As several readers have noted, Aaron Heilman has been wearing deluxe logo-emblazoned stirrups lately. There’s a story behind that — a story in which Uni Watch and I have a minor role.
It began in mid-July, when Heilman had already been wearing standard, logo-free stirrups for about a month. That’s when I got the following note from Jeff L., a Uni Watch reader whose sister happens to be married to Heilman:
I always hoped [Aaron] would someday don stirrups and even started bugging my sister about it when he was in spring training. I had been planning to bring him some stirrups when my wife and I visited them this summer, but he jumped on the stirrup train before I got there. … I nervously check the TV highlights to make sure he has not fallen off the wagon. …
I have an order holding with a local sporting goods store for a dozen of Twin City Knitting’s MB700 stirrups with the Cubs logo on the side. I first saw them on Uni Watch. I’m going to give him a couple pairs when the Cubs come to L.A. (where I live) in August. Maybe they make it onto the field, maybe not. I think it’s worth the cash for the extras.
My problem is I’m not sure what size he wears. I think 7″, but maybe not. I have to get a dozen in the same size, and I’d like the order to go out early next week so they will be here in time for the August series. Do you know anyone in the Cubs equiptment dept. who might be able to find out? Obviously I could ask Aaron himself, but I don’t want to jinx anything, and I’d also like to surprise him.
I don’t have a contact in the Cubbies’ equipment room, and I didn’t want to ask anything that might get back to Heilman and ruin Jeff’s surprise. So I told Jeff I was pretty sure Heilman was wearing either 5-inchers or, more likely, 7-inchers (I confess that I gave more emphasis to the 7″ model because that’s my personal preference). He thanked me, asked me to keep the whole thing private, and that was that.
Fast forward to last Saturday, when several readers told me Heilman was wearing the logo hose. “Hmmm,” I thought to myself, “I wonder if that was Jeff’s doing.” Sure enough, I got another note from him on Tuesday:
As you have heard by now, Aaron is wearing the “C” logo stirrups that I ordered for him. Thanks for confirming his 7″ style. I would never have even known they existed if I hadn’t seen them on Uni Watch.
Interestingly, just before I gave the stirrups to him, he had actually gone back to wearing long pants in a recent game against the Dodgers. I met up with him for dinner afterward and presented him with two pairs of the logo stirrups but was resigned to thinking this phase was now over. To my surprise, he thought they were cool and has been wearing them ever since. Apparently some of his teammates think they’re cool too. Could a stirrup revival be next?
Jeff has now given me permission to write about all of this, so here we are. Kudos to him for going the extra mile with his brother-in-law.
As for Heilman, he’s always struck me as more interesting than the average ballplayer. In his Mets days, his entry music was “London Calling” (leading to lots of stains in Scott Turner’s underwear), and now this — nice.
Raffle Reminder: I’m currently raffling off a free college football helmet from Gridiron Memories. For details, look here.
Uni Watch News Ticker: In case you missed it yesterday afternoon, here’s my annual college football column on ESPN. … Whoa, look at the bizarre facemask worn by Hub Reed of the Pistons during the 1964-65 season (great find by Jeremy Brahm). … New football uniforms for Towson. … The longest NOB in sports has a new home (as noted by Adam Elkana-Hale). … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: New mask for Pascal Leclaire. … Cool slideshow of the Predators’ logos being prepped for on-ice application here (with thanks to Nick Church). … “While you were out, I made my annual pilgrimage to the Iowa State Fair,” writes Steve Young. “As I was walking around, I stumbled upon the booth for Living History Farms. It’s a living museum that demonstrates farm living throughout Iowa’s history. Part of the museum is a simulated 1870s town called Walnut Hill, with a baseball team, the Bluestockings, and they had a Bluestockings uni on display.” … Good Luc Robitaille jersey story here (with thanks to Andrew Kleinhans). … No photo, but an interesting observation by Michael Jaworski: “Bobby Cox was wearing a catcher’s mitt while in the dugout throughout Thursday’s night’s Marlins/Braves game, or at least he just got ejected in the 8th. The dugouts down here are the only MLB dugouts without any kind of rail or fence, so Cox wears the mitt in case a line foul ball comes at him in the dugout. I’d never seen that before.” … Bizarre observation from James T. Huening from last night’s Bears/Browns game: “Just as I started asking myself ‘Why am I still watching this game?,’ I noticed that Bears third-string QB Brett Bazanez doesn’t have George Halas’s initials on his left sleeve. That’s odd. Wait a minute — he has them on his right sleeve.” … Nice little video clip about the Penn State equipment staff prepping the team’s helmets, and another one about some classic helmets from the team’s past (both courtesy of Bryan Koval). … After wearing a single-flapped S100 on Tuesday and a double-flapped S100 on Wednesday, David Wright went back to a Cool-Flo yesterday, almost certainly making him the first MLBer ever to wear three different helmet styles in three consecutive games. … So much going on in this softball shot. The third basegirl has a mask, a bow in her hair, and nail polish, the runner has a mask and a Little League patch, and can someone please explain why softball players still wear short? (With thanks to Matt Mitchell.)
