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How Well Do You Know Your Balls?

sports balls

By Phil Hecken

A little more than 50 years ago, Sports Illustrated ran a feature challenging its readers to identify 22 different balls used in the sports of the time. Although our knowledge and perception of sports have changed considerably, the balls have remained the same. I am pretty sure some of these sports are either no longer played or if they are, they’re only played on the manicured lawns of lily-white fancy resort hotels or in places like Cambridge, England, or Newport, Rhode Island — ya know, places where they christen their sloops with names like The Flying Wasp — but they still took balls to play. And, of course, for the regular folks, SI included the classic pink balls used by kids on the streets of the big cities of the day.

Think you know your balls? Lets see. Take the quiz (the scans of the original SI pages are shown below) and give yourself one point for each ball you nail. If the scan doesn’t appear large enough, you should be able to enlarge it, as I took the liberty of making the balls as big as possible. You should have no trouble examining the largest and smallest balls and their descriptions. I’ll post the answers later on in the day, but in the meantime, be sure to post your answers in the comments. And please don’t cheat by going to the SI archives, or I’ll have to break your balls. Ready? Ready…let’s go:

Balls 1-3 are a pretty easy beginning. Most of you should have no trouble identifying them. Quick start should yield you three points.

Balls 4-7 start to get a little tougher. One of the four is easy, the rest…maybe not so much. Good score here would be three out of four.

Balls 8-11 should yield at least three out of four correct. Be careful, however, not all balls look alike. Four out of four is possible here.

Balls 12-14 are knowable, but tricky. It’s likely none of you has ever played with the last ball, much less seen one. Still, based on the clue, you may be able to ascertain its purpose. Three out of three would demonstrate a worldly ball knowledge.

Balls 15-18 may be the easiest set of balls to identify. Four out of four is likely here.

Balls 19-22 will be the toughest yet for identification purposes. Two out of four would be a good score here.

Scoring:
0-14:
You don’t know dick about balls — you’ll get nothing and like it!
15-16: You only know a little about your balls. You’re not…you’re not good — you stink.
17-18: You know the difference between a rubber and a leather ball. Another Rob Roy, Bishop?
19-20: You really know your balls, and you almost beat the ball quiz. How about a Fresca?
21-22: You must have cheated — but that takes some balls! You ain’t getting no coke. Know what I’m talking about?

Sorry for the non-uni post, but it’s the end of the year, and balls are as essential to sports as uniforms. And on that note, I wanna give a shout-out to Ricko for the SI scans. If anyone knows old balls his equipment, it’s the Rick. Thanks, Ricko!

 
  
 
Comments (102)

    This is funny as hell. I did pretty good, although I did get snagged on a couple (to my disappointment).

    Off to work on the house (I have some UW catching up to do!), so I can watch football later with the family and enjoy this gift (note the Boston-area sports reference):

    link

    Because I missed yesterday…my “uni-gift” of the year:

    link

    When I get it painted/customized, pics will follow!

    See ya when I see ya!

    i’ll take a stab

    1. no idea
    2. baseball
    3. basketball
    4. golf
    5. croquet ??
    6. no idea
    7. no idea
    8. softball
    9. cueball
    10. cricket
    11. rugby
    12. water polo
    13. volleyball
    14. curling ??
    15. racquet ball
    16. tennis
    17. soccer
    18. football
    19. bowling
    20. polo, the horse kind ??
    21. no idea
    22. gonna guess curling again

    I’m sure i should have guessed lacrosse somewhere in there but whatever.

    Nice am post Phil. early riser or you battling insomnia?

    My favorite line in the orginal article is the last…

    “A reasonably hep sportsman should be able to get a perfect score.”

    Isn’t that what we all aspire to, being “reasonably hep”?

    —Ricko

    1 billiards? (rubber? what?)
    2 baseball
    3 basketball
    4 golf ball
    5 bocce ball? Croquet? Polo??????????
    6 (racquet/handball?)
    7 stick ball
    8 softball
    9 ping pong ball (table tennis)
    10 billiards? (leather covered? What?)
    11 Rugby ball
    12 water polo
    13 volleyball
    14 polo
    15 squash ball
    16 tennis ball
    17 soccer
    18 football
    19 bowling ball
    20 cricket ball
    21 stool ball
    22 (croquet????)

    oh shit didn’t even think of lacrosse. let me change 1 to lacrosse.

    still never heard of a leather covered billiard ball but it’s the only one that makes sense for 10

    1. Lacrosse
    2. Baseball
    3. Basketball
    4. Golf
    5. Bocce Ball
    6. Raquetball?
    7. No idea
    8. Softball
    9. ???
    10. Stickball
    11. Rugby
    12. ???
    13. Volleyball
    14. Petanque??
    15. Squash
    16. Tennis
    17. Football (Soccer)
    18. American Football
    19. Shot Put
    20. Cricket
    21. ?????
    22. ?????

