By Phil Hecken
Last evening, as a part of their Flashback Fridays, the Houston Astros threw back to what they referred to as their “1960s Shooting Star Uniforms.” Because they wore blue caps, these uniforms would fall squarely in the 1965-1970 time frame. You remember those, right? These beauties?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, that was the Astros best EVER uniform, and one instance where a team “Got It Right The First Time.” In fact, I did a post back in 2010 with reader Giancarlo, entitled, “Getting It Right The First Time”, and that uniform was identified as one of the few that a team had perfected from the get-go. They’ve never worn (in my opinion) a finer looking uniform that the one they threw back to last evening.
But, if you know me, you know that I’m generally not fond of throwbacks at all, since, as a Uni Watcher, I tend to obsess over the small details that clubs usually get wrong when throwing back, and I allow those things to annoy me. So, I was all prepared to be disappointed last night. But I wasn’t. I was very pleasantly surprised. So? How’d they do?
Stirrups & NNOB? Check (ok, not everyone wore stirrups, and those who did generally wore them too high for the time frame). This vintage pic of Mike Cuellar(!) shows how they were properly worn during that era. But still. And the third base coach, Dave Clark wore them at my personal favorite height, but a bit too low for the era. But I’m not complaining. Bonus points for all stirrups having the orange star.
How about the shoulder patch? Authentic jerseys of that era contained the brand new Astrodome patch. Oh yeah, they nailed that too.
They got the button-down perfect, but about the only complaint (and it’s ever so tiny) is that the jersey script and rear uni numbers appear to be a bit higher on the originals than on the throwbacks, but again, a minor quibble.
Those 60s Uniforms were so perfect in every way — a perfectly simple wordmark combined with the nod to the future (the shooting star graphic that was not dated then or now. Even with today’s modern fabrics and baggy cuts it still looks great.
But if this were just one Friday one-off (even if done very well), I’d simply say “well done” and be done. But, there is hope, for Astros owner Jim Crane has said the Astros will (very likely) get new uniforms for their move to the AL in 2013 (and is definitely keeping the name “Astros”). So what better uniform to transition to the future in than this blast from the past. Literally.
If you’re like me, and you think this is the best uniform the Astros ever wore, SEND THEM AN E-MAIL and tell them this is the uniform they should wear next year. They can’t do any better, and trust me, they’ve done A LOT worse. I’m sure part of the Friday Flashbacks is to judge audience reaction to the past uniforms — so let them know you want these.
Let them know they’re getting it right, again! (More pics from last nights game available here).
Colorize This!
Occasionally, I will be featuring wonderful, high-quality black and white photographs that are just begging to be colorized.
Last weekend, I mentioned I had received a boatload of colorizations from John Turney, and I’ll be running several more today. Couple of non-G&G contributors today as well, so it’s another good one…
Based on the positive comments to the new format, I will again be running the photos in this way — click to enlarge all of the photos below (unless otherwise noted).
We begin with John again, and this first one is already full-size, so no need to enlarge:
Another tough one. Jack russell tried to catch a pass versus Cleveland Browns in Browns/Yankees showdown.
Yanks have navy uniforms with silver numbers.
John’s next photo colorization is also of the New York Yankees (AAFC):
Here is Spec Sanders (in all Navy).
Gridiron database does not list this uniform because he;s wearing silver socks, not navy. I’ve colorized this, but the light color sock was there I assure you.
The Dons have the bight blue and the orange-red sheen pants, The Yankees also had some sheen on their numbers.
I colorized and them added filters that reacted well in low light, as this was a night game.
Last one today from John is also of the NY Yankees (AAFL), again versus the Browns (and already full-size):
Otto Graham passes against Yanks in their white/blues/blue socks combination.
I colonized it and put a nice excktachomre filter over it.
Thanks John!
Next up we have Pete Woychick, who colorized a recent ticker photo of the Dodger satins:
Hi Phil””
This photo is from the ticker the other day. Maybe it’s old news to the uniform historians among us, but I noted a few discrepancies between the white uniform in this photo and the Dressed to the Nines version:
• shoulder stripe
• contrast-brim cap
• contrast belt-loops/belt-tunnel
• striped stirrup
I don’t know the story behind the photo, so maybe these were prototypes, rather than the actual game-worn uniforms?
Cheers
””Pete
Nice job Pete!
And finally we have Larry Bodnovich who brings us a look at the Indiana Hoosiers, circa 1941:
Indiana’s Billy Hillenbrand 1941. The Hoosiers wore red and black for a few years in the late 1930’s to early 1940’s
Larry Bodnovich
Thanks Larry! Great stuff.
And that will do it for today everyone. Back with more next time.
