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Please. Make. It. Stop. Now.

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New ESPN column today. It’s my Cubs treatise, and I can pretty well guarantee that it includes at least one item that will surprise just about everyone reading this. Here’s the link.

I’m not the only one who’s been in a Chicago state of mind lately. As several readers informed me yesterday, our good friends at Nike have taken a keen interest in the Windy City. So keen, in fact, that they’ve slapped 10 large advertising decals, including the one shown above, onto Chicago’s lakefront path. And in an impressive display of efficiency and focus, the swooshkateers didn’t waste time bothering to ask anyone’s permission (because, obviously, it would never have been granted). Further nauseating details here.

You shouldn’t have to hate Nike as much as I do to be completely offended by this latest display of corporate hubris. This is vandalism of a public space, period, and should be treated as such: Local officials should charge Nike with a crime, because that’s exactly what it is.

Meanwhile, I wonder if Nike remembers that Chicago is also the city where marathoner Robert Cheruiyot suffered a concussion after slipping on an advertising decal at the Chicago Marathon finish line. What a wonderful bit of synergy for their jogging-path ad campaign!

Raffle Reminder: I’m currently raffling off two pairs of tickets to a Manhattan screening of Don Larsen’s perfect game, including the original commercials. For details, look here.

Uni Watch News Ticker: Someone please sign this guy, quick (with thanks to stirrup-spotter Drew Samuelson). ”¦ What does Lance Armstrong do with his Tour de France yellow jerseys? He frames them (with thanks to Eric Stangel). ”¦ Rob Gugliotta notes that the “NBA” icon on the Celtics’ championship banners is sometimes solid, sometimes not. Anyone know what that’s about? ”¦ Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: new logos for Louisiana Tech. ”¦ Christmas-in-June Alert: The Red Sox will be wearing green jerseys tomorrow, in honor of the Celtics’ championship. ”¦ New blog devoted to vibrating football games here. ”¦ “Looks like Tony Gwynn was playing in sneakers-turned-cleats years ago,” writes Greg Riffenburgh. … According to this page, Adidas is about to unveil a bunch of new European soccer kits, along with a cool-sounding photo book (with thanks to Michael Kearney). ”¦ Akron’s hoops team will be getting new Lebron-branded uniforms. ”¦ In vaguely related item, Jamil Smith says, “I hope LeBron doesn’t sue these guys.” ”¦ “Pitcher’s masks have become more and more common in Michigan high school softball,” reports Lisa Lark. “Not mandatory, but several pitchers in the state finals had them on.” ”¦ Kate Plimpton was recently in Roswell, where she stopped in at a local historic house and learned that the Roaswell Lions won the 1956 Little League World Series. ” I dig the thickness and texture of the uniform,” she says. ”¦ “These pre-draft workouts provide an opportunity to see players wearing logos they may never be paid to wear,” notes Jay Dickson. “A quick search revealed this and this.” ”¦ Can’t really argue with this (spotted at yesterday’s Bosox/Phillies game by Paul Kamras). ”¦ Jeremy Brahm reports that the Japanese Olympic field hockey team will be wearing this design in Beijing, and the women’s weightlifting team will be wearing this. ”¦ Also from Jeremy: Volleyball captains are usually designated by having their front uni number underlined. But Venezuelan captain Andy Rojas wears the underscore on his back. ”¦ Carlos Borge passed along this great 1989 article about the company that cleaned, pressed, and mended the Yankees’ uniforms. Never heard of this operation before — anyone know more about them?

 
  
 
Comments (121)

    … Rob Gugliotta notes that the “NBA” icon on the Celtics’ championship banners is sometimes solid, sometimes not. Anyone know what that’s about?

    When I was in Boston in Febuary seeing a Bruins/Wings game, I saw that and wondered the same thing. Seeing I was a Detroiter in Boston I hesitated to ask. Maybe hidden meaning? Like clinched series on road for one, and home for the other?

    [quote comment=”276195″]… Rob Gugliotta notes that the “NBA” icon on the Celtics’ championship banners is sometimes solid, sometimes not. Anyone know what that’s about?

    When I was in Boston in Febuary seeing a Bruins/Wings game, I saw that and wondered the same thing. Seeing I was a Detroiter in Boston I hesitated to ask. Maybe hidden meaning? Like clinched series on road for one, and home for the other?[/quote]
    A quick search of NBA finals seems to show that the solid vs. non-solid NBA logos on the banners has nothing to do with where Boston clinched the championship… Maybe it’s just totally arbitrary.

    It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.

    Wow, only one Phillies fan in that ‘METS SUCK’ picture (dude on the far left) has everything on his jersey correct.

    As for the Sox wearing green jerseys, all I’ve heard from NESN, the Herald, and the Globe is that it’s a possibility, not that it’s definite. NES said a shamrock patch was another possibility. I’m sure they’ll just go the green jersey route, but I haven’t heard it’s definite yet. (I could be wrong.)

    The Tampa Bay Rowdies are expected to return as a USL First Division franchise. Bravo for resurrecting the Rowdies name and Colors!

    link

    [quote comment=”276198″]Wow, only one Phillies fan in that ‘METS SUCK’ picture (dude on the far left) has everything on his jersey correct.[/quote]

    If you mean the Utley alternate jersey, well he was able to fork over $190 while the Howard alternate is the replica for $79.

    [quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    It is a lot different. And telling someone to “get over” an issue they’re obviously very passionate about is like dropping a turd in their drink. (And it has nothing to do with Paul’s hatred of Nike, as he clearly said.)

    [quote comment=”276201″][quote comment=”276198″]Wow, only one Phillies fan in that ‘METS SUCK’ picture (dude on the far left) has everything on his jersey correct.[/quote]

    If you mean the Utley alternate jersey, well he was able to fork over $190 while the Howard alternate is the replica for $79.[/quote]

    how much does the ‘mets suck’ jersey go for?

    As far as the Celtics banners go, it was definitely done that way for a reason. Those are not the original banners. The banners that hung in the Boston Garden were too small to be seen properly in the new FleetCenter/TD BankNorth Garden. New larger banners were created when the building opened. The original banners hang in the teams practice facility in Waltham.

    So there IS a reason for the different designs. Of course one possibility is that they were originally done this way by mistake and the team wanted to keep the new banners as “authentic” as possible. Id be interested to hear if anyone knows the real reason.

    [quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    Not everyone is going to have the foresight to think they can slip and get injured on the graphic. Have you ever walked across the reflective stripes in a crosswalk, especially when they are wet? Those can be downright dangerous, too.

    As for it being an act of vandalism, per the Chicago Municipal Code:

    8-4-060 Vandalism defined.
    A person commits vandalism when he engages in the willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement, or defacement of any public or private property. This offense includes, but is not limited to, cutting, tearing, breaking, marking, drawing or painting when these actions are intended to or have the effect of causing damage to property.
    (link)

    I doubt Nike ‘intended’ to damage property, so it wouldn’t be vanadalism per se. However, they could face a charge of trespassing:

    8-4-050 Trespassing.
    A person commits trespass when he knowingly: …; (d) Willfully defaces, mars, injures or destroys any building or part of any building or any property of another with paint, tar, acid, grease, oil, or other such substance which would detrimentally alter the outer face or substance of such building or any property of another, or any fence, tree, shrub or plant appurtenant thereto.

    [quote comment=”276203″][quote comment=”276201″][quote comment=”276198″]Wow, only one Phillies fan in that ‘METS SUCK’ picture (dude on the far left) has everything on his jersey correct.[/quote]

    If you mean the Utley alternate jersey, well he was able to fork over $190 while the Howard alternate is the replica for $79.[/quote]

    how much does the ‘mets suck’ jersey go for?[/quote]

    PRICELESS.