    1. ?
    2. Baseball
    3. Basketball
    4. Golf
    5. ?
    6. jai alai
    7. ?
    8. softball
    9. Table tennis
    10. Polo
    11. Rugby
    12. water polo
    13. ?
    14. Volleyball
    15. squash
    16. Tennis
    17. Football (Soccer)
    18. Football (American)
    19. Bocce
    20. Cricket
    21. ?
    22. Croquet

    The ball looked fine…but the uni’s in the Emerald Bowl last night (Cal v Miami) made me a little uneasy.

    I tried not to look at the other comments so my spelling is probably horrendous.

    1. Lax
    2. Baseball
    3. Basketball
    4. Golf
    5. Bocce
    6. Racquetball
    7. Foursquare
    8. Softball
    9. Table Tennis
    10. Field Hockey
    11. Rugby
    12. Water Polo
    13. Jai Lai
    14. Volleyball
    15. Squash
    16. Tennis
    17. Volleyball
    18. Football
    19. Lawn Bowling
    20. Cricket
    21. Jai Lai
    22. Croquet

    Being from Newport, Rhode Island you’d think I’d have an advantage but I don’t know how many spaldeen’s I see rolling around Thames Street.

    Shit you’d think I’d know a polo ball when I see one. I do after all, live in Newport, Rhode Island.

    [quote comment=”307494″]The ball looked fine…but the uni’s in the Emerald Bowl last night (Cal v Miami) made me a little uneasy.[/quote]
    From what I could tell, there were no comments last night about this amazingly awful uni-matchup in the Nike, er, Emerald Bowl. Definitely the clubhouse leader for worst pairing of the bowl season.

    1. Cue ball?
    2. Baseball
    3. Basketball
    4. Golf ball
    5. Bocce ball
    6. Polo ball?
    7. Racquetball/Squash ball
    8. Softball
    9. Polo ball?
    10. Rounders/Whiffle ball?
    11. Rugby ball
    12. Water Polo ball?
    13. Volleyball
    14. Polo ball?
    15. Soccer ball
    16. Ping Pong ball?
    17. Tennis ball
    18. Football
    19. Bowling ball
    20. Cricket ball
    21. Croquet ball?
    22. Croquet ball?

    I only know most of my balls.

    Great post Phil! I’m not even going to publish my guesses as I’m sure I did poorly on them. Your weekend posts are WAY better than Bryan ever did and are now rivaling Paul’s. I love coverage of the obscure sports, someone above even mentioned petanque! I’ve only seen that played once in Michigan.

    whoops,

    I see it says the answers will be posted later today.

    Great post by the way. Anything involving quizzes…love it.

    [quote comment=”307497″][quote comment=”307494″]The ball looked fine…but the uni’s in the Emerald Bowl last night (Cal v Miami) made me a little uneasy.[/quote]
    From what I could tell, there were no comments last night about this amazingly awful uni-matchup in the Nike, er, Emerald Bowl. Definitely the clubhouse leader for worst pairing of the bowl season.[/quote]

    On the other hand, the Wisconsin-Florida State game was refreshing. Neither team looked like its unis had been designed by, um…girls who “saw a football game one time”.

    Seriously, did all the out-of-work “Will & Grace” producers find jobs in the design departments at Nike, Reebok and adidas (notably the first)?

    —Ricko

    1. lacrosse
    2. baseball
    3. basketball
    4. golf
    5. croquet
    6. racquetball
    7. stickball?
    8. softball
    9. ping pong
    10. ??
    11. rugby
    12. water polo
    13. volleyball
    14. handball??
    15. squash
    16. tennis
    17. soccer (football)
    18. football (American)
    19. bocce
    20. cricket
    21. polo?
    22. lawn bowling

    One goalie’s wild guesses:

    1) Lacrosse?
    2) Baseball
    3) Basketball
    4) Golf
    5) No freakin’ idea — My first guess was Bocce ball, but I’m thinkin’ it might be a racquetball
    6) Handball
    7) Stickball
    8) Softball (and if you’ve ever watched girls play fast-pitch, it’s not a “wimpy” game!)
    9) Ping-Pong ball
    10) Field Hockey ball
    11) Rugby ball(It takes leather balls to play rugby!)
    12) No clue…
    13) ditto
    14) volleyball
    15) Hunh????
    16) Tennis ball
    17) Futbol (soccer)
    18) Football!
    19) Shot put
    20) Cricket ball?
    21) No idea…
    22) This may be the “bocce ball”…

    One question… where’s the link???

    Ah-ha, lousy weather in Buffalo (60 mph winds) and in Green Bay (cold), for sure. Lotta uni anomalies today (muffs, gloves, t-necks, short pants with extra socks, ski masks under helmets…weird stuff) when function trumps form.