Uni Nets Logo Tweaks Concepts
We have another new set of tweaks, er…concepts today. After discussion with a number of readers, it’s probably more apropos to call most of the reader submissions “concepts” rather than tweaks. So that’s that.
So if you’ve concept for any sport, or just a tweak or wholesale revision, send them my way.
Please do try to keep your descriptions to ~50 words (give or take) per image — if you have three uniform concepts in one image, then obviously, you can go a little over, but no novels, OK? OK!. You guys have usually been good with keeping the descriptions pretty short, and I thank you for that.
And so, lets begin:
Little different today as the announcement of the new Brooklyn Nets logo immediately raised some eyebrows, and the ire of some concepters — 3 of whom immediately set to a-fixin’ it. A couple of these were sent directly to Paul, who of course forwarded them to me. So, here are there new Nets logo concepts (click to enlarge each image):
We start with Ron Rowland who states:
I’m a big fan of UniWatch. In fact it’s one of the first sites I check every day. Always enjoy your posts.
Loved your article on the Nets new branding. I think they ended up about 85% there. I get minimal and understated, but I think they went a little TOO understated.
So, being the armchair sports branding guys that I am, I took a couple minutes to re-imagine what they might have done differently. Just a little more distinctiveness and dimension (without going bevel crazy) in the font and the obligatory nod to Brooklyn’s last pro franchise (which would seem to be a must) Enjoy.
Best regards,
Ron Rowland
Next up is Steve Cook, who offers this:
After reading today’s post on the new Nets logo (designed by Jay-Z?), I took your comments to heart and added just a few tweaks to improve(?) upon what has already been done without changing anything radically.
Here’s my take, based upon your observations.
I strengthened the lettering, and brought the “E” and “T” a tad closer together. In the existing design, the word NETS appears larger at the base of the letters than it does at the top. This illusion occurs because the shield shape “squeezes” the letter forms toward their baseline . So I pulled the baseline of the characters in toward the center to correct that. Now the N and S are not really vertical, but appear to be so. The “square-ish” S also added to this oddity, so I used a slightly different font.
I reduced the “B” somewhat in relation to the basketball, so as to not fight for attention with the word “NETS”.
I added gray into the basketball so it becomes subservient to “NETS”, and slightly reduced all graphics within the shield for more breathing room.
I changed the white inline of the shield to gray, and strengthened the outer black rule.
I think it’s an improvement, although there’s probably room for more.
Hope you like it.
Steve Cook
Next is Curtis Tarver, who is on the same wavelength as Ron with this one:
Hi Phil,
This one’s actually a logo, not a uni, tweak. In general, I enjoy the new Nets logo, but something wasn’t doing it for me, and I determined it was the “B” in the basketball. The solution? Harken back to Brooklyn’s sports history with the Dodgers’ B. Here it is:
Thanks,
Curtis Tarver
Greensboro, NC
We close with Brian Begley who went in a slightly different direction (and offers more than just a logo):
My name is Brian Begley and Im 30yrs old from NJ. I’ve been a life long Nets fan and was upset when I first heard about the move to Brooklyn. Since then I’ve played around with a few BK Nets logo ideas, and posted them to facebook, twitter, blogs, etc. There was one logo I designed a few months ago that got a good amount of attention from various bloggers from around the web. After seeing the new Nets logo unveiled, I feel like it was done by a 5th grader. Very plain and not NBA worthy. What are your thoughts on their new logo?
I’m attaching mine so you can get a look at it.
Thanks for taking a look at this and enjoy the weekend!
-Brian Begley
Thanks to the logo tweakers! Interesting takes there, for sure. Back with uni concepts & tweaks tomorrow.
Benchies
by Rick Pearson
Dude, what were you thinking?…
Click to enlarge
That’s it for today folks — Happy Cinco de Mayo and enjoy the Kentucky Derby this afternoon. If you’re interested, a couple years back I did a whole retrospective of the Kentucky Derby, so that should get you into the mood for today.
Tomorrow, I’ll announce the final three contestants in the Cleveland Baseball contest, and we’ll vote for a finalist, so be sure to tune in then.
Everyone have a great Saturday.
“The truncated ‘UCLA’ striping is right up there with weak Cat Piss-colored Vegas Gold, Black Leotard pants, and sleeveless jerseys as horrible developments in football uniforms. I must also include BFBS, as well as the cookie-cutter, 40-teams-at-a-time Nike Templates that plague us every other year.” — Nick V.
Brian’s tweak……is that a boob shot?
Wow… that’s supposed to be the Brooklyn Bridge.
Except… to me, the way the center comes down to a point makes me think of link.
I just checked with my two daughters — same reaction — I thought it was just some strapless blouse or something. . .
