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