Ten years ago today, the very first Uni Watch column was published in The Village Voice (if you want to read it, here’s a larger version). It was essentially the first installment of what we now think of as the annual MLB season-preview column, except it appeared in late May. That would be unconscionably late in the season by today’s standards, but there had never been anything like Uni Watch up until that time, so the whole idea of chronicling the season’s uniform changes seemed novel and interesting, even if the season was already nearly two months old.
One reason that column didn’t appear until late May was that I had originally written it (or maybe a shorter version of it, or possibly a longer version of it — I no longer remember) for Sports Illustrated. They paid me for it, but they never ran it. It kept getting bumped for “more important” articles, and I could see that Uni Watch wasn’t going to be a priority for them. ESPN had already passed on the project, so instead I approached the Voice, which at the time had a very, very cool sports section. Fortunately for me, the sports editor liked and admired some other work I’d done in the 1990s, so it was an easy sell.
Looking back on that first column, there are three main things I remember:
• The bit at the very end, where I wrote, “Uni Watch asks: Can the postgame interview cap be far behind?” was a complete afterthought, something I threw in on a whim right before delivering the piece. I didn’t realize at the time that I was creating the template for a third-person voice I’d later be using for phrases like “Uni Watch has issues with that cap” and “Fortunately, Uni Watch has provided a handy breakdown” (which I never use on this site but continue to use over on ESPN).
• The Mets/Yanks comparison chart that was included in that first column had to be written by hand and faxed to the Voice offices, because I didn’t know how to format or e-mail a chart on my computer.
• My agreement with the Voice was to deliver a new column every four weeks, but my editor was a little uneasy about this. “Are you sure you can write about uniforms that frequently? Like, is there really enough to say?” I reassured him that it would be no problem. Deep inside, though, I had my doubts.
If someone had suggested to me at that time that Uni Watch would be durable enough to last a decade, or that I’d be publishing uni-related material on a daily basis, I would have laughed. And yet here we are.
Why am I telling you all this? In part because I’m proud of what we have accomplished here. And when I say “we,” I’m not just referring to Phil, Johnny Ek, and Scott Turner. I mean all of us, all of you — there’s no way I could produce Uni Watch without all the contributions, research assistance, stories, emotional support, and, in many cases, friendship that so many of you provide on a near-constant basis. Together, we’ve essentially created a new genre of research, and a new category of design history. So yes, I’m proud, but you should be proud too. You’re all my partners here.
And that leads me to something I’m not proud of: I haven’t always been on my best behavior with you, my partners, over the past several months. There have been too many occasions in the comments section when I’ve been belligerent or had to have the last word or even picked fights, and I can think of a coupla passages in the text that I now regret too.
I could provide explanations for most of these instances, especially the most recent ones, but they’d just be explanations, not adequate excuses. Because really, there’s no good excuse.
This doesn’t mean I won’t sometimes try to poke you in the ribs, or that I won’t disagree with you if I think you’re wrong, or that I won’t defend my own position if I think I’m right, or that I won’t roll my eyes if you say, “I don’t come here to read about bowling [or DIYing, or childhood uni illustrations, or whatever doesn't quite ring your chimes on a given day],” or that I won’t sometimes end a discussion by pulling rank and saying, “Sorry, but it’s ultimately my web site, and what I say goes.” But I’ll try to do all of these things with more of the generosity of spirit that so many of you show me every day. And if you feel I’m not living up to this ideal, feel free to call me on it.
Thanks again for everything, really. I won’t say, “Now let’s make the next decade even better than the first one,” because I can’t really imagine myself still doing this 10 years from now. But I do think there’s still quite a bit that Uni Watch can accomplish in the years to come. Thanks in advance for your help in that venture.
How a ’Bot That: As many of you know, we were hit by another spambot over the weekend, which set off alarms on many (but not all) of your browsers. Johnny Ek fixed the problem this morning, so we’re good to go. If you’re still getting the warning, reboot your browser or computer — that should take care of it.
Just so you know, Google automatically stops indexing a site if it’s carrying anything dangerous, and at no point in this process did they stop indexing us (I was checking constantly), so we’re fairly certain that the rogue code was annoying but not harmful. John’s increasing our site security at this very moment, which we hope will keep this from happening again.
Sorry for any hassle or stress. Believe me, nobody was more stressed about this than I was!
Live Chat (as opposed to, y’know, dead chat): I’ll be doing a web chat on ESPN.com tomorrow, 1pm eastern. I’ll provide the link for it in tomorrow’s post.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Well, I hope they’re satisfied. … “C’mon, blue red!” … While looking for something else, I found a bunch of interesting team portraits in the 1908 Spalding Base Ball Guide. Examples: Check out the logo for the Colorado Iron Works team; not sure if “Orphans” refers to an orphanage or if it was just a fanciful name; love the “E Third” jerseys; not sure what’s going on here — caption says the team is from Oxford, Michigan, but the insignia looks like “OJ”; looks like these guys were way ahead of their time, at least judging by the fallout shelter symbol. … Ben Traxel has been imagining how baseball logos and colors might function on hockey jerseys. … The Astros usually put a player’s uni number on the back of his helmet but not on the brim — except for Ivan Rodriguez, who has his number in both spots (good catch by Paul Fontenot). … Reprinted from Friday’s comments: Yikes! … What’s with the blue sleeve ribbon? Details here (with thanks to Sean Clancy). … Discuss (as forwarded by Rob Leavell). … New football helmet for New Mexico State (with thanks to Sam Wasson). … For the many of you who’ve been complaining about the 12-pair minimum order on the Socks Rock site, Robert Marshall has an idea. … Sorry, I don’t mean to dwell on this, but come on, it’s crazy! … So much going on here: purple laces, exposed laundry tags, and, of course, very nice stirrups (with thanks to Greg Riffenburgh). … This video clip from a Bears practice session has a brief shot of Lovie Smith in a Decatur Staleys tee, plus a cap of uncertain provenance (at least to me) — anyone? (As spotted by Rachel Bicicchi.) … Check this out: Japan had a women’s baseball league back in the day — and Jeremy Brahm didn’t even know about it until just now! … Tim Adams notes that Pirates catcher Jason Jaramillo wore white nail polish on Saturday (a phenomenon we’ve seen before). … The NFL has green-lighted the use of team logos on lottery tickets (with thanks to Brinke Guthrie). … Check out this futuristic glove, designed in 2000 by Mizuno. … As noted last week, Robinson Cano’s cap hasn’t had the Yankee Stadium logo on the back, and now Tim Burke has finally provided visual evidence. … Chris Bieniek was watching a 1992 Bears/Packers game and noticed that Chris Zorich was missing a letter from his NOB. … Hmmm, Devils or Dewils? That’s Arizona State’s baseball team (as spotted by Mike Camello). … Maybe Tom Glavine should’ve just retired. Would have spared him the indignity of this (with thanks to Chris Wheeler). … Lots of the Diamondbacks have been inscribing “60″ on their caps as a gesture of solidarity with teammate Scott Schoeneweis, whose wife died last week (with thanks to Bryan J. Boltik). … Okay, is it just me or were there more ump arguments than usual yesterday, just to highlight the silliness of the red caps? … Here’s the 1949 Buffalo Bills (AAFC version, not the AFL version). “They were the only AAFC team to go through an entire season without losing to the Cleveland Browns,” says Terry Proctor. “The Bills tied the Browns twice in ’49.” Terry also sent along this awesome program cover. … Sad. … Memorial Stadium in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, is being sold off, piece by piece (with thanks to Bob Gassel). … Rafael Nadal is doing that thing with the French Open title signifiers on his sneakers (with thanks to Brinke Guthrie). … Has any Indy 500 winner ever been lactose-intolerant? … Lots of nice old pro football photos here (nice find by Mako Mameli). … Here’s something I’ve never seen before: tartan plaid softball uniforms, as worn by Greenville High near Dayton. Additional pics here (with thanks to Mike Miller). … Someone over on the Chris Creamer board posted some photos of the Utah Utes baseball team, and lemme tell ya, it ain’t pretty. Under Armour foisted this same design template on Pepperdine, but not on all UA teams. … Here’s an early photo of Mike Ditka, not wearing his familiar No. 89 (with thanks to Aaron Bell) … Anyone know why Phil Hughes had “Jr.” written on the side of his cap yesterday? … The Portland Beavers went solid blue yesterday (with thanks to Nate Becker). … “Hiroshima Sanfrecce defender Tomoaki Makino just got a new haircut,” says Jeremy Brahm. “The red is for playing on the Japanese national soccer team, and the three lines are for Adidas, his sponsor.” … Hey, you know how Juan Pierre wears his cap under his batting helmet? Yesterday he wore a regular blue cap under the helmet, not the red cap that he wore in the field. Not sure if this means he always uses separate caps for hitting and fielding (good catch by David Williamson). … Some very cool vintage Calgary Stampeders images here (with thanks to Defo Maitland). … Rollie Fingers redux! (With thanks to Kevin Rood.) … “You probably heard about the whole WWE/Nuggets scheduling controversy,” writes Mike Miller. “Well, the main event of the WWE show, which was moved to LA’s Staples Center, was a 10-man tag match featuring the ‘Lakers’ vs. the ‘Nuggets.’ But the WWE apparently couldn’t get the right numbers or NOB font for the Nuggets jerseys, so they used Clippers typography.” … The Brewers used a stars/stripes logo on the Miller Park mound yesterday. … “Visited the Tampa Bay History Center over the weekend and wandered across a display celebrating the area’s sports teams,” writes Bob Rios. “Noticed an old Buccaneers jersey with a small but noticeable flaw on its NOB.”