Looked like boobs to me. Had to stare at it for a while before the real purpose became apparent.
I see a bridge and a clever use of the mandatory incorporation of a basketball in the logo. You guys not gettin’ enough or something?
Good job, Brian.
That’s obviously the ketchup talking, Jim!
I see boobs too. Or two ghosts. At first I thought it was an M.
I thought I was being mooned
Regarding the Astros uni, I agree with everything Phil said…something Phil left out, which can make or break the throwback, was it looks like they did not take the easy way out and use a common modern number font. They recreated a font that looks very similar to the original! Great job.
I love most designs from the late 60s, early 70s…love the Astros patch. I wonder though if they would use that exact patch going forward, as it features the Astrodome which is now a dilapidated relic. I would.
Why are the Astros going to the AL anyway…the Brewers should go back.
Astros going to the A.L. West to give Texas a central time zone rival.
Which is something the Brewers could easily provide, especially with their history of being an AL team. Makes absolutely no sense to take a team with 51 seasons of NL history and stick them in the AL. None. The intrastate rivalry talk is pure garbage. How was the Phillies-Pirates rivalry from 1984-93 when they were in the same division but never good at the same time? That was a good rivalry when both were good, but it died when they weren’t good at the same time.
As dumb as moving the Astros to the AL is, it’s even dumber to force interplague on fans all year long. Those who like it appreciate that it’s rare and special, and that disappears when it becomes an every day occurrence. Those who dislike it will be aggravated that it’s happening every day, further diminishing the distinctness of the leagues and what once made the All Star Game and World Series such special events.
“it’s even dumber to force interplague on fans all year long”
All of MLB refusing to admit that Interleague Play is pretty much a bad idea (majority of match-ups are boring) and instead of giving up on the idea & going back to a balanced league-only schedule where everybody plays everybody the same amount of games (the most fair), they force a team to move & make the schedule even worse.
Don’t they have any idea what a traveling nightmare this will be & the inevitable snow/rained out makeup games that will be tacked on at the end of the season due to these sporadic 3-game series? Of course they shouldn’t (but will have to) schedule outdoor Interleague games in cold climates the first few weeks of April. I sense a lot of unscheduled doubleheaders will be coming MLB’s way. And never mind the horrible chance that a World Series preview could come in September & ruining even more allure of the World Series.
Please understand that the AMOUNT of interleague games is not increasing. They are simply being spread around. You guys are acting like interleague is becoming the norm, when in fact it is not, it will resemble more of what the NFL’s inter-conference scheduling is like.
(continued) The NFL’s ratio of inter-conference to intra-conference games is 1:4. Right now most MLB teams play 18 interleague games every year which makes the MLB ratio of interleague to intraleague 1:9. I would think MLB will expand interleague so that each team is playing either 21 or 24 IL games, which would make the ratio roughly 1:7. Personally, I’m ok with it. Although it will disappoint me if MLB cannot retain the natural IL rivalries (Mets-Yanks, Cubs-White Sox, Indians-Reds, etc.).
“Please understand that the AMOUNT of interleague games is not increasing.”
We still haven’t seen a definite schedule yet so we don’t know the exact number. There were 504 Interleague Play games last season.
And no, I am not okay with more Interleague Play games. The integrity of the schedule & Wild Card is compromised with Natural Rivalries & 30 differing schedules (along with the current uneven leagues & divisions & completely random Interleague Play scheduling) and there is absolute no way you can justify it when one National League team get’s to play the Royals 6X while another has to play the Yankees 6X.
I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about Natural Rivalries (which only 20 of 30 teams have & some are extremely borderline) and they need to be done away with to have some kind of sanity to the schedule. These kinds of hangups do nothing to benefit the schedule.
Personally I think the NFL should get rid of Interconference scheduling & go to league-only and get rid of these fallacy tiny divisions that reward luck instead of the top 6 teams in each league. It’s absolute stupidity that 8-8 teams get in over 9-7, 10-6 & 11-5 teams and it happens way too often & makes the regular season schedule a joke. There is no such thing as “geographically balanced cities” in the United States & some of the NFL’s divisions are based on history rather than tidy geographical divisions. I have zero interest in the Bears playing AFC teams unless it’s in the Super Bowl.
“There were 504 Interleague Play games last season.”
252, not 504.
The Astros are moving to the AL because the league can demand that as a condition of the sale of the team to Jim Crane. Many teams have complained about the competitive advantage AL West teams have because of its four-team setup, while referencing the disadvantages in the 6-team NL Central. I believe the original plan was to move the ‘Stros to the NL West and but the Diamondbacks in the AL West (makes more sense), but D-Back ownership said they wouldn’t do it (which is their right). The Astros were the only plausible choice since Crane is a newbie to the club.
