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Ah…Spring!

spring-training

By Phil Hecken

Spring is in the air. The ‘hot stove’ is over. It’s time to play the games.

And so, much like the first crocus of spring, we begin anew…a new awakening…a new birth…spring training is underway.

The practice of traveling to warmer weather locales to hone the craft of baseball is almost as old as the game itself. It has been reported that the first ever spring training took place in 1870, when the Chicago White Stockings (not the current American League franchise, but rather, the club that would become the Cubs) and the Cincinnati Red Stockings first held organized baseball camps in New Orleans. Others believe it was the Washington Capitals of the National League who pioneered spring training in 1888, holding a four-day camp in the city of Jacksonville, in Florida. Regardless of the specific time and locale, by the turn of the 20th century, spring-training became firmly established as a rite of baseball spring. It’s a long and interesting story, this spring training history, but that’s for another day. So, let’s kick back, take a quick swing around Florida and Arizona and see what’s up with the teams this spring.

One of the best things about spring training is the chance to get lots of autographs, sometimes even from superstars … Yeah…it’s still 60′ 6″ away

Lots of rookies and younger guys sporting sock (love those red socks) this spring which is a welcome sign

Color vs. color is common, since baseball is the one true sport where it’s very difficult to confuse the offense with the defense

While most clubs opt for the batting practice (“BP”) jerseys for spring training games, there are a few teams who refuse to take part in such silliness

There’s always lots and lots and lots of shades to be found, although not always used

What city do the Orioles play in? That’s a beautiful jersey script, even if it is only the BP jersey. Too bad the cap has the grammatical error … Speaking of the “O’s,” ya gotta love the sleeve patch — here’s another view.

Is the Mizuno chest protector new this year? I don’t remember seeing it last season …

The Toronto Blue Jays sport black (of course), but at least you can see what city they play in … but why put a lot of blue on your gear when you can garnish with gray? …

One can usually spot the guys who won’t be making the trip north … There are exceptions to the high number rule, of course, but usually someone donning #72 will be riding the buses come April …

This man owns 10 out of the 26 rings — enough said … the new away BP jerseys now mimic the regular aways … unfortunately, the numbers on back aren’t so hot … looks like the fans still don’t wanna invest in a $2 thread puller … Jeter calls his shot, whilst the bench sports various combinations of 5950’s and 3930’s …

The Giants new BP cap and block letter jerseys are a nice change, especially since the tops no longer have “pit stain striping” … the Bosox have nifty red jerseys and caps, with just a smidgen of a pit stripe … meanwhile the Pirates cap and buccaneer-adorned jersey look good, but the two-toned striping kills off any good feelings of that combo …

They may be the defending World Champions, but the Phillies red lids and blue jerseys with the white NOB and numbers just don’t look right. At least their home spring training unis don’t look too bad … The Nationals will be sporting new unis this year, but their BP cap and jersey aren’t all that great, and the red lid, blue jersey and white name and number fall prey to the same aesthetic misstep as the Phils …

It’s funny, but the Oakland A’s BP unis don’t look so bad

It’s pretty cool to see the Cards in their away unis with home caps … of course, the Tigers also participate in this home & away mix as well — only in spring training …

The bat racks look the same, but you don’t see high numbers like that anywhere but spring training … and, despite what Crash Davis may have told you, you don’t hit white balls for BP … You do, however, get your choice of glove

Take away the jersey piping and multi-color cap and that is one sweet BP uni … even the two-tone, flapless helmet looks good …

The seats may be a little less comfortable and the stands may be a bit emptier, but it’s still the greatest game in town … The fans can let loose … hopefully there will be lots of souveneirs

Hey Jose, Turk Wendell just called, he wants his number back … Is it really possible? Is Mike Pelfrey sporting a BLUE cap with the away uniform? (thanks to Brian Hughes for the pic) — apparently that’s what happened when the Mets’ B squad took on Italy on Friday (please, God, let this be a sign of things to come, and not some uni screw up by Charlie Samuels) …

