By Phil Hecken
If you aren’t familiar with reader and frequent contributer to the Uni Watch cause, Larry Bodnovich, you will soon be. He is a collector of McFarlane as well as other football figurines (and has posted many pictures of his collection), and Paul featured a small portion of his fantastic screen grab sets in a recent column. As if this weren’t enough, Larry possesses another extraordinary talent we’re going to take a look at below, a talent which I have the pleasure of introducing you to today: the colorization of old sports photography. I first noticed Larry’s talent for colorization when he posted a few pictures of old football photographs he had done, so I asked if he’d like to try his hand at old baseball photographs. Well, he agreed, and today I am pleased to present to you the first batch of his efforts.
Before we begin, I wanted to let you know a little more about Larry and his work. A quick Q & A follows:
Phil Hecken:: How long have you been colorizing pictures, and what can you tell me about it?
Larry Bodnovich: I have been colorizing old family and football pictures for a year or two. The quality of the original picture has a lot to do with the final result. The sharpness or lighting is important.
PH: I first saw your work with old football pictures. Did you work from old programs or did you know what colors the uniforms were?
LB: For some old football some educated guesswork is needed. I have studied Ohio State’s uniform history as well as I can, so I kind of know the colors to use.
PH: What program do you use?
LB: I use a program called “Recolored.” I found out about it a few years ago when I was trying to figure out what colors certain Ohio State uniforms were in the 1910’s.
PH: You’ve done family photos too, right?
LB: For my family pictures my 81 year old mom has a amazing memory on what color her clothes were even from when she was a kid.
PH: How, exactly, do you work this magic? Is there any special technique, or computer wizardry you use? And can you sort of share this with the readers?
LB: Basically, you choose a color and use the mouse to sort of trace in the selected area. I use trial and error and after I select a color I hit colorize and see how it looks. Then I move on to the next area. I am learning now to use more saturation or less depending on what looks better. Also there is a warmify that sometimes enhances the look.
PH: So, do you start from a certain ‘colorscheme’ (or lackthereof) as a base and work from there?
LB: For the most part I just use gray or grayscale for the background. Depending on how much detail is around the subject. Bottom line is I try and try until I get a look I think is ok to me personally.
Cool stuff. For today’s post, I sent Larry a bunch of old time base ball photographs, and included with them the “Dressed To The Nines” (Marc Okkonen drawings) graphics to assist with the colorization. What follows are the first batch, plus a couple of “bonus” renderings Larry provided me with. Enjoy!
We begin with this 1903 portrait of Cincinnati Reds player Joseph James Kelly. A trip to Dressed To The Nines shows us the Reds of this vintage wore blue road uniforms with red lettering. Larry worked his magic to show us how the 1903 Cincinnati Reds would have looked had we seen the uniform in person.
The New York “Americans” in in 1903 (they weren’t yet called the “Highlanders” and certainly not the “Yankees”) looked like this, according to Marc Okkonen. After Larry went to work, we can see that the 1903 New York Americans would likely have looked like this.
Next up is this 1916 portrait of New York Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson, whose Giants had one of the most unique uniforms in all of baseball — according to Okkonen, their uniforms were almost purplish, with plaid striping. Historians may disagree on the shading, since I believe it was closer to blue than purple. Unfortunately, the portrait is only a headshot, so the wonderful sockage wasn’t visible. Nevertheless, Larry’s come up with this vision for the 1916 New York Giants. For a future post, I will try to find a full-body, high quality shot of the Giants in this uniform, so Mr. B can have a go at the whole kit and kaboodle.
Moving along, we find John McGraw and Frank Chance, from 1911, of the Giants and Cubs, respectively. That season, the Giants dressed like so and the Cubs donned these bad boys. Thru Larry’s handiwork, here’s what the 1911 Giants versus Cubs would have looked like.
You may recall my post from a few weeks ago featuring teams who won the World Series the previous season. One of those whose picture I used was Bill Wambsganss, second sacker for the Cleveland Indians. In 1921, the year they wore that uniform, the Indians dressed themselves in this getup. In living color, here’s how the 1921 Cleveland Indians looked.
