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Monday Morning Uni Watch

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Several readers alerted me to an interesting bit of logo-related chatter between Fox broadcasters Tom McCarthy (that’s him on the right, pantomiming “I’m with Stupid”) and Eric Karros (on the left) during Saturday’s Brewers/Phillies game. Here’s a transcript:

Tom McCarthy: The Milwaukee Brewers are trying to end the longest playoff drought in Major League Baseball. In fact, if you look longest droughts in sports, the Brewers, 26 years since their last postseason appearance. That’s when they went to the World Series in 1982. ”¦ And y’know, [current Brewers skipper] Ned Yost and [current bench coach] Ted Simmons were part of that team, wearing that logo right there, which is, to me, the best logo in baseball. That logo was designed by Tom Meindel, who was an art history major at the University of Wisconsin back in the day, just on a whim. He submitted it, they decided to keep it, and now they’ve reintroduced it to the Milwaukee community this year.

[McCarthy then narrates a bit of flashback footage from the 1982 World Series. Then they return to the game at hand.]

Eric Karros: I’m still marveling that you knew the history of the hat. I mean, what the heck were you doing? Were you just studying”¦

McCarthy: It’s my favorite logo in Major League Baseball.

Karros: Alright. Okay. I’ll go with that. So you don’t know the origin of all the other logos? I mean, I’m not gonna get a dissertation on”¦

McCarthy: I can give you the fact that, y’know, the Mets logo is blue because of the Dodgers and orange because of the Giants. That’s all I really know about that.

Karros: Awright, we gotta get off the hats, because this — I, I don’t know anything about the hats, and you’re just making me look bad.

McCarthy: Well, let me ask you, which logo do you like better?

Karros: I like that, the one on the right is good. I like the Brewer hat. [Of course, they’re BOTH Brewer hats, but clarity doesn’t appear to be Karros’s strongest suit. — PL]

McCarthy: It’s sharp!

Karros: Yeah, it is sharp. I don’t know if I’d necessarily wear it to the mall or anything, but”¦

McCarthy: Well, I have worn that logo to the mall.

[At this point McCarthy tells a story about a big hit that Ned Yost hit back in that 1982 season and explains how the Brewers pulled out the division title on the last day of the ’82 season]

Karros: Okay, I’m gonna ask this question: Did you research that, or”¦?

McCarthy: I did.

Karros: Okay, okay. ’Cause if you’da known that too, I’da gotten up right now, I’da taken off this headset and walked out. I was done.

McCarthy [chuckling]: I did not wake up this morning and it came to me. I did research it.

A few thoughts here:

• The Brewers do not have the longest current MLB postseason drought. The Nationals/Expos do. They last made the playoffs in 1981. I suspect the Fox producers are more to blame for this than the broadcasters.

• McCarthy got a lot of things right in his storytelling, but he got one thing seriously wrong: The Brewers didn’t reintroduce the ball-in-glove logo this year — they’ve been wearing those Sunday throwbacks since 2006, and the throwbacks were officially announced and unveiled in December of 2005.

• There’s something really sad about the way Karros essentially ridiculed McCarthy for, essentially, having some knowledge and supplementing that knowledge with a bit of research. In other words, McCarthy was behaving like a professional who takes his job seriously, plus he’s a fan of the game and has a favorite logo, and for some reason this meant Karros felt obliged to make fun of him (yo, Eric, maybe if you’d done a little homework before a game, you might be able to participate in these sorts of discussions). I find this depressingly emblematic of a disturbing tendancy in American life. Again and again in our civic discourse, our political discourse, our professional discourse, etc., expertise and knowledge and preparation are increasingly poo-pooed and derided.

I realize nobody likes a know-it-all, but McCarthy wasn’t coming off that way — he was just making conversation (if you could hear the audio, you’d see what I mean). I also realize America has a proud middlebrow/anti-intellectual tradition — a tradition I generally like, respect, and identify with on many levels — but it’s getting way out of hand these days, and Karros’s commentary captures it in a nutshell. If he can’t take his job seriously (and is going to razz someone who does), why is he even in the booth to begin with? Yeah, he was kinda-sorta kidding when he said he’d take off his headset and walk out of the booth, but he was also kinda-sorta indicating his inability — indeed, his refusal — to engage with a situation that would require him to flex his brain. It’s not just that he Doesn’t Get Itâ„¢; it’s that he behaved like a lunkhead who’d rather bring the world down to his level than try to raise up his own level. That needs to stop. And not just in the broadcast booth.

Signal Flare: Yo, Chris Gale, if you’re out there, please get in touch. Thanks.

Membership Drive/Raffle Update: I’m happy to report that we’ve racked up well over 20 new membership orders since last Thursday (including one from Nate Kettlewell, who’s our 600th member), which means I’ll be putting those three College Vault books up for a raffle. Thanks for the great response, and I hope people will continue to enroll.

AFL_cover.jpg

I’ll conduct that raffle next week, but this week I want to raffle off a copy of Remember the AFL, a gorgeous new volume that’s one of the best-looking football books I’ve ever seen. It runs nearly 450 pages and is loaded with great photos, well-researched text, and lots of trivia tidbits. Great production values, great material. A slideshow of some sample content from the book (including a new-to-me shot of the Broncos’ vertically striped socks) is available here.

To be eligible to win a copy of this excellent tome, send a blank e-mail with your name in the subject line to the raffle address (not to the usual Uni Watch address, please) by 10pm eastern this Friday. If you’ve enrolled in the membership program, you can send up to four separate e-mail entries; non-members are limited to one entry. I’ll announce the winner next week.

Uni Watch News Ticker: Two Fridays ago I went into the offices of MLB Video to be interviewed about all sorts of uni-related stuff. The first part of that interview (the rest, I’m told, is still being edited and produced) is available here. ”¦ The NFL wised up and removed those huge-ass Gene Upshaw memorial patches for yesterday’s games. Instead, everyone’s now wearing rear-helmet decals, which is how it should’ve been handled in the first place. The lone exception: The Raiders are still wearing the patch (plus they’re also wearing the decal), but the patch they’re now wearing is clearly smaller than the one everyone was wearing last week. ”¦ Following up on an earlier discussion, here’s a game-used jersey showing that Cesar Cedeno did not wear a tilde back in the 1970s after all (with thanks to Jared Wheeler). ”¦ Another follow-up: On Friday I asked about this sleeve logo, which I’d never seen before. Several readers (led by Trevor Botting and James Huening) identified it as the Wilson Staff golf logo (which has evolved a bit and now looks like this. Jimmy Wright even provided a photo of his Neil Smith jersey with the logo. The question now is why the hell would an NFL team have a golf logo on its jerseys? ”¦ Yet another follow-up from Friday: I mentioned that the Shea Stadium outfield wall was light-colored with black distance numbers (instead of dark with white numbers) for the first seven home games of 1967 and asked if anyone had a photo. Nicholas Schiavo came up with this shot from the 1968 Mets yearbook. It’s blurry, but those are definitely black numerals on the outfield fence. Nicely done, Nicholas! ”¦ That same yearbook also feaured this page. Note that the big photo in the center is flopped — the scoreboard should be in right-center, not left-center. ”¦ Check out this amazing old helmet/mask setup (with thanks to Brendon Yarian). ”¦ I think we’ve run this photo before, but you’ve gotta love the multiple double-decker FNOB action (with thanks to Zane Tuck). ”¦ Another double-decker FNOB: Marques Johnson. ”¦ Awesome photo find here by Matt Beahan: “There’s a jersey with NNOB, one with standard NOB, Rudy Tomjanovich (#45) with his first name, not to mention at least 4 different styles of sock striping on the Sixers players alone! Never seen anything like that before.” ”¦ The problem with having a shirt sponsor is that it can go belly-up. As a result, West Ham had to cover up their sponsor logo for Saturday’s match against Albion. And since Albion is still in the process of negotiating a sponsorship deal, making this a sponsorship logo-free match — the first in over two decades for top-division EPL teams, says Les Motherby. ”¦ More EPL oddities from Les: “On Saturday, the referee decided that Hull City’s all-slate grey away kit was not dissimilar enough to Newcastle United’s black and white uniforms, so the Tiger’s wore Newcastle’s white adidas road shorts and socks.” … David Gardner says this new book is really good. ”¦ Maryland has new endzone art, based on the state flag. And although I can’t go into specifics, I can tell you that a similar motif will be appearing on a Maryland team’s uniform next year. ”¦ If you really love a brand, bleed for it (with thanks to Greg Riffenburgh). ”¦ Here’s a shot of John and Yoko I’d never seen before, getting all Habsed out. ”¦ “We went over the typical NBA rookie photo shoot stuff a few weeks back, but I don’t think this came up,” says Clark Farrand. “What the hell is that?” Good question. Anyone..? ”¦ Check this out (courtesy of Brinke Guthrie): Tim Lincecum shines his own cleats! ”¦ Great mural here celebrating 150 years of Aussie-rules football. Click on various sections for more info (with thanks to Jeremy Brahm). ”¦ Also from Jeremy, several Japanese baseball notes: Yomiuri reliever Mark Croon has been testing a pink glove in practice; Alex Ramirez has been wearing striped wristbands; this page features a pictorial history of the Softbank/Nankai/Daiei Hawks uniforms; and the Rakuten Golden Eagles wore a special uniform, with a very odd vertical insignia, for their Fan Club days back in July. ”¦ Here’s something you don’t see every day: a football coach in a cast and on crutches. Details here. ”¦ Last week I mentioned that my Page 2 colleague Kurt Snibbe had created some logo tweaks for NFL helmets. Gumball helmet king Bill Jones liked these so much that he went ahead and created gumball decals based on Kurt’s designs. ”¦ Dig the tremendous sleeve patch on this old American Legion jersey (with thanks to Alan Hoffman). ”¦ Some really nice old CFL video footage here (with thanks to Richard Musterer). ”¦ If this fit me, I’d totally bid on it. Same goes for this. And this is fun (note how the text begins, “No time to lose, Mr. Manager of American Legion Post Teams”¦”). ”¦ Frank Klemm notes that Brett Favre’s captaincy patch was coming loose yesterday. ”¦ LSU running back Charles Scott wore his gloves in his belt loops on Saturday. Don’t think I’ve ever seen someone do that while carrying the ball (good spot by Greg Riffenburgh, who also sent along this article about OSU merit decals). ”¦ Frank Gore had some very odd sock action going on yesterday. Also, compare his gloves and cleats in that photo, which was taken in the second half, to the gloves and cleats he was wearing in the first half. It’s not often that you’ll see a player pull off that kind of switcheroo. ”¦ By now you probably know that Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs tossed a no-hitter last night against the Astros. You might also know that the game was originally slated to be played in Houston but was relocated to Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike. What you might not know is both teams wore gray pants, even though Houston was the designated home team (presumably because they’re heading off on a road trip afterward and probably didn’t want to pack an extra set of pants). Let that be a lesson to you, kids: If you wear gray for a home game, even at a neutral site, you’re asking for it. There’s another Cubs/’Stros game at Miller Park this afternoon. Ya think the ’Stros are having their white pants shipped up for that one? ”¦ Phil Hecken got a screen grab of Willie Parker’s ripped pants from last night. ”¦ RIP, DFW.

 
  
 
Comments (211)

    Virginia Tech went with Orange jersey’s Saturday for the first time since 1994 (in a humbling loss to UVa, hence their absence). Pictures are in the game 3 gallery here: link

    “By now you probably know that Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs tossed a no-hitter last night against the Astros. You might also know that the game was originally slated to be played in Houston but was relocated to Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike. What you might not know is both teams wore gray pants, even though Houston was the designated home team (presumably because they’re heading off on a road trip afterward and probably didn’t want to pack an extra set of pants). Let that be a lesson to you, kids: If you wear gray for a home game, even at a neutral site, you’re asking for it. There’s another Cubs/’Stros game at Miller Park this afternoon. Ya think the ’Stros are having their white pants shipped up for that one? …”

    No, I think it has more to do with the fact that the Astros had to fly on game day for four hours and showed up at the park a few hours before first pitch after spending three days dealing with a hurricane. And the gray pants were a “f*&k you” to MLB for scheduling a “neutral-site series” an hour outside the Cubs’ backyard.

    That graphic of the longest playoff droughts neglected the Toronto Blue Jays: 15 seasons including the strike year of 94 and this season.

