Here’s something I’ve been obsessed with for years: If you look at old photos, you’ll see that starting pitchers used to do their pregame warm-ups in front of their respective dugouts, not in the bullpens. Check out this old photo of Shea Stadium, for example — as you can see, there were three dirt circles on each side of the plate: an on-deck circle, a fungo-hitting circle, and a flat “mound” where the starting pitchers warmed up. If you look at this shot, also from Shea, you can see that this flat mound had its own pitching rubber. There was a home plate on each side too, right in front of the “No Pepper” sign near the backstop.
The color shots in that sequence are screen shots from When It Was a Game. Larry Bodnovich has compiled several hundred of them. Here are some highlights:
• Smokin’ in the boys’ room clubhouse.
• I can never get enough of those stripe-o-rama stirrups that the Reds wore in 1956 and ’57.
• What’s the deal with this cap? Almost looks like he’s wearing two caps, or like there’s a pocket or fold in the cap. Anyone..?
• Boy, those KC A’s uniforms were purty.
• Larry got lots of great shots of Cincinnati’s subscript NOBs. Additional views here, here, and here.
• Not sure what’s going on here, but it’s an interesting shot.
• Dig those Cubbies jackets!
• Rare color shot of the Yankees wearing the trylon and perisphere sleeve patch to promote the 1939 World’s Fair (which was also worn by the Dodgers and Giants). Additional view here.
• And here’s a good shot of the WWII-era “Health” patch that so many teams wore in the 1940s.
• Oh. My. God. SO much to like in that shot! And if that doesn’t melt you into a bag of sentimental mush, this one and this one probably will. Oh, and then there’s this one.
• Judging by past discussions, I’m the only one who likes this design. But c’mon, those sleeve stripes! And here’s a rare view of how this uni looked from behind.
• Man, that’s a thick armband that the 1940 Reds wore for teammate Willard Hershberger. Love those two-tone stirrups, too.
• The Reds had great usher’s attire, too.
And so on. Want to see more? Check out Larry’s three albums of When It Was a Game grabs here, here, and here, plus he’s also done an album of shots from FSN’s Golden Age of Baseball series, here.
Uni Watch Calendar: Remember, I’ll be conducting a Mets uniform quiz contest next Tuesday, July 21st, 7pm, at Two Boots on Grand Street (plus there will also be readings by Mets by the Numbers webmaster Jon Springer, Faith and Fear in Flushing webmaster Greg Prince, and Mets historian/author Matt Silverman). The quiz will be a ball-buster, so start studying sending bribes to the teacher now. There will be a free prize for the winner, plenty of not-free pizza and beer for everyone else, and you’ll get to see Phil looking all frustrated during the quiz because he’ll know most of the answers but won’t be allowed to enter (sorry, buddy, but there’d be a riot if my right-hand man ended up winning). Oh, and Springer, Prince, and Silverman won’t be able to enter either, just to keep things fair. Looking forward to seeing lots of you there.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Uni Watch party is now confirmed for July 30th, 7pm, at the Prosperity Social Club. Vince has promised to do his show-stopping improv routine about CC Sabathia’s man-tits, so you won’t wanna miss that.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Remember that little buggy they used to bring Stan Musial out onto the field on Tuesday night? Turns out the Ford logo on the front was taped over (great catch by Brendon Yarian). … The Colts are the latest NFL teams to sell ad space on their practice jerseys (with thanks to Rob Quigg). … Very good memorabilia/collectibles site here — lots of good stuff if you click around (with thanks to HHH). … Here’s the logo for next January’s Winter Classic, which will be played at Fenway Park (with thanks to John Muir). … Andrew Borders, who works I the sports communications dept. at Princeton, writes: “While cleaning out a closet, we found this old jacket here in the office. The only tag says, ‘Hodgman, Framingham, Mass.,’ which refers to a company that has since been bought by the Coleman outdoor company.” Anyone have any insights on this jacket’s origins, history, etc.? … The Indianapolis Newspaper Guild is urging its members to wear red for a meeting today. … Still more city flag jerseys from HHH. … Interesting note about Under Armour basketball sneakers here (good find by Cedric Padilla). … Some very nice vintage equipment catalogs from Rawlings, Spalding, Rawlings again, Wilson, Rawlings yet again, and some little brand I’ve never heard of. … Here’s something I’m almost positive you haven’t seen before: Oil Can Boyd in catcher’s gear. Roberto Santiago took that shot while working at Red Sox fantasy camp last year. … Alan Borock reports that these shoes “are becoming popular in the running world” (and look, there’s Matt Powers ordering seven pairs right now). … If a dimpled surface makes a golf ball go farther, why not apply the same principle to a car? (Thanks, Kirsten.) … Lots of intriguing info from Matt Ryburn, who writes: “Here is a photo of my great-great-great uncle Jim Son, standing at far left, with his baseball team from Clarkdale, Arizona. Uncle Jim as he is known in my family is standing on the far left. My grandfather gave me this photo last weekend and told me he had fond memories of running up and down the wooden grandstands at the stadium. I am curious about the man in the back row, whose jersey says ‘WOW’ [and note the gorgeous vertical arching on the underside of the Ws -- PL]. I thought maybe Uni Watch readers might have some insight. The only thing my grandfather knew about him is that he was Native American and was sent up to try out for the Cleveland Indians in the ’30s but was sent back because his skin color was too dark.” … “Some athletes in Iraq are trying to start an Iraqi national baseball team for international competition,” writes Ryan Matthews. “But no one in Iraq sells baseball equipment and they currently have one jersey, from a Japanese team, nine gloves that they share, three balls, and an old softball bat. After hearing this, Rachel Maddow decided to organize a way to get them some gear. According to her show on Wednesday, Ebbets Field Flannels is making the uniforms and folks are working on getting them equipment.” I’ll check with Ebbets to learn more. … Coney Island babies, pre-Wilco on Monday evening. I had just gotten that shirt in the mail about three hours earlier (photo by the incomparable Liz Clayton).
#1 by MPowers1634 on 07.16.09 7:52 am |
1. Ernie Banks looks as if he’s wearing an early prototype of the Elmer Fudd caps from last years’ series.
2. The Cubs jerseys that only Paul likes seem as if they would have been precursors to today’s extremely busy, unnecessarily piped unis.
3. The Reds Usher uniforms are the best example of cleaner and more crisp fashion…they are BEAUTIFUL.
4. I have a pair of Crocs that I wear in the yard, to take the garbage out and to walk the dogs.
My wife has threatened that if I wear them off of my street and out into the public she will confiscate those and one pair of my favorite sneaks fro one week.
So to say that I will NOT be wearing those toesy-toes kicks is an understatement…maybe.
Nice work, Larry!
#2 by scott on 07.16.09 7:57 am |
Isn’t that just a cap with a protective liner being worn by Ernie Banks? Even if he weren’t wearing a helmet at the plate in those days, he needed to have some protection for his head.
#3 by Peter Wunsch on 07.16.09 8:26 am |
I am not sure that the dimples on a golf ball make the ball farther; they make the ball more aero-dynamic and stay in the air longer. Not necessarily a trait I want in my car.
I do believe that a pretty woman with dimples make me smile longer.
#4 by Chris O on 07.16.09 8:34 am |
Should be interesting to see what the Bruins and Flyers cook up for the Winter Classic Uni’s. Although the Flyers don’t have much to go with. Probably a white version of the Throwback they have. The Bruins on the other hand have plenty to draw from.
#5 by Steve on 07.16.09 8:35 am |
Does “improv routine” strike anyone else as an oxymoron? If it’s a routine, I don’t think it can be considered improv…which is generally made up on the spot. I dunno…
#6 by Scott Davis on 07.16.09 8:38 am |
Chris O said:
Maybe Reebok will hire Dallas Hicks to make up some of his awesome throwbacks to wear on the ice.
#7 by TMD on 07.16.09 8:40 am |
There is so much to like in this photo. The two-toned hats, those wonderful Browns jerseys and of course, the stadium I grew up in.
http://picasaweb.goo...
#8 by JTH on 07.16.09 8:43 am |
Scott Davis said:
One word: Cooperalls!
#9 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 8:45 am |
when irony is not so delicious:
LI Phil said:
been said already, but mr. cub’s got a plastic (or whatever it was made from) cap liner in that shot (obviously this is a modern version, but something like this)
great work larry! (even though i’d been privy to these shots for a while)
#10 by HungryHungryHipster on 07.16.09 8:49 am |
Hey guys, HHH here…
Paul added the final batch of city flag jerseys to the Flickr set today. (Brace yourselves for teal and neon green Seahawks jerseys!) Just out of curiosity, I’d love to hear what your favorites are, and why. Thanx!
#11 by Scott Davis on 07.16.09 8:53 am |
HungryHungryHipster said:
Can’t explain. Guilty pleasure I suppose…
http://farm4.static....
#12 by Chris O on 07.16.09 8:54 am |
JTH said:
Hahahahaha! Cooperalls would be great. But they could also go with a real retro Philly Quakers Uni set. That has plenty of potential.
#13 by Michael Churchill on 07.16.09 8:57 am |
If a dimpled surface makes a golf ball go father, why not apply the same principle to a car? (Thanks, Kirsten.)
Golf balls for dad? I know that a spell-checker wouldn’t have caught that but still!
#14 by aflfan on 07.16.09 9:04 am |
Not sure what’s going on here, but it’s an interesting shot.
My guess is it a tryout of some sort.
I watched part of the Cal Ripkin Sr. League All-Star game on one of the sports channels. Almost everyone was in a colored jersey (on both sides). It is one of those collegiate summer leagues. Good news for the future, more than half the players were wearing their pants up around their knees. I will try to find pictures. It was on MASN (I think).
#15 by Beardface on 07.16.09 9:07 am |
Chris O said:
Thats what I’m guessing, and I bet it’ll be the perfect lead-in to them using those as the full time aways in the 2010-2011 season like they’re planning to do with the orange jerseys this year at home.
#16 by War Damn Eagle on 07.16.09 9:09 am |
The writer is wrong about USF being a pioneer by wearing Under Armour basketball gear. Auburn has been wearing Under Armour hoops unis for 2 seasons now. They will also switch from Nike shoes to the new Under Armour shoes for the upcoming hoops season.
#17 by aflfan on 07.16.09 9:10 am |
Here is a shot of the Valley League’s bench
http://www.valleylea...
#18 by Scott Davis on 07.16.09 9:12 am |
Those Phoenix ones are great. They should change the team name to the Phoenix Phoenixes.
#19 by TMD on 07.16.09 9:13 am |
I’m throwing down the gauntlet to Nike and Oregon to top this.
http://www.cmuchippe...
Wow!
#20 by Chris O on 07.16.09 9:14 am |
Beardface said:
http://i250.photobuc...