In 1916, the Brooklyn Dodgers also sported one of baseball’s more unique looks. In black and white, here’s how Chief Meyers, Manager Wilbert Robinson, and Rube Marquard & Chief Meyers appeared. Those same photographs of Chief Meyers, his faithful manager Wilbert Robinson, and Rube Marquand & Chief Meyers in color, look simply amazing. Oh, to have been alive to see that game. (Those photographs all appear to have been taken on October 7, 1916, during the World Series of that year between Brooklyn and the Boston Red Sox.)
In addition to the National and American Leagues, a third league, the Federal League had a couple years of competition (which would eventually lead to one of the more famous and seemingly ridiculous statutes in existence today, baseball’s antitrust exemption — which, if you are not familiar, is a good, quick read). But in 1914, a player for the named Hughie Miller played for the St. Louis Terriers (notice the “FL” or “Federal League” patch on the sleeve). Through the magic of colorization, here’s how the 1914 St. Louis Terriers would have appeared.
I also asked Larry to try his hand at this 1919 picture of Cincinnati Reds player “Hod Eller” (that’s the way the photograph was identified when I found it, although I have my doubts as the name on the picture says “Allen” — a quick perusal of the Reds roster indicates a catcher named “Nick Allen” was on the team, so I’m going to assume that’s who it is). Be that as it may, the 1919 Reds looked like this. So, if this gentleman were standing before you today, here’s how he would appear in his 1919 Cincinnati Reds uniform.
In the year of 1916, the Big Train, Walter Johnson, was pitching for the Washington ball club (who did apparently carry the nickname “Senators” at that time). Here’s what those Senators wore in 1916. The colorization completed by Larry yields the Big Train of the 1916 Washington Senators looking like this. Magnifique.
That concludes the first batch of photos I sent to Larry. But he sent me some additional colorized ones that are also incredible. Check out this tremendous job of Rogers Hornsby in his 1919 Chicago Cubs attire … Larry wasn’t entirely certain who this is, but he believes it’s Nap Lajoie from the 1903 Cleveland team … finally, from Shorpy, here’s Babe Ruth in his Boston Red Sox days.
As you can see, the quality of the photograph has a LOT to do with the quality of the colorized print. I’ll continue my search for additional sports photographs for Larry to continue his efforts upon, and I’m sure with each one, his results will get better and better.
My special and heartfelt thanks go out to one of UW’s finest posters, “LarryB,” for all the time and attention he has already devoted to this ongoing and important project.
This and That: Did the Sharks and the Kings really participate in one of those “Pink at the Rink” deals? No, they didn’t, but thanks to the lighting, it sure looks like it … Obviously trying to keep a low profile, 3rd round co-leader Angel Cabrera likes to blend in with the azelae at the Masters … First the good news: they’re removing the corporate name “Alltel” from the Arena in Little Rock — the bad news? It’s going to be the Verizon Arena now … Goggle alert! … Take a good look at this leaderboard, because it’s probably the largest scoreboard in any sport you’ll ever see that has not one drop of advertising — beautiful … For footy buffs: City set to kick ManU’s ass … “We suck” … “Yeah, but at least Rbk fixed our socks” … and in Frozen Four hockey, the team wearing red and white won … Are the pants sponsored by H&R Block? … All kidding aside, curling doesn’t get enough UW love, but I’ll give some love to Team Canada’s shirt — that is a cool design (if, of course, you can picture it without the Timmy’s ad and the Ford ad) … Well — the new Bosox away unis made their debut — complete with blue socks — so what’s the verdict? … They don’t look so bad from this angle, but those blue numbers on back — hmmm … I still say this is one of the best sweaters in the NHL … Talk about a a tough call up — everyone wants a shot in the show, but there are better ways to gain a roster spot … Yesterday, I ran this photo showing A’s players pausing in a moment of silence for the slain Oakland PD officers at Friday night’s game — and wondered if the A’s were wearing black socks — Paul got in touch with Steve Vucinich who (thankfully) confirmed that the leggings/stirrups where indeed dark green, and not black … Beuffy the vampire Detroit Cougar slayer (and, for those of you not participating in Rbk’s “Where’s Waldo” promotion for the Winter Classic — he was “Waldo”) got the game winner for the Hawks — the Red Wings wore their Winter Classic throwbacks, leading some readers to wonder if the Blackhawks will don their throwbacks in the back end of the home and home today … Play soccer or join a gang? Tough choice, but now there is a choice … What’s the best way to attract 50,000 fans to your spring practice? Start by not mentioning you went 3-9 last season … How can something that looks this bad from the back look this good from the front? — well, they could still excise the beveled numbers and “DC”, but it looks so much better than this did … Johnny Okray posted a good observation in last night’s comments: “Dave Bush hit Cubs backup catcher Koyie Hill on his foot during his first at bat. The next time up, there was a huge hole in Hill’s shoe with his toes sticking out. I don’t know if he fixed it or got new spikes later in the game. But doesn’t that got to feel weird to have a hole in your cleat? Nice New Balance kicks though.” … And finally, from UW Prexy Paul Lukas, Corey Wimberly fans have a new hero to champion — that’s pitcher Josh Outman, and goddam those are some beautiful lower leg stylings! Thanks Paul.