    [quote comment=”289609″]“By now you probably know that Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs tossed a no-hitter last night against the Astros. You might also know that the game was originally slated to be played in Houston but was relocated to Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike. What you might not know is both teams wore gray pants, even though Houston was the designated home team (presumably because they’re heading off on a road trip afterward and probably didn’t want to pack an extra set of pants). Let that be a lesson to you, kids: If you wear gray for a home game, even at a neutral site, you’re asking for it. There’s another Cubs/’Stros game at Miller Park this afternoon. Ya think the ’Stros are having their white pants shipped up for that one? …”

    No, I think it has more to do with the fact that the Astros had to fly on game day for four hours and showed up at the park a few hours before first pitch after spending three days dealing with a hurricane. And the gray pants were a “f*&k you” to MLB for scheduling a “neutral-site series” an hour outside the Cubs’ backyard.[/quote]

    Yep, this was Ol’ Bud’s way of trying to keep the Astros from jumping to one game back of his Brewers. What a way to help Houston fans out moving the game out of the city, forcing the players to be jerked around for a few hours before leaving Houston, having them on a 4 hour flight that didn’t get in till yesterday afternoon, and then force them to play as the “home” team when 99% of all those in attendance were Cubs fans. I’m a fan of Big Z, but this No-No needs an “*” in the history books with a note about everything that happened to the Astros before having to play the game. Oh, let’s not forget that it was less of a distance for the Cubs to travel, and the Astro players were having to deal with keeping their families safe and not resting like the Cubs were.

    Uni note, I noticed they were both wearing their road grays and the first thing that came to my mind was that they saw this as just another road game…interesting that they were both wearing the gray pants and solid color tops.

    I would still swear I saw a few larger GU patches on the Rayduhz yesterday.

    PS are the Cowboys wearing the Texas Stadium patch?
    Like this logo;

    link

    [quote comment=”289611″][quote comment=”289609″]“By now you probably know that Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs tossed a no-hitter last night against the Astros. You might also know that the game was originally slated to be played in Houston but was relocated to Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike. What you might not know is both teams wore gray pants, even though Houston was the designated home team (presumably because they’re heading off on a road trip afterward and probably didn’t want to pack an extra set of pants). Let that be a lesson to you, kids: If you wear gray for a home game, even at a neutral site, you’re asking for it. There’s another Cubs/’Stros game at Miller Park this afternoon. Ya think the ’Stros are having their white pants shipped up for that one? …”

    No, I think it has more to do with the fact that the Astros had to fly on game day for four hours and showed up at the park a few hours before first pitch after spending three days dealing with a hurricane. And the gray pants were a “f*&k you” to MLB for scheduling a “neutral-site series” an hour outside the Cubs’ backyard.[/quote]

    Yep, this was Ol’ Bud’s way of trying to keep the Astros from jumping to one game back of his Brewers. What a way to help Houston fans out moving the game out of the city, forcing the players to be jerked around for a few hours before leaving Houston, having them on a 4 hour flight that didn’t get in till yesterday afternoon, and then force them to play as the “home” team when 99% of all those in attendance were Cubs fans. I’m a fan of Big Z, but this No-No needs an “*” in the history books with a note about everything that happened to the Astros before having to play the game. Oh, let’s not forget that it was less of a distance for the Cubs to travel, and the Astro players were having to deal with keeping their families safe and not resting like the Cubs were.

    Uni note, I noticed they were both wearing their road grays and the first thing that came to my mind was that they saw this as just another road game…interesting that they were both wearing the gray pants and solid color tops.[/quote]

    Also, I would like to note that the a Houston Cronical sports writer said that the Astors also dressed in the visitor’s club house: link

    [quote comment=”289613″][quote comment=”289611″][quote comment=”289609″]“By now you probably know that Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs tossed a no-hitter last night against the Astros. You might also know that the game was originally slated to be played in Houston but was relocated to Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike. What you might not know is both teams wore gray pants, even though Houston was the designated home team (presumably because they’re heading off on a road trip afterward and probably didn’t want to pack an extra set of pants). Let that be a lesson to you, kids: If you wear gray for a home game, even at a neutral site, you’re asking for it. There’s another Cubs/’Stros game at Miller Park this afternoon. Ya think the ’Stros are having their white pants shipped up for that one? …”

    No, I think it has more to do with the fact that the Astros had to fly on game day for four hours and showed up at the park a few hours before first pitch after spending three days dealing with a hurricane. And the gray pants were a “f*&k you” to MLB for scheduling a “neutral-site series” an hour outside the Cubs’ backyard.[/quote]

    Yep, this was Ol’ Bud’s way of trying to keep the Astros from jumping to one game back of his Brewers. What a way to help Houston fans out moving the game out of the city, forcing the players to be jerked around for a few hours before leaving Houston, having them on a 4 hour flight that didn’t get in till yesterday afternoon, and then force them to play as the “home” team when 99% of all those in attendance were Cubs fans. I’m a fan of Big Z, but this No-No needs an “*” in the history books with a note about everything that happened to the Astros before having to play the game. Oh, let’s not forget that it was less of a distance for the Cubs to travel, and the Astro players were having to deal with keeping their families safe and not resting like the Cubs were.

    Uni note, I noticed they were both wearing their road grays and the first thing that came to my mind was that they saw this as just another road game…interesting that they were both wearing the gray pants and solid color tops.[/quote]

    Also, I would like to note that the a Houston Cronical sports writer said that the Astors also dressed in the visitor’s club house: link

    Another red letter day for Mr. Butt Selig.

    [quote comment=”289614″]The logo tweaks are pretty funny. But I don’t understand the 49ers. What is it?

    link
    Took me a while, too. I think it means the 4-and-12ers as in their record.

    I agree that Bud really stuck it to Houston, though the Astros didn’t help matters by suggesting that the Cubs fly into a hurricane on Sunday to play in Houston. They should have planned for a neutral site as soon as the Ike warnings got serious.

    The Cardinals were on the road; that would have made a much better neutral site. A city in between Houston and Chicago, and the presence of Cardinal fans would *definitely* have made it feel like a road game for the Cubs.

    Uniform-wise, this game made me thankful that alternate jerseys exist. The Astros shouldn’t have had to worry about getting home stuff shipped up there, and with alternates, the blue and red are contrasting enough that you don’t notice anything weird until you look hard.

    (Also, Paul, nothing to do with this, but Yomiuri Giants pitcher Mark Kroon has his name spelled wrong. It’s Kroon, not Croon.)

    As a Maryland Boy from way back, I LOVE the End Zone Art for Byrd Stadium. Maryland has the best looking flag in the union, and maybe one of the best worldwide.

    The Colts were patchless yesterday. Was the stadium patch a one time only thing? A Home Game thing?

    It’s also an unfortunate side effect when teams have to cover sponsor logo’s of companies gone bust, however, I dont mind sponsors on kits (jerseys), I just wish some of them would be a bit more stable. Carlsberg, AIG, Samsung, and Emirates arents going anywhere, but Nothern Rock can continue to sponsor the NEwcastle kits even though they had to be bailed out by the British Government?

    [quote comment=”289616″][quote comment=”289614″]The logo tweaks are pretty funny. But I don’t understand the 49ers. What is it?

    link
    Took me a while, too. I think it means the 4-and-12ers as in their record.[/quote]

    I get what you’re saying, but I don’t see it.
    One version I see is “412”, with a horizontal line through the middle of the 1.
    Another version is a 4, subscript 1 (with the bottom half of a large 1 below the subscript 1), then 2.

    I think Favre’s captain patch was almost torn off by a sack from the Patriots’ Adalieus Thomas late in the 4th quarter.

    [quote comment=”289620″][quote comment=”289616″][quote comment=”289614″]The logo tweaks are pretty funny. But I don’t understand the 49ers. What is it?

    link
    Took me a while, too. I think it means the 4-and-12ers as in their record.[/quote]

    I get what you’re saying, but I don’t see it.
    One version I see is “412”, with a horizontal line through the middle of the 1.
    Another version is a 4, subscript 1 (with the bottom half of a large 1 below the subscript 1), then 2.[/quote]
    I have no idea then.

    [quote comment=”289610″]That graphic of the longest playoff droughts neglected the Toronto Blue Jays: 15 seasons including the strike year of 94 and this season.[/quote]

    I believe that the graphic was showing the longest streaks in each sport. There are numerous baseball teams with longer streaks than those shown in graphic for other sports.

    I was just thinking that those Solid Alternate tops would look a lot better with matching socks. The flat gray pants below look kind of unbalanced.

    Anyone got a good photo of that? Solid Top with matching socks from last night?

    All I can find quickly from last night are of Zambrano…

    [quote comment=”289616″][quote comment=”289614″]The logo tweaks are pretty funny. But I don’t understand the 49ers. What is it?

    link
    Took me a while, too. I think it means the 4-and-12ers as in their record.[/quote]

    You’re absolutely correct, Stuby. It’s a 4-12, with the numbers and dash run together the same way the S and F are interlinked on their real logo.

    Not a frequent poster at all, but noticed in the pic below that the Kings Derek Armstrong is wearing the old style uni.

    link

    49ers QB J.T. O’Sullivan’s pants got a rather large hole on his rear end yesterday; FOX showed their equipment guy stitching it up.

    Regarding the Wilson Staff patch on the Redskins football jersey: Is it possible this is somehow a tie-in to the years that the late Payne Stewart wore NFL themed outfits on the PGA Tour?

    If mlb ever decides they’re going put advertising on the uniforms that looks like ‘Coleman Pure Milk’, I might not object.

    I like all of the altered logos, and I too didn’t understand the SF logo at first. I clearly see the 4-12 mark now.
    The only one I don’t get is the Chargers. Other than a scared looking flame, I don’t see what it means.

    Wow! Who knew that Houston fans were such whiny little babies? For those not paying attention to the last fifty years of baseball, teams fly all the time (yes, sometimes more longer distances than Houston to Milwaukee even!) and play baseball games.

    [quote comment=”289631″]Wow! Who knew that Houston fans were such whiny little babies? For those not paying attention to the last fifty years of baseball, teams fly all the time (yes, sometimes more longer distances than Houston to Milwaukee even!) and play baseball games.[/quote]
    Anyone else remember all the bitching they (players and fans) did in the 2005 World Series about being forced to keep their roof open?

    [quote comment=”289618″]I agree that Bud really stuck it to Houston, though the Astros didn’t help matters by suggesting that the Cubs fly into a hurricane on Sunday to play in Houston. They should have planned for a neutral site as soon as the Ike warnings got serious.

    The Cardinals were on the road; that would have made a much better neutral site. A city in between Houston and Chicago, and the presence of Cardinal fans would *definitely* have made it feel like a road game for the Cubs.[/quote]

    is it possible that miller was chosen due to the fact that it has a leakproof retractable roof? rescheduling a hurricaned-out game for an outdoor stadium in the path of the remnants of the same hurricane may have meant dealing with yet another ‘rain out’…could other cities besides milwaukee have been chosen? maybe…but considering the scrambling and the time frame, id say MLB did a decent job of rescheduling the game at the best possible venue available

    and jesus christ houstonians…you got hit with a hurricane and suffered millions, if not billions of dollars of losses in property, and undoubtedly some lives…power outages, disruption of service, etc….you’d think having to play a game in swillwaukee would be the LAST of your worries…and while it is the greatest game on the planet, folks, it is still just a game

    [quote comment=”289632″][quote comment=”289631″]Wow! Who knew that Houston fans were such whiny little babies? For those not paying attention to the last fifty years of baseball, teams fly all the time (yes, sometimes more longer distances than Houston to Milwaukee even!) and play baseball games.[/quote]
    Anyone else remember all the bitching they (players and fans) did in the 2005 World Series about being forced to keep their roof open?[/quote]

    I’m not a Houston fan. Heck, I’m not even an MLB fan. It just seems that a sports team who’s home city is devastated by an event such as a hurricane has more to be concerned with. They need to make sure their families are taken care of. And with the current feeling that athletes have to give back to the community, they could help make sure their neighbors are safe as well. To tell a team in any sport that they have to travel halfway across the country to play a rested, and essentially home, team one day after such an event is insensitive at best. And practically assures the travelling team will lose. Remember also, the Astros were at home and had to hunker down through the storm.