Holiday Schedule: Phil will offer his usual 13-course tasting menu over the weekend, and I’ll have some sort of content on Monday — maybe a real entry, more likely just a photo from my Sunday barbecue party. Either way, comments will be open. Back to regular content on Tuesday.
#1 by Scott Davis on 09.04.09 9:52 am |
From http://www.nj.com/me...
“Wright said the helmet needed some improvement, but that he would continue to wear it.”
Liar.
#2 by Marc M. on 09.04.09 9:54 am |
Paul, the last ticker entry does not have a link, just giving you a heads up.
#3 by Paul Lukas on 09.04.09 9:58 am |
Marc M. said:
Got it. Thanks!
#4 by Mark K on 09.04.09 9:59 am |
link to espn column is off, too.
#5 by Greenie on 09.04.09 10:02 am |
Wow, one of the few days I was up before the new post.
Great job of a uniwatcher making a difference on the field.
#6 by Ricko on 09.04.09 10:03 am |
Uni matchup for Oregon-Boise State wasn’t all that ugly.
Post-game activities picked up the baton, though.
Yeah, the now-requisite pre-game handshake sure promoted sportsmanship, huh.
Boise State’s unis? Butt stripes and some kind of handy “BRONCOS” file folder label on the back? Big oh-fer on those.
Now, the South Carolina-NC State game, THAT was, visually speaking, a nice game to watch, despite the teams wearing similar colors. Not normally a fan of dark pants, but that SC look is pretty classy.
—Ricko
#7 by JTH on 09.04.09 10:03 am |
Jeff L. — Nicely done. bravo, sir.
#8 by DJ on 09.04.09 10:11 am |
The dugouts down here (Miami) are the only MLB dugouts without any kind of rail or fence,
I don’t think the Metrodome has a rail or fence either. It’s days are numbered, of course…
#9 by Ricko on 09.04.09 10:12 am |
DJ said:
Something like 11 games left, yes. Dugouts are “walk-ins”, too. Same level as playing field.
—Ricko
#10 by Ricko on 09.04.09 10:14 am |
Ricko said:
Well, virtually walk-in; they are a bit lower. But not the typical “DUGout”.
—RICKO
#11 by JTH on 09.04.09 10:18 am |
Ricko said:
Hey, don’t forget the Hoosiers and the Colonels. Aside from EKU’s somewhat goofy numeral font, the game was pretty easy on the eyes.
Of course, I’m probably the only one here who was watching any of that game.
#12 by Original Jim on 09.04.09 10:20 am |
The 8 on the back of Patriots QB Brian Hoyer was upside down in yesterday’s game…here’s a pic: http://farm3.static....
#13 by Ricko on 09.04.09 10:22 am |
JTH said:
Love that Indiana look. Very John Isenbarger. So Harry Gonso. Tres Jade Butcher.
—Ricko
#14 by Ricko on 09.04.09 10:27 am |
Original Jim said:
OMB, so is the logo on the ball!
No…wait…
#15 by M.Princip on 09.04.09 10:32 am |
Ricko said:
Totally agree Ricko! SC’s Uniform is one of my favorite college uni’s out there. Something about that combination white helmet & their center helmet stripe colors I absolutely love.
#16 by JTH on 09.04.09 10:37 am |
Ricko said:
Not that I’ve got anything against the current helmets, but I’d like to see them return to the simple block I logo that they wore during that era.
Maybe they’ll trot those out as throwbacks this year as part of the 125th anniversary celebration.
#17 by War Damn Eagle on 09.04.09 10:43 am |
Boise’s players blended into the turf so much, it was hard to see them on TV. With grey facemasks and grey nummerals, there’s no color pop to stand out from the blue. They used to be white.
#18 by JTH on 09.04.09 10:53 am |
RE: that Bobby Cox catcher’s mitt story.
Anyone remember in the ′03 NLCS when a reliever came in for the Marlins and his first pitch (or maybe one of his warmup tosses) ended up in the dugout? As a goof, Ozzie Guilen put on a catcher’s mask and mitt and held up the mitt as a target.
