to hate purple and like the Mets. But you can disagree with a point AND not be mad about the content for the day, they are exclusive ideas.
#207 by Kek on 09.22.08 2:45 pm |
Just glad somebody’s noticing!
So that I’m clear, whenever we disagree, rather than say something, we should just start a new website? OK, I’ll get right on that.
Because YOUR opinions are as factual as 2+2=4?
Look for the launch of www.ilovepurpleswoos... in the not-too-distant future.
#208 by Thorold Blair on 09.22.08 2:47 pm |
What position did you play? And when? I’d like to look it up.. Your stadium?
#209 by Teebz on 09.22.08 2:47 pm |
Kek, if I asked you to jump through hoops, would you ask me how many?
Why are you making such a big stink about something YOU CAN’T CONTROL?
#210 by Justin in AR on 09.22.08 2:48 pm |
Pat Forde at ESPN.com is the same way. Everytime he writes something, someone starts calling him names and takes offense to almost everything he writes. Funny thing is, it’s almost always the same posters. Those people who hate him and his writing seem to always post on his columns.
#211 by Walaitis on 09.22.08 2:49 pm |
To the Yankee Stadium bloggers. Thanks. I get it. You either think Paul is evil and wrong, or you think he’d dead on and perfect. I got it. Thanks. I understand and appreciate your comments, all 190 of them.
To the bloggers talking about football, baseball, and hockey jerseys. THANK YOU! That’s why I come here! Keep up the good work.
#212 by Vince on 09.22.08 2:49 pm |
Partisan, liberal, communist or otherwise, you all seem to have gotten your panties in a bunge over a column that reminds me of the high school kid who reads a little too much into his favorite band’s lyrics.
#213 by Mike Engle on 09.22.08 2:51 pm |
The thing about the Giants’ C patches is this: Most teams have a patch of a certain color for the home and away jerseys; in addition, if necessary, they may have another set of C patches of a different color for the alternates. If the Giants were like everybody else, they would have blue C patches on the white jerseys; however, Joe Skiba got permission to use the red patches on the white jerseys for a better color coordination.
#214 by dwight on 09.22.08 2:51 pm |
No THAT’s funny.
#215 by dwight on 09.22.08 2:52 pm |
I meant to say:
Now THAT’s funny.
#216 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 2:54 pm |
We can disagree without calling each other asses. Thanks.
#217 by Kek on 09.22.08 2:54 pm |
There seems to be a misconception that I am upset because the political stuff is “off-topic” of what uni-watch is supposed to be. I never said that I was mad about that. I never posted anything like “I don’t come here for politics”. I encouraged Paul to do whatever he likes. I simply stated that I disagreed with him. Even in comment #156, I’m only saying that a perception of hypocrisy might be there but I don’t think that. Only brought it up as food for thought.
And really, name calling? That’s the lowest form of debate. I’m sure you’re better than that.
#218 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 2:55 pm |
Seriously,
The NFL is in full swing, as is NCAA football, the final days of the baseball season are upon us.
We should have MUCH more to discuss than one’s first ammendment rights!
UW is an escape for most of us, a chance to dive headfirst into what it is we adore.
Lets focus on that for awhile.
Between the weekend fiascos where the lion’s share of posts are not wholly, unprovoked jabs at Bryan, to our recent lack of patience with repeated questions, UW is losing some creedence!
#219 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 2:55 pm |
got it covered
the dude i mention every so often (24 YO yankee fan) is the same way … “we” this and “we” that…
when i ask him what position he plays, he’s always like “dude, cut me some slack, im just a fan”
and this is how i feel
#220 by Scott on 09.22.08 2:56 pm |
All of the anti nike, anti corporate and anti yankees sentiment that comes from this site would make much more sense if the owner of the site didn’t cash a check from the wordwide leader in sports. What started out as a station for highlights now has sportsbars and cell phones and radio stations. Their website clogs up your computer with spyware. The coors light neon signs at my local bar now say espn on them. Was it a coincidence that many of the pictures from PL’s Oregon trip had espn on in the background. Is capitalism good for some and not for others? I am not offended by a swoosh on a receivers glove or PL making a buck. I am also not offended by the occasional political rant on a sports related site. However, hypocrisy is offensive.
#221 by John Paul Jones on 09.22.08 2:57 pm |
Pardon my language - but you can all shut the fuck up, start your own site, say what you want, quit crying, and go on your merry fucking way. And kudos to Paul for responding to most of these morons - when he is under no obligation to do so.
What about the people who have supported this site financially over the years, who did so with the thought they were supporting a venue for the obsessive study of athletics aesthetics and then read childish, politically unsophisticated commentary about the Yankees as a microcosm for everything wrong with this country? Have they not been deceived? What say you Dwight, master of eloquence?
#222 by dwight on 09.22.08 2:57 pm |
Apologies to Paul and Kek for the name calling.
#223 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 2:57 pm |
No. Because MY opinions are what drive this site, and are what this site was created to express. That doesn’t mean that the opinions are always right, or that you have to agree with them, but it does mean that they will always set the agenda. And THAT’S why people who don’t like those opinions or that agenda are free to advance their own agendas on their own sites. And THAT’S why people will keep giving you that answer when you complain about the guy who runs the site expressing his opinions on his site.
Jeez.
#224 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 2:58 pm |
What’s with the personal attacks on people? Why do some people feel the urge to pull out the internet tough guy routine when trying to make a point? “An ass like you”? What the hell did Kek do to deserve being called an ass?
#225 by SteveT on 09.22.08 2:58 pm |
I follow this site daily and whilst today’s post was a bit more colourful than I was expecting, I enjoyed it.
As a non-American, I’m Scottish, many of the points Paul raises are valid and don’t deserve to be labelled as “leftist” - I much prefer to regard them as common sense.
Even in my small country where knowledge of baseball is virtually non-existent, the Yankees logo is ubiquitous - a brand as opposed to a team.
#226 by Teebz on 09.22.08 2:59 pm |
The fact that you left out the NHL shows your political ignorance, Powers. You’ll pay for this. My threats through my monitor should have you shaking in your boots!!! >:o|
JUST KIDDING! But it seems that everything gets spun into which politician you’re voting for on this site.
Keep up the solid work, Powers!
#227 by Kek on 09.22.08 2:59 pm |
Thanks Paul…great minds think alike (see #216)…even when we disagree.
#228 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 3:00 pm |
ok…that first link was supposed to redirect here (comment #139)…sigh…i can’t do shiat today
#229 by chance on 09.22.08 3:01 pm |
We see this one a lot, and it always puzzles me - instead of posting based on vague and possibly erroneous impressions about what somebody thinks might have happened in the past, why don’t we stick to today?
#230 by Skycat on 09.22.08 3:02 pm |
I agree entirely with the sentiments expressed in the above post. If you are a fan of virtually any professional team, you have no choice but to compartmentalize. There will always be a dichotomy between your interest of a team as fan and of your feelings for ownership and its corporate interests. The Yankees, having the largest platform, are the most extreme example of this dichotomy. For fans, it really does amount to loving the sinner but hating the sin.