    [quote comment=”289619″]The Colts were patchless yesterday. Was the stadium patch a one time only thing? A Home Game thing?[/quote]

    Read somewhere that it was a one-time thing only, for the first game at the new stadium.

    I wonder if the change to the UMD unis will include the flag motif as the collar. I always thought this would look cool. I love that the Terps have always included some sort of Flag treatment in their unis, first the M with the flg pennant and now the flag on the sleeve. I agree MD is the best US flag.

    link

    [quote comment=”289624″]I was just thinking that those Solid Alternate tops would look a lot better with matching socks. The flat gray pants below look kind of unbalanced.

    Anyone got a good photo of that? Solid Top with matching socks from last night?

    All I can find quickly from last night are of Zambrano…[/quote]

    The Cubs wear blue socks. The Astros wear black socks.
    Here is a picture of the Cubs blue socks.
    link

    Here is a picture of the Astros black socks.
    link

    RIP, DFW.

    when i saw this i was really hoping “dfw” didn’t stand for david foster wallace.

    uniforms seem very unimportant right now.

    [quote comment=”289634″][quote comment=”289632″][quote comment=”289631″]Wow! Who knew that Houston fans were such whiny little babies? For those not paying attention to the last fifty years of baseball, teams fly all the time (yes, sometimes more longer distances than Houston to Milwaukee even!) and play baseball games.[/quote]
    Anyone else remember all the bitching they (players and fans) did in the 2005 World Series about being forced to keep their roof open?[/quote]

    I’m not a Houston fan. Heck, I’m not even an MLB fan. It just seems that a sports team who’s home city is devastated by an event such as a hurricane has more to be concerned with. They need to make sure their families are taken care of. And with the current feeling that athletes have to give back to the community, they could help make sure their neighbors are safe as well. To tell a team in any sport that they have to travel halfway across the country to play a rested, and essentially home, team one day after such an event is insensitive at best. And practically assures the travelling team will lose. Remember also, the Astros were at home and had to hunker down through the storm.[/quote]

    If you can find some of the articles that ran on Thursday or Friday, you’ll find the Astros thought they’d play on Sunday in Houston. As such, they kept the team in Houston to ride it out, knowing full well that a rather large thunderstorm was on its way. The option to move the game was available as early as Thursday, but the Astros (and particularly the owner) were determined to get the games played in Houston.

    There’s nobody to blame but the team itself. That’s why the team had to fly on Sunday morning. It had the chance to leave early and didn’t.

    Interesting uni event in the Premiership this past weekend. Newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion, which entered this season without a shirt sponsor, played West Ham United. West Ham’s shirt sponsor, an airline called XL, has just gone bankrupt; so West Ham have removed the ad. Hence, the first Premiership game ever (I presume) in which neither team had a shirt sponsor!

    link,,12306~1391732,00.html

    Man did that look great! For once, we got a glimps of how English football clubs would look if the shirts weren’t marred by by those crass gigantic ads across the chest. In this instance, West Ham’s look in particular is classic; as classic as, let’s say, the St.L. Cardinals, the Packers, the Boston Bruins. What as shame that this grandeur is ruined by the desire to “Rent this Space”.

    Companies pay big money for this placement, because, sadly, it works. To illustrate: think of Stan Musial. You cannot help but also see the word “Cardinals” in your mind’s eye, since it was there on his uniform in so many pictures. Think of Willie Mays. You see the word “Giants” in your head.

    Now think of David Beckham. What word also invades your memory? “Sharp”, since it was this word that was on his uniform for his glory days. Think of Thierry Henry. “O2”.

    A terrible shame, in my opinion. This West Ham-West Brom game provided a reminder of how much, aesthetically, has been lost by the phenomenon of shirt sponsors.

    As for Frank Gore and his glove/cleat switch:

    Often, when players are “Endorsement Free-Agents”, they frequently change their gear.

    He stayed with Nike gloves after the switch, however switched from Adidas cleats to Nike cleats.

    Ron Artest often did this when he was fishing for a shoe deal as did Kobe when he left Adidas. One night, he would wear Nikes, the next Jordans, the next might have been Reebok, so on and so forth!

    Wasn’t Karros’ reaction much like Brenley’s in a similar circumstance a little while ago. Must be the macho thing to do when you are an ex-player, feigning indifference to the uniform they wear.

    They both came off like douchebags, actually.

    [quote comment=”289618″]
    Uniform-wise, this game made me thankful that alternate jerseys exist. The Astros shouldn’t have had to worry about getting home stuff shipped up there, and with alternates, the blue and red are contrasting enough that you don’t notice anything weird until you look hard.
    [/quote]

    To me, it’s ALWAYS weird when two teams both wear colored tops. Looks awful and more like spring training, which should never happen at an MLB game. I know Zambrano likes wearing the blue tops, but if the Astros were going with the reds, the Cubs should have gone with the grays.

    Cubs/Astros both wearing Road Pants:

    I actually liked the idea at first, considering that they were both truly on the road, however, if a team is actually designated as the home team, that kind of negates the novelty.

    And as for Paul and his disappointment with Karros, I understand totally. This attitude is observable within school, quite frequently. The bullying of the “smart kid” by calling him a “nerd” or whatever moniker is in fashion now, has gone on forever. I’m sure we all guilty of it.

    It’s a very unfortunate aspect of our society!

    Ricko, did this happen back in the one-room schoolhouses?

    A few things:

    First of all, college student Tom Meindel went to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, he was a Blugold, not a Badger. Strange how the announcers biffed on that information as well.

    Second, according to this article:
    link

    the Astros actually picked the visiting locker at Miller Park even though they were the home team because that is the locker room they were accustomed to dressing in. SO it wasn’t baseball that made them go into the visiting locker room even though they were the home team… Houston picked it.

    I am very surprised that FOX got that stat wrong about the Crew having the longest playoff drought. Granted for me it is second hand knowledge because I love in Wisconsin and love the Crew, but come on, how many stat people do you have at your disposal? Oh well…

    P.S. Sorry LI Phil, I told you we would take 3 of 4 from the Phils, and I failed you drastically.

    [quote comment=”289640″]Interesting uni event in the Premiership this past weekend. Newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion, which entered this season without a shirt sponsor, played West Ham United. West Ham’s shirt sponsor, an airline called XL, has just gone bankrupt; so West Ham have removed the ad. Hence, the first Premiership game ever (I presume) in which neither team had a shirt sponsor!

    link,,12306~1391732,00.html

    Man did that look great! For once, we got a glimps of how English football clubs would look if the shirts weren’t marred by by those crass gigantic ads across the chest. In this instance, West Ham’s look in particular is classic; as classic as, let’s say, the St.L. Cardinals, the Packers, the Boston Bruins. What as shame that this grandeur is ruined by the desire to “Rent this Space”.

    Companies pay big money for this placement, because, sadly, it works. To illustrate: think of Stan Musial. You cannot help but also see the word “Cardinals” in your mind’s eye, since it was there on his uniform in so many pictures. Think of Willie Mays. You see the word “Giants” in your head.

    Now think of David Beckham. What word also invades your memory? “Sharp”, since it was this word that was on his uniform for his glory days. Think of Thierry Henry. “O2”.

    A terrible shame, in my opinion. This West Ham-West Brom game provided a reminder of how much, aesthetically, has been lost by the phenomenon of shirt sponsors.[/quote]

    I know exactly how you feel. When my wife first saw the new Chelsea kits, all she could say was how nice it was to lessen the sponsorship on the shirt. And, all they did was replace Samsung Mobile with Samsung.

    It’s a sad day when that is an improvement.

    [quote]P.S. Sorry LI Phil, I told you we would take 3 of 4 from the Phils, and I failed you drastically.[/quote]

    you’re forgiven johnny…but i am disappointed in my own team’s ability to win a game after leading thru 8…that’s NINE times the mets have blown a lead after 8 innings…

    i feel bad for your club because not only do you ONLY have the WC to hope for, but you’re gonna be duking it out with both the amazins and the fightins for it…

    take heart tho…link…the crew would be playin’ the mets…these last 2 weeks are gonna be a fun ride

    [quote comment=”289644″]
    To me, it’s ALWAYS weird when two teams both wear colored tops. Looks awful and more like spring training, which should never happen at an MLB game.[/quote]
    It reminded me of a T-ball game. In my son’s league, all the kids wore gray pants and solid-color MLB-logoed “jerseys” (t-shirts, actually).

    [quote comment=”289649″][quote comment=”289644″]
    To me, it’s ALWAYS weird when two teams both wear colored tops. Looks awful and more like spring training, which should never happen at an MLB game.[/quote]
    It reminded me of a T-ball game. In my son’s league, all the kids wore gray pants and solid-color MLB-logoed “jerseys” (t-shirts, actually).[/quote]

    Same here, last year, the league that my daughter played in all wore different tees, complete with Minor league logos!

    Can you please address the atrocity that was Virginia Tech’s Orange Effect Jersey vs. Georgia Tech? Maybe through education, we can avoid these horrible mishaps in the future.

    [quote comment=”289639″][quote comment=”289634″][quote comment=”289632″][quote comment=”289631″]Wow! Who knew that Houston fans were such whiny little babies? For those not paying attention to the last fifty years of baseball, teams fly all the time (yes, sometimes more longer distances than Houston to Milwaukee even!) and play baseball games.[/quote]
    Anyone else remember all the bitching they (players and fans) did in the 2005 World Series about being forced to keep their roof open?[/quote]

    I’m not a Houston fan. Heck, I’m not even an MLB fan. It just seems that a sports team who’s home city is devastated by an event such as a hurricane has more to be concerned with. They need to make sure their families are taken care of. And with the current feeling that athletes have to give back to the community, they could help make sure their neighbors are safe as well. To tell a team in any sport that they have to travel halfway across the country to play a rested, and essentially home, team one day after such an event is insensitive at best. And practically assures the travelling team will lose. Remember also, the Astros were at home and had to hunker down through the storm.[/quote]

    If you can find some of the articles that ran on Thursday or Friday, you’ll find the Astros thought they’d play on Sunday in Houston. As such, they kept the team in Houston to ride it out, knowing full well that a rather large thunderstorm was on its way. The option to move the game was available as early as Thursday, but the Astros (and particularly the owner) were determined to get the games played in Houston.

    There’s nobody to blame but the team itself. That’s why the team had to fly on Sunday morning. It had the chance to leave early and didn’t.[/quote]

    “rather large thunderstorm”.

    That’s funny Bryan.

    2/10/08 Man City and Man United played a match commemorating the 1958 Munich plane crash that claimed the lives of many Man U players with retro kits sans ads.

    [quote comment=”289639″]If you can find some of the articles that ran on Thursday or Friday, you’ll find the Astros thought they’d play on Sunday in Houston. As such, they kept the team in Houston to ride it out, knowing full well that a rather large thunderstorm was on its way. The option to move the game was available as early as Thursday, but the Astros (and particularly the owner) were determined to get the games played in Houston.

    There’s nobody to blame but the team itself. That’s why the team had to fly on Sunday morning. It had the chance to leave early and didn’t.[/quote]
    Unfortunately, I can’t find any credible news sources to back this up, but what I heard on the radio Friday is that the Astros wanted to move the Friday night game to Friday afternoon. Then they’d most likely postpone Saturday’s game and play a double-header on Sunday.

    They expected the Cubs to fly down on Thursday night. The Cubs pretty much told them to go scratch.

    [quote comment=”289637″][quote comment=”289624″]I was just thinking that those Solid Alternate tops would look a lot better with matching socks. The flat gray pants below look kind of unbalanced.

    Anyone got a good photo of that? Solid Top with matching socks from last night?

    All I can find quickly from last night are of Zambrano…[/quote]

    The Cubs wear blue socks. The Astros wear black socks.
    Here is a picture of the Cubs blue socks.
    link

    Here is a picture of the Astros black socks.
    link
    To me, that looks a lot better on the Cubs side of things. Astros just look odd. Perhaps It’s because I’m a hockey fan and used to most teams having matching socks and jersey, but to me it looks a whole lot better.

    [quote comment=”289645″]Cubs/Astros both wearing Road Pants:

    I actually liked the idea at first, considering that they were both truly on the road, however, if a team is actually designated as the home team, that kind of negates the novelty.

    And as for Paul and his disappointment with Karros, I understand totally. This attitude is observable within school, quite frequently. The bullying of the “smart kid” by calling him a “nerd” or whatever moniker is in fashion now, has gone on forever.