    [quote comment=”307505″]One goalie’s wild guesses:

    1) Lacrosse?
    2) Baseball
    3) Basketball
    4) Golf
    5) No freakin’ idea — My first guess was Bocce ball, but I’m thinkin’ it might be a racquetball
    6) Handball
    7) Stickball
    8) Softball

    (and if you’ve ever watched girls play fast-pitch, it’s not a “wimpy” game!)
    9) Ping-Pong ball
    10) Field Hockey ball
    11) Rugby ball(It takes leather balls to play rugby!)
    12) No clue…
    13) ditto
    14) volleyball
    15) Hunh????
    16) Tennis ball
    17) Futbol (soccer)
    18) Football!
    19) Shot put
    20) Cricket ball?
    21) No idea…
    22) This may be the “bocce ball”…

    One question… where’s the link???[/quote]

    its not a quiz about sports equipment, just balls, and a puck technically is not a ball, so it didnt make the cut. that along with a shuttlecock. although im surprised bowling didnt make the cut?

    question though, how many sports play with an object thats not a ball? (besides hockey and badminton)

    #21 = cesta punta a.k.a basque pelota a.k.a jai alai
    originated from ancient french “jeu de paume” (palm game) which also inspired tennis.
    The pre 70’s soccer ball stitching was similar to volleyball.

    With so much talk about the horrible Lions we should in all fairness note that “America’s Team” was 0-11-1 in its first season, 1960.

    No one seems to be pointing that out. Jerry Jones probably forbade it.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”307509″]With so much talk about the horrible Lions we should in all fairness note that “America’s Team” was 0-11-1 in its first season, 1960.

    No one seems to be pointing that out. Jerry Jones probably forbade it.

    —Ricko[/quote]
    But, like Tampa, that was in their inaugural season, when you’d expect a team to be terrible. Detroit has had dozens of years to build their team, and has managed to be really bad for a really long time, capped off by this year’s soon-to-be-perfect season.
    So, yes, let’s not forget Dallas used to be awful, but neither Tampa nor Dallas achieved the historic levels of suckitude of the 2008 Detroit Lions.

    [quote comment=”307510″][quote comment=”307509″]With so much talk about the horrible Lions we should in all fairness note that “America’s Team” was 0-11-1 in its first season, 1960.

    No one seems to be pointing that out. Jerry Jones probably forbade it.

    —Ricko[/quote]
    But, like Tampa, that was in their inaugural season, when you’d expect a team to be terrible. Detroit has had dozens of years to build their team, and has managed to be really bad for a really long time, capped off by this year’s soon-to-be-perfect season.
    So, yes, let’s not forget Dallas used to be awful, but neither Tampa nor Dallas achieved the historic levels of suckitude of the 2008 Detroit Lions.[/quote]

    Absolutely. I was merely seizing an opportunity to remind us that the Cowboys also once played with an ineptitude few have attained (hey, a 0 is a 0, no matter who rings it up). And somehow they’re not being given proper recognition for that historic incompetence this weekend. So, cowboy up, Cowboy fans, and point to that record proudly as the Lions seek to match your “W” output.

    I note this, y’know, purely for the sake of accuracy. ;)

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”307509″]With so much talk about the horrible Lions we should in all fairness note that “America’s Team” was 0-11-1 in its first season, 1960.

    No one seems to be pointing that out. Jerry Jones probably forbade it.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    The difference is, of course, that Dallas was an expansion team that was ‘given’ three players from each existing team, to form their initial team. The Lions have the benefit of being a long-standing franchise that management drove into the ground. (Like the Bengals.) Trivia: Redskins owner objected to Dallas getting a team. Prospective Dallas owner bought the rights to ‘Hail to the Redskins,’ and said if you block me, you don’t get to play the song.

    [quote comment=”307512″][quote comment=”307509″]With so much talk about the horrible Lions we should in all fairness note that “America’s Team” was 0-11-1 in its first season, 1960.

    No one seems to be pointing that out. Jerry Jones probably forbade it.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    The difference is, of course, that Dallas was an expansion team that was ‘given’ three players from each existing team, to form their initial team. The Lions have the benefit of being a long-standing franchise that management drove into the ground. (Like the Bengals.) Trivia: Redskins owner objected to Dallas getting a team. Prospective Dallas owner bought the rights to ‘Hail to the Redskins,’ and said if you block me, you don’t get to play the song.[/quote]

    I never said the Lions aren’t throughly more inept that either the ’76 Bucs or ’60 Cowboys. Just don’t understand why Tampa Bay keeps getting mentioned but the Cowboys’ futility is being so conveniently overlooked. “Oh, look, everybody there was ANOTHER team with ‘zippo’ wins; howcum no one mentions THEM?”