#231 by dwight on 09.22.08 3:02 pm |
No they have not - Paul is not under any contractual obligation to any reader of this site, because they read every day, purchased an item from a sponsor, or paid for a membership. I may be wrong, I’m not a lawyer, but the site and content on it are free, so I do not believe you have been “deceived”.
#232 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 3:03 pm |
well, matt was only referring to the major sports
#233 by Paul Lukas on 09.22.08 3:04 pm |
Excellent point. Best response of the day.
#234 by dwight on 09.22.08 3:04 pm |
I apologized, it was uncalled for, won’t happen again.
#235 by Kek on 09.22.08 3:06 pm |
Accepted Dwight, I can tell you’re passionate and I respect that, but we can disagree and be classy about it.
Thanks Mr. Met, as well.
I know some of you probably think I just want to stir shit up, but that’s not the case. I love this blog, LOVE IT. I told Ricko in a private email that I’m hopelessly addicted to it… so much that when Paul puts the “gone fishin’” sign up I feel like a vital part of my day has been stripped away.
That being said, I’m not goint to always agree with Paul or any posters…that’s life. that’s what makes it interesting.
Now, I think I am done with this topic and will move on. Time for me to leave work and sit in traffic but I’ll fire up the laptop around 5 and check in with you guys.
Late.
#236 by dwight on 09.22.08 3:07 pm |
BTW - the reason I originally came on today, heard the Georgia ‘dogs were going solid black this weekend. Any truth to that?
#237 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 3:08 pm |
No problem Dwight, I started that before you apologized and then stepped away from the computer for a sec, so it was posted way after you apologized.
#238 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 3:08 pm |
Wow, I leave the office for a couple hours, come back to find the whole place in an uproar. I think everyone had to much sugar today. Settle down kiddies, play nice, and everyone is entitled to their opinion…
Never really got an ivite to stay in the hockey wing, but I think i’ve earned a corner in a closet
somewhere. Minna, you’re welcome to make yourself comfortable, and it’s just a bandwagon if you intend to jump off at sometime :) hope ya don’t.
#239 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 3:09 pm |
SOLID black? as in black pants as well???
god help us all
#240 by Mike Engle on 09.22.08 3:09 pm |
Yes sir
http://sports.espn.g...
#241 by Kane on 09.22.08 3:12 pm |
I fail to understand the negative backlash today’s post has generated. Yes, I understand the reverence certain fans may have for certain stadiums. However, I don’t understand why today’s entry should come as a “shock” or “surprise” to any readers. Here’s why:
1.) Sports acts as a metaphor for our society. It says something about us, our will, our culture, etc. It has a similar connection to cultures around the world. Why do you think it is so popular? Because of the action? Sure, that is part of the equation, as action demonstrates a capacity for one’s and one’s culture’s collective will. No, because it hits us on the level that we most readily identify with, our way of life. Don’t buy it? You can learn more at your local university, as most feature a “Sports as Rhetoric” (or similar) course.
2.) Paul is already on record stating that his interest in uniforms (beyond aesthetic value) is tied to their metaphorical standing as an object of American social relations and its progressive development. His concerns, I believe, of corporate uniform branding is directly tied to this interest, as it says something about the influx of corporate advertising into the private bonds of the American community. These types of entries are part and parcel with his overall concerns. Get used to it.
3.) Stadiums fulfill a similar function as do uniforms, and, therefore, are subject to similar criticism. They aren’t constructed or maintained in a vacuum. They were built to say something about the team, its owners, its community, etc. It serves a purpose. Yankee’s stadium is no different. I love Wrigley Field, but I also understand that its maintained to mirror the cultural logic of its surrounding area, and, as such, is open to criticism for it (the Budweiser ad controversy further serves my point).
4.) Before pulling the asshole card on Paul for articulating why he does or does not like something, you need to pull the asshole card on yourself for liking something (sports, in this case) and never bothering to ask why. Failure to do this very simple requirement of life is what led to many of our culture’s current problems that Paul articulated today.
Always remember this: The practical upshot of humans being unique, symbol-using creatures is our ability to ask and understand the question “why?”. There’s no fault in doing so. There is, however, fault in rejecting that responsibility.
P.S. Enough with the anti-intellectual shit directed at those who reflect on their personal likes and or dislikes. There are many different answers to each of our individual questions. It isn’t as simple as lumping them and their originators into over/under-thinking categories to prove your point(s) of contention. Articulate the discourse.
#242 by dwight on 09.22.08 3:13 pm |
Gracias.
#243 by Teebz on 09.22.08 3:13 pm |
Touché, Phil, touché indeed. ;o)
I’ll be in the hockey wing (aka cellar) if you need me. LOL
#244 by Vince on 09.22.08 3:16 pm |
Yikes! Is there a Cliff Notes for this comment?
#245 by chance on 09.22.08 3:18 pm |
I don’t read that as “solid black”, only as black jerseys.
#246 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 3:18 pm |
Canada already received a slap in the face today, I didn’t want to PYLON!
I will readily admit my hockey ignorance, however because of your Cliff Claven level of knowledge and your willingness to share, I now appreciate the pure beauty of these items:
http://sidowsky83.co...
http://www.zimbio.co...
http://www.zimbio.co...
http://upload.wikime...
So, thank you!
#247 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 3:18 pm |
oh…ok…cuz in the TICKER…paul wrote
so if you read the ticker, you’d know that…i thought you were talking about SOLID black unis (as in pants too)…my bad
#248 by TimGA on 09.22.08 3:21 pm |
Yes, UGA is wearing black this weekend vs. Bama.
And, in the words of the great Rodney King:
“Can we all get along?”
#249 by John Paul Jones on 09.22.08 3:22 pm |
No they have not - Paul is not under any contractual obligation to any reader of this site, because they read every day, purchased an item from a sponsor, or paid for a membership. I may be wrong, I’m not a lawyer, but the site and content on it are free, so I do not believe you have been “deceived”.
I don’t feel decieved at all, I think I was trying to make a point about you being so dismissive of others’ reactions to today’s post. If I’d given money to this site to talk abuot uni’s and then read something I found offensive, I would think I was well within the bounds of decency by cyring “foul”.
#250 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 3:29 pm |
I get the general idea: Paul hates that a corporate entity like Nike tries to plaster its logo on everything it can all the while drawing a paycheck from ESPN, a corporate entity which tries to plaster its logo on everything it can. So you consider that hypocritical.
Yeah, I guess it is, but in the grand scheme of things, Paul has always stayed true to his opinions and beliefs. I would find it more offensive if, after he got his gig at ESPN (which I always thought was a freelance job but I could be wrong), Uniwatch suddenly became an ESPN billboard, with Paul linking his Page 2 stuff while imploring everyone to become an ESPN Insider and at the same time continuing to bash Nike for their logo creep and other assorted offenses. He has never done that, and I doubt he ever will.
Guy’s gotta get paid. You can’t fault him for that.
#251 by bo on 09.22.08 3:29 pm |
why does everyone have to be so negative towards oregons unis. i think theyre awesome. go ducks
#252 by Jim MI on 09.22.08 3:30 pm |
No, Thank you for posting those pics!!
Hockey season can’t start soon enough…
#253 by Ricko on 09.22.08 3:32 pm |
Know what touched me most last night?
Yogi.