    I’m sure we all guilty of it.

    It’s a very unfortunate aspect of our society!

    Ricko, did this happen back in the one-room schoolhouses?[/quote]

    Naw, we’d just take all the intolerant people out and shoot ’em. (old joke)

    Seriously, as a group, jocks and former jocks are always have been distrusting of, and derisive toward, those they think are “too smart.” Why, because they’re intimidated by it, and they aren’t used to feeling intimidated. They’re waaaaay out of their comfort zone.

    Played softball one year with a guy named Kenny who’s been a truly, truly great high school ballplayer. Had another guy on the team who wasn’t so good. Kenny was watching him in practice and muttered to me, “God, he’s awful.” I said, “Well, look at it this way, Kenny, maybe he’s smarter than you.”

    Kenny didn’t speak to me for the rest of the season. Not a word.

    And people wonder why “geeks” who get bullied go postal all over the jocks.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”289657″]Kenny didn’t speak to me for the rest of the season. Not a word.[/quote]

    so…are you a geek or a jock, there, ricko?

    and…we all know what happened to link

    over and over again

    Something to ponder for 2010: look for a huge Target patch on the Twins’ jerseys that season, as it has just been announced that the new Twins stadium will be called Target Field.

    link

    Regarding the Astros dressing in the visiting clubhouse last night, the Cubs announcers said that was the ASTROS CHOICE. They said the Astros felt more comfortable using that clubhouse, since its the one they use when they are playing the Brewers. So that wasnt a slight to the Astros, it was their choice.

    [quote comment=”289658″][quote comment=”289657″]Kenny didn’t speak to me for the rest of the season. Not a word.[/quote]

    so…are you a geek or a jock, there, ricko?

    and…we all know what happened to link

    over and over again[/quote]

    Smart jock. So most of the locker room b.s. and superior attitude was really tough to take. I just wanted to get better and play better and win more. Didn’t really give a damn about being able to strut through the halls between classes.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”289662″][quote]Smart jock.[/quote]

    humble too ;)[/quote]
    Ricko sez: “My humility is my greatest quality.” :-)

    [quote comment=”289619″]As a Maryland Boy from way back, I LOVE the End Zone Art for Byrd Stadium. Maryland has the best looking flag in the union, and maybe one of the best worldwide.
    [/quote]

    I was at the Cal game and I LOVE the new art!

    and…”Maryland has new endzone art, based on the state flag. And although I can’t go into specifics, I can tell you that a similar motif will be appearing on a Maryland team’s uniform next year”

    You need to let me in on this!!!!!!

    [quote comment=”289663″][quote comment=”289662″][quote]Smart jock.[/quote]

    humble too ;)[/quote]
    Ricko sez: “My humility is my greatest quality.” :-)[/quote]

    That’s kinda what we’ve been talking about, isn’t it. It’s wrong to be smart. Better to hide it. Act dumb. Wasn’t bragging. Just saying I got good grades in school. Didnt’ say I was a genius.

    RE: Wilson Staff
    I think the answer here is that Wilson Staff used to be the premier brand for the whole Wilson line. They used to have ‘staff’ members across most major sports, although primarily golf and tennis. For example, ebay item #130254946659 is a baseball glove, couldn’t find any others.

    link is a page on Wilson history that mentions many ‘staff’ members from sports other than golf. ‘Wilson Staff’ was killed off for a while and brought back recently for golf only.

    “rather large thunderstorm” – how ’bout you come down here Bryan and hand out some water and ice and sit without power for 4 weeks you insensitive jacka**.

    Moving on, the Astros are isiots, but that goes back to Bud. He doesn’t have the stones or much authority to make big decisons. He should have stepped in much earlier.

    What really pisses me off is that Fox didn’t want the games played at the end of the season because that would upset the beginning of the playoff coverage. What if this storm was in 10 days? Do the Astros just get screwed because fox doesn’t like it?

    Its a sad day when the NFL is the league to look at for the way they made quick decisons to post pone the games and move teh schedule around.

    i thought oregon actually looked good versus purdue this weekend…except for the NOB, which looked almost like it was printed on an undershirt and came through the jersey

    [quote comment=”289613″][quote comment=”289611″][quote comment=”289609″]“By now you probably know that Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs tossed a no-hitter last night against the Astros. You might also know that the game was originally slated to be played in Houston but was relocated to Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike. What you might not know is both teams wore gray pants, even though Houston was the designated home team (presumably because they’re heading off on a road trip afterward and probably didn’t want to pack an extra set of pants). Let that be a lesson to you, kids: If you wear gray for a home game, even at a neutral site, you’re asking for it. There’s another Cubs/’Stros game at Miller Park this afternoon. Ya think the ’Stros are having their white pants shipped up for that one? …”

    No, I think it has more to do with the fact that the Astros had to fly on game day for four hours and showed up at the park a few hours before first pitch after spending three days dealing with a hurricane. And the gray pants were a “f*&k you” to MLB for scheduling a “neutral-site series” an hour outside the Cubs’ backyard.[/quote]

    Yep, this was Ol’ Bud’s way of trying to keep the Astros from jumping to one game back of his Brewers. What a way to help Houston fans out moving the game out of the city, forcing the players to be jerked around for a few hours before leaving Houston, having them on a 4 hour flight that didn’t get in till yesterday afternoon, and then force them to play as the “home” team when 99% of all those in attendance were Cubs fans. I’m a fan of Big Z, but this No-No needs an “*” in the history books with a note about everything that happened to the Astros before having to play the game. Oh, let’s not forget that it was less of a distance for the Cubs to travel, and the Astro players were having to deal with keeping their families safe and not resting like the Cubs were.

    Uni note, I noticed they were both wearing their road grays and the first thing that came to my mind was that they saw this as just another road game…interesting that they were both wearing the gray pants and solid color tops.[/quote]

    Also, I would like to note that the a Houston Cronical sports writer said that the Astors also dressed in the visitor’s club house: link
    you do realize they by *choosing* to use the visitor clubhouse they were using the one, that as the team usually visiting Milwaukee, they were in the more familiar clubhouse. It makes sense they picked that one.

    [quote comment=”289611″]

    Yep, this was Ol’ Bud’s way of trying to keep the Astros from jumping to one game back of his Brewers. What a way to help Houston fans out moving the game out of the city, forcing the players to be jerked around for a few hours before leaving Houston, having them on a 4 hour flight that didn’t get in till yesterday afternoon, and then force them to play as the “home” team when 99% of all those in attendance were Cubs fans. I’m a fan of Big Z, but this No-No needs an “*” in the history books with a note about everything that happened to the Astros before having to play the game. Oh, let’s not forget that it was less of a distance for the Cubs to travel, and the Astro players were having to deal with keeping their families safe and not resting like the Cubs were.

    Uni note, I noticed they were both wearing their road grays and the first thing that came to my mind was that they saw this as just another road game…interesting that they were both wearing the gray pants and solid color tops.[/quote]
    “*” are you an idiot, the astros were all too worried about their families? I assume a few of them line near Houston, but I’d bet like most players they aren’t living in the city they play in. By the way the astros had to agree to make the move and they did.

    [quote comment=”289630″]I like all of the altered logos, and I too didn’t understand the SF logo at first. I clearly see the 4-12 mark now.
    The only one I don’t get is the Chargers. Other than a scared looking flame, I don’t see what it means.[/quote]
    I think its just supposed to represent the surprisingly/frightening bad start they are off to.

    At the risk of sounding like a fangrrl (and of repeating myself), Paul, you really should do more television or radio. You have the perfect voice for it.

    I, too, tire of the idiocy that passes for banter these days. I was one of the brainy nerds in school, but we had nice jocks at my school (Irondale, Ricko), most of whom were smart as well, so I didn’t get teased by them. By others, but not by the jocks.

    I also think it’s partly because we demand to be entertained all the time these days. I hate most of the announcers, and I am waiting for the day when I can mute them whilst still soaking up the stadium ambience.

    It’s no better at the gams. Went to a Twins’ game this weekend, and there were commercials on the Jumbotron during at the end of every inning (I kept pressing an imaginary mute button–it didn’t work), and inane announcements throughout the game.

    There was a girl (about nine) sitting next to me decked out in proper Twins’ gear (i.e., no pink), and she even had the TC logo on her cheek–with a backwards C. It was scrubbed off by the third inning.

    Target gets to name the new stadium. Really. Target Field. Target Stadium. I really don’t think that’s a good idea. It should be called the Hennepin County Taxpayers’ Stadium since they are the ones who are paying for it.

    I really like the weird-ass vertical logo on the Rakuten Golden Eagles’ unis. I like their logo in general.

    [quote comment=”289671″][quote comment=”289630″]I like all of the altered logos, and I too didn’t understand the SF logo at first. I clearly see the 4-12 mark now.
    The only one I don’t get is the Chargers. Other than a scared looking flame, I don’t see what it means.[/quote]
    I think its just supposed to represent the surprisingly/frightening bad start they are off to.[/quote]

    I thought it was 4th down and twelve (representing the futility of their efforts), but I didn’t really get it, either.

    [quote comment=”289618″]I agree that Bud really stuck it to Houston, though the Astros didn’t help matters by suggesting that the Cubs fly into a hurricane on Sunday to play in Houston. They should have planned for a neutral site as soon as the Ike warnings got serious.

    The Cardinals were on the road; that would have made a much better neutral site. A city in between Houston and Chicago, and the presence of Cardinal fans would *definitely* have made it feel like a road game for the Cubs.

    Uniform-wise, this game made me thankful that alternate jerseys exist. The Astros shouldn’t have had to worry about getting home stuff shipped up there, and with alternates, the blue and red are contrasting enough that you don’t notice anything weird until you look hard.

    (Also, Paul, nothing to do with this, but Yomiuri Giants pitcher Mark Kroon has his name spelled wrong. It’s Kroon, not Croon.)[/quote]

    Hendry said MLB had contacted up to four teams as possible sites for the postponed games. It’s believed Milwaukee, Atlanta and Cincinnati were among the venues being considered. But McLane wanted the Astros to keep the games.

    [quote comment=”289664″][quote comment=”289619″]As a Maryland Boy from way back, I LOVE the End Zone Art for Byrd Stadium. Maryland has the best looking flag in the union, and maybe one of the best worldwide.
    [/quote]

    I was at the Cal game and I LOVE the new art!

    and…”Maryland has new endzone art, based on the state flag. And although I can’t go into specifics, I can tell you that a similar motif will be appearing on a Maryland team’s uniform next year”

    You need to let me in on this!!!!!![/quote]
    Using deductive reasonings…
    Since Paul has to keep this quiet, it must be a team in one of the four major sports. That limits the team to the Orioles, Ravens, or Redskins (who play in Md). No way the flag would appear on the Orioles or Redskins — too much tradition in their uniforms. So I’d guess its the Ravens. It would make sense since they already have a design that incorporates the flag.
    link
    Also, it ties to Paul’s NFL preview that states “several teams are planning redesigns” next year.
    Then again, it could be a minor league team…

    maybe the stros just should have called off the whole series…waited to see if those three games made a difference…then held up ALL OF MLB just to play the games at home, after the season finished…if there was even a shot of them making the WC

    cuz…that would have been fair, right? it doesn’t happen often, but sometimes teams have to move home games…it sucks for the home team, but it’s for the good of the game that the season could finish as scheduled…

    but i guess it’s all bud’s fault that IKE came to houston…he gets blamed for everything else, may as well blame him for the weather

    didnt the hornets and saints get screwed out of like entire seasons??? (hyperbole, i know…but still)…and mclain is bitching about 3 games??? c’mon…

    i feel very bad for the city of houston (and all those in ike’s path, esp. galveston), but i think it is the astros who are being selfish here, not MLB, fox or bud

    [quote comment=”289667″]”rather large thunderstorm” – how ’bout you come down here Bryan and hand out some water and ice and sit without power for 4 weeks you insensitive jacka**.[/quote]

    You have power. Why aren’t you helping out? ;o)

    Seriously, it’s brutal what has happened along the coast down there, and I’m glad I live inland not to have to worry about my ass when Mother Nature gets pissed.

    However, I think Bryan was simply trying to lighten the mood with a little comedy. If he really wanted to offend, he could have called the Astros a “fairweather team” or “unable to handle the stiff breeze”.