Or
http://i250.photobuc...
#21 by aflfan on 07.16.09 9:14 am |
Here is a gallery of shots from the valley league website
http://www.valleylea...
#22 by Beardface on 07.16.09 9:15 am |
War Damn Eagle said:
Well… to the writers credit, how was he supposed to know? Auburn is a rarely televised bottomfeeder in a pretty miserable basketball conference. As good as SEC football is, SEC basketball is bad. I would have only known about Auburn’s basketball team wearing UA if I assumed the UA contract was for all of Auburn and not just their football team.
#23 by Beardface on 07.16.09 9:17 am |
Chris O said:
I highly, HIGHLY doubt they’ll go with Quakers unis. Not for the fact that the team was sooo bad that the city would like to forget they even existed, but for the fact that it wasn’t even the same franchise, and I don’t think the Flyers would own the rights to even be able to wear them. They’d have to ask for permission from whoever owns the rights and then probably split the proceeds of any sales, and you know that’ll never happen.
They’re most likely going to go with their look from the 70s to match their current home orange jerseys.
#24 by War Damn Eagle on 07.16.09 9:20 am |
Scott Davis said:
I think the horseman is supposed to represent Andrew Jackson, for whom the city is named.
#25 by Chris O on 07.16.09 9:23 am |
Beardface said:
True, but remember the Uni’s that Detriot wore this past WC were based on the Old Detriot Cougars.
#26 by aflfan on 07.16.09 9:26 am |
Chris O said:
Yes but the Cougars became the Falcons and the Falcons became the Wings. All one franchise. The Quakers did not become the Flyers. I would think the NHL would still have the rights to teams which have done out of business. I could be wrong but that would seem to be part of the deal of being a member.
#27 by War Damn Eagle on 07.16.09 9:28 am |
Beardface said:
Yes, obviously, the SEC has no basketball tradition:
http://ecx.images-am...
http://www.lindysspo...
http://images.footba...
And Auburn has NEVER been any good in basketball.
http://i.cdn.turner....
And you know, Auburn even played a game in Tampa not too long ago. I guess that writer missed this story, because I know Wake Forest fans remember:
http://www.cbssports...
#28 by Beardface on 07.16.09 9:29 am |
Chris O said:
The Red Wings used to be the Detroit Cougars. That was their original name. They were the Cougars from 1926-1930, the Falcons from 1930-1932, and the Red Wings from 1932-present.
They still have the rights to any Cougars or Falcons merchandise because those were just previous names of the franchise.
#29 by Chris O on 07.16.09 9:33 am |
All true points on the Detriot Cougars, but still those Quakers Uni’s are sweet!
#30 by Beardface on 07.16.09 9:34 am |
War Damn Eagle said:
So how does this mean that the SEC isn’t a bad basketball conference? Florida has been the only SEC program that has been consistently good over the last 5 years. Its been a 1 team show. Vandy, Kentucky, and Tennessee have all had their moments in recent years, but they haven’t been able to sustain it. Its a bad conference that, if not for 2 years of Florida basketball, would be considered by far the weakest of the BCS confereces in basketball. Even with Florida’s success, they’re still only slightly above average.
Utah beat Alabama last year in the Sugar Bowl. Doesn’t mean the MWC is all that and a bag of chips.
#31 by Chris on 07.16.09 9:38 am |
The Winter Classic seems like the perfect opportunity for the B’s to break out the 1926-31 style, but they will probably end up going with 1969-74 style whilst the Flyers wear their current thirds. On another note, baseball stadia are terrible venues for hockey, the NHL would have done the fans attending a service if they held the game at Harvard Stadium instead of Fenway, because it would not only provide decent viewpoints because of its design, but also because were they needed, temporary bleachers could be erected in the open end of the bowl.
#32 by Ricko on 07.16.09 9:53 am |
Chris said:
I think Teebz explained that because football fields are crowned there’s a major engineering issue with leveling the area where the ice will be to get a flat sheet. I believe it was after the Penguins-Sabres game in Buffalo that the NHL realized football stadia were virtually untenable. Time is money, and the record is showing that playing in ballparks doesn’t hurt ticket sales or TV revenue, so the whole “fill to get level” effort likely is seen as an unwarranted expense.
Doesn’t make it right from a fans’ point of view, I know. But it sure makes sense from a business/promoter’s standpoint. Why spend (probably) six figures for something that is proving to be, in actuality, unnecessary.
—Ricko
#33 by Ricko on 07.16.09 9:55 am |
Banks wore one of those internal liners for a long, long while.
I believe Ted Williams did, too.
Banks, however, did eventually switch to typical helmet. Williams did not.
—Ricko
#34 by Teebz on 07.16.09 9:57 am |
Chris said:
Tell that to the people of Chicago. They filled Wrigley pretty well last season, and appeared to have a phenomenal time.
Limiting the tickets in a baseball stadium will allow them to charge more for these tickets. It’s always about supply and demand with the NHL because they are the one sport that relies heavily on walk-up ticket sales.
#35 by Ricko on 07.16.09 9:58 am |
Hey, Larry B, let us know when you post screengrabs of the PCL from either “When It Was A Game” or “Baseball’s Golden Age”, okay?
Also, anyone know where to find photos of 1946 and/or ‘47 Toledo MudHens unis, home and road?
—Ricko
#36 by aflfan on 07.16.09 9:58 am |
Chris said:
I think that in every winter classic they have used the first jersey of the team or very close to the first jersey the team wore. I don’t see why they would not do that with the Bruins.
#37 by War Damn Eagle on 07.16.09 9:59 am |
Beardface said:
When it comes to college football, I’m a playoff guy. I think more teams should have a shot to win the national title. Utah and Auburn were both screwed in 2004, and I think the Utes were somewhat screwed in 2008.
#38 by adam on 07.16.09 10:00 am |
“I’m calling it The Sears Tower”
http://www.cnn.com/2...
#39 by chance michaels on 07.16.09 10:01 am |
chance michaels said:
I’m not a huge fan of the Starfleet shoulders on those vests, I freakin’ love the undersleeve stripes.
The Milwaukee Brewers, who were loosely affiliated with the Cubs in the 1940s, wore something similar.
Beautiful.
#40 by anthony on 07.16.09 10:02 am |
What’s the deal with this cap? Almost looks like he’s wearing two caps, or like there’s a pocket or fold in the cap. Anyone..?
I think it’s simply just the leather band on the inside of the hat. Looks like he pulled it down and it got caught inside the band…
#41 by Ricko on 07.16.09 10:03 am |
re: Ted Williams internal helmet.
There are photos that show it better, but knew I could find this quickly. The shape of the hat’s crown kinda indicates a hard shell liner under it.
http://vault.sportsi...
—Ricko
#42 by Ricko on 07.16.09 10:04 am |
anthony said:
See post #33. :)
#43 by War Damn Eagle on 07.16.09 10:04 am |
Ricko said:
Aren’t a lot of the older baseball field sloped in the outfield to allow for better drainage. I thought Wrigley sloped downhill from the infield to the outfield wall. Am I wrong about that? Wouldn’t that be a problem for a flat ice surface, too?
#44 by leon on 07.16.09 10:05 am |
Ricko said:
Wonder if he will in the future?
:)
#45 by leon on 07.16.09 10:08 am |
Re:Uniform with WOW on the front.
All I could think is that I hope it doesn’t read “POW” on the back.
#46 by Teebz on 07.16.09 10:08 am |
War Damn Eagle said:
That’s why the ice surface was built on the infield at Wrigley. Most MLB infields are built flat for truer bounces. I would expect that the ice at Fenway would be similar.
#47 by Chris on 07.16.09 10:09 am |
Chris said:
One reason they may not, is the different eras of the teams. With the other classics, the sweaters were fairly close in years worn, but were both to wear the \’70s era sweaters, it would hearken back to the days of the Big Bad Bruins and the Broad Street Bullies.
#48 by Ricko on 07.16.09 10:10 am |
War Damn Eagle said:
Have to ask Teebz, but I’m certain the angle isn’t as pronounced as a football field. I recall standing on the sidelines at one Big Ten stadium and you could see the team on the other sideline only from the waist up. There was a friggin’ HILL running from goal post to goal post. I asked one of the QB’s about it, and he said he had to adjust his throws on squareouts, etc., or the ball would sail over the receiver’s head, because the guy got so much lower as he ran the route.
—Ricko
#49 by leon on 07.16.09 10:13 am |
The great-great-great nephew of a Native American wearing a shirt that reads “ARROWS”.
Crazy world ain’t it?
#50 by Ricko on 07.16.09 10:15 am |
Chris said:
I’d bet you’re right, Chris. After last year’s game several of us mentioned that for Flyers-Bruins they’d promote that great rivalry of the ’70s.
—Ricko
#51 by Dustin on 07.16.09 10:15 am |
I’ve seen someone I with whom I work wear those Vibram shoes. I read an article that they should help our walking posture due to lack of padding that current shoes give us (and cause many of us to walk “heavy”). It’s interesting enough (though I’m not sure if I’ll be next one to try them out), and should would work well with Daisuke’s toe socks.
#52 by leon on 07.16.09 10:17 am |
I think I amy be missing something. Water seeks it’s own level, so theoretically the bed can be sloped, potholed, furrowed, whatever. so wouldn’t logic dictate that the ice is going to freeze level also? maybe i don’t get how the ice is created.
#53 by War Damn Eagle on 07.16.09 10:17 am |
Teebz said:
Teebz, dude, I want to believe you, but that rink has to be on part of the outfield, not just the infield:
http://www.eteamz.co...
http://www.listen2un...
And there is definitely a slope to Wrigley’s outfield, or at least there was the last time I saw a game there, circa 2003:
http://i.factmonster...
But it looks like they made some changes to the slope for the 2008 season that may have lessened the severity:
http://rangers.mlb.c...
#54 by Hott Rodd on 07.16.09 10:17 am |
Hey can anyone tell who the sponsor is for that hockey game? The writing is too small for me to make out.
#55 by Teebz on 07.16.09 10:18 am |
Ricko said:
The major problem with football fields being hill-like is that the new artificial arena has pipes that are supposed to lie flat. If the pipes are laid down on a hill, the ice around the boards will suffer heavily because of the summit of the hill. There would be more water to freeze along the boards for a flat ice surface, and the ice at the top along the boards wouldn’t be as strong unless it was a particularly cold day.
Buffalo had this very problem since the ice wasn’t freezing uniformly across the entire ice surface because it was built on a hill. The ice makers were constantly patching holes around and near the boards because the pipes were lower than what they were near center ice, and the ice at the top was melting due to the warmer weather.
#56 by Ricko on 07.16.09 10:20 am |
http://picasaweb.goo...
Harvey Haddix?
http://picasaweb.goo...