    [quote comment=”276201″][quote comment=”276198″]Wow, only one Phillies fan in that ‘METS SUCK’ picture (dude on the far left) has everything on his jersey correct.[/quote]

    If you mean the Utley alternate jersey, well he was able to fork over $190 while the Howard alternate is the replica for $79.[/quote]
    I’m sorry but $79 is still alot for something that’s so freakin’ incorrect.

    [quote comment=”276207″][quote comment=”276201″][quote comment=”276198″]Wow, only one Phillies fan in that ‘METS SUCK’ picture (dude on the far left) has everything on his jersey correct.[/quote]

    If you mean the Utley alternate jersey, well he was able to fork over $190 while the Howard alternate is the replica for $79.[/quote]
    I’m sorry but $79 is still alot for something that’s so freakin’ incorrect.[/quote]

    Agree. I think this topic was covered by Paul not too long ago.

    [quote comment=”276205″][quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    Not everyone is going to have the foresight to think they can slip and get injured on the graphic. Have you ever walked across the reflective stripes in a crosswalk, especially when they are wet? Those can be downright dangerous, too.

    As for it being an act of vandalism, per the Chicago Municipal Code:

    8-4-060 Vandalism defined.
    A person commits vandalism when he engages in the willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement, or defacement of any public or private property. This offense includes, but is not limited to, cutting, tearing, breaking, marking, drawing or painting when these actions are intended to or have the effect of causing damage to property.
    (link)

    I doubt Nike ‘intended’ to damage property, so it wouldn’t be vanadalism per se. However, they could face a charge of trespassing:

    8-4-050 Trespassing.
    A person commits trespass when he knowingly: …; (d) Willfully defaces, mars, injures or destroys any building or part of any building or any property of another with paint, tar, acid, grease, oil, or other such substance which would detrimentally alter the outer face or substance of such building or any property of another, or any fence, tree, shrub or plant appurtenant thereto.[/quote]

    Sweet, an all day debate about Vandalism… can’t wait :/

    [quote comment=”276209″][quote comment=”276205″][quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    Not everyone is going to have the foresight to think they can slip and get injured on the graphic. Have you ever walked across the reflective stripes in a crosswalk, especially when they are wet? Those can be downright dangerous, too.

    As for it being an act of vandalism, per the Chicago Municipal Code:

    8-4-060 Vandalism defined.
    A person commits vandalism when he engages in the willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement, or defacement of any public or private property. This offense includes, but is not limited to, cutting, tearing, breaking, marking, drawing or painting when these actions are intended to or have the effect of causing damage to property.
    (link)

    I doubt Nike ‘intended’ to damage property, so it wouldn’t be vanadalism per se. However, they could face a charge of trespassing:

    8-4-050 Trespassing.
    A person commits trespass when he knowingly: …; (d) Willfully defaces, mars, injures or destroys any building or part of any building or any property of another with paint, tar, acid, grease, oil, or other such substance which would detrimentally alter the outer face or substance of such building or any property of another, or any fence, tree, shrub or plant appurtenant thereto.[/quote]

    Sweet, an all day debate about Vandalism… can’t wait :/[/quote]
    I argue that vandalism is NOT a sport.

    [quote comment=”276205″]As for it being an act of vandalism, per the Chicago Municipal Code:

    8-4-060 Vandalism defined.
    A person commits vandalism when he engages in the willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement, or defacement of any public or private property. This offense includes, but is not limited to, cutting, tearing, breaking, marking, drawing or painting when these actions are intended to or have the effect of causing damage to property.
    (link)

    I doubt Nike ‘intended’ to damage property, so it wouldn’t be vanadalism per se.[/quote]

    Uh, “disfigurement”?

    I don’t want to get into a long debate about what does and doesn’t constitute vandalism (so let’s please NOT do that). But corporate advertising doesn’t belong in public parks, period. Even if it did belong there, the corporate advertiser would have to PAY for the use of the space, while Nike just waltzed in and TOOK the space for free (as we all know, they have a v-e-r-y limited ad budget and have to cut costs whenever possible). It’s total bullshit and should be called as such.

    I loved seeing an ESPN column devoted entirely to the uniforms of my favorite team!

    (It could have been done without the endless “curse” references that seem to be a mainstay of any Cubs-related article, though — give it a rest, already!)

    One thing that wasn’t mentioned is the evolution of the “bear face” logo. Back around 1910, they started using a link as their main logo. link Then in 1914 they put “CUBS” on the jerseys and moved the little bear to the link. This logo was still on the jerseys in the 1930s, and then it disappeared for a while.

    In the 1960s, they brought back a link as the sleeve patch. They kept this one around long enough for it to reach the link, though in 1980 they changed it to the link.

    They kept link until 1994, when it was replaced by link; at the same time, they removed the blue sleeve hems from the home jerseys. (They also put names on the backs in 1993, much to the chagrin of traditionalists.)

    Now they’ve got the link that’s been standard since 1997, and they use it as a sleeve patch for the regular link and link uniforms, and as the main logo on the blue alternates and practice shirts. I like these much better than the “Team Cuba” script that the blue shirts contained in ’94-’96 — how can a jersey like link get such oppobrium from some people?

    I love seeing the bear evolve with the times, and think that the current “walking” style is perfect for this or any era. The only thing I want the Cubs to change is to get the names off the home jerseys (leave them on the road; some fans *do* like the names). They just need to position the numbers about an inch higher up. On the link it looks fine, but it’s positioned link, forcing them to link. Here’s an even better comparison: link

    Anyone have any photos of the Cubs’ throwback uniforms in their first interleague series with the White Sox in 1997? Those looked amazing. Bring those back!

    I hope some enterprising Chicagoan takes a slip on one of those ads and sues the swoosh emblazoned pants off of nike.

    [quote comment=”276199″]As for the Sox wearing green jerseys, all I’ve heard from NESN, the Herald, and the Globe is that it’s a possibility, not that it’s definite. NES said a shamrock patch was another possibility. I’m sure they’ll just go the green jersey route, but I haven’t heard it’s definite yet. (I could be wrong.)[/quote]

    Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey. The Red Sox are one color fits all. How ’bout a pink jersey for breast cancer awareness?

    I fully understand everyone’s confusion, but the Mets Suck family used to be my neighbors when I was growing up in Philadelphia.

    On the yellow jersies … those look to be the ones he was wearing when he rolled into Paris on the last day. The one straight ahead of the camera is the clue — Postal wore a “link” kit on the last day of the 2003 Tour, using the old USPS logo. That was the only time the old logo was used.

    [quote comment=”276214″][quote comment=”276199″]As for the Sox wearing green jerseys, all I’ve heard from NESN, the Herald, and the Globe is that it’s a possibility, not that it’s definite. NES said a shamrock patch was another possibility. I’m sure they’ll just go the green jersey route, but I haven’t heard it’s definite yet. (I could be wrong.)[/quote]

    Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey. The Red Sox are one color fits all. How ’bout a pink jersey for breast cancer awareness?[/quote]

    How ’bout yellow for Bed Wetting Awareness?
    Demographic too young?
    Okay, Incontenance Awareness.

    Oh, shoot, yellow’s already taken, for “Tie a yellow ribbon…”

    Well, p*ss on that idea then.

    re: Nike ad on sidewalk. Whoa, I’ve had some of my ads fall on their face, but never had someone fall on his face ON one of my ads.

    What IS this world coming to.