    All in all, just relax, everyone. We’re all friends in here. :o)

    [quote comment=”289678″][quote comment=”289667″]”rather large thunderstorm” – how ’bout you come down here Bryan and hand out some water and ice and sit without power for 4 weeks you insensitive jacka**.[/quote]

    You have power. Why aren’t you helping out? ;o)

    Seriously, it’s brutal what has happened along the coast down there, and I’m glad I live inland not to have to worry about my ass when Mother Nature gets pissed.

    However, I think Bryan was simply trying to lighten the mood with a little comedy. If he really wanted to offend, he could have called the Astros a “fairweather team” or “unable to handle the stiff breeze”.

    All in all, just relax, everyone. We’re all friends in here. :o)[/quote]

    I am a District Attorney in Houston. I am working to process all the turds that are caught breaking into houses and businesses. Our building took on water, sewage and is missing some doors, but here I am. I try to have some normalcy by being able to read my uniwatch between paperwork and police calls.

    When’s the last time the Dallas Cowboy opened the season wearing their navy blue jerseys in the first two games because i wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia, like usual, forces Dallas to wear those.

    did anyone else notice that the Chargers were wearing their jeresy numbers on to top of their chinstraps. look at the 4th photo here of Rivers.
    link

    Never seen this before

    [quote comment=”289623″][quote comment=”289610″]That graphic of the longest playoff droughts neglected the Toronto Blue Jays: 15 seasons including the strike year of 94 and this season.[/quote]

    I believe that the graphic was showing the longest streaks in each sport. There are numerous baseball teams with longer streaks than those shown in graphic for other sports.[/quote]

    At first i thought the same thing but it lists 2 NHL teams.

    So if it is all sports it is missing the Nationals (27 years, not including this season), Royals (23), Pirates (16), Jays (15), Reds (13), Orioles (11) and of course the Rays (10)

    Hey Karros.. I’ll paraphrase David Cross here, for his rant on sportscasters misusing the word “literally”.

    You shouldn’t be paid to sit in front of a microphone, describing things to people.

    [quote comment=”289682″]did anyone else notice that the Chargers were wearing their jeresy numbers on to top of their chinstraps. look at the 4th photo here of Rivers.
    link

    Never seen this before[/quote]

    does anyone pay attention anymore? thats been covered literally dozens of times in the past year.

    did anyone notice that all NFL QB’s have been wearing this weird green sticker on the backs of their helmets?

    [quote comment=”289681″]Nightmare fuel for Paul, in the form of a new Yahoo! corporate initiative: link.[/quote]
    I’m surprised Gogol Bordello (that song, specifically) hasn’t been mentioned more often here.

    [quote comment=”289686″]did anyone notice that all NFL QB’s have been wearing this weird green sticker on the backs of their helmets?[/quote]
    Hey now! I got chastised for participating in making lists last week so be nice.

    Who is GU 63….just KIDDING

    Anybody catch J.T. O’Sullivan of the 49ers getting his pants getting stitched up during the game? There was a small hole, nothing like Willie Parker’s, maybe the size of a quarter.

    And as for Paul and his disappointment with Karros, I understand totally. This attitude is observable within school, quite frequently. The bullying of the “smart kid” by calling him a “nerd” or whatever moniker is in fashion now, has gone on forever. I’m sure we all guilty of it.
    MPowers beat me to it. Stereotypical jock behavior. I would have thought Karros was no longer in high school.

    Ricko, of course, is an atypical jock. I’ve known plenty of smart jocks.

    Meanhwile, I think we can agree that, as a woman who likes to talk sports, Minna is cooler than cool.

    During yesterday’s 49ers/Seahawks game I noticed at least 10 Seattle players (but not all of them)who had a (maybe)4 inch x 1 inch rectangle above their nameplates where it looked like a patch of some kind had been taken off of the jersey.
    Anyone else notice or have any idea what that might be?

    i was watching the clemson game this week, and cullen harper has a decal on his helmet (sorry no pic) noting that he is a grad student…is this only a clemson thing? or is it another ncaa thing?

    [quote comment=”289685″][quote comment=”289682″]did anyone else notice that the Chargers were wearing their jeresy numbers on to top of their chinstraps. look at the 4th photo here of Rivers.
    link

    Never seen this before[/quote]

    does anyone pay attention anymore? thats been covered literally dozens of times in the past year.[/quote]

    Again, lets not be elitists…we’ve all been catigated for years as freaks who care alarmingly too much about northwestern stripes and vertically arched nameplates.

    If there are more of our ranks that stumble upon us and make keen observations that noone else around them cares about, embrace them!

    To us, it is overkill and the phrase “ad nauseum” comes to mind…but if it’s a newbie, encourage their curiosity and welcome them to our fold!

    [quote comment=”289611″] I’m a fan of Big Z, but this No-No needs an “*” in the history books with a note about everything that happened to the Astros before having to play the game. Oh, let’s not forget that it was less of a distance for the Cubs to travel, and the Astro players were having to deal with keeping their families safe and not resting like the Cubs were.[/quote]

    Gimme a break. Drayton McLane was just as much to blame for the experience his team had to go through to play that game.

    And if we’re going to start putting asterisks on achievements because of adversity that a team had to face, then we might as well start handing them out willy-nilly for every little issue we have. St. Louis got no-hit? Well, Albert Pujols sat out that game and since he’s their best hitter, put an asterisk on that no-hitter because the Cardinals didn’t have their optimal lineup out there. A team had to move the start of their game to accommodate Fox on a Saturday and there are shadows creeping between home plate and the pitchers’ mound. They got no-hit? Let’s put an asterisk next to that. “Creeping shadows assisted in this no-hitter”. You can pretty much come up with a reason to asterisk any no-hitter if you want to.

    Rich Justice said it best, methinks: “Yes, Carlos Zambrano was unhittable. No, the Astros wouldn’t have beaten him anywhere.”

    I’m a relative newbie, so this may be a UW rite of September: Jeebus, the Bills’ uniforms are horrible.

    Two (or even three) stripe styles, royal and navy together. And that’s just on the road uni:

    link

    Don’t get me started on the home uni.

    It pains me, because as a Packers fan I feel like Bills fans are kindred spirits. It pains me more every time they bring out this beauty:

    link

    Cruising through Academy Sports on my lunch break and realized that Crocs have their own line of golf apparel, complete with Crocs golf shoes.

    RE: Its a sad day when the NFL is the league to look at for the way they made quick decisions to post pone the games and move the schedule around.
    I think the NFL screwed this hurricane situation up just as bad. Instead of listening to the weather experts, they thought they thought they could just move the game back a day. Now the Ravens and Texans lose their bye weeks and have to play 15 straight games. They didn’t really get a bye week this week because they practiced all week and didn’t get the rest that usually comes with a bye week. Plus the Texans and Bengals have to rework their schedules. They should have just moved the game to Dallas, Atlanta or even Baltimore at the very beginning to avoid this debacle.

    [quote comment=”289697″]Cruising through Academy Sports on my lunch break and realized that Crocs have their own line of golf apparel, complete with Crocs golf shoes.
    This is pathetic.
    link

    why?

    i’d never wear crocs for golf, but what makes them worse than anyone else out there…guy i played with this weekend wears link…he doesn’t play well but at least he’s comfortable

    [quote]
    I am a District Attorney in Houston. I am working to process all the turds that are caught breaking into houses and businesses. Our building took on water, sewage and is missing some doors, but here I am. I try to have some normalcy by being able to read my uniwatch between paperwork and police calls.[/quote]

    My thoughts and prayers are with you LawDog. Are you and your family okay? Do you need anything?

    We were extremely fortunate here in Austin. It was cloudy and breezy on Saturday.

    [quote comment=”289697″]Cruising through Academy Sports on my lunch break and realized that Crocs have their own line of golf apparel, complete with Crocs golf shoes.
    This is pathetic.
    [/quote]

    It’s funny that “Crocs” come up in discussion today.

    I actually bought a pair last week, just to bring the garbage out and to walk the dog and such…but my wife LOATHES them…She things that wearing them makes me look like a middle aged man who has given up on looking fashionable.

    To this, I responded that they’re comfy and functional for around the house.

    Do you know what her ironclad, foolproof response was: “post them on UW, see what your unifrom friends say about them. Just Watch!!!”

    She must be clairvoyant!

    [quote comment=”289701″][quote comment=”289697″]Cruising through Academy Sports on my lunch break and realized that Crocs have their own line of golf apparel, complete with Crocs golf shoes.
    This is pathetic.
    [/quote]

    It’s funny that “Crocs” come up in discussion today.

    I actually bought a pair last week, just to bring the garbage out and to walk the dog and such…but my wife LOATHES them…She things that wearing them makes me look like a middle aged man who has given up on looking fashionable.

    To this, I responded that they’re comfy and functional for around the house.

    Do you know what her ironclad, foolproof response was: “post them on UW, see what your unifrom friends say about them. Just Watch!!!”

    She must be clairvoyant![/quote]

    These guys:
    link

    At least I got them in camo, so that she can’t see them!

    [quote comment=”289701″][quote comment=”289697″]Cruising through Academy Sports on my lunch break and realized that Crocs have their own line of golf apparel, complete with Crocs golf shoes.
    This is pathetic.
    [/quote]

    It’s funny that “Crocs” come up in discussion today.

    I actually bought a pair last week, just to bring the garbage out and to walk the dog and such…but my wife LOATHES them…She things that wearing them makes me look like a middle aged man who has given up on looking fashionable.

    To this, I responded that they’re comfy and functional for around the house.

    Do you know what her ironclad, foolproof response was: “post them on UW, see what your unifrom friends say about them. Just Watch!!!”

    She must be clairvoyant![/quote]

    If you’re using them for that, then fine. But I’d have to agree with your wife’s answer. For Instance, wearing a robe and pajama pants is comfortable around the house too. But I don’t wear that to go shopping.

    As a lifetime Midwesterner, I don’t get to see nearly enough games from the L.A. Coliseum, so I loved having the USC-TOSU game on the teevee Saturday night:

    link

    So much football history in that stadium. Be on the lookout, the week of the USC-UCLA game, for ESPN Classic showing most of the broadcast of the ’67 game (Beban vs. Simpson) in color.

    [quote comment=”289699″]i’d never wear crocs for golf, but what makes them worse than anyone else out there…guy i played with this weekend wears link…he doesn’t play well but at least he’s comfortable[/quote]
    I’ve got a pair of those. I LOVE THEM. I’ve also got a pair of all-white Foot Joys, but I only wear them when necessary (crappy weather).

    [quote comment=”289698″]Now the Ravens and Texans lose their bye weeks and have to play 15 straight games. [/quote]

    God forbid.

    The only good rationale in that argument is that the other teams in their division do get bye weeks and they don’t, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Miami took its bye week the first week of the season in (I believe) ’92 (or some hurricane year) and had to play 16 straight. You know, like they used to do. And, presumably, like they’ll do again if they go to 18 games.

    As for the Astros and the series with the Cbus:

    McLane defended his decision, saying he and Selig had “gone round and round” over where to play the game.

    He said the Astros tried Minneapolis, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, etc. Every location was ruled out, either because there was a conflicting event or a poor weather forecast.

    “We even suggested Round Rock,” McLane said. “We were told that wasn’t a major league stadium.”

    To which I say, “Neither was Puerto Rico, Bud, you moron. Or Las Vegas. Or Monterrey, Mexico.”

    Gary Bell was right: baseball is an ass.

    These guys:
    link

    At least I got them in camo, so that she can’t see them![/quote]

    The only people that make fun of Crocs are the people who don’t have a pair. I have these…

    link
    link
    link

    [quote comment=”289709″]These guys:
    link

    At least I got them in camo, so that she can’t see them![/quote]

    The only people that make fun of Crocs are the people who don’t have a pair. I have these…

    link
    link
    link

    I’m pretty sure that would be the case for most fashions fads. AKA, people that owned parachute pants didn’t make fun of other people wearing them. But believe me, the rest of us were.

    I didn’t mean to imply that I was making fun of Crocs, because I wasn’t. I was just saying that I think that the Crocs golf shoes are a bad idea. But to each is own.

    [quote comment=”289706″][quote comment=”289704″]wearing a robe and pajama pants is comfortable around the house too. But I don’t wear that to go shopping.[/quote]

    *picturing link*

    and link

    ;)[/quote]

    Close, I wear the gloves shopping too.