Uni Watch News Ticker: Reader Adam Skollar has sent along links of the new Yankees’ caps — here’s the front and here’s the back with the HUGE “Inaugural Season” patch — I wonder what genius thought the ‘rear patch’ was a good idea, versus the typical side style patch? … Speaking of the Yankees new cap, Michael Lipinski passed along this article which basically bashes the patch as well … With St. Patrick’s Day but a couple weeks away, Paul Riccardi has sent along this link — great, now the colleges are getting into the merch act too … Matt Garcia points out this article from the San Jose Mercury News regarding new uniforms for the 49ers for the upcoming season … John Vivino “was watching the Yankees Spring Training Game from Thursday and the pitcher Phil Coke had a jersey with the “M” Majestic logo on the sleeve, I only continued to watch the game and realized he was the only one with this on his jersey, all the real players (Jeter, etc.) did not have it. I was scared the Yankees succumbed to the pressure of advertising. Sorry I couldn’t get a picture.” … David Muir noticed that at the NFL combine which took place this week, many players wore soccer boots for the 40 yard dash … also from David, this nice set of Getty images from the NFL combine with various participants in the 40 yard dash. David notes that many of the players are wearing red pumas … Mark Doescher found a something in this thread — if you look about a 3/4this of the way down the page, you’ll see a red pillbox Cardinals cap, something he’d never seen before … Where are they now? Jeff Ash found this really nice article on Philadephia sports stars, including the really sweet pic of Cookie Rojas featured as the first photo in the gallery … Chris Cruz checks in to send along “Loads of Chelsea and England program(me)s here. Includes lots of old unis and logos.” … Following up on yesterday’s article on goalie masks, Doug Brei remarks, “Actually, that photo of Gerry Desjardins is not the mask he was wearing when he suffered the career-ending eye injury that you mentioned. Just weeks before, GD appeared wearing this beauty — and as a young Sabres fan I was thrilled with the design. The mask was very short-lived though, as his eye injury occured shortly after unveiling his new mask.” … Chuck Nolan found this awesome article from the March 12, 1956 edition of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, featuring Warren Spahn with a negative jersey number! … Nice bunch of 80’s-inspired football t-shirts found by Kayce Harris … On yet another serendipitous spring training note, Nick Scott sent this picture is of Chris “Disco” Hayes, the submariner. According to Nick, “Hayes gave an interview saying the Royals gave everyone these socks for spring training. Viva la stirrups!!!!” … Aaron Steele reports that an interesting thing happened Friday. The Cardinals used a DH and the Mets didn’t. Side note, the Mets pitcher batted 2nd. That’s the second day in a row Mets Manager Jerry Manuel has batted his pitcher in the two-hole … Chris Warfford noticed that in Friday’s game between the Orioles and the Marlins, Baltimore’s Batting Helmets are now sporting an orange brim. They used an all black helmet last year … Bill Kirby checks in with this, “Know you’re not a fan of adverts on uniforms, but thought you’d enjoy this article about how the sponsor for the Welsh rugby team gets around a French law prohibiting beer ads at sporting events.” Bill adds, “the rugby equivalent of a touchdown is called a try, which ads to the cleverness.” … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: The University of Minnesota joins the growing list of schools severing their ties with uni maker Russell … Ole Miss will be going green today as part of an environmental initiative, or some such feel good effort … James Huening notes this pretty cool screen splash in remembrance of recently departed Johnny “Red Kerr” and Norm Van Lier … Welcome to Beantown, Mr. Marbury …

 
  
 
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Comments (96)

    Check this out — link

    This cat doesn’t even have all the right jerseys for this season…check out the Nike Horns on a couple of them.

    Being a lifelong Red Birds fan, the red caps with the away uni’s is a great look. But keep in mind, that the birds had navy caps w/red brims for quite some time link

    So while I get that the blue road cap — in existence since the mid ’90s — is all marketing, all the time…at least there is a history there

    If you’re going to have a patch on the cap celebrating the inaugural season of a ballpark, I much prefer what the Yankees are doing, putting it on the back, to what the Mets are doing, placing it on the side. In fact, I think World Series and All Star patches would also look far better on the rear of caps than on the sides.

    [quote comment=”316599″][quote comment=”316597″]Cardinals wore the pillbox caps in ’76, if I remember correctly.[/quote]

    yup…i followed up on that ticker submission and it’s link (at least according to the link)…[/quote]

    An extraordinarily dubious claim, IMO. Grey underbills did not show up on New Era’s until the early 80s. Here is a link with the green underbill. At $800+, it better be exactly what it claims.

    Not to nitpick Phil, but don’t forget at least two more rings to Yogi’s total he earned as a coach (1977 & 1978). Not sure what year he “rejoined” the Yankee family but if you include the run in the 1990’s and hardware for pennants won, he owns over two dozen Series rings. Two from across town as well!

    [quote comment=”316602″][quote comment=”316599″][quote comment=”316597″]Cardinals wore the pillbox caps in ’76, if I remember correctly.[/quote]

    yup…i followed up on that ticker submission and it’s link (at least according to the link)…[/quote]

    An extraordinarily dubious claim, IMO. Grey underbills did not show up on New Era’s until the early 80s. Here is a link with the green underbill. At $800+, it better be exactly what it claims.

    Not to nitpick Phil, but don’t forget at least two more rings to Yogi’s total he earned as a coach (1977 & 1978). Not sure what year he “rejoined” the Yankee family but if you include the run in the 1990’s and hardware for pennants won, he owns over two dozen Series rings. Two from across town as well![/quote]
    Umm….that underbill sure looks gray to me…

    That Mike Pelfrey pic is from when the Mets played at Yankee Stadium last year. On the day of the split-stadium doubleheader, they wore the blue hats/socks at Yankee Stadium. They showed some highlights of the Mets-Italy game on SNY; the Mets wore their blue BPs.

    [quote comment=”316603″][quote comment=”316602″][quote comment=”316599″][quote comment=”316597″]Cardinals wore the pillbox caps in ’76, if I remember correctly.[/quote]

    yup…i followed up on that ticker submission and it’s link (at least according to the link)…[/quote]

    An extraordinarily dubious claim, IMO. Grey underbills did not show up on New Era’s until the early 80s. Here is a link with the green underbill. At $800+, it better be exactly what it claims.

    Not to nitpick Phil, but don’t forget at least two more rings to Yogi’s total he earned as a coach (1977 & 1978). Not sure what year he “rejoined” the Yankee family but if you include the run in the 1990’s and hardware for pennants won, he owns over two dozen Series rings. Two from across town as well![/quote]
    Umm….that underbill sure looks gray to me…[/quote]

    Adjust your sets, sports fans! It’s green.