#1 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 9:16 am |
congrats!
#2 by =bg= on 05.26.09 9:20 am |
a decade of uni-excellance
#3 by Kevin DeBolt on 05.26.09 9:21 am |
The “B” cap that Lovie Smith is wearing in that picture is the classic Bears “B” that is part of their Traditions line. They sell the stuff on their site and the pro shop at the stadium. I think it dates back to the 1920s with the team. I totally want to buy one but most have a stupid Reebok logo on them and Reebok doesn’t date back to the 1920’s really.
#4 by Geeman on 05.26.09 9:22 am |
That was a great first column. Of course, I’m a sucker for actual newspaper clips (as opposed to internet stuff).
I was researching baseball uniforms over the weekend and I have a question about the Indians’ uniform history: In “Dressed to the Nines,” it shows the Indians wearing white at home in the mid-1970s. In the Okkonen book, though, upon which “Dressed to the Nines” is based, it shows the Indians wearing only red or blue. Does anyone know if they wore white at home in the mid-1970s?
http://exhibits.base...
#5 by Kevin DeBolt on 05.26.09 9:22 am |
One more thing Lovie wears the “B” hat almost every day during the week at practice. Being a Chicagoan I see a lot of Lovie.
#6 by cisko on 05.26.09 9:23 am |
Congrats on the anniversary! Planning to wear a commemorative patch?
Re: lactose intolerant… in 1993 Emerson Fittipaldi skipped the milk to promote his orange grove.
#7 by Jim Walaitis on 05.26.09 9:26 am |
My, how 10 years has flown by! Sure, this day, I haven’t seen The Village Voice, but I think I’ve been a Uniwatcher almost the whole time you’ve been on ESPN.
As for the Buc’s jersey … my guess would be that was a game used jersey, and the missing part of the “L” may just be wear and tear (making a dreamsicle-toned jersey at least look SOMEWHAT football appropriate via the roughness factor).
#8 by Jason Gomez on 05.26.09 9:27 am |
UA sucks, they are destroying uniforms, and you think NIKE is bad.
#9 by Peter on 05.26.09 9:32 am |
Regarding the Yankees Red Caps:
This is why I wished you could grab a radio clip like you could a tv clip:
In the 3rd inning of the Yanks-Rangers game, Suzyn says (and I shit you not), The “Yankees look like they are wearing the Phillies road uniform, with the red hat and gray outfit”…
WHY DOES THIS WOMAN STILL WORK?!?
#10 by silentfrank on 05.26.09 9:37 am |
I’m grateful to be able to see this site on a near daily basis. Even as a “purple loving, get excited for third jerseys, mostly ‘let it go’ with the creep” kind of person; this site has been a valuable asset to the internet and will probably exceed the value of what Okkonen (not that he was a slouch by any means) was able to produce in terms of bringing knowledge and actual references to uniforms of the past.
Occasionally I get frustrated and peeved, but for the amount of information that has come from here, it is worth dealing with and I hope that the work will continue strong. Congrats for the work so far, thanks to all of you and keep up the great work!
#11 by Hank on 05.26.09 9:43 am |
Those Memorial Day/4th of July/9.11 hats are as bad as cammo uniforms to show ‘honor’. And can you imagine the look of combining a cammo uni with the red/navy cap?
And happy anniversary to uniwatch.
#12 by Broadway Connie on 05.26.09 9:49 am |
cisko said:
Happy Tenth, Paul. You’ve provided a great civic service and an incomparable time-waster and task-avoider.
Good on you, Cisko, for remembering Emerson F. He was a great driver and a very cool dude.
#13 by Original Jim on 05.26.09 9:49 am |
Congrats on the 10th, Paul. May there be many more to come!
I watched a Beavers game last week. Between the turf field, the lack of visible socks, and baggy cuffs, it was an eyesore.
Those all-blue uniforms might harken back to days of old, but in the custom fitting of today, they look like track suits.
I’m pretty sure the pitcher’s cuffs weren’t even elasticized. They were baggy and looked like slacks. It was just not a pretty sight.
#14 by anthony on 05.26.09 9:49 am |
Happy Anniversary!
#15 by Teebz on 05.26.09 9:55 am |
Congrats on 10 years, Paul!
Some good news for me today as I just got word today that I’m gonna be in Portland in September. The thrift shops will be scoured for uniform goodness. :o)
#16 by Hank on 05.26.09 10:01 am |
Clay Zavada = Rollie Fingers. Or
Clay Zavada = Casey (Virgil Malloy) Affleck? http://www.movieweb....
#17 by oilfan on 05.26.09 10:01 am |
The only one of those red caps that would be out of the ordinary but fitting would be the Jays, who I imagine will be wearing those with the red jerseys when Canada Day comes around.
Re: Juan Pierre and his cap inside the helmet, wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever that he had a specific cap just for hitting. I did the same thing as a kid, I had a cap given to me by the Canadian National team when I was a batboy for them. Wore that inside my lid for years, and as nasty as it has been wearing it, it helped bring me some key hits when I played.
#18 by Wade Harder on 05.26.09 10:03 am |
Congrats on reaching double digits, Uniwatch!
I like the new New Mexico State helmets. It’s a big upgrade from the silly looking baseball style wordmark on their old ones.
http://bleacherrepor...
#19 by GoGoSox on 05.26.09 10:05 am |
I don’t know exactly when the Bears B logo was first used, but here is Abe Gibron sporting it.
http://web.wireimage...
#20 by Namhob on 05.26.09 10:05 am |
I don’t have the picture to prove it, but the Astros’ first base coach, Jose Cruz, went with the high-cuffed stirrup look for yesterday’s game agains the Reds.
Not to mention that when I saw them warming up in the outfield, it looked like an intrasquad scrimmage was to ensue. It appeared to be one team in the Reds’ road grays (since the ‘Stros were wearing those silly hats) and the other in the softball unis.
#21 by Mark in Shiga on 05.26.09 10:08 am |
Looking at those 1908 photos, I’ve often wondered if the inspiration for putting numbers on the fronts of baseball jerseys came from the practice of adding them to photos by hand.
Some team ought to do that for their next turn-back-the-clock game — if they didn’t have numbers on the real jerseys, instead of using their modern font or choosing a basic block one, try sewing on numbers that look handwritten!
#22 by GoGoSox on 05.26.09 10:15 am |
Can’t find any pics but I believe that Bears hat also makes an appearance in Brian’s Song.
#23 by leon on 05.26.09 10:18 am |
abe gibron also appears in the 1949 buffalo bills team photo. just sayin…
#24 by James Craven on 05.26.09 10:20 am |
I met a girl this past weekend who was into kinda kiny stuff, so she asked me if I could humiliate her.
So I put a Washington Natinals jersey on her.
#25 by Rick on 05.26.09 10:21 am |
Regarding the “Orphans’ team name, it usually can be traced back to the Chicago baseball club after they lost front office personnel and team players, they used the term Orphans to describe the teams lack of leadership. Can the Nationals change their name?
#26 by James Craven on 05.26.09 10:24 am |
RE: Post #25. I left a “k” out of “kinky”. Now I know how they feel in DC.
#27 by Rick on 05.26.09 10:25 am |
The “Third E” unis are E Company of the the 3rd Regiment of the Minnesota National Guard based out of St Paul.
#28 by Geen on 05.26.09 10:26 am |
Peter said:
…. becaause she’s right?
#29 by mtjaws on 05.26.09 10:28 am |
Congrats on 10 great years. One never knows what the stories will be each day, but they are all enjoyable reads. And beyond informative too!
#30 by Mike Engle on 05.26.09 10:28 am |
I would guess Juan Pierre went to his normal hat under his helmet because the one-off (or first-of-three-off) red hat didn’t yet feel right. Remember, Juan Pierre has a small head, so he must be picky about his hats.
#31 by The Ol Goaler on 05.26.09 10:33 am |
Something unusual about that 1949 Buffalo Bills pic… the lowest uniform number is #23! Don’t think I’ve ever seen a football team pic without a “quarterback number” before… I know the AAFC didn’t use the now-standard numbering systems; here’s Otto Graham wearing #60… he had to change to #14 when the Browns joined the NFL…
#32 by MatthewD on 05.26.09 10:34 am |
Regarding milk at Indy…
Emerson Fittipaldi drank OJ and not milk because he wanted free PR for his orange groves business.
#33 by Peter on 05.26.09 10:46 am |
Geen said:
No, she isn’t right, if anything…just because a team is wearing a Red hat with a gray road jersey, it doesn’t mean they automatically all look like the phillies…
What would the Mets fans say if an annoucer made the same comparision about them to the phis?
First: the Numbers on the back…Yanks are Navy, Phil’s are Red…
Second: The trim on the cuff of the
sleeve…again/ Red/NAVY…
http://www.youtube.c...
