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The Ricko Files, Vol. 1

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Back in late April, I ran an entry on the Orioles’ orange uniforms. Several of the comments that day came from a guy I hadn’t seen before on the site. He called himself Ricko, and one of his posts in particular led me to raise an eyebrow:

I have two four-drawer lateral files full of MLB, NFL, and college football clippings dating back to the ’50s. I know, cuz I’m the one who clipped them and saved them. Most times if the uniform was unique and there was no date on the clipping, I’d write the year on it somewhere. I’ll dig through my files over the weekend and see what I can find. I have an SI midseason photo of Ken Holtzman pitching all-kelly, from the A’s Bando/Rudi World Series era. And it’s just as ugly as the Orioles orange. Maybe uglier.

Envisioning a field trip in which I’d end up dancing barefoot through all these incredible clippings, I quickly dashed off a note to Ricko to find out more. Alas, he said he lived in Minnesota, so I couldn’t just drive over for a quick visit. I asked him more about his files, and here’s what he wrote back:

Period covered is generally mid-’50s to late ’70s or so. So I kinda have the beginning of the double-knit (baseball) stretch pants (football) era covered.

Files were created cuz I used to do sports artwork (painter, cartoonist).
Need a photo of Joe Womack or Larry Garron or Paul Blair in a sleeveless Orioles vest? Or an opening-week SI clipping saying that in 1971 the Orioles experimented with orange shoes but the players didnt’ like them? I can probably find you one.

LOL, I get steamed a team can’t even get its own history correct. Those Jets Titans throwbacks? Wrong color gold. That combo was light gold, similar to Steelers, etc. The colors they chose are correct for the FIRST Titan unis only. When they went to shoulder stripes, they brightened and lightened the gold. What, they’re so dense they can’t look at old football cards?

I’m really not a cranky old man. Just amazed at inaccuracies. Broncos never wore Tennessee Orange, for example. That’s the creamsicle orange the Bucs wore. My former partner was Denver Post sports editor at the time. Broncos ordered “Burnt Orange,” thinking they’d get Texas orange (wanted to wear same color as Texas). Instead they got the Orioles-Browns-Giants orange that everyone else got. And being thrifty (as those early AFL teams were), they just went with them.

Here’s a story you’ll like. In my pro sports PR days I met the Houston Oilers’ original PR guy (name fleeting — “Jack Harrigan,” maybe). He thought the Oilers maybe should wear black and gold (“black gold,” right, good thought). Nope, Bud Adams pointed to a big turquoise ring he always wore. “I want them to wear this color,” he said. Presto, columbia blue for the Oilers.

Why haven’t I been to your site sooner? Just found it. Was searching on “stirrup socks.”

I don’t claim to know everything. But the sports and time period I DO know, I know pretty well. And I have lotsa photos to lead to (hopefully) accurate findings. ”¦ I can probably provide stuff you wouldn’t believe. I was a freak about it. Have index cards I made (hand colored) for NFL/AFL unis from mid ’50s to early ’60s. Watched stuff like a hawk. For example, no stripe on Raiders helmets til ’62. Period. I can bury someone in photos who claims there were stripes prior to that.

Holy shit. Clearly, this was someone I needed to get to know better — like, a lot better. Just one problem: Ricko said he didn’t have a scanner, so there was no way for him to digitize his clippings and send them my way. So I basically told him, “Get yourself a scanner. Now. And then get back to me.”

And that might have been the end of it. When a week passed — and then another, and another — I figured Ricko was either a serial exaggerator or one of those old-school eccentrics who can’t deal with “sophisticated technology” like scanners (you know the type). I hear from people like this all the time, people who talk a big game but then don’t deliver.

Then, exactly four weeks after our initial correspondence, I got an e-mail from Ricko, with some scanned attachments. A few minutes later came another. And then another. And another. For the next 24 hours, it was all Ricko, all the time, with no less than 33 communiqués arriving during that span. Another 40 or so have come along since then, making for a full-blown Ricko-O-Rama.

Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Most of the material Ricko’s sent has been primo. There’s waaaaaay too much of it to fit in one entry, so here’s the first installment of the Ricko Files, which should become a regular feature around here (and would have debuted much sooner, except I was waiting for Ricko to provide a photo of himself, which he finally did a few days ago). Without further ado:

• Here’s the Sporting News‘s season-opening uniform descriptions — A.L. and N.L. — for 1962. The interesting thing is that the Mets are listed as wearing “white with orange piping” at home (no mention of pinstripes) and “gray with orange trim” on the road. Obviously, that never happened; to my knowledge, the only time the Mets have ever worn orange trim was in the Civil Rights Game back in March. Also, note the mention of the “black belt,” when the team always wore blue belts in the early days. (This isn’t the only instance of the Mets’ inaugural uniforms being erroneously described, by the way: In January of ’62, Casey Stengel posed for this photo, which showed the Amazin’s set to wear striped stirrups and a flashier chest insignia. By the time pitchers and catchers reported a month later, the design had changed.)

• We all know that the A’s began wearing green and gold in 1963, when the team was still in Kansas City. But here’s an amazing tidbit: According to this Minneapolis Star clipping, KC’s original technicolor duds were made of nylon! But wait a minute — there’s nothing nylon-y about this photo, dated August of ’63. Ricko explains: “The first gold uniforms were actually satin, much like Dodgers uniforms you’ve shown. I know the A’s actually wore them because I watched the game on TV the night the Minneapolis Star photo ran. Even in black and white, it was easy to see they were, indeed, shiny satin.” I suspect the “satin” Ricko refers to was actually the nylon mentioned in the newspaper clipping, but either way it’s a major addition to the historical record. Anyway, they soon switched to standard flannels during that season. (Also, note that the team’s white shoes, striped stirrups, and yellow sanitaries aren’t shown in the clipping, because they didn’t appear until four years later.)

• Check out the stirrup stripes on Jim Hunter in that 1967 SI cover — tough to say if there are only two yellow stripes or if there’s a third one that’s obscured by his pants, right? Ed Charles definitely had three stripes, but the width and spacing look different than Hunter’s. And here’s Campy, clearly wearing two fairly narrow stripes. All these photos came from the same season, 1967.

• As long as we’re talking about the A’s: Here’s the solid-kelly photo Ricko referred to in that early e-mail to me, and here’s Vida Blue wearing odd cleats that look like an Adidas/Ridell hybrid.

•  Here’s an amazing 1980 article with all kinds of info on stirrups — stop whatever you’re doing and read it now. Tons of valuable info here, including the tidbit that the American League wanted to fine players who lengthened their stirrups back in the late 1960s, but umpires didn’t feel like it was their duty to enforce the rule, so they didn’t bother. The mishmash of sock/pant stylings we see today can probably be traced to this chapter in history. Also: Calvin Griffith was so disgusted by the Twins’ hosiery stylings that at one point he took away the team’s stirrups during spring training. And sure enough, Ricko found a photo of Rod Carew wearing stirrup-less sanitaries! Unfuckingbelievable.

• Speaking of modified stirrups, I’ve written many times about Frank Robinson and others extending their stirrups by adding a loop of fabric on the bottom. But instead of adding fabric below, some players appear to have cut fabric away from the top of the foot opening, which is particularly easy to spot when the stirrups are striped. That’s Pete Richert, from the 1969 World Series.

• Here are some new (to me) pics of the Orioles wearing solid orange.

• More O’s pics, this time focusing on headwear: First, a few shots of the rarely seen 1963 “B” logo. And here’s Jim Palmer in the 1975-76 alternate cap.

• In recent months I’ve run lots of Robert Riger’s football illustrations. But he also did baseball work, as seen in this 1961 MacGregor ad.

Okay, that’s enough for today, but there’s a lot more where this came from — expect a new Ricko installment about once a week or so. At some point down the road I’ll probably do an interview with Ricko (whose real name, incidentally, is Rick Pearson), and I’m still waiting for him to provide a photo of his file drawers (digital cameras are another high-tech phenomenon he hasn’t yet embraced). Stay tuned.

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Many Marks, Many Beasts: Ronnie Belliard has pulled his pant cuffs back down (that photo is from yesterday), but the impact of his swoosh-emblazoned socks, which I wrote about last Thursday, continues to reverberate.

First, Mike Engle reports that Miguel Cabrera has been wearing the Phiten logo, of all things, on his socks lately. I had actually linked to this photo of Cabrera way back in May, but I didn’t realize what the logo was or that its appearance more than a one-time phenomenon. This is strictly a Cabrera thing, not a Tigers thing (no logos for Curtis Granderson or Micahel Holliman), but why isn’t the equipment manager telling him he can’t wear the Phiten-branded hose? It’s total bullshit — looks like crap, adds to logo creep, and why the hell is Phiten making socks anyway? Can’t they just stick to their titanium placebo necklaces? This needs to be nipped in the bud — like, yesterday. I know several people in the MLB office read Uni Watch, so could someone kindly place a call to Detroit and tell the Tigers that Cabrera’s logo-branded socks are a uniform violation?