    [quote comment=”316605″][quote comment=”316603″][quote comment=”316602″][quote comment=”316599″][quote comment=”316597″]Cardinals wore the pillbox caps in ’76, if I remember correctly.[/quote]

    yup…i followed up on that ticker submission and it’s link (at least according to the link)…[/quote]

    An extraordinarily dubious claim, IMO. Grey underbills did not show up on New Era’s until the early 80s. Here is a link with the green underbill. At $800+, it better be exactly what it claims.

    Not to nitpick Phil, but don’t forget at least two more rings to Yogi’s total he earned as a coach (1977 & 1978). Not sure what year he “rejoined” the Yankee family but if you include the run in the 1990’s and hardware for pennants won, he owns over two dozen Series rings. Two from across town as well![/quote]
    Umm….that underbill sure looks gray to me…[/quote]

    Adjust your sets, sports fans! It’s green.[/quote]
    Ahh….I got ya now. That’s like one of those 3-D art posters….you have to go cross eyed to see the green

    [quote comment=”316605″][quote comment=”316603″][quote comment=”316602″][quote comment=”316599″][quote comment=”316597″]Cardinals wore the pillbox caps in ’76, if I remember correctly.[/quote]

    yup…i followed up on that ticker submission and it’s link (at least according to the link)…[/quote]

    An extraordinarily dubious claim, IMO. Grey underbills did not show up on New Era’s until the early 80s. Here is a link with the green underbill. At $800+, it better be exactly what it claims.

    [/quote]
    Umm….that underbill sure looks gray to me…[/quote]

    Adjust your sets, sports fans! It’s green.[/quote]

    And while I am certain that McGlothen’s is green (as are several other photos of 1977 Cards’ cards), link. In looking at the entire 1977 Topps set, looks like both White Sox and Giants had grey. That’s not to say they were New Era either. Since the Sox had an “off” maker of the uniforms, they may not have had the “standard” issue caps.
    Point remains the same, just scribbling “20” inside a cap doesn’t necessarily make it the former property of a hall of famer (at hall of fame prices). Caveat emptor.

    [quote comment=”316606″][quote comment=”316605″][quote comment=”316603″][quote comment=”316602″][quote comment=”316599″][quote comment=”316597″]Cardinals wore the pillbox caps in ’76, if I remember correctly.[/quote]

    yup…i followed up on that ticker submission and it’s link (at least according to the link)…[/quote]

    An extraordinarily dubious claim, IMO. Grey underbills did not show up on New Era’s until the early 80s. Here is a link with the green underbill. At $800+, it better be exactly what it claims.

    Not to nitpick Phil, but don’t forget at least two more rings to Yogi’s total he earned as a coach (1977 & 1978). Not sure what year he “rejoined” the Yankee family but if you include the run in the 1990’s and hardware for pennants won, he owns over two dozen Series rings. Two from across town as well![/quote]
    Umm….that underbill sure looks gray to me…[/quote]

    Adjust your sets, sports fans! It’s green.[/quote]
    Ahh….I got ya now. That’s like one of those 3-D art posters….you have to go cross eyed to see the green[/quote]

    Check the zoom on this (and no need to cross your eyes): link

    [quote comment=”316601″]If you’re going to have a patch on the cap celebrating the inaugural season of a ballpark, I much prefer what the Yankees are doing, putting it on the back, to what the Mets are doing, placing it on the side. In fact, I think World Series and All Star patches would also look far better on the rear of caps than on the sides.[/quote]
    Better idea: Ditch the cap patches altogether. No WS patch, no stadium patches, nothing. Call me a curmudgeon, but the team logo (simple logos only, please (exception: the simple Baltimore oriole)(Yes, it’s time to give up Chief Wahoo)) are sufficient. If MLB wants to slap its tiny logo on the back for licensing purposes, I can live with that. Just keep the damned thing small.
    The pillboxes were OK as a novelty. But the fad, thankfully, ran its course.
    That’s all

    At the same time I went to this page and saw the title “Hockey Mask,” I was listening to Flyers radio and the announcer quipped Nittimaki’s back-up mask made him look like “a storm trooper from Star Wars.” Anyway we can get a picture? It was sometime late in the third period.

    [quote comment=”316609″]All I can say is that seeing this again, made my day. God bless our last place team.

    link

    Not to worry, the rightful owners of the AL Central cellar will return to claim their throne:
    link

    Good call, Mr. Brei!

    I had simply wanted a picture of Desjardins with Buffalo, but I should have used a period-correct picture of his mask.

    Well done! This is why I love this site: attention to details! :o)

    Yep, the Mets link… according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Derrick Goold:

    From the same spring training that brought you outfielders in the infield and a foreign-exchange program for pitching help, behold the innovation of the Mets lineup: Today’s starting pitcher, Livan Hernandez, is batting No. 2. Sure, Hernandez is a fine hitting pitcher, but he’s not really a worthy lead-in to the Nos. 3, 4, 5 – All-Stars Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado and David Wright, respectively. No, the plan here is to get Hernandez an at-bat. While the Cardinals will continue using the DH for the first half of the month, the Mets are pushing their pitchers up in the lineup to assure they get an at-bat before their day is done. Jerry Manuel wants his pitchers hitting.