I was going to post this elsewhere, but I put it right after Jeremiah so people know I realize the reality of the situation.
In *theory* however, the Brewers were the natural choice. Put them in the Central and move the Royals to the West.
Moving the Astros to the NL West and switching either Arizona or Colorado to the AL would have worked, too.
I don’t know if it can be done, but if there’s a way to have a balanced schedule with interleague every day, then I’d be somewhat OK with that. But interleague every day AND an unbalanced schedule? Blah.
Yeah I remember that.When George W. owned the Rangers that was a thing for him, all the 9:00 starts for division games. There was some kind of deal worked out so put Arizona in the West (still only 4 teams) and the Rangers in the central. Maybe even the NL Central.It might have been before ’98 too, I cant recall. But they had to play a few years in the west. When it came time to switch, Arizona threw a fit and by them Tom (I destroy teams) Hicks owned them and he laid down like the coward he is.And now here we are, Hicks ends up screwing Houston too.And We still have too many 9:00 starts.If MLB REALLY wanted to do something right, they could make teams split the difference when it’s 2 timezone’s away.
Agreed that the Brewers were the natural team to move to the AL. I was a fan of the original Seattle Pilots and also liked the Brewers a lot for the length of time they wore similar royal blue-and-bright gold colors (especially the light blue road uniforms), and it still feels strange to me to have them in NL.
And agreed that it’s really unfair that there’s a four-team division and a six-team division and both get an automatic playoff berth every year. I’m surprised we haven’t heard more complaints about this institutional unfairness.
However, I’m one of those who really likes interleague play and would rather see it woven into the schedule throughout the season. One way I’m a non-traditionalist is that I’ve never liked predictable, locked-in schedules and prefer a schedule where surprising match-ups are possible all the time. I loved the 1970 NFL season when suddenly on any given Sunday you might see two teams playing that literally had never played each other before.
I figured out that you can spread the interleague matchups out throughout the year by having 1 interl series each weekday and weekend for the first 9 weeks, then 3 such series in the next 8 weeks, then 1 series in the concluding 9 weeks-pairs. I would like to see Cincinnati again be affirmed as the first game on opening day and have them play Cleveland in their first home series. Cleveland can then make a swing through Milwaukee (roof down) and St. Louis to avoid the usual April rainouts at home.
No way the Brewers are moving back now. They’ve quickly become rivals with the Cards and Cubs and people here like the NL style of baseball more.
Plus we have Selig on our side. Jealous? Thought so, rube.
With the Astros moving to the AL, the days of NL style baseball is numbered.
It will be a matter of a few years before the DH is adopted in the NL. Interleague all the time poses roster issues for each team. The players union would never agree to ditch the DH in the AL.
Only a matter of time.
I highly doubt it. Even as an A.L. fan, I still think the DH rule is total garbage & the N.L. will never adopt it. The DH rule is not real baseball and it’s a horrible & unnecessary burden on payroll. I’d rather see the rosters expanded to 26 full-time instead of the DH in the N.L.
The DH rule is not real baseball
We may never agree on hotdogs, but we do agree on this!
Wow – a pro-Selig fan? That is the worst thing I have ever read here.
We know that the Brewers aren’t moving back to the AL. Because Selig is pulling the strings.
But they SHOULD be in the AL.
oh nick V, you complete me.
Didn’t the ‘Stros use the McAuliffe number font for the 1965-1970 unis? Otherwise, looks great, including the orange star on the stirrups.
I think we really need something that shows the backs of the baseball jersey database. That would be sooo helpful for teams when they go retro.
I’m thinking the same as you. Look at the link above re: back uniform numbers….it certainly looks like that Jimmy Wynn 1971 jersey has a McAuliffe ’24’ on it. Maybe they wore different fonts home and away?
The Henderson guide is valuable in that it shows the backs. It always aggravated me that Okkonen only documented one half of a uniform. NOB or NNOB….THAT is the question! (Would also like to see cool shit like that tiger head on the back of Detroit’s jerseys in the 30s!)
Well, hopefully (depending on who volunteers to make the graphics for it) the new Diamond Uniform Database will include jersey backs — not necessarily on the daily thumbnails, but shown with each combo. That’s one of the things I am shooting for.
Oh those Brooklyn satin uni’s are the bomb!!
And great colorizing all around. Fantastic work everybody!
Excellent coverage of that fab Astros look, Phil… Love that picture of Billy Hillenbrand, IU 1941.
Thanks BSmile and Connie.
Nike should bring back the satin football pants.
So then that should be the Randle El-Hillenbrand IU look?