#34 by Traxel on 05.26.09 10:47 am |
Great 10 years Paul! First the Village Voice, then ESPN, blogmania, next comes Uni TV, Uni Watch – the Motion Picture, threequels, prequels, the Uni Channel, it must never stop…..never!
#35 by Robert in Dallas on 05.26.09 10:49 am |
Hank said:
Camo + red cap. I know that I am in the minority here, but I like it.
http://i62.photobuck...
#36 by Traxel on 05.26.09 10:50 am |
Oh, just remembered my favorite Robert Earl Keen tune…..The Road Goes On Forever and the Party Never Ends!!!
#37 by DenverGregg on 05.26.09 10:54 am |
If there is to be a Memorial Day uniform tribute, since Memorial Day is about those who have died in military service, wouldn’t black be fitting? Not necessarily monkeying up all the caps, but how about a black armband? (This presupposes no jerseys in colors other than white or grey so the armband could be seen.) Instead of pimping ugly hats, give a tithe of the gate receipts for the day to veterans’ charities and maybe sell that day’s armband-equipped jerseys at a premium with the proceeds also going to charity.
#38 by Beardface on 05.26.09 10:57 am |
Beardface said:
Interestingly enough, this was actually done in the 90s. Back at home, I have a Phillies hockey jersey. Has the full logo as the crest on the front and the cap ‘P’ as the shoulder logo. Has normal hockey stripes on the cuffs. Its actually a pretty sweet jersey. Not sure who made it, but I think it might be Nike.
#39 by Brad in Ohio on 05.26.09 10:57 am |
By my recollection from touring the Indy museum, they have a variety of milk available to the winner (whole, 2%, 1%, skim, soy). Also, I though Fittipaldi drank the orange juice as some sort of ridiculous protest against how milk drinkers were somehow oppressing him.
#40 by tommy on 05.26.09 10:59 am |
i guess baseball managers are like bulls in a ring. with all that red on the field, they were provoked into charging at the slightest thing.
#41 by Squiddie on 05.26.09 11:00 am |
I’m looking forward to the Uni Watch action figures. I feel this is a project with great potential. Kinda like Starting Line Up only looking like the actual people.
Maybe McFarlane will do it and we’ll get theme figures. The ultra rare Purple Paul figure, Cyborg Ek, all-black uni Phil, the Viking Ricko, Fisherman Teebz, etc.
And of course the Candela playset.
#42 by Oakville Endive on 05.26.09 11:00 am |
Paul – congrats on 10 years.
So ………..when are you going to get your 30 minute monthly TV show on ESPN ? It would work – there’s enough general interest in uni related matters.
#43 by Matt Brosseau on 05.26.09 11:01 am |
DenverGregg said:
Gregg, if all the picnics, retail sales, and wishes of “Happy and healthy Memorial Day” didn’t convince you that Americans have completely forgotten the meaning of Memorial Day, then you’re way beyond worrying about MLB and the red hats.
I was saying to my wife that we might as well just give up the pretense and rename Memorial Day “First Day of American Summer,” because that’s essentially what it’s become.
For how to correctly celebrate a Memorial Day as a nation, we need look no further than Canada, where the entire country wears Remembrance Day poppies and shows up to ceremonies in the dead of winter, not parades in late May.
What MLB did this weekend, though, I agree was terribly cynical and greedy.
#44 by TC Lofton on 05.26.09 11:03 am |
cisko said:
A lot of people have already mentioned Emo, but I also remember one of the drivers in the early 80’s (I want to say it was Danny Sullivan,) forgoing the Moo Juice for a tall boy of Budweiser. As a little kid, I remember it being the funniest thing I had ever seen at the time.
#45 by marc on 05.26.09 11:05 am |
Geeman said:
can’t imagine them wearing white on the road, so this must be what you’re looking for.
#46 by Teebz on 05.26.09 11:13 am |
Squiddie said:
Mr. Marshall needs to get in on this ASAP! lol
#47 by marc on 05.26.09 11:14 am |
@ Geeman
forgot to mention that in the background in that photo of oscar gamble, the seats at the top in the background appear to be the same red ochre color of the box seats at old cleveland municipal stadium. now, i don’t know if that was a prevalent color back then for seats, but i know for sure that the old stadium had it.
#48 by Hank on 05.26.09 11:22 am |
Robert in Dallas said:
Wow. The power of the internets is amazing (or scary.) Nice find.
#49 by Namhob on 05.26.09 11:23 am |
Matt Brosseau said:
I greatly respect every person who has given his/her life for this country and I said a little prayer for them at the Reds game yesterday, but I also had to laugh when the Reds gave up on distinguishing the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day by having all military personnel at the stadium stand up to be recognized…
#50 by Geeman on 05.26.09 11:26 am |
marc said:
Thanks, but I couldn’t pull it up. I’ll take your word for it, though.
#51 by mike 2 on 05.26.09 11:28 am |
As a longtime reader dating back to the Village Voice (and Salon) days, congratulations.
I personally don’t think you have anything to explain about occasional fits of exasperation or pique. If nothing else, it reminds us that there’s a real person behind the website, with a real passion for uniforms and design, this isn’t some corporate shill blog.
#52 by mike 2 on 05.26.09 11:30 am |
And BTW great photo to lead off the column today. A joke that a chemist who knows the traditional wedding gifts could appreciate.
#53 by Trent on 05.26.09 11:33 am |
Like Rick #25 said, Orphans could go back to the Chicago Cubs old name from about 10 years before that, with the front office leaving. Also likely to involve that team being a travel team – no home field, or changing home fields constantly. Similar to English soccer teams being called Wanderers or Rovers.
#54 by leon on 05.26.09 11:33 am |
remember, this is a country that ties yellow ribbons around trees to welcome home vets when the reference in the song was to some guy getting out of prison (at least metaphorically).
#55 by Doug on 05.26.09 11:35 am |
Echoing some of the comments above, Lovie Smith’s B bat harkens back to the George Halas era of Bears football. Halas usually coached in a fedora or similar fashion hat but was often photographed in practice with the B style hat. There are a few non-Reebok versions out there – I know a place across from Wrigley Field that sells them.
#56 by Mike Miller on 05.26.09 11:35 am |
TC Lofton said:
Well, here’s some photo proof, it’s not Budweiser, its Miller, and its Rick Mears, not Danny Sullivan, but here is the 1984 winners photo with Rick Mears ready to enjoy the High Life.
http://www.indy500.c...
It wouldn’t shock me if Sullivan did it in 1985, considering he was sponsored by Miller, but the photo is not conclusive.
http://www.indy500.c...
Bobby Rahal was sponsored by Budweiser in 1986, and there’s a Bud can sitting on the rear wing, but no proof of actual consumption.
Mears again in 1988, but he’s drinking the milk, but has a Miller chaser on the ready. (The dairy folk pay you 50k or something to drink the milk first)
http://www.indy500.c...
http://www.indy500.c...
#57 by Ry Co 40 on 05.26.09 11:37 am |
paul, i can only imagine where Uni Watch would be if 10 years ago you asked yourself “where will ‘uni watching’ take me 10 years from now? what will i have given the world?”
and you had a premonition of this:
http://farm4.static....
we’re all SO lucky for SO many reasons!
although i haven’t been around for all 10 years, i feel like i’ve known you forever! thank you so much for your hard work… congrats friend!
#58 by Kek on 05.26.09 11:40 am |
Just spent a few hours catching up on all the weekend stuff, great job Phil and the usual weekend suspects.
Also, in response to some stuff from the comments Friday:
ABowen and timmy b, small world stuff that you guys also hail from Central PA. You guys should email me at dkeklak@comcast.net. I wonder how many others in the UW world Central PA. We should do a Central PA meetup, perhaps at an Altoona Curve game? Let me know what you think.
#59 by Hott Rodd on 05.26.09 11:41 am |
mike 2 said:
Now I’m curious since I can’t see the picture. What is it?
Congrats on 10 years Paul. Great work.
#60 by Vincent A. Cipollone on 05.26.09 11:42 am |
Mike Engle said:
Yeah, back when he was playing with the Marlins, I remember the announcers talking about how he has a very small head and he wears the cap under his helmet so his head can actually fit in a normal sized helmet
#61 by Brian on 05.26.09 11:43 am |
Mike Miller said:
Milk and beer… can’t be a good combination.
I still stand by my comment from last night that the Philly-style red caps jinxed the Rays.
#62 by Lee on 05.26.09 11:47 am |
Nice job Paul, obviously I enjoy your work, and have learned much, and seen much through the site.
Also very much enjoy the comments section. It’s always reassuring to know I am not the only ‘geek’ out here!
By the way, the red hats yesterday day got a resounding thumbs down from the Giants broadcasters. For what its worth.
Lee
#63 by dwight on 05.26.09 11:48 am |
seeing this…
http://farm4.static....
…only reminds me how much better the Cards look in red caps on the road.
#64 by Geeman on 05.26.09 11:53 am |
marc said:
O.K. — it just came up. Looks like you confirmed it for me. Thanks. I was fishing through all baseball cards from 1975-77 and couldn’t be sure they wore white back then. I guess they wore the blue and red uniforms at home and on the road, like the A’s wore white at home and green and gold both at home and on the road.