Standing there at home plate, all alone. Smaller than in his playing days. Getting more than a little frail, I imagine. A little old man in a baggy suit that is most famous baseball uniform ever.
And I thought of a line I once heard about playing the games of summer…for as long as the summer lasts.
More a Yankee moment, that. A baseball moment.
We can say all we want about politics or corporate America or sports merchandising, but Yogi, from a time long before players were millionaires, standing there in his cream-colored Yankee pins when his teammates such as DiMaggio, Mantle, Maris, Martin, Howard, Rizzuto and others couldn’t be, was great.
No, was better than great. Was perfect.
—Ricko
#254 by dwight on 09.22.08 3:32 pm |
I heard “solid black” on the local Houston station (1560). No authority on unis to be sure, that’s why I was asking if it may be SOLID black vs. black tops.
#255 by Brian on 09.22.08 3:32 pm |
I’m not going to touch on the political ramifications for this article, but I would like to bring up one point in this article.
“but anyone wearing an NOB replica should be barred from such shenanigans, no?”
Being a die-hard NYY fan, I have a bone to pick with this statement. I’m a uniform lover, and I adore the Yankee uniform just the way it is. However, I own about 6 or 7 replica Yankee jerseys with NOB’s, and I wear them often. Simply because I don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on authentic jerseys anytime I want a jersey, so I’ll go for the NOB replicas, and I don’t find any problem with that.
#256 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 3:36 pm |
Whether we love to hate the Yankees, or what the team and organization symbolize, It is my strongly held belief that all of the blame should rest firmly upon the shoulders of one person within the adminsistrative arm of their entity. Someone who has done nothing but jeopardize the reputation of a once-proud symbol of everything “right in our civilization”.
His constant stream of poor decisions within the Yankees front office made him a laughingstock not only thorghout baseball but the world of pop culture and entertainment as well!
Your insticts are correct. This man is none other than:
http://upload.wikime...
#257 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 3:36 pm |
Have you ever tried to cut though the stitching and see if you could remove the name off the back……? if you could do that, you would basically have a Yankee authentic for the price of a replica.
#258 by Teebz on 09.22.08 3:39 pm |
Love the images, Powers. Well done, sir!
#259 by RS Rogers on 09.22.08 3:39 pm |
I’ll try to explain. First off, and this is important, I’m deeply conservative (read “traditionalist”) when it comes to patriotism. I love America, I know exactly why I love America, and I am never shy about expressing or explaining my love of country. What’s more, I am a firm believer in old-fashioned patriotic display. Give me cloth bunting and a brass band playing Soussa marches and I’m a happy guy. I know the U.S. Flag Code and argue the point with neighbors who violate it. I know the words to nearly every patriotic song, usually all the verses, and I’m the kind of guy who by sheer force of example can cause entire ballpark sections to actually sing the national anthem.
And I hate “God Bless America.”
Why? Because I love patriotic songs, and “God Bless America” is neither patriotic nor a song. Think of any other patriotic song ever written, from “Hail Columbia” to “The Battle Cry of Freedom” to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” What do they all have in common? They all say at least something about why America is a commendable example worthy of a patriot’s devotion. “God Bless America” contains not one word of actual praise for America. Not one word!
And it’s not a song; it’s a prayer. Worse, it’s a terrible prayer. I try not to pretend to know the mind of God, but I have to believe that every time He hears someone sing “God Bless America,” He says to Himself, “The mountains, prairies, and foamy oceans are My blessings to your country, you ungrateful little primate.” It’s the kind of whiny, pleading, missing-the-point prayer that when children say it in church, any pastor or priest or rabbi worth his salt will take the child aside and offer a gentle lesson about what prayer is really all about.
Is the Seventh Inning Stretch the appropriate time for a commercial business to force people to sing a second patriotic song? Maybe, maybe not. But that question does not arise in this case, because “God Bless America” is not a patriotic song.
#260 by jesse on 09.22.08 3:40 pm |
Two things;
1. Ironically, I can listen to people disagree about politics all day and keep an open mind, but when it comes to a Yankee jersey with a name on the back there is only one correct answer. It’s no.
2. FWIW, don’t the Yankees get some credit for keeping the name of the new stadium as Yankee Stadium? I mean, they are walking away from what, a 100 million dollars in naming rights fees? Tradition must still count for something in the Yankees front office.
#261 by Bryan Redemske on 09.22.08 3:40 pm |
Or just save up for the real thing. Authentic Yankees jerseys are the cheapest in baseball, especially the home ones. Just a logo and one or two numbers, that’s it. Two of your replicas equal one authentic.
#262 by BaseballinDC on 09.22.08 3:40 pm |
I love this blog, but I’d really be a lot happier not to have to be exposed to anti-American rhetoric. Perhaps you’re too young to recall that during the evil 1950s, most of the world faced a real threat from a really evil country, and the presence of a strong, watchful US was what reassured them that Soviet tanks wouldn’t be rolling over them.
Anyway, I work in politics, and like sports because I can get away from it. If you want to write about politics, please start a new blog where you can explain all the things that are wrong with our country, and which country in the history of mankind you’d rather live in.
Thanks.
#263 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 3:42 pm |
or, you could get one of these…then all 6 or 7 of your jersies will be perfect
#264 by RS Rogers on 09.22.08 3:45 pm |
Regarding the NOB problem with Yankees replicas, a seam ripper costs about a buck fifty at your local fabric store, and twenty minutes of careful labor with the seam ripper will remove the unsightly NOB completely.
There is, in short, no excuse for wearing a Yankees jersey with “JETER” on the back.
#265 by Bryan on 09.22.08 3:48 pm |
Wow, Paul. Shocking to hear your a Mets fan.
Manchester City called, they want their inferiority complex back….
#266 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 3:49 pm |
oops,
Whether we love or hate the Yankees, or what the team and organization symbolize, It is my strongly held belief that all of the blame should rest firmly upon the shoulders of one person within the administrative arm of their entity. Someone who has done nothing but jeopardize the reputation of a once-proud symbol of everything “right in our civilization”.
His constant stream of poor decisions within the Yankees front office made him a laughingstock not only throughout baseball but the world of pop culture and entertainment as well!
Your instincts are correct. This man is none other than:
http://upload.wikime...
#267 by Bryan on 09.22.08 3:49 pm |
YOU’RE in previous post …dammit
#268 by Scott on 09.22.08 3:50 pm |
Um, you can link to page 2 from UW. I think that UW and Nike and ESPN should be free to get their brand name out however they wish. If not for espn i would have never learned about UW. My point is that espn is equally responsible for the perceived ills of the world as are other mega corporations such as nike or the yankees. Bash all or none i say.
#269 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 3:50 pm |
True. But I think also the fact that the Steinbrenner family owns a ballclub that is the highest valued ballclub in pro sports (or could be second, behind the Cowboys), own a regional sports network that is probably as highly valued as the ballclub itself, raising prices in some cases over 100% for some of its more exclusive seats, and opening up a whole bunch of luxury boxes for rich corporate customers, plus the fact that the potential public relations fallout if the stadium were to be named anything other than Yankee Stadium played a big part in it as well. They’re not going to be suffering. When your ballclub and ancillary businesses are worth in excess of $1 billion, $100 million is not really that much.