Enjoy your Sunday, especially for those of you for whom this is the holiest of Holy days — Masters Sunday, of course.
#1 by Stuby on 04.12.09 7:31 am |
Wow, Larry, a truly amazing job. Those photos take on a whole new life. Thanks for the excellent work – I want more!!
Phil, I guess we should just be thankful that the Nats didn’t use the same wacky number font for the NOB, a la the Rangers or Reds.
#2 by jesse on 04.12.09 7:56 am |
Nice post, the photos are great. Note to Red Sox brass: They’re called the RED Sox, dumbasses.
#3 by Steve on 04.12.09 8:10 am |
Re: Koyie Hill’s toe hole:
Is it possible his toe/foot got a little swollen after being hit so they sliced the shoe open to give it some room?
#4 by JTH on 04.12.09 8:58 am |
Isn’t a this a larger scoreboard without advertising?
Uh… never mind.
#5 by Ricko on 04.12.09 9:09 am |
Steve said:
Almost certainly that’s what it was. Starting in the mid-’60s Lance Alworth almost ALWAYS had his cleats “violated” so that there was no pressure on his big toes. Evidently he just didn’t want to go to a larger size.
http://imagecache5.a...
—Ricko
#6 by Ricko on 04.12.09 9:22 am |
Great, great stuff, Larry B! SO much fun to see and image those unis in color.
Would love a look at some ’30s or even ’40s images, too. Not a lot of color around from that era, either. And, as I’ve mentioned before, first seasons of AFL.
—Ricko
#7 by Jeremy Brahm on 04.12.09 9:34 am |
Pictures from the Nike Hoop Summit game in Portland last night. I went and saw the World team come out during warm-ups with two tone gray shorts, lighter gray on the front and a dark gray on the back. I was wondering if they would go with the same tops or a different color. Sadly, it was like watching the Nets from the front and the Mavs from the back.
Each player had his country name on the front with their flag patch over their heart.
http://www.oregonliv...
#8 by u2-horn on 04.12.09 9:56 am |
separated at birth?
http://farm4.static....
http://www.musichear...
#9 by Jeff E. on 04.12.09 10:25 am |
Those photos take on a surreal look with the “colored-in” player and the black & white background. Excellent work!
#10 by Stuby on 04.12.09 10:26 am |
Hey Phil, here’s a good shot of a complete 1916 NY Giants uni…
http://z.lee28.tripo...
#11 by Mike R on 04.12.09 10:34 am |
Sorry Paul. The Leaderboards by 1 and 18 at Augusta are definitely bigger and still ad-free.
#12 by Mike Engle on 04.12.09 10:34 am |
Ivan Rodriguez, a forgotten member of the brimless catcher brigade?
#13 by Josh Petty on 04.12.09 11:43 am |
Steve said:
He got hit in the toe one of the days before, so his toe hole is there because of a sore toe. He’s only playing because Soto is also hurt.