You’re right about one thing, Phil, The shooting star unis are indeed the best ever for the Astros.
But they are not the best unis in franchise history. We all know their best look was when they were known as the Colt .45s.
So I guess you could say they got it right the first time — twice. And it also means that this is not even the best uni they’ve worn link.
Well put. Houston got it right the first time — twice. I’ll agree that the Colt 45s uniform is #1 on my list for this franchise. And personally, I’ll put the subsequent uniforms with orange caps, socks and sleeves #2, but would put all three of these well ahead of anything that’s followed.
Not exactly uni-related, but I just have to share:
link
Interactive map of the championship history of the big 4 sports.
that was pretty neat to watch
Preddy fahkin slick. Throw in some divisional championships, slicka!
another overlong weekend trap…
Where are the Washington football redesigns?
Sitting in Phil’s email box waiting for the Cleveland contest to be decided first.
I echo Connie’s word Phil, on the review of the Astros throwback, I would not be surprised if we’re looking at something close to the 2013 Houston Astros uni.
In regard to the Nets new logo, while I have a favorable opinion on it (not I absolutely love it, but it’s interesting). I actually like the thin lettering (think Celtics jersey). However I think, over a period of time, people will get tired of two very simple colour look.
In thinking about that, I work next to the ACC, and MLSE has a sporting goods across the street that I walk by almost daily. They have this retro jersey (fictitious) that always caught my eye. The colours mostly black with burnt orange (very burnt) trim, it looks great. Maybe make the basketball on the Nets Logo – a very burnt orange?
They didn’t do it right when they wore them in 2010 against the Phillies because they wore the current black batting helmets with them. You even pointed that out yourself in the middle of this article.
link
Don’t try correcting the UNI elite…they’re never wrong…
Where’d it say they’d gotten it right every time?
He said “again”. That could only mean twice in a row.
Or between this year and last.
“You even pointed that out yourself in the middle of this article.”
~~~
finally got around to re-reading that and i don’t see where i said anything there or here that necessarily contradicts myself — i loved the ’65-70 uniform and i said in the snippet they were faithful in recreating it (and even praised everyone for wearing rups with the star)…i wasn’t then, and am not now, enamored of teams that don’t go the extra tenth-mile and wear period appropriate helmets — they did that last night
the reason i was so juiced about last night’s unis is that i do believe this is one of the leading candidates for a *new* (perhaps a repro, perhaps a basis — like the blue jays) uniform next season…what it showed, even with players wearing the uniform in today’s styles, it still looks great
they did “do it right” (uni-wise) in 2010, but not the helmets…but that was a one-and-done…perhaps this one will not be a one-and-done again, but they will wear something very similar to this next season…we can only hope
Brief behind-the-scenes of uni maintenance at the IIHF Worlds:
link
I lived in fear that they were going to show us how they put the advertising patches on.
Nice job by Larry on the vintage Hoosiers football image.
Signature Larry B. work right there. Bravo!
Honestly, the resolution and clarity on that “colorization” leads me to believe it was never black and white in the first place!
I kid. Wonderful job, Larry B.
Thanks guys
Good Lord, those Astros uniforms are incredible. As a Houston-based life-long Astros fan (even if I don’t follow baseball like I used to), I can’t imagine any other look I’d rather the team have next year than this one.*
Didn’t Larry Dierker say something alluding to the ‘Stros going with this look next year and beyond? I can’t remember which day it was, but there was a post on here that mentioned it.
*Aside from the Colt 45s unis, of course, but I’m being realistic.
Nice shot of Otto Graham (Number 60) and Lou “The Toe” Groza (Number 46). Otto led the Browns to ten straight league championship games, winning seven. He’s argueably the greatest QB ever.
Great Dons/Yankees colorization. Those Yankees’ tackle twill numbers really stood out thanks to the flash picture.
Okay, Terry, I’ll bite.
I don’t think you can really say Graham is “arguably the greatest QB ever,” if for no other reason than the fact that the quarterback position is so different from what it was in the 40s and 50s. They’re almost not even the same position anymore.
Was he the greatest quarterback of his era? Almost undeniably so. There’s no question that he was an all-time great football player and leader. But “ever?” That’s really hard to argue, given the remarkable evolution of the position over the last 60 years (I daresay more than any other position in football, except maybe defensive end).
I don’t mean to shoot holes in your statement–I’m playing devil’s advocate, more than anything–but I prefer to call great athletes “best of their era” as opposed to “best ever,” especially in games like football or basketball that are SO different from what they were 30/40/50 years ago.
Point well taken. But given the natural talents of people like Otto Graham imagine if they were subject to today’s training routine, equipment, diet, etc. I feel that they could have competed very nicely in today’s game.