I remeber the “outcry” when the new Mets stadium was revealed to be called CitiField. There was maybe grumbling for about a half-hour before everyone moved on. I don’t think the stadium could be called anything but Yankee Stadium.
#270 by Andy11 on 09.22.08 3:57 pm |
I like the part about “America’s willfully oblivious descent down the crapper.”
When did this begin exactly? I’m guessing it was when we brutally stole this land from the natives.
Either that or when George Bush stole the election from Al Gore?
Regardless of when it began, we can be sure that when the Savior is elected president in November, he will begin solving our problems.
#271 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 4:00 pm |
I realize that. My point was that Paul links to Page 2 from here with the usual “New article is up right here” or something along those lines. What he doesn’t do is basically be a corporate shill for ESPN, which I think would be far more offensive than merely bashing say Nike and getting an occasional paycheck from ESPN.
And unless ESPN had plants in third world countries where they were paying their workers, in some cases children, pennies on the dollar for every sneaker put out, I don’t think ESPN is anywhere close to being “equally responsible’ for some of the perceived ills suffered in this world as some other corporations that shall remain nameless.
#272 by Duckstyle on 09.22.08 4:05 pm |
Another one. Can people stop pretending to be the personification of Uncle Sam. Expressing ones views to the public is as American as it gets. The fact that you sir “work in politics” and really belive what you’re saying, simply put, scares the hell out of me.
#273 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 4:07 pm |
And I think the day that ESPN gets into apparel (which wouldn’t surprise me), if a team signs on to be outfitted by ESPN and you see an ESPN logo on the jerseys, or some weird ESPN template like Nike has, Paul will be all over it like white on rice.
#274 by dwight on 09.22.08 4:14 pm |
As Reckless Kelly state on their new album:
“God bless America but God damn Uncle Sam”
#275 by JTH on 09.22.08 4:15 pm |
RE: NOB Yankees replica jerseys
Why not just buy a number-free jersey? You can take it to a custom team apparel shop and have a number sewn on after the fact if you really want.
#276 by Luke on 09.22.08 4:17 pm |
Can’t we all just get along? I like most other people hate the Yankees. Having said that I respect the Yankees (to an extent) for their virtual monopoly over the baseball world. Unfortunately they, along with the Mets, Red Sox, and a few other teams have taken baseball and ruined it for fans in most other cities. So while everyone bickers about their naming rights, stadium sendoffs, and vehicles with poor gas mileage; I’m left wondering if ever in my life I will see a winning baseball season.
I realize baseball is the national pasttime and all, but lets not forget… It’s just a game.
#277 by BaseballinDC on 09.22.08 4:17 pm |
Duckstyle,
You don’t know what you don’t know.
My point it that there are appropriate places to express political views. I would prefer not to read them in blogs about sports, that’s all.
Of course, it’s Paul’s blog and he can do what he wants. No one is censoring him. Dick Cheney didn’t have the NSA shut down the ISP.
Paul’s opened his blog up for comments, which means he believes in free speech enough (bless him) to hear criticism, whether it has to do with the color of his stirrups or his views on NOB. Today, he offered a political opinion.
You seem offended anyone would take him up on it.
In short, you seem comfortable with free speech for some, but not for all. If you want to attack America (calling it a “bully” for instance) without considering the full historical record, you’re really calling for a one sided debate.
People who like one sided debates are called fascists.
#278 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 4:22 pm |
how have the mets ruined baseball for teams in other cities?
all those world series they’ve “bought”? all those top free agents they’ve stolen? all that revenue sharing they give to the royals and marlins?
#279 by jesse on 09.22.08 4:24 pm |
100 million dollars is a lot of money, no matter how much you already have. No corporation turns down that kind of cash.
Maybe a guy does, and that seems like what happened here. Steinbrenner, through his kids, has refused to sell off the naming rights. Like him or not, you have to admit he has been very consistent in his efforts at maintaining the traditions associated with the Yankees. Yankee Stadium was way out of date, it needed to be replaced, and modernized to stay ahead of the corporate joneses. Hey that’s just life in America. For whatever reason, the Yankees are the last line of defense against corporate naming rights and logo creep.
Well see what Boston does in three years when the Yankees have vastly increased their profits because of the exact types of amenities that Fenway doesn’t have. Mark my words, Fenway and Wrigley both just got a death sentence, and we’ll see what kind of a job the Cubs and the Red Sox do of maintaining their own traditions.
#280 by Duckstyle on 09.22.08 4:27 pm |
Not what I said at all, way to take me out of context completly. You attacked Paul for expressing his beliefs on his own blog, correct? Then after I point that out you, you respond by saying you love free speech for all including Paul on his own blog. But not before saying he shouldn’t, on his own blog. Make sense of that for me, eh? I never once said anything regarding people that disagreed with his views should speak, I said people that said he shouldn’t speak are truly the un-American ones. So do yourself a favor and get off your high-horse for two seconds and stop assuming you have any idea of how much, or what I know. Thanks for playing.
#281 by Adam Vaggalis on 09.22.08 4:33 pm |
Seriously has anyone seen yankee tees like what Artie Lange is wearing in this clip?
http://www.youtube.c...
#282 by =bg= on 09.22.08 4:35 pm |
Nice language today. Classy.
#283 by Ben on 09.22.08 4:38 pm |
Heres a nice NOB.
Initial, period, and hyphen
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos from Iowa
http://good-times.we...
#284 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 4:38 pm |
And considering recent winners of the World Series (aside from the Red Sox) have been lower payroll teams like the Marlins, D-Backs, and Cardinals, I don’t get it.
I understand the disdain toward big market teams. They seemingly have all the money and can pick whoever they want off the free-agent market. But they share their revenue. Now, if the owner of a small-market club chooses not to use that revenue towards improving the quality of his players and the product on the field, well, whose fault is that?
Ballclub owners are all billionaires. Some choose to spend millions upon millions of dollars on their ballclub while other owners don’t.
And how exactly has the virtual monopoly over the baseball world been working out for the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox the last 7-8 years or so…? Two world titles for Boston and, uhm, that’s it.
Not to say the system is prefect, but really, this whole discussion about large and small market teams really started when the Yankees won 4 Series in 5 years. Before that, when the Yankees were a perennially bad team, there was nary a peep. In fact, I remember people lamenting that one of MLB’s flagship franchises was being so badly mismanaged.
#285 by Tony B on 09.22.08 4:38 pm |
I agree wholeheartedly with everything in your post. Seriously.
#286 by BaseballinDC on 09.22.08 4:42 pm |
Duckstyle
No - I didn’t attack anyone that I can see. As a reader, I provided feedback that I prefer that my sports and politics remain separate. Paul can take that into account or he can disregard it.
Again, I think Paul can say anything he wants. As a reader, I was sharing my negative reaction, however, to the inclusion of those thoughts in this particular place (but never his RIGHT to do so).
I’m glad to know we have an arbiter of “un-American” present.
I think we pretty much know at this point.
#287 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 4:45 pm |
That’s where I disagree. The Yankees are the biggest draw in all of baseball. They drew over 4 million paying customers. They draw the most money of any major league team. They’re not just doing perfectly OK in their current digs; they’re extremely profitable. Jeez, they’re a cash cow. Why did it need to be replaced?