#19 by LI Phil on 09.04.09 10:58 am |
Mark K said:
thanks, now fixed (couple late risers today)
#20 by mmwatkin on 09.04.09 11:00 am |
I may be minority on this one, but Oregon had a great look last night with stormtrooper uniform. Boise State looked so bad, I think a few more of their players need to be punched in the face for agreeing to wear them.
#21 by Ricko on 09.04.09 11:05 am |
mmwatkin said:
Yup. Oregon went with a straightforward look, considering the outrageous possibilities. And I assume we should call the shoulder trim “feathers” cuz if it’s “wings” that’s a lotta dead ducks.
Although I did find myself thinking if you change the “O” on the helmets to a “Q” it would be a perfect uni for a team called the Q-Tips.
—Ricko
#22 by leon on 09.04.09 11:14 am |
Caught some of the Skins vs. LA Jags last nite in Jaxonville. Even for an exhibition game, that place was empty.
#23 by tom farley on 09.04.09 11:16 am |
With grey facemasks and grey nummerals, there’s no color pop to stand out from the blue.
It was hard to watch. Aesthetically, yes, but also literally difficult to watch. White or even orange pants would have helped greatly, BSU.
And the butt stripes? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
some kind of handy “BRONCOS” file folder label on the back?
Ha! Ricko, that was so that a coach could file his laminated playcard with any player. Clearly.
Oregon actually helped viewers greatly by wearing their all-white combo. (I can’t believe I just wrote that.)
#24 by Hank on 09.04.09 11:18 am |
Add Shane Victorino to the S100 tryout camp. He wore it for his first two ABs, then went back to his regular lid. Said if they gave him one with two flaps, he’d try it for a longer time.
http://www.thefighti...
#25 by John Goodrich on 09.04.09 11:22 am |
Is it just me, or should football “pants” be called “tights” when they don’t have any stripes?
I’m looking at you, Browns.
#26 by Nate on 09.04.09 11:27 am |
I liked when the Boise State players would cross the yellow first down line and the line would jump up onto the player with the uniform and turf blues being so similar. Anyone else notice this or get a screen shot?
#27 by LI Phil on 09.04.09 11:41 am |
Nate said:
was chatting with ricko last night, and amongst trading vicious barbs about the visual clusterfuck, i said something along the lines of “i’ll say one good thing for boise’s field — it makes the first down line very easy to see”
lagarrette blount by TKO…”this is for everyone who had to watch this on TV mofo”
i keed, i keed…but seriously, is this the end of the pregame 15 on 15 handshake routine?
there is no place for stripeless pants (and i mean as opposed to REAL stripes, not truncated jobs or amorphous designs) in pro football…leave that to the college game…
and when ricko becomes NFL commissioner and appoints me to the head of the fashion police, we’re going to eliminate solid-color socks with same-color pants
exhibit A…at least this year they seemed to fix that…but time will tell
#28 by leon on 09.04.09 12:02 pm |
Kevin Youkillis to wear the S100 next time he faces Rick Porcello.
#29 by tom farley on 09.04.09 12:15 pm |
Is it just me, or should football “pants” be called “tights” when they don’t have any stripes?
I agree, John Goodrich.
And if nothing else, I think of that as a college look, since Colorado was the first school I can recall going stripeless. NFL teams should have stripes on their pants, even if it’s those ludicrously wide stripes the 49ers had in the Montana years. I’ll take those over no stripes at all.
#30 by ATLShaun on 09.04.09 12:15 pm |
http://www.facebook....
Oregon facebook page has the uniform \’wings\’ surrounding the O
#31 by DenverGregg on 09.04.09 12:20 pm |
The Lobos now have the best-looking red uniforms in sports. Good on them, even if that is kind of like having the tallest building in Witchita.
Those designs on the Oregon State jerseys could be quite embarrassing for a team with its nickname. Just sayin’.
#32 by JimV19 on 09.04.09 12:23 pm |
Along with new uniforms, Towson will wear black helmets for the first time. Sigh.
http://www.towsontig...
Yes, black is one of their colors, but I liked the yellow helmet.
#33 by Steve Naismith on 09.04.09 12:28 pm |
Congratulations Jeff – your brother-in-law looks like a total clown.
#34 by Jim McCue on 09.04.09 12:32 pm |
Caught the Oregon-Boise State game right after halftime. Did anyone get a screen grab when ESPN showed the halftime stats? At the top of each column it said “TEAM LOGO” with no team logo for either team. Like the Ducks offense, I guess the ESPN crew was a bit slow in starting the college football season.