    Back in the day, the Cardinals wore link before going to the link. The now-iconic link debuted in 1964 at home; with the Cards still wearing the navy cap on the road.

    [quote comment=”316604″]That Mike Pelfrey pic is from when the Mets played at Yankee Stadium last year. On the day of the split-stadium doubleheader, they wore the blue hats/socks at Yankee Stadium. They showed some highlights of the Mets-Italy game on SNY; the Mets wore their blue BPs.[/quote]

    I figured that when I saw the pic. It was great to see that combo for the first and only time since 1997. It’s the best the Mets have.

    Speaking of which, does anyone know where I can find some hi-res pics from that game on the web?

    [quote comment=”316611″]At the same time I went to this page and saw the title “Hockey Mask,” I was listening to Flyers radio and the announcer quipped Nittimaki’s back-up mask made him look like “a storm trooper from Star Wars.” Anyway we can get a picture? It was sometime late in the third period.[/quote]
    link Looks like your standard all-white mask to me… must have been the black straps that led to the “Star Wars” comment…

    [quote comment=”316601″]If you’re going to have a patch on the cap celebrating the inaugural season of a ballpark, I much prefer what the Yankees are doing, putting it on the back, to what the Mets are doing, placing it on the side. In fact, I think World Series and All Star patches would also look far better on the rear of caps than on the sides.[/quote]
    These are the Yankees. They shouldn’t need a patch on the cap at all. And this is coming from an avowed Red Sox fan.

    Looks like Turner Classic Movie (TCM) is having a sports movie marathon today. Currently on, “Heaven Can Wait”. One of my fave helmets, the LA Rams. On later today is “The Stratton Story”, “It Happens Every Spring”, “Bang the Drum Slowly”, “The Natural”, “Fat City”, and “Rocky”. It’s a sporgy of uni-goodness!

    The other day, MLB Network had an Indians game on, and the announcers noted one big ST difference for the Tribe was that they’re wearing NOB on the batting practice jerseys for the first time.

    I think I prefer NNOB for BP jerseys, but that’s just me.

    [quote comment=”316616″][quote comment=”316611″]At the same time I went to this page and saw the title “Hockey Mask,” I was listening to Flyers radio and the announcer quipped Nittimaki’s back-up mask made him look like “a storm trooper from Star Wars.” Anyway we can get a picture? It was sometime late in the third period.[/quote]
    link Looks like your standard all-white mask to me… must have been the black straps that led to the “Star Wars” comment…[/quote]

    I think plain white masks in the NHL are beautiful. 75% of today’s paintjobs are too complicated. A mask should never have a color or shade that isnt on the uniform.

    Am I the only one who likes the look of the all white back-up mask?

    It’s like when a group of snowboarders reacted to the over the top board designs by painting their boards with monochromatic house paint. Sort of a palate cleanser.

    (Or a stripped down scooter compared to one with 24 mirrors and a whip antenna.)

    David Ross wore that style of Mizuno chest protector with the Reds last season. I’m guessing he probably used it with the Red Sox too after being traded.

    link

    [quote comment=”316617″][quote comment=”316601″]If you’re going to have a patch on the cap celebrating the inaugural season of a ballpark, I much prefer what the Yankees are doing, putting it on the back, to what the Mets are doing, placing it on the side. In fact, I think World Series and All Star patches would also look far better on the rear of caps than on the sides.[/quote]
    These are the Yankees. They shouldn’t need a patch on the cap at all. And this is coming from an avowed Red Sox fan.[/quote]
    I’m sure the Yankees are only doing what the Mets are doing. (If their fans have to buy a new cap, ours should too!)
    That being said, the Mets have a side patch that doesn’t match the jersey patch at all. The Yankees keep the symmetry, keep the two patches relatively similar in look, and incorporate Dior’s batter logo so it can look correct on the back. Aesthetic advantage: Yankees. But for the record, I’ll stick with my gray underbill custom-for-me post-op wool 5950. (But I’ll think about the new cap when it goes on sale at the end of the year.)

    As a lifelong Oriole fan it’s not often that I have anything positive to say about the Yankees (much less BP/Spring/dark shirts) but I find those Yankee blues with the grey numbers and letters very sweet. I still hate the side panels but overall I dig them.
    And I also agree that cap patches should only be on the back. I hate the side patch look. Of course if the Orioles ever return to the World series they could stick patches on every possible surface for all I’d care!

    [quote comment=”316621″]Am I the only one who likes the look of the all white back-up mask?

    It’s like when a group of snowboarders reacted to the over the top board designs by painting their boards with monochromatic house paint. Sort of a palate cleanser.

    (Or a stripped down scooter compared to one with 24 mirrors and a whip antenna.)[/quote]
    I with you. The back up mask looked way better last night with the throwback alts.

    Ahhhhhhhhh Baseball is here! I can’t wait until mid July. Sunny 80 degree saturday afternoon, light cool breeze coming off of Lake Michigan. Taking in the sights and sounds of Wrigley Field. …….Only a prelude to the awaiting nightmare that is September.