All those modern corporate joneses would give an arm and a leg to make what the Yankees make at old, run down Yankee Stadium.
I’ve heard a few arguments as to why the Stadium needed to be replaced. I’ve heard a few as to why the Stadium didn’t need to be replaced. But if your rationale is “to keep up with everybody else”, that sounds like something the Steinbrenners would say.
#288 by Ron V on 09.22.08 4:50 pm |
Don’t be scared little one. It will be alright.
Why is it that Paul and his followers all sound like pansies? Big corporations and big SUVs and NIKE logos are so frightening to you guys. This is hilarious! By far the most entertaining day in the comments section ever! Paul, please post your take on global warming tomorrow. Please.
#289 by joe on 09.22.08 4:52 pm |
that Yogi shot was probably the best image I have seen of the nights action. Take that into photoshop and apply a paint filter and its a Rockwell painting.
#290 by Paul on 09.22.08 4:53 pm |
Just to try and bring back some uni-talk:
There were comments on Redskins wearing all white, and how some like and some dislike. Being a ’skins fan myself, I enjoy the look. I actually think we shouldn’t have burgundy pants at all. There should be white pants (only worn with white tops) and gold pants (can be worn with both white and burgundy tops). That way, there’s a bit of a balance between classic (burgundy/gold, white/gold) and contemporary (white on white).
Just a thought.
#291 by joe on 09.22.08 4:56 pm |
that a a giant ocean that kept their non- amphibious tanks from our shores.
#292 by Paul on 09.22.08 4:57 pm |
oh and I also agree with the earlier posters about the bills jerseys.
they should ditch the current look and stick with the look they wore yesterday.
#293 by derek on 09.22.08 4:57 pm |
yeah sure they will, mets suck. i see another collapse coming.
#294 by ScottS on 09.22.08 4:58 pm |
Might as well comment, what the heck.
Most of what I was going to say was encapulized by Mr. Met (158) and Frank in G’ville (176), both of which I’m glad I read. Extra thoughts for your digestion, some of which are rehashes of wisdom found above:
There are the Frank in G’villes, and there are the mindless Yankee-fan goombahs (which Frank himself describes) that created a stereotype. There are HOF players who have worn the uniform, and there is The Stein. I’ve never read anything here that indicates anything other than respect for the one, and have always felt that “criticism” such as today is aimed squarely at the other. The main issue it appears people have here is an inability to separate the one, from the other.
Not to speak for Paul, but my impression is that the Goombahs and the Stein are metaphors for the mindless and/or corporate ninniness that he calls out in today’s post. Much like “SUV-driving suburban redneck” is a stand-in for that element of American society which fails to understand why an Islamic culture with a couple thousand years of history doesn’t take kindly to what they consider imperialism.
I don’t THINK I just attacked America. Did I? Is it OK to suggest that some folks around the world with different opinions might have a point once in awhile? It’s even possible that both sides have valid points that are worthy of adult discourse…
Anyway, just because you may drive an SUV, live in the suburbs, and/or be a redneck does not mean you’re being called out individually, so maybe you could get over yourselves and that very sense of impregnable, illogical superiority that the Goombahs and the Stein represent. Again, please see posts 158 and 176 for examples of people who “Get It”. Put another way, some of my best friends are Yankee fans.
If you REALLY need a map, the Goombahs and their “26 RINGZ” are EXACTLY the same type of mentality as those who would hood up and go lynchin’ in 1957. This does *not* equate to saying “all Yankee fans are racist”, no matter how hard you squint.
Finally, if you “came here for the uni-talk”, well, you’re getting it. The sidebar commentary you get as a garnish. If you’d swear off Ruth’s Chris because they put some parsley on your plate, by all means, un-bookmark the site, and enjoy the Sizzler.
#295 by ScottS on 09.22.08 5:05 pm |
Mea culpa - Frank’s post was #177, not 176.
#296 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 5:05 pm |
And if you are going to have the burgundy pants, they should be the matte-style instead of the shiny ones they currently have. It just doesn’t look right for some reason (to me anyway).
#297 by noelamezquita on 09.22.08 5:06 pm |
everything is political….you cant avoid it
#298 by BaseballinDC on 09.22.08 5:08 pm |
With due regard, nonsense.
#299 by noelamezquita on 09.22.08 5:08 pm |
i hear vancouver is beautiful
#300 by Daniel on 09.22.08 5:09 pm |
what happened to free speech? its pauls site, he can say what he wants. im reading it, i can think of it as i want. Personally, i disagree with quite a bit of it but dont deride him for thinking it. you can also offer a counter point if you disagree like i do, but dont tell him to shut down a site thats his and free. i voted for bush, own several guns, oppose this federal bailout because it is government regulation for an economy nowhere near collapse (im an economist) im anti universal healthcare and pro iraq war. i respect pauls opinion but disagree
i love america, support branding on something you own, not on something you dont (uniforms) i can express my views and so can paul. im a capitalist and maybe some arent, ill survive
people need to get over themselves
#301 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 5:11 pm |
that’s a good one derek…
keep teh funni coming
#302 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 5:13 pm |
I think that’s the consensus after today.
#303 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 5:15 pm |
or every day
#304 by Paul on 09.22.08 5:16 pm |
yes you are right, the shiny ones are just.. well they’re shiny.
I remember Paul pointing us in the direction of an interview where someone stated the Redskins will being wearing white on white for the first 4 homers and then burgundy on white for the final 4 homers. What about the Dallas game? We should always make them wear Blue..
#305 by jesse on 09.22.08 5:16 pm |
They drew over 4 million paying customers… they’re extremely profitable…why did it need to be replaced? Easy, because with a newer, more modern stadium, they can be more profitable.
All those modern corporate joneses would give an arm and a leg to make what the Yankees make at old, run down Yankee Stadium. No doubt, but they would also build a newer, more modern stadium, so they could be more profitable.
It’s not “to keep up with everybody else”, it’s to stay ahead of everybody else. The Yankees, while still highly profitable, are losing market share to teams like the Red Sox. The Yankees new stadium will eventually force the Red Sox to make a huge capital investment in their own team in order that they’ll have the same (or at least similar) cash available as the Yankees.
They’re not just doing perfectly OK in their current digs…Why did it need to be replaced? Take ghosts and 250 million dollar payrolls out of the mix and I wouldn’t pay ten dollars to watch a game at that Yankee Stadium. People don’t pay to see history, they pay to see a baseball team, or at least to be at a good place to watch a game. In a vacuum, Yankee Stadium is a shitty place to watch a game, PNC Park is easily 50 times better.
Even if you’re the Yankees it’s foolish to think you are going be in first place every season. Keep in mind, they weren’t drawing 4 million fans a year in the 1980’s when they were not competitive.
Replacing that place and moving on is the right call, from a financial prospective.
#306 by Teebz on 09.22.08 5:16 pm |
I believe, judging by the size of Artie, that is the new Yankees Personalized Parachute.
My god, he’s gotten a tad rotund. :o|
#307 by derek on 09.22.08 5:18 pm |
plan on it
#308 by derek on 09.22.08 5:20 pm |
oh wait no i dont. i have a life that doesnt revolve around commenting on a site all day.