#35 by Ricko on 09.04.09 12:38 pm |
“Those designs on the Oregon State jerseys could be quite embarrassing for a team with its nickname. Just sayin’.”
Yeah, look like some sort of, oh, I dunno…patch?
A pelt, maybe?
#36 by leon on 09.04.09 12:41 pm |
Ricko said:
merkin
#37 by Ricko on 09.04.09 12:42 pm |
leon said:
First jerseys in history requiring a wash AND a wax?
#38 by leon on 09.04.09 12:44 pm |
leon said:
oh, wait, that’s Oregon State.
#39 by LI Phil on 09.04.09 12:46 pm |
LI Phil said:
+1
however, you’re giving the braintrust in beaverton (no pun intended) far too much credit ;)
#40 by Ricko on 09.04.09 12:47 pm |
leon said:
Oregon State, yes.
http://farm3.static....
(from espn column)
#41 by Berto on 09.04.09 12:48 pm |
It was mentioned during the A’s telecast last night that Brett Tomko’s dad designed the original Cav’s logo . Wikipedia says he named the team as part of a newspaper contest but doesn’t mention the logo design. Neat story.
#42 by Ricko on 09.04.09 12:52 pm |
Berto said:
Always thought that logo was the view seen by the Musketeer whose family motto was, “All for One and…No, Wait, You Stay and Fight, I’ll Go for Help”.
—Ricko
#43 by rpm on 09.04.09 12:54 pm |
comrade brendan ryan~
in a blog gone mad, i regret to inform you of this dire news. i fear that comrade lukas is indeed a sevenist, and an enemy of the party, an enemy of the people. i should have spilled his traitorous blood whilst he ate flank steak, and drank lager. my failure to assassinate this enemy of the right proper stirrup aesthetic is unacceptable. i will now drink the iocane powder to wit i have built no immunity. i am sorry i failed the 5 inch cause.
yours in properly cuffed pantaloons,
comrade marshall
#44 by JTH on 09.04.09 1:00 pm |
DenverGregg said:
Wait. What?
This looks better than this?
Or this?
Or this?
Or this?
I could go on.
#45 by interlockingtc on 09.04.09 1:00 pm |
“…his entry music was “London Calling” (leading to lots of stains in Scott Turner’s underwear)….”
lol
#46 by leon on 09.04.09 1:01 pm |
Oregon State, yes.
http://farm3.static&....
(from espn column)
Can’t they quit letting women and fashionistas dick with that area of the uniform and just put some numbers there? What’s next-functional epaullets? Christ, there’ll be players punching each other next thing you know over their foppish shoulder thingies.
#47 by Ricko on 09.04.09 1:04 pm |
rpm said:
Blame not solely the measurement.
If the nethermost stripe be too distant from the most up-reaching stirrup there is created space lying fallow that offends the beholder. Blousing, though proper, then renders obscured and un-viewed the full elegant pattern upon the stockings.
‘Tis a pity and, ay…there’s the rub.
#48 by leon on 09.04.09 1:08 pm |
Ricko said:
cavalier attitudes, both.
btw, that cleveland cav would look better in camo!
#49 by bourbon soaked idiot on 09.04.09 1:10 pm |
DenverGregg said:
Huh? Have you seen the New Jersey Devils in their red home sweaters? Lobos can’t hold a candle to that.
#50 by rpm on 09.04.09 1:17 pm |
Ricko said:
comrade pearson~
your infiltrations into the sevenist wing of the party is much appreciated. for one who covets the seven to make it a five on his own accord, is not only a great man, but may even be the salvation of the people.
so comrades, come rally
and the last fight let us face
pajamist’s heads will be bashed in by a mace.
comrade marshall
#51 by Ricko on 09.04.09 1:17 pm |
leon said:
The Cleveland Camoliers?
Didn’t MacDuff’s solidiers do that with bushes so that “Birnamwood doth toward Dunsinane move”?
—Ricko
#52 by LI Phil on 09.04.09 1:20 pm |
JTH said:
james, you’re forgetting this
or this
or this
#53 by gusto on 09.04.09 1:24 pm |
M.Princip said:
Gotta disagree with both of you, I’d be willing to bet most people on this site would say both South Carolina and N.C. State have boring uniforms. Both schools had much sharper looks back in the day. The Gamecocks used to have a terrific uniform with full striping with a red helmet when Sterling Sharpe played there. The Wolfpack looked better when they stopped imitating Stanford, and had a red helmet with a white “S”. They also had a cool logo with a red helmet in the late 1990s.