Cubs wore ‘em, too. In ‘57 only.
http://picasaweb.goo...
Look, Ma, seafoam green!!!!
—Ricko
#57 by Scott Davis on 07.16.09 10:20 am |
Hott Rodd said:
I’ll have to get glasses with better magnification. I can’t read it either.
#58 by Teebz on 07.16.09 10:22 am |
War Damn Eagle said:
The sloping is not as severe in football stadiums. If there is a slight slope, the pipes are still laid flat on the surface – exactly what one needs when making good ice. The ice freezes uniformly and is much, much stronger.
#59 by Jeff Scott on 07.16.09 10:30 am |
Paul, I noticed a few sponsorship conflicts at the All-Star game. Ford is a Cardinals sponsor. There’s “Ford Plaza” in center field and typically 3-4 vehicles on display around the stadium. But, the ASG was sponsored by Chevy, which explains why the Ford logo was covered on the Musial cart. My favorite sponsorship-conflict moment: While volunteering at the stadium on Thursday, I heard an MLB employee ask a team employee to remove the label from his bottle of Ice Mountain water. Ice Mountain is a Cardinals sponsor, but the ASG is sponsored by Pepsi, which markets Aquafina.
#60 by Chris on 07.16.09 10:33 am |
On another note about the logo, what’s the deal with the lamppost?
#61 by Beardface on 07.16.09 10:40 am |
Teebz said:
And I don’t think they’ll have a problem this year, because if i’m not mistaken, Fenway uses the tray system to help with draining, which eliminates the need to crown or slope the field.
I could be wrong on that, but I think they installed the system at Fenway after seeing how well it worked at VT’s Lane Stadium during the 2003 VT-Texas A&M game that was played in Hurricane Isabel.
#62 by Eriq Jaffe on 07.16.09 10:47 am |
Eriq Jaffe said:
These are speed holes. They make the car go faster.
#63 by mako on 07.16.09 10:51 am |
HungryHungryHipster said:
Oooh, I love so many of these! The ones that just jumped right out at me (in no particular order):
http://www.flickr.co...
http://www.flickr.co...
http://www.flickr.co...
http://www.flickr.co...
http://www.flickr.co...
http://www.flickr.co...
and, God help me, http://www.flickr.co...
Somebody needs to start manufacturing these NOW.
#64 by JTH on 07.16.09 10:51 am |
Teebz said:
The entire playing surface was redone at Wrigley after the 2007 season.
#65 by JTH on 07.16.09 10:56 am |
Yeah, may
JTH said:
Uh, yeah. Guess I should have clicked on some of those links in WDE’s comment.
#66 by ClubMedSux on 07.16.09 10:57 am |
Coney Island babies, pre-Wilco…
So if it’s pre-Wilco, does that mean you were at an Uncle Tupelo show? ;-)
#67 by Ricko on 07.16.09 10:59 am |
Please note that stirrups are not way up high on the calf. Stripes should go around the mid-calf and shin…not the upper calf, as in football socks of the day…and there should not be a huge gap between the stirrup and the lowest stripe.
http://picasaweb.goo...
(That’s if you subscribe to the theory that stirrups looked their best in the ‘50 and early ’60s when at least SOME sanitary showed)
—Ricko
#68 by Dave S on 07.16.09 11:01 am |
Here’s a new t-shirt for you. “I’m calling it Sears”
#69 by Ricko on 07.16.09 11:01 am |
Also note that, when standing, the player’s pants should blouse to somewhere near mid-calf.
http://picasaweb.goo...
#70 by mako on 07.16.09 11:02 am |
Chris said:
I know brown can be a problematic uni color, but as an anal-retentive editor type, it has always bothered me that a team called the Bruins (derived from the Dutch word for brown) no longer features brown as one of its colors.
#71 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 11:04 am |
so..yeah
was in DD getting joe this morning and i saw a dude wearing a sherwin williams t-shirt which was a takeoff on the mlb logo…didn’t get a cell grab (and im not too sure the fella would have appreciated it in a ‘uw sort of way’)…but was pretty cool … they replaced the batter with a dude holding a paintbrush
did a quick google search and din’t find any examples…but it struck me — did we cover that one before on here?
how many other examples are there out there of “takeoffs” on jerry dior’s graphic? there’s gotta be some, right?
#72 by leon on 07.16.09 11:06 am |
I know brown can be a problematic uni color, but as an anal-retentive editor type, it has always bothered me that a team called the Bruins (derived from the Dutch word for brown) no longer features brown as one of its colors.
The UCLA colors must leave you downright apoplectic!
#73 by Ricko on 07.16.09 11:09 am |
mako said:
I imagine botanists can’t figure out why a team in the same league thinks a maple leaf is blue. LOL
—Ricko
#74 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:13 am |
Teebz said:
Yeah, but Teebz I have to think that a huge part of both Wrigley and Fenway is the “old time charm” of the oldest stadia around.
Do they put the WC in Comiskey? No. When it was being proposed for New York, would they put it in Shea (new or old)? I’d say no again. For that matter, plenty of people here in Chicago said we had no chance of getting last year’s game: they thought the NHL would like to have the “last event ever” in Yankee Stadium.
Flip the host site for this game from one city to the other: do they put it in the Phillies place as readily as they put it in Fenway? Or do they look more closely at the Eagles stadium?
#75 by JTH on 07.16.09 11:14 am |
Dave S said:
I still call it The Broken Building.
#76 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:14 am |
Dave S said:
The radio this morning had someone proposing a new nickname: Big Willy.
#77 by Teebz on 07.16.09 11:15 am |
Ricko said:
The Maple Leaf originally appeared as green on the St. Pats jerseys in 1927. When Conn Smythe bought the team officially, he opted to change the colours away from the green-and-white to the blue-and-white, even though the green leaf was more botanically-correct.
There are stories that have been told in hockey circles that Smythe chose those colours to represent the white snow and the “free, blue skies” of Canada after he had fought in WW1, but the more plausible explanation is because he was heavily involved with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues hockey team who, as their name suggests, wore blue. He played for, coached, and managed the Varsity Blues before getting involved in the NHL.
#78 by Grundy on 07.16.09 11:16 am |
Ahh, the irony of racism…
“The only thing my grandfather knew about him is that he was Native American and was sent up to try out for the Cleveland Indians in the ’30s but was sent back because his skin color was too dark.”
#79 by Teebz on 07.16.09 11:16 am |
anotherguy said:
If you’re playing a throwback game, would you put the game in a brand-new stadium?
The whole idea behind these games is history. They wear old jerseys, they play outdoors, they hype the NHL’s history. Putting the games in old venues like Wrigley, Fenway, and others only makes too much sense.
#80 by Ricko on 07.16.09 11:17 am |
mako said:
Origin of the word notwithstanding, isn’t the range of the brown bear pretty much limited to the western U.S, and the northeast is black bear country?
—Ricko
#81 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:18 am |
JTH said:
JTH, I’m surprised at you. How could you not remember that Wrigley brought in the best groundskeeper in baseball to fix that mudhole?
;-)
#82 by Teebz on 07.16.09 11:19 am |
Ricko said:
When they wore brown, Art Ross was given the task of picking a name. Ross chose “Bruins” because of brown bears’ ferocious natures. It was quite suitable before the change to black-and-yellow.
#83 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:20 am |
Teebz said:
LOL. I think many of those early owners went cheap first, then invented history to justify their choices. :-)
#84 by Ricko on 07.16.09 11:22 am |
Teebz said:
Makes for a better TV attraction, too, and they certainly are entitled to consider that, especially since, as a TV event, they’re two years away or less from taking New Year’s Day away from the meaningless college bowl games (’cept maybe Rose Bowl, but not an issue because it’s later in the day). Y’know, that may become the new tradition of the day: Watch the NHL game with everyone freezing their asses off but having a good time, take a break, watch the warm weather “Granddaddy of ‘em all” on nice green grass.
A nice contrast…a paradox, even…to start the New Year.
—Ricko
#85 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:23 am |
Teebz said:
Well, that Buffalo stadium isn’t exactly OLD, is it?
Anyway, the point isn’t so much old vs. new but rather baseball stadium vs. football stadium. When they have a choice of new baseball vs. new football, let’s see what happens.
I don’t know the answer to this question but I’ll throw it out anyway: does War Memorial still exist?
#86 by JTH on 07.16.09 11:26 am |
anotherguy said:
The Sodfather is mentioned in the first sentence of the article that WarDamnEagle and I both linked.
#87 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:27 am |
Chris said:
Thanks! I had that question yesterday.
Any Bah-stun experts here today?
#88 by Ricko on 07.16.09 11:30 am |
anotherguy said:
All about the “draw”.
2011? If things stay as they are today, it’ll be AO and the Capitals against the Rangers at one of the new NY ballparks, probably Yankee Stadium.
Not necessarily what I think they should do, but what I think they will do.
Write it down.
—Ricko
#89 by leon on 07.16.09 11:30 am |
anotherguy said:
One if by land, two if by sea?
:)
#90 by Joe Barrie on 07.16.09 11:32 am |
Chris said:
Harvard Stadium is miserable in November; January would be awful, especially on those concrete seats.
#91 by mako on 07.16.09 11:32 am |
leon said:
Not really; as a San Francisco native I was taught early to spit on all things L.A., so their stupid colors have never bothered me. :-) And I went to college in Massachusetts, which only reinforced my early (Orr-Espo era) attachment to the Boston Bruins.
But, yeah, Ricko, while we’re at it, blue maple leaves? And then there’s the whole “Leaf” vs. “Leaves” thing. The club website ( http://mapleleafs.nh... ) claims it’s because they were named after the Maple Leaf Regiment (which others dispute), and English grammar dictates that you form the plural of most proper nouns simply by adding “S,” but I’m willing to bet most people don’t know/care about the Maple Leaf Regiment now, and – no offense – I still think it looks, you know, kind of stupid.
#92 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:32 am |
JTH said:
Gotcha! I was working my way up the comment list and responded to #65; then after I posted I got to #64 and I was a bit confused as to why you were responding to yourself.
Confused; and to be honest, I was a bit concerned too. ;-)
#93 by Ricko on 07.16.09 11:33 am |
esp. now that Gaborik is a Rangers. If he stays healthy his name will be heard much more, which would make him an attraction of some renown for the NHL to pair against AO in a HUGE national spotlight.
#94 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:34 am |
leon said:
Well, I guess it COULD be a lantern… with a long base.
And no handle.
:-)
#95 by Teebz on 07.16.09 11:34 am |
anotherguy said:
Buffalo was the testing ground, though. The NHL basically admitted that. They wanted to see if it worked, and what didn’t work.