    [quote comment=”316624″]As a lifelong Oriole fan it’s not often that I have anything positive to say about the Yankees (much less BP/Spring/dark shirts) but I find those Yankee blues with the grey numbers and letters very sweet. I still hate the side panels but overall I dig them.
    And I also agree that cap patches should only be on the back. I hate the side patch look. Of course if the Orioles ever return to the World series they could stick patches on every possible surface for all I’d care![/quote]
    Side panels simply don’t work on any uniform on any level. It’s an atrocious look and should be abolished!

    Hopefully the Niners will go back to the Montana era look, IE their throwbacks.

    Course, we could also use some good players.

    [quote comment=”316621″]Am I the only one who likes the look of the all white back-up mask?

    It’s like when a group of snowboarders reacted to the over the top board designs by painting their boards with monochromatic house paint. Sort of a palate cleanser.

    (Or a stripped down scooter compared to one with 24 mirrors and a whip antenna.)[/quote]

    Agree completely.

    I appreciate that a lot of work goes into today’s masks, but I think its a case of “less is more”. I don’t know why every mask has to look like a custom van.

    I’d love to see a goalie come out today, not necessarily in plain white, but with a simple two-colour paint job reminiscent of old Dryden or Palmateer or Parent masks.

    [quote comment=”316626″]Ahhhhhhhhh Baseball is here! I can’t wait until mid July. Sunny 80 degree saturday afternoon, light cool breeze coming off of Lake Michigan. Taking in the sights and sounds of Wrigley Field. …….Only a prelude to the awaiting nightmare that is September.[/quote]

    your nightmare is in october…mine is in september

    o’s and a’s apostrophe is like, um, for the contraction of the name. so, it’s kinda not grammatically incorrect. think can’t for cannot.

    [quote comment=”316631″]o’s and a’s apostrophe is like, um, for the contraction of the name. so, it’s kinda not grammatically incorrect. think can’t for cannot.[/quote]

    except that the o’s don’t actually use an apostrophe…they use an open single quote…paul wrote about the phenomenon here and followed it up here (immediately after the ricko files section)

    After 2+ hours waiting in the Milwaukee Brewers “virtual waiting room” (today is the first day for single game tickets) I got some sweet Loge Infield Box seats for Ryan Braun bobble head day on May 3rd! I also got some great club level seats for free when the Red Birds are in town on May 26th. I can’t wait to get to Miller Park! I love this time of year.

    As far as the Yankees stadium patch being on the back of their cap…I actually really like the look. I don’t mind the side patches at all, but I think the patch on the back looks a little cleaner. As a side note, I HATE the Yankees.

    When the 49ers go back to their old look they need to bring the white cleats too. Just didn’t look the same with black. The Packers need to go back to white as well.

    Here’s what TW will be wearing in this Sundays tournament championship.

    link

    Of course, he’s not IN it, but who’s quibbling?

    [quote comment=”316635″]When the 49ers go back to their old look they need to bring the white cleats too. Just didn’t look the same with black. The Packers need to go back to white as well.[/quote]

    Agree. Don’t think there’s some kind of rule that black or white are inerently bad or good. Depends on the uni and the team’s history. In the case of 49ers and Packers they both wore white shoes for 30 years or more. A lot longer than they wore black with the unis you speak of (even combining the time in black before and after).

    Like the Oakland A’s. If they went to black (or forest green as they did on the road for one season) it would just look…odd.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”316612″][quote comment=”316609″]All I can say is that seeing this again, made my day. God bless our last place team.

    link

    Not to worry, the rightful owners of the AL Central cellar will return to claim their throne:
    link

    But, damn, at least the Royals LOOK goodl.

    Just curious. Does ANYBODY like the batting practice side panels? Does ANYBODY favor the BP caps with the funky stripe material?

    [quote comment=”316639″][quote comment=”316612″][quote comment=”316609″]All I can say is that seeing this again, made my day. God bless our last place team.

    link

    Panels don’t irk me if they fit the uniform. Pit stains suck. BP caps depend on the team.
    Not to worry, the rightful owners of the AL Central cellar will return to claim their throne:
    link

    But, damn, at least the Royals LOOK goodl.

    Just curious. Does ANYBODY like the batting practice side panels? Does ANYBODY favor the BP caps with the funky stripe material?[/quote]

    I just got accepted to the University of New Mexico and was poking around their web page when I found this.

    link

    According to it, for a time in the 70\’s, the football team wore turquoise at home. Quite a departure from the usual cherry and silver. Anyone know of pictures of these jerseys?

    [quote comment=”316625″][quote comment=”316621″]Am I the only one who likes the look of the all white back-up mask?

    It’s like when a group of snowboarders reacted to the over the top board designs by painting their boards with monochromatic house paint. Sort of a palate cleanser.

    (Or a stripped down scooter compared to one with 24 mirrors and a whip antenna.)[/quote]
    I with you. The back up mask looked way better last night with the throwback alts.[/quote]
    Maybe not all white, but definitly simpler. Like a few stripes of the team color wouldn’t be bad.

    [quote comment=”316640″][quote comment=”316639″][quote comment=”316612″][quote comment=”316609″]All I can say is that seeing this again, made my day. God bless our last place team.

    link

    Panels don’t irk me if they fit the uniform. Pit stains suck. BP caps depend on the team.
    Not to worry, the rightful owners of the AL Central cellar will return to claim their throne:
    link

    But, damn, at least the Royals LOOK goodl.