#54 by Ricko on 09.04.09 1:25 pm |
“your infiltrations into the sevenist wing of the party is much appreciated. for one who covets the seven to make it a five on his own accord, “
“I changed the test.”
—James T. Kirk
(fittingly enough, anti-spam word was “space”)
#55 by Chuck on 09.04.09 1:31 pm |
it looks like the Browns are going to stick with the brown pants this season for road games, while I do not like them, I must admit they dont look as bad when worn with the stripped socks, as it takes away the leotard look.
#56 by Ricko on 09.04.09 1:33 pm |
Chuck said:
Agreed. Grudgingly. Could use pants stripes, though. Still look like they got the pants through UPS.
#57 by JTH on 09.04.09 1:35 pm |
LI Phil said:
Well, clearly I just got lazy. Cuz how could I leave this out?
#58 by gusto on 09.04.09 1:35 pm |
Chuck said:
Yet another horrible decision by the Browns, they should have brought back the orange pants of the Brian Sipe era. Yes, Cleveland did win four NFL titles, but it’s impossible to believe that city hasn’t won a title since 1964. That could be the worst record in all of pro sports.
#59 by Ricko on 09.04.09 1:39 pm |
gusto said:
You presume to question The Great Mangini???
How dare you. Look at his record with the Jets!
(Someone tell him having an Italian last name doesn’t make you Lombardi. Please?).
#60 by LarryB on 09.04.09 1:45 pm |
Paul, great column about the college football uniforms.
I too did not think the Oregon vs Boise game was all that bad to see. Uniform wise that is.
#61 by Oakville Endive on 09.04.09 2:00 pm |
#62 by Telamon on 09.04.09 2:09 pm |
What’s with the collar of Papelbon’s shirt in the picture here:
http://sports.espn.g...
Is that just some weird photoshopping or something?
#63 by Ricko on 09.04.09 2:10 pm |
#64 by Dave Mac on 09.04.09 2:15 pm |
gusto said:
Not as bad as the Lions, who haven’t won a championship since 1957.
Then there is always the Chicago Cubs…
#65 by Oakville Endive on 09.04.09 2:15 pm |
LarryB said:
I’m of the view it was the biggest train wreck ever in terms of football esthetics possible.
While games have been played before with two ugly uniforms – never has the element of a ridiculous looking field been added to the putrid mix. The Boise St field is the equivalent of a pink Christmas tree – it’s horrendous – and someone needs to gently tell them that.
And I haven’t bought into the thinking that the Ducks uni is not that bad. Maybe it’s a slight improvement – but the number font is silly and the feathers on the shoulder are even more silly.
The Boise St uni was like someone had haphazardly plastered florescent orange tape randomly on their uniforms just in case an oncoming vehicle suddenly appeared – and judging by the way their uniform blended into the field, that may not have been a prudent thing to do.
#66 by Jeff P on 09.04.09 2:17 pm |
Telamon said:
He’s wearing a jersey that’s a little oversized and a tighter fitting undershirt, and the jersey collar isn’t centered.
You see it happens a lot during games, but it’s not usually as obvious since most players wear the nike undershirts with gray bodies and colored sleeves.
#67 by gogosox on 09.04.09 2:22 pm |
JTH said:
One of the Hoosier running backs, Darius Willis maybe, had his helmet decal go flying in the second half around midfield. No screenshots, unfortunately. Knowing the Big Ten Network that game will be replayed. It wasn’t much fun to watch and I’m an IU grad.
#68 by JTH on 09.04.09 2:33 pm |
gogosox said:
Same here. A win is a win. I’ll take what I can get.
I was flipping back and forth between that and the Bears/Browns game and I did happen to notice something go flying on that hit. I didn’t realize that it was the decal. I thought it was a mouthguard at first. I couldn’t tell from the initial replay they showed and the announcers didn’t mention it right away so I didn’t wait around to try to get a screenshot.
#69 by The Ol Goaler on 09.04.09 2:55 pm |
JTH said:
Well, I’ll add my beloved Arkansas State Red Wolves, whose colors remain Scarlet and Black, thankyouverymuch….
#70 by leon on 09.04.09 3:06 pm |
3 suggestions for a name for the S100 super helmet:
Cap Room
Double Header
Above Armour
#71 by LarryB on 09.04.09 3:10 pm |
I think the Hoosiers have a nice looking helmet and the uniforms are ok too. I really like the helmet.
The Boise State field is hard to watch.
I forget the rule if there is any as to the field color. I was thinking last night what if all colleges used color fields to match the uniforms. If Ohio State had a scarlet field. Or if UCLA had its field match the blue jerseys.