#14 by interlockingtc on 04.12.09 11:44 am |
Those colorizations are cool. Nice work!
#15 by LI Phil on 04.12.09 11:55 am |
Stuby said:
thanks, stu
will send that to larry!
#16 by Mark on 04.12.09 12:06 pm |
Twins Getting New Uniforms:
http://www.startribu...
But with Target Field opening next April, the Twins are considering a long overdue uniform update. They have until May 31 to submit their 2010 uniform plans to Major League Baseball, and there are plans to unveil the changes this fall.
“It’s safe to say everything is on the table, but there will not be wholesale change,” Twins president Dave St. Peter said.
Mock-Ups:
http://sportsmn.blog...
#17 by Cole on 04.12.09 12:29 pm |
I count three things wrong with this:
1. Obviously, the number.
2. Flyers authentic lettering? Um, no.
3. Vintage Devils throwback? With the exception of switching from green to black, there is no “Devils” throwback.
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
#18 by Nick on 04.12.09 12:35 pm |
Larry,
Great job on, yes, Nap Lajoie and all the rest.
Nick
#19 by Morty on 04.12.09 1:05 pm |
Bigger ad-free scoreboard here. At least, I think it’s ad-free – I can’t find a single photo where the rotating panels at the bottom are promoting anything other than the school or the game.
#20 by Skycat on 04.12.09 1:24 pm |
Although I generally like the Red Sox road unis, I wonder if there will be a similar outcry about the Red Sox wearing blue socks as there is for the “Big Blue” Giants wearing predominately white and red for their road unis.
#21 by LarryB on 04.12.09 1:40 pm |
http://img.photobuck...
http://img.photobuck...
My mom on the right in the tan dress.
Thanks to all who enjoyed my work. I figured since I mentioned my 81 year old mom and her memory for her out fits I would post these 2 pics.
She knew the exact shades and colors and even her shoes in the top photo when she was a kid. She is like the Rain Man of her old clothes.
Too bad she did not have access to college football games in the 1930’s or NFL. She would have been able to help Timmy B with his NFL project.
She watches QVC a lot and is still buying nice outfits.
#22 by Glen H on 04.12.09 2:06 pm |
Larry and Phil, thanks for getting together on those pictures. They are truly delightful. I am not a Red (Blue) Sawks fan by any means, nor have I ever been a big fan of Babe but this picture made me stop and look for 5 minutes. Along with the plaid Brooklyn pic, I would like to see this one full lenght.
#23 by =bg= on 04.12.09 2:12 pm |
Mark said:
Can you imagine the sheer # of target bullseyes on this place once it opens? Boggles the mind.
#24 by concealed78 on 04.12.09 2:13 pm |
Sacrilegious that the Red Sox are wearing navy blue socks. But then again, the White Sox wear black socks. Both things need to be corrected. I have a feeling the only Twins changes might be the removal of pinstripes. I really don’t care for their current homes or roads.
#25 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 04.12.09 2:38 pm |
Fine work Larry!!!! Another top notch post Phil!
I really do like the look of the Red Sox road uni…but navy socks are a bit blasphemous.
#26 by Flip on 04.12.09 2:43 pm |
Ricko said:
What would we do without Ricko!
#27 by Stuby on 04.12.09 3:17 pm |
=bg= said:
Love the caption on the photo from the 60s. What are ‘pinstriples’? When stripes are in groups of three. :^J
#28 by Geeman on 04.12.09 3:41 pm |
jesse said:
Don’t know why you’d go back to a uniform that didn’t win a World Series and drop a uniform that did; and get rid of the red sleeves and socks when you’re the RED Sox (and red was supposed to be the contrast to the Yankee blue).
–Sox Fan
#29 by Chuck on 04.12.09 3:44 pm |
Chief WaHoo in decline article in todays Cleveland Plain Dealer: http://www.cleveland... scroll down to find it. Tribe owner claims the Chief is not being phased out.
#30 by =bg= on 04.12.09 4:07 pm |
Padres camo today. The Giants don’t HAVE alts, do we.