    Just curious. Does ANYBODY like the batting practice side panels? Does ANYBODY favor the BP caps with the funky stripe material?[/quote][/quote]

    What I said:

    I like the side panels if they match the jersey. The pit stains suck. The caps depend on the team.

    [quote comment=”316643″]Paul’s entry on 04.04.08 asked…

    What logo is that?

    about this picture:

    link

    ah…shame on me for not remembering…i din’t think mizuno was new to catchers gear, but i wasn’t sure

    thanks

    Maybe the side panels are on the spring training/ batting practice jerseys because they are so ugly that it would prevent teams from using them in regular season games. Of course, that hasn’t worked, as both the Mariners and Rays (and perhaps others?) have played regular season games in them.

    [quote comment=”316646″][quote comment=”316643″]Paul’s entry on 04.04.08 asked…

    What logo is that?

    about this picture:

    link

    ah…shame on me for not remembering…i din’t think mizuno was new to catchers gear, but i wasn’t sure

    thanks[/quote]
    Mizuno has had catchers’ gear for a long time.
    They used to have two logos at the same time: the “Runbird” which has always adorned the shoes, and the “Mountain M,” which was seen almost everywhere else, including a not-yet washed-up link.
    Recently, Mizuno decided to exclusively use the runbird in order to have a consistent, better recognized logo.

    Is it just me or does Stephon Marbury look like a total douchebag with the number 3 tatooed on his head while he wears number 8?

    [quote comment=”316649″]Is it just me or does Stephon Marbury look like a total douchebag with the number 3 tatooed on his head while he wears number 8?[/quote]

    (fixed)

    [quote comment=”316650″][quote comment=”316649″]Is it just me or does Stephon Marbury look like a total douchebag with the number 3 tatooed on his head while he wears number 8?[/quote]

    (fixed)[/quote]
    (No, now it’s fixed.)

    Just in case anyone’s interested, THE NATURAL is on Turner Classic Movies at 5:30 EST. And BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY is just about to start.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”316647″]Maybe the side panels are on the spring training/ batting practice jerseys because they are so ugly that it would prevent teams from using them in regular season games. Of course, that hasn’t worked, as both the Mariners and Rays (and perhaps others?) have played regular season games in them.[/quote]

    side panels only work if there is a continuation to the shorts/pants

    Duke

    Bobcats (I like’em for some reason)

    (Bonus Thought – What genius thought it would be a good idea to have ONE SIDE PANEL!!!

    The Life archives has some great photos of Spring Training. Here are two from the 1948 Dodgers camp

    link

    link

    There isn’t a lot to go on, but can anyone recognize some of the uniforms?

    Kingston was probably the Kingston Dodgers who were a D level team in the North Atlantic League. They were only around for 1947.

    I think you can see some Greenville Spinners in the back.

    The University of Tennessee has a special logo celebrating 100 seasons of baseball. You can see the logo here:
    link

    If you just click on the page, it will zoom in for you.

    [quote comment=”316656″]The University of Tennessee has a special logo celebrating 100 seasons of baseball. You can see the logo here:
    link

    If you just click on the page, it will zoom in for you.[/quote]

    Sorry…the logo is on the 2nd page of that magazine…not on the front.

    I hate the Jays’ grey and black uniform. To this day, when I wear Blue Jays gear around, I either either my 1977-style or 2002-style new era cap and for a jersey I’ll stick to my 2001 Roy Halladay jersey (complete with AL 100th and Blue Jays 25th patches)

    [quote comment=”316658″]I hate the Jays’ grey and black uniform. To this day, when I wear Blue Jays gear around, I either either my 1977-style or 2002-style new era cap and for a jersey I’ll stick to my 2001 Roy Halladay jersey (complete with AL 100th and Blue Jays 25th patches)[/quote]

    I totally agree…how does a team named the “BLUE Jays” wear black and grey?!

    [quote comment=”316630″][quote comment=”316626″]Ahhhhhhhhh Baseball is here! I can’t wait until mid July. Sunny 80 degree saturday afternoon, light cool breeze coming off of Lake Michigan. Taking in the sights and sounds of Wrigley Field. …….Only a prelude to the awaiting nightmare that is September.[/quote]

    your nightmare is in october…mine is in september[/quote]

    ….I stand corrected.

    [quote comment=”316651″][quote comment=”316650″][quote comment=”316649″]Is it just me or does Stephon Marbury look like a total douchebag with the number 3 tatooed on his head while he wears number 8?[/quote]

    (fixed)[/quote]
    (No, now it’s fixed.)[/quote]
    I couldn’t have said it better myself.

    [quote comment=”316659″][quote comment=”316658″]I hate the Jays’ grey and black uniform. To this day, when I wear Blue Jays gear around, I either either my 1977-style or 2002-style new era cap and for a jersey I’ll stick to my 2001 Roy Halladay jersey (complete with AL 100th and Blue Jays 25th patches)[/quote]

    I totally agree…how does a team named the “BLUE Jays” wear black and grey?![/quote]

    Because black is cool and someone declared it a “neutral color.” Never evolved that way, was just…ordained or something.

    For the sake of cool.
    And sales.

    Cool for the sake of cool is phony and pretentious, people. Hello?

    Real cool is taking your team colors and creating a great-looking uni. Just adding black is a designer copout. Kinda like knowing three chords and calling yourself a guitar player.