Artificial football fields didn’t work because of the hill, so they went out and looked for a flatter surface. The reason the ice held up so well in the Heritage Classic in Edmonton was because the temperature was around -30 C, and the nautral grass field had some give to it.
If you notice, they have yet to play the game on an artificial baseball surface as well.
#96 by Seth H on 07.16.09 11:39 am |
“On another note, baseball stadia are terrible venues for hockey, the NHL would have done the fans attending a service if they held the game at Harvard Stadium instead of Fenway, because it would not only provide decent viewpoints because of its design, but also because were they needed, temporary bleachers could be erected in the open end of the bowl.”
While it will not be toasty at Fenway, it would be hard to pick a worse place to watch an event on January 1 than Harvard Stadium. No seats; just concrete risers to sit on. Lots of wind blowing in from the river (although it is better now that they built the new squash courts at the open end). I froze my butt off there many Saturdays in October and November. January would be ridiculous.
However, it is true that hockey has been played at Harvard Stadium in the past. (Scroll down the page): http://images.google...
#97 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 11:39 am |
i don’t know much, but i do know this…
at least for the third thursday in july, 2009, argyle rocks
how about that watson fella? he’s older than ricko and he’s leading the open
#98 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:41 am |
Ricko said:
After I started thinking about Teebz’ posting, I was thinking about new old and who might also have an open date for their football team/stadium then. The list seems to be short: NY, Boston, Philly, Pittsburgh, all no. We seem to be in an up cycle for some of the northern NFL teams right now.
At least for northern cities with a classic NHL franchise AND an outdoor football stadium.
#99 by Ricko on 07.16.09 11:42 am |
leon said:
Kinda just represents historic Boston, doesn’t it? Y’know. Boston Commons and all?
#100 by Teebz on 07.16.09 11:43 am |
anotherguy said:
I’m guaranteeing you that the NHL goes west for the next one. Don’t book your flights to the east coast for next season just yet.
#101 by Beardface on 07.16.09 11:44 am |
anotherguy said:
Franklin Field in Philly or Beaver Stadium in College Park.
#102 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:45 am |
Teebz said:
Outdoor fake grass baseball stadiums seem to be getting rarer and rarer, don’t they?
Even Green Bay valiently tries to stick with natural grass. Personally, I like it.
#103 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 11:46 am |
LI Phil said:
unless they want to exhaust the last of the original six
then you’re setting up rangers v. canadiens/leafs, unfortunately…and probably at new meadowlands
#104 by Beardface on 07.16.09 11:48 am |
Ricko said:
Not sure if Washington will ever get a Winter Classic. Not that the NHL doesn’t drool over wanting AO in the game, but he’s quite literally the only piece of that team that people would care to see, and if were to ever get hurt and miss the game, the whole event would blow up in their face. Its too much of a gamble for the NHL to schedule the Caps for a 1 night event like that.
Washington was supposed to get this one against Boston, but NBC steadfastly demanded for Philly to be included over Washington. My guess is for the exact reason stated above.
#105 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:48 am |
Beardface said:
Now that would be something.
A place that’s famed for being the epitome of “you can’t get there from here” hosting a game during a short daylight time…
Anyway, the NHL wants that press buildup. You aren’t getting that in SC, PA.
#106 by aflfan on 07.16.09 11:48 am |
LI Phil said:
The Canadiens already played an outdoor game. The Leafs have yet to play outdoors.
#107 by Berto on 07.16.09 11:48 am |
-I love the collar on the Pirates uni
-Who is that kid? He’s adorable.
-Great shot of Musial’s driver looking pissed.
#108 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:49 am |
Teebz said:
Someone on the ice crew was asked about LA. He said that anything is possible in theory.
#109 by mmwatkin on 07.16.09 11:51 am |
Ricko said:
I can’t imagine that the NCAA is too worried about losing viewers to the WC (at least in the U.S., anyway). I like the WC and can see it’s popularity in the Midwest and Northeast, but I would imagine that the majority of the U.S. viewers would rather watch the “meaningless” Capital One Bowl over a regular season NHL game. The big attraction to the WC is the curiosity level…and I think that will begin the shrink once people get a steady diet of it.
I haven’t been to either of the WC’s (but did go to the UM-MSU “cold war”). I hope they have success with it in the future but I don’t think it has the fire power in the long run to outshine a college football tradition.
#110 by Mark K on 07.16.09 11:51 am |
anotherguy said:
Nope. It was torn down soon after the ball team moved downtown [was it really 20 years ago?].
I think a large corner of it still stands at the corner of Jefferson and Best over a neglected park.
#111 by Chris on 07.16.09 11:53 am |
Chris said:
It\’s Common, but after a quick google search of \”boston lamp post\” a pic of a lamppost on beacon hill looked like the one in the logo, so it could be that
#112 by Greenie on 07.16.09 11:53 am |
LI Phil said:
I used to have a Less Than Jake (band) t-shirt a while back that was a take off on the MLB logo. Found one old picture where you can barely see it – but found another shirt on their website that has the same figure on a maple leaf instead of the MLB logo. Here’s a pic side to side.
http://farm4.static....
#113 by Beardface on 07.16.09 11:53 am |
anotherguy said:
If you played a Pens-Flyers game in Beaver Stadium, the event alone would be enough of a press buildup. The game would sell out and it would be one heck of an atmosphere. Give it 5 years, I could see it happening.
#114 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:54 am |
mmwatkin said:
Good choice of words: sitting here freezing my butt off on NYD, I sort of look forward to seeing some sunshine, football and cheerleaders.
#115 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 11:56 am |
Beardface said:
Could be.
Maybe I’m wrong, maybe both the Philly and Pittsburgh NBC stations will send crews to SC for two-three days prior. Who knows.
#116 by TMcLaughlin on 07.16.09 11:56 am |
anotherguy said:
Go walking around some of your more historic neighborhoods (North End, Beacon Hill, etc.) and you’ll still see gaslights everywhere. Where they are not is anywhere around Fenway Park, so why they chose that is beyond me. I was expecting to see something like this.
And if they had it in Phila., maybe Franklin Field would’ve been a good choice.
#117 by Ricko on 07.16.09 11:57 am |
Teebz said:
Geography irrelevant. It’s all about the best showcasing of the league without repeating a team that’s been in it…in a cold weather city…that will make the best TV event and garner the largest TV audience. NHL would gain much, much more out of AO/Capitals vs. Gaborik/Rangers at Yankee Stadium than any other three-way combo I can come up with that fits the criteria I mentioned.
This isn’t about reaching people who have already been sold, remember.
—Ricko
#118 by TMcLaughlin on 07.16.09 11:58 am |
Damnit! I gotta type faster!
#119 by Teebz on 07.16.09 11:58 am |
anotherguy said:
I’ll say this: Calgary wants one badly. They tried to get a second one this year. The rumour was Calgary vs. Toronto which would satisfy both Toronto’s outdoor game, and Calgary’s wish to host one.
#120 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 12:00 pm |
LI Phil said:
yeah, i meant to put that in my original post which i amended shortly afterwards…you prolly caught it (and quoted it) before the edit
i remember that heritage classic game (and if memory serves, the damn thing wasn’t broadcast live in my viewing area–which pissed me off)…but the idea of nightime puck in -30 temps was awesome
#121 by Teebz on 07.16.09 12:01 pm |
Ricko said:
Geography is entirely relevant.
If the games are continually played in the Eastern Time Zone with teams that have no effect on the Western Conference, you’re going to start having leisurely hockey fans in the West start tuning out.
All you’re doing is dangling carrots with this game every season. Throw the West a carrot once in a while, and then hammer away on the East Coast again.
#122 by Hibbs on 07.16.09 12:03 pm |
LI Phil said:
I brought it up over a year ago, but nobody bit. Per usual.
The logo I saw, however, wasn’t a guy holding a brush. The one I saw was the mlb logo with only a brush.
#123 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 12:03 pm |
LI Phil said:
all three of them?
#124 by Ricko on 07.16.09 12:03 pm |
Beardface said:
Yeah, will be awhile before a team repeats…or there’s a Canadian team in it. This is a U.S. show, don’t forget that. Not about attracting Canadian viewers, not first and foremost, anyway. They’ll be there. They’re a given.
Anyone have the TV ratings comparing the 2009 Winter Classic to the bowl games it was up against?
It thought it was “Common” but a mess of websites came up with “Commons” and I figured I had it wrong.
–Ricko
#125 by EL on 07.16.09 12:04 pm |
anotherguy said:
I’m sitting inside “Big Willie” as we speak and would love to have a “I’m calling it Sears” shirt, if not for the bus casual requirement!!!!
#126 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 12:05 pm |
Teebz said:
Oh hell, I don’t blame anyone in Canada for wanting this: and I can sure see how it would REALLY piss them off if it suddenly went to anywhere outside the northern US. The entire idea is the kids-on-a-rink-with-stocking-hats look, not the “can someone get me a cold beer, I’m boiling in the sun” look.
With all that said, TV rules the roost. The number of TV’s in Calgary vs the number of TV’s in LA is a hard sell.
#127 by aflfan on 07.16.09 12:09 pm |
Ricko said:
I know that in the Detroit area, the first WC went up against the Michigan Bowl game. I am a hockey fan but also a Michigan fan so I watch the Michigan game. Last year, the WC went up against MSU but it was the Wings so I watched the WC. I think it depends who is in the WC and the bowl games that conflict that will dictates who watches the WC.
#128 by Teebz on 07.16.09 12:10 pm |
LI Phil said:
I’m quite certain that you would sell out a game in Calgary at McMahon Stadium, holding 40000+, in mere minutes.
Denver at Mile High, Minneapolis at the new “olde-tyme” Target baseball complex, St. Louis at Busch Stadium… there are a number of places to hold it.
The difference is that there just are so many more teams on the East Coast, so all the NHL has to do is toss one out west once in a while.
#129 by Ricko on 07.16.09 12:10 pm |
Teebz said:
They won’t change the time slot. Would be suicide to give up a daypart they are on the verge of owning. They would be seriously brain dead to go up against the Rose Bowl. The early New Year’s Day Bowls have lost much of their oomph and the NHL’s early start is a perfect way to trump them. Not totally, but in that time slot…and that’s all that matters. Who cares what’s on at 4:30, NHL wants to own noonish on New Year’s Day…and they’re just about there. Why would they be so stupid as to surrender it?
—Ricko
#130 by Bernard on 07.16.09 12:10 pm |
LI Phil said:
http://media.photobu...
#131 by mmwatkin on 07.16.09 12:12 pm |
Ricko said:
IIRC, the WC was up against the Capital One Bowl. I only remember because I was visiting my parents in FL and was switching back and forth. All of their neighbors were stunned that I would want to watch a hockey game on New Years, lol.
This is the best I can do:
http://sportsmediawa...