#65 by paul on 05.26.09 11:54 am |
I think those red hats look ridiculous as well. If MLB is trying to help veterans, why not do something more subtle? Just have all players, managers, umps wear a US flag or some other memorial patch and desinate that a certain percenage of gate reciepts go to the veterans. The hats look awful and it apears they its only for merchandising (which is probably its driving force). In a few years, I’m sure we’ll see players wearing pink hats for Mother’s Day and power blue for Father’s Day.
#66 by Jim Bullard on 05.26.09 11:55 am |
The Yankees should be exempt from every having to take part in MLB-sponsored special uni days. Those red caps looked ludicrious on every team, but much more so on the Yanks.
Also, those Portland Beaver unis yesterday look sweet.
#67 by Ricko on 05.26.09 11:59 am |
dwight said:
So much of uni watching is about perspective. When I was growing up the Cardinals always wore navy hats, so the current home-road system is, to me, a nice way of keeping both looks alive. And I don’t mean going as far back as Musial and such, to the red-brimmed hats of the ’40s and early ’50s. Twice in the ’60s (both times with Bob Gibson et al), the Cards went to the W-S….first in navy caps, then four years later in red.
So the whole thing works for me. Perfectly. Yesterday and today, every year.
—Ricko
#68 by rpm on 05.26.09 12:00 pm |
Teebz said:
congrats paul, don’t know what i would do without this every day read
i have plans to make people things(tshirts/prints/toques/paintings/etc) down the road on an individual basis, you are on the list, ricko is, etc etc. but the bobbles are the “action figures”.
#69 by Ricko on 05.26.09 12:05 pm |
rpm said:
(giggling)
Q: How do you tell if you have a bad roommate for the softball tournament?
A: He brought his BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN action figures.
(Sorry, somebody mentions action figures, I think of that).
—Ricko
#70 by Big Al on 05.26.09 12:05 pm |
Congrats, Paul. Great read today. Well played with the opening pic.
#71 by Bernard on 05.26.09 12:08 pm |
I remember discovering Uni Watch on espn Page 2 and loving it, but thinking, “How can he possibly come up with material every day?”, and ignoring this blog. Then, I remember caving and becoming a daily UW reader and loving it, but thinking, “What the hell do I care about what anybody else has to say about this stuff?”, and ignoring the comments. Now, after attending a Uni Watch party and becoming a sometimes poster here, I think I can finally admit it to myself – I’m hooked!
So much information, such a great resource, and such cool people. Thanks Paul, Phil, etc. for making it happen!
#72 by Steve May on 05.26.09 12:12 pm |
Paul – this is – without question – my favourite site on the web. Thanks for this place of minutae and common sense.
And thanks to all the contributors who make this place vibrant.
Steve
#73 by dkb on 05.26.09 12:16 pm |
Jim Bullard said:
Except for the soccer socks. Stirrups with some white showing or white woolies would have made that right.
#74 by Hank on 05.26.09 12:18 pm |
Bernard said:
I was pretty much hooked when I stumbled into this uniwatch-world a couple of years ago. A couple of times a uni-related discussion would break-out on the Phillies message boards and I’ve suggested this site. But many times I would get a reply like ‘yeah that site sounds like fun, sports uniforms, whoopee’. And I can only feel bad for those folks who don’t give it a look. Uniwatchblog – - more than meets the eye.
#75 by marc on 05.26.09 12:18 pm |
Geeman said:
don’t forget the red-on-red combo as well (they called boog powell “the human blood clot” in those). i just recall as a kid that it seemed like every time i went to a game, they looked different. i was so sad when they moved from those awesome unis to a set that was as exciting as day old bread.
#76 by Geeman on 05.26.09 12:19 pm |
Ricko said:
Interesting to see the Twins now wearing all three hats of the 1970s — the blue “TC” at home, the red-and-blue “TC” as an alternate, and the red-white-blue “TC” helmet as a catcher’s and base coaches’ helmet. Plus they still wear the “M” hat on the road (but not the helmet).
Anyone know where you can buy that red-white-blue helmet? I always wanted one for my collection back when I was a kid, but never got around to getting it before they ditched it in favor of the red-blue helmet.
#77 by Matt Brosseau on 05.26.09 12:21 pm |
Geeman said:
Here you go Geeman: http://bit.ly/Fyibe
#78 by marc on 05.26.09 12:21 pm |
am i the only one who hates the 1995 and after “model” they use in “dressed to the nines?”
#79 by Hibbs on 05.26.09 12:22 pm |
Congrats! Big time!
More importantly. Thanks.
Thanks to ALL of you wierdos who have helped make me feel a little less wierd.
#80 by Matt from the 'Ville on 05.26.09 12:25 pm |
Has anyone heard if Kentucky will be getting new B-Ball jerseys?
#81 by Jim on 05.26.09 12:26 pm |
First, congrats to you, Paul, from a short-time reader and a first-time writer. Wish I would have known about your site before this year…
Second, regarding comment #9 from Peter: I think he also had a beef with the announcer using the word “outfit” instead of “uniform,” right? I’ll admit I’ve said this when talking to my wife, and even she (who rolls her eyes at my fascination with uni-related stuff) will correct me and say, “They’re uniforms!”
Third, James Craven, you made me laugh with comment #24! I was debating what to put on my card when I become a member. I was thinking of having the front of a Natinals jersey, but after that comment I’d just be picturing your date.
Speaking of the membership cards, unless I’m missing something, there seems to be a surprising lack of USFL or MISL representation. That’s going to change…
Have a good day, everyone, and let’s all agree that – even if we don’t like everything on the site – overall it’s a great daily read.
#82 by Geeman on 05.26.09 12:29 pm |
marc said:
No. Or the fact that only the whites and greys are shown. Though I suppose it would be tough to show every possible uniform combination teams wear nowadays, at least it could show the primary alternates.
#83 by Jeff on 05.26.09 12:29 pm |
leon said:
According to wikipedia (I know, I know), the first reference in song was actually military-related. The convict related song came decades later.
In general though, the yellow ribbon signifies waiting for the return of a loved one. In modern practice, there is no disputing the yellow ribbon’s connection to our men and women serving in uniform. It would be a much more subtle and fitting salute on Memorial Day than the RWB logo caps.
#84 by Geeman on 05.26.09 12:30 pm |
Matt Brosseau said:
Thanks much.
#85 by Aaron on 05.26.09 12:30 pm |
Next year for Memorial Day MLB should keep the teams hats the normal color but still place the flag in the logo. This would be a small detail that would be noticed but not as much as to make me explain to my wife why the Brewers have on a Red Cap.
#86 by Brendan on 05.26.09 12:34 pm |
Nyjer Morgan covered up the stirrups for a game to bust out of his slump:
http://www.pittsburg...
#87 by Matt Brosseau on 05.26.09 12:34 pm |
Jeff said:
I agree and disagree. Memorial Day is (ostensibly) an occasion to remember American servicemen and servicewomen killed in combat and military action. So a yellow ribbon, which denotes the ribbon wearer’s hope that troops return home safely, is somewhat inappropriate.
I wonder if we shouldn’t take a cue from Canada and adopt the poppy as the symbol for honoring our war dead. It’s as close to such a symbol as exists in Western culture. Also, American veterans have adopted the poppy; I have about six of them in my car after giving to the WWII vet that sometimes collects donations outside my local Dunkin’ Donuts. So there is precedent there.
The only other appropriate uni tribute, IMO, would be a black armband.
#88 by Adam on 05.26.09 12:36 pm |
Hey Paul,
The Cap is Called the Bears Tradition”B” Cap.
Check out the whole Tradition line here:
http://store.chicago...
#89 by rpm on 05.26.09 12:36 pm |
ouch ricko, i think the drummer busted the snare on the ba-dum-dum on that one.
i should mention batch one of the bobbles are essentially done. give me the night, and early day tomorrow document them, and they will be in the mail. which means i am on to batch 2, and there is some pretty cool unique uni goodness in batch 2.
#90 by Squiddie on 05.26.09 12:38 pm |
Looking at the Portland Beavers photos up on their twitter pic page and their home uni looks like a great idea done in by too much detail.
Home and Another view. Reduce the piping on the shoulder, go with a simpler hat logo and rethink those pant stripes and I think it’s a classic look.
Blue jersey with white pants
Blue unis with blue batting helmet looks pretty good.
#91 by Taylor on 05.26.09 12:40 pm |
On WWE last night Mr. Kennedy had an adidas tag ON THE BACK right of his jersey rather than the front left.
http://my.opera.com/...
#92 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 12:41 pm |
hey all UW baseball unitrackers
a bunch of you have contacted me already and today is the day i’ll be e-mailing (hopefully) all of you with a quick q&a on your uni-tracking…
i plan on running the “first look” at this project in my weekend articles
if you DON’T hear from me by the end of today, it means that (1) you didn’t contact me or (2) and more likely, i missed you (i tried to flag everyone’s email, but it’s possible i did miss one or six people)
if you are unitracking and have NOT YET contacted me, and are interested in having your work displayed in some form or other this weekend, (or if you DID contact me, but i somehow failed to send you out a follow up by the end of today) please contact me using the link above
thanks (in advance) to everyone who’s tracking, and i look forward to seeing “results” … should be a fun weekend batch of columns
#93 by Giancarlo on 05.26.09 12:43 pm |
marc said:
He’s too shadowy. It’s like suddenly the Dark Knight appears. And that’s also the point at which the site gives up trying to keep track of alternate unis, so I don’t bother looking at those years.