    [quote comment=”307506″]Ah-ha, lousy weather in Buffalo (60 mph winds) and in Green Bay (cold), for sure. Lotta uni anomalies today (muffs, gloves, t-necks, short pants with extra socks, ski masks under helmets…weird stuff) when function trumps form.[/quote]

    When will they come out with pants to keep the legs warm(er) for players on the sidelines? They look goofy wearing jackets that come down to their thighs or knees with the socks showing. Just a personal annoyance through the years…

    The difference is entirely that in 1960, dallas wasn’t expected to do anything. the 76 bucs werent expected to do anything. both handicapped by being start-ups. the lions are different..an established team. totally the difference. totally different eras, too. the 1960 cowboys had no resources to speak of- the modern game has much more available in terms of talent of the players, facilities, technology, health-care that gets players back on the field quicker. you simply can’t compare the two.

    Just guessing at the last 4, since I’m headed out…

    19) Shot put
    20) Cricket
    21) Tennis
    22) Bocce

    This will not be a popular opinion, but I am watching the Giants at Vikings and the Vikings uniforms are pretty cool.

    Would the more traditional look they wore a few weeks back look better? Maybe so, however this contemporary design isn’t as visually unpleasant as the CAL kits from last evening.

    I would definitely change the facemasks to either yellow or gray though!

    And AP is no longer wearing the newfangled mouthpiece.

    Ok gonna give this a shot…

    1) Lacrosse
    2) Baseball
    3) Basketball
    4) Golf
    5) Croquet
    6) Handball
    7) Stickball
    8) Softball
    9) Ping-Pong
    10) Field Hockey
    11) Rugby
    12) Water Polo
    13) Volleyball
    14) Polo
    15) Raquetball
    16) Tennis
    17) Soccer
    18) Football
    19) My brother and I conferred on this and we think it might be Shot Put? But that seems a little obscure for this
    20) Cricket
    21) Jai-Alai (Saw it earlier in the thread so I didn’t know this one)
    22) Bowls/Lawn Bowling (Actually legitimately knew this one)

    Last night, I posted a bunch of cool Player Exclusive shoes from the Christmas NBA games.

    I forgot a few from the Cavs-Wizards game:

    Lebron 6 plus Wizards Hypoerdunks:

    link

    Lebron 6 plus Cavs Hyperdunks:

    link

    Speaking of Peterson, Fox zoomed in on his left andkle and it looked like he had a pad/guard over his shins. It was definitely a lot thicker than just tape. Anybody know anything about this? No screen grab..

    [quote comment=”307516″]The difference is entirely that in 1960, dallas wasn’t expected to do anything. the 76 bucs werent expected to do anything. both handicapped by being start-ups. the lions are different..an established team. totally the difference. totally different eras, too. the 1960 cowboys had no resources to speak of- the modern game has much more available in terms of talent of the players, facilities, technology, health-care that gets players back on the field quicker. you simply can’t compare the two.[/quote]

    You’re right. No doubt about it.

    Except I WASN’T comparing the ’60 Cowboys and the current Lions, other than their “W” totals. Was talking about the MEDIA. If the ’76 Bucs, under similar expansion circumstances, get mentioned, why don’t the ’60 Cowboys? The Cowboys get in on a pass or something?

    It comes off like, “Ooo, don’t point out how bad the Cowboys once were, only the Bucs.”

    And I’m not a fan of any particular team, just think it’s being ignored that in the NFL-AFL era there was, in fact, another team that went an entire season without winning a game.

    Although I suppose the shorter season and the Cowboys’ final game tie (with the Giants) mitigates it some. And it WAS before the merger. Still, though, 0 wins are 0 wins.

    —Ricko

    Fun quiz. I hope I do well.

    1. lacrosse
    2. baseball
    3. basketball
    4. golf
    5. polo
    6. racquetball
    7. bouncy rubber ball
    8. softball
    9. ping pong
    10. (field) hockey
    11. rugby
    12. water polo
    13. volleyball
    14. cricket???
    15. squash
    16. tennis
    17. soccer
    18. American football
    19. shot put
    20. cricket
    21. bocce
    22. lawn bowling

    Sure I have two cricket balls, but who doesn’t???

    A few more shoe pics:

    My handle, MPowers1634 is based on my name plus my FB #’s from college and HS.

    It wasn’t until Phil or Krevanchi asked me about an obsession with Vincent “Bo” Jackson that I realized the correlation.

    No, I wasn’t a HUGE fan but I did love watching him, and as most sneakerheads, I LOVED his signature shoes.

    This Fall, the two pairs that I was too young to get a hold on are being retroed:

    Air Trainer III, Medicine Ball:

    link

    These were made culturally popular in this movie, one of my alltime favorites:

    link

    As a sneakerhead, the stepping on of ones Air Jordans is almost as vile an act as throwing one’s loafers at someone:

    link

    and

    the Air Trainer SC:

    link

    [quote comment=”307524″][quote comment=”307516″]The difference is entirely that in 1960, dallas wasn’t expected to do anything. the 76 bucs werent expected to do anything. both handicapped by being start-ups. the lions are different..an established team. totally the difference. totally different eras, too. the 1960 cowboys had no resources to speak of- the modern game has much more available in terms of talent of the players, facilities, technology, health-care that gets players back on the field quicker. you simply can’t compare the two.[/quote]

    You’re right. No doubt about it.

    Except I WASN’T comparing the ’60 Cowboys and the current Lions, other than their “W” totals. Was talking about the MEDIA. If the ’76 Bucs, under similar expansion circumstances, get mentioned, why don’t the ’60 Cowboys? The Cowboys get in on a pass or something?

    It comes off like, “Ooo, don’t point out how bad the Cowboys once were, only the Bucs.”

    And I’m not a fan of any particular team, just think it’s being ignored that in the NFL-AFL era there was, in fact, another team that went an entire season without winning a game.

    Although I suppose the shorter season and the Cowboys’ final game tie (with the Giants) mitigates it some. And it WAS before the merger. Still, though, 0 wins are 0 wins.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    ’43 Cards, too. We’ll give the ’44 Cards/Steelers a pass.

    When looking at a sampling of current articles about 0-16, authors conveniently craft facts in order to tell a quick, neat story. Bucs & Lions. A couple of weeks ago the notion was brought up here that NFL history seems to start in 1966. I think that’s part of it but journalistic laziness is also a factor.

    Not to worry Lions fans, there is nothing in terms of ineptitude your team has accomplished that hasn’t already been achieved by the Chicago/Pittsburgh/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Bidwells.

    I’m going to preface this by saying that I’m taking care of a sick baby today, so that’s my built-in excuse.

    1 – superball – that’s the only solid rubber ball I’ve ever used
    2 – baseball
    3 – basketball
    4 – golf
    5 – croquet
    6 – handball
    7 – stickball/reg’lar old rubber ball. I think I remember calling these “super pinkies”
    8 – softball
    9 – ping pong/table tennis
    10 – cricket
    11 – rugby
    12 – water polo
    13 – volleyball
    14 – polo
    15 – squash
    16 – tennis
    17 – soccer
    18 – football
    19 – shot (put)
    20 – Going with cricket again
    21 – No clue. Gonna say badminton even though it can’t possibly be right.
    22 – lawn bowling

    I’ll take a shot, then look at the other comments.

    1. Lacrosse
    2. baseball
    3. basketball
    4. golf
    5. boccie
    6. squash
    7. stick ball
    8. softball
    9. table tennis
    10. Hurling
    11. Rugby
    12. water polo
    13. volleyball
    14. polo
    15. squash
    16. tennis
    17. soccer
    18. football
    19. shot put
    20. cricket
    21. lawn tennis
    22. lawn bowling

    I did horrible on the quiz, but great idea for a post Phil! It’s this kind of quirky stuff that makes Uni Watch what it is.

    And Ricko, I had never heard about the ’60 Cowboys, thanks for spreading the knowledge… hopefully I can stump some friends with that.

    And I just had a thought – on Ricko File days, you should just have a section at the end where Ricko tell random stories about the history of sports (non uni related) that no one remembers/talks about. As a history major, I’d love to read it.

    Boy, whoever is directing the broadcast in Tampa today ought to be ashamed of him/herself. It’s one thing to have something said into an open mic, it’s another to leave it open to listen in on the anguish of an injured player.

    Looks like Caddy Williams blew out his knee again and we all heard his agony, repeatedly. Difficult to watch, worse to listen to.

    The guy who just picked up the ball on the missed field goal by Carney in the Giants-Vikings game was waring a referee’s outfit with a red shirt instead of the stripes. Anyone see that?

    [quote comment=”307524″]Although I suppose the shorter season and the Cowboys’ final game tie (with the Giants) mitigates it some.[/quote]

    I think the tie makes a BIG difference. Going winless is one thing; a “perfect” 0-and-whatever record is something else.

    I don’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.

    [quote comment=”307536″]I don’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    There’s been a few 0s in NFL history.

    link

    A few perfects, too.

    link

    [quote comment=”307539″][quote comment=”307536″]I don’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    There’s been a few 0s in NFL history.

    link

    A few perfects, too.

    link

    Wow, Bruce shouldn’t feel so bad, well…….
    Nice info!

    [quote comment=”307537″]Niners in the throwbacks, which I wish they’d adopt full-time next year.
    link

    Why would Gore want to impeach Clinton?

    [quote comment=”307541″][quote comment=”307537″]Niners in the throwbacks, which I wish they’d adopt full-time next year.
    link

    Why would Gore want to impeach Clinton?[/quote]

    They mean Clinton Portis. Who is wearing a ball cap on the sidelines with the hologram stickers still on the bill.

    [quote comment=”307543″][quote comment=”307541″][quote comment=”307537″]Niners in the throwbacks, which I wish they’d adopt full-time next year.
    link

    Why would Gore want to impeach Clinton?[/quote]

    They mean Clinton Portis.[/quote]

    Well, duh. I was (trying) to make funny.

    [quote comment=”307540″][quote comment=”307539″][quote comment=”307536″]I don’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    There’s been a few 0s in NFL history.

    link

    A few perfects, too.

    link

    Wow, Bruce shouldn’t feel so bad, well…….
    Nice info![/quote]
    Wow. Only 3 Bears have done it? I thought Rex Grossman had posted a zero more than once.

    ok…been off the grid all day, and about to go away again…so i’ll post the answers now…

    1. lacrosse
    2. baseball
    3. basketball
    4. golf
    5. croquet
    6. handball
    7. stickball
    8. softball
    9. table tennis (ping pong acceptable)
    10. field hockey
    11. rugby
    12. water polo
    13. volleyball
    14. outdoor polo
    15. squash
    16. tennis
    17. soccer
    18. football
    19. shotput (!)
    20. cricket
    21. court tennis
    22. lawn bowling (i would have said bocce, but that’s me)

    so there ya go…thanks to everyone who participated!

    Let’s see…

    1. Lacrosse
    2. Baseball
    3. Basketball
    4. Golf ball
    5. Croquet (second guess was Bocce)
    6. Handball(thought it was a racquetball, but “played indoors and out” refutes that)
    7. Stickball
    8. Softball
    9. Ping Pong ball
    10. Field hockey ball?
    11. Rugby
    12. Water polo
    13. Volleyball
    14. Polo?
    15. Squash ball
    16. Tennis ball
    17. Soccer ball
    18. Football
    19. Shot put
    20. Cricket ball
    21. I know this is wrong, but I’ll say tennis ball
    22. Some type of bowling ball?

    Cool. All correct, if you count “polo” as outdoor polo, tennis ball (#21) as court tennis, and “Some type of bowling ball” as lawn bowling.

    [quote comment=”307545″][quote comment=”307540″][quote comment=”307539″][quote comment=”307536″]I don’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    There’s been a few 0s in NFL history.

    link

    A few perfects, too.

    link

    Wow, Bruce shouldn’t feel so bad, well…….
    Nice info![/quote]
    Wow. Only 3 Bears have done it? I thought Rex Grossman had posted a zero more than once.[/quote]

    It really is a fascinating list. Hall-of-Famers, guys who played just once, career stiffs, #1 picks, Super Bowl QB’s. I guess they are right, QB rating really doesn’t mean anything. Sorry I brought it up.

    [quote comment=”307546″]ok…been off the grid all day, and about to go away again…so i’ll post the answers now…

    1. lacrosse
    2. baseball
    3. basketball
    4. golf
    5. croquet
    6. handball
    7. stickball
    8. softball
    9. table tennis (ping pong acceptable)
    10. field hockey
    11. rugby
    12. water polo
    13. volleyball
    14. outdoor polo
    15. squash
    16. tennis
    17. soccer
    18. football
    19. shotput (!)
    20. cricket
    21. court tennis
    22. lawn bowling (i would have said bocce, but that’s me)

    so there ya go…thanks to everyone who participated![/quote]
    I got 19. How the hell did that happen?

    Court tennis? Wouldn’t that just be, y’know… tennis?

    [quote comment=”307550″]Court tennis? Wouldn’t that just be, y’know… tennis?[/quote]

    heh…you’d think so, right? had i not been to the Newport, Rhode Island (shout out to justin) tennis hall of fame, i’d never have heard of court tennis

    Here are mine.

    1. Lacrosse
    2. Baseball
    3. Basketball
    4. Golf
    5. Bocce
    6. Handball
    7. Stickball (Spauldeen, remember? Cut the thing in half and you get a halfball)
    8. Softball
    9. Ping pong (very light ball, measured in grains)
    10. Field hockey (though, in the 50s, it should look more like Ball No. 20)
    11. Rugby
    12. Water Polo
    13. Volleyball (inside of a basketball, remember? James Naismith invented this sport, too)
    14. Jai Alai (my guess, although they play with two-man teams these days, don’t they?)
    15. Squash
    16. Tennis
    17. Soccer (they didn’t invent the spotted hexagon/pentagon ball of today until the 70s)
    18. Football
    19. Shot put
    20. Cricket
    21. Lawn Tennis (the ball with feathers)
    22. Lawn bowling (the odd-shaped ball helps to steer it around obstacles)

    [quote comment=”307536″]I don’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    he was that bad in person

    [quote comment=”307555″][quote comment=”307529″]
    10 – cricket[/quote]
    I want to change my answer:
    10 – Hurling[/quote]
    DAMMIT! Still wrong.

    [quote comment=”307535″][quote comment=”307524″]Although I suppose the shorter season and the Cowboys’ final game tie (with the Giants) mitigates it some.[/quote]

    I think the tie makes a BIG difference. Going winless is one thing; a “perfect” 0-and-whatever record is something else.[/quote]

    Was thinking (while watching Vikings win first “win-and-you’re-in” game in last five tries) that really it all depends on how the question is framed, doesn’t it.

    “Didn’t win a game all season?” That, in the NFL-AFL era, would include the ’60 Cowboys, ’76 Bucs and ’08 Lions…because a tie is not a win.

    “Lost every game?” That would be only the ’76 Bucs and ’08 Lions…because a tie is not a loss.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”307557″][quote comment=”307535″][quote comment=”307524″]Although I suppose the shorter season and the Cowboys’ final game tie (with the Giants) mitigates it some.[/quote]

    I think the tie makes a BIG difference. Going winless is one thing; a “perfect” 0-and-whatever record is something else.[/quote]

    Was thinking (while watching Vikings win first “win-and-you’re-in” game in last five tries) that really it all depends on how the question is framed, doesn’t it.

    “Didn’t win a game all season?” That, in the NFL-AFL era, would include the ’60 Cowboys, ’76 Bucs and ’08 Lions…because a tie is not a win.

    “Lost every game?” That would be only the ’76 Bucs and ’08 Lions…because a tie is not a loss.

    —Ricko[/quote]
    One thing is clear. Based on numbers alone, the Lions are the worst team in NFL history. Regardless if you consider the Cardinals’ 0-10 to be worse than the Cowboys 0-11-1, 0-16 is worse than 0-14 is worse than 0-11-1/0-10.

    [quote comment=”307558″][quote comment=”307557″][quote comment=”307535″][quote comment=”307524″]Although I suppose the shorter season and the Cowboys’ final game tie (with the Giants) mitigates it some.[/quote]

    I think the tie makes a BIG difference. Going winless is one thing; a “perfect” 0-and-whatever record is something else.[/quote]

    Was thinking (while watching Vikings win first “win-and-you’re-in” game in last five tries) that really it all depends on how the question is framed, doesn’t it.

    “Didn’t win a game all season?” That, in the NFL-AFL era, would include the ’60 Cowboys, ’76 Bucs and ’08 Lions…because a tie is not a win.

    “Lost every game?” That would be only the ’76 Bucs and ’08 Lions…because a tie is not a loss.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    One thing is clear. Based on numbers alone, the Lions are the worst team in NFL history. Regardless if you consider the Cardinals’ 0-10 to be worse than the Cowboys 0-11-1, 0-16 is worse than 0-14 is worse than 0-11-1/0-10.[/quote]

    And somewhere Matt Millen is probably saying, “They were better when I was there.”

    [quote comment=\”307554\”][quote comment=\”307536\”]I don\’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    he was that bad in person[/quote]

    Hopefully, you mean Gradkowski!

    [quote comment=”307561″][quote comment=\”307554\”][quote comment=\”307536\”]I don\’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    he was that bad in person[/quote]

    Hopefully, you mean Gradkowski![/quote]

    BTW, my Career QB ratio was perfect.

    One game in college, I stepped in at QB after a plethora of injuries.

    On one botched handoff, the RB continued on into the flat. I was floundering with numerous d-lineman chasing after me as if I were Garo Yepremian. I yelled the RB’s name out, he turned around and caught my 10 yard hail mary.

    Like the Lions, Perfect!

    [quote comment=”307560″]Anyone know why everything on the turf at Lincoln Financial Field is outlined in black? Numbers, Eagles wordmark in end zone, everything…[/quote]
    It’s probably because the Army/Navy game was there and the were just covering the other logos

    It looks like Demarcus Ware is wearing the same jersey that had the white repair job done on the blue number. No screen grab

    I was off the map all day ’cause I was in Green Bay watching history as the Lions went 0-16, so I didn’t get to participate in the ball naming contest…but I loved the concept, and loved the old school SI pics. Any more of those type of contests, Ricko?

    Oh, and LI Phil, as a golf pro I LOVED all your Caddyshack references in the post. Classic!

    [quote]One game in college, I stepped in at QB after a plethora of injuries.[/quote]

    you played QB and you played hurt?

    you’re like superdude or something ;)

    [quote comment=”307536″]I don’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    I know 0.0 has been achieved, but is Gradkowski’s 1.0 the lowest that ISN’T 0.0?

    [quote comment=”307567″][quote]One game in college, I stepped in at QB after a plethora of injuries.[/quote]

    you played QB and you played hurt?

    you’re like superdude or something ;)[/quote]
    I’m sure link* played a big part in that perfect passer rating. Too bad Gradkowski didn’t follow it — he’d have had at least a 2 today.

    *Apropos of nothing, except for the fact that I wolfed down at least a half dozen of those things for lunch today.

    [quote comment=”307567″][quote]One game in college, I stepped in at QB after a plethora of injuries.[/quote]

    you played QB and you played hurt?

    you’re like superdude or something ;)[/quote]

    i saw that line, too but i thought about the Three Amigos movie.

    [quote comment=”307563″]Is it just me, or do the Cowboys seems a little flat?[/quote]

    Embarrassing performance. Your season is on the line, and you play like that. They don’t DESERVE the coolest helmet logo in the league.

    im willing to make my call now…and fully prepared to be wrong…but i see the next game in tampa being manning vs. manning

    /just sayin’

    Anyone have good pics of the Niners’ mustachioed greatness? All the pics on ESPN and NFL aren’t too good.

    [quote comment=”307567″][quote]One game in college, I stepped in at QB after a plethora of injuries.[/quote]

    you played QB and you played hurt?

    you’re like superdude or something ;)[/quote]

    Oh dangling modifiers, how I love you so…

    1 Lacrosse
    2 Baseball
    3 Basketball
    4 Golf
    5 Billiards
    6 Raquetball
    7 Handball
    8 Softball
    9 Table Tennis
    10 Rugby
    12 Water Polo
    13 Volleyball
    14 ?
    15 ?
    16 Tennis
    17 Soccer
    18 Football
    19 Shot Put
    20 Cricket
    21 ?
    22 Lawn Bowling? Polo?

    I’m thinking some of the ones I haven’t gotten might be Jai Alai, or Croquet, or some other such nonsense.

    Messed up my numbering

    1 Lacrosse
    2 Baseball
    3 Basketball
    4 Golf
    5 Billiards
    6 Raquetball
    7 Handball
    8 Softball
    9 Table Tennis
    10 Rounders
    11 Rugby
    12 Water Polo
    13 Volleyball
    14 ?
    15 ?
    16 Tennis
    17 Soccer
    18 Football
    19 Shot Put
    20 Cricket
    21 ?
    22 Lawn Bowling? Polo?

    [quote comment=”307561″][quote comment=\”307554\”][quote comment=\”307536\”]I don\’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    he was that bad in person[/quote]

    Hopefully, you mean Gradkowski![/quote]

    yes of course

    i think the cleveland browns toliet paper i bought was more productive than gradkowski was today

    [quote comment=”307578″][quote comment=”307561″][quote comment=\”307554\”][quote comment=\”307536\”]I don\’t know if they keep records on QB ratings, but would Brownies Bruce Gradkowski 1.0 be a record? Check out his line, link
    I think Powers could suit up today and beat that.[/quote]

    he was that bad in person[/quote]

    Hopefully, you mean Gradkowski![/quote]

    yes of course

    i think the cleveland browns toliet paper i bought was more productive than gradkowski was today[/quote]
    Let’s just hope it has a higher completion percentage.

    [quote]i think the cleveland browns toliet paper i bought was more productive than gradkowski was today[/quote]

    they still print the Plain Dealer?

    i correctly guessed polo for ball no. 14, but i don’t see how SI can identify it as “outdoor polo” when the clue clearly mentions being played indoors. do they really play horse polo indoors?

    also, the clue for no. 5 (croquet) names darryl zanuck as an expert, but while there are mentions of zanuck’s croquet expertise on the internet, by far the more references are to his playing polo.

    Number 32 for the Chargers tonight had his uni number professionally screened or embossed on the far upper part of his chinstrap. Is this new and unusual or is my new HD set starting to pay dividends though it puts me years behind those who have had it for some time now? Sorry, no screen grab.

    OK. Went to the Chargers’ web site and found a gallery from tonight’s game. link Pretty good photo of Rivers in pic #12 that shows his 17 on his chin strap. I just had never seen that before…

    [quote comment=”307583″]Number 32 for the Chargers tonight had his uni number professionally screened or embossed on the far upper part of his chinstrap. Is this new and unusual or is my new HD set starting to pay dividends though it puts me years behind those who have had it for some time now? Sorry, no screen grab.[/quote]

    that’s pretty common now. i first started noticing the numbers written on there a long time ago but i think the numbers being stamped on there started just a couple years ago. could be wrong, though.

    [quote comment=”307497″][quote comment=”307494″]The ball looked fine…but the uni’s in the Emerald Bowl last night (Cal v Miami) made me a little uneasy.[/quote]
    From what I could tell, there were no comments last night about this amazingly awful uni-matchup in the Nike, er, Emerald Bowl. Definitely the clubhouse leader for worst pairing of the bowl season.[/quote]

    They are replaying that horror on espn2 right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more horrid uni game. Cal’s colors make it bad enough but the stupid stripe details. I don’t see a lot of college games so I’m wondering if they wear these every game?

    [quote comment=”307587″][quote comment=”307497″][quote comment=”307494″]The ball looked fine…but the uni’s in the Emerald Bowl last night (Cal v Miami) made me a little uneasy.[/quote]
    From what I could tell, there were no comments last night about this amazingly awful uni-matchup in the Nike, er, Emerald Bowl. Definitely the clubhouse leader for worst pairing of the bowl season.[/quote]

    They are replaying that horror on espn2 right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more horrid uni game. Cal’s colors make it bad enough but the stupid stripe details. I don’t see a lot of college games so I’m wondering if they wear these every game?[/quote]

    Oh, they do.

    And it’s horrifying.

    Especially when you lose.

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