#309 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 5:20 pm |
a real eye opener, that
#310 by chance on 09.22.08 5:22 pm |
The Cubs are Red Sox are trapped by the weight of their stadium tradition.
Both teams have proposed replacing their stadiums in recent years, and both will continue to do so whenever they think they can get away with it.
#311 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 5:26 pm |
fair enough
it apparently doesn’t revolve around witty repartee either
#312 by Al on 09.22.08 5:29 pm |
I have only seen those shirts at one of the stores (Stan’s or Baseball World?) outside of Yankee Stadium.
These are not the shirts Matt referred to in Post #56 — they (example — http://shop.mlb.com/...) can be found just about anywhere.
#313 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 5:30 pm |
Jesse those were all valid points. I’m just glad you didn’t bust out “because a new stadium is going to create new jobs and help the economy”.
#314 by derek on 09.22.08 5:31 pm |
What is so special about wrigley field and fenway? they are just really old pieces of crap
#315 by BaseballinDC on 09.22.08 5:38 pm |
Wow…now THAT’s incendiary.
#316 by Justin in AR on 09.22.08 5:39 pm |
I thought you had better things to do.
#317 by derek on 09.22.08 5:40 pm |
well its just how i feel
#318 by Walaitis on 09.22.08 5:41 pm |
So … uh … about uniforms …
#319 by Steve Sarran on 09.22.08 5:41 pm |
Did anyone notice that in the article about product branding lists the band “New Kids on the BLOG” Well I thought it was quite funny.
Also I searched the word “blog” on this page to make sure noone else mentioned this That word appears like 300 times today in these comments. Unfreaking believable!
#320 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 5:44 pm |
not today jim
#321 by Justin in AR on 09.22.08 5:45 pm |
Turns out Lee Kiffin is staying on as head coach of the Raiders for the moment. All the more reason to hate owners like Al Davis. Stop playing cat and mouse and get it over with.
#322 by derek on 09.22.08 5:46 pm |
i do, im texting
#323 by Alex on 09.22.08 5:48 pm |
If you need a song to make you feel patriotic, you’re insecure. I don’t need that at a game to tell me I love I love this country. And just because I might criticize and not always agree with how things are run, why the hell should I move? Do you pick a new team when you get upset with yours? Didn’t think so. Now please shut up.
#324 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 5:51 pm |
Oh, Al is going to mess with Kiffin. For you guys that have heard the towel story, you know that Al Davis is a spiteful and mean old bastard. Keep in mind, this is the guy that fired Mike Shanahan, owed him $250,000, was ordered by the NFL to pay Shanahan the $250,000 he owed him, and to this this day has refused to do so. You think Shanahan didn’t relish that 41-14 destruction opening week?
Who cares that this is going to adversely effect his club the longer the season wears on? Al doesn’t care about cutting off his nose to spite his face.
Just win, baby.
#325 by derek on 09.22.08 5:52 pm |
why dont you make him, he was stating his opinion
#326 by Paul on 09.22.08 5:54 pm |
I tried too.. I guess we’ll have to come back tomorrow. not a complaint, I love this site.
#327 by Matt on 09.22.08 5:54 pm |
To the person from #216: Looks like Paul would prefer that you call him a “pinhead.” (More Lukas hypocrisy! Well done, Paul. Only names you deem fit can be used. For those keeping score: “ass” = bad; “pinhead” = good.” Here’s the email he and I just exchanged:
4:56 PM (52 minutes ago)
Paul LukasLoading…
4:56 PM (52 minutes ago)
Paul Lukas
to me
show details 4:56 PM (52 minutes ago)
Reply
Thanks, but I’ll run my career the way I see fit. Seems to have worked out pretty well for me (except for the occasional pinhead reader like you).
#328 by Kane on 09.22.08 5:57 pm |
You just provided it, although unwittingly. Thanks for substantiating the point.
#329 by Tom V. on 09.22.08 6:03 pm |
I think thats fine if Paul wants to talk about politics instead of uniforms. I will write letters to his advertisers informing them why I will no longer be patronizing them.
#330 by The Hemogoblin on 09.22.08 6:04 pm |
Not that hard to do. Takes about 30 seconds to open up a blogspot. Takes an hour to open up a forum online. So if you do, in fact, feel the desire to bitch, go do your laundry.
#331 by Mr. Met on 09.22.08 6:07 pm |
No offense, but unless you’re a big corporate client or buy a truckload of merchandise from them, I doubt they’re really going to care.
#332 by kage on 09.22.08 6:09 pm |
Ummmm, nothing to complain about. Just found it interesting that the QB in the battle of the G’s has a red G on the left side of his helmet and a black G on the right side. And to be really picky, they aren’t quite matching…the gold team’s G’s are thicker.
#333 by Johnny O on 09.22.08 6:21 pm |
I really like what the Packers have done this season with their end zone art. They are going strictly with the “slashes”, no logo or wordmark of any kind. I really like this.
Last year the Packers did this with the 50th Anniversary of Lambeau Field logo with the slashes, but I thought they would go back to the “Green Bay” and “Packers” in the end zone this year. Has anyone heard why they decided to stick with the slashes?
I know that Curly Lambeau was a product of Notre Dame University, and this could be a reason for the original slashes…but I’m not sure about this year.
Here is a picture from last night (best pic. I could find):
http://sports.yahoo....
Picture of what Lambeau end zones usually look like:
http://www.theticket...
Here are what the end zones looked like last year:
http://farm3.static....
#334 by bmarlowe on 09.22.08 6:32 pm |
___
Acually, Paul’s column reminds me of a high school kid who writes too much into his own band’s lyrics.
#335 by bmarlowe on 09.22.08 6:38 pm |
______
It began with the DH
#336 by stacy on 09.22.08 6:50 pm |
Just curious, any idea what the record for posts in one day is? Today seems to have really stirred up the masses, cause i very rarely remember seeing it get this far over 300 if ever. And Paul, I like the post today, I dont agree with everything in it, but I like this concept of you expressing YOUR ideas on YOUR own site, crazy. And i really dont like the yankees, sadly i am a Tigers fan and we lost our stadium years ago.
#337 by patrick on 09.22.08 6:50 pm |
did anyone notice that it seemed like John Carney was wearing ear plugs during his post game interview? It sure looked like he had orange ear plugs in, although only his right ear was visible. No screen shot
#338 by Johnny F. on 09.22.08 6:51 pm |
It seems to me that the conservative readers of uniwatch are a bit quick to the defense. Paul never mentioned anything specific about any party. Is it maybe a guilty conscience because of your beliefs?
Conservatives doth protest too much?
Anyway… this is Paul’s site, and his parallels are spot on. It’s the beauty of sports… you don’t have to agree with him. You can come on here, make your points, agree, disagree, and discuss them. Trashing Paul is ridiculous.
Today’s entry by Paul was awesome.
#339 by cah on 09.22.08 7:07 pm |
1. It’s Paul’s blog and he can write what he wants, and as long ass he keeps the comments open, we can respond with what we want.
2. The reason so few people canceled their cable after the Tina Fey skit was because (a) it was funny and (b) she is smokin friggin hot. I think that’s something we can all agree on.