#94 by JTH on 05.26.09 12:44 pm |
Happy tin anniversary, Uni Watch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GSH wearing the B cap.
#95 by Christopher on 05.26.09 12:45 pm |
Paul, you’re the man. Congratulations!
#96 by Giancarlo on 05.26.09 12:45 pm |
Geeman said the same – didn’t see it.
#97 by Christopher on 05.26.09 12:46 pm |
RE: The Yankees red hat. Is that the first time the Yanks have ever worn an alternate… well… anything?
Not counting memorial black stripes, patches, etc.
I mean a change to the guts of the uniform: jersey, pants, hat?
#98 by Jeff on 05.26.09 12:48 pm |
Matt Brosseau said:
Agreed. I was just saying that the yellow ribbon is more appropriate than the disastrous caps we currently see. No doubt, however, that an armband, or other mark, would be superior to the ribbon.
Is there some symbol the military uses ‘internally’ to recognize their fallen? Not that I’m necessarily advocating that MLB exploit it for retail sales of their logo-wear, I’m just curious to see if the military does anything on their uniforms… and *perhaps* if done right, MLB could follow suit.
#99 by JTH on 05.26.09 12:49 pm |
Christopher said:
No.
#100 by Lee on 05.26.09 12:50 pm |
Lee said:
Yep, thats when the site is no longer of use.
Lee
#101 by Hank on 05.26.09 12:51 pm |
#102 by Christopher on 05.26.09 12:53 pm |
You’ve never seen that bears “B” cap? They wear it all the time on the sidelines, practice. I don’t follow football caps as much as other things, but it could be their “official” cap if there is such a thing.
Either way, its very common.
#103 by Christopher on 05.26.09 12:55 pm |
JTH said:
Thanks. I guess I mean, since the 1936 (I think?) uniform, after which nothing changed. Before 1936 they had a lot of variation.
#104 by Ricko on 05.26.09 12:56 pm |
Giancarlo said:
Plus, as a template it fails because it doesn’t show all the possible variables. Undersleeves? Not there. Pants striping? Can’t see side of legs. And what’s with the med cut cleats and not low cuts? Doesn’t matter what players wear, this is to chronicle the uni.
As simplistic as Okkonen’s figure is, it does a far better job. Again, it’s supposed to be a template, not an illustration.
–Ricko
#105 by anotherguy on 05.26.09 12:56 pm |
JTH said:
JTH, you have to fix your GSH link.
First time I saw that hat was in “Brian’s Song”.
#106 by Leo on 05.26.09 12:57 pm |
Paul,
Congratulations and thank you for this great site.
I fully expect that when Philip J. Fry goes to a blurnsball game to see his beloved New New York Mets, he’ll first go to Uni Watch to see if they’re “Ditching The Black”.
#107 by anotherguy on 05.26.09 1:00 pm |
Ricko said:
Ricko, I don’t have memories of that earlier era but when the Cards went back to the navy caps within the last five years or so I thought “that’s a good look: I wonder when others will copy it?”
#108 by Robert in Dallas on 05.26.09 1:02 pm |
marc said:
I join you in your hatred for the later model.
#109 by Tom Flanagan on 05.26.09 1:02 pm |
More spelling shenanigans from the Nationals.
What’s their beef with double letters over there?
#110 by Ricko on 05.26.09 1:04 pm |
anotherguy said:
From 1962 (terrible scan, the actual cover was one of my all-tiem fave SI covers) Same uni in W-S in ‘64. By ‘68 had switched to the all red hats.
http://vault.sportsi...
—Ricko
#111 by Squiddie on 05.26.09 1:04 pm |
They sell English and Scottish soccer/football shirts with poppy designs and some money going to charities. I think they work fairly well as designs. They’re obvious without being obnoxious.
Scottish
English
#112 by Matt Brosseau on 05.26.09 1:04 pm |
Jeff said:
Jeff, someone who’s actually been in the military might have some more insight on this, but I believe there are unit ceremonies for soldiers recently killed in action which involve the deceased’s boots and rifle as symbols. But I think that’s probably too much “inside baseball” (no pun intended) for a Memorial Day tribute symbol.
FWIW I’m pretty sure they don’t have an official symbol of remembrance to wear on their uniforms; but perhaps they do wear something on dress uniforms when attending a soldier’s funeral.
#113 by Tom Flanagan on 05.26.09 1:05 pm |
Tom Flanagan said:
Now with the link. Opps.
#114 by Broadway Connie on 05.26.09 1:06 pm |
rpm said:
Oh, the quivering. My kids have caught the disease and are almost as psyched as I am about our Batch One status and the now-appears-to-be-imminent arrival of Mr. Bobble. My wife, strangely enough, thinks the whole project is, well, dumb. Don’t think I’ll tell her how much it cost.
#115 by anotherguy on 05.26.09 1:09 pm |
Matt Brosseau said:
While I don’t disagree that the meaning of Memorial Day is lost on any number of people (and IMHO, right now the national pschye is actually on a “high” cycle in terms of rememberance) I can’t go so far as to advocate changing the date. Memorial Day goes back to shortly after the Civil War AFAIK. I wouldn’t want to change that tradition.
Personally, I think the idea of a “Memorial” Day rather than a “first day of Summer Holiday” would be advanced by untehtering it from the Monday 3-Day Weekend law. But I’m tilting at windmills now.
MLB; greedy and cynical? A resounding YES to that question, but that’s not the end of the list of greedy/cynical businesses by a long shot.
#116 by marc on 05.26.09 1:09 pm |
Ricko said:
once again, ricko nails it on the head. the original is MUCH better because you’re not looking at the player, you’re looking at the uni. the “dark knight” (lol, btw) distracts too much from the intended purpose. less is more, dammit!
#117 by Matt Brosseau on 05.26.09 1:09 pm |
Tom Flanagan said:
$20 says that bobblehead was made and the box printed in China, and the Nats’ promotional department wasn’t particularly interested in the minutia of the project, just getting it done. So there was no QC with the bobblehead vendor, they end up getting shipped 20,000 bobbleheads with a huge misprint, and rather than cancel the promotion or eat the cost, they just distributed them.
In a museum exhibition of vintage fireworks, I saw a series of patriotic Chinese-made fireworks devoted to U.S. presidents; one of them was called “Wah Shing Ton”.
#118 by marc on 05.26.09 1:14 pm |
Tom Flanagan said:
“It’s just like the crowd at most D.C. sporting events–twice as many O’s as you think there should be.” LOL!!!
#119 by anotherguy on 05.26.09 1:15 pm |
Ricko said:
The Cards do have a great uniform, they’re one of the few (Dodgers too) that I exempt from my rule about symbol/nickname at home and city on the road.
As you can probably tell, my list of great uniforms tilts towards the classics. :-)
#120 by Geeman on 05.26.09 1:17 pm |
anotherguy said:
Ricko, until your post, I never knew the Cards wore only navy hats at one point. I grew up with them only wearing red hats. You’re right about perspective. I like both caps, by the way.
#121 by Geeman on 05.26.09 1:19 pm |
Matt Brosseau said:
That’s a negative. The uniform is untouched by any kind of memorial patch.
#122 by Hank on 05.26.09 1:19 pm |
Tom Flanagan said:
Too bad the return policy on franchises has expired. These guys are the biggest laughingstocks in pro sports.
And, geez. Poor TR. He loses every Big Headed Prez race, gets penalized for allegedly cheating at said races and now this.
#123 by timmy b on 05.26.09 1:21 pm |
The Cardinals, IIRC, used 1964 as a phase-in year for the red caps. They had navy caps for the road and red caps for home. Then, from 1965-1991, they were exclusively red capped. Since 1992 they have been navy away, red home (not counting the Sunday caps).
#124 by Jeff on 05.26.09 1:24 pm |
anotherguy said:
What’s interesting to me is that, in part because of the ugly red hats worn yesterday, I’ve actually spent more time thinking about those killed in action this year than I have in years past. So, that’s a silver lining….
And, just throwing it out there, what about this as a uniform patch to honor our fallen men and women.
As a side note, I would never want to cheapen an honored symbol by slapping it on a baseball uniform. However, anything that makes us remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice can’t be all bad.
Unless its a red baseball cap…
#125 by marc on 05.26.09 1:24 pm |
Tom Flanagan said:
That link features one of my design pet-peeves… the box designer used a script font on the right side spelling “Stadium Exclusive” and put a drop shadow on the text. This designer forgot to put the white text on one layer and the shadow on another to avoid the visual separation between letters thereby completely ruining the effect of a script font being one continuous line of text. Lazy, lazy, lazy.
#126 by Jeff on 05.26.09 1:26 pm |
Jeff said:
Whoops.
#127 by flip on 05.26.09 1:27 pm |
I’ll join the congratulatory chorus. Uni Watch is one of my regular reads, though sometimes I don’t make it until there are a jillion comments.
I, too, am curious about a commemorative patch.