#31 by EJ on 04.12.09 4:13 pm |
I think Stevie Williams is naked under his caddie uniform at the Masters.
#32 by Stuby on 04.12.09 4:27 pm |
This picture isn’t from the Masters, but its hilarious anyway…
http://www.waggleroo...
#33 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 04.12.09 4:36 pm |
Mark said:
Im digging that road mockup, not really feelin’ the alt too much. Only a few teams can pull off the primary logo on the jersey i.e. Cubs, Yankees and White Sox.
#34 by Jeff P on 04.12.09 4:48 pm |
Red Sox need to at least go back to the red crown blue brim hat and blue and red socks. I don’t care the the lettering is blue or red on their jerseys, but they need the red cap and socks.
Or they can change their name to the “Boring navy that everyone else uses Sox”
#35 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 04.12.09 5:19 pm |
Jeff P said:
That’s actually not a bad idea…I like the sound of that.
#36 by Mark on 04.12.09 5:57 pm |
Great job on the colorized pics…in the pic of the A’s honoring the fallen police, do I detect stirrups on the player at the far left?
#37 by Stuby on 04.12.09 6:49 pm |
I wonder how Angel Cabrera ended up being sponsored by South African Airways. Seems kinda odd.
#38 by Tony in Erie on 04.12.09 7:01 pm |
Correct me if I’m wrong, but when the current ownership took over the Red Sox a few years back, didn’t they make a big ballyhoo over getting rid of blue socks?
#39 by Gill on 04.12.09 7:22 pm |
History of Under Armor: http://sportsillustr...
#40 by mike 2 on 04.12.09 7:30 pm |
Tony in Erie said:
My recollection is similar to yours – when the Henrys took over the team, they switched the colour of the accessories (undershirts, warmup jackets) from blue to red. But I can’t say for sure what they did with the colour of the socks.
#41 by Tony in Erie on 04.12.09 7:34 pm |
mike 2 said:
I could almost quote someone saying, “We’re not the Blue Sox, we’re the Red Sox” and that they were getting rid of the blue almost altogether. I would put money on that statement. I haven’t found proof online yet.
#42 by Tony in Erie on 04.12.09 7:37 pm |
Oh and one more thing: There are two words that describe your work, LarryB:
BAD ASS ! Great job, sir!
#43 by Max on 04.12.09 8:38 pm |
Classy move there Phil…..
Using the G-D word on Easter Sunday.
Real classy move…….
#44 by Paul Lukas on 04.12.09 8:48 pm |
Max said:
You can tell Max is a very holy, godly person, because he’s reading a sports uniform blog on Easter Sunday.
#45 by Paul Lukas on 04.12.09 9:03 pm |
Watching Brewers/Cubs. Now that the Cubs are going with the solid-blue cap on the road, their uni set is damn near perfect. Very, very good-looking team.
#46 by Tony in Erie on 04.12.09 9:05 pm |
Max said:
What is it lately with all the hate posts here? Anyone else notice that? Geez people…
#47 by scott on 04.12.09 9:09 pm |
Mark said:
They’ve got to keep the pinstripes on at least the home uniforms, don’t they?
#48 by LI Phil on 04.12.09 9:10 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
agreed, 100%
amazing how getting rid of the two-toned cap (of which i am not a fan) really makes them complete
/goddam that looks sweet
#49 by LI Phil on 04.12.09 9:12 pm |
Max said:
it wasn’t easter sunday when i wrote it
#50 by Tony in Erie on 04.12.09 9:20 pm |
it wasn’t easter sunday when i wrote it
nice
#51 by JTH on 04.12.09 9:39 pm |
LI Phil said:
Next step: blue numbers on the road unis instead of red. Use red for the outlines on the numbers, wordmark and NOB and you’ve got a near-perfect road uniform.
#52 by JTH on 04.12.09 9:51 pm |
Oh, and black dropshadows on everything. Red pitstains, white and blue side panels? Fuck yeah!
And screw that boring-ass C on the cap. Put something awesome on there — a bear cub eating honey straight out of a beehive would be pretty kickass. Pretty goddamn kickass!