    –Ricko

    It’s too bad the economics of pro football have changed, making the CFL not quite what it used to be, when it could compete for a few name players here and there and, as in the early years of ESPN, could be seen regularly in the U.S.

    Not sure many fans today really understand its fun and fascinating cultural history.

    link

    —Ricko

    On the subject of goalie masks, I love today’s masks simply because of the unlimited creativity goalies have.
    However, if you want a basic mask, nothing beats Ron Tugnutt’s IMO.
    link

    link

    [quote comment=”316630″][quote comment=”316626″]Ahhhhhhhhh Baseball is here! I can’t wait until mid July. Sunny 80 degree saturday afternoon, light cool breeze coming off of Lake Michigan. Taking in the sights and sounds of Wrigley Field. …….Only a prelude to the awaiting nightmare that is September.[/quote]

    your nightmare is in october…mine is in september[/quote]

    Phil. You beat me to it. I was thinking, Blistering sun. Hazy, hot, and humid, 86 degrees, 90 percent humidity, a foul-smelling odor wafting from Flushing Bay across the big open concourses of overpriced food outlets in the newly-renamed Third Bank of the United States Field. Eight consecutive wins in which the starter goes at least eight put the now overachieving Mets back on top and delude the faithful once again despite middle relief problems earlier in the month, all just a prelude to another nightmare collapse in September. Sounds about right?

    Hey, this isn’t a comment about today’s post but a question in general since I don’t now where else to ask. I’m looking for some stirrups for my softball outfit this year. specifially forrest green in color. bonus for having white or silver stripes. where on this interweb can i find a good merchant for such an item?

    [quote comment=”316667″]Hey, this isn’t a comment about today’s post but a question in general since I don’t now where else to ask. I’m looking for some stirrups for my softball outfit this year. specifially forrest green in color. bonus for having white or silver stripes. where on this interweb can i find a good merchant for such an item?[/quote]

    How ’bout forest with three equal white stripes? Or, if you really want to be odd, just the reverse: white with three equal forest stripes?) Get Phil your address and I’ll send them to you (I’m getting rid of all mine).

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”316668″][quote comment=”316667″]Hey, this isn’t a comment about today’s post but a question in general since I don’t now where else to ask. I’m looking for some stirrups for my softball outfit this year. specifially forrest green in color. bonus for having white or silver stripes. where on this interweb can i find a good merchant for such an item?[/quote]

    How ’bout forest with three equal white stripes? Or, if you really want to be odd, just the reverse: white with three equal forest stripes?) Get Phil your address and I’ll send them to you (I’m getting rid of all mine).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    If you meant just one pair for you, that is.

    [quote comment=”316669″][quote comment=”316668″][quote comment=”316667″]Hey, this isn’t a comment about today’s post but a question in general since I don’t now where else to ask. I’m looking for some stirrups for my softball outfit this year. specifially forrest green in color. bonus for having white or silver stripes. where on this interweb can i find a good merchant for such an item?[/quote]

    How ’bout forest with three equal white stripes? Or, if you really want to be odd, just the reverse: white with three equal forest stripes?) Get Phil your address and I’ll send them to you (I’m getting rid of all mine).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    If you meant just one pair for you, that is.[/quote]

    For a whole team, go here…
    link

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”316668″][quote comment=”316667″]Hey, this isn’t a comment about today’s post but a question in general since I don’t now where else to ask. I’m looking for some stirrups for my softball outfit this year. specifially forrest green in color. bonus for having white or silver stripes. where on this interweb can i find a good merchant for such an item?[/quote]

    How ’bout forest with three equal white stripes? Or, if you really want to be odd, just the reverse: white with three equal forest stripes?) Get Phil your address and I’ll send them to you (I’m getting rid of all mine).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    either or sounds fantastic. green with white stripes are perfect, but i could wear green socks with the white stirrups and that would look alright too. I already ordered white pants with the forrest greent piping. Our jerseys are just long sleeve baseball shirts with green sleeves, grey number on back, and green logo with silver trim. The shirts are actually pretty badass, I should upload a pic sometime. By the way, our team name is “HGH” … which stands for Home Grown Heroes.

    any hoo, who’s Phil? sorry, I don’t come around here enough anymore… thanks for all the help.

    [quote comment=”316671″][quote comment=”316668″][quote comment=”316667″]Hey, this isn’t a comment about today’s post but a question in general since I don’t now where else to ask. I’m looking for some stirrups for my softball outfit this year. specifially forrest green in color. bonus for having white or silver stripes. where on this interweb can i find a good merchant for such an item?[/quote]

    How ’bout forest with three equal white stripes? Or, if you really want to be odd, just the reverse: white with three equal forest stripes?) Get Phil your address and I’ll send them to you (I’m getting rid of all mine).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    either or sounds fantastic. green with white stripes are perfect, but i could wear green socks with the white stirrups and that would look alright too. I already ordered white pants with the forrest greent piping. Our jerseys are just long sleeve baseball shirts with green sleeves, grey number on back, and green logo with silver trim. The shirts are actually pretty badass, I should upload a pic sometime. By the way, our team name is “HGH” … which stands for Home Grown Heroes.

    any hoo, who’s Phil? sorry, I don’t come around here enough anymore… thanks for all the help.[/quote]