#72 by RedWing in Colorado on 09.04.09 3:14 pm |
I’m a Purdue grad, so it pains me to say it, but those IU unis are really nice. Especially considering the utter garbage they replaced.
#73 by JimV19 on 09.04.09 3:30 pm |
#74 by Ricko on 09.04.09 3:36 pm |
#75 by Ricko on 09.04.09 3:38 pm |
Anyone know what percentage of NFL Network subscribers are public businesses (bars and such) compared to private residences?
That would be an interesting figure to see.
—Ricko
#76 by Maks on 09.04.09 3:47 pm |
i was bored at work today. as a former graphic designer in a typical office setting, i had to improvise with the color schemes. tried to include BSU’s and OU style. enjoy: http://twitpic.com/g...
Go Beavers!
#77 by BurghFan on 09.04.09 3:50 pm |
Caught some of the Skins vs. LA Jags last nite in Jaxonville. Even for an exhibition game, that place was empty.
If you don’t have a captive season ticket base, you’re gonna have a really difficult time selling exhibition tickets.
Don’t be too quick to put a team in LA. To their credit, they’ve continually refused to build a new stadium.
#78 by Berto on 09.04.09 4:01 pm |
Ricko said:
I get NFLN included with my DirecTV package. I used to get it with my digital cable package. Do you mean Sunday Ticket? I’d guess there’s a significant percentage of bars etc in that population.
#79 by leon on 09.04.09 4:02 pm |
If you don’t have a captive season ticket base, you’re gonna have a really difficult time selling exhibition tickets.
Really?
Don’t be too quick to put a team in LA. To their credit, they’ve continually refused to build a new stadium.
I guess it’s to their credit, if they don’t want a team, unless you count the chargers.
(the LA jags was supposed to be tongue in cheek, btw)
#80 by Ricko on 09.04.09 4:11 pm |
Berto said:
I meant the percentage of private residences without Direct TV that opt for the NFL Network. Kinda hard to measure, I suppose, because its included in higher “tiers” of service.
Guess what I’m saying is, I wouldn’t think a lot of people are rushing to get it for the few live games they carry every season. As an “add-on” it’s fine, but mot many actively go get it, I’d reckon. And that’s the area where I’d think the NFL is coming up shorter than their projections.
—Ricko
#81 by Berto on 09.04.09 4:20 pm |
Ricko said:
Gotcha. One reason I switched when I moved was to get NFLN (and the better tier was cheaper than cable) and so I could have the option of getting the Sunday Ticket. In this economy I’m not getting the extra games but I’m glad to get the Thursdays.
(Yech, I’m sounding like a dang commercial)
#82 by BurghFan on 09.04.09 4:29 pm |
Don’t be too quick to put a team in LA. To their credit, they’ve continually refused to build a new stadium.
I guess it’s to their credit, if they don’t want a team, unless you count the chargers.
I find it refreshing that they’re unwilling to invest hundreds of millions in a stadium. I think the Chargers are frustrated by a similar refusal in San Diego.
(the LA jags was supposed to be tongue in cheek, btw)
Wasn’t there a longish discussion of an LA team here in the last day or two?
#83 by Rick on 09.04.09 4:30 pm |
A Towson link on Uni-Watch? You made my day, seriously
#84 by Dwayne on 09.04.09 4:31 pm |
JTH said:
Nope. As an EKU Alumni, I was watching also.
I agree about the goofy numeral font.
#85 by leon on 09.04.09 4:55 pm |
I find it refreshing that they’re unwilling to invest hundreds of millions in a stadium. I think the Chargers are frustrated by a similar refusal in San Diego.
do you live in a city that has expressed similar refreshing feelings?
Wasn’t there a longish discussion of an LA team here in the last day or two?
yes, there was
#86 by JSS on 09.04.09 4:58 pm |
Paul:
Thanks for your excellent job on my favorite article to read of the year. Bravo, sir.
JSS
#87 by MPowers1634 on 09.04.09 5:09 pm |
The day before the site went on sabbatical, I went down to Camden Yards to see the A’s play the O’s.
If nothing else, I got some great pics of Rajai Davis from my fifth ro seats:
http://i256.photobuc...
Here’s a beauty:
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
And was Rafael Palmeiro hosting a rally or something?
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
http://i256.photobuc...
This guys’ shirt was great…If you can’t read it, it read, “Cubs magic Number=911″.
http://i256.photobuc...
#88 by =bg= on 09.04.09 5:18 pm |
ACK!!! the whole Oregon mess—in one handy link.
http://sportsillustr...
#89 by BurghFan on 09.04.09 5:26 pm |
do you live in a city that has expressed similar refreshing feelings?
After we voted down a referendum that would have increased the sales tax to pay for a couple of stadia, the politicians who insisted “there is no Plan B” came up with a Plan B for two new buildings. Of course, the Pirates needed a new ballpark to become competitive. (For those who are wondering, the new arena is being funded from casino profits.)
#90 by MPowers1634 on 09.04.09 6:25 pm |
#91 by BurghFan on 09.04.09 6:45 pm |
Perhaps putting a major league team on the field might help.
The claim, of course, was (and always is) that the additional revenue that a new venue will provide will enable management to field a better team. In non-Pirate cases, if they’re already good, they claim they’ll be able to remain competitive.
#92 by LI Phil on 09.04.09 7:00 pm |
MPowers1634 said:
how many of those did you send to SCH?
#93 by Mike Engle on 09.04.09 7:10 pm |
leon said:
Quote of the day
#94 by Giancarlo on 09.04.09 7:11 pm |
Chuck said:
Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid. The Browns in all-white is one of pro football’s all-time classic looks; so classic that they used to wear it at home games. And now I guess we won’t see it.
I remember the orange pants – didn’t like them. Thought it threw the balance off.
#95 by Ricko on 09.04.09 7:15 pm |
Giancarlo said:
Well, the Great Mangini said the fans wanted the Jets in all green. And he knows everything.
Just ask him.
#96 by bartusball on 09.04.09 8:02 pm |
The Pirates needed a new ballpark, period. The only stadium that I have been to that was worse was Oakland Alameda Stadium. What a toilet that place is. Probably was an ok place to see a game before Oakland Al hoodwinked the locals into enclosing the outfield. Hopefully the A’s get what they want from San Jose. Cookie cutter stadiums like Three Rivers Stadium were horrible to see a baseball game in. Cold, sterile, seemingly miles from the field. I am old enough to remember going to games at Forbes Field. That was a prototypical old style park. It actually was the first to be constructed of steel and concrete. Someday I’ll try to find my pictures I took at photo day, probably around ‘68. Even have one of Freddie Patek, all 5′ nothing. But I digress.
The only great stadium built in the 60’s and 70’s is Kaufman Stadium in KC. It’s amazing that it opened in 1972. Just 2 years after 3RS, Riverfront and the Vet. It was and still is a great place to see a game. Obviously they benefitted from having H.O.K. architects in their backyard. If you don’t know H.O.K. has designed most if not all of the retro parks from Camden Yards to PNC Park. They know what they’re doing.
PNC Park is a palace. A great place to see the game. Even if my Buccos suck it still is a thrill just to walk down the steps to you seat and see the city open up right in front of you. Gorgeous. Interesting note , the original plan for 3RS was to have an open outfield looking into downtown Pittsburgh, similar to PNC Park, but the view would have been even better because it would have looked directly toward the Point. The Rooney Family, with their political clout, nixed that even though Pittsburgh at the time was a Pirates town. Yeah, yeah, hard to believe, I know. Part of their reasoning was they thought the swirling winds would effect the kicking game.
When it came time to build Heinz Field, which is an utter piece of shit by the way, what did they do…design it with an open end so the swirling winds effect the kicking game.
If you want to rag on Pirates management for their soon to be historical ineptitude, they are certainly deserving. PNC Park is one of the few things, besides drafting Andrew McCutchen, that they done the right way.
And now back to your regular uni watch programming.
#97 by JTH on 09.04.09 8:12 pm |
Dwayne said:
It’s not terrible — certainly not as bad as Oregon’s. It’s just a bit on the goofy side.
#98 by JTH on 09.04.09 8:15 pm |
Anyone watching Cubs/Mets? I flipped it on just a few minutes ago as Micah Hoffpauir was batting and it looked like the C on his helmet was completely screwed up. Like, flipped 90 degrees clockwise and way high up.
I was just about to pause and rewind it to see if I was seeing it correctly and then the Tivo flipped to Scooby-Doo. Ugh.
#99 by =bg= on 09.04.09 8:25 pm |
bartusball said:
The worst is Oakland Coliseum? Been to Candlestick?
We have the worst (above) and the best (AT&T.) Go figure.
#100 by MPowers1634 on 09.04.09 8:46 pm |
LI Phil said:
Just the Steroid crew!
#101 by Stuby on 09.04.09 9:18 pm |
=bg= said:
Yeah, Candlestick was a dump for baseball, but I miss it.
#102 by Flip on 09.04.09 9:32 pm |
=bg= said:
One of the Onion’s better headlines: PNC Park Threatens To Leave Pittsburgh Unless Better Team Is Built …
#103 by =bg= on 09.04.09 10:00 pm |
First look @ white Niners:
http://twitpic.com/g...
#104 by =bg= on 09.04.09 10:13 pm |
More Niners
http://img.photobuck...
USOpen on the big TV…alternating Niners/Giants on the PC Windows Media Center.
If the Cowboys were on, I think I’d just blow up.
#105 by JohnnyO on 09.04.09 10:15 pm |
=bg= said:
The most underrated thing about the Duck’s unis is the raised rubber “O” on the bumper. I know other teams do it, but I think it is just a nice little touch that should be mandatory.
#106 by JohnnyO on 09.04.09 10:22 pm |
Berto said:
#107 by JTH on 09.04.09 10:38 pm |
=bg= said:
They are on… NFL Network.
#108 by LI Phil on 09.04.09 10:41 pm |
LI Phil said:
what the hell is that?
#109 by u2-horn on 09.04.09 11:00 pm |
Major news in Baltimore tonight–Orioles complained about Scott Feldman’s glove being too light. He had to use a different glove. Paul had an item a few months ago about another pitcher with this same glove.
#110 by JimV19 on 09.04.09 11:01 pm |
Just came back from my high school’s home opener. What a uni mess. My team’s colors are black and yellow, so there was no BFBS, but there was WTMB (waaaay too much black). Boring monochrome unis, black helmets, yellow numbers with white drop shadow, yellow piping on front and back, nothing on the sleeves, plain black tights and black ankle socks. I despise ankle socks for football. Despise them. The visitors looked okay with maroon helmets and trim with an all-white uni…but they wore BFBS ankle socks. At least the band looked and sounded good, as usual.
#111 by JimV19 on 09.04.09 11:22 pm |
“The Pirates needed a new ballpark, period. The only stadium that I have been to that was worse was Oakland Alameda Stadium. What a toilet that place is.”
You never went to the Vet, did you? I covered an Akron/Temple game there back in ‘91. Worse than Three Rivers by far.
“Cookie cutter stadiums like Three Rivers Stadium were horrible to see a baseball game in. Cold, sterile, seemingly miles from the field. PNC Park is a palace. A great place to see the game. Even if my Buccos suck it still is a thrill just to walk down the steps to you seat and see the city open up right in front of you. Gorgeous.”
I don’t know, I grew up going to Pirates games at 3RS. I sat in the outfield and found it quite enjoyable. PNC is indeed a palace, but there are areas where I wouldn’t sit, like lower deck along the baselines. The rows are too close to each other. Give me right field upper deck or right field above the HR fence. Absolutely Fabulous.
“Interesting note , the original plan for 3RS was to have an open outfield looking into downtown Pittsburgh, similar to PNC Park, but the view would have been even better because it would have looked directly toward the Point.”
If the Pirates stayed at 3RS after the Steelers left, tore down the outfield section and put in grass it would have been okay for me.
“When it came time to build Heinz Field, which is an utter piece of shit by the way, what did they do…design it with an open end so the swirling winds effect the kicking game.”
I gotta disagree with this one. Heinz Field is very nice. I sometimes look back nostalgically at 3RS, but only for baseball. I’ve enjoyed going to Steelers games much more at Heinz than at 3RS.
#112 by JimV19 on 09.04.09 11:40 pm |
Jerry Jones wants a new stadium in Minnesota.
http://sports.espn.g...
He also says revenue sharing is on the way out. So is the NFL’s popularity if that happens, you greedy little so-and-so.
Don’t let ‘em tax you for a new stadium, Ricko!
#113 by Hibbsy on 09.04.09 11:47 pm |
Hey St. Louis,
Greg Ginn is playing at Felix’s tomorrow night. Unbelievable. Quite possibly the worst guitarist of all time, but, come on, you got to see it. SST records!? Something special will have to be in the air.
#114 by Chris on 09.04.09 11:50 pm |
Jim Bouton for Commissioner of Baseball.
#115 by =bg= on 09.05.09 12:01 am |
LI Phil said:
and I can find that where……….
#116 by JTH on 09.05.09 2:26 am |
Apropos of nothing…
#117 by James Craven on 09.05.09 10:10 am |
RE: No Dugout Railings.
Minnesota and Toronto also are railless in their dugouts, and the Twinkies will vacate the Metrodome after this season, and as wel all know, the Fish will move to their new park in 2012.
#118 by James Craven on 09.05.09 10:11 am |
And I forgot Oakland…
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