Y’know what else? CHICAGO on the front? No shit. Everyone knows where they play. Change it to CUBBIES in a beveled font with lots of serifs.
#53 by Joe D on 04.12.09 9:51 pm |
Cole said:
Cole better do more research before making comments like the above.
http://img.auctiva.c...
#54 by Kyle@IU on 04.12.09 9:55 pm |
I must say that I nearly messed my pants when I saw that pic of the A’s reliever with the stirrups. Not only is it a classy, textbook example of how to wear stirrups, but green and yellow/gold is one of my favorite color combos of all time.
for instance: This is a very pretty racecar, and this is a very pretty football uniform.
#55 by LI Phil on 04.12.09 10:09 pm |
reed johnson > endy chavez
#56 by JTH on 04.12.09 10:16 pm |
LI Phil said:
All those replays and not one mention of the hosiery? Shameful.
#57 by LI Phil on 04.12.09 10:18 pm |
JTH said:
no…but phillips is all over the crampons
/notice how a guy in the field makes a great play and in the next inning he
gets a crucial hittakes one in the middle of the back…#58 by Will L. on 04.12.09 10:37 pm |
SO COOL. I could peruse these ‘black-and-white to color’ pictures for hours. Absolutely fascinating — very nice job.
#59 by GoGoSox on 04.12.09 10:48 pm |
Killer post. I’d love to see Shoeless Joe in all his real colored glory.
#60 by JTH on 04.12.09 10:49 pm |
LI Phil said:
Hey, you might appreciate the Easter gift my parents brought back from Mexico for my little guy.
#61 by Zach on 04.12.09 10:49 pm |
Watching the Cubs v. Brewers game last night and i noticed that on the cubs batting helmets, sorry no screen grab but they are using bosox looking numbers esp. #7 i’m not sure if anyone can get a grab of it during tonights game
#62 by johnny griswold on 04.12.09 11:24 pm |
Red Sox wearing blue socks? wtf?
#63 by =bg= on 04.12.09 11:55 pm |
LI Phil said:
Some words aren’t appropriate any day of the year. That’s one of them.
#64 by Eddie on 04.13.09 12:00 am |
Can’t help but to think of how a good number of us complain about their being too much parody in current uniforms, but praise the early 30’s when everyone and their mother wore a navy blue.
#65 by Johnny O on 04.13.09 12:02 am |
Many people watching the Brewers/Cubs tonight saw an amazing play when Reed Johnson robbed Prince Fielder of a Grand Slam in the 5th inning. What a lot of people didn’t see was Prince Fielder (after being shocked he didn’t hit a home run) tipped his helmet to Johnson in right field acknowledging a great play in the field. Johnson returned the nice gesture with a tip of his cap. Fielder showed a lot of class by doing this. You don’t see this a lot in ballplayers these days. (See Koyie Hill spiking the baseball in disgust just a few days ago after not tagging Rickie Weeks in time at home plate and really giving the umpire the business) Fielder could have been visibly upset with the play, and thrown his helmet in disgust, but he saw a great play and acknowledged it with class. It’s great to see that good sportsmanship is still going on out on the baseball diamond. I am not just saying this because Fielder is a Brewer, and I am usually biased when it comes to my team…I would acknowledge this no matter who it was, and no matter what team.
I really hope they post pics of this on ESPN or Yahoo. I didn’t DVR the game and I changed the channel right at the end of the game.
#66 by JTH on 04.13.09 12:05 am |
Johnny O said:
The ESPN broadcast crew actually mentioned Fielder’s tip of the helmet a few times.
#67 by Johnny O on 04.13.09 12:09 am |
Paul Lukas said:
Even though I hate the Cubs…you gotta respect great unis when you see them. I totally agree that with the addition (or rather subtraction of the red brimmed road cap) the Cubbies look friggin’ great!
http://a.espncdn.com...
#68 by Bill on 04.13.09 12:09 am |
Mike R said:
I love the pic of the leaderboard from Augusta. because it is classic, clean, and devoid of Elin’s husband.