Paul, you’re a gifted and insightful writer, but you’re also humble. All Web writers and posters should adopt “confession,” but I’m not holding my breath.
Since you’re in a feel-good mood, what’s the chance of lifting the purple ban?
Dale Alison
#128 by Will L. on 05.26.09 1:30 pm |
rpm said:
I hope that by “document” you mean photographing them and uploading the pictures to the interwebs so the rest of us can enjoy these works of art
#129 by Vincent on 05.26.09 1:31 pm |
Squiddie said:
I love the vintage look of the cream-colored home uni’s; I wish more teams would use it.
They even managed to pull off the monochrome jersey.
#130 by subway on 05.26.09 1:40 pm |
Love the site Paul. Congrats on ten years and many more.
#131 by Fight on 05.26.09 1:42 pm |
Paul, allow me to tip my Reds hat to you. Kudos for your work and attention to detail! Congratulations on getting this blog going and for giving me (and many others) a great way to spend a good portion of our day. Thanks!
#132 by Jim on 05.26.09 1:43 pm |
Tom Flanagan said:
Okay, as a former proofreader, I’ve grimaced but let things slide with my 2nd-favorite baseball team. After this I have but one response:
“Dear Washington Nationals,
Enclosed is my resume, showing that I have skills which will be valuable to your organization…”
#133 by Paul Lukas on 05.26.09 1:46 pm |
Coupla things:
1) First and foremost, thanks to everyone for all the kind words. My non-Uni Watch life has been stressful on several fronts lately, so I truly appreciate the pats on the back.
2) About the Nats’ bobblehead: The misseplling was INTENTIONAL. Details here:
http://voices.washin...
#134 by Mark K on 05.26.09 1:46 pm |
Congrats on 10 Uni years!
#135 by Geeman on 05.26.09 1:48 pm |
Hank said:
One thing I like about the home-away system the Cardinals have is that they match the helmets. That’s always been a pet peeve of mine. My rule is that, unless you have a helmet with a distinctive third design, unlike your home or away caps, your caps should match. Good example would be 1982 Brewers (blue home cap, gold-front road cap, white-front helmet for both) or 1979 Twins (red-blue at home, blue on road, red-white-blue helmet for both).
#136 by JTH on 05.26.09 1:52 pm |
anotherguy said:
Pic not showing up for you? That’s another one of those goofy deals where if you put a space at the end of the URL in your address bar and hit Enter, the picture should show up.
#137 by TC Lofton on 05.26.09 1:53 pm |
#138 by jesse on 05.26.09 1:53 pm |
Black mourning bands are authorized on certain Marine uniforms
#139 by Ricko on 05.26.09 1:55 pm |
timmy b said:
Damn. I totally forgot about the two-hats aspect of 1964. I was recalling some photos from the ‘64 W-S and Cards were in navy hats. I do know the first all-navy hats were in 1956, coinciding with one-year fiasco of forsaking the “birds on a bat” chest logo for a “batting bird” on the shoulder. Cards also wore navy sleeves and stirrups on the road in ‘56 for sure, and in ‘57, too, maybe. I say that cuz the ‘57 Topps set shows the return of the “birds on bat” in the 5th series (photos from early in ‘57 season). Among the Topps cards that year are great looks at both jerseys with navy hats and sleeves. Search ebay for Lindy McDaniel, Murray Dickson, Bobby Gene Smith and Tom Cheney…just going by memory, LOL (at work so can’t do it myself).
—Ricko
#140 by flip on 05.26.09 2:00 pm |
Vincent said:
I’m cool with all the elements of the Portland jerseys.
BTW, whoever said it first, UA is an affront to uni design. Outside the uniforms that have maintained their longstanding look, I can’t recall a single UA contribution that has furthered the cause.
#141 by lwiedy on 05.26.09 2:03 pm |
Squiddie said:
Speaking of, I never knew these existed:
http://search.ebay.c...
Nothing but white jerseys!
#142 by flip on 05.26.09 2:04 pm |
And I’m not buying the Nats’ bobblehead explanation. And if it’s true, it was a dumb idea.
#143 by Geeman on 05.26.09 2:05 pm |
Geeman said:
I knew something about that helmet bothered me. It’s not accurate. See below.
http://farm4.static....
Do the Twins sell the above helmet at the stadium?
#144 by Geeman on 05.26.09 2:06 pm |
Geeman said:
Sorry — should have specified why it’s not accurate: The “T” should be white, not blue.
#145 by Matt Brosseau on 05.26.09 2:07 pm |
Geeman said:
Ah, nice catch! Personally I think it looks better with the blue T.
#146 by Ricko on 05.26.09 2:10 pm |
Ricko said:
Made time…
Murray Dickson
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
Lindy McDaniel…
http://cgi.ebay.com/...|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50#ebayphotohosting
Bobby Gene Smith (5th series, ‘57 rookie)…
http://cgi.ebay.com/...|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50#ebayphotohosting
Tom Cheney (5th series, ‘57 rookie…birds on bat are back)…
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
—Ricko
#147 by lwiedy on 05.26.09 2:13 pm |
Geeman said:
Here’s one, with a Rod Carew auto to boot:
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
#148 by Geeman on 05.26.09 2:13 pm |
Matt Brosseau said:
You might be right. Do they sell these souveneir helmets at the stadium?
#149 by Ricko on 05.26.09 2:20 pm |
Ricko said:
FYI…for NY fans (an others), virtually all the NL photos for those ‘57 Topps cards, whether shot in ‘56 or ‘57, were taken at either Ebbets Field or the Polo Grounds….because the Dodgers and Giants both are shown in their home whites.
I love that ‘57 set, btw. Love, love, love it. Still my all time favorite. First time you could tell all the photos were new. The ’55s and ’56s were a big mishmash of old and new photos, many repeated.
—Ricko
#150 by MPowers1634 on 05.26.09 2:21 pm |
I thoroughly look forward to reading Uni-Watch every day.
Thank you to Paul, Phil, John, Bryan, Vince and all of the posters and contributors for making this a safe haven for the uni-observant.
#151 by Prexy Hater on 05.26.09 2:27 pm |
Christopher said:
I remember them wearing a Negro Leagues “Yankees” jersey one year in Detroit, not long ago.
#152 by Ricko on 05.26.09 2:35 pm |
Geeman said:
“T” is white outlined in navy because back then, when the tri-color helmet was introduced, they used the decals on hand from the navy helmets. Ol’ Calvin didn’t like to buy anything unecessary. LOL
—Ricko
#153 by timmy b on 05.26.09 2:36 pm |
Ditto from me to UW’s B-Day.
As I said before, what I’ve learned here about unis, terminology, history, is utterly amazing.
Kudos to all.
#154 by Elena on 05.26.09 2:51 pm |
Happy anniv, Paul. If I’d known. I would have baked cookies.
I have been lobbying for years for the Cardinals to wear red caps on the road. It just looks so nice with the gray away uni. Or at least bring back the navy cap with red bill that I associate with Stan the Man. My first game was in 1963, but I don’t remember what color caps the players wore. They may as well have been black, white and gray, for all my stronger memories of games on TV and newspaper photos.
#155 by TMD on 05.26.09 2:54 pm |
flip said:
I don’t know. With everything that has gone wrong with the Natinals (?) Notionals (?) Nationes (?) this year (and for that matter, since they were still in Montreal), I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt. They really need to be able to laugh at themselves.
#156 by Geeman on 05.26.09 2:54 pm |
Ricko said:
Funny story. So if I go to a game at the Met can I buy one at the souveneir shop?
#157 by Wollen1 on 05.26.09 3:04 pm |
Congrats on the anniversary.
Re: the Portland Beavers jerseys, they have hauled out the solid blues a couple of times this year. I think overall the Beavers have about the best uni set of any minor league team. Their home whites (and the blues) seem to have a little Homestead Grays in them and there’s no f___ing cartoon animal on the jersey which is unfortunately rare for minor league jerseys these days.
Props to PDX
#158 by Carl on 05.26.09 3:06 pm |
…continuing from last week’s challenges in identifying the proper year, I found this stamped metal NFL wall hang at King’s in Miesville, MN. I see that the Pats, Oilers and Broncos are all old logos…what year is this from?
#159 by Straw on 05.26.09 3:14 pm |
Thanks for your kind words Paul and thanks for starting this site. I used to think, I couldn’t be the only one who thought Billy “White Shoes” Johnson http://www.crazy8opi... had the coolest football look ever. Now I know I am not, thanks to you and each of us “uniaficionados.”
#160 by Namhob on 05.26.09 3:18 pm |
Carl said:
Not to mention Eagles, Bucaroos, Jets and a bunch of others with minor detail changes (Cards, 49ers, etc.)
#161 by Jeff on 05.26.09 3:20 pm |
Carl said:
Black Falcons helmet, no Panthers or Jags… I’m going to say 1992.
#162 by Squiddie on 05.26.09 3:21 pm |
Jeff said:
I was going to say between 1990 and 1993. Can it be narrowed down any further?
#163 by Hickory on 05.26.09 3:22 pm |
marc said:
I went to the O’s-Nats game on Friday at Nationals Park. For a close game (2-1 O’s win), the Nats fans seemed to leave the stadium in the 7th. There were definitely many more O’s fans present. I would say close to two-thirds of all attendees.