Another note about Graham. He was a member of the 1945-46 National Basketball League Champion Rochester Royals. At that time the NBL was major league basketball before the BAA (NBA) was formed. The NBL Royals, Lakers, Pistons and Sixers (nee Nationals)joined the BAA to help create the league of today. His teammates on the ’45-’46 Royals included Chuck “The Rifleman” Connors, Bobby Davies, Al Cervi and Red Holzman plus owner/coach/gm Lester Harrison. Connors is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Graham is a Pro Football HOFer while Davies, Cervi, Holzman and Harrison are Basketball HOFers. Not bad for our little backwater burgh of Rochester, New York.
Isn’t that the point of “arguably”? I could say Trent Dilfer is arguably the greatest quarterback ever. I’d be wrong, but I could try to make the argument.
Sammy Baugh
Otto Graham
Johnny Unitas
Terry Bradshaw
Joe Montana
John Elway
Dan Marino
Brett Favre
Kurt Warner
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Aaron Rodgers
Depending on your criteria, any of the above and many others could be ‘arguably’ the best quarterback of all time.
You forgot HOFer Jim Kelly.
Love those AAFL colorizations. Then again, I have an affinity for defunct leagues.
Y’all mean AAFC.
My bad.
Phil’s bad, actually. I forgive him, though.
No links for the tweaks?
click the picture — they’re linked through the graphic (like the colorize this and benchies)
trying something new, but the tweaks are a tricky situation since often there are several links within a single tweak and it’s usually easier to hotlink them
Whatever the ‘Stros do next year, I hope it involves ditching the red and black color scheme. And not returning to navy and gold. MLB needs fewer teams with red as a primary color, so why not a team that’s used it for under a decade?
They could easily go back to the throwback they used yesterday, because it doesn’t scream a particular decade or era (in terms of fashion) the way the tequila sunrise jerseys do. Plus, if they want to go the route of creating alternate jerseys, I would mind seeing the 71-74 unis with orange logo, hat, and stirrups. They could treat that as a Sunday uniform, or break it out when they play the Rangers, or create some other sort of fun tradition with them.
Agree on all counts!
-Jet
Agreed. The Astros brick & coal is easily the worst look they’ve ever had. It blows & looks horribly bland and generic. It always looked like a cheap dated marketing stunt when black was all the rage.
I also agree – that was a good look for the Astros and could easily get the same kind of “slight modernization” that the Blue Jays got this year.
Only one quibble – is everyone forgetting that the Astros’ 1971 uniforms were a one-and-done? That timeline linked to todays posts is wrong. The only wore those plain uniforms with the orange and navy reversed for one year; the next year they went to a zip-front jersey with a collar and sleeve stripes and beltless pants that were worn from 1972 through 1974 – see this link:
link
That being said, an updated version of the 1971s would make a good alternate.
Didn’t know that. I’d definitely prefer the ’71 look, then, to the ’72-74, as I’m sure most players would, too.
Those are great throwbacks, but I happen to like the ones that can after…same Shooting stardesign but with an orange cap, sleeves, and socks. Use last night’s jersey as the primary and the orange one as the alternate and there’s no need for Mr. Crane to listen to the MLB fashion consultants i.e., (“more black, more black!”)
Has everyone already seen this gorgeous Nets concept: link
He has others on his side as well. They aren’t all hits, but a few are just fantastic.
I know I’m in the minority here, but as nice as those Astros throwbacks are, nothing will ever beat the Rainbow Guts in my mind – they’re my favourite baseball uniforms ever…
I’m going to go as far to say “best ever”, but I am in that minority that likes the “strike zone” uniform (as I heard one announcer call back then). I chalk it up to sentimentality since they were wearing that when I was a kid. The worst Astros uniforms were the off-white jerseys they wore on the road. Just looked like dirty uniforms and lacked enough contrast with the uniforms of the home teams they were playing.
I disagree about this Astros uniform. I find it very basic and dull. Sometimes basic works. Like the Steelers alternate/throwbacks from 07-11 and the NY Giants road jersey. And other times it doesn’t. But for some reason baseball has to be different so the duller the better. Personally I think the Astros “Tequila Sunrise” jerseys are the best baseball jerseys mankind has ever created. Followed by the Pirates “Bumblebee” sets. Sans the pinstripe set. But I’m in a minority of a minority.
…the Steelers alternate/throwbacks from 07-11 and the NY Giants road jersey.
What are 2 bad throwback jerseys which are inferior in every way to what they were replaced by? Alex, I’ll take Potent Potables for $1000.
Hey crew, question for y’all:
I bought an early 90s Mets BP jersey off of ebay, that’s in pretty good shape. My one complaint is that the previous owner had run it through the wash a number of times so that the tackle twill script on the front is a bit misshapen and wrinkled.