#69 by LI Phil on 04.13.09 12:09 am |
LI Phil said:
prince did show good sportsmanship, no doubt…
but…why did your pitcher drill him in the numbers in the next inning?
*EDIT* — drill reed johnson (if it wasn’t obvious enough)
#70 by Johnny O on 04.13.09 12:11 am |
JTH said:
My bad… that is what happens when you watch the game, turn off the sound, and listen to Uecker. Nevertheless, a great gesture, and I am thrilled that ESPN acknowledged it. (Uecker did mention it very briefly by the way)
#71 by JTH on 04.13.09 12:13 am |
JTH said:
And they do show at the end of clip they have posted on MLB.com.
#72 by JTH on 04.13.09 12:14 am |
*show it at the end…
#73 by Johnny O on 04.13.09 12:14 am |
LI Phil said:
I really doubt it was intentional. And if it was, whoever put Julio up to it (or if he put himself up to it) they should be disgusted with themselves.
#74 by LI Phil on 04.13.09 12:16 am |
LI Phil said:
you turned off morgan, miller & phillips? to listen to ueck?
/lucky bastid
#75 by Paul Lukas on 04.13.09 12:21 am |
JTH said:
But what they didn’t mention — and nobody here has mentioned it either — is that REED JOHNSON WEARS STIRRUPS! Prince could learn a thing or two from him in the uni department… [Update: As Phil just pointed out to me, JTH mentioned Johnson's hosiery back in comment #56. Mea culpa.]
#76 by Johnny O on 04.13.09 12:22 am |
JTH said:
Thanks for posting that clip JTH. Here is my crude attempt to bring the two great gestures together:
http://i147.photobuc...
And yes, I lasted about 5 seconds into the ESPN broadcast until I realized I really should be listening to Uecker.
#77 by JTH on 04.13.09 12:28 am |
Paul Lukas said:
Actually, I did mention that. Well, I alluded to it, at least.
#78 by Johnny O on 04.13.09 12:29 am |
You are right Paul. It should be mentioned. And just for good measure I will re-post Johnson’s post game jump with the other outfielders so everyone can see the greatness that is the stirrups:
http://a.espncdn.com...
And don’t remind me about Fielder and all of his bagginess. Remember this from the start of the season last year?:
http://3.bp.blogspot...
Goodness that was bad.
#79 by JTH on 04.13.09 12:35 am |
Paul Lukas said:
Nah, it’s not surprising you missed it. As I said, I only alluded to it. It wasn’t an overt reference
#80 by LI Phil on 04.13.09 12:40 am |
JTH said:
plus…nobody really reads your comments anyway ;)
#81 by u2-horn on 04.13.09 1:16 am |
Rangers uni update:
Red hats: 3-0
Blue hats: 0-3
just sayin’
#82 by Johnny O on 04.13.09 1:33 am |
Here are some comments from Fielder and Johnson after the game from ESPN.com recap:
Milwaukee scored a pair in the fifth to cut the lead to 6-4 — but the Brewers could have tied the game if not for the remarkable catch by Johnson, who timed a perfect jump to climb the eight-foot outfield wall and put his glove on a deep fly ball by Fielder that otherwise would have gone for a grand slam.
“It wasn’t a very well-pitched game, yet we still had a chance,” Brewers manager Ken Macha said. “Guy goes over the fence and catches Prince’s ball. That hit would have tied up the game.”
Fielder tipped his helmet toward Johnson as he walked back to the dugout, and the two talked at first base after Johnson was hit by a pitch in the next inning.
“I’m like, ‘Man, I know you don’t want to hear it, but that was the first time I’ve ever done that,’” Johnson said.
Fielder managed to have fun with it, too.
“I said ‘Great play, you jerk,’” Fielder said. “You can’t be mad about it. We still got a run in, so you can’t be too upset.”
#83 by JTH on 04.13.09 7:17 am |
LI Phil said:
Yeah, there’s that, too.
#84 by Max on 04.13.09 12:24 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
Yes, after baptism, morning service, and then evening service.
#85 by Max on 04.13.09 12:25 pm |
Tony in Erie said:
You think that was a hate post? Get a grip.