3. I hate the Yankees with the same intensity that people who like the Yankees hate commmon sense.
4. Last night’s pageantry was a moving and stirring farewell to baseball’s grand cathedral and all the tadition it stands for. It will be even more stirring to watch the playoffs next week in eight venues not called Yankee Stadium.
Did I mention that Tona Fey is smoking hot?
#340 by The Hemogoblin on 09.22.08 7:08 pm |
(just had to say my spiel)
#341 by The Hemogoblin on 09.22.08 7:13 pm |
Google says: This is Tona Fey
http://i106.photobuc...
#342 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 7:15 pm |
not sure what the *record* is, but i believe it occurred the night of the all star game this summer…but that was, while uni related, a lot of “in game banter”
i told paul in a email earlier this morning that i thought this was his best column since the “piazza piece” and he’d get a LOT of responses
whether you agree or disagree with him, think he’s trying to stir shit, or just playing devil’s advocate, or whatever, i REALLY enjoyed the comments today
for the most part they were all well articulated, carefully thought out, and vitriol-free…for the most part
i know we all love a good book review (or 3), “gone fishin,’” interview with a seamstress or cup stacker, or reader profile when the uni news is thin, but i for one wish paul would give us a few more of these type entries
#343 by stacy on 09.22.08 7:21 pm |
SSSSMOKIN HOT!! More pics pls!! …..on second thought never mind. (btw i was really scared what was gonna pop up on that link)
#344 by bp on 09.22.08 7:25 pm |
Paul,
You are a hypocrite. YOU WORK FOR THE CORPORATE GIANT OF SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT!!!!! Do you hesitate to cash those checks from ESPN? The same ESPN who has the \”Coors Light Cold Hard Facts\” and \”Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell\”. You\’re a fraud. You despise Nike but ESPN is the Nike of sports entertainment. Don\’t get me wrong, we all have to pay the rent but you\’re a joke. Wearing a a Yankee jersey or a t-shirt with a swoosh doesn\’t make you evil just like wearing a \”vintage\” t-shirt doesn\’t make you anti-establishment. Get off your high horse and stick to giving the details of uniforms.
#345 by lol on 09.22.08 7:25 pm |
Socialism is needed because the Yankees consider themselves better than everyone else (26 championships in about 100 years)? I never thought, as a Red Sox fan, I would read an article complaining about the Yankees and not agree with it. You use a terrible example to promote equality. And like most liberals only whine about something other than making a point and providing facts and solutions. What do you want? What is the point about bitching about capitalism? And just because you don’t use the words “capitalism” and “socialism” doesn’t mean you are not writing about the subject of equal distribution of wealth. I understand you are angry at the success of others and even more angry when the successful celebrate their well earned accolades. You are the same as the terrible persons who condemn the successful and the independently wealthy as if they did something wrong by making money and fulfilling their dreams. And I will continue to come to this site and enjoy it and please don’t stop posting these type of articles. It is necessary that everyone gets to read what people like yourself really think about the ones who have achieved the success that created America.
#346 by Azul Army on 09.22.08 7:31 pm |
You couldn’t just stick to your opinions on uniforms…
Adios, Uni Watch.
#347 by SBC on 09.22.08 7:33 pm |
Mr Lukas wrote:
“It’s fascinating to see today’s content described as “partisan,” “leftist,” etc. I didn’t mention the political parties, I didn’t mention the presidential candidates, nothing like that”
Almost every comment you made that was non-uni or sports related would only have been said by someone on the the left of the political spectrum. (which is fine) The fact that you didn’t mention Obama/McCain or the election doesn’t take away from the fact that your post included alot of unecessary “leftist/liberal” commentary.
“…Racism, whether or not you think it’s germane to this web site, is bad for ALL of us. If you think these are partisan issues, it says a lot more about your politics than it does about mine.”
A complete STRAWMAN. Name anyone here who says, or has said, that racism isn’t bad. Implying that some posters don’t think it’s bad is a serious charge on your part. You need to either back up your charges, with examples, thereby allowing said posters to defend themselves, OR you need to retract your strawman.
You make a serious mistake in suggesting that those poster’s who’ve taken umbrage with your post are doing so because they don’t think racism is bad, or because driving a SUV is ‘evil’. No, what is wrong with your post is suggesting, even tangentally, that being a Yankees fan (I’m not), or being sentimental about Yankee Stadium (I’m not), is somehow even remotely akin to white historical racism, or the country ‘going down the crapper’. Bringing those elements into a post about the Yankees is both unfair and wrong.
Oh, and I think the orange Broncos uniforms look good, and I like purple! :)
#348 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 7:39 pm |
i don’t think anyone begrudges the wealth earned by someone who busts his ass and makes it big…that is what is good and right about america…for the most part, anyone can make it if he/she tries hard enough and catches a few breaks
i DO think the vast majority of us, however, HATE the trust fund babies and idle rich types (see here and here) who feel they are born with a sense of entitlement
now is it fair to equate the yankees or their fans to that trust fund wastrel? no
however, i do believe there is a (right or wrong) stereotype of THE yankees which does encapsulate this thought:
it’s that seeming sense of entitlement that emanates from river & 161st
i think paul captured that quite well and got all of us thinking today
#349 by Matt on 09.22.08 7:48 pm |
You know, you’re right. Despite whatever’s going on with all the slashes, you’re right.
#350 by cah on 09.22.08 7:51 pm |
So I made a typo. Corrected now. And on my laminated list
#351 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 7:54 pm |
My apologies…I can’t open youtube clips at school!
I would still try mickeysplace and any other legitimate high end baseball shop online!
#352 by John S on 09.22.08 8:10 pm |
Great beginning to the post today.
God Bless You, Paul Lukas.
#353 by Alex on 09.22.08 8:11 pm |
Yeah, just like I was stating mine, unless you want to try and make me move to Canada.
#354 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 8:12 pm |
If nothing else, we have, in fact, all flexed our First amendment muscles today!
And some UW’ers have REALLY impressed me with their impassioned, yet logical posts!
In supposedly, “bashing” America, Paul has been the catalyst in illustrating one of the Inalienable rights that make this a great place to live.
However, I still haven’t gotten an answer to my cleat question from post #52.
#355 by noonan on 09.22.08 8:14 pm |
I feel the same way about the renovated Lambeau Field. It has neither the charm or the feeling of proximity to the game that the stadium had before they started putting in luxury boxes. The crowd has become much more scripted from prompts and less spontaneous. Nothing could beat the old lady in front of me starting a “Go Pack Go” cheer to encourage Lynn Dickie, it is much more real than having the jumbotron play the faux funk notes to encourage us to cheer. And, now there is a “G Force” flag they raise before games, who the heck decided fans in the stadium needed their own flag?
#356 by Marty on 09.22.08 8:16 pm |
What was that shit Tom Jackson was just walking amongst. Initially, I thought they were manequins. Then they started moving. Do they do that every week?
By the way, facemasks and everything else were dead on.
#357 by MPowers1634 on 09.22.08 8:17 pm |
well played!