#132 by JTH on 07.16.09 12:13 pm |
Teebz said:
Continually? This year’s game was played in the Central Time Zone between two Western Conference teams.
#133 by Ricko on 07.16.09 12:15 pm |
Said it before. A big part of the appeal of the WC is the contrast on that day…for the viewers. Start with Bob Costas in a topcoat in the snow, finish with cheerleaders in sunshine.
Just great TV all the way around, folks. Think like an NHL or network exec, not like a fan, and it gets much easier to see how it all hangs together, why it works, and where it’s headed.
—Ricko
#134 by Jerry on 07.16.09 12:18 pm |
Ricko said:
So it should be interesting in February when the Badgers host Michigan outdoors at Camp Randall Stadium.
#135 by Teebz on 07.16.09 12:20 pm |
Ricko said:
They can still own the timeslot. Have a double-header of a regular game at noon, and follow-up with the later Winter Classic at 4:00pm (which would be 1pm in the west).
I fail to see how this is a problem.
#136 by Jerry on 07.16.09 12:20 pm |
Also Ford Field hosts the Frozen Four next year, so that should be interesting as well
#137 by Teebz on 07.16.09 12:25 pm |
JTH said:
The broadcast started at noon Central time (or earlier in Canada), which means it started at 10am in Vancouver at the latest. It’s still too far east for leisurely western fans to care.
The east and central time zones watched, but if you were partying on NYE until 1am/2am on the west coast, would you have been up for 9:30am?
#138 by Ricko on 07.16.09 12:25 pm |
Teebz said:
Doubleheader? Never get the number to justify the expense, nor would a network devote that much time to hockey on New Year’s Day. Maybe one of the games CBC or something, but what’s the point, Canada’s already a customer. And again, no way they’d be dumb enough to take on the Rose Bowl head-to-head. They’d lose. Or not win enough.
Interesting article, including something of a look at TV ratings in non-northeast US markets…
http://www.populatio...
—Ricko
#139 by LarenR on 07.16.09 12:26 pm |
Teebz said:
I’m exactly the sort of “casual” fan this event is designed to capture. I live in the Bay Area and watch a handful of regular season Sharks games and most of the playoffs (my wife always complains, “why do you need to watch the playoffs, you don’t even like hockey!”). I’ve always wanted to watch the Winter Classic, but noon-ish EST is nine-ish out here and there’s just no way I’m getting up that early on the morning after New Years Eve to watch a hockey game. Moving it later in the day would certainly add at least one West Coast viewer.
#140 by mmwatkin on 07.16.09 12:27 pm |
Teebz said:
I am going to have to agree with Ricko on this one. If the WC is getting outdrawn by the likes of the Gator Bowl and the Capital One Bowl…I would hate to see it against the Rose Bowl. And it isn’t like no one cares about the Rose Bowl out west. I like the WC in the 1:00 time slot.
#141 by Berto on 07.16.09 12:28 pm |
Re Willie Mays cap from yesterday the Giants flagship station out here had Giants radio voice Duane Kuiper lamenting Willie wearing the BP lid while hanging with Obama on Air Force One.
Morning Host: “He’s been wearing that spring training lid form a couple years ago. A hat with a suit.”
DK: “We gotta get him in an SF hat.”
#142 by Jerry on 07.16.09 12:30 pm |
Teebz said:
Wings/Balackhawks last year was a Western Conference matchup, played in the CTZ
#143 by Squiddie on 07.16.09 12:31 pm |
Dave S said:
Someone suggested that it’s short for the Wesley Willis Tower.
Rock over London, Rock on Chicago.
#144 by Beardface on 07.16.09 12:32 pm |
LarenR said:
With the Rose Bowl being played in the afternoon just minutes outside of LA every NYD, I highly doubt the Winter Classic will really make any dent in the West Coast audience regardless of what they do on NYD.
#145 by Teebz on 07.16.09 12:33 pm |
Ricko said:
It’s that kind of attitude that angers hockey fans in the west. Eff the west because the NHL caters to the east. The east coast bias that the NHL claims it doesn’t have is entirely apparent when they continually schedule these games in the Eastern half of the country.
All I’m suggesting is to toss the west a bone, and then play the next six in the east. If NBC doesn’t want to show it, it’s their loss in advertising dollars. Let them show the Westminster Dog Show in that time slot.
#146 by Jerry on 07.16.09 12:36 pm |
Ricko said:
Ricko
When do you think they will put a game at Target Field?? Wild vs. Stars, perhaps??
#147 by Jerry on 07.16.09 12:39 pm |
Teebz said:
That’s also because after this year there will only be two artificial surfaces left in baseball (Toronto, St. Pete)
#148 by Ricko on 07.16.09 12:41 pm |
mmwatkin said:
1 pm EST seems to work okay for the NFL..and the NHL’s target audience for the WC isn’t those who are too hung over to watch. This is their mass appeal showcase game in the US. Young adult males aren’t that hard to reach; they’re a slam dunk, comparatively speaking. This is about moms, dads, famillies, grandma and grandpa.
I’m trying to explain how the execs think. I’m sure some fans in LA thinks it would be “totally awesome” to lay a sheet of ice in Dodger Stadium. But it ain’t gonna happen. Not for a while, anyway. Too artificial, too gimmicky (has NOTHING to do with the pond hockey tradition that even players love; you can see it in their faces)…and lacks the cold, inclement weather possibilities that make for better TV.
If someone doesn’t think the snow in Buffalo in 2008 had a lot to do with the way that game was received and didn’t help set up the 2009 game, they really don’t understand packaging.
—Ricko
#149 by Jerry on 07.16.09 12:42 pm |
LI Phil said:
Or Stade Olympique, perhaps?? Use Ford Field as a test case next spring.
#150 by JTH on 07.16.09 12:43 pm |
Teebz said:
Yeah, well I was just sayin’ that the two teams most certainly had an effect on the Western Conference, seeing as how they played each other in its final playoff series.
East of the Mississipi? Yes. Eastern Conference/Time Zone? No.
And my kids would see to it that I was up well before 9:30.
#151 by Zack K on 07.16.09 12:43 pm |
anotherguy said:
Here’s the link to that photo of Beacon Hill… actually Acorn Street.. http://www.ronsaari....
Those gaslights are all over Beacon Hill.
#152 by Ricko on 07.16.09 12:45 pm |
Jerry said:
2012, maybe. That’s what I’m thinking now, but hate to envision THAT far out. But it would be pretty logical, assuming 2011 did turn out to be Capitals/Rangers, or some similar matchup.
—Roclkp
#153 by Teebz on 07.16.09 12:45 pm |
JTH said:
Blood-shot eyes, a serious hangover, a gallon of water, two aspirin, and you’d be ready for the WC? LOL
#154 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 12:45 pm |
LI Phil said:
that in and of itself is a problem
it’s hard enough to get people, even those who used to love hockey (like myself)and those who still do but aren’t rabid fans, to watch one game
seriously, i loved the idea of the game at noon…no way in hell am i watching 6 hours of hockey in NYD…but keeping it right where it is, before the football, is basically perfect
and as to the “it’s too early” argument? 9:00 (even if you participate in amateur night) is too early? don’t most people have to be to work (granted, not on new years day) by 9:00? aren’t a lot of left-coasters pretty much already used to seeing eastern sporting events earlier anyway?
nope…one game…12:00 EST…perfect
any more, and any later, and the dropoff in viewership will be precipitious
/and while we’re at it…you complain the games for left-coasters are too early … how’s about moving the world series games (and MNF games) up a couple of hours? not gonna happen either, because tv dictates those times, and the noon timeslot (EST) is perfect for tv
no matter where you play the game, that’s when it’s going to be played
#155 by slam on 07.16.09 12:47 pm |
A main reason to host the Winter Classic in a baseball stadium is that there is no chance that the stadium will be in use at that time of year. That gives plenty of time for set-up and tear down. They can play the WC game on Saturday and the local football team can still host their game on Sunday.
#156 by Ricko on 07.16.09 12:48 pm |
LOL…that’s what I get for typing “Ricko” while someone was talking to me.
–Ricko
#157 by MPowers1634 on 07.16.09 12:48 pm |
1. Fittingly, Maryland was the first TEAM to wear hoops shoes made by UA.
However, the first PLAYER to regularly wear UA Hoops Shoes was, in fact, Brandon jennings while he played overseas for Virtua Roma:
http://solecollector...
http://www.mkrob.com...
2. The central slope of a football field, and paved roads, is referred to as it’s crown.
I have been on fields where the height difference between the central ridge and the sidelines is drastic.
Clarkstown North High School, New City, New York:
http://chsnfootball....
#158 by Squiddie on 07.16.09 12:51 pm |
Jerry said:
I swear someone was pushing for an outdoor game right after Edmonton in 2003.
I think they’ve played an outdoor high school game every year as part of Hockey Day Minnesota.
#159 by MPowers1634 on 07.16.09 12:52 pm |
The Winter Classic formula seems to be working.
Bettman should not meddle with it.
If it can draw normal, well-adjusted,non-hockey watching people such as myself, then leave it alone.
#160 by Teebz on 07.16.09 12:53 pm |
LI Phil said:
So when the WS games are starting at 4pm for the east coasters’ 7pm timeslot, you’re telling me that there isn’t an east coast bias, Phil?
Notice how the west coast games for the NFL always take the middle time slot as the earliest they’ll be shown? Do you think there’s a reason for that? I’m quite certain NFL players aren’t playing the game at 9am on Sunday for the noon timeslot on the east coast.
Basically, what you’re saying is that Denver, Calgary, and Vancouver will forever be prohibited from hosting a Winter Classic because you, the viewer, live in NYC.
Essentially, it’s “too effing bad for them for living where they do, and eff those teams who want to earn the windfall of that immediate cash infusion”. And you wonder why teams in the west bitch and complain about east coast biases?
#161 by Chris O on 07.16.09 12:53 pm |
The Bruins Color History is below.
“Charles Adams was the first owner of the Bruins. He hired Art Ross to run the club. Adams directed Ross to come up with a nickname that would portray an untamed animal displaying speed, agility, and cunning. Ross came up with “Bruins”, (Although I have heard his secretary came up with the name.)an Old English word used for brown bears in classic folk-tales. The team’s bearlike nickname also went along with the team’s original uniform colors of brown and yellow, which came from Adams’ grocery chain, First National Stores.”
#162 by Wes on 07.16.09 12:55 pm |
LI Phil said:
This reminded me of a shirt I saw over the weekend. The Hold Steady are originally from Mpls and their lead singer is a big Twins fan. They played a concert in Mpls on Saturday and a fan was wearing this shirt. Not an MLB logo takeoff, but a takeoff of a (classic) MLB team logo. I’m not a huge HS fan, but I thought it was pretty damn cool…
http://www.bluecolla...