    [quote comment=”289680″]When’s the last time the Dallas Cowboy opened the season wearing their navy blue jerseys in the first two games because i wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia, like usual, forces Dallas to wear those.[/quote]

    They are one on the road, so as the home team the cowboys chose what they wear, and the Eagles already posted on their website that they are wearing green on white

    After seeing Paul’s piece today on page 2, reiterating the Brewers “mound art” at Miller Park, I’m wondering: did they stencil in any kind of Astros logo for the Cub games in Milwaukee?

    [quote comment=”289692″]During yesterday’s 49ers/Seahawks game I noticed at least 10 Seattle players (but not all of them)who had a (maybe)4 inch x 1 inch rectangle above their nameplates where it looked like a patch of some kind had been taken off of the jersey.
    Anyone else notice or have any idea what that might be?[/quote]

    Ah, I saw that too! I own a couple of game-used Seahawks jerseys, and that little rectangle seems correspond with the spot that they affix the year/ID tag on the inside of the jersey. I wondered if maybe it had been attached differently than normal.

    Photo of a jersey showing the tag from the inside: link

    [quote comment=\”289715\”]question on the \’remembering the afl\’ flickr slideshow. What the hell is the # 26 helmet on page 7. link

    Boston Patriots, before Pat the Patriot was born.

    Regarding the Rudy Fernandez item in the ticker:

    I think – and I’m in no way an expert – that it has to do with card companies ‘worn jersey’ card promotions. Specifically I think this is for Upper Deck because I know that UD uses “nameplate” cards that feature a full letter from the players nameplate. This would be an unscrupulous way of getting more cards for their proverbal buck.

    [quote comment=”289714″]After seeing Paul’s piece today on page 2, reiterating the Brewers “mound art” at Miller Park, I’m wondering: did they stencil in any kind of Astros logo for the Cub games in Milwaukee?[/quote]

    Where is said article again? I was on Page 2 at espn.com and couldn’t find it…

    [quote comment=”289619″]
    It’s also an unfortunate side effect when teams have to cover sponsor logo’s of companies gone bust, however, I dont mind sponsors on kits (jerseys), I just wish some of them would be a bit more stable. Carlsberg, AIG, Samsung, and Emirates arents going anywhere, but Nothern Rock can continue to sponsor the NEwcastle kits even though they had to be bailed out by the British Government?[/quote]

    AIG was mentioned on the news last night as one of those companies in trouble.

    [quote comment=”289676″][quote comment=”289664″][quote comment=”289619″]
    Using deductive reasonings…
    Since Paul has to keep this quiet, it must be a team in one of the four major sports. That limits the team to the Orioles, Ravens, or Redskins (who play in Md). No way the flag would appear on the Orioles or Redskins — too much tradition in their uniforms. So I’d guess its the Ravens. It would make sense since they already have a design that incorporates the flag.
    link
    Also, it ties to Paul’s NFL preview that states “several teams are planning redesigns” next year.
    Then again, it could be a minor league team…[/quote]

    I think he meant a U of MD team…not a team that plays in the state. With the whole scholl changing to UA, I’m sure there will be a plethora of changes.

    A Plethora? Yes, a plethora El Jefe!

    [quote comment=\”289725\”][quote comment=\”289676\”][quote comment=\”289664\”][quote comment=\”289619\”]
    Using deductive reasonings…
    Since Paul has to keep this quiet, it must be a team in one of the four major sports. That limits the team to the Orioles, Ravens, or Redskins (who play in Md). No way the flag would appear on the Orioles or Redskins — too much tradition in their uniforms. So I\’d guess its the Ravens. It would make sense since they already have a design that incorporates the flag.
    link
    Also, it ties to Paul\’s NFL preview that states \”several teams are planning redesigns\” next year.
    Then again, it could be a minor league team…[/quote]

    I think he meant a U of MD team…not a team that plays in the state. With the whole scholl changing to UA, I\’m sure there will be a plethora of changes.

    A Plethora? Yes, a plethora El Jefe![/quote]

    El Guapo?:
    link

    No, the other one:
    link

    link

    [quote comment=”289679″]
    I am a District Attorney in Houston. I am working to process all the turds that are caught breaking into houses and businesses. Our building took on water, sewage and is missing some doors, but here I am. I try to have some normalcy by being able to read my uniwatch between paperwork and police calls.[/quote]

    I hear you, LawDog. I’m all for the good people helping, which is why I winked – ;o) – at the end of that sentence.

    Good on you, LD. I’m just saying that Bryan may have been joking. Sometimes, it gets lost in translation on here.

    Keep up the solid work, stay safe, and make them evil-doers pay! :o)

    Perhaps one of the resident football helmet experts can educate me.
    Yesterday during the Packers game I noticed several different treatments of the neck bumper, presumably because of different models.
    Here is what I think of when I think of neck bumpers:
    link
    link
    Then I saw this treatment that looks like padding inside the shell acts as a bumper, and a decal is applied to the back of the helmet to mimic the more traditional look:
    link
    Since all that I could focus on from that point on was neck bumpers, I noticed that in the same situation that the Packers apply an ill-fitting decal to the back, the Lions go without:
    link
    So, my questions are 1)Which helmets are shown in each scenario, and 2)Is the decal unique to the Packers, or is it common?
    Oh, and why can’t that decal follow the contour of the helmet?

    [quote comment=”289723″][quote comment=”289714″]After seeing Paul’s piece today on page 2, reiterating the Brewers “mound art” at Miller Park, I’m wondering: did they stencil in any kind of Astros logo for the Cub games in Milwaukee?[/quote]

    Where is said article again? I was on Page 2 at espn.com and couldn’t find it…[/quote]

    It was right on Page 2 on Friday. One of those little mini-articles things. (College Football Excuses is taking up the space now)

    [quote comment=”289728″]Milwaukee Brewers just dismissed Manager Ned Yost…

    link

    Not uni related, but I thought people might want to know.[/quote]

    What? Why? His team is tied for the wild card. I know they just got swept, but still.

    [quote comment=”289728″]Milwaukee Brewers just dismissed Manager Ned Yost…

    link

    Not uni related, but I thought people might want to know.[/quote]

    Not surprised. They have too much talent

    As I watched him rise through the minor league ranks, I always hoped my favorite Brewer would someday manage the team – #15, Cecil Cooper. Wonder if he’s interested in the home locker room at Miller Park?

    [quote comment=”289667″]

    What really pisses me off is that Fox didn’t want the games played at the end of the season because that would upset the beginning of the playoff coverage. What if this storm was in 10 days? Do the Astros just get screwed because fox doesn’t like it?

    [/quote]

    Fox doesn’t have playoff coverage until the NLCS. TBS has all of the Division Series.

    [quote comment=”289732″][quote comment=”289728″]Milwaukee Brewers just dismissed Manager Ned Yost…

    link

    Not uni related, but I thought people might want to know.[/quote]

    What? Why? His team is tied for the wild card. I know they just got swept, but still.[/quote]

    Because about two weeks ago (maybe check my math on this one) they were five or six games up in the wild card. And they blew it last year, too.

    [quote comment=”289728″]Milwaukee Brewers just dismissed Manager Ned Yost…

    link

    Not uni related, but I thought people might want to know.[/quote]

    Absolutely amazing! Fire the manager in the middle of a run to the playoffs. Why not wait until the off season? this could have the exact opposite affect of what management wants.

    [quote comment=”289732″][quote comment=”289728″]Milwaukee Brewers just dismissed Manager Ned Yost…

    link

    Not uni related, but I thought people might want to know.[/quote]

    What? Why? His team is tied for the wild card. I know they just got swept, but still.[/quote]

    Because the Brewers are looking as though they’re going to repeat last season’s swoon. They had the Wild Card in hand, and are letting it slowly slip away.

    Management is trying to fend that off, and as a Brewer fan I for one applaud them.

    [quote comment=”289732″][quote comment=”289728″]Milwaukee Brewers just dismissed Manager Ned Yost…

    link

    Not uni related, but I thought people might want to know.[/quote]

    What? Why? His team is tied for the wild card. I know they just got swept, but still.[/quote]

    oh man…that sucks…maybe they’re trying to avoid what the mets did last september…perhaps had the mets fired willie then

    well…this makes things even more interesting now…good luck to ya johnny o & nicole (and the other crew fans on here)

    [quote comment=”289736″][quote comment=”289728″]Milwaukee Brewers just dismissed Manager Ned Yost…

    link

    Not uni related, but I thought people might want to know.[/quote]

    Absolutely amazing! Fire the manager in the middle of a run to the playoffs. Why not wait until the off season? this could have the exact opposite affect of what management wants.[/quote]

    Two words: Willie Randolph.

    [quote comment=”289732″][quote comment=”289728″]Milwaukee Brewers just dismissed Manager Ned Yost…

    link

    Not uni related, but I thought people might want to know.[/quote]

    What? Why? His team is tied for the wild card. I know they just got swept, but still.[/quote]

    Gotta blame it on someone… look at the Mets.

    The feeling in Wisconsin is of fright, disgust, anger… When you have not made the playoffs in 26 years, it can get frustrating when you have all but locked up the Wild Card and are contending for a division two weeks ago, and then you basically become the worst team in MLB and have a strong chance of missing the playoffs all together.

    I say we bring back Robin Yount to manage!!! He was an assistant a few years ago, but said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

    Remember here in Houston, our ballpark was Enron Field for the first two seasons. It was printed on EVERYTHING. If I remember, they offered tickets to people at the games who noticed the name or logo in the stadium after they had finished getting rid of everything they could think of. Then the city and the team fought over who should change all the road signage, etc around the ballpark. The city’s point was that they had spent good money on nicer signs in the ballpark district for the team and they could foot the bill if they wanted to get rid of Enron stuff.
    I know this has happened to other stadiums.

    Thanks for the supprt folks.

    Dell Diamond outside of Austin is considered one of the nicest AAA parks in the country. To say it isn’t major league is lame. It is far nicer then Milwaukee’s old park; I’ve been there.

    [quote comment=”289714″]After seeing Paul’s piece today on page 2, reiterating the Brewers “mound art” at Miller Park, I’m wondering: did they stencil in any kind of Astros logo for the Cub games in Milwaukee?[/quote]

    Nope, according to this video:
    link

    link Cubs went with the gray jerseys today.

    Also, there does not appear to be any mound art.

    P.S. Astros hitless through 5.

    [quote comment=”289746″]is it true the cubs just petitioned MLB to have all of their home playoff games at miller park?[/quote]

    That place smells like bratwurst and feet.

    [quote comment=”289744″]link Cubs went with the gray jerseys today.

    Also, there does not appear to be any mound art.

    P.S. Astros hitless through 5.[/quote]

    Astros hitless through 14.

    Yesterday they had the tiniest bit of an excuse. No excuse today.

    My family inherited a bunch of old pictures and letters from my dads uncle a few years ago. I finally decided to go down stairs and take a quick look at what there was and I came across this gem
    link
    I have no idea who it is, but it is still a cool picture. the only team I make a connection between my family and the picture is Yale, (We also have an old Yale football program, but Im not sure where that is right now.) But judging by al the other pictures i have seen of them, they are nothing like this.

    If you know anything about it let me know, if not… Enjoy the uni greatness, and notice the same numbers on everyone.

    [quote comment=”289747″][quote comment=”289746″]is it true the cubs just petitioned MLB to have all of their home playoff games at miller park?[/quote]

    That place smells like bratwurst and feet.[/quote]

    Have you ever been to Miller Park? It is one of the best places to watch a baseball game. And very often it is considered a great value, and has won numerous titles by SI as a great ballpark.

    Does it smell like brats? Yes. Beer? Yes. Feet? No.

    P.S. I know your just giving us a good rib, Bryan… but I couldn’t let the comment just slide by =) Cheers and beers.

    [quote comment=”289731″][quote comment=”289723″][quote comment=”289714″]After seeing Paul’s piece today on page 2, reiterating the Brewers “mound art” at Miller Park, I’m wondering: did they stencil in any kind of Astros logo for the Cub games in Milwaukee?[/quote]

    Where is said article again? I was on Page 2 at espn.com and couldn’t find it…[/quote]

    Can anyone get a link for this article that was short-lived on Page 2??
    It was right on Page 2 on Friday. One of those little mini-articles things. (College Football Excuses is taking up the space now)[/quote]

    Paul, that pic of shea having the scoreboard in right was altered. The train tracks on on the right field side of shea, not left. Here is a link to similar photo: link

    either my computer wont load the page i posted, or I suck at posting links. Let me give it another try. All the links will be for the same picture, just different ways of getting it. link link
    link

    [quote comment=”289750″]
    Does it smell like brats? Yes. Beer? Yes. Feet? No.
    [/quote]
    The first time I saw a game there, I could defintely smell the stockyards that are (were?) a mile or two directly east of there (near Potawatomi Bingo).