    Actually it is where they clinched it. I was at the home opener for the Bruins this year and asked an usher this very questions and this is the answer that I got.

    See the all green NBA logo (with white letters spelling out NBA) for championships won on the road like in the 1981 vs. half green NBA logo (with green letters spelling out NBA) for championships won at home like in 1984… link).

    [quote comment=”276204″]As far as the Celtics banners go, it was definitely done that way for a reason. Those are not the original banners. The banners that hung in the Boston Garden were too small to be seen properly in the new FleetCenter/TD BankNorth Garden. New larger banners were created when the building opened. The original banners hang in the teams practice facility in Waltham.

    So there IS a reason for the different designs. Of course one possibility is that they were originally done this way by mistake and the team wanted to keep the new banners as “authentic” as possible. Id be interested to hear if anyone knows the real reason.[/quote]

    Can’t really argue with this (spotted at yesterday’s Bosox/Phillies game by Paul Kamras).

    Honestly, Paul — as someone who claims to be a Mets fan, you talk ALOT of crap. Is this UniWatch or some Phillies, Mets hater blog? You can certainly voice your opinion but show some pride for once.

    “…Jeremy Brahm reports that the Japanese Olympic field hockey team will be wearing this design in Beijing, and the women’s weightlifting team will be wearing this. … Also from Jeremy: Volleyball captains are usually designated by having their front uni number underlined. But Venezuelan captain Andy Rojas wears the underscore on his back…”

    I don’t know Jeremy Brahm, but he’s my new hero. Great stuff!

    I found this interesting article on the first sporting uniforms from an old Vanity Fair (surprising light on info about said uniforms but I digress):

    link

    Sean O’Sullivan, the stirrup-clad pitcher in the video, is already signed — he’s pitching for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the single-A California League affiliate of the Anaheim Angels of Not Los Angeles. (If you look closely, you can see the “RC” logo of their road uni on his left breast.) He was also the starter of the last game we went to. In fact, the Quakes’ whole starting nine (and a good portion of their bench/bullpen) went high-cuffed for the game, with most of them including stirrups. I’m not sure if that’s a regular thing, or just something they do for his starts.

    In that game, they were hosting the Modesto Nuts, who also had a large handful of guys going high-cuffed — including their starting shortstop, a rehabbing Troy Tulowitski.

    [quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    I don’t think this was motivated by Paul’s “hatred for Nike” but rather the fact that they feel they “own the joint” and do what they want.

    You have kids in this country that get told to take down their lemonade stands because they don’t have the proper permits but Nike unilateraly decides that they can do what they want, when they want.

    You state that the runners can just run over these, but how do we know that they aren’t too slick or even too “sticky”? The change from asphalt to this sticker could affect how you run or, god forbid, even injure an unsuspecting runner.

    This goes far beyond a “logo creep” issue.

    [quote comment=”276218″][quote comment=”276214″][quote comment=”276199″]As for the Sox wearing green jerseys, all I’ve heard from NESN, the Herald, and the Globe is that it’s a possibility, not that it’s definite. NES said a shamrock patch was another possibility. I’m sure they’ll just go the green jersey route, but I haven’t heard it’s definite yet. (I could be wrong.)[/quote]

    Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey. The Red Sox are one color fits all. How ’bout a pink jersey for breast cancer awareness?[/quote]

    How ’bout yellow for Bed Wetting Awareness?
    Demographic too young?
    Okay, Incontenance Awareness.

    Oh, shoot, yellow’s already taken, for “Tie a yellow ribbon…”

    Well, p*ss on that idea then.

    re: Nike ad on sidewalk. Whoa, I’ve had some of my ads fall on their face, but never had someone fall on his face ON one of my ads.

    What IS this world coming to.[/quote]

    My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.

    As far as Nike on the sidewalk, interesting that entities born of the desire/need to take on a huge foe of some sort seem to eventually become what they opposed. Freedom fighters end up dictators. Paramilitary organizations that arise during a war are, after the war, oftentimes exactly what they were fighting against–militants operating outside the law.

    Nike, once the little U.S. company that began in Bill Browerman’s workshop and tried to compete with adidas, puma and others, is now the giant that little companies must battle to keep from being squashed like a bug. Nike now has far more power than anyone it even chased from behind…and it wields that power far more heavy-handedly and with less conscience than the others ever did.

    That said, I still wear their shoes, cuz every other brand makes my achilles tendons hurt like hell. And that’s the trap they’ve got some of us in.

    [quote comment=”276219″]Actually it is where they clinched it. I was at the home opener for the Bruins this year and asked an usher this very questions and this is the answer that I got.

    See the all green NBA logo (with white letters spelling out NBA) for championships won on the road like in the 1981 vs. half green NBA logo (with green letters spelling out NBA) for championships won at home like in 1984… link).

    [quote comment=”276204″]As far as the Celtics banners go, it was definitely done that way for a reason. Those are not the original banners. The banners that hung in the Boston Garden were too small to be seen properly in the new FleetCenter/TD BankNorth Garden. New larger banners were created when the building opened. The original banners hang in the teams practice facility in Waltham.

    So there IS a reason for the different designs. Of course one possibility is that they were originally done this way by mistake and the team wanted to keep the new banners as “authentic” as possible. Id be interested to hear if anyone knows the real reason.[/quote][/quote]

    Can’t be. 1962 was clinched at home and 1963 was on the road. In the picture they have the same colored icon.

    In conjunction with their vintage helmet auction the University of Oklahoma is now auctioning off a pqair of new-unworn-straight out of the box 70’s era Spot-Bilt Football Cleats.

    link

    [quote]Nike, once the little U.S. company that began in Bill Browerman’s workshop and tried to compete with adidas, puma and others, is now the giant that little companies must battle to keep from being squashed like a bug. Nike now has far more power than anyone it even chased from behind…and it wields that power far more heavy-handedly and with less conscience than the others ever did.[/quote]

    point?

    [quote comment=\”276211\”][quote comment=\”276205\”]As for it being an act of vandalism, per the Chicago Municipal Code:

    8-4-060 Vandalism defined.
    A person commits vandalism when he engages in the willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement, or defacement of any public or private property. This offense includes, but is not limited to, cutting, tearing, breaking, marking, drawing or painting when these actions are intended to or have the effect of causing damage to property.
    (link)

    I doubt Nike \’intended\’ to damage property, so it wouldn\’t be vanadalism per se.[/quote]

    Uh, \”disfigurement\”?

    I don\’t want to get into a long debate about what does and doesn\’t constitute vandalism (so let\’s please NOT do that). But corporate advertising doesn\’t belong in public parks, period. Even if it did belong there, the corporate advertiser would have to PAY for the use of the space, while Nike just waltzed in and TOOK the space for free (as we all know, they have a v-e-r-y limited ad budget and have to cut costs whenever possible). It\’s total bullshit and should be called as such.[/quote]

    Maybe we can confirm whether or not Nike is actually paying for the park space. I work in advertising and even for certain \’guerilla\’ pieces of advertising placed in public places, there are hoops we must go through.

    Frankly, I\’m not as appalled at the commercial use of public space (there are beautiful and clever ways to incorporate ad messaging into the public view), but of the misuse of the medium (it\’s lousy work, even from the blurry digital shot above … it\’s not interesting in any way other than placement.)

    Oh – who won the Pedro Buttonhole contest already?