#358 by Tree Missile on 09.22.08 8:22 pm |
Except, you know, the whole underage workers in terrible working conditions for mere pennies per hour thing that Nike has going on…or the fact that the guy’s missing the point…or the fact that the guys information is both biased and inaccurate…you know, the little things…
#359 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 8:22 pm |
christ
can’t anybody here play this game?
if anybody needs me i’m outside banging my head against the concrete…ditch the fucking black caps, socks and dugout jackets and get back to the pins and blues
#360 by interlockingtc on 09.22.08 8:29 pm |
I’m not going to read all 360 responses. Suffice to say that Paul has articulated quite well what I have always felt about the Yankee corporate culture.
#361 by Cathy on 09.22.08 8:30 pm |
…ditto
No you won’t, you’ll be back. And, you will put the bookmark back on your list…you know you will.
#362 by Marty on 09.22.08 8:33 pm |
It’s too late and nobody is going to read what I have to say. It just makes it that much easier to say what I want to say.
This is Uniwatch. This is Paul Lucas’ site. He can do what he wants. Agree or disagree with his points, they are his points and this IS his deal. This is supposed to be a site for people who “get it”. I’m not even a big fan of that terminology, but in context of the statement, I like to think that I do in fact “get it”.
Apparently, there are quite a few of you who don’t.
And you know what? I’m glad the Lakers and Vikings wear purple. Could you imagine anything else? It’s O.K. to disagree and shit. No need to get hellbent out of shape, Brothers. Chaka Khan!
#363 by Ryan on 09.22.08 8:40 pm |
Bruins are playing the Canadiens in an exhibition game in Halifax tonight. Per Fluto Shinzawa, Adam McQuaid’s name is misspelled as McQaiud on his jersey.
http://www.boston.co...
No photo yet.
#364 by Marty on 09.22.08 8:41 pm |
If only this were on “Page 2″… and Piazza was a Yankee!
#365 by JW on 09.22.08 8:44 pm |
I can’t believe what I’m reading! It is his damn site! If he wants to talk about clubbing seals in Alaska, he can because it it his site. We all have free will to visit the site or not, but damn, to get all worked up over his opinion about a damn baseball team and its stadium or his thoughts on anything is asinine. I love this site, don’t always agree on everything, but it’s interesting and fascinating all at the same time. If you don’t like it, find something else to read.
Paul, keep on keeping on brotha! Don’t let the man get you down!
#366 by Matt on 09.22.08 8:54 pm |
No, look at what Paul wrote:
But the biggest part of it is that the Yankees — and, by extension, the stadium — have become such a loathsome symbol of American corporate excess
“Loathsome symbol of American corporate excess” sure reminds me of ESPN.
#367 by The Hemogoblin on 09.22.08 9:31 pm |
Ooh. I’m going to start a junior golf academy with players from the California Golden Seals, and make them the Clubbin’ Baby Seals.
#368 by derek on 09.22.08 9:36 pm |
amen
#369 by subway on 09.22.08 9:38 pm |
Just like post #360, you’ll be back. See you tomorrow.
#370 by derek on 09.22.08 9:45 pm |
i wont be, ive had it with this site. I know its pauls site and he can write what he wants but he dedicated this blog to uniforms so he should stick to it. Enough with this stupid political shit
#371 by Robert James on 09.22.08 9:53 pm |
I don’t know why people are getting all up in arms about Paul’s “hypocritical” stance on Nike and receiving checks from ESPN. The guy is a small cog at ESPN. A VERY small cog. Trust me, I have friends who work full time at ESPN, producers and behind-the-scenes people, and when I asked about Paul one time I got a puzzled look and a “who”? Paul’s not exactly a major player at ESPN.
#372 by Ricky J on 09.22.08 10:00 pm |
Here’s another pic:
http://friendsofthep...
maybe he’s married to Gramatica! haha
#373 by EK on 09.22.08 10:02 pm |
Bless you, Paul for saying what needs to be said.
Preach it, brother.
F*** Yankee Stadium.
#374 by derek on 09.22.08 10:06 pm |
fuck you, waste of life
#375 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 10:06 pm |
don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out
#376 by Marty on 09.22.08 10:08 pm |
Went to Arlington Hardware to buy some electrical tape… It’s all down hill… from here.
#377 by JeffB on 09.22.08 10:09 pm |
Those St. Louis Blues new third jerseys are damn awesome. The non-retro pants are unfortunate, but the shirts themselves are dead on great.
If only they were CCM jerseys, I’d buy one.
#378 by cah on 09.22.08 10:14 pm |
That’s the kind of intellectual intercourse that 1.2 million of our fellow Americans have given their lives for since this country began.
Or maybe, it’s the kind of dialog Al Gore had in mind when he took the initiative in creating the Internet.
I can never keep that straight.
#379 by The Black Hand on 09.22.08 10:16 pm |
I fear that today’s comment thread is an example of an increasingly disturbing trend in the US today-namely intolerance for alternate viewpoints, a remarkable capacity for self-censorship of ideas and opinions different from one’s own, and and unflinching belief that the state is the arbiter of values, and the state as infallible.
In fact, the comments have a nationalist odor to them. Blind Nationalism, from Europe in the 19th century, to some religous groups today is a root cause for many of the world’s issues.
Let’s debate Paul on the points he has made, the substance of his arguments and not try to gaze deep into his soul to see if, indeed, he’s patriotic enough or shares your worldview and lives by your values. I remind everyone, that in most cases, you have never met Paul and you don’t really know Paul.
Let’s celebrate individual freedom as a opposed to national identity. And in the new digital world, celebrate the democratization of publishing that the blog has created. Paul’s column today–and the energy and vigor he brings on a (near) daily basis, is exactly what’s right with the internet, with technology, and hopefully, what can help diffuse the blind groupthink that so often gums up public discourse.
#380 by LI Phil on 09.22.08 10:21 pm |
lets see…”mets suck,”…”wrigley and fenway…are just old pieces of crap”…”why don’t you make him” and now the above gem
nice
#381 by lwiedy on 09.22.08 10:21 pm |
Wow, what a day in Uni-World. See what happens when you leave for 10 hours a come back? I’m only in the 200’s so I’ll stop now and reflect on what is important to me. I really don’t think that color was right in the Yankees flannels. I have found that over time, the color darkens. Perhaps because of the nature of the material. I have a flannel from 1969 that I KNOW was pure white and now is a “Giants Cream”.
I really liked the comment about the relatively “new” mentality of the “26 Rings Gang”. As stated earlier, the guys who earned MOST of those are some of the most unassuming gentlemen you will ever meet. Two individuals extraordinarily close to me were members of the organization for a short period time “back in the day” (1950’s) and I can tell you they were extremely put off about the sense of royalty that was prevalent in more recent years.
Lastly, I posted off the above comment because I too, find NOB on Yankee jerseys abhorrent. I did not realize that unless you wanted to buy authentic, you had to settle for NOB. BUT I’M HERE TO HELP. I have a number of Yankee authentics (they are Russell, but with no “R” on the sleeve) and if this poor soul wants one, I would me more than happy to send him one.
If you contact Paul, he can put you in touch with me. The jerseys are new; I have a number of sizes and have templates for most of the Yankee numbers. You are more than welcome if this is something you wish.
#382 by Matt H. on 09.22.08 10:22 pm |
Has anyone else noticed that Favre is wearing a gold shirt underneath his Jets’ jersey? Noticed it last weeks vs. Pats too. Sorry, no