#163 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 12:58 pm |
LI Phil said:
no, i’m NOT saying they can’t have a game…i would HOPE they do get a game
it will just be played at 12:00 EST, that’s all
surely, you could find 60K hockey fans who are willing to be up and in their seats by 9:00 am (WST)
it’s all about the tv, not the actual fans in those cities teebz, you know that
has nothing to do with east coast bias, but tv time bias
#164 by Teebz on 07.16.09 12:59 pm |
LI Phil said:
Hate to tell you this, but TV is east coast biased. That’s why they are broadcast in ET and replayed in PT. Live events are ALWAYS given an ET billing because, surprisingly, all the networks are based there.
#165 by War Damn Eagle on 07.16.09 1:00 pm |
For the Cubs fans:
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
#166 by Timothy Omalley on 07.16.09 1:00 pm |
http://www.itsthesea...
can we get a ” I’m calling it the Sears Tower” shirt
#167 by mmwatkin on 07.16.09 1:04 pm |
Teebz said:
So would you prefer the NHL to have a game out west, move the time to 4:00? If you do this I can almost guarantee NBC will drop out and the game will end up being on Versus.
Not too good for the sport, IMO.
#168 by Wes on 07.16.09 1:04 pm |
Squiddie said:
A friend of mine works on for the U of MN athletic department. He told me there has been talk of trying to expand Hockey Day to more of a hockey weekend. The idea would be to set up ice at the new TCF Bank Stadium and play all weekend. Maybe some high school games on Friday and Saturday. Gophers women’s and men’s games on Saturday, Wild game on Sunday. I don’t think it has gotten past the idea stage, and I’m not sure it ever will (the logistics of scheduling, financial terms, etc, etc would make it a huge undertaking), but it’s a cool concept. If you’re going to go to the trouble of building temporary ice, might as well get as much use out of it as possible.
#169 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:05 pm |
Teebz said:
I should qualify that. Live, nationally-broadcast events are ALWAYS given an ET time.
Don’t forget that this event is about the CASUAL fan. It was designed to attract the leisurely fans to the game. I’m guaranteeing you that the 60,000 that show up at 9am are die-hards and not the people the NHL are trying to reach.
#170 by Ricko on 07.16.09 1:07 pm |
Teebz said:
Teebz, you’re thinking like a fan, and that’s not wrong.
But we need to remember that the WC exists because there was an incredible soft spot in the New Year’s Day broadcast schedule. The NHL and NBC have created something that draws far better than virtually any other NHL telecast and blows away anything else NBC can imagine putting in that time slot.
Now, by those criteria, it is a resounding—though still young and brittle— success. If ever the phrase “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applied to something, it’s the WC. Outside that particular, quirky time slot the WC loses pretty much all its clout…and much of it audience…an audience that’s just sitting there early on New Year’s Day looking for something different and entertaining on TV that most everyone in the house might find enjoyable…for one reason or another.
Anywhere but that time slot, the WC might not even exist. All we know for sure is that right there, on that day, it works.
—Ricko
#171 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:09 pm |
mmwatkin said:
So you’d prefer only to have the east coast leisurely fan attracted. Forget national growth altogether for a national league? Wow. Great business plan.
Your time zone should not dictate how the game is marketed. Right now, it does. If that’s the case, move the Winter Classic to the Central Time Zone permanently. That way, everyone is happy.
#172 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:14 pm |
Ricko said:
You mean, I’m thinking like the people this game is for? I’m thinking about the demographic that the NHL is trying to earn?
Ricko said:
I’m not saying they have to change the strategy. I’m simply suggesting that they throw the west coast fans a bone. Otherwise, the business model sucks. If I was an owner of a Western Conference team, I’d would be adamant that any future games include a Western Conference team that is situated in a city west of St. Louis for every game going forward – no exceptions.
#173 by aflfan on 07.16.09 1:14 pm |
Ricko said:
I am a big hockey fan but the only way I am watching the WC if it is up against the Rose Bowl is if Detroit is in it.
#174 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 1:14 pm |
Teebz said:
Growing up you would hear things like “Nine, eight Central time”. No longer. When was the last time Jay or Dave ever said that they were on at anything BUT 11:30?
What really teed me off was when ESPN started a college network. All sorts of opportunities to get out to somewhere else for balance in their coverage, and they went to North Carolina.
#175 by Scott Davis on 07.16.09 1:15 pm |
LI Phil said:
http://www.sullysbra...
#176 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 1:15 pm |
LI Phil said:
exactly…do you think the tv execs or bettman give a shit about the 60K?
no…they care about the millions (they hope) will be watching…those are the “casual” fans the game is aimed at
that’s why you can HAVE the game out west, but it will be played at NOON EST
i dragged my ass out of bed early (for me) to watch the open at 7 am this morning, and i will do so tomorrow (which is a vacation day for me) because i’m a golf fan…i fail to see why this event (which should attract even casual fans) is such a “chore” for left coasters to do at 9 AM (even on NYD)…seriously, is it THAT big a deal to be up (not showered, shaved and dressed, but merely awake) at 9:00 am on NYD?
#177 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 1:16 pm |
Teebz said:
Teebz, would you like to see a WC game in Phoenix?
(I mean, it even sounds silly: “Winter” and “Phoenix”.)
#178 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:19 pm |
LI Phil said:
You entirely contradicted yourself.
You dragged your ass out of bed to watch the Open because you’re a die-hard fan. Your time zone is forced to adapt if they want to watch the live event being played at normal hours in Britian.
What you’re suggesting is that the West Coasters change THEIR scheduling for your time zone. That’s entirely the point of my diatribe against the east coast bias.
Would you prefer if the British Open was played in the dark so you can watch it in primetime?
#179 by Ricko on 07.16.09 1:19 pm |
Teebz said:
Again, the WC isn’t for the fans they already have. This is a recruiting game, an advertising/marketing vehicle
And, shoot, I think St. Louis and Denver are totally viable candidates (assuming only U.S. venues remain what they want)…I’m just saying the WC will stay in that time slot. NHL wants to owe noonish on New Year’s Day, and that should be their end game goal, to be come a tradition. That was my point. That, and they should hope it snows a little every year. LOL
—Ricko
#180 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:20 pm |
anotherguy said:
No, but if you aren’t going to drop the east coast bias, then bring the Western teams to you.
Problem solved, rivalries be damned.
#181 by Ben on 07.16.09 1:22 pm |
Jerry said:
There are a ton of rumours up here (in Canada) that the Canadians were/are pushing hard for a game at the big O on December 4th. That is their official 100th birthday.
We’ll see what happens.
#182 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:23 pm |
Ricko said:
I get the noon timeslot. I’m not saying that part of it doesn’t work.
I’m saying that I’d be pissed if I owned a team west of the St. Louis Arch because the NHL is catering to a densely-populated area despite them having a national business model.
So bring the Western Conference teams east for the game, and forget nurturing the natural rivalries. Otherwise, the national business model is failing teams like LA, Anaheim, San Jose, Phoenix, etc, etc.
#183 by aflfan on 07.16.09 1:25 pm |
Talk about something not looking right
http://i.cdn.turner....
#184 by Beardface on 07.16.09 1:26 pm |
Teebz said:
Teebz…
The NHL simply can’t delay the playing of the game to 4pm to accommodate the West Coast fans if they plan to play the game on New Years Day. They cannot go back-to-back with the Rose Bowl. If they try, they’re going to shoot themselves in the foot, especially if they try to pull the game off on the West Coast in the heart of the Pac-10. They will not win that battle, and they know that. Play it at 4, and you’ll have the stadium half empty before the 3rd period starts so people can get home and prepare their Rose Bowl parties, or worse yet, they might not even show at all, especially if the home town team makes the Rose Bowl.
#185 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:29 pm |
Beardface said:
Again, I get this. See above for additional solutions.
#186 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 1:36 pm |
LI Phil said:
no…i dragged my ass out of bed because im a sports fan and it’s a major event…i do happen to like golf, but if it’s a world cup match and that’s on at 6:00 am (or when MLB played in japan and the games started at 5:00 am)…i woke up for those too
LI Phil said:
that is correct — im sure the tv ratings for the open on tnt aren’t what drives the event…but that’s apples and oranges…we’re talking WHY THE GAME (WINTER CLASSIC) MUST KEEP IT’S CURRENT TIME SLOT…
LI Phil said:
call it what you want…but the way games are set up on new years day (what with the huge football games beginning at 4:00 EST), what we’re ALL ARGUING is that the classic is best suited to a NOON time slot
is that ECB? maybe…deal with it, because that’s what’s driving this particular game in this particular slot — you’re not going to get the rose bowl moved to 7:00, and if you want to attract the “casual fan”, you’re not going to do it when you put the game up against the granddaddy
LI Phil said:
now you’re just being silly
i adapt to the game, i don’t ask the game to adapt to me…plus, you can play hockey at night (they have lights), but you can’t play golf in the dark *(unless we’re talking about that ‘battle at big horn’ or whatever it’s called where they truck in spot lights for the final few holes)
i don’t think its being unreasonable to ask fans to be awake at 9:00 am … i really don’t…an later for about 80% of the country (maybe not canada, but in the us)
im ALL FOR a west coast game, i’m all for west coast teams (or western division teams) to play in it
what im saying, for the 200th time, is that the way new year’s day television is set up, the ONLY good time to PLAY the game is at noon, est
#187 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:38 pm |
In getting away from my rant…
If you’re a female high school athlete, apparently the NCAA favors you going to school over your male counterparts. At least according to the CSC, they do. LOL
#188 by joe on 07.16.09 1:41 pm |
Ricko said:
not all football fields are crowned, as they have moved to the new turf, or have redone the natural surface w/ better drainage thye have removed a lot of the crowns. Wrigley had been crowned until last year, when they redid it. NIU’s football field was also frowned until they went to the fieldturf, the old astroturf was crowned but not the new stuff.
#189 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:42 pm |
LI Phil said:
What I’m saying is that the noon time slot works. I’m not disagreeing with that. I am proving that 9am is not attracting leisurely west coast fans to the game unless they have a vested interest.
Featuring Boston vs. Philly at 9am on LA’s NBC stations means that the Los Angeles Kings see nothing in terms of a benefit for their team.
#190 by Johnny O on 07.16.09 1:42 pm |
John Daly is at it again. Here is a picture from today’s Open Championship:
http://d.yimg.com/a/...
Here is another one. Check out his cool blue (or green? or teal?) grips as well:
http://d.yimg.com/a/...
Hand here is a pic from earlier in the week. Note his partner’s attire:
http://sports.yahoo....
—————————
And just to make sure Daly wouldn’t upstage him… here is what Ian Poulter is wearing:
http://d.yimg.com/a/...
http://d.yimg.com/a/...