Meanwhile, Nile Smith reports that the USA softball team — which once upon a time were a model of stirrup perfection — have gone straight to Nike hell. “I’m watching them play Tennessee on ESPN,” he wrote on Thursday evening, “and all of the USA national team players have navy blue socks on with a swoosh on them. Even worse the pitcher Abbott has the Nike socks with red Adidas spikes.” I haven’t been able to find pics of this, but this shot, from another game, shows the problem. Ugh — for a socks-centric guy like me, these developments are like watching your favorite grove of trees all succumb to Dutch elm disease simultaneously.

Two Housekeeping Items: Response to my proposal for a Uni Watch gathering this Thursday evening in Times Square was exceedingly meager, so we’ll scrap those plans and aim for a weekend gathering sometime in the not-too-distant future.

On another matter, if reader Ronald Charles is reading this, please contact me asap. Thanks.

Uni Watch News Ticker: With C.C. Sabathia now in Milwaukee, it’ll be interesting to see whose uni is baggier: Sabathia’s or Prince Fielder’s. ”¦ “Aston Villa, who are in the English Premier League, got permission to not have a sponsor on their jersey and instead will have the name and logo of the Acorns Children’s Hospice,” reports Andrew Kennedy. ”¦ Faaaaascinating logo creep conspiracy theory here. ”¦ No need for me to bash Nike when the rest of the world is doing it for me (with thanks to Greg Trandel). ”¦ Another great photo of the star-stirruped ’Stros (courtesy of JC Helf, who got it from Steve Dewing‘s awesome photo site). ”¦ You already knew that Washington State wears different helmets at home and on the road. But now they’ll have different helmet decals. Details here (courtesy of Eric Read). ”¦ “I thought it was interesting how the Bucks handled the last name of rookie forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute,” writes Erkki Corpuz. “What really caught my attention was the small ‘A’ in the middle. At UCLA, they had his name in all caps.” ”¦ My ESPN.com colleague Rob Neyer has been reading Ed Mickelson’s autobiography and reports that it includes the following passage about the 1950 Meridian Millers: “It was very hot in the Southeastern League and the team appeared in baseball pants that resembled Bermuda shorts. The pants were cut off just above the knee, allowing a little air to circulate. I don’t think the guys really wanted to wear them, but they appeared that way for the remainder of their games that season. Their attendance increased somewhat as a result of the shorts, for some people were interested in seeing grown men play ball in these funny cutoffs and knee socks. But baseball has long and lasting traditions which are hard to break, and Meridian went back to the normal attire for the 1951 season.” Neither Rob nor I had ever heard about this team wearing shorts. The only shorts-clad teams I’m aware of the are the Chisox and the Hollywood Stars, although Rob says, “I do recall something about a Texas League team (Fort Worth?) wearing shorts at some point.” If anyone has additional info, photos, etc., please speak up. ”¦ Cool 1920 Suquamish Indian baseball team photo here (with thanks to Dan Klempner). ”¦ I’ve linked several times to this UK soccer uni site, and now Michael Dove has pointed me toward an interview with the site’s creator. ”¦ Chris Parkin notes that the visiting bat boy in Thursday’s Bosox/Yankees game was wearing an EMC ad patch, which the Sox wore during their Japanese series against the A’s back in March. Surprising they wouldn’t have removed the patch so many months later. ”¦ Good interview here with the Wisconsin hoops team’s equipment manager (with thanks to Karl G. Anderson). ”¦ The Rugby World Cup logo is getting a facelift (with thanks to Caleb Borchers). ”¦ China Eastern Airlines flight attendants are getting new uniforms (courtesy of Chris Bisbee). ”¦ Lots of stories about the Garmin’s new Tour De France uniforms — look here, here, and here (with thanks to Eric Burtis). ”¦ Morris Levin was in Yorba Linda, California, the other day, where he proved that a picture really is worth 1000 words. ”¦ Decent photo gallery of NFL uni cameos here (as forwarded by Bryan Stabbe). ”¦ Speaking of uni cameos, you’ll never see Serge Ibaka with this jersey again. Same goes for Russell Westbrook (good observation by Andrew Schall). ”¦ The Titans have changed their primary jersey designation from navy to light blue, which I count as a major downgrade (although, as several readers have noted, at least it provides a connection to the franchise’s Oilers days). ”¦ Gorgeous old NOB lettering here (nice find by Greg Riffenburgh). ”¦ Footwear maven Mark Mihalik notes that A.J. Pierzynski was wearing camouflage-patterned cleats on July 4th. In addition, Mark is working on a new site focusing on unique baseball cleats and customized shoes not available to the public. “It’ll basically be a photo-oriented blog with minimal writing,” he writes. “I’ll mostly just post pics of custom shoes, unique team-colored footwear, and special event sneakers and cleats (like Pierzynski’s cleats or All-Star versions of shoes).” Mark has a great eye for this stuff, so I’ll let everyone know when the site is up and running. ”¦ Speaking of sneakers, good Wimbledon footwear wrap-up here (with thanks to Brinke Guthrie). ”¦ And speaking of cleats, Jamison Nash sent along an old photo of Bobby Bell wearing the coolest cleats I’ve ever seen on a football field. Are those awesome or what? If anyone knows more about these, do tell. ”¦ Terry Proctor came up with a shot of a label from his old sporting goods store, although he’s still looking for one of the embroidered versions. He also adds this: “Did you ever hear of a flannel color called ‘Yale Grey’? I vaguely remember it. According to a 1960s price list I recently found, it was a light-brown color for baseball uniforms.” That’s news to me. Anyone else..? ”¦ Fairly routine article here about the Red Sox’s uniforms (with thanks to Kristopher Hunt), and another one about their laundry here (courtesy of Mike Hennessy, who also found an old 1988 shot of Brady Anderson wearing a double-flap helmet). ”¦ Jeremy Brahm reports that Orix Buffaloes pitcher Ryota Katsuki, who normally wears No. 17, recently forgot to bring his uniform with him on a road trip, so he had to use the BP coach’s uniform, which was No. 102. ”¦ ” Late in Saturday’s Mets/Phils game on Saturday night, the guys in the booth were making a big deal about the red webbing on Fernando Tatis’s first baseman’s mitt,” writes Dave Bailey. “I paused the DVR to get a picture of it — turns out it’s an Albert Pujols model!” ”¦ Good article (including a quote or two from me) in this article about the Mets’ revolving-door use of uni No. 6. ”¦ Think I’m the only one worried about logo creep and corporate influence? Check out this cartoon from last week’s New Yorker. ”¦ Still more corporate encroachment on sports: Check out the “Phelps Sorry About Cap” section toward the bottom of this page. … Dominic Brown of the Lakewood BlueClaws is my kinda ballplayer (with thanks to Kevin Clark). … The whole “We won, so let’s untuck our jerseys now!” thing looks even stupider when you’re wearing baggy Negro Leagues throwbacks. Undershirt logo creep doesn’t look so hot either (additional throwback pics here. here, here, and here). ”¦ Underbrim update: Barry Zito definitely had something written under his brim on Saturday. Back in his A’s days, he’d write “Fitz,” which stood for “Fearless in the Zone.” Not sure if that’s still what he’s up to. … In case you missed it, the umps wore star-spangled caps over the weekend too. … The Cowboys have unveiled a Texas Stadium final-season logo, although it’s not yet clear whether it’ll be worn as a jersey patch. ”¦ Great photo here of Hot Rod Hundley in a sleeved West Virginia jersey (with thanks to David Cline, who also sent along a rather odd photo of the U.S. swim team wearing baseball-style jerseys). … Big pile of old flannel jersey available here, an awesome set of pinstriped pants here, and a totally boss old ref’s jersey, complete with button-through sleeve cuffs and a killer sleeve patch, here.

 
  
 
Comments (203)

    Paul will like these unis: the San Diego Rockets, with green and gold colors, and a vertically arched team name.

    link

    Huh, the Braves’ tomahawk was black in 1962? That can’t be right. It had to be deep navy.

    link

    [quote]a full-blown Ricko-O-Rama[/quote]

    after his wife/gf/significant other reads this site today, it will be

    Does USA swimming really only have 1 male swimmer for the olympics?

    link

    Was he the only one that showed up for a picture, or is it just assumed that he will win everything anyways, so why join?

    Repost from the weekend for the soccer folks; FC Porto’s new jerseys revealed for 2008/2009

    away link
    home link

    My thoughts: away, mixed feelings. I like the colors, but it looks too much like a training shirt. they probably should have color matched the sponsor and just had the lettering instead of the rectangle and different shades of blue

    Nice touch on both jerseys, the collar says “winning since 1893”

    Home, classic Porto, nice stripes (I prefer when they use the fatter stripes)

    Looking at that link for the Phiten socks they do list navy as a color of the socks…it’s just not pictured with the others.

    In the next Ricko post, could you put up a pictures of the Raiders’ stripeless helmet? I know the shield used to be white, and before that Oakland wore a strange brownish/gold/black combo (and were even briefly known as the grammatically incorrect “Señors”, though they never played a game as such), but I’ve never seen a stripeless Raiders helmet.

    link

    [quote comment=”278605″]Looking at that link for the Phiten socks they do list navy as a color of the socks…it’s just not pictured with the others.[/quote]

    On second look it is even pictured. It doesn’t really look navy but that may be them trying to make it look different than the black ones.

    [quote comment=”278598″]Paul will like these unis: the San Diego Rockets, with green and gold colors, and a vertically arched team name.

    link

    I found that article interesting in that Western New York used to have of professional basketball (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse) back in its early days.

    i think zito’s underbill has been updated to read ‘TOOTY’ which stands for “taken out of the yard.”

    [quote comment=”278608″]This isn’t the USA v Tennessee game, but these are the offending socks

    link

    Thanks! Now included in the text.

    [quote comment=”278605″]Looking at that link for the Phiten socks they do list navy as a color of the socks…it’s just not pictured with the others.[/quote]

    Gotcha. Sloppy work on my part. Text now adjusted accordingly.

    [quote comment=”278606″]In the next Ricko post, could you put up a pictures of the Raiders’ stripeless helmet? I know the shield used to be white, and before that Oakland wore a strange brownish/gold/black combo (and were even briefly known as the grammatically incorrect “Señors”, though they never played a game as such), but I’ve never seen a stripeless Raiders helmet.

    link

    Raiders tripeless helmets (’60 and ’61) were solid black and goofy-shaped liked the Bears at the time (as a kid, I thought they looked like Luden’s cough drops). Actually, original Raiders unis were a dead-solid knockoff of the Bears. That Flores card is hand-colored. Sleeves stripes actually were gold with white edge. Check other years’ Flores cards and you’ll see same photo with stripes correct.

    “Senors” came from first Oakland owner’s habit of calling everyone “Senor.” Find an old, old book called “The League That Came In From The Cold”. Is all about formation of AFL. Probably best you’ll find on the subject. Was published in paperback so won’t cost u an arm and a leg.

    In fact…
    link

    I have NO idea why a book on breastfeeding showed up when I searched “League That Came In From The Cold” on Amazon.

    [quote comment=”278615″]I have NO idea why a book on breastfeeding showed up when I searched “League That Came In From The Cold” on Amazon.[/quote]

    Ah, just remembered. “Senor” guy was Chet Soda, maybe? Need to dig out my copy of the book , I guess.

    Later, guys.

    [quote comment=”278600″]Huh, the Braves’ tomahawk was black in 1962? That can’t be right. It had to be deep navy.

    link

    Braves’ tomahawk was indeed black. Mitchell & Ness has this one totally correct. See image here,

    link

    [quote comment=”278619″]well, maybe not hilarious, but I bet its the only place you’ll see “undrafted McCain” anywhere on the interweb.[/quote]

    HA!

    thanks for pointing that out, as i didn’t get it [not get it (TM)] until you mentioned it…

    cedric is “tough and menacing looking”??? is that pc?

    Joba was wearing stirrups last night. never pictured him to be a stirrups man, and wearing mid-tops does make it harder to see the white sanitary, but it was visable last night.

    Finding Ricko is like finding a case of unopened Topps baseball card packs from the 50’s or 60’s in a warehouse!!!!!!!!!

    -Jet

    [quote comment=”278622″]Joba was wearing stirrups last night. never pictured him to be a stirrups man, and wearing mid-tops does make it harder to see the white sanitary, but it was visable last night.[/quote]

    he actually routinely wore them link, and while at nebraska, he link

    and link the ‘link‘ is link

    he’s been link since his link

    [quote comment=”278603″]Does USA swimming really only have 1 male swimmer for the olympics?

    link

    Was he the only one that showed up for a picture, or is it just assumed that he will win everything anyways, so why join?[/quote]

    The team was lined up at one end of the arena. There are plenty of guys on the team, though Phelps could probably handle things himself.

    The more I read of this first installment of the Ricko files, the more I am amazed. Ricko is a gift from the Uni gods!!!

    [quote comment=”278601″][quote]“A full-blown Ricko-O-Rama.”[/quote]

    “…After his wife/gf/significant other reads this site today, it will be!”[/quote]

    Ricko-O-Rama, where Ramas go to get their Rickos?

    [quote comment=”278624″][quote comment=”278622″]Joba was wearing stirrups last night. never pictured him to be a stirrups man, and wearing mid-tops does make it harder to see the white sanitary, but it was visable last night.[/quote]

    he actually routinely wore them link, and while at nebraska, he link

    and link the ‘link‘ is link

    he’s been link since his link[/quote]

    Still crazy after all these years … I loves me some Joba.

    [quote comment=”278626″]The more I read of this first installment of the Ricko files, the more I am amazed. Ricko is a gift from the Uni gods!!![/quote]
    [quote comment=”278627″][quote comment=”278601″]“A full-blown Ricko-O-Rama.”[/quote]

    “…After his wife/gf/significant other JET reads this site today, it will be!”[/quote]

    now fixed

    IHSA = Illinois High School Association, it’s not a hockey organization

    That just stuck out for me reading the description of the refs shirt from the seller.

    Ricko is the man (and bears a resemblance to David Letterman, to boot.) The internets is an amazing thing.

    This is piece isn’t about unis per se, but there are some shots in the photo gallery of A’s in action: link

    My question is this: am I missing something or is there a mistake in the photo that shows the Raiders playing in that they say McAfee is the last of the multi-purpose stadia? What about the Marlins and Dolphins?

    [quote comment=”278632″]This is piece isn’t about unis per se, but there are some shots in the photo gallery of A’s in action: link

    My question is this: am I missing something or is there a mistake in the photo that shows the Raiders playing in that they say McAfee is the last of the multi-purpose stadia? What about the Marlins and Dolphins?[/quote]

    well…here’s what teh article says about that dougie, in the next line, in fact:

    [quote]The Metrodome and Dolphin Stadium were designed for football and adjust for baseball, rather than being considered multipurpose.[/quote]

    so…there you go then

    [quote comment=”278632″]This is piece isn’t about unis per se, but there are some shots in the photo gallery of A’s in action: link

    My question is this: am I missing something or is there a mistake in the photo that shows the Raiders playing in that they say McAfee is the last of the multi-purpose stadia? What about the Marlins and Dolphins?[/quote]

    Or ummmm… Blue Jays and Bills?

    [quote comment=”278629″]

    “…After his wife/gf/significant other JET reads this site today, it will be!”[/quote]

    now fixed[/quote]

    Hey!!!! >:(

    [quote comment=”278633″][quote comment=”278632″]This is piece isn’t about unis per se, but there are some shots in the photo gallery of A’s in action: link

    My question is this: am I missing something or is there a mistake in the photo that shows the Raiders playing in that they say McAfee is the last of the multi-purpose stadia? What about the Marlins and Dolphins?[/quote]

    well…here’s what teh article says about that dougie, in the next line, in fact:

    [quote]The Metrodome and Dolphin Stadium were designed for football and adjust for baseball, rather than being considered multipurpose.[/quote]

    so…there you go then[/quote]
    D’OH! I guess I should have read on. I was only going on what the caption stated and that was incomplete at best.

    But upon further review, didn’t both the Twins AND the Vikes move from the Met to the Homer Dome in ’82? How is the Metrodome not considered a multi-purpose facility? I don’t think anyone will argue that the Marlins were an afterthought when it comes to Dolphins Stadium but if the two teams moved to the venue in the same year, I would argue that the building would be multi-purpose.

    This is also the first time I’ve ever heard that the definition of “multi-purpose” had to do with design. I always just categorized MLB and NFL teams that share a facility as playing in a multi-purpose stadium.

    I went to get my phillies alternate name/numbered at the ballpark on Saturday night and the guy told me he wasn’t currently allowed to put Player/Name and numbers on jerseys at the ballpark. I could still buy a player jersey but they weren’t allowed to apply them to previously bought jerseys. Any idea why this is?

    Also, the phillies had chase utley all star jerseys for sale at the game before the announcement of the team was even made. And they sold quick.

    the best part about the article on the WSU decal situation is that Nike is taking over as uniform supplier.

    [quote comment=”278638″]the best part about the article on the WSU decal situation is that Nike is taking over as uniform supplier.[/quote]

    Conversly, one could argue that is in fact the worst part of the article.

    [quote comment=”278637″]I went to get my phillies alternate name/numbered at the ballpark on Saturday night and the guy told me he wasn’t currently allowed to put Player/Name and numbers on jerseys at the ballpark. I could still buy a player jersey but they weren’t allowed to apply them to previously bought jerseys. Any idea why this is?

    Also, the phillies had chase utley all star jerseys for sale at the game before the announcement of the team was even made. And they sold quick.[/quote]

    If you went Sunday, the team knew who was going well before the offical announcement, my guess is that they were permitted to get a head start selling the jerseys, especially because they are such a hot impulse buy item.

    Also, wasn’t he like the leading vote getter in the NL. If ever there was a sure thing for the all star game, Chase Utley had to be close.

    As for your jersey, I imagine that they were just being dicks because you didn’t buy the jersey from them at twice the price.

    [quote comment=”278636″]But upon further review, didn’t both the Twins AND the Vikes move from the Met to the Homer Dome in ’82? How is the Metrodome not considered a multi-purpose facility? I don’t think anyone will argue that the Marlins were an afterthought when it comes to Dolphins Stadium but if the two teams moved to the venue in the same year, I would argue that the building would be multi-purpose.

    This is also the first time I’ve ever heard that the definition of “multi-purpose” had to do with design. I always just categorized MLB and NFL teams that share a facility as playing in a multi-purpose stadium.[/quote]

    I think the point they’re trying to make is that the Raiders are the only NFL team that still plays their games in a stadium where the layout was configured primarily for baseball.

    The HHHomer Dome has basically a rectangular seating arrangement.

    If that shot of Brady Anderson really is from 1988, whats the deal with the ticker on the bottom of the screen? Minnesota would have never played San Diego then.

    [quote comment=”278642″]If that shot of Brady Anderson really is from 1988, whats the deal with the ticker on the bottom of the screen? Minnesota would have never played San Diego then.[/quote]
    The game was from 1988, but it was replayed two weeks ago when NESN was celebrating “Jerry Remy Day” to make the 20th anniversary of Remy’s debut in the broadcast booth (Note the “Jerry Remy Day” logo in the lower right). The game shown was Opening Day 1998, Red Sox vs. Tigers.
    The ticker at the bottom reflects the games for Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

    [quote comment=”278639″][quote comment=”278638″]the best part about the article on the WSU decal situation is that Nike is taking over as uniform supplier.[/quote]

    Conversly, one could argue that is in fact the worst part of the article.[/quote]

    you could say that but as a cougar fan
    it seems that the current design was a step back in my mind

    [quote comment=”278640″][quote comment=”278637″]I went to get my phillies alternate name/numbered at the ballpark on Saturday night and the guy told me he wasn’t currently allowed to put Player/Name and numbers on jerseys at the ballpark. I could still buy a player jersey but they weren’t allowed to apply them to previously bought jerseys. Any idea why this is?

    Also, the phillies had chase utley all star jerseys for sale at the game before the announcement of the team was even made. And they sold quick.[/quote]

    If you went Sunday, the team knew who was going well before the offical announcement, my guess is that they were permitted to get a head start selling the jerseys, especially because they are such a hot impulse buy item.

    Also, wasn’t he like the leading vote getter in the NL. If ever there was a sure thing for the all star game, Chase Utley had to be close.

    As for your jersey, I imagine that they were just being dicks because you didn’t buy the jersey from them at twice the price.[/quote]

    Its not because he was being a dick. There is some sort of Players Union ‘issue’. Probably the fact that the Union wants revenue from that jersey, because its not just an mlb licensed product, it becomes a player jersey when the name goes on the back. my guess is the revenue is split different ways for both.

    The treatment of small letters on jerseys, like in Mbah a Moute’s case (or Uwe von Schamann, among many others), has always annoyed me. The “bah” and “oute” aren’t in smaller letters, even though they’re supposed to be in lowercase as well. Why treat lowercase letters differently when they begin a word if you don’t distinguish otherwise?

    Is everyone else’s Uni Watch page all about Ricko, or has he found a clever way to zap me?

    I found the gallery with the Monica Abbott pictures.
    If you go to: link
    and then click on the USA national team gallery, starting at picture 24 has game action photos and you can see Monica Abbott with Nike socks and uniform with Adidas shoes and glove and arm band.

    Ricko- your clippings are awesome. Ever come across a pic of the A’s in their vest jerseys, wearing gold sleaved undershirts?

    [quote comment=”278649″]Ricko- your clippings are awesome. Ever come across a pic of the A’s in their vest jerseys, wearing gold sleaved undershirts?[/quote]

    Never saw that (hey, I did say I don’t claim to know everything, lol). Which vest? Fort Knox Gold, Bridal Veil White or Sea Foam Green (greenish gray)? Love those color names. Finley sure was given to hype, wasn’t he.

    Also we’ve been talking here about Dressed/Nines showing A’s wearing gold stirrups and white sanis as an alt on the road in ’89 or ’90. No one seems to have scared up images of that, either.

    [quote comment=”278649″]Ricko- your clippings are awesome. Ever come across a pic of the A’s in their vest jerseys, wearing gold sleaved undershirts?[/quote]

    One more thought: I think I have clipping of someone wearing a white nylon windbreaker under the vest…or might have been on a baseball card…but that probably isn’t what u mean.

    With the greenish-grey. My Dad brought me to Comisky in the 60’s, and I swear that’s what they were wearing… but no one believes me…
    BTW, we saw the Twins alot – my Dad knew Sam Mele.

    The New York-Penn baseball league is holding a vote on the new logo they will use beginning next year. Here is the details

    link

    Peter King on SI.com today talking about the possibility of Brett Favre signing with the Vikings:

    “Imagine Favre in purple. It’s an absolutely vomitous scenario for the Packers, imagining Favre playing for their arch-rivals — and imagining Favre charging out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field for the opening game of the 2008 season. Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football, the night Favre was supposed to have his number retired for the Packers.”

    I’d say Paul would be vomitting as well!

    [quote comment=”278630″]IHSA = Illinois High School Association, it’s not a hockey organization

    That just stuck out for me reading the description of the refs shirt from the seller.[/quote]

    I just pulled the IHSA patches off my ref shirts over the weekend in preparation for putting the AIA ones on before the new season starts.

    From the article:
    and why the hell is Phiten making socks anyway?

    Hey, at least they make something that actually works now.

    SB

    Baseball’s Best ‘Staches

    link

    How is Rollie Fingers’ hair gray, but his stache is jet black? Too funny…

    [quote comment=”278654″]“I’d say Paul would be vomitting as well!”[/quote]

    Brian Redemske! Paging Brain Redemske! Vomit letter STAT!!!

    [quote comment=”278636″]But upon further review, didn’t both the Twins AND the Vikes move from the Met to the Homer Dome in ’82? How is the Metrodome not considered a multi-purpose facility? I don’t think anyone will argue that the Marlins were an afterthought when it comes to Dolphins Stadium but if the two teams moved to the venue in the same year, I would argue that the building would be multi-purpose.[/quote]

    They did (though a quibble here would be to point out that HHHMD got its “Homer Dome” moniker in the first week of its baseball life and despite the fact it hasn’t been a really homer-friendly park in the last 26 years since, people continue to call it the Homer Dome, which bugs the hell out of me).

    The Twins would have played there first, right? I’m thinking since baseball and football were in the design and the planning, HHHMD is a multi-purpose facility.

    [quote comment=”278641″]I think the point they’re trying to make is that the Raiders are the only NFL team that still plays their games in a stadium where the layout was configured primarily for baseball.[/quote]

    Which is odd, considering the Raiders played in it two years before the A’s moved to Oakland. When construction began on the Coliseum (1962), the A’s were still very much in Kansas City.

    I think the Titans light-blue uniforms will be okay as long as they switch the pants to navy too. Otherwise they’ll just look like the Seahawks with randomly navy shoulders.

    Slight inaccuracy in the KC Star article about the Garmin-Chipotle team. Although they’re based in the USA (or Boulder, which is close enough), they don’t have mostly American riders, at least not on their TdF roster — only 3 of the 9 are American. Still, that’s 3 of only 4 Americans riding this year’s Tour.

    NOTE TO LARGE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES: DO NOT READ THIS COMMENT!!!

    So, how long until Coke or Budweiser starts to design and produce baseball/football/basketball uniforms?

    “That’s not advertising. That’s just the clothing designer’s logo.”

    Paul –

    I have a possible solution to the Lakers mis-matched color schemes of the 80’s that may have to do with one of Jack Kent Cooke’s quirks. JKC absolutely LOVED the color purple, but he HATED the word purple. The Lakers colors were called “Forum Blue”, even though they were in actuality purple. Maybe THAT’S what caused the confusion…

    Thanks for all of your great work.

    PS Another purple story side note – I grew up in Baton Rouge and went to LSU (GEAUX TIGERS). My wife, who is a graphic artist, SWEARS that almost ALL of the Pistol Pete purple LSU pics that I show her are reflex blue, not purple. Go figure!

    Ricko, great collection!!!

    Interesting football cleat tidbit…IDK if anyone covered it last week, while I was away, but Randy Moss was a cleat free agent last year, wearing many different brands.

    According to an ad in the latest Eastbay catalogue, he has signed with…Pony?

    link

    [quote comment=”278662″][quote comment=”278641″]I think the point they’re trying to make is that the Raiders are the only NFL team that still plays their games in a stadium where the layout was configured primarily for baseball.[/quote]

    Which is odd, considering the Raiders played in it two years before the A’s moved to Oakland. When construction began on the Coliseum (1962), the A’s were still very much in Kansas City.[/quote]
    Huh. The more we talk about this, the more confused I get.

    I looked up some history on the Coliseum and Oakland and came up with the same thing, that the Raiders were the original tenants. Therefore, I wouldn’t think that the Raiders were playing in a stadium designed first and foremost for baseball.

    On the flipside, the HHHMD had both tenants move in in the same year so even if the original intent was to be a football-only stadium, I would have to think that there was a plan in effect for the Twins too. One would think the planning stage would have had to accomodate configurations for a baseball diamond.

    Either way, I’ve never heard anyone take the stance that ESPN (writer or editor, not sure) have taken that multi-purpose only means that the stadium had to have been planned to have been used for both baseball and football. I’ve never looked at it that way, only if an MLB and NFL squad were shared tenants would it be referred to as multi-purpose.

    Three Rivers, Riverfront, The Vet, Fulton-County and Shea had MLB and NFL (or AFL) tenants move in in the same year (along with the Metrodome). Those would be considered multi-purpose in design right?

    But other parks like RFK, the Astrodome, The Murph, Mile High, Candlestick and others were sharing tenants starting in different years but you could argue there were plans that those stadia could be used for both sports.

    The only places I would make exceptions would be when a team so blatantly was forcing itself into another sport’s ballpark (The Rams in Anaheim or the Dodgers in the Memorial Coliseum), extremely traditional baseball parks (Yankee, Wrigley, Fenway, yes, I understand Giants played in the Bronx nearly 20 years, but I think people will always think baseball first when they think of the house that Ruth built) and places like PacBell and the BOB that host bowl games once a year.

    (I’m sorry if I’m not up on all my stadium endorsement deals, I know some of those are dated)

    [quote comment=”278666″]Paul –

    I have a possible solution to the Lakers mis-matched color schemes of the 80’s that may have to do with one of Jack Kent Cooke’s quirks. JKC absolutely LOVED the color purple, but he HATED the word purple. The Lakers colors were called “Forum Blue”, even though they were in actuality purple. Maybe THAT’S what caused the confusion…

    Thanks for all of your great work.

    PS Another purple story side note – I grew up in Baton Rouge and went to LSU (GEAUX TIGERS). My wife, who is a graphic artist, SWEARS that almost ALL of the Pistol Pete purple LSU pics that I show her are reflex blue, not purple. Go figure![/quote]

    Does look blue here, doesn’t it (damn computer scans). I have this cover at home, I think, and it seems to me looks purple there.

    link

    [quote comment=”278667″]Ricko, great collection!!!

    Interesting football cleat tidbit…IDK if anyone covered it last week, while I was away, but Randy Moss was a cleat free agent last year, wearing many different brands.

    According to an ad in the latest Eastbay catalogue, he has signed with…Pony?

    link

    Have had two pair of Pony cleats. Both fell apart. First year of USFL, Pony was official shoe of the league. Pony’s all OVER the place. Google Image search Anthony Carter for example. If he’s wearing Pony is from first year. If Nike, second year or later.

    [quote comment=”278665″]NOTE TO LARGE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES: DO NOT READ THIS COMMENT!!!

    So, how long until Coke or Budweiser starts to design and produce baseball/football/basketball uniforms?

    “That’s not advertising. That’s just the clothing designer’s logo.”[/quote]

    or building baseball stadia? (either directly, as in “BUSCH I, II & III” or indirectly, through naming rights, like “coors field”)

    that day is not far off, jim…

    [quote comment=”278671″][quote comment=”278670″]btw, someone tell Paul to note the socks on the opposition.[/quote]

    Way ahead of ya, big fella:
    link
    [quote comment=”278671″][quote comment=”278670″]btw, someone tell Paul to note the socks on the opposition.[/quote]

    Way ahead of ya, big fella:
    link

    Somehow I figured that.

    [quote comment=”278672″][quote comment=”278667″]Ricko, great collection!!!

    Interesting football cleat tidbit…IDK if anyone covered it last week, while I was away, but Randy Moss was a cleat free agent last year, wearing many different brands.

    According to an ad in the latest Eastbay catalogue, he has signed with…Pony?

    link

    Have had two pair of Pony cleats. Both fell apart. First year of USFL, Pony was official shoe of the league. Pony’s all OVER the place. Google Image search Anthony Carter for example. If he’s wearing Pony is from first year. If Nike, second year or later.[/quote]
    When did PONY get back in the football cleat game? It’s been years since I’ve seen a pair of those. I know they’ve been back in basketball and still make baseball (right?)

    [quote comment=”278675″][quote comment=”278672″][quote comment=”278667″]Ricko, great collection!!!

    Interesting football cleat tidbit…IDK if anyone covered it last week, while I was away, but Randy Moss was a cleat free agent last year, wearing many different brands.

    According to an ad in the latest Eastbay catalogue, he has signed with…Pony?

    link

    Have had two pair of Pony cleats. Both fell apart. First year of USFL, Pony was official shoe of the league. Pony’s all OVER the place. Google Image search Anthony Carter for example. If he’s wearing Pony is from first year. If Nike, second year or later.[/quote]
    When did PONY get back in the football cleat game? It’s been years since I’ve seen a pair of those. I know they’ve been back in basketball and still make baseball (right?)[/quote]

    link dougie and matt (welcome back, btw)

    [quote comment=”278660″][quote comment=”278654″]“I’d say Paul would be vomitting as well!”[/quote]

    Brian Redemske! Paging Brain Redemske! Vomit letter STAT!!![/quote]

    Which one, Brain or Brian? Because I’ll let him know once you decide.

    [quote comment=”278668″][quote comment=”278662″][quote comment=”278641″]I think the point they’re trying to make is that the Raiders are the only NFL team that still plays their games in a stadium where the layout was configured primarily for baseball.[/quote]

    Which is odd, considering the Raiders played in it two years before the A’s moved to Oakland. When construction began on the Coliseum (1962), the A’s were still very much in Kansas City.[/quote]
    Huh. The more we talk about this, the more confused I get.

    I looked up some history on the Coliseum and Oakland and came up with the same thing, that the Raiders were the original tenants. Therefore, I wouldn’t think that the Raiders were playing in a stadium designed first and foremost for baseball.

    On the flipside, the HHHMD had both tenants move in in the same year so even if the original intent was to be a football-only stadium, I would have to think that there was a plan in effect for the Twins too. One would think the planning stage would have had to accomodate configurations for a baseball diamond.

    Either way, I’ve never heard anyone take the stance that ESPN (writer or editor, not sure) have taken that multi-purpose only means that the stadium had to have been planned to have been used for both baseball and football. I’ve never looked at it that way, only if an MLB and NFL squad were shared tenants would it be referred to as multi-purpose.

    Three Rivers, Riverfront, The Vet, Fulton-County and Shea had MLB and NFL (or AFL) tenants move in in the same year (along with the Metrodome). Those would be considered multi-purpose in design right?

    But other parks like RFK, the Astrodome, The Murph, Mile High, Candlestick and others were sharing tenants starting in different years but you could argue there were plans that those stadia could be used for both sports.

    The only places I would make exceptions would be when a team so blatantly was forcing itself into another sport’s ballpark (The Rams in Anaheim or the Dodgers in the Memorial Coliseum), extremely traditional baseball parks (Yankee, Wrigley, Fenway, yes, I understand Giants played in the Bronx nearly 20 years, but I think people will always think baseball first when they think of the house that Ruth built) and places like PacBell and the BOB that host bowl games once a year.

    (I’m sorry if I’m not up on all my stadium endorsement deals, I know some of those are dated)[/quote]

    [quote comment=\”278668\”][quote comment=\”278662\”][quote comment=\”278641\”]I think the point they\’re trying to make is that the Raiders are the only NFL team that still plays their games in a stadium where the layout was configured primarily for baseball.[/quote]

    Which is odd, considering the Raiders played in it two years before the A\’s moved to Oakland. When construction began on the Coliseum (1962), the A\’s were still very much in Kansas City.[/quote]
    Huh. The more we talk about this, the more confused I get.

    I looked up some history on the Coliseum and Oakland and came up with the same thing, that the Raiders were the original tenants. Therefore, I wouldn\’t think that the Raiders were playing in a stadium designed first and foremost for baseball.

    On the flipside, the HHHMD had both tenants move in in the same year so even if the original intent was to be a football-only stadium, I would have to think that there was a plan in effect for the Twins too. One would think the planning stage would have had to accomodate configurations for a baseball diamond.

    Either way, I\’ve never heard anyone take the stance that ESPN (writer or editor, not sure) have taken that multi-purpose only means that the stadium had to have been planned to have been used for both baseball and football. I\’ve never looked at it that way, only if an MLB and NFL squad were shared tenants would it be referred to as multi-purpose.

    Three Rivers, Riverfront, The Vet, Fulton-County and Shea had MLB and NFL (or AFL) tenants move in in the same year (along with the Metrodome). Those would be considered multi-purpose in design right?

    But other parks like RFK, the Astrodome, The Murph, Mile High, Candlestick and others were sharing tenants starting in different years but you could argue there were plans that those stadia could be used for both sports.

    The only places I would make exceptions would be when a team so blatantly was forcing itself into another sport\’s ballpark (The Rams in Anaheim or the Dodgers in the Memorial Coliseum), extremely traditional baseball parks (Yankee, Wrigley, Fenway, yes, I understand Giants played in the Bronx nearly 20 years, but I think people will always think baseball first when they think of the house that Ruth built) and places like PacBell and the BOB that host bowl games once a year.

    (I\’m sorry if I\’m not up on all my stadium endorsement deals, I know some of those are dated)[/quote]

    Wasn\’t the Oakland Colesium extensively renovated after the Raiders left town to make it more baseball oriented for the A\’s.

    Also, if you look at an arial photo of Yankee Stadium you can see how it totally made sense for football until it was renovated in in the early 1970\’s

    [quote comment=”278673″][quote comment=”278665″]NOTE TO LARGE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES: DO NOT READ THIS COMMENT!!!

    So, how long until Coke or Budweiser starts to design and produce baseball/football/basketball uniforms?

    “That’s not advertising. That’s just the clothing designer’s logo.”[/quote]

    or building baseball stadia? (either directly, as in “BUSCH I, II & III” or indirectly, through naming rights, like “coors field”)

    that day is not far off, jim…[/quote]

    [quote comment=\”278673\”][quote comment=\”278665\”]NOTE TO LARGE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES: DO NOT READ THIS COMMENT!!!

    So, how long until Coke or Budweiser starts to design and produce baseball/football/basketball uniforms?

    \”That\’s not advertising. That\’s just the clothing designer\’s logo.\”[/quote]

    or building baseball stadia? (either directly, as in \”BUSCH I, II & III\” or indirectly, through naming rights, like \”coors field\”)

    that day is not far off, jim…[/quote]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…

    [quote comment=”278678″][quote comment=”278668″][quote comment=”278662″][quote comment=”278641″]quote]

    Wasn\’t the Oakland Colesium extensively renovated after the Raiders left town to make it more baseball oriented for the A\’s.

    Also, if you look at an arial photo of Yankee Stadium you can see how it totally made sense for football until it was renovated in in the early 1970\’s[/quote]
    [quote comment=\”278678\”][quote comment=\”278668\”][quote comment=\”278662\”][quote comment=\”278641\”]quote]

    Wasn\\\’t the Oakland Colesium extensively renovated after the Raiders left town to make it more baseball oriented for the A\\\’s.

    Also, if you look at an arial photo of Yankee Stadium you can see how it totally made sense for football until it was renovated in in the early 1970\\\’s[/quote]
    I think you’re right, but also, didn’t they add those upper deck seats that closed off the open end once they wooed the Raiders back? Plus, aren’t the huge foul areas attributed to it being a football facility too?

    [quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)

    question…

    when anyone on here hits “refresh” (for me that’s F5)…do you get taken down to the last (newest post)…or does it jump back up to the top of the page?

    seems to do that only occasionally on this site, but for some reason today…it’s ALWAYS popping up to the top

    now…if paul had posted a link…that’d be fine

    but today’s pic is…

    [quote comment=”278645″][quote comment=”278640″][quote comment=”278637″]I went to get my phillies alternate name/numbered at the ballpark on Saturday night and the guy told me he wasn’t currently allowed to put Player/Name and numbers on jerseys at the ballpark. I could still buy a player jersey but they weren’t allowed to apply them to previously bought jerseys. Any idea why this is?

    Also, the phillies had chase utley all star jerseys for sale at the game before the announcement of the team was even made. And they sold quick.[/quote]

    If you went Sunday, the team knew who was going well before the offical announcement, my guess is that they were permitted to get a head start selling the jerseys, especially because they are such a hot impulse buy item.

    Also, wasn’t he like the leading vote getter in the NL. If ever there was a sure thing for the all star game, Chase Utley had to be close.

    As for your jersey, I imagine that they were just being dicks because you didn’t buy the jersey from them at twice the price.[/quote]

    Its not because he was being a dick. There is some sort of Players Union ‘issue’. Probably the fact that the Union wants revenue from that jersey, because its not just an mlb licensed product, it becomes a player jersey when the name goes on the back. my guess is the revenue is split different ways for both.[/quote]

    I’ve taken previously bought jerseys to get numbered and lettered at the Mets Clubhouse Shop and have never gotten turned away or refused. The only time they didn’t take one was because they were behind on orders and needed to catch up before they could take on new jobs. But a week later they were good to go.

    Are you absolutely certain that this is a Players Union issue? After all, one place does it with no problem and one place seems like they’re making their own decision not to do it.

    [quote comment=”278681″][quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)[/quote]

    WNBA is more popular than you think. Viewership and ratings are experiencing double-digit growth this season, in May, WNBA.com shattered the all-time monthly records for visits and page views an increase of 100 percent. Overall attendance for May increased 42 percent over last season. The Los Angeles Sparks opened the season with four consecutive road sellouts. I love watching the WNBA, which as recently as 2 or 3 years ago I didn’t think I would.

    I don’t think using the WNBA as a litmus test is misguided at all.

    [quote comment=”278684″][quote comment=”278681″][quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)[/quote]

    WNBA is more popular than you think. Viewership and ratings are experiencing double-digit growth this season, in May, WNBA.com shattered the all-time monthly records for visits and page views an increase of 100 percent. Overall attendance for May increased 42 percent over last season. The Los Angeles Sparks opened the season with four consecutive road sellouts. I love watching the WNBA, which as recently as 2 or 3 years ago I didn’t think I would.

    I don’t think using the WNBA as a litmus test is misguided at all.[/quote]

    Yup, said it before. WNBA plays the game where most of us play it: UNDER the rim. And they’re better at it that most of us are.

    [quote comment=”278658″]Baseball’s Best ‘Staches

    link

    How is Rollie Fingers’ hair gray, but his stache is jet black? Too funny…[/quote]

    link

    [quote comment=”278685″][quote comment=”278684″][quote comment=”278681″][quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)[/quote]

    WNBA is more popular than you think. Viewership and ratings are experiencing double-digit growth this season, in May, WNBA.com shattered the all-time monthly records for visits and page views an increase of 100 percent. Overall attendance for May increased 42 percent over last season. The Los Angeles Sparks opened the season with four consecutive road sellouts. I love watching the WNBA, which as recently as 2 or 3 years ago I didn’t think I would.

    I don’t think using the WNBA as a litmus test is misguided at all.[/quote]

    Yup, said it before. WNBA plays the game where most of us play it: UNDER the rim. And they’re better at it that most of us are.[/quote]

    Except for Candice Parker, she is going to change the way the game is played. Unless she gets hurt she will become the Michael Jordan of the WNBA

    [quote]Except for Candice Parker, she is going to change the way the game is played. Unless she gets hurt she will become the Michael Jordan of the WNBA[/quote]

    just because candace can dunk, doesn’t mean she’s going to change how the game is played…and she’s not michael jordan (or even the MJ of the women’s game)

    does sue bird still play?

    [quote comment=”278685″][quote comment=”278684″][quote comment=”278681″][quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)[/quote]

    WNBA is more popular than you think. Viewership and ratings are experiencing double-digit growth this season, in May, WNBA.com shattered the all-time monthly records for visits and page views an increase of 100 percent. Overall attendance for May increased 42 percent over last season. The Los Angeles Sparks opened the season with four consecutive road sellouts. I love watching the WNBA, which as recently as 2 or 3 years ago I didn’t think I would.

    I don’t think using the WNBA as a litmus test is misguided at all.[/quote]

    Yup, said it before. WNBA plays the game where most of us play it: UNDER the rim. And they’re better at it that most of us are.[/quote]

    1) I would never THINK of taking on the WORST WNBA player in a one-on-one game. I’d be shamed like a 4 year old.

    2) No doubt the league has grown in popularity. I’m very happy for them. It’s wonderful.

    3) I’m guessing 80% of NBA fans couldn’t name five players from the WNBA. Any players. From any team. Probably from any year the league has been in existence.

    I really don’t mean to sound negative. It’s a fine league. But it’s also not considered a “major sports league” by most sports fans. Just like my back yard. It’s a fine yard. But I shouldn’t use it to judge what they should or should not do to the grass in a MLB ballpark.

    I think I can make out what it says under Zito’s brim…

    “Note to Self: DON’T SUCK TODAY!”

    [quote comment=”278690″]I think I can make out what it says under Zito’s brim…

    “Note to Self: DON’T SUCK TODAY!”[/quote]

    that ship sailed long ago

    [quote comment=”278689″][quote comment=”278685″][quote comment=”278684″][quote comment=”278681″][quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)[/quote]

    WNBA is more popular than you think. Viewership and ratings are experiencing double-digit growth this season, in May, WNBA.com shattered the all-time monthly records for visits and page views an increase of 100 percent. Overall attendance for May increased 42 percent over last season. The Los Angeles Sparks opened the season with four consecutive road sellouts. I love watching the WNBA, which as recently as 2 or 3 years ago I didn’t think I would.

    I don’t think using the WNBA as a litmus test is misguided at all.[/quote]

    Yup, said it before. WNBA plays the game where most of us play it: UNDER the rim. And they’re better at it that most of us are.[/quote]

    1) I would never THINK of taking on the WORST WNBA player in a one-on-one game. I’d be shamed like a 4 year old.

    2) No doubt the league has grown in popularity. I’m very happy for them. It’s wonderful.

    3) I’m guessing 80% of NBA fans couldn’t name five players from the WNBA. Any players. From any team. Probably from any year the league has been in existence.

    I really don’t mean to sound negative. It’s a fine league. But it’s also not considered a “major sports league” by most sports fans. Just like my back yard. It’s a fine yard. But I shouldn’t use it to judge what they should or should not do to the grass in a MLB ballpark.[/quote]

    I couldn’t name three WNBA players……

    [quote comment=”278688″][quote]Except for Candice Parker, she is going to change the way the game is played. Unless she gets hurt she will become the Michael Jordan of the WNBA[/quote]

    just because candace can dunk, doesn’t mean she’s going to change how the game is played…and she’s not michael jordan (or even the MJ of the women’s game)

    does sue bird still play?[/quote]

    You’re right she passes the ball, something MJ rarely did. She’ll be the Oscar Robertson of the WNBA then.

