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Logo a No-Go

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The guy carrying the ball in the photo shown above is David Pocock, captain of the Western Force, a Super Rugby team based in Perth, Australia. Notice anything unusual about him? No logo creep on his shoes! Reader Eric Bangeman explains why:

Pocock is only 23 but is arguably one of Australia’s best players and is one of the two or three best players in the world at his position (openside flanker — think a ball-hawking linebacker in football terms). He blacks out sponsors’ logos on his boots and won’t endorse products because he believes the Nikes, Adidases, and Canterburys of the world manufacture most of their products in sweatshops. What’s even cooler is that he’s started a foundation, Heroes Boots, that funds co-ops and fair trade outfits in developing countries. Ultimately, he’s hoping to have a line of fair trade boots and sportswear available. The Irish Times wrote an article about him in November, but aside from that his efforts haven’t gotten much coverage.

Good stuff. Interestingly, right after Eric told me about Pocock, reader Alex Lind sent me this photo from Monday’s Boston Marathon (click to enlarge):

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The second guy from the right is Jason Hartmann, who came in fourth at the Marathon — the top American finish. Notice anything unusual about him? No logo creep on him! “He was recently dropped from his Nike sponsorship, so his racing kit is logo-free,” explains Alex. “I’m assuming he is actually covering up a logo on his singlet, since his bib is positioned higher than you would usually see. Also, it appears he removed the logos on his shoes, which are the Nike Zoom Streak 3’s.”

Obviously, Hartmann’s circumstances are different than Pocock’s (some people choose to go unbranded, others have unbrandedness thrust upon them), but it’s still good to see some top athletes going without logo creep. And it’s especially heartening to hear about a young athlete like Pocock who actually has a conscience.

This got me thinking about Ryan Moore. As you may recall, he’s the pro golfer who announced in 2009 that he’d be playing sponsor- and logo-free (full info on that here). I hadn’t heard much about him lately — no surprise, since I don’t actually follow golf — so I looked him up. Turns out his logo-free days are long gone. As you can see on his cap, he now endorses Adams golf gear. And that purple splotch on his chest is the logo for Shift4, a payment processing company that struck an ad deal with Moore last September. I don’t begrudge him the right to do what all the other golfers are doing, but at one point he was better than that. Now he’s not. Too bad.

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ESPN contest reminder: I’m currently running a contest to rename and redesign the New Orleans Hornets. Details here.

Uni Watch News Ticker: As if to reinforce David Pocock’s point about sweatshop labor, a new report has listed the top 10 dying industries in America. Take a look at No. 9, and then read the graf right after the list. ”¦ The American League’s all-star BP jerseys were showcased at a press event in Kansas City yesterday (from Tyler Moody). ”¦ The Nets’ new logo and colors will be unveiled on April 30. ”¦ “I am a car salesman in Portland, Oregon,” says Shelby Rice. “I sold a car to an Adidas employee who told me we might be seeing a Trail Blazers redesign this year.” ”¦ In a slump-busting move, the entire Angels starting lineup except for pitcher C.J. Wilson went high-cuffed last night (from Jeremiah Allen). … Oooh, check out Catfish Hunter’s nickNOB, complete with quote marks! That jersey will be listed shortly by Grey Flannel Auctions. … Some old-school muscle car colorways colors coming to NASCAR (from Adam Jackson). ”¦ Michigan football wore their throwback helmets for last weekend’s spring game. “They also wore them during practices leading up to the game,” says Chris Fox. “I know there was talk of them switching to these full-time this year but never heard a follow-up. Maybe we have an answer.” ”¦ “Guy down the street from me is apparently a big Ohio State fan,” says Jason Tirotta. “Better than a Penn State car, I guess.” ”¦ I spotted Derek Jeter fiddling with what appeared to be a clear mouthguard during last night’s Yanks/Twins game (he sort of sucked it back into his mouth a moment later). Never noticed him wearing that before, but maybe I just don’t watch enough Yankees games. ”¦ Anthony Emerson pointed me toward a good article about how the Madden 13 crew handled all the secrecy around the new Nike uniforms. Interestingly, the article mentions that the Raiders “have brought back laces to the front of their pants” this season. It’s true that the Raiders mannequin at the unveiling had lace-up pants, but my understanding from talking with Joe Skiba and other NFL equipment guys is that pants closures are a player-by-player thing. Some players like the laces, some like zippers, some prefer no closure at all (like a pair of sweatpants). So while I could be wrong, I’m not so convinced that all the Raiders will be wearing the laces this fall. ”¦ Stumbled upon this “Eat Raisin Pie” cap reproduction last night and for some reason am finding it completely adorable. ”¦ Arkansas has added a Twitter hashtag to its football field. Interesting that they chose the hashtag rather than their handle (big thanks to Ethan Faust). ”¦ Here’s a shot of former Dolphins WR Mark Clayton wearing sunglasses under his helmet (from HHH. ”¦ Groundbreaking for the 49ers new stadium featured Niners-themed hard hats (thanks Brinke). ”¦ Tim O’Malley notes that the Padres’ makeover this season includes a new logo for Petco Park. … Schutt’s new football helmet — the horribly named Vengeance model — has a facemask that looks very lacrosse-ish (from Jonathan Chin). ”¦ With Phyllis Diller celebrating her 94th birthday, this photo of her in a Dodgers uniform has been making the rounds,” says Mike Colvin. The others in photo include Annette Funicello (far left) and Nancy Sinatra (far right), although the identity of No. 28 is a mystery, at least to me. ”¦ Camo has hit the Australian rugby circuit. “Ugly — and this is my team!” laments Liam Dillon. ”¦ “I work at a medical supply company in Salt Lake City that sells power wheelchairs,” writes Tanner Welch. “A customer of ours is a huge Real Salt Lake fan and has season tickets with the club. So when it was time for him to get a new chair, Real Salt Lake stepped up and paid for a custom paint job based on the club’s home kit.” ”¦ Between the start of the MLB season, the Nike/NFL launch, the NBA advertising story, the debut of Playbook on ESPN.com, my Mom’s birthday, and a few other things, the first few weeks of April have been more than a little bit hectic. So this morning I’m hopping in the car for a quick Rhode Island getaway (looking forward to stopping in at America’s greatest hot doggery, among other stops). I’ll be back in time for Sunday’s Brooklyn Beefsteak at the Bell House, where I’ll be selling T-shirts, as usual. Looking forward to seeing some of you there. As for everyone else, I’ll see you next week. ”¦ Take a load off, Levon — RIP.