(by the way – I will never go to this stadium again – a nightmare to commute to from Baltimore and a very underwhelming experience. I guess I am spoiled by the best park in the Majors).
#164 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 3:22 pm |
Carl said:
interesting carl…don’t have much time, but it’s easily pre-1992…but after 1989
1990 is when the falcons went to the black helmet and 1993 is when the pats went to flying elvis
therefore its either 1990, 91 or 92
so that’s my contribution for now
can we narrow it down further
#165 by Jeff on 05.26.09 3:23 pm |
Squiddie said:
I thought 1992 was the first year of the black Falcons helmet, but I now see it was 1990. Don’t know if we can get closer than that range.
#166 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 3:24 pm |
and i see three others already beat me to it…lol
you’re good!
#167 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 3:28 pm |
and (by my count) 15 of the 28 helmets are different now (although the 49ers may have returned to the one in that graphic for the 09-10 season) … not quire sure
different: chargers, oilers, seahawks, jets, pats, cards, rams, iggles, niners (?), vikes, lions, giants, falcons, bucs
same: chiefs, dolphins, bengals, bills (?), raiders, colts, browns, stillers, redskins, pack, cowboys, bears & saints
do i have that correct?
#168 by JTH on 05.26.09 3:29 pm |
Jeff said:
Didn’t the Pats switch to the red facemasks in 1990? So I guess that sign was created at some point in 1989 or 90 after the Falcons introduced the black helmets and before the Patriots switched from white to red facemasks.
Or something.
#169 by Jeff on 05.26.09 3:31 pm |
Carl said:
Anybody want to take a stab at the ordering of the helmets? Not alphabetical, or by division…
#170 by JTH on 05.26.09 3:31 pm |
LI Phil said:
Pretty sure the Niners’ current logo is pretty much the same, but it has a heavier black border or something like that.
#171 by Carl on 05.26.09 3:39 pm |
LI Phil said:
Damn that was fast – when did the Rams change to the blue facemask?
#172 by Ry Co 40 on 05.26.09 3:40 pm |
Carl said:
the dolphins have a more “streamlined” logo. much cleaner than the version in the pic
#173 by JTH on 05.26.09 3:41 pm |
JTH said:
Oh, and obviously, the Bills helmet is obscured by the flash, but the stripes are different now (darker blue one added) than they were at the time the sign was made.
Colts & Browns: It’s hard to tell if they’re white or gray on that sign, but at the time, they both had white facemasks. They’re both back to gray now.
Dolphins: logo has been tweaked a bit since then.
#174 by Namhob on 05.26.09 3:52 pm |
Jeff said:
It looks to be in some sort of random order aside from the AFC on top and the NFC on the bottom.
#175 by DenverGregg on 05.26.09 4:16 pm |
Namhob said:
Excepting the Raiders and Seattle (center of top row), it appears based on the concept of keeping like background colors apart.
#176 by TMD on 05.26.09 4:26 pm |
The good people over at Yahoo plagiarized Uni Watch again. It really must be hard to find your own stories…
http://sports.yahoo....
#177 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 4:30 pm |
TMD said:
true…but did you see in the story there’s this:
LI Phil said:
kinda all that’s needed, no?
#178 by Michael Emody on 05.26.09 4:45 pm |
Yes, congratulations, Paul. Starting with a great idea, and turning it into an empire (or a cult!) is awesome. Seriously, carving out your own niche is really where it’s at. Great job.
#179 by Matt B on 05.26.09 4:46 pm |
When Barcelona takes to the pitch tomorrow, they’ll see . Should be inspiring for the blaugrana.
#180 by Matt B on 05.26.09 4:47 pm |
HTML fail. Missing in the above post: “Real Madrid’s all-whites.”
#181 by hugh.c.mcbride on 05.26.09 4:52 pm |
Paul: First, allow me to add my voice to the crescendo of kudos that is echoing throughout the Internets today. The quality of both the content of this site and the community that you have created here is testament to both your talent and your passion. As are many others, I’m thrilled to have found this site & honored to play even the most infinitesimal role in spreading the UniWatch word.
In honor of your 10th, I though it would be interesting to look at other events of significance that occurred on May 26:
* May 26, 1994: Michael Jackson marries Lisa-Marie Presley
* May 26, 1993: Jose Canseco head-butts a Carlos Martinez fly ball over the fence for a homer.
* May 26, 1972: Nixon & Brezhnev sign the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I)
* May 26, 1959: This guy discovers that the 13th inning can be a real bummer.
* May 26, 1805: Lewis & Clark get their first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains.
You’re in good company, & I think it’s safe to say you’ve upheld both the dignity & the occasional bizarreness of the date. Well done!
#182 by Anthony Verna on 05.26.09 4:52 pm |
“(with thanks to Chris Wheeler)”
Is that the Chris Wheeler from Phillies broadcasts?
(Or have I not been paying attention to the comments enough lately?)
#183 by Kate on 05.26.09 4:53 pm |
I have to correct something from the ticker. During his first at bat during yesterday’s game, Juan Pierre was wearing the red cap under his batting helmet. He obviously switched sometime during the game. Haven’t been able to find a pic yet, but if nothing else, I catch one during the quick replay before tonight’s game.
#184 by hugh.c.mcbride on 05.26.09 4:57 pm |
Looks like I botched one link in my previous post. If’n yer interested in reliving one of J. Canseco’s most memorable moments, ’tis here: http://www.buzzhumor...
#185 by Big Al on 05.26.09 5:19 pm |
LI Phil said:
Fantastic.
#186 by stan on 05.26.09 5:27 pm |
anyone know where I can get the umpires MLB hat they wore for Memorial Day? thanks
email me
#187 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 5:32 pm |
LI Phil said:
if you went according to FUPP (which is, admittedly, where i usually go first), and this “authentic” product (claims to be from 1990-92) you’d think the 1990 pats had red facemasks…but, if you go to (the equally untrustworthy) wikipedia, you’d note the facemasks were white…
so i tracked down this pic, which is from espn and claims to be from 1990, and this sports illustrated pic…which lead me to believe they had white masks in 1990…but neither of those are conclusive, since the photos aren’t dated…
however….when i tracked down bob martin’s photo…it says 1988…when, indeed the pats had white facemasks…
corbis didn’t yield ANY pats photos from 1990 (at least, not under “new england” or “patriots” … maybe if i searched the other 27 teams i could catch one where the pats were the opponent)…
so now i’m confused and pissed off…i can’t remember (white or red masks) for the 1990 season (it was, afterall, damn near 20 years ago) and i can’t find a CONCLUSIVE pic either way
one thing i will say…i’d bet JTH is correct in his assertion that the wall hang is either 89 or 90 tho…
can someone find me a damn 1990 pic of the pats, please ;)
#188 by Chris S. on 05.26.09 5:43 pm |
The Mets called up Fernando Martinez today, and according to this picture, he’ll be wearing No. 67. As for his NOB, I have no idea since the Mets already have Ramon Martinez.
#189 by Chris S. on 05.26.09 5:45 pm |
Chris S. said:
Fixed.
#190 by Patrick in MI on 05.26.09 5:48 pm |
No 10th anniversary logo for UW, Paul? You could have had a contest and given away a UW membership. ;-)
BTW, I also sent you that Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey snafu about 3 years ago. I saw it at the Football HOF. I guess they moved Selmon’s jersey back home?
#191 by Jeff on 05.26.09 5:52 pm |
LI Phil said:
Well I’ve got the Pats in 1989 in white facemasks. Sadly, that picture shows 49ers’ safety Jeff Fuller being tended to after a career-ending neck injury. Also of note, the game is in Stanford Stadium, since Candlestick Park was damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
#192 by JTH on 05.26.09 5:54 pm |
Jeff said:
Getty Images dates this as 11/4/90.
This is supposed to be 10/20/91.
#193 by TMD on 05.26.09 5:56 pm |
LI Phil said:
As a journalist myself, I don’t buy that. Yes, he quoted his source, but all he did was regurgitated other people’s work.
He also did this:
ESPN’s Gene Wojciechowski writes:
I mean, when’s the last time you saw MJ at a hockey game? Even more incredible, when’s the last time Jordan slipped on a personalized No. 23 Hawks sweater (but only after team officials sewed a red patch over the maker’s company logo), walked out to his seat and happily posed and waved to the geeked crowd as the Versus cameras recorded every surreal moment?
But still, half his story is work that other people did. If he’s pulling a press release, fine. But if he’s copy-pasting that big a chunk of someone else’s hard work, and then putting his byline next to it, then no, that’s just poor journalism. {End Rant}
#194 by ren on 05.26.09 5:58 pm |
can someone give me a link on a diy baseball jersey with instructions?
#195 by Jeff on 05.26.09 6:00 pm |
JTH said:
Looks like I put in a bad link. Here it is:
http://www.life.com/...
#196 by DenverGregg on 05.26.09 6:01 pm |
LI Phil said:
This is supposed to be 19901028.
#197 by mike 2 on 05.26.09 6:10 pm |
Carl said:
I love that photo and I love the discussion of the helmets, but this is a tough challenge to spend any time one.