    [quote comment=”276228″][quote]Nike, once the little U.S. company that began in Bill Browerman’s workshop and tried to compete with adidas, puma and others, is now the giant that little companies must battle to keep from being squashed like a bug. Nike now has far more power than anyone it even chased from behind…and it wields that power far more heavy-handedly and with less conscience than the others ever did.[/quote]

    point?[/quote]

    See the preceding paragraph. Saying not surprising that Nike should become the precise opposite of what it originally was. Pointing to the socio-ecnomic phenomenon of almost-predictable reversals such as that…not necessarilly judging them.

    [quote comment=”276223″]Sean O’Sullivan, the stirrup-clad pitcher in the video, is already signed — he’s pitching for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes…In that game, they were hosting the Modesto Nuts, who also had a large handful of guys going high-cuffed…[/quote]

    Quakes?! Nuts?! These are killer names, Eric B. Are the other teams in the league as well denominated?

    You know, you’d think Paul, as a journalist (who has struggled at times to have a solid contract until very recently), wouldn’t come out and say he “hates” Nike, especially since he might need them as a source sometime. Sure, he doesn’t have to respect them or like them but to put it in print that he hates them is pretty strong.

    As a uniform fan, Nike puts out some great stuff and some duds. Nike also has had plenty of business mistakes throughout the years, but at least they try to innovate.

    I guess start bashing me as an employee of Nike, which I’m not.

    [quote comment=”276233″]Meaning their need to dominate.[/quote]

    again…you say that like it’s a bad thing

    but then, i guess the same people who hate/bash nike also hate/bash mcdonalds, the yankees, microsoft, coke…etc…

    but that’s a argument for another board…or…is it?

    So what’s the big surprise in the ESPN column? The pleated pants?

    Article’s here in case Paul hasn’t posted the link yet.
    link

    [quote comment=”276236″]You know, you’d think Paul, as a journalist (who has struggled at times to have a solid contract until very recently), wouldn’t come out and say he “hates” Nike, especially since he might need them as a source sometime. Sure, he doesn’t have to respect them or like them but to put it in print that he hates them is pretty strong.

    As a uniform fan, Nike puts out some great stuff and some duds. Nike also has had plenty of business mistakes throughout the years, but at least they try to innovate.

    I guess start bashing me as an employee of Nike, which I’m not.[/quote]

    I understand where you are coming from but I like Paul’s writing for the same reason that I like Keith Hernandez’s broadcasts on SNY; both say what they feel. I don’t always agree with either of them but I feel that I’m always getting their honest opinion and I can’t say that about a lot of people.

    My personal opinions are mixed…I love Nike sneakers and equipment but I do feel that the “logo creep” (from Nike and others) is getting out of hand.

    [quote comment=”276237″][quote comment=”276233″]Meaning their need to dominate.[/quote]

    again…you say that like it’s a bad thing

    but then, i guess the same people who hate/bash nike also hate/bash mcdonalds, the yankees, microsoft, coke…etc…

    but that’s a argument for another board…or…is it?[/quote]

    At one time, yes. Recently, anything can be discussed here. Anyone want to talk about Alpacas?

    [quote comment=”276237″][quote comment=”276233″]Meaning their need to dominate.[/quote]

    again…you say that like it’s a bad thing

    but then, i guess the same people who hate/bash nike also hate/bash mcdonalds, the yankees, microsoft, coke…etc…

    but that’s a argument for another board…or…is it?[/quote]

    I pick and choose. Very seldom do I hate large coorperations just because their big and powerful, mainly because they’re probably successful for having a superior product. But that being said, putting these stickers down is just plain wrong. A company with bascially unlimited advertising funds would stoop to putting “graffiti” on running paths? WTF!? It pisses me off, and I’m not normally all for bashing Nike, just their ugly uni’s and ridiculously designed shoes, but they’re probably no worse than any other big brand. And I agree with some of the other people saying these very well might have been a slip hazzard, I remeber seeing similar stickers on teh grounds at Summerfest in Milwaukee a few years ago and seeing people slipping on them during the rain. They’re lucky someone didn’t break a tailbone, but I guess, just like the fine they’ll get, someone just said, “Who cares, we’ve got money coming out of our asses!”

    “My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.”

    That’s fine, but you brought it up using the example of the Red Sox who, the way you paint it, break out these green jerseys every other day. You said

    “Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey.”

    They wear green (sometimes) on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always in Spring Training. They did not wear a green jersey on Earth Day, they wore a patch. They wore the green jerseys in the regular season ONE TIME, when Red Auerbach died and MAY wear them again to honor a Celtics title. I’m just saying, with all the teams that do break out alternate jerseys, you picked a bad example.

    I don’t care if it’s Nike or Mother’s Day Cards from Hallmark, you just don’t slap an advertisement onto a park’s path. You just don’t. My god.

    What’s next? An ad on the ceiling of a birthing room in a hospital?

    [quote comment=”276200″]The Tampa Bay Rowdies are expected to return as a USL First Division franchise. Bravo for resurrecting the Rowdies name and Colors!

    link

    I am told by someone on the inside that the green and gold hoop socks may make a comeback as well.

    I’m thinking some of the identity will be updated (it has been 24 years since the NASL days) – you don’t see a lot of soccer shirts with the high collars anymore.

    But as someone for whom the Rowdies were their first love, I’m very pleased.

    [quote comment=”276242″]”My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.”

    That’s fine, but you brought it up using the example of the Red Sox who, the way you paint it, break out these green jerseys every other day. You said

    “Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey.”

    They wear green (sometimes) on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always in Spring Training. They did not wear a green jersey on Earth Day, they wore a patch. They wore the green jerseys in the regular season ONE TIME, when Red Auerbach died and MAY wear them again to honor a Celtics title. I’m just saying, with all the teams that do break out alternate jerseys, you picked a bad example.[/quote]

    You’re missing the point. Green isn’t one of their colors and yet they’re acting like it is, which is just as worng as adding balck of every other uni out there. That’s why people are bashing it. Once a year? Fine. 3 times a year for any number of reasons? Ridiculous!

    [quote comment=”276237″][quote comment=”276233″]Meaning their need to dominate.[/quote]

    again…you say that like it’s a bad thing

    but then, i guess the same people who hate/bash nike also hate/bash mcdonalds, the yankees, microsoft, coke…etc…

    but that’s a argument for another board…or…is it?[/quote]

    Just being observational about Nike’s successes and the character thereof. And you’re right, it’s for another board. Mentioned it only cuz of the “slip n’slide on the sidewalk ad” story.

    I do like their shoes, though. And I admire the fact they’re smart enough to understand that successful organizations never stop marketing. It comes with the territory.

    In other words, I don’t mind their logo on my shirt or shorts or shoes or batting gloves, or on anyone else’s. For such a company, it’s to be expected, that’s all I was saying (whew, I managed to make it uni-related as I now leave this topic behind). LOL

    [quote comment=”276246″][quote comment=”276242″]”My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.”

    That’s fine, but you brought it up using the example of the Red Sox who, the way you paint it, break out these green jerseys every other day. You said

    “Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey.”

    They wear green (sometimes) on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always in Spring Training. They did not wear a green jersey on Earth Day, they wore a patch. They wore the green jerseys in the regular season ONE TIME, when Red Auerbach died and MAY wear them again to honor a Celtics title. I’m just saying, with all the teams that do break out alternate jerseys, you picked a bad example.[/quote]

    You’re missing the point. Green isn’t one of their colors and yet they’re acting like it is, which is just as worng as adding balck of every other uni out there. That’s why people are bashing it. Once a year? Fine. 3 times a year for any number of reasons? Ridiculous![/quote]

    PRE-cise-ly.

    [quote comment=”276243″]What’s next? An ad on the ceiling of a birthing room in a hospital?[/quote]

    Considering ads are on the ceilings in gyno offices… I wouldn’t be surprised if/when they appear on the ceilings of birthing rooms.