    [quote comment=”289717″][quote comment=”289715″]question on the ‘remembering the afl’ flickr slideshow. What the hell is the # 26 helmet on page 7. link

    boston pats[/quote]

    re: #27 helmet. I really get tired of everyone having this SO wrong. The bronco logo was Royal Blue. Unfortunately, to my knowledge no one has ever produced a color photo of that short-lived (no more than two games) helmet. Makes no sense for it to have been brown. Broncos HATED their gold & brown color combo. Had a BONFIRE with the socks, for pete’s sake. Made a HUGE HUGE deal out of changing to orange and blue. Why the hell would they “honor” a combination they hated, and wore for only two years, by making the horse BROWN? The stripes on the pants that went with it were royal. The numbers and stripes on the road jerseys that went with it were royal. Someone, please, tell me logic of a brown horsey logo at that point in time?

    It was a simple case of it being designed to be blue, but it quickly became obvious that no one could tell what it was from the stands so they changed it to white. But somebody, looking at b&w photos across time, over-throught the hell out of decided, “Oh, they must have ‘honored’ the brown & gold.” It was only their third frickin’ season in existence. No way they were thinking like that. Just bogus.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”289753″]Paul, that pic of shea having the scoreboard in right was altered. The train tracks on on the right field side of shea, not left. Here is a link to similar photo: link

    i don’t think it was altered, just a link (back when there was no such thing as digital photography)

    funny how that would slip past the editors, but hey…what’re ya gone do?

    also…looks like 3 out of the 5 pics (if not all) were taken on the same day…some sort of orange cap giveaway (even joan p. has one)

    [quote comment=”289748″][quote comment=”289744″]link Cubs went with the gray jerseys today.

    Also, there does not appear to be any mound art.

    P.S. Astros hitless through 5.[/quote]

    Astros hitless through 14.

    Yesterday they had the tiniest bit of an excuse. No excuse today.[/quote]
    Well there is one excuse: They’re playing the link with the link in the NL. (Is that two excuses?)

    hey ricko…

    what’s helmet #24…is that da raidahs orig? i know every other one on there, except i have to assume that’s the raiders first lid…yes?

    Even though Manchester United (AIG) and Manchester City (Thomas Cook) both have sponsors, they played a game without sponsors on the front last year. It was the game at Old Trafford where they recognized the 50th Anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster.

    [quote comment=”289759″]hey ricko…

    what’s helmet #24…is that da raidahs orig? i know every other one on there, except i have to assume that’s the raiders first lid…yes?[/quote]

    n/m…link

    and ricko… by link FUPP is showing the broncs with only the white pony…

    so, you’re saying they had a blue pony in 1962 for 2 games, but then they changed it to white because the blue one was too hard to see?

    The University of Tulsa football team is wearing throwback jerseys for the opener of their newly-renovated stadium this weekend against New Mexico.

    link

    [quote comment=”289757″][quote comment=”289753″]Paul, that pic of shea having the scoreboard in right was altered. The train tracks on on the right field side of shea, not left. Here is a link to similar photo: link

    i don’t think it was altered, just a link (back when there was no such thing as digital photography)

    funny how that would slip past the editors, but hey…what’re ya gone do?

    also…looks like 3 out of the 5 pics (if not all) were taken on the same day…some sort of orange cap giveaway (even joan p. has one)[/quote]
    And if you look REALLY really close you’ll see the first baseman covering third.

    No screen grab but Geovanny Soto has a painted “C” on his catchers helmet not the appliqué like on the batting helmet.

    [quote comment=”289691″]And as for Paul and his disappointment with Karros, I understand totally. This attitude is observable within school, quite frequently. The bullying of the “smart kid” by calling him a “nerd” or whatever moniker is in fashion now, has gone on forever. I’m sure we all guilty of it.
    MPowers beat me to it. Stereotypical jock behavior. I would have thought Karros was no longer in high school.

    Ricko, of course, is an atypical jock. I’ve known plenty of smart jocks.

    Meanhwile, I think we can agree that, as a woman who likes to talk sports, Minna is cooler than cool.[/quote]

    tom farley, I am the complete opposite of cool, but thanks for the compliment.

    Duckstyle, I totally agree with you on your take about making fun of trends. I, for one, think the holy (hole-y) Crocs are more hideous than Birkenstocks, if that’s possible. I am not a fashion maven by any stretch, but even I wouldn’t be caught dead in these:

    link

    Some of the other Crocs are ok-looking, but I still wouldn’t wear them.

    I posted this over the weekend… but for those that missed it – here are the Texas Rangers’ new 09 alternate cap which brings back red, they’re supposedly wearing them with all red tops

    link

    [quote comment=”289760″]Even though Manchester United (AIG) and Manchester City (Thomas Cook) both have sponsors, they played a game without sponsors on the front last year. It was the game at Old Trafford where they recognized the 50th Anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster.[/quote]

    Last season, but this year (February).

    Which, IIRC, inspired quite a bit of “Why the hell are we bringing up a tragedy?” from the peanut gallery here. As well as, I think, some nitpicking about how they didn’t wear exact replicas.

    The better part of that story was that, IIRC, ManU didn’t make the jerseys that they wore that day available for purchase.

    In other news, it was good to see common sense prevail and the GU 83 bit move to the backs of helmets (except on the Raiders, which makes perfect sense).

    [quote comment=”289767″]P.S. Off-topic, but my shock for the weekend: Eddie Guns is human after all![/quote]

    norv was gonna meet him in the parking lot after the game…it’s a good thing mr. hochuli apologized

    link

    [quote comment=”289677″]but i guess it’s all bud’s fault that IKE came to houston…he gets blamed for everything else, may as well blame him for the weather[/quote]

    Well, link.

    And, no, the weather isn’t Bud’s fault (God knows, he makes a mess of enough other things). But the Astros are still in it, and still chasing the Brewers, and even the appearance of impropriety is something he could have and should have avoided.

    Games gotta be played, I get that. The MLB schedule is tight, I get that, too. This is hurricane season, check. Very few games left, gotcha.

    But the choice of MKE was unfair and the BS about Round Rock not being a major league park is baloney. They weren’t talking about playing in a Single-A facility – they’d have done just fine there without screwing the Astros over competitively.

    And this is coming from a Cub fan, mind you. I don’t think it was a good choice and I don’t think Selig is an effective commissinoer, for this and many other reasons.

    [quote comment=”289750″][quote comment=”289747″][quote comment=”289746″]is it true the cubs just petitioned MLB to have all of their home playoff games at miller park?[/quote]

    That place smells like bratwurst and feet.[/quote]

    Have you ever been to Miller Park? It is one of the best places to watch a baseball game. And very often it is considered a great value, and has won numerous titles by SI as a great ballpark.

    Does it smell like brats? Yes. Beer? Yes. Feet? No.

    [/quote]

    I, too, quite like Miller Park. The little league field in the parking lot is really cool, too. Brats are good. People are nice. And from where I used to live in the western ‘burbs of Chicago, it barely took longer to get to Miller Park than it did to get to Wrigley Field. And it was far less of a pain in the ass.

    [quote comment=”289773″][quote comment=”289750″][quote comment=”289747″][quote comment=”289746″]is it true the cubs just petitioned MLB to have all of their home playoff games at miller park?[/quote]

    That place smells like bratwurst and feet.[/quote]

    Have you ever been to Miller Park? It is one of the best places to watch a baseball game. And very often it is considered a great value, and has won numerous titles by SI as a great ballpark.

    Does it smell like brats? Yes. Beer? Yes. Feet? No.

    [/quote]

    I, too, quite like Miller Park. The little league field in the parking lot is really cool, too. Brats are good. People are nice. And from where I used to live in the western ‘burbs of Chicago, it barely took longer to get to Miller Park than it did to get to Wrigley Field. And it was far less of a pain in the ass.[/quote]

    Parking at Miller is much easier. I usually come to Chicago once a season to catch the Cubs. Went to Miller last year instead and was pleasantly surprised by the ease of parking and making my way around the area around the ballpark. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Wrigley, but newer stadiums accomodate better.

    [quote comment=”289774″][quote comment=”289773″][quote comment=”289750″][quote comment=”289747″][quote comment=”289746″]is it true the cubs just petitioned MLB to have all of their home playoff games at miller park?[/quote]

    That place smells like bratwurst and feet.[/quote]

    Have you ever been to Miller Park? It is one of the best places to watch a baseball game. And very often it is considered a great value, and has won numerous titles by SI as a great ballpark.

    Does it smell like brats? Yes. Beer? Yes. Feet? No.

    [/quote]

    I, too, quite like Miller Park. The little league field in the parking lot is really cool, too. Brats are good. People are nice. And from where I used to live in the western ‘burbs of Chicago, it barely took longer to get to Miller Park than it did to get to Wrigley Field. And it was far less of a pain in the ass.[/quote]

    Parking at Miller is much easier. I usually come to Chicago once a season to catch the Cubs. Went to Miller last year instead and was pleasantly surprised by the ease of parking and making my way around the area around the ballpark. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Wrigley, but newer stadiums accomodate better.[/quote]
    And it’s easier to get tickets anywhere not named Wrigley, (or Fenway or Yankee).

    [quote comment=”289761″][quote comment=”289759″]hey ricko…

    what’s helmet #24…is that da raidahs orig? i know every other one on there, except i have to assume that’s the raiders first lid…yes?[/quote]

    n/m…link

    and ricko… by link FUPP is showing the broncs with only the white pony…

    so, you’re saying they had a blue pony in 1962 for 2 games, but then they changed it to white because the blue one was too hard to see?[/quote]

    That’s what I’m saying. I have a b&w photo of that helmet in use. By the time I first saw those new orange unis on TV or in Pro Football Weekly, which would have been relatively early in ’62 season cuz I watched such things like a hawk, the horsey was white. Was only later that I happened upon a photo showing the darker version that I learned it had ever existed. I’d wager it never even was worn during regular season. Ten years later I started a PR agency with a guy who had been sports edior at the Denver Post in ’62. I asked him about it. He said that, yeah, the blue didn’t show up so they changed it to white. He didn’t remember how many games they wore it, but wasn’t many cuz problem became apparent right away.

    And the Raiders helmet stripe was light gold, not white. That’s another error that just keeps gettting passed on through the years. Wore it one season (’62) only. In ’60 and ’61 hlemets were plain black. Silver came around in ’63.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”289757″][quote comment=”289753″]Paul, that pic of shea having the scoreboard in right was altered. The train tracks on on the right field side of shea, not left. Here is a link to similar photo: link

    i don’t think it was altered, just a link (back when there was no such thing as digital photography)

    funny how that would slip past the editors, but hey…what’re ya gone do?

    also…looks like 3 out of the 5 pics (if not all) were taken on the same day…some sort of orange cap giveaway (even joan p. has one)[/quote]

    Still happens today. The HOF used this in April:
    link

    link

    Yikes…

    Helmets should be solid black.
    Sleeve and socks stripes at home…three gold edged in white.
    Sleeve and socks stipes on road…three black edged in gold.
    Prob may be the scan, but gold was bright–like Steeler gold—bue had “satiny” quality. Wasn’t old gold.

    link

    [quote comment=”289680″]When’s the last time the Dallas Cowboy opened the season wearing their navy blue jerseys in the first two games because i wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia, like usual, forces Dallas to wear those.[/quote]

    Since the game is in Dallas, I guarantee you won’t see blue jerseys.

    Baseball loves asterisks, and you should put one next to your mention of the Expos as the longest without a playoff. Montreal, of course, had the best record in baseball when the strike in in 1994. They were 6 games up in the division and, even if they had been caught, would have to drop 2 more games to fall out of the Wild Card.

    Now, there were 48 games left in the season, and anything can happen – as my beloved Brewers have shown, no lead is safe. But an asterisk is warranted.