    LI Phil (Phil Hecken) is the weekend bench coach (see very top). But just email me your address. RichardRicko1 at aol-dot-com. I’ll mail both pair the first part of the week (you aren’t in Burundi or anything, are you? LOL)

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”316673″][quote comment=”316671″][quote comment=”316668″][quote comment=”316667″]Hey, this isn’t a comment about today’s post but a question in general since I don’t now where else to ask. I’m looking for some stirrups for my softball outfit this year. specifially forrest green in color. bonus for having white or silver stripes. where on this interweb can i find a good merchant for such an item?[/quote]

    How ’bout forest with three equal white stripes? Or, if you really want to be odd, just the reverse: white with three equal forest stripes?) Get Phil your address and I’ll send them to you (I’m getting rid of all mine).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    either or sounds fantastic. green with white stripes are perfect, but i could wear green socks with the white stirrups and that would look alright too. I already ordered white pants with the forrest greent piping. Our jerseys are just long sleeve baseball shirts with green sleeves, grey number on back, and green logo with silver trim. The shirts are actually pretty badass, I should upload a pic sometime. By the way, our team name is “HGH” … which stands for Home Grown Heroes.

    any hoo, who’s Phil? sorry, I don’t come around here enough anymore… thanks for all the help.[/quote]

    LI Phil (Phil Hecken) is the weekend bench coach (see very top). But just email me your address. RichardRicko1 at aol-dot-com. I’ll mail both pair the first part of the week (you aren’t in Burundi or anything, are you? LOL)

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Oh, and you gotta post a photo showing us all how good you/they look. :)

    [quote comment=”316675″]Damn, Ricko… it’s a shame I don’t play anything besides ultimate frisbee, otherwise I’d take you up on that…

    Not rocking stirrups to play frisbee.[/quote]

    ya think?
    :)

    “Just adding black is a designer copout. Kinda like knowing three chords and calling yourself a guitar player.”

    Some of the best songs have three chords. I think Paul should re-name the DIY uni project section “3-Chord Threads.”

    [quote comment=”316678″]”Just adding black is a designer copout. Kinda like knowing three chords and calling yourself a guitar player.”

    Some of the best songs have three chords. I think Paul should re-name the DIY uni project section “3-Chord Threads.”[/quote]

    I know; played for years. But if an Am baffles someone cuz it’s something other than C, F and G7, well…

    LOL

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”316678″]”Just adding black is a designer copout. Kinda like knowing three chords and calling yourself a guitar player.”

    Some of the best songs have three chords. I think Paul should re-name the DIY uni project section “3-Chord Threads.”[/quote]

    Do like “3-Chord Threads”, though.

    [quote comment=”316642″][quote comment=”316625″][quote comment=”316621″]Am I the only one who likes the look of the all white back-up mask?

    It’s like when a group of snowboarders reacted to the over the top board designs by painting their boards with monochromatic house paint. Sort of a palate cleanser.

    (Or a stripped down scooter compared to one with 24 mirrors and a whip antenna.)[/quote]
    I with you. The back up mask looked way better last night with the throwback alts.[/quote]
    Maybe not all white, but definitly simpler. Like a few stripes of the team color wouldn’t be bad.[/quote]
    It’s hardly what you’d call basic, but I definitely prefer link to the busy one link because Huet’s basically just riffing on the team’s logos.

    I don’t know if this has been covered… but will there be a day dedicated to the World Baseball Classic uni’s??

    I have been looking at mlbshop, and some of the threads are pretty brutal, but some are decent. I just want to know what the “higher ups” think.

    [quote comment=”316684″]I don’t know if this has been covered… but will there be a day dedicated to the World Baseball Classic uni’s??

    I have been looking at mlbshop, and some of the threads are pretty brutal, but some are decent. I just want to know what the “higher ups” think.[/quote]

    i don’t know if paul will be covering it, but if he doesn’t, i will

     

    when you’ve got unis like this out there…how could i NOT?

    [quote comment=”316641″]I just got accepted to the University of New Mexico and was poking around their web page when I found this.

    link

    According to it, for a time in the 70’s, the football team wore turquoise at home. Quite a departure from the usual cherry and silver. Anyone know of pictures of these jerseys?[/quote]

    Not sure about pictures of the football team in the 70’s, but the men’s basketball team did use turquoise in their uniforms back then. Here’s an example:

    link

    Actually, I say that and then I find one example of their turquoise uniforms – Robin Cole of Pittsburgh Steelers fame went to school at New Mexico. Here’s a link of a (small) picture of him in the turquoise.

    link

    [quote comment=”316618″]Looks like Turner Classic Movie (TCM) is having a sports movie marathon today. Currently on, “Heaven Can Wait”. One of my fave helmets, the LA Rams. On later today is “The Stratton Story”, “It Happens Every Spring”, “Bang the Drum Slowly”, “The Natural”, “Fat City”, and “Rocky”. It’s a sporgy of uni-goodness![/quote]

    I love TCM and tried to catch most of the old sports movies.

    Great stuff today Phil

    Hey, that’s me in the first link at Surprise stadium taking in the Cubs and the Rangers. Nice day for a ball game. I spend three days in the desert this year and loved every minute of it. If you ever have the chance to go, take it!!! Heaven on earth. Phil, where did you get that pic I would love to see it in its original location.

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