    [quote comment=”278686″][quote comment=”278658″]Baseball’s Best ‘Staches

    link

    How is Rollie Fingers’ hair gray, but his stache is jet black? Too funny…[/quote]

    link[/quote]

    Or may got a tip from another ‘Best ‘Stache’ honoree…

    link

    link

    [quote comment=”278689″][quote comment=”278685″][quote comment=”278684″][quote comment=”278681″][quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)[/quote]

    WNBA is more popular than you think. Viewership and ratings are experiencing double-digit growth this season, in May, WNBA.com shattered the all-time monthly records for visits and page views an increase of 100 percent. Overall attendance for May increased 42 percent over last season. The Los Angeles Sparks opened the season with four consecutive road sellouts. I love watching the WNBA, which as recently as 2 or 3 years ago I didn’t think I would.

    I don’t think using the WNBA as a litmus test is misguided at all.[/quote]

    Yup, said it before. WNBA plays the game where most of us play it: UNDER the rim. And they’re better at it that most of us are.[/quote]

    1) I would never THINK of taking on the WORST WNBA player in a one-on-one game. I’d be shamed like a 4 year old.

    2) No doubt the league has grown in popularity. I’m very happy for them. It’s wonderful.

    3) I’m guessing 80% of NBA fans couldn’t name five players from the WNBA. Any players. From any team. Probably from any year the league has been in existence.

    I really don’t mean to sound negative. It’s a fine league. But it’s also not considered a “major sports league” by most sports fans. Just like my back yard. It’s a fine yard. But I shouldn’t use it to judge what they should or should not do to the grass in a MLB ballpark.[/quote]

    The NFL wasn’t considered a “major sports league” by most fans until the late 1950s. That takes time. But that shouldn’t be an excuse for David Stern to put the McDonald’s logo on ALL the WNBA uniforms.

    [quote]

    I’ve taken previously bought jerseys to get numbered and lettered at the Mets Clubhouse Shop and have never gotten turned away or refused. The only time they didn’t take one was because they were behind on orders and needed to catch up before they could take on new jobs. But a week later they were good to go.

    Are you absolutely certain that this is a Players Union issue? After all, one place does it with no problem and one place seems like they’re making their own decision not to do it.[/quote]

    They opened a make-it-while-you-wait store at Miller Park this year and they will not put a players name and number on the back of a jersey, either.

    Okay, let’s really piss of a small (relatively speaking) core of fans. That hockey league, the one with Red Wings and them, what national cable network does it have a regular season contract with again? Oh, yeah, the one that follows Ted Nugent around while he’s hunting.

    Nah, just giving u shit. Hard to know what’s a major sports league these days. I’m not arguing on way or another now, cuz I don’t know the answer, but which does better ratingswise…Arena Football or the WNBA? Anyone know? Seriously, I haven’t seen a comparsion. Damned ulimate fighting may outdraw them, combined.

    With C.C. Sabathia now in Milwaukee, it’ll be interesting to see whose uni is baggier: Sabathia’s or Prince Fielder’s. …

    Hey Paul,

    Don’t forget about link

    [quote comment=”278696″][quote]

    I’ve taken previously bought jerseys to get numbered and lettered at the Mets Clubhouse Shop and have never gotten turned away or refused. The only time they didn’t take one was because they were behind on orders and needed to catch up before they could take on new jobs. But a week later they were good to go.

    Are you absolutely certain that this is a Players Union issue? After all, one place does it with no problem and one place seems like they’re making their own decision not to do it.[/quote]

    They opened a make-it-while-you-wait store at Miller Park this year and they will not put a players name and number on the back of a jersey, either.[/quote]

    so just a “YOUR NAME” kind of dealio then?

    what if your last name happens to match a players? gotta get a different number or just can’t use your own name?

    im not busting chops, im actually curious how they handle stuff like that

    [quote comment=”278696″][quote]

    I’ve taken previously bought jerseys to get numbered and lettered at the Mets Clubhouse Shop and have never gotten turned away or refused. The only time they didn’t take one was because they were behind on orders and needed to catch up before they could take on new jobs. But a week later they were good to go.

    Are you absolutely certain that this is a Players Union issue? After all, one place does it with no problem and one place seems like they’re making their own decision not to do it.[/quote]

    They opened a make-it-while-you-wait store at Miller Park this year and they will not put a players name and number on the back of a jersey, either.[/quote]

    Nicole, do you mean to say that they won’t do a player number/name on ANY jersey, or on a previously bought jersey that someone hands them?

    [quote comment=”278699″]With C.C. Sabathia now in Milwaukee, it’ll be interesting to see whose uni is baggier: Sabathia’s or Prince Fielder’s. …

    Hey Paul,

    Don’t forget about link[/quote]

    Sheesh, the fabric from those three guys’ pants could make a dust cover for a Cessna.

    (Just a note, Wisconsin IS the most overweight state)

    [quote comment=”278682″]question…

    when anyone on here hits “refresh” (for me that’s F5)…do you get taken down to the last (newest post)…or does it jump back up to the top of the page?

    seems to do that only occasionally on this site, but for some reason today…it’s ALWAYS popping up to the top

    now…if paul had posted a link…that’d be fine

    but today’s pic is…[/quote]

    It’s happened to me before, but not consistantly at any point. It’s always done it to me after a post, however. It hasn’t happened yet today. Maybe your computer just wants you to look at Ricko.

    [quote comment=”278687″]Except for Candice Parker, she is going to change the way the game is played. Unless she gets hurt she will become the Michael Jordan of the WNBA[/quote]

    Which is what they said about Sheryl Swoopes.

    Parker is a tremendous player. Just fantastically gifted.

    I’m just not sure she can be transcendant.

    As a big fan of another niche sport, I hesitate to tell others that theirs isn’t due for a big “ah-ha!” moment anytime soon, but I’m just not sure the societal forces at work here are going to change sufficiently for women’s professional sports (and this goes for WPS when it starts next year) to get much more than grudging acceptance from most male sports fans.

    People like you seem to be the exception. I have no problem with the WNBA at all. I hope to get to a game here this summer, basically just because I like to experience most things once a season or so. Even though I’m not a huge basketball fan and rarely watch the NBA.

    But I fear you’re at one end of the spectrum and I’m closer to you than most Joe Sixpacks, but there are a hell of a lot more of them than there are of us.

    Interesting find on ebay – a guy selling Braves BP jerseys from the early 80s. Here’s the link:

    link

    After some research, it looks like they’re from the 1981 or 1982 season. Best pic I could find was a 1982 topps card (and check out the all-mesh cap, too):

    link

    I don’t these lasted very long, because the Braves spent most of the 80s wearing blue BP jerseys with no collar/sleeve stripes:

    (’84 card, so probably ’83 season)
    link

    (Another ’84 card)
    link

    (’86 card, so probably ’85 season)
    link

    (’87 card, so probably ’86 season)
    link

    [quote comment=”278695″]The NFL wasn’t considered a “major sports league” by most fans until the late 1950s. [/quote]

    Which doesn’t mean that it’ll be 30 years into its existence before the WNBA has an “ah-ha!” moment. It doesn’t mean it’ll happen at all.

    The first half of the twentieth century was more of a primordial soup situation when it came to American sports space.

    A league that started in the America of 1920 faced a very, very different next 30 years than one that started in 1997.

    You simply can’t compare the rules and conditions under which the “original” sports leagues started and the rules and conditions under which the alphabet soup of the last 20 years came into being.

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968, you’re “colorful” and “flying by the seat of your pants” and it’s like the “wild, wild west.”

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968 in 2008, and you’re out of business in a year and a half and written off long before that.

    There’s room for all of these sports and leagues as long as the market says there is. That doesn’t mean they all have the same room to grow that the NFL did in postwar America.

    Braves were wearing red BP jerseys up until uni transition from 79 to 81:

    (’80 card, so probably ’79)
    link

    [quote comment=”278703″][quote comment=”278682″]question…

    when anyone on here hits “refresh” (for me that’s F5)…do you get taken down to the last (newest post)…or does it jump back up to the top of the page?

    seems to do that only occasionally on this site, but for some reason today…it’s ALWAYS popping up to the top

    now…if paul had posted a link…that’d be fine

    but today’s pic is…[/quote]

    It’s happened to me before, but not consistantly at any point. It’s always done it to me after a post, however. It hasn’t happened yet today. Maybe your computer just wants you to look at Ricko.[/quote]

    Guess I shoulda worn vertically striped socks that day. Who knew.

    [quote comment=”278695″]

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968 in 2008, and you’re out of business in a year and a half and written off long before that.
    [/quote]

    Vince McMahon agrees with you.

    [quote comment=”278706″][quote comment=”278695″]The NFL wasn’t considered a “major sports league” by most fans until the late 1950s. [/quote]

    Which doesn’t mean that it’ll be 30 years into its existence before the WNBA has an “ah-ha!” moment. It doesn’t mean it’ll happen at all.

    The first half of the twentieth century was more of a primordial soup situation when it came to American sports space.

    A league that started in the America of 1920 faced a very, very different next 30 years than one that started in 1997.

    You simply can’t compare the rules and conditions under which the “original” sports leagues started and the rules and conditions under which the alphabet soup of the last 20 years came into being.

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968, you’re “colorful” and “flying by the seat of your pants” and it’s like the “wild, wild west.”

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968 in 2008, and you’re out of business in a year and a half and written off long before that.