(that logo on his right pant leg is Ian’s own logo)
http://www.ianpoulte...
Just one more:
http://d.yimg.com/a/...
One more of Big John’s pants:
http://d.yimg.com/a/...
#191 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:45 pm |
Teebz said:
… unless you have Kings-Bruins tickets on Saturday, January 16, 2010. The NE Division teams swing through the Pacific Division this season.
#192 by joe on 07.16.09 1:45 pm |
Teebz said:
wrigley had a HUGE infield crown until they redid it 2 winters ago. players literally complained about almost falling going around 3rd base at full speed the drop was so bad.
#193 by JTH on 07.16.09 1:45 pm |
Teebz said:
Thanks a lot, Teebz. If I get fired, it’s because of you and this filth, you filthy filthmongering filthmonger.
Request Blocked by URL Filter Database
Your request to URL “http://collegesportscouncil.org/newsroom/display_releases.cfm?id=28″ has been blocked by the Webwasher URL Filter Database.
The URL is listed under categories (Pornography), which are not allowed by your administrator at this time. If you feel this site is categorized incorrectly, please contact the IT-Service Desk.
The following TrustedSource reputation level was assigned: Neutral.
URL Filter Database serial number: 17895 generated 16/Jul/2009:12:29:09 -0500 by CH2WebWasher1 (Webwasher 6.8.3 Build 4533)
#194 by Ricko on 07.16.09 1:46 pm |
Gotta go with teams that get the biggest TV numbers.
The success of this year gets them another WC next year. And so on.
When they think the event can handle the Sharks against the Blues in St. Louis at new Busch, they’ll do it….but not if they think the numbers will go soft. They can’t afford a ratings dip just to placate a particular team or group of teams or, frankly, the fans of those teams.
That’s just the fact of it. Isn’t like an All-Star Game where they can set up the rotation in advance. It’s isn’t that big yet. Not even close. It’s substantial and getting bigger but, as I said, it’s still brittle.
—Ricko
#195 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:47 pm |
JTH said:
HUH? It’s a link directly to the CSC’s site with their report.
http://www.collegesp...
#196 by joe on 07.16.09 1:48 pm |
leon said:
yes it will be lever but it will also be at varying thicknesses which will cause havoc with keeping the ice temp a consistent 27 or so at teh surface.
#197 by Ricko on 07.16.09 1:50 pm |
Teebz said:
That’s a little like saying the Super Bowl telecast doesn’t benefit the Bengals.
#198 by DJ on 07.16.09 1:50 pm |
If you’re going to go to the trouble of building temporary ice, might as well get as much use out of it as possible.
I believe that’s exactly what they’re going to do at Fenway, with Boston College playing Boston University there a few days after the Bruins and Flyers game.
#199 by Stuby on 07.16.09 1:52 pm |
Sadly, the marketing dude who brought us the Crazy Crab, the Croix de Candlestick and Humm Baby is leaving the Giants.
http://www.sfgate.co...
#200 by leon on 07.16.09 1:52 pm |
As a member of the East Coast Elite I’d like to register my displeasure with all the sporting events that take place in the Mountain and Pacific time zones that I can’t stay up late enough to watch. It’s been a few years since I’ve witnessed an entire World Series game as well.
#201 by timmy b on 07.16.09 1:53 pm |
Teebz said:
(Forgive me if this has been already addressed)
Does Tropicana Field qualify?? (AKA the Thunderdome?) when the Lightning played there for several seasons??
#202 by Berto on 07.16.09 1:53 pm |
Teebz said:
Worked for me. But for some reason I’m blocked from MLB sites it seems by MLB so go figure.
#203 by Paul Lukas on 07.16.09 1:54 pm |
Ricko said:
Did someone say “biggest TV numbers”?
http://i.cnn.net/si/...
#204 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 1:55 pm |
JTH said:
at this time?
so there’s hope for the future, eh?
#205 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:56 pm |
Ricko said:
Nothing ever benefits the Bungles. LOL
#206 by Teebz on 07.16.09 1:57 pm |
LI Phil said:
JTH is holding on to his Great White Hype. LOL
(couldn’t resist the double entendre, JTH!)
#207 by LarryB on 07.16.09 2:00 pm |
Ricko said:
Ricko, There are some mixed in the albums. WIWAG2 has some from this pic on
http://lh6.ggpht.com...
and Goldenage album in this area. Just go forward and back
http://lh5.ggpht.com...
#208 by LarryB on 07.16.09 2:02 pm |
http://lh5.ggpht.com...
I remember before Paul was one of the very few who liked this Cubs uni. But I was one the ones that also liked it.
As a kid I loved the old Pirates and Reds look of the early 1960’s
#209 by Ricko on 07.16.09 2:04 pm |
LarryB said:
thanks
#210 by JTH on 07.16.09 2:04 pm |
Wes said:
He was drunk and exhausted but he was critically acclaimed and respected.
He loved the golden gophers but he hated all the drawn-out winters.
I think I need that shirt.
These Twin City kisses, they sound like clicks and hisses
#211 by Ricko on 07.16.09 2:05 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
Or these, among the first NFL TV numbers….
http://cgi.ebay.com/...|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1240|293%3A1|294%3A50
—Ricko
#212 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 2:06 pm |
#213 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 2:08 pm |
JTH said:
Okay, I tried to make a funny and the tags got all messed up.
I was overexcited I guess.
#214 by Teebz on 07.16.09 2:08 pm |
#215 by anotherguy on 07.16.09 2:10 pm |
Teebz said:
Yeah, but at some point a throwback uniform from say, the Rangers doesn’t work against the throwback uni of the San Jose Sharks. :-)
#216 by Hott Rodd on 07.16.09 2:11 pm |
Teebz said:
A. There is no WST. There is Pacific and Mountain.
B. If you have never lived out West you have no idea what it is like to try to watch live sports at 9am after doing anything the night before.
C. Phil, with all due respect, everything you are saying is only serving to reinforce the typical east coast bias.
“aren’t a lot of left-coasters pretty much already used to seeing eastern sporting events earlier anyway?”
Since we always have to watch games 3 hours earlier anyway, why should be be allowed to actually watch the games at noon. I am sure the players would love to show up for a game at 7 am.
This is not to say that I think going against the Rose Bowl is a great idea, but rather that the east coast biased arguments are tired and insulting.
#217 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 2:12 pm |
Teebz said:
it’s probably easiest if we just paste the article:
LI Phil said:
no pics, no porno…sorry
#218 by Teebz on 07.16.09 2:12 pm |
anotherguy said:
Since all of the Western teams were incorporated into the NHL after 1967, you’re facing the same problem with this season’s Winter Classic. Philly, as a franchise, didn’t exist before 1967 either. There were teams who moved and setup shop there, but none are connected to the Flyers.
#219 by JTH on 07.16.09 2:13 pm |
Teebz said:
The babysitter software here is a joke.
Here’s what happens on a Google search of “beer can chicken recipe”
JTH said:
Or maybe I want to look for something for my kid to wear to the pool?
JTH said:
#220 by Pretty Boy Paulie on 07.16.09 2:14 pm |
I’d like to put this into production myself…
http://i667.photobuc...
#221 by Johnny O on 07.16.09 2:17 pm |
Johnny O said:
Check out John Daly’s bag:
http://i147.photobuc...
I gotta find out if he is indeed sponsored by Big Red gum, or if that is something else.
#222 by nettles on 07.16.09 2:19 pm |
Ricko said:
Which led to Bank’s less-than-famous quote, “Let’s wear two.” ;)
#223 by JTH on 07.16.09 2:22 pm |
Johnny O said:
It’s a red cream soda, not the gum.
#224 by joe on 07.16.09 2:23 pm |
Seth H said:
that image reinforces why a football field is not a good place for hockey. The rink is so much smaller than the football field there are not good seats anywhere near the game. At least in a smaller venue like a BB stadium you have some close seats. Granted it would have made much more sense to run teh field down 3rd base line at wrigely and for fenway down the 1st base line.
#225 by Ricko on 07.16.09 2:26 pm |
Teebz said:
Isn’t there just a reasonable practicality that says better to have a game start at 5 pm in one part of country than have it end at 2 am in another part of the country? It know it’s about advertisers wanting big markets at key times, and not wanting a dwindling audience after midnight, but it’s also about which inconveniences the fewest people, and to what degree.
Guess I’m saying that a bias is a bias, but time zones are what they are, and they are always going to have an affect, just by their very nature.
—Ricko
#226 by JTH on 07.16.09 2:29 pm |
joe said:
Baseball fields are even larger than football fields.
And the closest seats to the ice at Wrigley Field were the “Youth Hockey Limited View” tickets.
#227 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 2:29 pm |
Don’t think these have been covered (running late so I had to skim to catch up):
I haven’t seen anyone suggest PNC Park for a Winter Classic http://www.ballparkt...
http://assets.espn.g...
Picture THOSE shots on a beautiful gray, cloudy snowy Pittsburgh type of day.
Or…just open up the Mellon Arena roof. When was the last time they did that for anything?
Also, I know you’ve answered this: “What’s the deal with this cap? Almost looks like he’s wearing two caps, or like there’s a pocket or fold in the cap. Anyone..?” But it makes me want to say, “It’s a beautiful day for a game – let’s wear two caps…”
#228 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 2:31 pm |
#229 by Ricko on 07.16.09 2:35 pm |
JTH said:
Oh, now, let’s remember the WC exists first and foremost as a TV event, and an “experience” for those who attend. I don’t think anyone ever claimed you wouldn’t see the game better a regular indoor Sabres, Black Hawks or Bruins game.
—Ricko
#230 by War Damn Eagle on 07.16.09 2:36 pm |
This guy has done some terrific work making these motorcycle helmets.
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
One of the pics shows examples of his other work.
#231 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 2:38 pm |
JimV19 said:
jim,
i think we covered this before you started reading
because the pens were already in a classic (albeit not at home), chances are slim and none that they’ll get in another one any time soon
good idea, but, nat gahn happen
#232 by joe on 07.16.09 2:40 pm |
JTH said:
but as I stated they should have run teh rink up the 3rd base line then, everything from about the RF bullpen plate to behind the plate all they way up the left field side would actually be good seats. The only bad seats then would be the far RF corner and RF bleachers. A FB field is 53 yards wide not counting the sidelines a rink is only 85 feet wide. It looks like a postage stamp when centered on a football field. on a baseball field the rink run up a baseline would cover the entire infield base area and extend another 110 feet into the outfield.
#233 by joe on 07.16.09 2:42 pm |
JTH said:
plus the reason the first rows were cheapest was that being low and far from the ice you had a limited view, move the boards toward the stands and that view improves dramatically.