    [quote comment=”289780″]Baseball loves asterisks, and you should put one next to your mention of the Expos as the longest without a playoff. Montreal, of course, had the best record in baseball when the strike in in 1994. They were 6 games up in the division and, even if they had been caught, would have to drop 2 more games to fall out of the Wild Card.

    Now, there were 48 games left in the season, and anything can happen – as my beloved Brewers have shown, no lead is safe. But an asterisk is warranted.[/quote]
    In that scenario, the same asterisk applies to the Braves run of “consecutive” division titles.
    Of course, imo, asterisks in sports are totally ridiculous. There are always extenuating circumstances. That’s part of what separates the pros from us weekend warriors, not just the skills, but the ability to focus and excel under the toughest of circumstances (like, say, a hurricane in your home town…it’s extreme, but these guys are pros).

    Regarding the color of the Shea Stadium outfield wall. There was also a time in the the mid sixties when the fence was a much lighter light green with white numbers, not the darker green we are more used to seeing. I have some film of it, which I will upload from the office.

    nats wearing their link caps tonight…presumably so the home fans can see (and buy) them

    …i would hope jerry has a quick hook tonight, except that would mean the bullpen has to pitch, which is not really an option im enthused about

    Final MNF game in Texas Stadium- I was there for the third ever game there- I am not kidding when I say it sounds like the loudest crowed there I have ever heard there.

    To keep it uni-related- will the Cowboys do a uni tweak when they move into JerryWorld next season?

    How bout dem Cowboys.

    I had mentioned the Gore switcheroo yesterday in the comments, but it was like #120-something so I am sure nobody saw it then……

    RE: Here’s something you don’t see every day: a football coach in a cast and on crutches.

    The “cast” you refer to is actually a splint commonly known as a Zimmer splint in the athletic training community. It’s often used for lower leg immobilization following surgery or acute trauma.

    see link

    [quote comment=”289768″]I posted this over the weekend… but for those that missed it – here are the Texas Rangers’ new 09 alternate cap which brings back red, they’re supposedly wearing them with all red tops

    link

    Yuck. If they want to have an alt hat, bring back the all red version from the playoff years.

    Change to the NHL officials uniforms: They added names back to them. Now they’re a name and number.
    Look through this gallery:
    link
    Linesman #4 Kirk is who I’m looking at… Near the end.

    [quote comment=”289788″]Final MNF game in Texas Stadium- I was there for the third ever game there- I am not kidding when I say it sounds like the loudest crowed there I have ever heard there.

    To keep it uni-related- will the Cowboys do a uni tweak when they move into JerryWorld next season?

    How bout dem Cowboys.[/quote]
    well they suck, thats all there is to say

    I agree that the new orange VT uniforms are horrible. Are they trying to compete with Oregon for worst uniform?

    Has anyone noticed that the coaches at the “Nike Schools” are where the same style polo on the sidelines?

    “where” should be “wearing[quote comment=”289795”]I agree that the new orange VT uniforms are horrible. Are they trying to compete with Oregon for worst uniform?

    Has anyone noticed that the coaches at the “Nike Schools” are where the same style polo on the sidelines?[/quote]

    “where” should be “wearing.” I don’t know how that happened …

    [quote comment=”289795″]I agree that the new orange VT uniforms are horrible. Are they trying to compete with Oregon for worst uniform?

    Has anyone noticed that the coaches at the “Nike Schools” are where the same style polo on the sidelines?[/quote]
    makes sense, but thats just me

    [quote comment=”289794″][quote comment=”289788″]How bout dem Cowboys.[/quote]
    well they suck, thats all there is to say[/quote]

    well then…there you go

    [quote comment=”289793″]Change to the NHL officials uniforms: They added names back to them. Now they’re a name and number.
    Look through this gallery:
    link
    Linesman #4 Kirk is who I’m looking at… Near the end.[/quote]

    I’m not 100% sure about this Jeff – one of the earlier pics shows a ref from the front. He has a “WHL” logo – the WHL refs do in fact have NOBs. I’m thinking they may have used Junior refs as this was a Rookie game only.

    [quote comment=\”289793\”]Change to the NHL officials uniforms: They added names back to them. Now they\’re a name and number.
    Look through this gallery:
    link
    Linesman #4 Kirk is who I\’m looking at… Near the end.[/quote]

    Not necessarily, photo #8 shows that the ref is from the WHL. Did they switch and put the orange bands on linesman this year?

    As for major league games in decent minor league parks, the rays of course play a “home” series at disney each year at the wide world of sports/braves spring training complex. works out fine and I’d guess the astros really should have considered the same.

    Additionally for playoff droughts, they showed both the panthers and blue jackets because theyre tied for longest NHL drought, only one team holds the drought for the other sports.

    [quote comment=”289800″][quote comment=\”289793\”]Change to the NHL officials uniforms: They added names back to them. Now they\’re a name and number.
    Look through this gallery:
    link
    Linesman #4 Kirk is who I\’m looking at… Near the end.[/quote]
    Total brain fart there…. And didn’t notice the WHL thing.
    *shrug*
    Not necessarily, photo #8 shows that the ref is from the WHL. Did they switch and put the orange bands on linesman this year?[/quote]

    Robin Yount has been given the Bench Coach job in Milwaukee! It is gonna be nice to see him in a Brewers uniform again! Firday, the 26th he will sport the retro look. Man, that will be an awesome sight!

    Sorry this isn’t uni related

    [quote comment=”289792″][quote comment=”289768″]I posted this over the weekend… but for those that missed it – here are the Texas Rangers’ new 09 alternate cap which brings back red, they’re supposedly wearing them with all red tops

    link

    Yuck. If they want to have an alt hat, bring back the all red version from the playoff years.[/quote]

    I’m not at liberty to tell you what the Rangers’ caps will look like next year. I can tell you, however, that none of them will look like that.

    [quote comment=”289806″]Robin Yount has been given the Bench Coach job in Milwaukee! It is gonna be nice to see him in a Brewers uniform again! Firday, the 26th he will sport the retro look. Man, that will be an awesome sight!

    Sorry this isn’t uni related[/quote]

    so, link, then…minus ned of course

    [quote comment=”289730″]Perhaps one of the resident football helmet experts can educate me.
    Yesterday during the Packers game I noticed several different treatments of the neck bumper, presumably because of different models.
    Here is what I think of when I think of neck bumpers:
    link
    link
    Then I saw this treatment that looks like padding inside the shell acts as a bumper, and a decal is applied to the back of the helmet to mimic the more traditional look:
    link
    Since all that I could focus on from that point on was neck bumpers, I noticed that in the same situation that the Packers apply an ill-fitting decal to the back, the Lions go without:
    link
    So, my questions are 1)Which helmets are shown in each scenario, and 2)Is the decal unique to the Packers, or is it common?
    Oh, and why can’t that decal follow the contour of the helmet?[/quote]

    There are two brands of helmets in question:

    Pic 1:Greg Jennings is wearing the Riddell VSR-4, which the Packers decal can fit upon nicely.

    link

    The Bills in this pic are all wearing the VSR-4, except for #56, who is wearing the Revolution!

    link

    Pic 2: The Lions lineman is also wearing the Riddell VSR-4 sans bumper decal.
    link

    Pic 3:The Packers reciever, #89, is wearing the Schutt Air Advantage, where the padding of the neck bumper extends past the contour of th helmet.
    link

    Here is an older version of the same helmet. You can see the rounded edge and protruding padding,which we referred to as cheese:
    link

    Pic4:link

    The Packers receiver, #87, as well as the Lions DB, #27, are both wearing Schutt helmets. There are numerous telltale signs:

    1. The Nose bumper, or forehead poadding on the Packers receiver covers the entire forehead as does this Schutt Air:

    link

    2. The High chin-strap hookups, which is now more commonly found on both Riddells and Schutts:

    link

    link

    3. Schutt Air helmets have eight smaller vent holes with one large Pump housing hole in the center of the crown:

    link

    Throughout high school and college, I ONLY wore Schutt AiR helmets. Except for my junior year in high school, when I wore the Riddell VSR-4, I would not have played in anything but a Schutt.

    link

    If I were playing now, I’d probably be wearing the Schutt XP(Right) or Air Advantage(Left):

    link

    or the Schutt DNA:
    link

    BTW, many teams outfitted with Schutt helmets place their bumper decals similar to the Packers:

    The Dolphins, #32, on the left:
    link

    The Chargers, Cromartie:

    link
    link

    The Colts:
    link

    Interesting helmet design:
    link

    [quote comment=”289692″]During yesterday’s 49ers/Seahawks game I noticed at least 10 Seattle players (but not all of them)who had a (maybe)4 inch x 1 inch rectangle above their nameplates where it looked like a patch of some kind had been taken off of the jersey.
    Anyone else notice or have any idea what that might be?[/quote]

    Anyone have a pic of this? I cant find one.

    [quote comment=”289808″][quote comment=”289806″]Robin Yount has been given the Bench Coach job in Milwaukee! It is gonna be nice to see him in a Brewers uniform again! Firday, the 26th he will sport the retro look. Man, that will be an awesome sight!

    Sorry this isn’t uni related[/quote]

    so, link, then…minus ned of course[/quote]

    I, of course knew he had sported that throwback uni when he was an assistant in Milwaukee a few years ago, but didn’t have a pic… but of course, the uni faithful, and my East Coast buddy has got my back.

    Nice to see Robin back in that retro uni!

    [quote comment=”289810″][quote comment=”289692″]During yesterday’s 49ers/Seahawks game I noticed at least 10 Seattle players (but not all of them)who had a (maybe)4 inch x 1 inch rectangle above their nameplates where it looked like a patch of some kind had been taken off of the jersey.
    Anyone else notice or have any idea what that might be?[/quote]

    Anyone have a pic of this? I cant find one.[/quote]

    pics of the backs of hawks jerseys are elusive…but i think link

    [quote comment=”289810″][quote comment=”289692″]During yesterday’s 49ers/Seahawks game I noticed at least 10 Seattle players (but not all of them)who had a (maybe)4 inch x 1 inch rectangle above their nameplates where it looked like a patch of some kind had been taken off of the jersey.
    Anyone else notice or have any idea what that might be?[/quote]

    I saw em too- it was like they had a little seahawk there (like the cards do) and took it off.
    Anyone have a pic of this? I cant find one.[/quote]

    [quote comment=”289794″][quote comment=”289788″]Final MNF game in Texas Stadium- I was there for the third ever game there- I am not kidding when I say it sounds like the loudest crowed there I have ever heard there.

    To keep it uni-related- will the Cowboys do a uni tweak when they move into JerryWorld next season?

    How bout dem Cowboys.[/quote]
    well they suck, thats all there is to say[/quote]

    Sorry, I missed that. What did you say? I can’t hear you over the postgame interview of Romo and the cheering crowd.

    “I also think it’s partly because we demand to be entertained all the time these days. I hate most of the announcers, and I am waiting for the day when I can mute them whilst still soaking up the stadium ambience.”

    Minna, I remember reading an article on TruthAboutDuke.com which referenced the same problem that you have. someone was sick of listening to Dickie V during Duke-UNC games so the answer is to simply turn off the front speakers if you have surround sound because then you’ll have the bass and the background noise and not the announcers. Don’t know if you have surround sound but that’s probably the only way to do it until technology catches up with us

    [quote comment=”289814″][quote comment=”289794″][quote comment=”289788″]Final MNF game in Texas Stadium- I was there for the third ever game there- I am not kidding when I say it sounds like the loudest crowed there I have ever heard there.

    To keep it uni-related- will the Cowboys do a uni tweak when they move into JerryWorld next season?

    How bout dem Cowboys.[/quote]
    well they suck, thats all there is to say[/quote]

    Sorry, I missed that. What did you say? I can’t hear you over the postgame interview of Romo and the cheering crowd.[/quote]

    I wish I could hear digital text. Uni Watch must be a daily rock concert for you. Yeah, I’m jealous.

    [quote comment=”289817″]New logos and uniforms for the Oklahoma City Redhawks:

    link

    Oklahomans should be banned from designing logos! If not generic, they go for painfully ugly. (See Thunder)
    FAIL!

    Oh, a P.S.:

    Thomas G. “Boog” McCarthy rocks our world (and the Mercury Mets)! Boog-a-mania is running wild on Fox Sports Net! Tom was a newspaperman before hitting the radio then TV. Awesome job, man! Good-bye John Levenda!!!!

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