 
  
 
Comments (202)

    “I sold a car to an Adidas employee who told me we might be seeing a Trail Blazers redesign this year.”

    Please nooooooooo! The Blazers currently have some of the best unis in the NBA, I really hope they don’t mess with them.

    They could improve their look by dropping the silver trim. Sadly, I doubt we’re looking at anything that simple.

    A little tweak like that I could live with. But if they go nuts with a radical redesign and get rid of the diagonal stripes or something, not cool.

    I can’t imagine the Blazers without the pinwheel logo and diagonal stripes. There are very few iconic NBA uniforms, and I that’s definately one of them.

    The Blazers’ unis suck.

    Don’t get me wrong — the overall design is nice with the diagonal stripes and all, but the font they use for the wordmark is shite.

    If they’re talking about a tweak, hopefully that’s the area they’re addressing.

    I’m not saying they need to go back to the lower-case version of the wordmark, but link.

    I live 30 minutes from the Rose Garden so needless to say the Blazers are my team. Whatever we do don’t get rid of the diagonal stripes or the pinwheel logo. Those are iconic parts to our uni and identity. Yes let’s get rid of the crappy font that we use and the weird drop shadow. Let’s get rid of the silver. Let’s modernize our collar. Other than that we have a classic look don’t mess with it.

    The collar doesn’t need modernizing. The simple crewneck collar they have now flows nicely and is the best for any basketball uniform.

    re: david pocock – not sure where eric lives, but here in south africa pocock’s efforts are rather well-publicised. during the RWC there were lots of articles about him, and most mentioned his charity efforts, both in australia and his native zimbabwe. perhaps in the northern hemisphere there are less articles about him, but such is the way of rugby coverage (sadly).

    either way, i think in sanzar countries pocock’s charity work is widely publicised and admired.

    dgm, I find that fascinating. I’m a rugby fan in the USA, and try to keep pretty up to date. I watch several games a week, one or two analysis TV shows, read a bunch of sites, and have had subscriptions to various magazines imported in. (Most of that is NZ and UK based.) I had NEVER heard about Pocock’s uni thoughts until today. Somehow that story had been filtered out in major US rugby sources.

    One other notable sponsor-free athlete is the late Evan Tanner, the former UFC middleweight champion. According to Wikipedia “On November 8, 2007, Tanner announced the signing of a new 4 fight deal with the UFC. In addition to his signing with the UFC Tanner revealed that he intended to accept no corporate sponsorships in favour of starting “Team Tanner” intended as an exclusive fan club to be represented in his upcoming fights”.

    I love Tecmo Super Bowl…I also love the fact that as an adult (with some dark humor), I look to the game as playing as zombies (Derrick Thomas), throwing to murders (Tommy Kane)or having fun and making every bust of a QB throw for 5000 yards (Timm Rosenbach)…

    Hey Tim, I saw your comment on my Cottonmouths proposal this morning and I was wondering if you were serious about that Knickerbockers being snake themed comment. As far as I know, Knickerbocker was just a generic term for the old Dutch colonials in New York and had nothing to do with snakes.

    Also, I’m terrible at graphic design, so if someone wants to help design a logo and uniform set for the name Cottonmouths we could go in on the contest together.

    The Petco Park logo redesign makes sense, as Petco recently redesigned their logo.

    That’s the single bit of the Padres redo that’s an upgrade. Much better logo for Petco.

    Wow, as a rugby player that has seen his share of absolutely awful kits, that camo kit looks like someone threw up coffee and a sausage omelet on a jersey. Ever since teams started going to the tight fit sublimated jerseys I am seeing more and more foofy designs from a sport that has a long history of classic and classy looks. It really disappoints me.

    “… Obviously, Hartmann’s circumstances are different than Pocock’s (some people choose to go unbranded, others have unbrandedness thrust upon them), but it’s still good to see some top athletes going without logo creep….”

    Good one, boss.

    “… Stumbled upon this ‘Eat Raisin Pie’ cap reproduction last night and for some reason am finding it completely adorable …”

    It does look very good.

    “… With Phyllis Diller celebrating her 94th birthday, this photo of her in a Dodgers uniform has been making the rounds,” says Mike Colvin. The others in photo include Annette Funicello (far left) and Nancy Sinatra (far right), although the identity of No. 28 is a mystery, at least to me…”

    Damn. Who IS #28?

    “… Take a load off, Levon – RIP…”

    Yesterday I was driving along the Taconic Parkway in Dutchess County, NYS, listening to FM 100.1, Radio Woodstock. I was impressed by the impromptu interviews of musicians and plain ol’ citizens about what a fine, friendly, unaffected, generous guy he was. Many of you know about The Ramble, Levon’s weekly live jam with walk-on musicians both obscure and glittering. And he showed up every week behind that drum set.

    His Band memoir — “This Wheel’s on Fire” — is one of the best rock’n’roll history books I’ve read. Insightful and well written.

    Damn. I love his music and love what he stood for.

    Don’t think Jeter is wearing invisalin. He was definitely wearing that mouth guard last season and I think more than that but can only confirm last year.

    there’s something to that whole “performance mouthpiece” thing. it’s probably more mental than dental, but still.

    i wear a half shield out on the ice, and i got hit in the same tooth 4 times, 4 different ways, in the span of about a year. (little bugger was knocked loose everytime, never fell out (knock on wood…)). i researched mouthguards in the $50-$70 range, and found a deal on a UA mouthguard. since i’ve been wearing it, i just plain feel better playing. been thinking about wearing it biking too.

    the mouthpiece jeter is wearing is way more low profile. he can probably actually talk to his teammates while wearing it. i’ve seen them in the $300s

    also, the mouthguard i wear has a hole in the front so that you can attach a strap so that you can fix it to a mask, or football helmet faceguard. so if you dont use a mask or faceguard, UA was kind enough to make a little plastic button to cover up the hole for smoothness (i guess). in TOTAL logo creepness, that “button” or whatever you want to call it, is the yellow piece you see during your NHL games with a plain-as-day “UW”… i threw mine away as i was reading the boiling directions. LOL

    this is the one i wear. that yellow front piece, just flat out doesnt need to be there:

    link

    i remember first time i had to boil a mouthpiece for YMCA football. popped that sucker in while it was scalding hot, screamed like a little girl.

    This seems to lend some credence to the stars and stripes cap being normal caps with flags this year:

    link

    Bucs havent worn this cap before. The last time they had a flag on their cap, the MLB logo on the back was still red rather than yellow.

    The L.A. Times is reporting that Zigy Wilf’s private jet was in L.A. yesterday.

    Roger Goddell was in L.A. yesterday, too.

    Hmmmm….

    If the Vikings move to L.A., they’d be the third NFL team to do so, following the Rams (who moved there from Cleveland) and the Raiders (from Oakland, although they moved back). It’s funny how L.A. can’t come up with its own NFL team.

    And of course L.A. got the Dodgers from Brooklyn and the Lakers from Minneapolis….

    Then there’s always the Clippers, from Buffalo by way of San Diego…

    I’m guessing the Kings and depending on how charitable you’re being, the Angels and Ducks count as home grown.

    LA has tried for years to get an expansion NFL franchise, but stadium issues and politicking from both the league and the city have made that practically impossible. I mean, look how quickly CLE was granted a new franchise, but LA can’t get one. Finally, there’s a legit (privately financed) stadium proposal in place that the NFL will approve. Unfortunately it doesn’t coincide with expansion plans for the league. Also wanted to say that LA was saddled with two of the worst owners in the league at the time the Rams and Raiders left. Both of them demanding public money or they’d take their toys and leave. Then, in typical fashion, Al tried the same crap again when he got back to OAK, using (of course) LA as a threat. But it’s totally LA’s fault.

    Let us know how you like the hot dog place, Paul. I live not too far from Pvd, might be worth a trip down there if they truly are special dogs

    Oh, they’re special — it’s one of my favorite spots. Been there many times over the years. Looking forward to being there again in about four hours!

    Rhode Island is one of those places—to me on the West Coast, anyway–where I have NO idea where it is. Like–Delaware. Nothing ever happens in Delaware, does it?

    just Blue Hen games, Blue Rocks games and lots of corporations incorporating here.

    Also “home of tax free shopping!”

    I dunno, I spent a week last summer in Slower Lower and I kind of liked it. Could even retire there.

    In regards to the runner who appears to be “actually covering up a logo on his singlet, since his bib is positioned higher than you would usually see” … Is his bib higher to hide a logo, or are the other lower to ensure view OF the logo?

    Also … guy in the back of the pack … big Star Wars fan?

    Your lead begs the question: What will your opinion be of Pocock if he’s successful in helping develop fair trade sports apparel, then decides to wear the logos of the fair trade apparel manufacturer and/or his own foundation on his apparel? Do the business practices of a sponsor factor into the logo creep issue?

    I’m not trying to be confrontational; I’m just interested in hearing your and others’ opinions on topic.

    Honestly…I don’t know or care.

    But TODAY he is taking a stand and I commend him. He swims against a cultural tidal wave of corporatization and money making at all costs.

    He speaks and acts with integrity. Let’s applaud that and use it as an example. Today.

    Separate observation (apologies if it’s been made here before): Looking at the Catfish Hunter A’s vest jersey: When/why/how did the rest of MLB abandon the McAuliffe number font to the Red Sox? It’s a shame they’re the only ones to still use it; it’s legible and distinctive.

    Yes. I know the Indians, Nats, Tigers, and Yankees used it in the 1930s (don’t have links at hand but recall seeing photos and video). I think the Dodgers used it at one time while in Brooklyn (maybe on those powder blue satins?). Seems like the Tigers used it in the 1960s as well but again just going off top of my head.

    By the time I get a chance to search for any of this I know someone will have done it and dis/proven my memory.

    Yes, the Angels used McAuliffe font for quite a while, including when they moved to Anaheim. I’m afraid I can’t remember the exact seasons, though.

    They used it through 1978. If you remember Guidry’s 18-strikeout game, you’ll remember the Angels wearing that font.

    Here is Don Baylor’s 1979 card showing it:

    link

    They went to varsity block in 1979. Here is Nolan Ryan’s 1980 card showing that:

    link

    Ironically the “McAuliffe” numeral font was first used by the Yankees when they added numbers for the 1929 season, yet the font has become forever linked to the Bronx Bankers’ primary rival, the Red Sox. The Yankees reprised the style for their World Series uniforms in the early 1950s. The Los Angeles Dodgers wore McAuliffe-style numbers in 1962, their inaugural season at Dodger Stadium.

    I wonder if the Yankees will use “McAuliffe” numeral font today on the throwbacks? I know technically they should be numberless (like in 1912), but I’m sure MLB will require them to wear numbers.

    i wouldnt say that it was “abandoned” by other teams in order for the the red sox to use, id think it was more so that as more teams sought out different uni vendors, presumably more local, and dropped mcauliffe sporting goods as their provider, they didnt have use of the font created by mcauliffe sports. i assume the red sox held on to mcauliffe the longest, being a boston based company.

    Makes perfect sense to me, especially given the localized nature of business in the past. Thank you for the insight.

    McAuliffe never actually made uniforms. They were private label and all were manufactured by Stall & Dean in Brocton, Mass., including the BoSox, A’s and early Angels. Maybe that’s why the Halos and A’s wore the “McAuliffe” font.

    MICHIGAN also has the NCAA logo on the back of those helmets. They’re still from last year. I wish we’d go back to the blue masks and no numbers

    Agree 100%. The numbers make the helmet look too cluttered. I would, however, love to see Michigan wear the throwback striped jerseys more often. That was nicely done, and I loved the M on the front in place of the uni number. Goes to show you that it is possible to break the template of normal football uniform design and still look good.

    And by “nicely done” I mean as nice as you can get with the adidas super stretchy jerseys.

    that Catfish Hunter jersey reminds me of a movie title mentioned in a Bugs Bunny cartoon: “Girl of the Golden Vest”

    RIP Levon. Oh, his midnight rambles at the Barn. In regard to Ryan Moore (coming from a golfer/golf business lifer in myself)— His situation is SO frustrating to me. He was doing his own thing, no ads. Awesome! Send a message! Then, he loved the small forged clubmaking company “Scratch Golf” so much…. and it’s non-mainstream image, and “hand-craftedness” that that he bought part of the company and rocked a couple simple “S” logos (hat, shirt bag). Did some interviewes about Scratch, seemed genuine. Still noble, in my opinion— he truly liked/owned the company. It goes downhill when he jumps to Adams. Still, not the worst thing in the world— since Adams (at the time) was a slightly smaller company, fighting the big brands in the game (Taylor Made/Adidas in particular…. Nike… Callaway…Titleist etc). Adams had kind of a cultish, golf-purist following (Tom Watson a big sponsored name). It goes more downhill, as he then adds a sponsor here and there (some tied to Adam’s in a bit of a Ryan Moore “package”). It goes off the edge of the ever-loving mountain when a couple of weeks ago— The EVIL EMPIRE OF GOLF, Taylor Made, bought Adams. How the mighty have fallen. Ryan Moore is playing for Taylor Made. I HATE IT!!!

    A little off the subject. The Manly Sea Eagles (who will be wearing that hideous camo jersey) are not a rugby team. They actually play rugby league. There are two types of rugby – rugby union, which is depicted in the movie Invictus, and the sport North Americans are more familiar with, and rugby league, which is (IMO) a faster, more free-flowing version of the sport. There is actually quite a difference in the two sports. I won’t go into the differences, just sayin’.

    I think I understand what he’s saying… though it does sound a bit silly on the surface. They aren’t a rugby team – they play rugby, not rugby. Yeah.

    So, let’s try it with American teams:

    The Iowa Barnstormers aren’t a football team, they’re an Arena Football team. The game they play is different from the game that people usually think of when they hear football.

    It’s like the difference between Test Cricket and 20-20 Cricket – essentially the same game, but one is faster and easier to follow (and, I dare say, more entertaining).

    There’s also quite the rivalry between codes, at least here in the UK. Union is seen as the sport posh lads play, whereas League is more of a working class game, with most Union fans looking down on it.

    It isn’t the case that it is always wrong to refer to rugby league as rugby. If someone in Leeds in England tried to talk to you about rugby, they’d invariably mean league. If someone in London did so, they’d be talking union. It depends on which is the more popular sport in that area.

    Another example. In many places when you just say hockey you mean field hockey, and not the version on ice.

    So if I was talking to a Canadian about the Hockey World Cup or the International Hockey Federation, I’d have to explain they have nothing to do with the sport he calls hockey, if you see what I mean.

    Australia is a special case though. They usually refer to rugby union as just rugby because rugby league is called footy (as in football). They, like Americans, refer to association football as soccer.

    I was sure Footy was Australian rules football, that (despite being an oblong-ball, carry, can’t pass forward kind of football) is neither Rugby League or Rugby Union

    Actually footy is simply a slang word for football. The type of football it describes depends on where you are in Australia.

    The Nine Network has 2 separate weekly studio programs called “The Footy Show” it airs at the same time, but to different parts of the country. The AFL version is shown live in Victoria (Melbourne), South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, where Aussie Rules is the dominant sport. At the same time, viewers in New South Wales (Sydney), Queensland and the rest of the country see the NRL version which covers Rugby League. While both sports have placed teams in the “rival” territory, neither really has a national following.

    Footy can also refer to the ball itself, particularly in AFL coverage.

    it makes obvious sense for the hashtag rather than the handle. twitter users who follow arkansas probably already follow the official twitter feed, and receive updates from it, but in order to communicate during the game with other fans, they’d have to follow the hashtag and include it in their tweets. its the way to commicate with everyone.
    i think during sporting events, they should have official team hashtags displayed either on signage or the broadcast graphics. would have been a FANTASTIC experiment during the ncaa tournament.

    The high-cuff look is nice — certainly better than the dreadful pajama pants. But the look is incomplete without the stirrups.

    Ladies and gentlemen, [b]this[/b] is what a ballplayer looks like:

    link

    There was a question here a few days ago about which player you consider your “best dressed”. That’s mine.

    Still, I admit that, in these days of the slovenly pajama style which destroys the look of a baseball uniform, I am pleased to see high-cuffing. I just don’t get why the high-cuffers don’t wear stirrups.

    I agree. It was a little disappointing to see none of the Angels went with stirrups. Thanks, Paul, for putting those shots into a Flikr album. All of the Angels beat writers were tweeting about the “high socks” that the team was wearing for the game. I tweeted back to them that they were going “high-cuffed”, and that their socks are always high. Too bad it didn’t work, though. The team is still floundering. Was hoping they’d bust out so they’d keep the look for a while.

    The pie itself sounds absolutely vile.

    …a filling of raisins, cinnamon, brown sugar and vinegar…

    Revolting.

    Regarding the ‘Mystery Dodger Girl’: Perhaps somebody can contact Wes Parker…that’s his 1965 jersey, isn’t it (zoom in on the label)?

    link

    I know I’ve seen her before, but i just can’t place the face!

    Thanks!

    You can catch a glimpse of #28 at the 4:52 mark (Nancy Sinatra moves in next to her for the team picture).

    Somebody must have access to that photo.

    I’ll take that bet. I don’t think that’s her (I don’t know who #28 is, but I’m fairly confident that she’s not Sanda Dee either).

    link

    The mystery continues…

    I was doing US Army PR/newspapering around that time, and I seem to remember Chris Noel being in one of those Dodger celeb games. Granted, might not be THAT one, so maybe I wouldn’t wager it. But she’s be among the viable candidates.

    Yeah, ’65 would have been a bit early for Chris Noel’s AFRTS gig. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was summer of ’64.

    Wes Parker’s Wikipedia page states that he had a son with an actress named Patricia Randall. I went to Google images and this link popped up: link

    The page is in Italian. The blonde in those pictures definitely favor the one shown wearing the #28 jersey.

    Great search, but Randall would have been in her early 40’s at the time (14 years older than Chris Hoel).
    And was seriously an unknown.

    Chris Noel remained virtually an unknown, too, except to guys who served on active duty in the military at time and in the industry because of her travels with the Bob Hope troupe, etc.

    Hahahaha Sorry guys! I found that on another blog and had to send it to Paul. How about Angie Dickinson? She certainly would’ve been famous enough. Continue your debate…

    Ann Margret? Although I think she would have been a big enough star to warrant mention in the video.

    Michigan doesn’t send out helmets from the previous season for reconditioning until after spring practice is over. The gray facemask set of helmets were the practice set for the entire season, aside from being worn for the Under the Lights game and the Sugar Bowl, and were simply used for practice again before being sent out.

    Thus, it doesn’t mean much one way or the other for what the team will be wearing next year, both for the facemasks and the helmet numbers.

    Johnathan Frid aka Barnabas Collins died @ 87. Dark Shadows- even the music scared the poop outta me when I’d get home from school. I thought vamps didn’t have a sell by date, too.

    A shame he passed away now, as I imagine he would have gotten a lot of attention when the Dark Shadows reboot movie comes out soon.

    Re the All-Star Game hitting smock for the junior circuit: “American” with a big ol’ crown on the “A”? For a game that will be played just after Independence Day? Why does MLB hate America?

    I get that it’s the Royals playing host. But even the Royals don’t put a crown on their own name on their unis, so why spit on every battlefield and patriot grave, on every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, with a giant golden crown?

    Mostly kidding, but the crown on “American” would be enough to stop me from buying the otherwise attractive AL hitting smock if I were a Royals fan. I always look forward to the AL and NL hitting smocks, and every year MLB finds some small way to completely ruin them for me. It’s been downhill since Milwaukee; man, I wish I could find a 2002 NL jersey in my size!

    The Americam league all star game BP jerseys are pretty crummy. The powder blue isn’t that bad and I like the KC royals logo on the sleeve but the front font and the white striping down each side doom the jersey.
    Why can’t MLB get something this easy right?????????

    It seems that this is simply the model of BP attire in use this season. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal. At least players still wear their real uniforms in the game.

    Video clip of the 1965 LA Dodgers celebrity baseball where that publicity shot w/Phyllis Diller, et al., might have been taken:
    link

    Amused that, on a day when the lead story on the site it about no logos, one of the first things I see is a Nike/Foot Locker ad coming from that bar thing at the bottom of the page. :>

    perhaps you’re new here and don’t know that those ads are actually generated by YOU, not the site…they take into account your browsing history and pick and ad which some computer algorhythm has determined will appeal to you

    i don’t, and have never gotten a nike ad on the bar thing, but i do get ads for midget porn and asian brides…although never for midget asian porn

    wait…what?

    Wait, so Paul isn’t trying to sell everyone a 2013 Mustang, Jos A Bank shirts, Cooperstown Collection caps at Lids, and vintage map prints? A shame; the world would be a better place if everyone had my tastes.

    Seriously, how are there Americans who don’t know how advertising works? Do we teach nothing in schools anymore?

    ‘Tis true. I went to the website of a hotel I stayed at in Mexico a few years back (The Tides in Zihuatenjo; fabulous place), and their ad came up on my UW page for about a week afterward.

    you went to zihuatenjo? wow… did you encounter red and andy? or just christ yourself in the rain?

    I know about the algorithm thing.

    Funny thing is that I don’t wear Nikes or shop at Foot Locker. (the only pair of tennis shoes I wear regularly are decade old And1 slip on shoes.)

    The most exposure I get to Nike product is reading about them here. :>

    Paul, I’ve been reading for a long time and your passive aggressive attitude toward Nike is getting old. The whole crybaby Nike hatred is such a tired act. You are turning every Nike story into a bitchfest and it really distracts from your better work.

    A guy names himself “Teddy Ruxpin” – a link – and is questioning Paul’s “act”? Is this the new hidden game of “Find Pedo-Bear”?

    We’re reaching new heights everyday on UW!

    what, no mention of purple, or the green dot on the helmet?

    ATTN PHIL N PAUL:

    Giants @ Mets in 14 minutes. Bring it, baby.

    when i was a member of cooperstown ball-cap company’s ball-cap of the month club i had an “eat rasin pie”, but i don’t know what ever happened to it. i am sure i misplaced it in the same place as my “little slugger” cap…next to my missing socks and cigarette lighters.

    i tell you what, the icc sure looks like the cbcc reborn. does it not? even the categories. the only thing budget about cbcc was their website. i didn’t mind the site, which is obviously if you have seen the site of the revolution.

    Speaking of logo creep…

    PETA wants to take a Baltimore City councilman up on his budget-balancing idea to put ads on fire trucks.

    And the ad the group has in mind could start some fires all by itself.

    The group, known for its attention-getting tactics, sent a letter to City Councilman William “Pete” Welch on Friday, saying that they love his money-making scheme of selling ads on city fire trucks.

    link

    That City Pages blurb is too shallow. This cries out for a lead feature interview by Paul!

    Yeah, I was watching the local news and they said that price with complete seriousness. Really? 40 bucks for a plain white hat? Because I’m sure this white hat is so much better than a plain white hat I just looked up on lidz.com for 16 bucks

    Well, you could always get a painter’s hat :) It would even have the correct height. But I don’t think you’ll be able to spend 40 bucks on one.

    Am I the only one who thinks they’re not going to sell many of the “throwback” caps… which look to me, a lot like plain white caps.

    hey, It occurs to me, as the Phillies days of first placeness may be receding into the annals, they may still summit the leaderboard in one category.
    I count, 6 and one quarter High cuffed phillies, including one stirruptichian.

    Jim thome
    juan Pierre (stirrups)
    Hunter Pence
    Joe Blanton
    Antonio Bastardo
    Freddie Galvis
    Jimmy Rollins (rarely, but occasionally)

    Does anybody know of an MLB team that can beat those numbers?

    Tate was still a bit player in ’65, her high point up until then a recurring rolec on The Beverly Hillbillies (I think she played one of the girls at Mr. Drysdale’s bank).
    Nothing that would warrant getting into a photo with those three.

    Tate’s features were much sharper, too.

    I googled things like the current Playmate of the Year, etc.
    Girl in photo looks like a bit like Allison Parks, who would be in the October ’65 issue, but the features aren’t quite right there, either.

    I looked through the Top TV shows and hit songs of 1965, looking for a clue there, too.

    Hell, she’s probably a local LA weather girl or something.

    In the final shots of youtube video she’s next to Nancy Sinatra in the “team photo” but we don’t get a very good look at her.

    This is NOT how I wanted to spend my Friday night, and now my weekend agenda may be is serious peril!

    Almost got to be a local celeb (or something like that) because there were only four woman on the “team” that I can see, and she’s totally ignored in the clip on youtube, which clearly was made for national consumption.

    Meaning her name and image were low recognition on the larger stage.

    I’ve been looking for a way to piss away the $35 that’s burning a hole in my pocket. A time-inaccurate blank Red Sox cap.

    link

    Me likes the Raisin Pie hat. Paul has to agree to drop the use of words like adorable in any future writings. Next thing you know you’ll tell us that something is cute. This site is sort of my version of some weird mens club, and it kinda wrecks it for me. As far as the high cuff Angels look, I like that too. The Schutt helmet is actually pretty cool. But wouldn’t it be tough to match that with a visor for those that use ’em? Big golf tour watcher so I agree they’ve got on more sponsor logos than I can take. Like this link
    Moore dabbled in this look, and I happen to miss it and would to see it make a comeback, with or without the plus fours
    link

    Well, if a word like “adorable” isn’t your cuppa, then that’s certainly understandable. But there are enough sports bloggers using words like “tight” (or is it “tyt”) and “sick” out there that I think “adorable” is refreshing.

    Sure, some of the words Paul chooses might not be as tasty as I’d like them to be, but I think Uni Watch is my-t-fine the way it is. Please don’t allow your insecurities to get the better of you and try to change something that doesn’t need changing. OK? OK.

    I thought the same thing at first, and then I realized: 1) there would be duplicate numbers, 2) younger generations may have difficulty identifying some of the older players. Therefore I think it is quite appropriate to have NOB’s under these special circumstances.

    Both Sox and Yanks are high cuffed… SOLID.

    Ortiz looks hilarious in high-cuffed pants…

    And no MLB logo on the back neck for either team! (although it’s still on the hat)

    When the White Sox did the first TBTC game in 1990, numbers were added to the back, which was true for subsequent TBTC games for pre-1930 unis. I agree with the post-above that MLB’s #42 JRD paved the way for a game like today without uniform numbers. I like no-numbers but I don’t think we would see this if not for the #42 practice.

    Yankees throwbacks look pretty sharp! I will be curious to see if everyone goes with the high cuff look, as there usually are one or two “stick in the muds” on throw back days.

    I’m a Sox fan, but even I have to admit they are sharp. And honestly I love the Sox unis (with the socks)… awesome…

    Something beautiful about both sets being that simple…

    This is AWESOME – everybody is high cuffed – most are showing a proper amount of sanitary….BIG time A++++…now if they could get the base umpires to wear jackets and bow ties…..

    No reason they couldn’t have. When the Birmingham Barons play their annual turn-back-the-clock game at Rickwood Field (which is two years older than Fenway Park), the umpires are often attired in period-appropriate uniforms.

    Thus far only Nova and Chavez are only Yankees/Highlanders not wearing sanitaries and stirrups….

    Not bad!!

    Also to note… this is the first time Jeter has gone high-cuffed since the Negro League game in Detroit in ’96.

    Are there pictures anywhere of that 1996 Negro League game between the Tigers and Yankees? I see there’s a picture of one of the Yankees’ unis on the Chris Creamer website, but I’ve never seen any game photos.

    The Red Sox should have issued straw hats for everyone in the crowd to wear to complete the 1912 vibe.

    First, I’m not now and never have been a Yankee fan. But Cory Wade rocks!!! Great socks, sannies (if they’re real) and it looks like he even has throwback shoes. Plain black with metal spikes. No logos of any kind. Sweet!

    I don’t know if he’s always worn black cleats this season but wearing all black cleats was a nice touch.

    Ivan Nova and Eric Chavez were not wearing stirrups but wearing the equivalent of them in sock form; the maroon stripes were way, way too high on the socks.

    Kinda hard to see the Yankees stirrups & sanis otherwise–maybe the stirrups should’ve had a higher opening?

    Speaking heresy, I know, but tell me how that gray Yankee hat would look bad with their current road unis?

    Oh, it’d be all kinds of wrong. I get that.

    But from a purely aesthetic point of view it wouldn’t be horrible uniform. Quite the contrary.

    not heresy, but not happening (obviously) either

    we’ve been down the gray cap route, and for some reason, teams either never can make them “work” or they’re not popular with the fans

    im guessing they won’t sell well

    and while i’m not normally a different color crown/brim guy, for a team whose primary colour is black (or midnight blue) and white, (like the chisox as well), i think it would work very well

    The camera just zoomed in on the pitcher’s legs and they are indeed wearing the striped stirrups. From far away they just look solid navy blue.

    Too bad it’s hard to tell they’re striped because I think any kind of change-up in the Yankees uniform is a good thing.

    Thanks. I know about the Jordan deal so I was thrown off by that pic. I could’ve sworn it was him.

    Angel Pagan has something wrong with the patch on his left sleeve. Let’s see if someone can get a screen grab.

    I like the Houston Colt 45 unis, although most of the team are going with the pajama look tonight. Party poopers!

    Watching the O’s-Angels game. The Angels announcers were talking about Brian Matusz’z glove. It’s stitched with Brady Anderson’s name.

    link

    link

    Are the Padres wearing their Taco Bell unis tonight? ‘Cause if they are that would make it an I’d Wear That trifecta.

    I really liked the Yankee uniforms. They were sharp. One thing I wouldn’t mind that they carried over to their regular road uni would be the striped stirrups. The should wear those full time on the road.

    There’s nothing honorable about going logo-free. As a professional athlete you have a very limited window of opportunity to cash in. You would be stupid not to maximize your earning potential while you can.

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