#234 by Hott Rodd on 07.16.09 2:42 pm |
JimV19 said:
Don’t quote me, but I think is was for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in the all time classic “Sudden Death” starring Jean-Claude Van Damme
#235 by Ricko on 07.16.09 2:46 pm |
joe said:
But that wouldn’t look as good on TV.
And that’s one place where it does break down. Really would be better to configure things that way. But, they’re interested in “framing things” properly. The end result is that at least the fans get treated equally:They’re all way the hell away from the rink.
—Ricko
#236 by Ricko on 07.16.09 2:53 pm |
An Art Director at work came back from his daily walk around the Mall of America at lunch and said there’s some kind of booth set up about the Negro Leagues.
I can’t get over there today. Maybe tomorrow.
Any Twin Cities folks here know anything about it?
—Ricko
#237 by JTH on 07.16.09 2:55 pm |
Ricko said:
Not really. Think about where the only “good” seats in Wrigley were: the upper-deck. Positioning the ice where they did made sense when you look at it that way. If they put the rink down the third base line, it might have improved the view for some of the people sitting on that side of the park, but it would have made it a whole lot worse for a greater number of the people sitting on the first base side.
The lower deck and bleachers would have sucked no matter where they put the ice.
#238 by Hibbs on 07.16.09 3:00 pm |
Winter Classic in LA? Turn it into a giant bubble hockey game. Replica, that is. Put a plexy glass dome over the rink, and have giant rods/handles, whatever they’re called, coming out of the boards. They would be superfluous, but funny. The fans would be out in the beautiful Cali weather while the players skate in the frigid dome. I’d imagine it would have to be extra cold in there to counteract any greenhouse effect. Who wouldn’t watch that?
#239 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 3:01 pm |
#240 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 3:02 pm |
LI Phil said:
my bad
LI Phil said:
no, i’ve never lived out west, but i have visited many times…while i know the ‘lifestyles’ are different (sorta ‘laid back’ vs. ‘hustle and bustle’), but i have to say, i really ENJOYED watching sporting events 3 hours earlier (although, i guess, technically i was still on east coast time) — but specifically i remember being at a wedding in death valley (furnace creek, to be specific) and watching the mets destroy the giants in the 2000 NLCS…and the game ended well before the wedding started…was great; every time in vegas was great to see “early” games
and, while im sure i wouldn’t enjoy this, i remember in hawaii catching part of a mets espn telecast (so must have been an 8 pm game) at two in the afternoon — watched a couple innings before scuba, then another inning or so before luau
maybe i just enjoyed the novelty of having games earlier than i was used to; i certainly won’t say i have any idea what it is like to watch live sports at 9am out there…i just know i can do it here (don’t want it every day of course, but for a big/special event…not a problem)
LI Phil said:
like i said, call it east coast bias if you want — but it’s all about pleasing the largest tv audience possible in a time slot that makes the most sense…if the pro bowl were still in hawai’i and it might please hawai’ians to no end to have the game at 8:00 hawai’i time, you’d have an even smaller audience for the game than already is in place…it’s not a slap at hawai’ians as much as it’s to accommodate a NATIONWIDE audience…and if 80% of that audience happens to reside in the eastern and central time zones, then that’s when they’re gonna dictate the game be played
LI Phil said:
not trying to be insulting…just pragmatic
if you move the game, or make it a double header (no matter WHERE it’s played or by WHOM), that will spell the death knell for the winter classic
#241 by Ricko on 07.16.09 3:03 pm |
You’re sure right about that, JTH.
No doubt about it, second deck generally is WAY under-rated…even for plain old everyday regular season games.
There’s a reason they put the TV cameras up there.
–Ricko
#242 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 3:15 pm |
#243 by Teebz on 07.16.09 3:18 pm |
LI Phil said:
What Phil is saying is that there needs to be more communities set up in the mountains of Utah and the plains of Montana.
Unabombers and polygamist colonies unite! LOL
#244 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 3:19 pm |
LI Phil said:
i think the consensus is that anything south of philly (on the east coast anyway) is too far south for outdoor puck…something to do with temps likely above freezing…possibly having something to do with ice melt?
LI Phil said:
that’s a good one
wait…you were serious, right?
#245 by Teebz on 07.16.09 3:24 pm |
LI Phil said:
If you’re talking fringe sports, check out this news on the WWL today: WTF are they thinking?
#246 by mike on 07.16.09 3:24 pm |
Frankly, as a Californian I think most sporting events (although don’t get me started on how they screw us on Wimbeldon) on TV work out perfectly for us. I don’t know what those on the east coast do on Sunday morning and I know I’m going to see the end of World Series games and Monday night football.
That being said, a live event that early would never fly. You would be asking players to be in at 6am. I don’t see that working.
East coast for the WC it is.
#247 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 3:25 pm |
“If a dimpled surface makes a golf ball go farther, why not apply the same principle to a car? (Thanks, Kirsten.)”
I like the idea, but I bet the dimples are hard to keep clean…unless you build a giant one of these http://farm3.static....
#248 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 3:30 pm |
Teebz said:
I might have been serious, Phil… ;)
I’d watch Twenty20 cricket at least once, but with this little thing we have here called baseball, I don’t see it lasting. Good luck to them, though.
#249 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 3:37 pm |
Saw this coming, and he’s a good fit for the CFL: http://sports.espn.g...
#250 by Berto on 07.16.09 3:41 pm |
Hibbs said:
Brilliant!
#251 by Teebz on 07.16.09 3:44 pm |
Berto said:
You’d be stuck with this little issue called steam and/or condensation.
Not so brilliant.
#252 by Berto on 07.16.09 3:47 pm |
Pro cricket before pro rugby? Really? We can’t sell 30 guys with no pads bashing each other but we can sell a guy in catcher’s gear running back and forth for three days?
Yer killing me Larry.
#253 by Berto on 07.16.09 3:49 pm |
Teebz said:
Dang. But it would be cool if you could work it out. C’mon, man on the moon and what not.
#254 by JTH on 07.16.09 3:51 pm |
Teebz said:
But it’s a dry heat…
#255 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 3:56 pm |
Teebz said:
Or…..
Keep the Winter Classic in the Northeast and have the All Star Game in LA…on roller blades. Some purists already figure the ASG isn’t real hockey – why not have it somewhere warm, and you might get some interest from the guys who fake injuries to skip the ASG. Only half-serious, but I’d watch it.
#256 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 4:08 pm |
Berto said:
I think the only way to sell fringe sports on TV now is to bring back a “Wide World of Sports” type of show – either on ESPN or one of the major networks. All the leagues would chip in to buy the air time and a different league would be featured each week. They could even have a single management group with different branches. For example, you’d have the Wide World Cricket League, the Wide World Rugby League, etc. That way a network isn’t committed to a single sport and they all get some exposure they wouldn’t get on their own. Whaddaya think?
#257 by =bg= on 07.16.09 4:09 pm |
Jerry said:
I think Sharkies @ AT&T Park would be cool. Uh, make that cold. I live in the East Bay- it’s been around 100 here. Went into the City yesterday—it was like Siberia where we were. (Near the ocean, SFZoo.) So yeah, it’ll be cold enough Jan 1.
#258 by Ricko on 07.16.09 4:09 pm |
Cricket in the U.S.?
Good idea, MLB and NFL games don’t run long enough for American tastes.
—Ricko
#259 by JimV19 on 07.16.09 4:15 pm |
Ricko said:
Yeah, you’ll never hear anyone say, “It’s a beautiful day for cricket – let’s play two!” ;)
Twenty20 cricket is a shortened version, but probably still too long for us.
#260 by Berto on 07.16.09 4:22 pm |
JimV19 said:
Works for me. Anything to get more rugby on free TV or basic cable. I think if rugby were done right rugby could catch on. Not as a major sport, but on the level of MLS or something like that.
Just one small point. It would be called Wide World Rugby Union. In rugby the term “League” refers to a different set of rules sort of like how arena football is different than just football.
#261 by Ricko on 07.16.09 4:26 pm |
Another part of the WC is the NHL telling (and harking back to) the history of the game, and the way players grew up playing it. I seriously believe there are those who think hockey was waiting around to be invented until someone built the first indoor ice rink.
Y’know, that it was like…
“Hey, what if we tried field hockey in the figure skating arena!”
“Okay! As soon as the curling tournament is over we’ll sneak in there.”
“Red and blue lines would be cool.”
“Oooo, I LIKE it.”
The story of pond (and river) hockey is worth telling…and emulating. And it has nothing to do with palm trees.
—Ricko
#262 by aflfan on 07.16.09 4:30 pm |
Hott Rodd said:
Sorry but the words classic and Jean-Claude Van Damme should not be in the same sentence.
#263 by M.Princip on 07.16.09 4:31 pm |
Pretty Boy Paulie said:
Or, Arnold
#264 by JTH on 07.16.09 4:35 pm |
M.Princip said:
I like it, but you’d better fix that apostrophe before Paul sees it.
#265 by aflfan on 07.16.09 4:37 pm |
#266 by Berto on 07.16.09 4:40 pm |
#267 by LI Phil on 07.16.09 4:41 pm |
JTH said:
i was thinkin’ maybe he did that on purpose
/btw, nice shirt michael!
#268 by joe on 07.16.09 4:42 pm |
Hott Rodd said:
Since they installed the new scoreboard, it is not impossible to open the roof.
#269 by joe on 07.16.09 4:42 pm |
“Now impossible” is how that should have read.
#270 by Bernard on 07.16.09 4:43 pm |
JimV19 said:
Sounds good to me. If it means there’s ONE less friggin’ poker broadcast, even better.
#271 by Ricko on 07.16.09 4:44 pm |
JTH said:
So the idea is to wear that shirt and hang around the lobby all day waving to tour groups?
#272 by joe on 07.16.09 4:45 pm |
Ricko said:
How would it look bad on TV? The camera gets put essentially in CF behind the benches. The camera shoots over the benches across the ice and penalty box and right into a huge crowd that’s 15 feet from the glass.
#273 by aflfan on 07.16.09 4:47 pm |
JimV19 said:
I like it. I miss WWS
#274 by M.Princip on 07.16.09 4:47 pm |
JTH said:
Ha! Too true.
#275 by joe on 07.16.09 4:47 pm |
JTH said:
no doubt the upper deck had the best views, but a big reason whey the lower deck was bad was being so far from the boards there was no angle to look down over them from. If the boards are closer to the seats that angle changes greatly.
#276 by Ricko on 07.16.09 4:48 pm |
“…but we can sell a guy in catcher’s gear running back and forth for three days?”
Cool. Like a really low budget Transformers movie.
#277 by M.Princip on 07.16.09 4:49 pm |
Ricko said:
Now it is! Thanks.
#278 by Ricko on 07.16.09 4:51 pm |
joe said: