A few days ago I reported on some inconsistencies in Michigan’s NOBs. Now reader Michael Kinney, after watching last night’s West Virginny/Colorado tilt, has spotted some similar issues with the Mountaineers. Let’s take a look at the problematic players:
• Julian Miller: There’s another Miller on the roster — Pat — so it makes sense that Julian would have a first initial. But why does he have his first two letters, instead of just one?
• Geno Smith: WVA has three Smiths — Geno, Lawrence, and Eain. What’s not clear is (a) why Geno’s NOB starts with “Eu,” or (b) why the second letter is a small cap.
• J.T. Thomas: There is only one Thomas on the roster — so why does his nameplate look like this? And does it count as FNOB if his first name consists of initials?
I don’t know what’s wrong with these teams. Then again, gratuitous use of first initials isn’t limited to the gridiron.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Non-uni quiz: What do you think this is a collection of? Answer at the bottom of the Ticker. … Did Bronson Arroyo have pine tar on his cap the other day? … Speaking of Reds pitchers’ headwear, the elite fraternity of MLB players who’ve worn the S100 helmet increased by 20% yesterday, as Micah Owings went full Gazoo during a 3rd inning at-bat. Details here (with thanks to C. Trent Rosencrans). … New basketball uniforms for for Iowa State and Colorado State (with thanks to Kyle Adema and Alex Lind, respectively). … If you watch this NHL clip, you’ll see that the Swedish goalie’s NOB is covered with tape (as spotted by Denis Kirstein). … Just when you thought there was nothing left to bet on, a casino is giving odds on whether a punt hits the Cowboys scoreboard this season. … Hey, check it out, the Bengals have a helmet cart. “It’s apparently only used to bring Who Dey the mascot onto the field,” says Dan O’Connor. “Injured players are carted off on regular carts.” … Lots of awesome vintage baseball-themed snapshots available in this slideshow. … Daniel Wolf notes that Francisco Cervelli is the latest Yankees catcher to bat bare-handed. … The Cleveland Browns photo archives apparently features some unusual material (nice one, Vince). … Here’s an interesting video on how to recondition a helmet (with thanks to Ryan Perkins). … “I’m Ted fucking Williams!” That 1974 photo was taken at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. It’s from a great photo archive devoted to a North Carolina photographer named Hugh Morton, who Chris Warfford recently brought to my attention. The archive’s sports-oriented shots, many of them outstanding, are here. … “You seen this fighter Abner Mares?” asks John Darnielle. “His ring-entrance garb is seriously goth’d out in an actual menacing sort of way to my eyes. White bandanna with a skullprint on it wrapped over the low half of his face, bandit-style — awesome. And the robe he shed after entering was white. Real angel-of-death schtick.” … Alexander Giobbi made himself a DIY jersey for his dodgeball team. “Let me tell you,” he says, “it is hard to draw or write on a T-shirt, especially when it’s wrinkled.” … I’m still calling it a freakin’ football field. … Oooh, check out this basketball-themed bowl of pasta (big thanks to my pal Friederike Paetzold). … “Joe Beimel wore this robe during the Rockies’ post-game celebration,” says John Romero. “Crappy pic, but you get the idea.” … Has it ever occurred to you that hockey pants are kinda like lederhosen? Right, me neither, but look! Wow (big thanks to Brian Schick). … Here’s an interesting way the Mets could boost their power totals without changing the outfield fence. Details here. … The Seahawks’ neon-snot jerseys continue to wreak havoc, this time in Indy, where the Colts have been prepping for Sunday’s game against Seattle by watching last week’s game film (with thanks to Gary Moore). … The Avs retired Joe Sakic’s number last night. They did the usual thing where everyone wore “Sakic 19″ jerseys during pregame warm-ups, except the jerseys also had the players’ own NOBs, in addition to Sakic’s — has that been done before? Also, the pregame Sakic jerseys had a patch on the left side, but the game jerseys had the same patch on the right side. Closer look at the patch here. … The Flames opened the season in their new alts. Note the straight hem — no Edge scoop-hem! … Quiz answer: It’s a collection of dryer lint (which is surprising), displayed as part of an exhibit at the Philadelphia Airport (which is fucking incredible!).
#1 by Billy on 10.02.09 8:14 am |
My guess on Geno is that his full name is Eugene, and the “u” is there to differentiate from Eain.
#2 by glen on 10.02.09 8:18 am |
JimV19 said:
I am trying to find the Central Michigan all vegas gold unis that i am pretty sure they wore. Can anyone help me out on finding these?
#3 by leon on 10.02.09 8:18 am |
A little off-topic: SI.com is running a photo montage of Heisman winners. This description runs above the photo of one of the recipients:
Felix “Doc” Blanchard | RB, Navy, 1945
I’m sure this will come as a surprise to Glenn Davis.
#4 by mike on 10.02.09 8:19 am |
I have seen those robes being sold somewhere…perhaps MLB.com, or maybe the SkyMall….
#5 by glen on 10.02.09 8:20 am |
Here is another of Iowa st.
http://twitpic.com/j...
#6 by Gregg on 10.02.09 8:21 am |
Tough to tell for sure from the picture, Micah Owings’ helmet looks like a half Gazoo–one flap.
#7 by glen on 10.02.09 8:22 am |
Not CMU in gold, but WTF
http://www.cm-life.c...
#8 by Adrian on 10.02.09 8:22 am |
Why is Bronson Arroyo’s “bill bottom” grey and not black?
#9 by leon on 10.02.09 8:26 am |
Re:Cowboys Mega-Lo-Mart screen pass.
At the 1976 Pro Bowl, Ray Guy became the first punter to hit the Louisiana Superdome video screen. Officials raised the screen from 90 feet to 200 feet.
Taken from Wiki: I’m sure you doubters can substantiate it elsewhere if desired.
#10 by Sam Allison on 10.02.09 8:39 am |
Billy said:
Exactly correct. Geno is actually Eugene
#11 by tmac3217 on 10.02.09 8:43 am |
Not uni-related, but the Vikings have sold the naming rights to the Metrodome (since they will be the only tenants after this weekend, unless the Twins can pull off a miracle). Starting Monday night, it will be known as “Mall of America Field as Hubert H. Humphry Metrodome”
It is somewhat ironic, since MOA is built on the site of old Met Stadium (the Twins/Vikings home before the dome).
#12 by Kel on 10.02.09 8:51 am |
“Just when you thought there was nothing left to bet on, a casino is giving odds on whether a punk hits the Cowboys scoreboard this season.”
Best typo ever. Please leave it! =) It took me a few minutes to figure it out, as I’m kind of tired this morning, but I loved it.
#13 by Jamie on 10.02.09 8:52 am |
Maybe Julian Miller is Ju-ish and he wants to represent.
:rimshot:
#14 by Namhob on 10.02.09 8:54 am |
Here’s a picture of the cleats Chad Ochocinco will be wearing Sunday.
http://content.clear...
#15 by Jeremiah on 10.02.09 8:55 am |
Although we could perhaps take odds on whether some punk could hit the Cowboys’ new scoreboard (these kids today, I tell ya!), I think the casino is laying odds on if a “punt” hits the scoreboard. I hope I didn’t initially miss the sarcasm, or something.
#16 by Beardface on 10.02.09 9:01 am |
Wha wha whaaaaaaaaaat? There’s a straight hem on the Flames throwback edge jerseys? Hmmmmm… Perhaps this is a trial run and they’ll eliminate the bib-look from the jerseys next year… God I hope so, those bibs look like dogshit
#17 by Dane on 10.02.09 9:05 am |
Looking at this picture of the Penguins’ championship rings, I’m surprised that the logos of their four playoff opponents are on the side of the rings.
http://farm3.static....
Are their other championship rings out there that even mention other teams beside the winners?
#18 by Adam on 10.02.09 9:16 am |
Can someone explain to me how in the hell a hockey puck can hit a FOOTBALL scoreboard?
#19 by leon on 10.02.09 9:18 am |
Dane said:
Pardon me for saying so, but those rings are lame.
(IMHO)
#20 by Tom V on 10.02.09 9:23 am |
As for moving the Shea field 10′ closer to the outfield, I’ve built a number of ball fields, there is also a 60′ requirement from homeplate to the fence/wall beyond the plate, so they’d have to move the backstop wall 10′ in as well.
#21 by Beardface on 10.02.09 9:27 am |
Dane said:
Actually, quite often. You’ll most always find the logo of the Super Bowl loser on the Championship Rings in association with the score. I know for the RedSox in 2004, they didn’t have the Yankees logo, but it references the comeback from down 0-3 in the series. But mostly you’ll find it in the NFL.
Considering the Steelers have won 2 in recent years, and I’m assuming the Pens probably used the same manufacturer, it makes sense why you see it.
#22 by Jason on 10.02.09 9:30 am |
There are billboards around Atlanta for Airtran featuring Falcons wearing Falcon uniforms and helmets. This is a new development, as in the past, their ads featured Falcons wearing generic uniforms. Whoever created these ads must have had some using photoshop, as the NOBs are WAY larger than in real life.
http://farm3.static....
http://farm3.static....
#23 by Hott Rodd on 10.02.09 9:40 am |
I didn’t even read that as a typo. I just figured any idiot that aims for the screen is a punk.
#24 by Chris on 10.02.09 9:41 am |
One observation and two complaints about the Flames’ alternates. The observation is that the breezer shell has the Bauer wordmark, when I thought Reebok was the exclusive provider of that type of equipment. The two complaints are the NHL shield at the bottom of the collar, which serves no practical purpose, and the 30th Anniversary patch just seems to muck up a beautiful looking, given its sisters, uniform.
#25 by Adam on 10.02.09 9:42 am |
Tom V said:
If there is a 60′ requirement from the plate to the backstop, how is it that the back stop in the new Yankee Stadium is 52′ 4″ from the plate?
#26 by Kerry P on 10.02.09 9:42 am |
Adam said:
Say what?
#27 by Bernard on 10.02.09 9:43 am |
Re: J.T. Thomas @ WVU
J.T. Thomas’s dad played linebacker for WVU in the mid 90s. It’s probably a tribute to him. I can’t find a pic, but I’d be willing to bet J.T. Sr. had it spelled out that way on his nameplate. At the time, WVU was giving out little musket merit decals for their helmets. Thomas arranged several on the back of his helmet to spell out “J T”, so I’m guessing he’s/they’re rather fond of the name.
#28 by kj on 10.02.09 9:45 am |
Wow. I want one of those EHC Munich Oktoberfest jerseys. But it doesn’t look like the club has an online store. Bah!
#29 by Markus on 10.02.09 9:46 am |
The Flames need to keep those throwback unis all season. THAT’S the way a hockey team’s supposed to look!
#30 by Gusto44 on 10.02.09 9:55 am |
leon said:
No, they’re beautiful, and more rings are on the way with the young talent and front office the Pens have. Pittsburgh has already matched Chicago’s output, and with two more rings, the Pens will equal the rings won by Boston, a team founded 44 years earlier.
#31 by Truman on 10.02.09 9:58 am |
Dave Duncan is an excellent pitching coach but why cry?
http://cincinnati.re...
#32 by derek on 10.02.09 10:08 am |
how is the sabres getting new jerseys not ticker worthy?
#33 by Ricko on 10.02.09 10:12 am |
Jason said:
re: Larger name on back. Just a guess, but they probably wanted to make sure the name’s showed up on the billboards since the client is most certainly paying for the privilege of using the player’s image.
in this case, can’t make it about uni accuracy. It is, quite honestly, artwork with a purpose.
—Ricko
#34 by Paul Lukas on 10.02.09 10:14 am |
OK, so Geno is Eugene. But that still doesn’t explain why the “u” is a small cap.
#35 by hodges14 on 10.02.09 10:18 am |
Thanks for that. We “The Antiheroes” begin play monday
#36 by Hott Rodd on 10.02.09 10:18 am |
Paul Lukas said:
I can’t see the pictures but is there a picture of Eain? Maybe the equipment staff just uses small caps for NOB abbreviations. May not make sense from an overall standpoint but it would make sense if they are consistently done that way.
#37 by Tom V on 10.02.09 10:19 am |
Adam said:
Yeah, I fugured as much, 60′ is the standard we’ve used designing our fields and is what we’ve found in the standards, unfortunately when it comes to designing sports fields there isn’t much in the way of standard ball field sizes, etc.
#38 by Richard on 10.02.09 10:19 am |
Eugene and Eain.
#39 by leon on 10.02.09 10:20 am |
Gusto44 said:
While you may be correct about them winning more, these rings are poorly executed.
Submitted for your approval:
The “colored” areas look painted.
The dorky cartoon penguin (trying to look menacing and succeeding about as much as the Phoenix Cardinals helmet bird) dominates the top.
Nowhere do the words “Pittsburgh” or “Penguins” appear on the rings.
The Wings and Flyers (both better logos) do appear.
While I get honoring the previous winners, for the cup to appear 4 times on 1 ring is unimaginative.
This ring was obviously designed by a woman.
#40 by chance michaels on 10.02.09 10:24 am |
leon said:
Stay classy, San Diego.
#41 by Tom V on 10.02.09 10:28 am |
Gusto44 said:
Oh my gosh you’re back again with everything about pittsburg is beautiful? You’re not going to tell us again all about how pittsburg is so much better than cleveland are you?
#42 by RS Rogers on 10.02.09 10:28 am |
Not only is it odd that Arroyo would wear an old gray-underbrim cap at all, it would be especially odd if he chose a gray-underbrim cap to “hide” pine tar. Stuff’s basically black. So if you want to conceal it, and you have a choice of a light gray surface and a black surface, you’d choose the black surface, right?
As to the Mets, moving the field up 10 feet would make for more home runs, sure. But it would also make for a lot more foul outs. On balance, it might actually be better for pitchers than batters. But I’d love it if they tried; it would be such a Mets thing to do.
#43 by JTH on 10.02.09 10:30 am |
Gusto44 said:
OK, we get it. Pittsburgh is the be all, end all. It’s the center of the sporting universe. No other (MLB/NHL/NFL) team can possibly compete with the awesomeness of the (Pirates/Penguins/Steelers).
The (Pirates/Penguins/Steelers) are the most storied franchise in the history of ever.
OK, now that we’ve settled that, can you please give it a fucking rest?
#44 by Jason Axel on 10.02.09 10:33 am |
glen said:
Bad image, but its vegas gold
But thankfully those will never see the light of day again.
The worst you will see this year is gold pants.
#45 by Drew Hunziker on 10.02.09 10:36 am |
Adrian said:
It is an older wool 5950’s which had a grey bill bottom. The new polyester ones feature the black bill bottom.
#46 by Teebz on 10.02.09 10:37 am |
Dane said:
The 1984 Edmonton Oilers listed each team and the series record against that team on their rings.
The 1986 Montreal Canadiens did the same.
#47 by Les on 10.02.09 10:39 am |
Markus said:
So true. Everyone – fans, reporters, players – are all raving about these. When will the NHL realize that, like so many things they’ve done under Gary Bettman’s watch, the Reebok uni reinvention plan is almost a complete disaster? Horizontal waist stripes, colourful arm stripes, and actual rich colours instead of black or nearly black shades of them – these are what set hockey uniforms apart from other sports.
And scoop hems: don’t get me started!
#48 by Teebz on 10.02.09 10:40 am |
Gusto44 said:
You know what’s great about that, Gusto? He fails to realize that the Oilers and Islanders, two teams founded AFTER the Penguins, have more Stanley Cups than the Penguins.
Maybe it’s time you stop beating the horse. It’s already dead.
#49 by JTH on 10.02.09 10:41 am |
A few things:
Joe Sakic’s time spent in Quebec meant nothing to the franchise?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best. Alts. Ever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would this also magically keep the Mets’ players off the DL?
#50 by Teebz on 10.02.09 10:45 am |
#51 by Brendan Burke on 10.02.09 10:51 am |
The Mets wouldn’t be able to move home plate because center field would be too close to home. It would need to be moved to 400 feet.
#52 by leon on 10.02.09 10:52 am |
chance michaels said:
Wondered if I’d get away with that one.
:)
#53 by The Jeff on 10.02.09 10:54 am |
Brendan Burke said:
So am I the only person who hates that there isn’t a standard size for a baseball field?
#54 by RWNeal on 10.02.09 10:55 am |
The Jeff said:
Yes. :-)
#55 by Kyle@IU on 10.02.09 10:55 am |
Paul Lukas said:
Indiana had a situation where brothers Aaron and Adrian Burks were both on the team. Aaron had “Aa. BURKS” on his uni and Adrian had “Ad. BURKS”. I guess it’s an aesthitic choice that, while it may not have a particularly good reason, doesn’t look bad in my opinion. I think putting two upper-case letters for the first name would look too clunky. (and yes…I think FNOBs are clunky as well)
#56 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 10:56 am |
leon said:
Well, he’s obviously Mr. Outside.
As in, outside the Army.
#57 by mike 2 on 10.02.09 10:57 am |
I was at the Flames game last night and the throwbacks looked awesome.
I and a lot of people were thinking it was going to be an interesting novelty, that the old unis were going to look dated from the 1970’s, but they looked awesome, like they were just designed yesterday. A very pleasant surprise.
We sit right beside the owners box and the comments from next door were very, very positive as well.
#58 by mmwatkin on 10.02.09 10:57 am |
RS Rogers said:
Indeed, A Mets thing to do.
They could solidify themselves as the dumbest organization if they move the field closer to the fences by 10 feet. For starters, the alternative would be to add seats in the outfield (a bit like Comerica Park) and add revenue (a good thing). Also, how smart is it to move the field farther from the most expensive seats in the house? Lastly, you would be adding foul territory which would tick off the Mets batters more than anything (just ask the Athletics how they like batting 81 games in the Oakland Coliseum)
I doubt they even consid…wait a minute, no I don’t
#59 by JTH on 10.02.09 11:00 am |
Teebz said:
Yeah, but still…
They could at least acknowledge that the guy has been with the franchise since 1988 or whatever it was.
Using one of your examples, the Jets’ retired numbers do hang from the rafters in the Coyotes’ arena, no?
#60 by mike 2 on 10.02.09 11:00 am |
Another option for the Mets would be to move the bullpens – put them in left field behind a new “inner wall” and take 20 feet off the power alley. Basically the same they did in Comerica park just after it opened. It would also let them put more seats in where the old bullpens were, which they also did in Comerica.
#61 by mmwatkin on 10.02.09 11:01 am |
Paul Lukas said:
Can’t tell you why the “u” is lower case, but I am not complaining. I actually like the look of it (the name, def not the uniform)
#62 by dgc on 10.02.09 11:01 am |
Les said:
Ehh, it’s not like we didn’t get ugly uniforms with the old jersey templates. It’s all about the designers.
#63 by chance michaels on 10.02.09 11:01 am |
Dane said:
Looking around, it’s actually pretty common to mention the other team, usually in that context.
The 1987 Twins put the Cards’ cap logo on the side.
Here’s a couple more. Not logos, but featuring the opponent’s name:
2001 Patriots
1976 Reds
1989 A’s
1985 Lakers
1963 Chargers
1972 A’s
1972 Bruins
The 1969 Jets listed their wins over the Raiders (AFL championship) and Colts (world championship) on the same ring.
The 1956 New York Football Giants put it on the top of the ring!
#64 by Jim BC on 10.02.09 11:02 am |
Les said:
And what better way to showcase the way jerseys SHOULD be tailored than playing against the Canucks whose white EDGE jerseys really show off the lameness of the EDGE scoop hem. Flames Alt – classic. Canucks road – brutal.
#65 by Taha on 10.02.09 11:03 am |
RE: Eugene “Geno” Smith
Could the “U” be small to designate that it’s the second letter in h name, and not his initials, like JT Thomas in today’s lead photo? Otherwise, I have no other plausible explanation.
#66 by morgan on 10.02.09 11:03 am |
I love the Oktoberfest lederhosen jerseys! Inspired silliness gets me every time.
#67 by Gusto44 on 10.02.09 11:05 am |
JTH said:
Hey, I’m only responding to lame insults, I’ve NEVER said any Pittsburgh sports franchise is the best in any particular sport. I only deal in facts, so you better believe I’ll respond the next time someone says something wrong. That’s my right, if you want to come back with something factual, and not an immature response, that’s fine. Fact is, I’ve been very critical of Pittsburgh sports teams and uniform selections.
And Teebz, bringing up Edmonton and the Islanders is not a valid point of comparison to the Pens. Both of those franchises actually existed only a few years within the time the Pens entered the league, remember, Edmonton was a WHA franchise. I don’t believe the Oilers and Islanders will be Cup contenders anytime soon. So yes, my point stands because it’s factual.
#68 by mmwatkin on 10.02.09 11:05 am |
mike 2 said:
I don’t know if moving the bullpens would work. In Detroit they moved the fence in 25 feet in order to fit the bullpens. That would make Citi Field’s left-center about 349′. No way they could have it that short without making a wall that would obstruct the view of the seats.
Plus it wouldn’t help the right field dimensions
#69 by leon on 10.02.09 11:06 am |
Indeed, A Mets thing to do.
They could solidify themselves as the dumbest organization if they move the field closer to the fences by 10 feet. For starters, the alternative would be to add seats in the outfield (a bit like Comerica Park) and add revenue (a good thing). Also, how smart is it to move the field farther from the most expensive seats in the house? Lastly, you would be adding foul territory which would tick off the Mets batters more than anything (just ask the Athletics how they like batting 81 games in the Oakland Coliseum)
I doubt they even consid…wait a minute, no I don’t
I haven’t been to Cit..,I mean NewShea, so I don’t know how tall the “wall” is behind home plate. Presumably it’s not tall enough to add an additional row or two of seats and put a premium price on them, ala what Snyder did at FedEx. Suddenly, people who had been season ticket holders for over 40 years, weren’t in the 1st row, they were in the 3rd row. (Unless they paid more to move up).
#70 by morgan on 10.02.09 11:07 am |
Oh, and regarding Gino Smith. To me, it looks like the trainer simply cut an uppercase “O” in half to make the lower case “u” in the Eu. Compare Mr. Smith’s “u” to the “O” in Brown standing on the right.
#71 by Teebz on 10.02.09 11:09 am |
JTH said:
The Coyotes honour them still with the banner, but the records aren’t carried forward. In fact, the ‘Yotes are the only team to honour their former WHA roots. Carolina doesn’t, and Colorado doesn’t.
#72 by Adam on 10.02.09 11:11 am |
Adam said:
The real option for the Mess is that they could blow up the back 1/2 of Citi Field and leave it unfinished like they did with Shea, since they ran out of money. OR they could blow up the whole place and simply redo the entire place since it seems to be too pitcher friendly
#73 by Teebz on 10.02.09 11:17 am |
Gusto44 said:
How is it not a valid point of comparison? The Penguins have been around longer than both the Oilers and Islanders and have less success. It doesn’t matter if the Oilers were a WHA franchise or not. In fact, the Oilers were at a great disadvantage than the Penguins because the NHL-WHA merger stripped them of all their players except for two skaters and a goaltender. So don’t think for a second that either team was built to win when they entered the NHL. You’re DEAD WRONG if you think that. Both teams built through the drafts, and both teams are more successful in less time.
It’s the exact same comparison you made between the Blackhawks, Bruins and Penguins.
That’s a fact.
#74 by Tom V on 10.02.09 11:17 am |
Gusto44 said:
Well I guess the fact of the matter is that the Islanders were founded 5 years after the penguins and in just 11 short years amassed more Stanley Cup championships than the penguins have had in their 42 years. Thats gonna leave a mark.
#75 by Marc M. on 10.02.09 11:19 am |
chance michaels said:
The real story here is all the athletes forced to sell their hard earned championship rings. Very sad.
#76 by Anotherguy on 10.02.09 11:22 am |
mmwatkin said:
The White Sox also did this at old Comiskey. Suddenly, the list of player who had homered onto the rooftop expanded greatly in the next few years. :-)
mmwatkin said:
Well, you’re also ten feet further from the hecklers when you’re batting…
#77 by mmwatkin on 10.02.09 11:24 am |
Anotherguy said:
Also at Dodger Stadium in ‘69
#78 by EricRomain on 10.02.09 11:26 am |
The Flames looked soooo good last night. Especially compared to their normal reebok template disaster. I would do anything to see them back in that old design permanently.
#79 by Hott Rodd on 10.02.09 11:28 am |
Anotherguy said:
Shouldn’t affect the visitors, but the Mets players will probably be grateful for that added bonus..
/zing!
#80 by Teebz on 10.02.09 11:29 am |
Gusto44 said:
I’ll tack this piece of info on for you, Gusto.
2001-02: Penguins finish 26th out of 30 teams.
2002-03: Penguins finish 29th out of 30 teams.
2003-04: Penguins finish 30th out of 30 teams.
2005-06: Penguins finish 29th out of 30 teams.
Did anyone think they would win a Stanley Cup after being so crappy for so long? No, they built through the draft, and climbed the ladder.
The New York Islanders, if I may, are beginning to do this as well. That Tavares guy, that Bailey guy, that DiPietro guy… all pieces of the foundation that they need to grow.
Don’t dismiss anyone. It takes equal parts of skill, hard work, and luck to win the hardest trophy in sports.
#81 by Adrian on 10.02.09 11:29 am |
Drew Hunziker said:
Okay, but WHY is he wearing that cap? Looking at other photos, he’s always worn the grey underbill while everyone else’s is black.
#82 by LI Phil on 10.02.09 11:30 am |
LI Phil said:
who?
#83 by ry co 40 on 10.02.09 11:31 am |
leon said:
the pens ring was made by intergold, and the steelers ring was made by jostens. (thanks to emptynetters: http://community.pos...)
and, after reading the above reply, i bet it’s a blast living in the “leon” household!
#84 by ry co 40 on 10.02.09 11:34 am |
Teebz said:
that, and you just can’t predict the future of any team. that’s just silly. plus, teebz is never wrong. lol. and i’m a die hard pens fan…
#85 by Andrew on 10.02.09 11:35 am |
The Avs did the exact same thing with the double NOBs when Patrick Roy’s number was retired.
#86 by Zack on 10.02.09 11:35 am |
The reason for the “C” patch on the Av’s jerseys switching sides is because the pre-game 19’s had the patch on the left, just like a captain’s C. It was moved to the right for the game to avoid any confusion with the new Captain and Alternates.
#87 by Teebz on 10.02.09 11:38 am |
LI Phil said:
He apparently signed some monster contract for like 100 years or something. Last I heard, he was working in medical testing, specifically in knee replacements. LOL
#88 by leon on 10.02.09 11:40 am |
and, after reading the above reply, i bet it’s a blast living in the “leon” household!
If you can get permission, come visit and see for yourself. Me casa es su casa.
#89 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 11:41 am |
Hott Rodd said:
The other way people could run with this is “you have to have fans in the stands before you can have hecklers.”
#90 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 11:43 am |
Teebz said:
Tell him to say “hi” to Marian Hossa from all the Hawks fans. :-(
#91 by Hott Rodd on 10.02.09 11:44 am |
ry co 40 said:
All together now:
Teebz is never wrong Teebz is never Wrong Teebz is never wrong..
/chant
#92 by Teebz on 10.02.09 11:46 am |
anotherguy said:
Not to worry, though, since Islanders fans should be happy in looking at the future. Alexei Yashin’s retarded deal comes off the books next season. They’ll have more money to spend on century-long contracts. :o)
#93 by mike on 10.02.09 11:46 am |
I knew I had seen those robes somewhere….
customize your own today:
http://www.sportrobe...
#94 by Hott Rodd on 10.02.09 11:47 am |
leon said:
Or as I like to say..
Mi casa es MI casa.
#95 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 11:52 am |
GREAT NEWS FOR CHICAGOANS!! NO OLYMPICS!!
Good luck paying for it, some other city. I doubt anywhere else could waste as much on bribes and graft as Chicago could.
#96 by Chris on 10.02.09 11:54 am |
Adrian said:
Some players prefer the old, wool 59Fifties to the new polyester, partially, because based on personal experiences, it molds to your head shape unlike the new design which features “shrink resistance”.
#97 by Chris on 10.02.09 11:58 am |
Also, while on the subject of 59Fifties, who in their right mind thought all of this jackassery with “fashion” hats was a good idea. This is just offensive on so many levels.
#98 by bourbon soaked idiot on 10.02.09 12:00 pm |
Tom V said:
The Devils have same number of cups as the Pens and Blackhawks and with two more will have passed the Rangers. What is the point of this whole discussion?
#99 by Jeff on 10.02.09 12:13 pm |
Adrian said:
And is it just me or does it look like the bill is black, and not red? Maybe this picture wasn’t even taken at the same game?
#100 by LI Phil on 10.02.09 12:22 pm |
Jeff said:
you made me cry…i don’t want to lose this feeling
#101 by Teebz on 10.02.09 12:26 pm |
Hott Rodd said:
Don’t start that. Otherwise, the first instance of me being wrong will shatter this faux religion. LOL
#102 by JTH on 10.02.09 12:33 pm |
Gusto44 said:
Gusto44 said:
…they’re beautiful, and more rings are on the way…
…with two more rings, the Pens will equal the rings won by Boston…
Gusto44 — Dealing only in facts…
…since 11:05 am.
#103 by glen on 10.02.09 12:37 pm |
I am absolutely positive that this is authentic.
http://www.sportrobe...
#104 by DarkAudit on 10.02.09 12:43 pm |
anotherguy said:
If only Mike Royko were still around to document this last decade of Illinois Shenanigans.
#105 by JimV19 on 10.02.09 12:46 pm |
Re: Colorado State basketball jerseys
What’s up with #11 in the pictures?
#106 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 12:51 pm |
DarkAudit said:
Allow me to suggest that John Kass occupies not only his column space at the Chicago Tribune, but his spirit and attitude as well.
#107 by BuckeyeMark on 10.02.09 12:53 pm |
the news will be full of talk about Chicago not getting the bid but if you saw the final announcement you know why Madrid didn’t get it. their delegation was dressed in suits, ties and dresses that were AWFUL GREEN. horrible green. stale pea soup green. worse than the Seahawks green. Rio’s delegation was in some sort of plaid and that clearly won out.
#108 by joe on 10.02.09 12:56 pm |
Beardface said:
but it it really straight or did they fold and sew them like the rangers did the first year of these monstrosities?
#109 by JonCovney on 10.02.09 1:05 pm |
I’m sure you guys remember the hit in the Wisconsin Minnesota game last year that knocked the decal right off the Minnesota player’s helmet:
http://www.youtube.c...
Well here is an article describing where that decal is now:
http://host.madison....
(2nd paragraph)
#110 by Gusto44 on 10.02.09 1:07 pm |
Teebz said:
Teebz, I really thought you knew something about hockey! Please read my original post again, I was comparing the Pens accomplishments to Original Six teams who have been around for several decades longer, a HUGE advantage. Now, read my post about the few years difference in franchise age between the Pens and the Isles/Oilers. I can’t believe you don’t understand the difference. Obviously, you’ve let your jealousy and anti-Pittsburgh feelings known, but you just don’t have the facts to back up your point of view.
You also missed badly on my view of the Isles and Oilers future, I would like to see any NHL expert offer evidence those franchises will be cup contenders anytime soon. It ain’t happening, what the Pens have done in a few years, rising from worst to first is extremely rare in all of sports.
It’s always funny when people point out the bad Pens teams earlier this decade and imply there was luck involved in the current(and future success). This just in, it takes more than high draft choices to build one of the top organizations in the NHL. Fact is, the Pens have undergone a complete makeover since Mario bought the team. The combination of great ownership, front office, and on ice talent will assure the Pens will be serious cup contenders for many, many, years to come. Do you follow any of the player personnel decisions the Pens have made? Are you aware players young and old, are taking below market money to stay with this organization?
Please give me a challenge next time, and take time to actually read my posts. I really expected more.
#111 by Drew Hunziker on 10.02.09 1:07 pm |
LI Phil said:
I hope it’s for doing something right for once.
#112 by JTH on 10.02.09 1:12 pm |
JTH said:
Thanks for a good laugh, Gusto.
#113 by JimV19 on 10.02.09 1:19 pm |
So I went to the UW discussion board and a hockey fight broke out…
#114 by AReed on 10.02.09 1:23 pm |
The west virginia player probably has a 2nd initial because last season there was a player named Ja’tavious Miller on the team.
#115 by Dane on 10.02.09 1:25 pm |
chance michaels said:
Thanks for the research. At least on these examples, the opponent(s) was only a small feature of the design. The four competitor logos dominate an entire side of the ring. I’m a Penguins fan, but I have to fail this design.
And hey, only 13 more championships until the Pens catch up to Ric Flair! WOOOOOO!!!
#116 by AReed on 10.02.09 1:28 pm |
Also, as for JT Thomas, the same thing as my previous post; there was a kid named DJ Thomas on the roster last year as well. I’m guessing they’re using recycled jerseys from last year.
P.s. Sorry for the multiple posts.
#117 by sonic tooth on 10.02.09 1:35 pm |
Does anyone have a better screen shot of Beimel postgame yesterday wearing the robe and swilling Silver Bullets?
#118 by Squiddie on 10.02.09 1:35 pm |
This isn’t getting old, is it?
Chad Ocho Cinco’s pink gloves
#119 by Ricko on 10.02.09 1:36 pm |
Imagine the anticipation for the weekend around here…
Twins pretty much need to sweep the Royals in the Dome.
Wisconsin vs. Gophers at the New Brickhouse Saturday.
Wild opens season at Columbus Saturday
Packers at Vikings in The Dome Monday night.
Lotta markets have big weekends coming up, but the double whammy of both Wisconsin football in town generates a serious buzz, perhaps especially among visiting cheeseheads…but that’s a different kind of buzz.
Only way to make it better, of course, would be if the Tiger were in town instead of the Royals.
Only uni variables, though, are which combo will Gophers will choose, and when Wild will unveil their new alts (not likely in opener).
—Ricko
#120 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 1:43 pm |
Ricko said:
Ricko, been waiting to see you. Can you tell me what makes the Vikings throwback helmet different from their usual? I’m familar with today’s swooshed up jersey, etc. and how that’s different from the Tarkenton/Foreman years. But I thought the helmet hadn’t changed.
And a challenge: IMHO, we need an acronym for the idea that so many teams in hockey (and hopefully elsewhere) are going to the alts or throwbacks as their primary uniform. Something to express the idea of “going back to their original look which they never should have changed”.
#121 by ry co 40 on 10.02.09 1:44 pm |
Dane said:
if you’re going to “fail” the penguins ring design… then what would you suggest to fix it?
#122 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 1:46 pm |
And the buzz of the kid QB on the Vikes playing the Packers would probably be pretty big even if the Badgers/Gophers game was in Madison. :-)
That’s kind of a weekend-maker right there.
#123 by The Jeff on 10.02.09 1:51 pm |
anotherguy said:
http://www.droppin.c...
#124 by LI Phil on 10.02.09 1:52 pm |
LI Phil said:
having it say ‘canes’ instead?
#125 by Dane on 10.02.09 1:55 pm |
ry co 40 said:
Definitely get rid of the Caps & Flyers logos.
Option 1: PENS 4 WINGS 3 (text or logos).
Option 2: http://www.detroitat...
Option 3: http://cdn.nhl.com/p...
#126 by JimV19 on 10.02.09 1:57 pm |
The Jeff said:
Plus the helmets are sparkly purple now, correct?
#127 by M.Princip on 10.02.09 1:57 pm |
Ricko said:
I’m actually looking forward to seeing those Wild alts. I don’t really follow Hockey, but I’m sure the Pittsburgh Penguins are a far superior team in every sense of the hockey spectrum. Yet, I do like the Minnesota Wild’s graphic design elements. That ‘Wild Cat’ errrr Bear logo is, in my opinion, pure genius.
#128 by chance michaels on 10.02.09 1:58 pm |
Dane said:
Well, hey. If the Penguins had script approval, they’d have more championships, too.
The other logos aren’t any bigger, the reason are so prominant (not dominating an entire side, the player’s name and number take up about half that side) is that the Pens, in what may indeed be a first, put all the teams they defeated in the playoffs instead of just their final opponent.
#129 by ry co 40 on 10.02.09 2:03 pm |
Dane said:
see? was that so hard? i hate when people say something “sucks” or “fails” and leaves it at that. like, back up your statement with a soultion.
the finals patch would be interesting. the throwback logo wasn’t a huge part of their season, in fact they stopped wearing the jerseys, or wanted to, because of their poor record while wearing them. but i think you would want to look back in 20 years at the ring and say “oh yeah, we did sweep the canes” or” the caps did take us to 7 that year”. know what i mean? i think it’s pretty classy. they did a fine job.
#130 by Gusto44 on 10.02.09 2:03 pm |
JTH said:
I always call it the way it is, sometimes the truth stings. Knowledge trumps emotion, as Mr. Spock would say. I’m more than happy to talk about uniforms again. Never understood why some people like to denigrate other teams accomplishments, it’s not healthy.
#131 by Tsuji on 10.02.09 2:16 pm |
Tsuji said:
???
What new jersey?
#132 by JTH on 10.02.09 2:19 pm |
Gusto44 said:
Good to see you’re sticking with that commitment to dealing only in facts.
#133 by Mark W on 10.02.09 2:20 pm |
Brendan Burke said:
OK, can we just move it 8′ then?
#134 by leon on 10.02.09 2:30 pm |
And a challenge: IMHO, we need an acronym for the idea that so many teams in hockey (and hopefully elsewhere) are going to the alts or throwbacks as their primary uniform. Something to express the idea of “going back to their original look which they never should have changed”.
http://www.huffingto...
#135 by leon on 10.02.09 2:32 pm |
Weird:
http://www.huffingto...
#136 by Ricko on 10.02.09 2:35 pm |
we need an acronym for the idea that so many teams in hockey (and hopefully elsewhere) are going to the alts or throwbacks as their primary uniform. Something to express the idea of “going back to their original look which they never should have changed”.
FUA, last word being “Adjustment”?
(Thought about last word being “Correction” but, well, you know)
Possibly…
WWWT (”What Were We Thinking”)
—Rick
#137 by LI Phil on 10.02.09 2:36 pm |
leon said:
y’know…just read my sports pages at lunch, and apparently bill simmons says that “people under 30 don’t care about ted williams”
is this true? any under 30’s on the boards care about mr. ballgame?
#138 by concealed78 on 10.02.09 2:38 pm |
anotherguy said:
+1
I too am completely relieved Chicago didn’t get it. The cost overruns would had been another huge burden to the city with already huge mounting debt, not to mention all the political and traffic chaos it would have created. Chicago, just stick to pot holes and parking meters…. oops!
#139 by LI Phil on 10.02.09 2:40 pm |
linkie to article discussing the sports guy & the splinter
#140 by Gusto44 on 10.02.09 2:40 pm |
JTH said:
Yep, it’s too bad people that disagree with me can’t respond with any. I recall there were some people in the 1990s who were critical of the New Jersey Devils style of hockey, and did not give them the proper respect for their success. Since I do follow the sport, I knew the Devils were simply playing within the rules and richly earned
their Cups. Unfortunately there are a small number of fans who don’t show respect and dream up excuses like conspiracy and luck when their teams lose. It’s sad, but true.
#141 by Ricko on 10.02.09 2:42 pm |
leon said:
“The New York Daily News is reporting that Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams’ severed head was mistreated at an Arizona cryonics facility,
“…claims a technician took baseball-like swings at Williams’ frozen head with a monkey wrench.”
And the entire time the head was screaming things like, “You’re swinging UP! Keep your weight BACK, goddammit!” ?
—Ricko
#142 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 2:46 pm |
The Jeff said:
Okay, thanks for that.
Not exactly a huge change-but in any case, I like the old ones a bit better. Mostly the unnecessary shadow at the “hole” where the horn emerges.
#143 by leon on 10.02.09 2:47 pm |
LI Phil said:
Maybe one of their episodes will be about Chris Berman accepting a 49ers Super Bowl ring.
#144 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 2:50 pm |
Ricko said:
That’s cold Ricko.
#145 by JTH on 10.02.09 2:51 pm |
JimV19 said:
Yeah, and gray facemasks on the throwbacks.
#146 by leon on 10.02.09 2:54 pm |
Plus the helmets are sparkly purple now, correct?
No, never mind. I can’t do it.
Too preoccupied with anticipating Ted Williams frozen rope jokes.
#147 by Hott Rodd on 10.02.09 2:55 pm |
LI Phil said:
27.
I care about Ted Williams as much as any other baseball player. I respect what he means to the sport.
Do I care what happens to his severed head? nope. cuz it’s ridiculous that there should even be news ABOUT his severed head.
#148 by leon on 10.02.09 2:56 pm |
Mostly the unnecessary shadow at the “hole” where the horn emerges.
:)
#149 by Gusto44 on 10.02.09 2:58 pm |
Ricko said:
Thanks for the heads up Ricko, I have to head out of the office now. Stories like that are how we get ahead in life.
#150 by Ricko on 10.02.09 3:03 pm |
anotherguy said:
Actually was a comment Teddy Ballgame’s love of hitting and talking about hitting (well, that or fishing). I just figured if he were around someone’s whose swing was off, he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself from trying to fix it, even in his current cryogenic state.
(and, of course, I also thought of that sceaming baseball animation ESPN used to use when showing the big home runs of the day)
—Ricko
#151 by Greg V. on 10.02.09 3:03 pm |
LI Phil said:
I’m 28 and care about Ted Williams. I don’t know as much about his playing career as say, Ken Griffey Jr., but as a lover of baseball I respect him as a hitter, a good all-around ballplayer, and a guy who would have greatly different statistics if he wouldn’t have left baseball to fly in the war.
“Batting practice” with a frozen severed head is disgusting and wrong regardless of who the head might belong to.
#152 by Teebz on 10.02.09 3:17 pm |
Gusto44 said:
I don’t care how long you’ve been around. There are huge factors as to why these other teams didn’t win championships. If YOU knew hockey history, you’d know why the Canadians and Leafs dominated the hockey landscape for so long. But clearly you don’t, so I’m not going to validate your response with 60 years of hockey history. This isn’t Wikipedia.
Gusto44 said:
First off, if you knew anything about me, you’d know that I am a huge Pittsburgh Penguins fan. Perhaps you should get to know someone before accusing them of something that isn’t true.
That notwithstanding, you seem to let this time period idea cloud your judgment when we’re talking about how successful a team in within a time period. And it’s not just a “few years”. Pittsburgh had a 12-year head start on Edmonton. Edmonton joined the NHL in 1979, and won the Stanley Cup in 1984. That’s five years. And they won another. And another. And another. Et cetera. In fact, they had won five Stanley Cups before the Penguins won their first. It took Edmonton five years to win their first; it took Pittsburgh 24 years. It took the Islanders eight years; it took Pittsburgh 24. What the eff was Pittsburgh doing during those first 24 years?!? Oh right… we’ll just forget about those 24 years. Those don’t matter.
Gusto44 said:
I’d like to see an expect correctly predict who will win the Stanley Cup in five years. You know why people didn’t predict the Penguins were going to win the Stanley Cup in 2009 when they finished dead last in 2004? BECAUSE IT CAN’T BE DONE. If you want an expert’s opinion on how they will finish this year, no problem. But in five years? Dig out your crystal ball, oh wise one.
Gusto44 said:
They didn’t do it in one year, Gusto. Are you that blind? Or is it a combination of civic pride (I luvs me sum Pitzberg) and ignorance? It took them five years to reach the pinnacle after being dead last. And they got a pile of help along the way. I’m pretty sure that they didn’t beat Boston or San Jose last season in the playoffs. Someone else did.
Gusto44 said:
This just in: it has a lot to do with luck. They won the lottery to draft Crosby. That means all 30 teams had a shot at him. How many times have you won the lottery? Sure, they had better odds than you do, but they still won the lottery. I’m sure there was no luck in getting arguably the best player in the league, right?
The rest of it is idiot-proof. They end up last or near last, and they get to draft a great young player in the top five. Unless you’re Mike Milbury, any clown can make those picks.
And since they didn’t eliminate much better teams than themselves last season in the playoffs, they got some luck along the way. How many people would have predicted they would be playing the #7-seeded Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final?
Gusto44 said:
You mean they followed the same path that Detroit and New Jersey took to win championships? You seem to think that Mario Lemieux and his team did something no one else has ever done. Are you really that arrogant? Mario surrounded himself with very credible hockey people and allowed them to do their jobs. Kind of like what Mike Ilitch in
Detroit does. Do you know why bringing in successful people to run a team ends in success? Because success breeds success. Thanks for the class in Business 101.
Gusto44 said:
So you mean they are doing the same thing that Detroit has done for the last decade? Do you realize how stupid you make yourself sound with this argument?
Gusto, it’s time that you read a book. Educate yourself. This discussion is over until you can come up with some solid proof that what the Penguins have done in their 42 years of existence is more impressive than what Boston has done in their 85 years of existence. As it stands, all you’ve done is told me what Pittsburgh has accompished. And that’s nothing next to franchises like Edmonton, NY Islanders, Boston, and Chicago.
#153 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 3:19 pm |
Ricko said:
I know about Teddy BG’s proclivity for perfectionism as well as his salty language-but that was the first one I could think of off… the top of my head.
Of course, everyone knows that Ted was an avid sportsman after he retired: it’s just that unlike his Florida days, now he is mostly an ice fisherman.
#154 by Namhob on 10.02.09 3:20 pm |
Greg V. said:
I’ll be 27 on Sunday and I absolutely love Ted Williams for his hitting; his fielding on the other hand…
If you haven’t seen Ken Burns’s documentary on baseball, you need to, plain and simple.
#155 by Teebz on 10.02.09 3:21 pm |
Gusto44 said:
The Devils style of hockey was successful. There’s no question about it. They earned their Cups by playing their system perfectly.
However, this conspiracy crap was now only brought up by you. No one is faulting Pittsburgh for winning last season.
I’m faulting you for overcrediting the Penguins’ accomplishments in the last year as if they saved the world. They haven’t done squat in the annals of the NHL except win three times.
#156 by ken on 10.02.09 3:23 pm |
now that I’ve had a chance to look at the Pen’s ring. I like the name flank with the opponents on it. I think the cup on the top and the middle one on the “2009″ flank is too much — either/or – not both. (BTW..good luck repeating only 5x since 1980)
#157 by iLO on 10.02.09 3:31 pm |
:(
I hope the USFL does not follow suit. I think the only decent one is the Sentinels shield. Aside from that, the others suffer from the ugliness that plagues today’s new logos.
Good logos should have texturs as seen on the Redwoods logo and the Tuskers….geez, what generic design company keeps making these thick border logos for teams?
#158 by iLO on 10.02.09 3:33 pm |
..sorry for the above post. Don’t have the hang of closing HTML tags yet.
The UFL logos are up on their site. Just click on the whole paragraph above ^%
#159 by iLO on 10.02.09 3:36 pm |
#160 by leon on 10.02.09 3:39 pm |
Will Minnesota U. be wearing their Ol’ Yellers for this weeks game?
#161 by JimV19 on 10.02.09 3:45 pm |
At least real hockey fights end in 2-3 minutes…
#162 by Teebz on 10.02.09 3:54 pm |
JimV19 said:
This is Bettman vs. Balsillie. :o)
#163 by JimV19 on 10.02.09 3:55 pm |
Wow, were they trying to make these logos unappealing or what?
http://www.ufl-footb...
Darn shame to put those on a perfectly nice uniform, eh Phil? ;)
#164 by Tom V on 10.02.09 3:57 pm |
Gusto44 said:
You mean like that time you denegrated the accomplishments of every Cleveland franchise?
Teebz, thanks for the very entertaining read.
#165 by JimV19 on 10.02.09 3:57 pm |
Teebz said:
Well this could go for a while then. ;)
#166 by chance michaels on 10.02.09 4:00 pm |
JimV19 said:
I don’t know, there’s a lot for me to like.
The Redwoods primary logo really works for me. Clearly influenced by the National Park Service. Using a skyscraper for the Sentinels is also a nice choice.
I like using the Sentinels and Redwoods secondary marks as a “stripe”. I like the Tuskers’ tusks, if not the snout.
Don’t like anything about the Vegas helmets, though.
#167 by JTH on 10.02.09 4:08 pm |
chance michaels said:
I like what they tried to do with that Las Vegas logo. The cowcatcher motif was a good attempt at least.
Of course, we’ve seen something like that done much better elsewhere.
#168 by rpm on 10.02.09 4:11 pm |
sorry about the delay in the cubs/sox stirrups, i have been placing calls. i have no idea what is up with tck, apparently even though i ordered on the first, they didn’t process until the 11th, and it’s a crazy order, excuses excuses out of their mouths. the second they come in i will start stuffing envelopes and get them out immediately.
this month’s have been ordered. you can always chek status on robertmarshallart.com
bad news on the football tubes, but i am efforting other options here with tck. i was thinking maybe we can customize the varsity look. obviously, they can do teams like the bears if you look through it, but what of the old school packers, or college teams. still working on this people.
#169 by JimV19 on 10.02.09 4:13 pm |
chance michaels said:
The Redwoods logo looks like a river more than an R. That one and the Vegas one are just too jagged.
NY’s is okay, I guess…I just don’t like the name. Reminds me of an old horror movie http://en.wikipedia....(1977_film) and I don’t like horror movies.
As for Florida, the tusks by the facemask are the only redeeming quality. Shoulda used those and nothing else.
#170 by mikey on 10.02.09 4:14 pm |
LI Phil said:
I’m 26 and a Red Sox fan who also happens to share a birthday (8/30) with the Splinter. Do I know as much about his career as I do today’s players? No. But the man was/is a legend and I have the utmost respect for the way he played the game.
And Bill Simmons is kind of a jackass.
#171 by Fight on 10.02.09 4:26 pm |
Not sure anyone has posted this yet, but Chad OchoCinco is asking for votes on which pink chinstrap to wear: http://twitpic.com/j...
#172 by Marc M. on 10.02.09 4:31 pm |
a contrasting opinion about the use of pink
http://www.boston.co...
#173 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 4:35 pm |
anotherguy said:
Any thoughts from the board on what the center stripe represents? Railroad spike, a pickaxe… something else?
#174 by Gusto44 on 10.02.09 4:52 pm |
Teebz said:
So much misinformation so little time, well, let’s start at the beginning:
* I never overcredited the Pens accomplishments, just shed light on them. Never did I say the Pens have matched the accomplishments of the Bruins-yet. And yes, the Pens have contributed a little more than three Cups to the NHL. Some of the greats of the game, including a certain #66 have worn a Pens jersey. And this just in, #87, and #71 are on there way to becoming hall of famers. Even with the bad ownership and losing teams of the past, the Pens have a richer tradition than the vast majority of NHL clubs.
* It’s very significant that Pittsburgh is closing in on the Rangers and Boston in Cup wins, especially when those franchises had a head start of several decades. I don’t know what part of that you still don’t understand. While Chicago also has three Cups, one of those were won with a losing record, something that would never happen today. Pittsburgh has definitely surpassed Chicago as a superior franchise, the way Mario was a better player than Bobby Hull. Ever hear of Jagr? Unbelievable.
* Your explanation was lacking when talking about the Original Six era. Who cares if the Habs, Leafs and Wings were tough competition? With roughly a 40 year head start, it’s still surprising that the Rangers, Bruins, and Black Hawks didn’t win more Cups.
* Loved how you said you didn’t put down the Pens title run last season, and then suggested they somehow caught a break when San Jose and Boston
lost. Neither of those teams was clearly as good as Detroit, and the Wings failed to hold a 3-2 lead at home, not even when Crosby was lost for much of Game 7. Clearly, the Pens earned their title.
* You also whiffed on your Oilers/Isles comparison, because the Original Six teams still had decades more time to earn Cups, and they did not.
* Number one picks are not locks to become great players, just ask Brian Lawton and Joe Murphy. If picking high in the draft was such luck, why are the LA Kings not contenders?
* Comparing the Pens situation when Mario took over to the losing situations in Detroit and New Jersey is like comparing fish to cattle. It was a little more than bringing in good people, it was a job just to keep the franchise in town. Ever hear of the new arena opening next year? Without leadership of ownership, none of the current and future success is possible. In all of sports, there has been very few ownership groups facing the challenges Mario and company handled.
* Hey Tom V., the only reason I dumped on Cleveland’s 46 year streak, was because someone just like you piled on the Pirates 17 year streak. What goes around comes around.
Finally, Teebz, you are NOT a Pens fan, I’ve exposed you as a fraud. Your arguments are growing weaker and weaker…….
#175 by Jeff P on 10.02.09 4:58 pm |
Chris said:
Players can wear whatever gear they want. Reebok only exclusively provides jerseys and socks. Manufacturers have to pay the NHL for the right to display their logo, but you can use whatever you want. For pants, I believe Tackla, RBK, Bauer, CCM, Easton, Warrior, and Eagle are approved this year.
And you need to pay a fee for each type of equipment, so some manufacturers are approved for some things and not others.
As for the NHL shield, same could be said about every other NHL jersey, every MLB jersey, every NBA jersey and every NFL jersey. None of them serve a purpose other then identifying the league to people who have trouble figuring out the blindingly obvious, but they’re still there on every other jersey.
#176 by =bg= on 10.02.09 5:10 pm |
IN case you can’t tell what the number is on that jersey..it’s 45.
http://sportsillustr...
here’s a great shot of ND:
http://sportsillustr...
my dad was backup to Paul Hornung in HS.
#177 by bourbon soaked idiot on 10.02.09 5:12 pm |
Teebz said:
Gusto44 said:
The Devils weren’t just playing within the rules… the changed the hockey. Lou Lamoreillo, Lemaire, Larry Robinson and Martin Broduer defensively SOLVED the game of hockey.
Unfortunately it wasn’t just people who were critical it was the league. Bettman and his croanies did not like it. The new NHL rules are all directly because of Brodeur’s talent and Lou’s skills as a GM. although we all know if the Rangers or Bruins won cups with this style Bettman would have loved it.
What I don’t get is people out there who still think the Devils play boring hockey. Have you seen Parise play. I would rank him in the top 5.
#178 by Adam W on 10.02.09 5:14 pm |
This has probably been asked before, but i dont know the answer…
With how strict the nfl is with regards to player numbers (qb/k/p get 1-19, rbs get 20-49, etc) why is devin hester allowed to keep wearing #23 after switching to wr? wrs can wear #10-19 and 80-89…
#179 by =bg= on 10.02.09 5:20 pm |
JTH said:
If I wore those alt’s, I’d wanna shoot myself.
Meanwhile, here’s more pink stuff.
http://blog.49ers.co...
#180 by JTH on 10.02.09 5:24 pm |
Adam W said:
Reebok doesn’t want to have pay the costs associated with liquidating their inventory of HESTER/23 jerseys, t-shirts, etc.
The NFL doesn’t want to reimburse Reebok, either. And if they force him to switch his number, they can’t insist that Devin pay, unlike the Chad Johnson situation last year. So they’re more than happy to let the rule go unenforced in this particular case.
#181 by Thomas Clark on 10.02.09 5:28 pm |
I have a question for you Uniwatchers…Am I crazy for thinking this: I look at the St. Louis Blues road whites and think..”those look pretty good…I kind of dig the black, it looks good” then my next thought is “Wait, these are the Blues, why the eff do they even have black in there…it doesn’t fit, it’s just tossed in there for no apparent reason…I hate the Blues.”
Does that officially make me crazy for immediately telling myself I’m an idiot?
#182 by Teebz on 10.02.09 5:31 pm |
Gusto44 said:
1. Pittsburgh is not responsible for #66. #66 made Pittsburgh what it is today. Don’t confuse the two. Otherwise, if Pittsburgh hadn’t purposefully tanked to draft him in 1984, you’d be singing the praises of the New Jersey Devils.
2. There are only two retired numbers in Pittsburgh’s 42-year history. That speaks volumes to how shitty they were.
3. Name me something that the Penguins have contributed to the NHL. Anything. And since NHL players are not team-owned, you cannot named players. They make their own names.
Gusto44 said:
4. You seem to want to compare team success, but then bang the drum on individual success. How about we compare Gretzky to Lemieux. Maybe Messier’s Stanley Cup totals to Lemieux’s. How about Henri Richard’s totals to anyone else’s? Maybe you should stick to comparing team to team.
5. It is even more significant then that the Oilers are more successful than the Blackhawks, Bruins, Rangers, and Penguins. And did it in less time. And took them less than a decade to amass those totals. Therefore, the Oilers are better than the Penguins when comparing team success. Book it, Gusto.
Gusto44 said:
6. With roughly a 12-year head start, it’s surprising that the Penguins trail the Oilers by two Stanley Cups. Apparently time is the only factor when one considers how hard it is to win a Stanley Cup.
Gusto44 said:
7. San Jose was 2-2 versus the Red Wings last season in the regular season. Boston was 0-1. Pittsburgh was 1-1. When it comes to playoffs, however, anyone can beat anyone else in a seven-game series. Saying that the Bruins or Sharks were “clearly” not as good as Detroit is asinine. I never said the Penguins didn’t earn their championship, though. Don’t you dare put words into my mouth.
Gusto44 said:
8. The Penguins also had more time, but they didn’t earn more than the Oilers and Islanders. So what is the excuse for the Penguins?
Gusto44 said:
9. Joe Murphy played 779 NHL games in his career, amassing 528 points. He also won a Stanley Cup in 1990 with Edmonton.
10. Brian Lawton was drafted straight out of high school by the terrible Minnesota North Stars. Aside from Phil Housley and Tom Barrasso (great job by Buffalo’s scouting department headed by Scotty Bowman), name one high school hockey player who has been an exceptional NHL player. I’ll wait for your answer.
11. The Los Angeles Kings have a stock of young talent, and are expected to push for a playoff spot this season, much like the Penguins did in 2007. Or has that slipped your mind too?
Gusto44 said:
12. Mario didn’t save the franchise when he was drafted. He didn’t even want to wear the jersey at the 1984 draft until he had a contract. he was hated in Pittsburgh by the media, but loved by the fans. It wasn’t until the magic of the Stanley Cup years did Pittsburgh truly embrace him. Or did you forget those details too? and in case you’ve forgotten, he tried to sell the team to Jim Balsillie. But those kinds of details aren’t important. I’m pretty sure Detroit and New Jersey haven’t been hampered by bankruptcy and ownership changes in the last 20 years. And New Jersey got their new arena without the threat of moving to Kansas City. Are you forgetting that too? Mario faced challenges, but he’s also tried to wash his hands of them.
Gusto44 said:
I’ve been exposed? My sides are sore from all the laughing I’m doing. Gusto, you have nothing.
#183 by M.Princip on 10.02.09 5:37 pm |
=bg= said:
Great stuff! Thanks for posting these links. SI never seizes to amaze me with their wonderful archived images. Those shoulder numbers are ridiculous.
#184 by Tris Wykes on 10.02.09 5:43 pm |
UniWatch didn’t think the re-jiggered Packers logo was good enough to put up but that dodgeball uniform t-shirt from today is? It looks like it was made by my 5-year old son. Yikes.
#185 by mike 2 on 10.02.09 5:48 pm |
Thomas Clark said:
I’m not sure what you’re looking at, but as far as I can tell there’s no black in the St. Louis Blues uniforms. Navy blue, perhaps?
#186 by Teebz on 10.02.09 5:49 pm |
mike 2 said:
Mike is right. It is navy blue. The picture’s colouring may be off, but the Blues are definitely not black.
#187 by LI Phil on 10.02.09 5:58 pm |
Tris Wykes said:
well whomever made it plays dodgeball…so perhaps it was made by a five year old…and whom amongst us didn’t do stuff like that at that age?
#188 by Thomas Clark on 10.02.09 6:01 pm |
Hmm…I knew they were navy last year…they just looked black on versus today. I guess I am crazy. Thanks!
#189 by Michael Emody on 10.02.09 6:38 pm |
anotherguy said:
Yeah. I’m sure there’s no bribery or graft in Rio. Or among the Olympic committee.
#190 by ChillicotheCraig on 10.02.09 6:45 pm |
Here’s an interesting way the Mets could boost their power totals without changing the outfield fence.
Maybe they could boost their winning percentage by batting from the new plate position while making the visitors bat from the previous position. Kind of like a ladies tee. :]
#191 by anotherguy on 10.02.09 6:56 pm |
Michael Emody said:
Don’t know; don’t care.
If it’s in Rio I won’t be taxed for it for years and years and years to pay for someone’s brother-in-law to supply concrete at two or three times market value. Or for the bonds to be rated or marketed at a fee that’s roughly double. Or for “security” to watch a manhole cover at some exorbitant rate.
I’ll stand by my statement; and if in seven years Rio proves to be even more corrupt than Chicago I’ll tip my hat to them and admit that I was wrong.
#192 by Gusto44 on 10.02.09 7:11 pm |
Teebz said:
If this were a fight, I would have knocked you out in the first round, this is sooo easy. I’ve been reading your posts for some time, and it’s obvious you hate Pittsburgh teams.
* Have no idea what your point is on Lawton and Murphy, two busts as number one picks. Just goes to prove nothing is for certain, even gifted players can miss. Nothing is for certain, and all teams go thru losing periods. Detroit fans recall the two decades of losing, and they know, for all their tradition, it took them several decades to win another Cup
* You became confused again and thought I said the Pens were better than the Oilers and Isles. Same mistake you made with the Bruins. Although the Pens are close in accomplishments, I never have said they were superior. This may change in the next few years, however. Again, you’ve failed
to understand my key point-for the Pens to be within two Cups of the Bruins after giving away roughly 44 years is important. So is that fact their within one cup of the Rangers and have tied Chicago.
* The fact remains, only seven franchises in the NHL have won more Cups, and five of those were Original Six teams. There’s no doubt the Pens have earned the right to be called one of the upper tier franchises in the NHL. Certainly, not yet at the level of a Montreal/Detroit/Toronto, but more Cups should be returning to Pittsburgh over the next dozen years.
* Wow, great point on the LA Kings, we’ve seen countless young teams with talent fail to deliver over the history of the NHL. It takes a helluva lot more than talent to become a champion. To compare the franchise accomplishments of teams like the Kings,Blues,Canucks,Capitals,Flames,and Sabres etc. to the Pens is identical to comparing a Yugo to a Corvette.
* Your dumbest point was trying to separate players from teams when discussing franchise accomplishments. Yea, that wasn’t Mario destroying Chicago in the 1992 SCF! And you really lost me when comparing Mario to other hall of famers. Gretzky is number one, although it would have been interesting to see Mario’s numbers without his health problems. Putting that aside, #66 has universally ranked as one of the top few players to lace up a skate, and rated ahead of the other players you mentioned, including Messier.
* You seem to have a slippery grip on reality. Mario actually saved the Pens franchise THREE times. The proposed sale to Jim Balislle was so the Pens would stay in Pittsburgh once the arena was approved. If the arena talks had died, then yes, Ballislle would have been free to relocate the team. Because Mario is now a Pittsburgher, he has admitted the Kansas City talk was not serious, but they had to jolt
the discussion so the right solution could be found. In this case, everyone did win, and the Pens are one of the hottest franchises in all of sports.
Obviously, Teebz your knowledge of the Pens is so warped, no amount of truth and logic will set you free. You don’t even know Pittsburgh has an impressive hockey tradition, dating back to the 1900s. They had one of the first pro leagues in the USA at that time.
I’m more than willing to drop this discussion, you’ve been mauled, and everyone knows it. Of course, over the next decade or so, and the Pens continue to win Cups, you’ll still be bitter that your favorite team isn’t(the Rangers?) To borrow a line from Mike Lange, ” you’ve been beaten like a red headed stepchild “
#193 by Adam W on 10.02.09 8:08 pm |
another great blackout this week… last week purdue changed the endzones for the blackout… this week, subtle changes to the louisville uniforms… besides having “the ville” on the jersey… they have black facemasks (usually red) and a black stripe on the helmet (also usually red)… well done. although im still against the idea of a team called the cardinals wearing black…
#194 by TomV on 10.02.09 8:35 pm |
Gusto44 said:
Absolutely and 100% wrong in your response to me, I said NOTHING of the sort. The post that day was the one about the old coliseum outside Cleveland. You took offense that the column was for the most part devoted to a Cleveland team, and started in with your drivel about how, like Teebz said, Pittsburgh apparently is the center of the sports universe.
#195 by Hank on 10.02.09 8:43 pm |
I hope some one in Minny got some screen grabs but Mark Teahan of the Royals has “Circle Me Bert” in marker on his batting gloves. Bert Blyleven uses his telestrator? to “circle” Twins’ fans who hold up signs in the Metrodome and in other parks during TV broadcasts. As soon as Teahan came up in the 2nd inning, Behome Blyleven circled him and made a point of the batting gloves. Teahan obviously asked to be “cirvcled” before the game.
#196 by Teebz on 10.02.09 8:57 pm |
Gusto44 said:
Here we go again.
Yeah, I hate Pittsburgh teams. I haven’t once mentioned any other Pittsburgh team, but I hate them all. The four Penguins jerseys I have also agree with you. All the Penguins merchandise I have agrees with you. You’re completely right.
Gusto44 said:
By your definition, they are “busts”. Yet it’s funny that Joe Murphy has more Stanley Cups to his name than Marcel Dionne, Mats Sundin, Pavel Bure, Michel Goulet, Jeremy Roenick, and Eric Lindros have combined. But he was a bust.
However, let’s put this in a Pittsburgh context. Here are the first overall picks they made since they broke into the league up to 1990.
1967: Steve Rexe, 2nd overall.
1968: Garry Swain, 4th overall.
1969: traded to 4th overall to Boston.
1970: Greg Polis, 7th overall.
1971: traded 4th overall to St. Louis.
1972: traded 4th overall to Minnesota.
1973: Blaine Stoughton, 7th overall.
1974: Pierre Larouche, 8th overall.
1975: Gordon Laxton, 13th overall.
1976: Blair Chapman, 2nd overall.
1977: traded 12th overall to Toronto.
1978: traded 6th overall to Philadelphia.
1979: traded 10th overall to Washington.
1980: Mike Bullard, 9th overall.
1981: traded 7th overall to Montreal.
1982: Rich Sutter, 10th overall.
1983: traded 1st overall to Minnesota; Bob Errey, 15th overall.
1984: Mario Lemieux, 1st overall; Doug Bodger, 9th overall; Roger Belanger, 16th overall.
1985: Craig Simpson, 2nd overall.
1986: Zarley Zalapski, 4th overall.
1987: Chris Joseph, 5th overall.
1988: Darrin Shannon, 4th overall.
1989: Jamie Heward, 16th overall.
Now, how many of those guys were busts? Because the only guy I see that did anything while with the Penguins was that Lemieux guy. Could that explain those 24 years with no Stanley Cups?
Gusto44 said:
You have done nothing but make this claim the entire time. Pittsburgh is better than Chicago, Boston, and the NY Rangers because they have won three Cups in 42 years compared to the low number of Cups each of those teams have won in 83 years. That’s all you’ve been saying. I dare you to refute that statement.
And you claimed the Penguins were better than the Islanders and Oilers because they aren’t Cup contenders, and I have proven you wrong there again. It doesn’t matter what if they are win this year. They have won more in less time. They are more successful by the definition of success according to how you framed it.
Gusto44 said:
Either you can’t read, or you simply have no comprehension skills. BY YOUR DEFINITION, the Penguins are less successful than the Islanders, Oilers, and Devils. They won more Cups in less time. And since Boston has more, they are also more successful. That’s what winning is about: the more you do it, the more successful you are.
Gusto44 said:
And now you’re an NHL expert? Are you willing to go to Vegas and put money on that bet?
Define “upper-tier”. Because the upper-tier for me is Montreal. No one else is even close. Toronto, Detroit, Edmonton, and NY Islanders are next. They had legitimate dynasties.
The Penguins? Not so much.
Gusto44 said:
You made the comparison, not me. I simply said that the Kings are in the same position that Pittsburgh was in 2007. That’s not a comparison. That’s the potential that they have. Are you sure English is your first language?
Gusto44 said:
Really? He won the Stanley Cup by himself? 22 vs. 1? Really? Because I’m almost certain there were other players on the ice. Almost.
Gusto44 said:
Oh, so now you want to play the “what if” game. I get it. What if Gordie Howe hadn’t played until he was 50? What if Gretzky wasn’t surrounded by talent?
What if you never mentioned that crap? His point totals are impressive, but he only won two Cups as a player. Messier has more, Gretzky has more, Richard has more, Claude Lemieux has more.
Individual stats are nice, but team goals are much more important. And since YOU started the team comparisons, individuals make no difference in this discussion. If you bring up individual stats again, it will only confirm your stupidity.
Gusto44 said:
Universally, eh? Who does the polling on Mars?
Look, Lemieux is still my favorite player (and you can try to tell me that’s a lie all you want, but don’t waste my oxygen doing it, ok?). But his quiet, reclusive demeanor is entirely different than Mark Messier’s demanding demeanor. Do you really think that Messier won five Stanley Cups because he wasn’t the one of the best leaders in NHL history? Really?
Gusto44 said:
Stop me if you heard this one.
1984 – saves the Penguins from moving by putting fans in the seats.
2000 – saves the Penguins as bankruptcy court awards ownership in exchange for deferred monies he is owed.
2006 – saves the Penguins by arranging for new arena to be built.
I applaud him for saving the Penguins, but he did one out of three intentionally. But my grip on reality is the one that needs tightening. RIGHT.
Gusto44 said:
Is that why he wanted to move them to Hamilton before the decision on the arena was made? Because that’s how it happened in reality.
Gusto44 said:
Everyone except Kansas City. Thanks for dangling the carrot before yanking it away. I understand the tactics here, but that’s terrible business. And you cannot deny that. It’s the exact same thing that Balsillie has been doing with the Coyotes: give me what I want, or I’ll move the team.
Gusto44 said:
So hot, in fact, that ESPN wants hockey back just to capitalize on the Crosby-Malkin craze! Spare me the crap. You and I both know that they are one of the hottest teams in hockey, but not in all of sports.
Gusto44 said:
Show me truth and logic, and set me free then. The only person who has done that in this conversation is me. You’ve argued in cricles, meandered with facts that had nothing to do with your original premise, and have taken swipes at me.
Gusto44 said:
Apparently you know me better than I thought. Because being that I know nothing about how Duquesne Gardens hosting its first hockey game in 1899, how the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League started in 1901, how the first US Hockey Team was formed in Pittsburgh in 1920, how the Pittsburgh Pirates joined the NHL in 1925, how the Pittsburgh Shamrocks joined the IHL in 1935, how the Pittsburgh Hornets joined the IHL in 1936, how the Hornets won their first AHL Calder Cup in 1952, how the Civic Arena opened in 1960, or how October 11 is the most important date in Pittsburgh hockey history… no, I don’t know the history. Care to elaborate?
Gusto44 said:
I dare you to ask openly about that sentiment. I double-dare you.
Gusto44 said:
I’m glad you know your Mike Lange quips as well, moron. It’s “he beat him like a rented mule”. Mike Lange has never once used that stepchild line.
Yet I’m a Rangers fan. Funny how I’d know that Lange-ism, and you’d screw it up, oh wise and powerful founder of all things Penguins.
Sit down, shut your trap, school is in session.
#197 by Patrick in MI on 10.02.09 10:12 pm |
Paul, where are you?! Please make it stop, this idiotic war of words between Teebz and Gusto! Please keep it uni-related, take your pissing match elsewhere.
In other uni news…why can’t the Louisville Cardinals wear red? They went from Red Rage (OK, only a 1-year thing on their helmets) to this blackout crap.
And in response to this photo http://sportsillustr...
I LOVE the giant TV numbers, always been a fan of huge numerals on jerseys. Also, Michigan wearing white over white. Pretty rare or not? And when did the Wolverines stop giving out helmet decals?
#198 by Jimbo99 on 10.02.09 10:40 pm |
Teebz
Gusto44
No one cares.
Give it up, get a life and if you are not going to discuss uniforms, get off this site. You both suck.
#199 by Teebz on 10.02.09 11:05 pm |
Just so you two understand, it started with uniforms and a dumb comment at #258. Most of us thought it was done, but someone kept poking and prodding the dead horse.
#200 by Joe Raskin on 10.02.09 11:53 pm |
The beauty of Ted Williams’ swing.
#201 by Jon in SLC on 10.03.09 12:21 am |
Teebz – That has to be the longest post in Uni Watch history!
Side note – I was once told that teams with white/light helmets were easier for a QB to pick up when looking for an open receiver. Does anyone have any input on this? Phil, maybe a weekend project or something? It would be interesting to see if there are any correlations between helmet color and qb ratio/completion rate.
#202 by =bg= on 10.03.09 12:21 am |
Bed-time, all.
#203 by MJM on 10.03.09 12:29 am |
Geno=Eugene hence the Eu.
#204 by Jon in SLC on 10.03.09 12:42 am |
Jimbo99 said:
While Teebz may be spirited in his debate, I can say that he does not “suck” and is a respected contributor to this site.
#205 by Teebz on 10.03.09 1:04 am |
Jon in SLC said:
Thanks, Jon. Much appreciated, but Jimbo is allowed to express his dissatisfaction with me. I’m not here to please anyone, so it’s fine. :o)
#206 by The Hemogoblin on 10.03.09 3:37 am |
I