    [quote comment=”276249″][quote comment=”276243″]What’s next? An ad on the ceiling of a birthing room in a hospital?[/quote]

    Considering ads are on the ceilings in gyno offices… I wouldn’t be surprised if/when they appear on the ceilings of birthing rooms.[/quote]

    My first kid is due on July 30th, I’ll let you know.

    [quote comment=”276236″]You know, you’d think Paul, as a journalist (who has struggled at times to have a solid contract until very recently), wouldn’t come out and say he “hates” Nike, especially since he might need them as a source sometime. Sure, he doesn’t have to respect them or like them but to put it in print that he hates them is pretty strong.[/quote]

    “I’m not a journalist, I’m a yodeler.” – Tony Kornheiser

    [quote comment=”276245″][quote comment=”276238″]So what’s the big surprise in the ESPN column? The pleated pants?[/quote]

    Yes![/quote]

    That WAS crazy to read about, I just wasn’t sure if it was known before.

    [quote comment=”276253″][quote comment=”276245″][quote comment=”276238″]So what’s the big surprise in the ESPN column? The pleated pants?[/quote]

    Yes![/quote]

    That WAS crazy to read about, I just wasn’t sure if it was known before.[/quote]

    The pleats are fine, but only as long as they also have a sharp crease down the middle of each leg.

    [quote comment=”276250″][quote comment=”276249″][quote comment=”276243″]What’s next? An ad on the ceiling of a birthing room in a hospital?[/quote]

    Considering ads are on the ceilings in gyno offices… I wouldn’t be surprised if/when they appear on the ceilings of birthing rooms.[/quote]

    My first kid is due on July 30th, I’ll let you know.[/quote]

    Well, let the WIFE let us know…

    I remember reading a book on the history of the Sporting News back when it had its 100th anniversary. One of the pages displayed showed an article on the demise of the Cubs vest jersey with the great headline:
    CUBS GIVE A HEAVE – TO THEIR NO-SLEEVE PEEVE

    Actually, I was surprised by the powder blues. Bring those back as the road unis now. This must be done.

    [quote comment=”276248″][quote comment=”276246″][quote comment=”276242″]”My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.”

    That’s fine, but you brought it up using the example of the Red Sox who, the way you paint it, break out these green jerseys every other day. You said

    “Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey.”

    They wear green (sometimes) on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always in Spring Training. They did not wear a green jersey on Earth Day, they wore a patch. They wore the green jerseys in the regular season ONE TIME, when Red Auerbach died and MAY wear them again to honor a Celtics title. I’m just saying, with all the teams that do break out alternate jerseys, you picked a bad example.[/quote]

    You’re missing the point. Green isn’t one of their colors and yet they’re acting like it is, which is just as worng as adding balck of every other uni out there. That’s why people are bashing it. Once a year? Fine. 3 times a year for any number of reasons? Ridiculous![/quote]

    PRE-cise-ly.[/quote]

    Boston’s an Irish town. Green is practically assigned to the Irish. Boston and Green go together. This shouldn’t be such a big deal.

    [quote comment=”276246″][quote comment=”276242″]”My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.”

    That’s fine, but you brought it up using the example of the Red Sox who, the way you paint it, break out these green jerseys every other day. You said

    “Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey.”

    They wear green (sometimes) on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always in Spring Training. They did not wear a green jersey on Earth Day, they wore a patch. They wore the green jerseys in the regular season ONE TIME, when Red Auerbach died and MAY wear them again to honor a Celtics title. I’m just saying, with all the teams that do break out alternate jerseys, you picked a bad example.[/quote]

    You’re missing the point. Green isn’t one of their colors and yet they’re acting like it is, which is just as worng as adding balck of every other uni out there. That’s why people are bashing it. Once a year? Fine. 3 times a year for any number of reasons? Ridiculous![/quote]

    Are you not reading what I’m writing? The Red Sox have worn a green jersey ONE TIME in over one hundred seasons in the regular season! I didn’t miss the point, the guy said what his point was and I’m responding to it, since it’s completely misleading to say the Red Sox wear an odd color all the time when they’ve done it once in 108 years.

    So to clarify: The guy complained about the Red Sox “breaking out the green jerseys” for

    1. St. Patrick’s day (never happened in the regular season)

    2. Earth Day (never happened, they wore a patch only)

    3. A Celtics title (never happened, but might happen Friday) (They wore Green in honor of Red Auerbach’s death, that was the one time.)

    So basically he’s complaining about something that’s NEVER happened. I agree with his point, but the Red Sox are not the team to pick on in this case.

    [quote comment=”276235″][quote comment=”276223″]Sean O’Sullivan, the stirrup-clad pitcher in the video, is already signed — he’s pitching for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes…In that game, they were hosting the Modesto Nuts, who also had a large handful of guys going high-cuffed…[/quote]

    Quakes?! Nuts?! These are killer names, Eric B. Are the other teams in the league as well denominated?[/quote]

    The California League is:
    Bakersfield Blaze (Rangers)
    High Desert Mavericks (they’re based in Adelanto) (Mariners)
    Inland Empire 66ers (they’re based in San Bernardino) (LA Dodgers)
    Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres)
    Lancaster Jethawks (Red Sox)
    Modesto Nuts (Rockies)
    Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels)
    San Jose Giants (SF Giants)
    Stockton Ports (A’s)
    Visalia Oaks (Diamondbacks)

    A few things I discovered just now while trolling their websites looking for affiliations:

    A Quakes photo gallery, showing all the guys in their high cuffs (the only exceptions seem to be a couple rehabbing major leaguers):
    link

    The Storm has one of my favorite cap logos:
    link

    I kind of like the Blaze cap logo, too:
    link

    Tomorrow night’s promotion for the Storm is “Redneck Night.” I’m not sure if this means special unis or not — no further info on their website yet.

    [quote comment=”276258″]So to clarify: The guy complained about the Red Sox “breaking out the green jerseys” for

    1. St. Patrick’s day (never happened in the regular season)

    2. Earth Day (never happened, they wore a patch only)

    3. A Celtics title (never happened, but might happen Friday) (They wore Green in honor of Red Auerbach’s death, that was the one time.)

    So basically he’s complaining about something that’s NEVER happened. I agree with his point, but the Red Sox are not the team to pick on in this case.[/quote]

    Then who is “the team to pick on in this case”? Certainly there are many other cases of alternate jersey stupidity, the Padre’s and White Sox camo jerseys come to mind, but in “this case”, no I believe the Red Sox are at fault if they waer grenn again. Who else’s fault would it be?

    [quote comment=”276255″][quote comment=”276250″][quote comment=”276249″][quote comment=”276243″]What’s next? An ad on the ceiling of a birthing room in a hospital?[/quote]

    Considering ads are on the ceilings in gyno offices… I wouldn’t be surprised if/when they appear on the ceilings of birthing rooms.[/quote]

    My first kid is due on July 30th, I’ll let you know.[/quote]

    Well, let the WIFE let us know…

    I remember reading a book on the history of the Sporting News back when it had its 100th anniversary. One of the pages displayed showed an article on the demise of the Cubs vest jersey with the great headline:
    CUBS GIVE A HEAVE – TO THEIR NO-SLEEVE PEEVE

    Actually, I was surprised by the powder blues. Bring those back as the road unis now. This must be done.[/quote]

    I think she’ll be preoccupied, I think Travis Henry should know the answer.

    [quote comment=”276261″][quote comment=”276255″][quote comment=”276250″][quote comment=”276249″][quote comment=”276243″]What’s next? An ad on the ceiling of a birthing room in a hospital?[/quote]

    Considering ads are on the ceilings in gyno offices… I wouldn’t be surprised if/when they appear on the ceilings of birthing rooms.[/quote]

    My first kid is due on July 30th, I’ll let you know.[/quote]

    Well, let the WIFE let us know…

    I remember reading a book on the history of the Sporting News back when it had its 100th anniversary. One of the pages displayed showed an article on the demise of the Cubs vest jersey with the great headline:
    CUBS GIVE A HEAVE – TO THEIR NO-SLEEVE PEEVE

    Actually, I was surprised by the powder blues. Bring those back as the road unis now. This must be done.[/quote]

    I think she’ll be preoccupied, I think Travis Henry should know the answer.[/quote]

    Just kidding. He wasn’t present for any of those births.

    *ZING!

    great article on teh cubbies mr. lukas…who knew they had so many fucking ridiculous eccentricities quirks?

    on another note, loved the ‘descriptor’ at the bottom of the article:

    Paul Lukas never ever ever ever wears pleated pants

    The new Sports Illustrated (Tiger cover) has a double-page spread in the back of the magazine showing off the stirrups worn in the cubs/braves throwback game last week.

    I wrote to Celtics a couple of years back regarding the NBA circle on the banners and got a response from Jeff Twiss of the C’s front office. He said their was no rhyme or reason to the two different types of circles. The manufacturer of the banners over the years simply inserted one of two different types at their fancy.
    The recreations which hang in the New Garden simply copied the originals found in the Old Garden for authenticity’s sake.
    FYI, the new scaled down banner the C’s are using today on one of their duck boat parade vehicles has the circle with the green edges, white middle, and green NBA letters.

    [quote comment=”276255″]Actually, I was surprised by the powder blues. Bring those back as the road unis now. This must be done.[/quote]

    Nope.

    Road grays are soooo classic.

    [quote comment=”276246″][quote comment=”276242″]”My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.”

    That’s fine, but you brought it up using the example of the Red Sox who, the way you paint it, break out these green jerseys every other day. You said

    “Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey.”

    They wear green (sometimes) on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always in Spring Training. They did not wear a green jersey on Earth Day, they wore a patch. They wore the green jerseys in the regular season ONE TIME, when Red Auerbach died and MAY wear them again to honor a Celtics title. I’m just saying, with all the teams that do break out alternate jerseys, you picked a bad example.[/quote]

    You’re missing the point. Green isn’t one of their colors and yet they’re acting like it is, which is just as worng as adding balck of every other uni out there. That’s why people are bashing it. Once a year? Fine. 3 times a year for any number of reasons? Ridiculous![/quote]

    In NO WAY are they acting like green is one of their colors. They have used it twice now during the regular season to honor the Celtics in some way. How is this exactly like the Mets wearing black jerseys ALL THE TIME? One of the great things about being a Boston sports fan, is that it is really cool to see how the teams all support each other.

    I suppose the little love-fest between the Boston teams makes sense considering they’re both at the top of their leagues but in most cities I would guess this wouldn’t happen as the teams are really competitors for the local sports fans’ dollars.

    Dodgers wearing purple for the Lakers? The stars would really have to align for that one.

    [quote comment=”276267″][quote comment=”276246″][quote comment=”276242″]”My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.”

    That’s fine, but you brought it up using the example of the Red Sox who, the way you paint it, break out these green jerseys every other day. You said

    “Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey.”

    They wear green (sometimes) on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always in Spring Training. They did not wear a green jersey on Earth Day, they wore a patch. They wore the green jerseys in the regular season ONE TIME, when Red Auerbach died and MAY wear them again to honor a Celtics title. I’m just saying, with all the teams that do break out alternate jerseys, you picked a bad example.[/quote]

    You’re missing the point. Green isn’t one of their colors and yet they’re acting like it is, which is just as worng as adding balck of every other uni out there. That’s why people are bashing it. Once a year? Fine. 3 times a year for any number of reasons? Ridiculous![/quote]

    In NO WAY are they acting like green is one of their colors. They have used it twice now during the regular season to honor the Celtics in some way. How is this exactly like the Mets wearing black jerseys ALL THE TIME? One of the great things about being a Boston sports fan, is that it is really cool to see how the teams all support each other.[/quote]

    Another great reason is that they all USE CAPS ALL THE TIME FOR NO APARENT REASON.

    [quote comment=”276258″]So to clarify: The guy complained about the Red Sox “breaking out the green jerseys” for

    1. St. Patrick’s day (never happened in the regular season)

    2. Earth Day (never happened, they wore a patch only)

    3. A Celtics title (never happened, but might happen Friday) (They wore Green in honor of Red Auerbach’s death, that was the one time.)

    So basically he’s complaining about something that’s NEVER happened. I agree with his point, but the Red Sox are not the team to pick on in this case.[/quote]

    If you mean me, I wasn’t picking on the Red Sox. I was thinking only of two things that seem to be creeping into the whole special jersey philosophy in general…
    1. More of them is better.
    2. “As long as we have these green jerseys and/or hats from St. Pat’s, we could ALSO use ’em for…” (if a team considers doing something largely because doing it would be easy and virtually free, it isn’t much of a tribute).

    “I’d like to begin by saying f*ck Lance Armstrong.”

    -George Carlin

    Nothing wrong with the green Red Sox unis, BTW. It’s been a long damn time since they were necessary to honor the Celtics. Though, sadly, we never got to see Bob Stanley or Marty Barrett in a green jersey.

    I have an older Tom Pagnozzi jersey with what I believe is a NL sleeve patch – I’m not even sure it’s an official jersey but I can check when I get home

    [quote comment=”276224″][quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    I don’t think this was motivated by Paul’s “hatred for Nike” but rather the fact that they feel they “own the joint” and do what they want.

    You have kids in this country that get told to take down their lemonade stands because they don’t have the proper permits but Nike unilateraly decides that they can do what they want, when they want.

    You state that the runners can just run over these, but how do we know that they aren’t too slick or even too “sticky”? The change from asphalt to this sticker could affect how you run or, god forbid, even injure an unsuspecting runner.

    This goes far beyond a “logo creep” issue.[/quote]

    How many times have you seen someone advertise on sidewalks in chalk for some fair? Are they vandals and trespassers, too? I’m sure they got permits for that. The only difference is that it’s Nike. And as for it being too slick/sticky, the picture clearly shows that it’s easy to get AROUND it, like I said before. Not “run over them.”

    The article said the Parks department had no idea what the interviewer was talking about. All I was saying was that you’d think the Chicago city flag was changed to a big swoosh. A few ads were put in a park. That’s it.

    I took my son to the Rangers game against the Braves last night. At some point, the scoreboard showed a video of Rangers historical highlights (insert joke here). My son noted the powder blues, said that they were very unusual, and expressed his admiration of them.

    On the one hand, I was so proud that he was noticing something uni-related without being prompted. On the other hand, as a hater of the powder blues, I nearly became despondent to learn that he likes them enough to desire a throwback.

    My conflicted feelings continue today.

    “”This is just another example of LeBron’s commitment to the city of Akron, its University and our basketball program,” Dambrot said in a statement.”

    Not a big fan of LeBron’s statement; “Akron is my home team, I want them looking great head to toe.” It’s sort of like LeBron giving a thumbs-up to something he probably had no idea about until Nike told him to go on television and give a statement.

    I doubt LeBron even has a say in the design of his clothes, let alone a say in the fact that Akron is not branded under him. It wasn’t LeBron’s decision, it was Nike’s.

    [quote comment=”276213″]I hope some enterprising Chicagoan takes a slip on one of those ads and sues the swoosh emblazoned pants off of nike.[/quote]

    Which park? I think I need to go for a jog after work

    [quote comment=”276269″][quote comment=”276267″][quote comment=”276246″][quote comment=”276242″]”My point, of course, was that too many one-off jerseys (or obviously recyled “special” jersyes/hats used just because they’re on hand and convenient) diminish the impact of the important other causes they support. I’m trying to imagine, say, the Dodgers wearing purple had the Lakes somehow won the NBA title. And why they would, or should, bother.”

    That’s fine, but you brought it up using the example of the Red Sox who, the way you paint it, break out these green jerseys every other day. You said

    “Death of Red Auerbach, green jersey. Celtics title, green jersey. Earth Day, green jersey. St. Patrick’s Day, green jersey.”

    They wear green (sometimes) on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always in Spring Training. They did not wear a green jersey on Earth Day, they wore a patch. They wore the green jerseys in the regular season ONE TIME, when Red Auerbach died and MAY wear them again to honor a Celtics title. I’m just saying, with all the teams that do break out alternate jerseys, you picked a bad example.[/quote]

    You’re missing the point. Green isn’t one of their colors and yet they’re acting like it is, which is just as worng as adding balck of every other uni out there. That’s why people are bashing it. Once a year? Fine. 3 times a year for any number of reasons? Ridiculous![/quote]

    In NO WAY are they acting like green is one of their colors. They have used it twice now during the regular season to honor the Celtics in some way. How is this exactly like the Mets wearing black jerseys ALL THE TIME? One of the great things about being a Boston sports fan, is that it is really cool to see how the teams all support each other.[/quote]

    Another great reason is that they all USE CAPS ALL THE TIME FOR NO APARENT REASON.[/quote]

    This discussion is apparently an example of rediculous hyperbole.

    “The Celtics wear their green jersey’s too much.” If twice is too much, then I guess you’re right.

    “USE CAPS ALL THE TIME” If by all the time you mean in 2 instances for 5 total words and a grand total of 15 letters, then yes, again, I guess you are right.

    “FOR NO APPARENT REASON” If by no apparent reason, you mean for emphasis, which is the commonly accepted use, then by god, you are 3 for 3!

    [quote comment=”276268″]I suppose the little love-fest between the Boston teams makes sense considering they’re both at the top of their leagues but in most cities I would guess this wouldn’t happen as the teams are really competitors for the local sports fans’ dollars.

    Dodgers wearing purple for the Lakers? The stars would really have to align for that one.[/quote]

    Most teams view the other teams in their city as “competitors” but the Boston teams have embraced each other and it has worked really well. Three times the Red Sox moved their start time to 6 to avoid as much of the Celtics game as possible and allow their fans to watch both games. By embracing each other, the teams have avoided making the fans feel like they have to choose one or the other and it has helped out all teams invovled.

    [quote]“The Celtics wear their green jersey’s too much.” If twice is too much, then I guess you’re right.[/quote]

    don’t the celtics wear their green jerseys like…50% of the time?

    [quote comment=”276273″][quote comment=”276224″][quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    I don’t think this was motivated by Paul’s “hatred for Nike” but rather the fact that they feel they “own the joint” and do what they want.

    You have kids in this country that get told to take down their lemonade stands because they don’t have the proper permits but Nike unilateraly decides that they can do what they want, when they want.

    You state that the runners can just run over these, but how do we know that they aren’t too slick or even too “sticky”? The change from asphalt to this sticker could affect how you run or, god forbid, even injure an unsuspecting runner.

    This goes far beyond a “logo creep” issue.[/quote]

    How many times have you seen someone advertise on sidewalks in chalk for some fair? Are they vandals and trespassers, too? I’m sure they got permits for that. The only difference is that it’s Nike. And as for it being too slick/sticky, the picture clearly shows that it’s easy to get AROUND it, like I said before. Not “run over them.”

    The article said the Parks department had no idea what the interviewer was talking about. All I was saying was that you’d think the Chicago city flag was changed to a big swoosh. A few ads were put in a park. That’s it.[/quote]

    Would it be vandalism if spray painted “Gangster Disciples” on top of the ad? Conundrum seems to be the word of the week.

    (From the story Paul links to in his post):
    “Riding in today, I started to imagine the awful possibilities–garish ads along the path, fences and the wall along Lake Shore Drive. After all, if one company is allowed to do it, why can’t every training program or 5-kilometer race paste down fliers? It wouldn’t just cause traffic jams and accidents as people slowed or stopped to read them; it would spoil the atmosphere of our multi-use path, a national treasure.”

    This reminds me of the arguments/debates over cell phones in public places (restaurants, bars, mass transit, etc.). In the past, that would not have happened, and people doing so would have been ostracized, or told to hang up. Now, it’s routine, and has thus become accepted – maybe not desired or liked, but accepted.

    So, if ads for other runs, races, events, etc. show up on this path, either on the path itself or on the fences surrounding the path, would that eventually become routine, and accepted? Would people develop a “That’s the way it is” attitude?

    Interesting that these signs have been mentioned, though – yesterday in a Washington, D.C. subway station, I noticed similar signs on the floor for Adobe’s new product line. There were also huge banners on the escalators, on the walls, and in the trains, so that was probably part of an advertising campaign. I did walk across the sign on the floor, and it wasn’t slick – and I’ve walked across smaller signs outdoors (for Arena Stage), and even in the rain, they are not slick.

    If the signs were advertising a Race for the Cure event, or a Prostrate Cancer Awareness event, or the Chicago Marathon itself, would that make a difference? I don’t know. I’m not terribly offended by the signs on the path, but I do think Nike should have paid for them.

    [quote comment=”276273″][quote comment=”276224″][quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    I don’t think this was motivated by Paul’s “hatred for Nike” but rather the fact that they feel they “own the joint” and do what they want.

    You have kids in this country that get told to take down their lemonade stands because they don’t have the proper permits but Nike unilateraly decides that they can do what they want, when they want.

    You state that the runners can just run over these, but how do we know that they aren’t too slick or even too “sticky”? The change from asphalt to this sticker could affect how you run or, god forbid, even injure an unsuspecting runner.

    This goes far beyond a “logo creep” issue.[/quote]

    How many times have you seen someone advertise on sidewalks in chalk for some fair? Are they vandals and trespassers, too? I’m sure they got permits for that. The only difference is that it’s Nike. And as for it being too slick/sticky, the picture clearly shows that it’s easy to get AROUND it, like I said before. Not “run over them.”

    The article said the Parks department had no idea what the interviewer was talking about. All I was saying was that you’d think the Chicago city flag was changed to a big swoosh. A few ads were put in a park. That’s it.[/quote]

    Patrick,
    This is not chalk. This is a vinyl decal that will be unlike the asphalt next to it. In the heat, the vinyl may get slick or sticky. Your suggestion to run around the decal is truly not fair. As someone who has run marathons numerous times, link (especially at the beginning).

    Why should a runner even have to risk the possible injury in the first place? Hang a sign, put the decals on fences…there are other ways to market a product that pose no risk to the runners.

    [quote comment=”276209″][quote comment=”276205″][quote comment=”276197″]It is not vandalism if it comes right off. I understand your hatred for Nike, but get over it. It’s no different than someone writing in sidewalk chalk, from the vandalism standpoint. And it’s not across the entire path, so you can just run around it. They will, and should, be taken down, they’ll be told not to do it again, and life will go on.[/quote]

    Not everyone is going to have the foresight to think they can slip and get injured on the graphic. Have you ever walked across the reflective stripes in a crosswalk, especially when they are wet? Those can be downright dangerous, too.

    As for it being an act of vandalism, per the Chicago Municipal Code:

    8-4-060 Vandalism defined.
    A person commits vandalism when he engages in the willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement, or defacement of any public or private property. This offense includes, but is not limited to, cutting, tearing, breaking, marking, drawing or painting when these actions are intended to or have the effect of causing damage to property.
    (link)

    I doubt Nike ‘intended’ to damage property, so it wouldn’t be vanadalism per se. However, they could face a charge of trespassing:

    8-4-050 Trespassing.
    A person commits trespass when he knowingly: …; (d) Willfully defaces, mars, injures or destroys any building or part of any building or any property of another with paint, tar, acid, grease, oil, or other such substance which would detrimentally alter the outer face or substance of such building or any property of another, or any fence, tree, shrub or plant appurtenant thereto.[/quote]

    Sweet, an all day debate about Vandalism… can’t wait :/[/quote]

    Its actually just the fact that it should not be in a public park. Also, people rollerblade and bike on that path. I was riding a bike there at about 7 pm last night, and when its that packed as it usually is at that time, you need to be looking at what’s ahead of you and not having to dodge advertisements on the pavement that should not be there in the first place.

    Paul, what about the Cubs wearing a certain Carribean country’s national team uni for a couple years in the ’90s?

    [quote comment=”276284″][quote comment=”276282″]As someone who has run marathons numerous times, link [/quote]

    holy shit, jay…that was YOU?[/quote]

    Yup…I was the one next to link.

    [quote comment=”276279″][quote]“The Celtics wear their green jersey’s too much.” If twice is too much, then I guess you’re right.[/quote]

    don’t the celtics wear their green jerseys like…50% of the time?[/quote]

    Obviously I meant the Red Sox

    If it’s not criminal to slap this ad down on the sidewalk then I’m guessing it won’t be a very hefty fine if you just peel them up.

    Please take a few pics so Paul can post them tomorrow.

    Love to see them go back to that. Even with baggy, ankle-length pants and all, would be a great, great look.

    [quote comment=”276291″][quote comment=”276289″]Best Cubs road uni. link Ever.[/quote]

    Yup.[/quote]

    YUP.

    [quote comment=”276296″][quote comment=”276291″][quote comment=”276289″]Best Cubs road uni. link Ever.[/quote]

    Yup.[/quote]

    YUP.[/quote]

    yup

    One thing that wasn’t mentioned is the evolution of the “bear face” logo. Back around 1910, they started using a bear holding a bat, inside a C as their main logo. Here’s Larry Doyle modeling it in 1911.
    _______

    The bear/bat originated in 1908. BTW – that’s Jimmy Doyle in the 1911 Hilltop Park photo (Larry Doyle joined the Cubs much later)

    [quote comment=”276291″][quote comment=”276289″]Best Cubs road uni. link Ever.[/quote]

    Yup.[/quote]

    Wow, I went to the Cubs-Rays game the other night with a Cub Die-hard from Michigan and we both agreed on that one!

    [quote comment=”276289″]Best Cubs road uni. link Ever.[/quote]

    Wow – all I noticed was the button in the middle of the logo – see what this site does to you!!

    [quote comment=”276251″]Looks like at some point Raleigh Athletic Equipment became part of Riddell Sports.
    link

    This would seem to have happened in January 1995:
    link
    link

    I went to high school with the son of the owner referred in the original piece on Raleigh. He (the owner) was a relatively young man so I don’t know whether he bought or inherited ownership. I remember the son gave me a couple of 1969 100th Anniversary sleeve patches; he said “we’ve got a ton of ‘em”. And this was in 1982.

    Funny reading about this guy today because I also went to HS with the subject of a previous article referenced the ticker, Lou Cucuzza, Jr. Oddly enough, it was at two different schools (I was traded after my sophomore year ;-)

    [quote comment=”276302″][quote comment=”276289″]Best Cubs road uni. link Ever.[/quote]

    Wow – all I noticed was the button in the middle of the logo – see what this site does to you!![/quote]

    “Every button gotta be someplace.”
    (doesn’t necessarilly have to BE buttoned, evidently…see: Martinez, others)

    And now, for something completely off topic…

    A color photo of Notre Dame’s two-color shoulder loop jerseys (color photos of same not common).

    link

    When the Miami Hurricanes wore forest green and old gold, not orange (see bottom image vs. Iowa). That’s Ted Hendricks (89).

    link

    Of all the paintings ever commissioned for SI covers, this is my favorite (like anybody cares). But you gotta admit it’s kinda cool.

    And it’s jersey.

    link

    Was while Lakers still wore royal and powder, their last colors here in Minneapolis.

    [quote comment=”276243″]I don’t care if it’s Nike or Mother’s Day Cards from Hallmark, you just don’t slap an advertisement onto a park’s path. You just don’t. My god.

    What’s next? An ad on the ceiling of a birthing room in a hospital?[/quote]

    I remember a couple of years ago reading about a guy who’d had the “bright” idea (bright if you’re a certain type of person) of putting ads on supermarket checkout conveyors. Saw it as “wasted space.” There are just people in the world who think that way, who see every ad-free space as “wasted.” I’m glad I’m not one of them.

    Here is a link to the new Minnesota Timberwolves alternate logo … it seems legit at least, although I can’t confirm it 100%. It looks like a draft cap though. Real similar to their old one, as well as the Dallas Mavericks current logo.

    link

    [quote comment=”276279″][quote]“Don’t the Celtics wear their green jerseys like…50% of the time?”[/quote]

    Gracias, Captain Firm Grip of the Obvious.

    Just found link via StumbleUpon. Hope it hasn’t been submitted before. It’s full of pictures of baseball players; old and new.

    On Wikipedia’s main page, their “In the News” section mentions the Celtics championship, when placing a picture of Paul Pierce they used a picture from the Celtics trip to Europe.

    link

    link

    [quote comment=”276286″][quote comment=”276284″][quote comment=”276282″]As someone who has run marathons numerous times, link [/quote]

    holy shit, jay…that was YOU?[/quote]

    Yup…I was the one next to link.[/quote]

    wait where is waldo? am i the only one that couldn’t find him?

    [quote comment=”276316″]So did the Pirates also use a raised appliqué a la the Cubs way back when?

    link

    That was through most the 50s, when the Pirates had no softcaps. All players wore the helmets at all times. They were sort of “flocked” with some kind of faux suede…to make them look a bit more like softcapts, or more accurately, less like helmets. Same reason for the applique letter. It wasn’t until the switch to vests in ’57 that some players began going back to softcaps. Clemente was among the first, I believe.

    [quote comment=”276300″]One thing that wasn’t mentioned is the evolution of the ‘bear face’ logo. Back around 1910, they started using a bear holding a bat, inside a C as their main logo. Here’s Larry Doyle modeling it in 1911.
    _______

    The bear/bat originated in 1908. BTW – that’s Jimmy Doyle in the 1911 Hilltop Park photo (Larry Doyle joined the Cubs much later)[/quote]

    BMarlowe, good catch! It was indeed 1916 that Larry Doyle went to Chicago. I’d neve heard of Jimmy and just assumed that it was Larry!

    Catching up on the site after about a week. Great entries Paul. Anyway, found the ’89 article interesting, especially the quote, the sixth paragraph down; “The dream of every player is to have his number on a pinstriped Yankee uniform.”

    Do you guys think ball players trying to make it into the majors are really aspiring to make it onto the Yankees?

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