The jersey itself is polyester mesh, so I’m a bit reticent to go near it with an iron. Is there a better way to get the tackle twill back into shape?
Figured this would be the right bunch to quiz, any help is appreciated.
Might be some info on that on this hockey jersey forum in the section linked. If not, could always join and put up your specific question – most of these guy are very particular about their jerseys.
link
About the Nets new logo….I get what the tweakers are after, but a bolder or more distinctive B just gets lost in that ball, muddies up the look.
The biggest problem with the new logo is the lines of the basketball. We already know it’s a basketball team. If they’re going for starkness and minimalism, then really go for it. Why not just a circle with a B in it, a more intricate, compelling B, if you must. Or not (I rather like the B they’ve chosen).
Also, upon further review, the black & white is bold and interesting, but they should have kept the red, white and blue color scheme, I think. Make the shield red, the NETS wordmark white, the cirlcle white (without the basketball stripes) and the B in the circle blue. Can any one of you photoshoppers try that?
Gave it a try, still incorporating the Dodgers’ B from the tweak above. The blue used is Dodger blue.
link
I just found out that Peter Nash, the infamous memorabilia debunker, is the artist formerly known as Prime Minister Pete Nice (3rd Bass).
He used to have a store in Cooperstown. Not sure if it’s still there.
Wherever he is, I’m sure he’s still giving people the Gas Face.
Im really liking these pro football colorize this photos…..
SEND THEM AN E-MAIL and tell them this is close tothe uniform they should wear next year.
(fixed)
Sorry, Phil, but the next uni in their timeline is the one they should use:
link
And you thought I was gonna pick the rainbow guts…
Now, if they went with those, I wouldn’t complain at all. But, for a timeless look that includes a welcome expansion of the color palette, you can’t go wrong with the early ’70s ‘stros.
It’s not as if Miami’s ever gonna wear their orange lids.
Not really. The orange hats, undershirts and stirrups were just too much. Pre-1971, that was all navy blue and it looked great. Then they went to sans-a-belt polyester and rainbow gut. I would prefer the Colt .45 uni. Barring that (since Tomahawks and screaming Braves and buck- toothed Indians push the limits), the best uni they should use would be the one from last night.
But they won’t wear stirrups next year, so it’ll be just right. ;)
What’s too much is yet another predominately blue team.
I agree. Make the Yankmees change everything from dark blue to orange or make the BoSox the Orange Sox. Or just let Houston wear the best uni ever – the Colt .45s. The first 10,000 kids next year get a free Peacemaker cap gun
LarryB making my Hoosiers look great (well, I could live without the PurDon’t Black, but history is history…).
Great job by all the colorizers and tweakers.
Thanks Tim. When the Hoosiers wore the red and black a few years ago I was against it. Or thought they did not look right. But history says they did wear red and black for a while. Also all black.
I do prefer the crimson and cream a lot more.
Looking at the Astros throwbacks and the pictures from the 60’s made me relive the smell of bubblegum.
Old baseball card reference there.
The scent of powder residue on those cards seemed to last for years. Even new, the gum would snap in two before you could chew it. Why did we chew it? One of those imponderables.
On both the throwback Colt .45 and Shooting Star Uni, the pants had thin navy blue piping. I am certain the .45s pants were a solid white (actually a light cream) without piping and I am pretty sure the shooting star pants were plain white as well. It was nice to see they had the small orange star on the stirrups. Throwbacks of the 60’s need to have the pants worn like the Cuellar illustration. That is how Koufax, Drysdale, Mantle and Maris wore them. Finally, somebody needs to make a plain black cleat. It would be instantly recognizable for marketing purposes. It would make the throwback look PERFECT.
Yes indeed. Check out the Cuellar picture meant to highlight the stirrups. The pants have no piping
RE: today’s Benchies
I sure hope Mick doesn’t tear his ACL getting caught in that rundown.
Gridiron database does not list this uniform because he;s wearing silver socks, not navy. I’ve colorized this, but the light color sock was there I assure you.
The Dons have the bight blue and the orange-red sheen pants, The Yankees also had some sheen on their numbers.
I colorized and them added filters that reacted well in low light, as this was a night game.
Do you have the date of this game (or at least the year) so I can pass this along to Bill & Tim and we can add the correct sock combo to the Gridiron Uniform Database. Also the uncolorized version would be helpful.
The new head and shoulders commercial features the Twins and the Royals. But in the commercial, the Royals were wearing their powder blues on the road, since the game took place in Minnesota. Have the Royals ever done that?