We’ve all seen 100 of these promotional items where they’ve gotten some detail wrong (”hahaha they’re using the old NFL Logo”).
I’d bet good money that at least one of those logos was wrong when the thing was produced and (as a result) all the detective work will be pointless.
(Unlike the scoreboard challenge, which I love)
#198 by BurghFan on 05.26.09 6:49 pm |
I just want to add my congratulations and thanks for ten years of Uni Watch.
#199 by Stuby on 05.26.09 7:04 pm |
Probably been posted, but oh well. Headline error alert!
http://sports.espn.g...
#200 by Kate on 05.26.09 7:58 pm |
Juan Pierre wearing the red cap under his baseball helmet.
#201 by LarryB on 05.26.09 7:58 pm |
I liked the Buffalo 1949 AAFC pictures
#202 by Kate on 05.26.09 7:59 pm |
grrrr….non working html.
Pierre http://www.flickr.co...
#203 by LarryB on 05.26.09 8:00 pm |
wow 10 years of Uniwatch
Congratul;ations
#204 by =bg= on 05.26.09 8:09 pm |
http://sportsillustr...
better late than never
#205 by interlockingtc on 05.26.09 8:09 pm |
Happy Birthday, Uniwatch!
#206 by =bg= on 05.26.09 8:10 pm |
Jeff said:
image is 404
#207 by The Hemogoblin on 05.26.09 8:29 pm |
If I recall, Buddy Lazier was lactose intolerant too, but he drank the milk anyway in 1996.
#208 by JTH on 05.26.09 8:36 pm |
Stuby said:
You got a problem wtih that?
#209 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 8:48 pm |
Kate said:
mistress crabby?
#210 by Chris S. on 05.26.09 8:51 pm |
The Mets telecast just had a feature on the Mets’ home unis from the 60’s to today. Pretty interesting if you ask me.
#211 by PuckyTheWhale on 05.26.09 8:51 pm |
I think it’s interesting that the lowest jersey number in the 1949 AAFC Buffalo Bills team photo is 22. This means the QB wore a number that wasn’t between 1 and 19.
During this era, Browns QB Otto Graham wore number 60, and kept it when the team joined the NFL in 1950. According to Graham’s Wikipedia page:
“Midway through his career in 1952, the NFL passed a rule requiring offensive lineman to wear jersey numbers 50-79, in order for the referee’s to identify an ineligible receiver; this rule has since passed down to every other level of football. Unlike the more rigid numbering system that would go into effect in 1973, players were not given a grandfather clause if they played in the league before 1952, and Graham had to switch his jersey number from 60 to 14. Although Graham was better known with number 60, the Browns retired his number 14 while 60 remains in circulation, currently worn by defensive end Melila Purcell.”
#212 by Sean on 05.26.09 9:00 pm |
Gary & Ron were just having an interesting convo about uniforms…Ron said players new to double-knit unis would pull them over trash cans in the clubhouse before the game to stretch them out. Also, Ron showed off a little Louisville Slugger knowledge, commenting on several bat models he & other Mets have used…Good sutff.
#213 by scott on 05.26.09 9:12 pm |
Jim Bullard said:
Any team that wears an alt jersey should have matching pants. The monochrome look in baseball is so much more appropriate, whether the color is white, gray, powder blue, etc.
#214 by Eddie on 05.26.09 9:19 pm |
Was just talking about this with a fellow UniWatcher (hey Slaby)… Any West Coast UniWatchers out there? I think there’s a few of us around Portland, and I know a couple of us hail from the Golden State.
#215 by PuckyTheWhale on 05.26.09 9:34 pm |
JTH said:
The black Falcons helmet didn’t appear until 1990. I believe the red Patriots facemask didn’t appear until 1991 or 1992. Don’t forget about the Jets switching from white facemasks to black. The Jets helmet on that sign has a black facemask. According to Wikipedia, the Jets went to black facemasks in 1990, but for some reason my memory says it was later than that. So my guess is the sign was made in either 1990 or 1991, after the black Falcons helmet and black Jets facemask, but before the red Patriots facemask.
Tecmo Super Bowl, the NFL video game for NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) was released in 1991, but it was based on the 1990 NFL season. I know the Falcons have a black helmet in this game. I will check to see what color the facemasks are for the Pats and Jets and post what they are here soon…
#216 by The Hemogoblin on 05.26.09 9:36 pm |
Eddie said:
I’m in Eugene.
#217 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 9:52 pm |
scott said:
good lord, someone who actually agrees with me on this fine point…im actually planning (waaaaayyyy down the road) on doing a column on this, with modern day teams, and who might best be able to pull it off
the ONLY codacil to the (nonwhite or ANY for that matter) monochrome is stirrups (or socks) MUST be worn, and they CANNOT under any circumstances, be the same color as the rest of the uni
but i agree…monochrome (we need a better name for it too, but for now, that will suffice) CAN WORK, and has worked in the past
#218 by Joe D on 05.26.09 10:13 pm |
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma was wearing a Penguins cap with the 2009 Stanley Cup logo at the press conference before game 4. I understand they were up 3-0 in the series but aren’t they powers that be usually better and not putting out championship gear until a team is in the championship?
http://penguins.nhl....
#219 by JTH on 05.26.09 10:25 pm |
Joe D said:
Pretty sure that’s this and not this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, I just noticed that the links/ads on the right side of the page are gone.
#220 by JTH on 05.26.09 10:28 pm |
LI Phil said:
The whole sock? Or would something like this work?
#221 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 10:29 pm |
LI Phil said:
we’re old school now
(actually i have NO IDEA what’s going on, but imo guess ek is hard at work here)
#222 by LI Phil on 05.26.09 10:33 pm |
JTH said:
that could work, although i wouldn’t under any circumstances be advocating for a pinstriped road uni (negro league throwback or not)…not every old school uni was good, (plus, it’s hard to tell if they’re even being worn correctly)…
but yeah…those socks are, while in the same color family (blue), definitely different enough from the uni color to work
#223 by Jeff P on 05.26.09 11:11 pm |
LI Phil said:
Speak for yourself on not advocating those, they look awesome. And they wore the unis baggy back then, so that works too.
I love the idea of matching pants and jerseys. If you can’t do that, at least wear socks to match the jersey. If you have the socks to balance it out, a lot of solid alts actually look pretty good.
#224 by Chuck on 05.26.09 11:41 pm |
congrats Paul. I will never forget the first time I saw the Uni Watch column in the Village Voice, I said to myself, “OMG, someone else thinks like me!” I was hooked, and I am still hooked!
#225 by Joe D on 05.27.09 12:12 am |
JTH said:
http://shop.nhl.com/...
It’s the 2009 NHL Draft hat with Stanley Cup Finals logo. Similar to the practice of the Super Bowl teams wearing the next year’s draft hat with the Super Bowl logo on media day.
#226 by Scott Mason on 05.27.09 12:24 am |
I was watching Wichita State against Creighton on Sunday and noticed that the Shockers have “The Valley” on the back of their mound. How long before we have “National” or “American” on Major League mounds?
#227 by PuckyTheWhale on 05.27.09 12:40 am |
PuckyTheWhale said:
In Tecmo Super Bowl, the Patriots have red facemasks and the Jets have black facemasks. Go here for a screen shot:
http://www.knobbe.or...
According to footballuniformhistory.com both the Pats red facemask and the Jets black facemask first appeared in 1990. So either footballuniformhistory.com is wrong about the Pats red facemask first appearing in 1990, or the bar sign didn’t get the memo about it and mistakenly made the Pats facemask white on the sign.
#228 by The Hemogoblin on 05.27.09 12:48 am |
LI Phil said:
It has an aesthetic appeal.
#229 by MTW on 05.27.09 1:25 am |
Sorry if someone addressed this — Juan Pierre wore the red cap under his helmet for at least his first at bat yesterday.
#230 by hofflalu on 05.27.09 1:27 am |
Well, this is interesting: the Twins are assembling the Target Field scoreboard, and they’re now putting up a large “Twins” wordmark. However, the first couple letters they’ve placed on the scoreboard look slightly different from their current wordmark. I saw this on the Baseball Fever Ballparks message board (as posted by user Lafferty Daniel):
http://baseball-feve...
Could this be the first sign of a revised Twins uniform in 2010?
#231 by dan pal on 05.27.09 2:08 am |
Kasey Keller wore an orange jersey for the US Open Cup match v. Colorado Tuesday night. All season he has only worn grey. I wonder if it was for a change of luck.
http://seattletimes....
#232 by JTH on 05.27.09 3:56 am |
Joe D said:
It sure looks like that hat, but I still say the logo on the side is a Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, not a Stanley Cup Final logo.
Take a look at the logo on the wall behind him. The logo on the side of his cap appears to match it.
#233 by Ben in London on 05.27.09 9:47 am |
Kevin DeBolt said:
Cutler was wearing it a week ago, too. It also has the old NFL logo on (ie, the one that’s only just been replaced).
#234 by Soccer Talk on 05.28.09 5:12 am |
Soccer Talk…
[...] The red is for playing on the Japanese national soccer team, and the three lines are for Adidas, his sponsor. Hey, you know how Juan Pierre wears his cap under his batting helmet? Yesterday he wore a regular blue cap under the … [...]…