In the New nike NFL commercials they have players going color on color: link link
It’s advertising, not uni watching. They probably just did it because they look good/those jerseys sell better/the clubs want those jerseys to sell better.
Hi, Phil, John,
It should read AAFC, not AAFL.
ugh…my fault…that didn’t look right when i typed it but i never fixed it
thanks
No problem!
Regardless, the colorizations look great!
The Astros 60’s road uniform wasn’t bad, either
This may seem out of the ordinary, but I need some one that is good w/ making logos on computers. I have some ideas for shirts for my high school baseball team but cant mock them up myself. Please reply if you can help.
Aaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuughhhhhhhh. White Sox in their black gift shop rags today. Idiot Floyd.
If they absolutely MUST have that god damned black alternate top, at least get rid of the stupid clunky gray outlining everywhere & stupid thick sleeve stripes. It looks like shit. The #’s, NOB & logo are too big & thick for double trim.
God damn the Sox look good today.
;)
they’re one of the very few teams for whom an alt black top probably isn’t an abortion
if they’d actually make it a uniform by wearing black pants, (and then they could actually truly wear white socks), it would make the
softballgift shop rag (i like that) top much more palatableagreed with mark on the chunky outlines on the NOBs…this could be easily remedied by simply elimnating the NOBs altogether
Don’t like how the greys feature the cap logo on the sleeve this year, either. At least the Sunday reds look perfect.
Liked it better when they totally changed up every few years. That’s who they are, to me.
The Sox logo in the sleeve was added last year, not this year. And as a Sox fan, I’m glad we’ve kept the same cap, logo, colors, and basic uniform design for 21 years. Just like Jerry Reinsdorf stated back then — he wanted a style that would still be in use 50 years later.
You would think the Astros would have worn one of their throwbacks in any of their three games against the Mets this past week. After all the franchises came into the NL together. How no one in Astros Marketing thought that would be a good idea, I just don’t know.
Well, it’s not all about New York. Every Friday at home is throwback uni day and the fans can plan on that with one of 6 or 7 jerseys. They give out replicas and market each look. The three games the Mets came in for were completely immaterial to that marketing scheme.
As part of the Orioles 20 year celebration of Oriole Park at Camden Yards they have posted a collection of all the Homeruns that have landed on Eutaw Street and beyond. They mark where each HR that lands out there hits and now you can see that online. The cool part is that by clicking on each spot you can see the video of the home run. No one has hit the Warehouse in a regular game but Ken Griffey Jr. managed to do so in the 1993 All-Star game.
In addition to it being an awesome feature we get to see some interesting uniforms. Including some throwbacks, and a peek at some of the unis in the league in the 90s, like the first edition of the Mariners’ teal jerseys.
Here’s the link:
link
It’s a cool site, but the first thing I noticed is Ken Griffey’s hitting the warehouse is marked. Except that was done during the “Home Run Derby” which shouldn’t be counted since it wasn’t during an actual game. Why not count balls landing on Eutaw Street during batting practice?
Otherwise, pretty cool.
It’s the only time the Warehouse has ever been hit, I think that is the sole reason why it was counted, as I’m sure a few of the other HRs hit in the derby landed on Eutaw Street. Heck they probably will mark the warehouse if it ever gets hit in BP, that is one helluva feat
Orange
HatsCaps Held Hostage: Game 27link
If you’re like me, and you think the Marlins need to free the orange caps, link and tell them.
Have they worn the Orange jerseys yet? I mean the 2 saving graces of their new uniforms/identity have not been used, or barely used (if they have in fact worn the jerseys yet).
They wore the orange jersey on Monday. Also on April 15th and 19th. They’ve worn it more than the gray jersey…tonight was only the second time for that one.
Thanks to link for the info.
I think the most recent uniforms that the Astros have been using are their best ones.
Maybe it’s because I grew up in the 80s, but I loved the Tequila Sunrise uniforms. But I can see how they just don’t age well.
I think the Shooting Star looks old, too. I am not a fan.
I’m digging these Astros uniforms, even though they’re only my second-favorite, after the ’90s navy-and-gold awesomeness.
And Phil, I’m glad to see that you’re picking up on what is one of the nost heinous scourges of the Majestic era:
the only complaint (and it’s ever so tiny) is that the jersey script and rear uni numbers appear to be a bit higher on the originals than on the throwbacks
Once you see it, you cannot usnee it.
Oops; “unsee” it, not “usnee” it.
It’s been mentioned here twice, but former Astros manager has been on the Fox Sports Southwest broadcast twice this year. Both times he briefly mentioned the new uniforms for 2013, which he said he’d seen the preliminary designs for, and he said, “If you like these [shooting star jerseys], you’ll like what’s coming.”