    There’s room for all of these sports and leagues as long as the market says there is. That doesn’t mean they all have the same room to grow that the NFL did in postwar America.[/quote]

    I think it has more room to grow. Women are watching sports in general much more nowadays. That’s more than 50% of the population that was ignored in the 20s, 40s, 50s even the 90s. Also women are working more now than in postwar America giving them more disposable income than they had back then.

    But everyone is getting of topic here. Which was it’s appaling for David Stern to have sold uniform space to McDonald’s. Just because most “uniwatchers” don’t watch the WNBA doesn’t mean this isn’t a slippery slope that Stern has embarked on. Frankly I’m surprised that Paul is more upset by a Nike swoosh on a benchwarmers sock than he is about McDonalds on ALL WNBA uniforms. I belive he mentioned once in the ticker. In a few years when the Celtics have the golden arches on their jerseys “uniwatchers” will be up in arms.

    [quote comment=”278693″][quote comment=”278688″][quote]Except for Candice Parker, she is going to change the way the game is played. Unless she gets hurt she will become the Michael Jordan of the WNBA[/quote]

    just because candace can dunk, doesn’t mean she’s going to change how the game is played…and she’s not michael jordan (or even the MJ of the women’s game)

    does sue bird still play?[/quote]

    You’re right she passes the ball, something MJ rarely did. She’ll be the Oscar Robertson of the WNBA then.[/quote]

    I’d say Candice Parker is to WNBA as, Pele was to NASL. Is it a good product sure, a few of the players are worth watching, but it’s not a bankable league.

    [quote comment=”278710″]But everyone is getting of topic here. Which was it’s appaling for David Stern to have sold uniform space to McDonald’s. Just because most “uniwatchers” don’t watch the WNBA doesn’t mean this isn’t a slippery slope that Stern has embarked on. Frankly I’m surprised that Paul is more upset by a Nike swoosh on a benchwarmers sock than he is about McDonalds on ALL WNBA uniforms. I belive he mentioned once in the ticker. In a few years when the Celtics have the golden arches on their jerseys “uniwatchers” will be up in arms.[/quote]

    a – Was it Stern or was it Orender (with Stern’s hand in her back, of course)?
    b – I got news for you: it’s much, much more likely that advertising will make its way onto mainstream sports uniforms in the next 10 years than it is that the WNBA will be averaging 11,000 people a game and be thought of as more than a niche sport in 15 years.

    And I say that with no malice whatsoever. It’s just trending that way much more quickly.

    [quote comment=”278710″][quote comment=”278706″][quote comment=”278695″]The NFL wasn’t considered a “major sports league” by most fans until the late 1950s. [/quote]

    Which doesn’t mean that it’ll be 30 years into its existence before the WNBA has an “ah-ha!” moment. It doesn’t mean it’ll happen at all.

    The first half of the twentieth century was more of a primordial soup situation when it came to American sports space.

    A league that started in the America of 1920 faced a very, very different next 30 years than one that started in 1997.

    You simply can’t compare the rules and conditions under which the “original” sports leagues started and the rules and conditions under which the alphabet soup of the last 20 years came into being.

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968, you’re “colorful” and “flying by the seat of your pants” and it’s like the “wild, wild west.”

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968 in 2008, and you’re out of business in a year and a half and written off long before that.

    There’s room for all of these sports and leagues as long as the market says there is. That doesn’t mean they all have the same room to grow that the NFL did in postwar America.[/quote]

    I think it has more room to grow. Women are watching sports in general much more nowadays. That’s more than 50% of the population that was ignored in the 20s, 40s, 50s even the 90s. Also women are working more now than in postwar America giving them more disposable income than they had back then.

    But everyone is getting of topic here. Which was it’s appaling for David Stern to have sold uniform space to McDonald’s. Just because most “uniwatchers” don’t watch the WNBA doesn’t mean this isn’t a slippery slope that Stern has embarked on. Frankly I’m surprised that Paul is more upset by a Nike swoosh on a benchwarmers sock than he is about McDonalds on ALL WNBA uniforms. I belive he mentioned once in the ticker. In a few years when the Celtics have the golden arches on their jerseys “uniwatchers” will be up in arms.[/quote]

    Yeah its sad to see Stern “sellout”, but in this case I think it was more of a last-ditch effort to try and make money, or break even with the WNBA. Although he might have said it was a testing-ground, I think it had to have been more a money move for a fledgling league than an test to see how pissed the public would be.

    [quote]I’m surprised that Paul is more upset by a Nike swoosh on a benchwarmers sock than he is about McDonalds on ALL WNBA uniforms.[/quote]

    ronald mcdonald isn’t the antichrist

    or…

    is he?

    I know this has been mentioned before, but it showed up again in a SI article today…

    old Washington Bullets uni mismatch on the cover of SI in the 70s link

    [quote comment=”278711″]I’d say Candice Parker is to WNBA as, Pele was to NASL. Is it a good product sure, a few of the players are worth watching, but it’s not a bankable league.[/quote]

    I agree with your second statement, butn ot your first.

    Candace Parker has almost zero chance of doing for the WNBA what Pele did for the NASL (even though his spike was short-lived and the league did, eventually, go under).

    Pele was the most famous athlete in the world (Ali may have been more famous – they were probably 1-2) and generally acclaimed as the best ever to play his sport. He had accomplished more in his sport than Parker has in hers. He brought much more attention (not only world wide, but national) to his league than she can hope to to hers.

    Pele’s signing with the Cosmos brought about a huge boom/fad in soccer here, with the concurrent spending sprees, investment, expansion, TV coverage and interest – all of which combined, in a perverse and ironic way, to eventually kill the league when Americans stopped paying attention.

    There is virtually no way that there will be a spike in those WNBA categories because of Candace Parker (again – fantastic player) that is on the scale of what Pele brought to the NASL. It’s not going to happen.

    All that said, the WNBA is more stable and conducts its business a bit more prudently than the NASL did. You have to in 2008.

    [quote comment=”278683″]

    I’ve taken previously bought jerseys to get numbered and lettered at the Mets Clubhouse Shop and have never gotten turned away or refused. The only time they didn’t take one was because they were behind on orders and needed to catch up before they could take on new jobs. But a week later they were good to go.

    Are you absolutely certain that this is a Players Union issue? After all, one place does it with no problem and one place seems like they’re making their own decision not to do it.[/quote]

    This is a team decision, and more specifically, a vendor decision at the ballpark. I ran into this same exact issue with a couple of Rockies jerseys I have. They sell authentics at Coors Field, but will not customize or send them out at that team store in Coors Field. In the Rockies’ case, it is Aramark who runs the Dugout Store located at Coors Field, so they call those shots. The other stores (located in the Denver area) are not Aramark, so they can and will customize/personalize. Also, its NOT a players union matter for the most part(although that was the story I used to get a few years ago as well)since you can order/personalize almost anything through MLB.com as well. The only thing you can’t do is a current player/number combination from a different team. For example, I can get a Rockies jersey with any current Rockies player and number (or former, for that matter), or said jersey with name (Chavez) with any number except for #3 (Eric-Oak), #10 (Endy-Mets), or #37 (Raul-Pit).

    Just using my name as an example, because I’ve tried it.

    [quote comment=”278713″]Yeah its sad to see Stern “sellout”, but in this case I think it was more of a last-ditch effort to try and make money, or break even with the WNBA. Although he might have said it was a testing-ground, I think it had to have been more a money move for a fledgling league than an test to see how pissed the public would be.[/quote]

    They couldn’t possibly have made enough money off the deal to have cut into the red ink the WNBA has piled up in 12 years (which, by the way, stretches the limit of the term “fledgling”).

    I’m much, much more inclined to believe it was a test balloon. We’ll find out, maybe, if we see ads on NBA uniforms in five years.

    That said, I believe the uproar over what happens in niche sports is much less obvious than it would be in a major sport. Put Golden Arches on WNBA uniforms for 14 games? Knock yourself out. UniWatchers lament. Put Spider-Man on baseball bases for a weekend? Watch your back.

    Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…

    [quote comment=”278716″][quote comment=”278711″]I’d say Candice Parker is to WNBA as, Pele was to NASL. Is it a good product sure, a few of the players are worth watching, but it’s not a bankable league.[/quote]

    I agree with your second statement, butn ot your first.

    Candace Parker has almost zero chance of doing for the WNBA what Pele did for the NASL (even though his spike was short-lived and the league did, eventually, go under).

    Pele was the most famous athlete in the world (Ali may have been more famous – they were probably 1-2) and generally acclaimed as the best ever to play his sport. He had accomplished more in his sport than Parker has in hers. He brought much more attention (not only world wide, but national) to his league than she can hope to to hers.

    Pele’s signing with the Cosmos brought about a huge boom/fad in soccer here, with the concurrent spending sprees, investment, expansion, TV coverage and interest – all of which combined, in a perverse and ironic way, to eventually kill the league when Americans stopped paying attention.

    There is virtually no way that there will be a spike in those WNBA categories because of Candace Parker (again – fantastic player) that is on the scale of what Pele brought to the NASL. It’s not going to happen.

    All that said, the WNBA is more stable and conducts its business a bit more prudently than the NASL did. You have to in 2008.[/quote]

    True, I was looking at it simply from the aspect of a great player in a league noone cares about. Maybe Beckenbaur or Alberto would have been more accurate comparison.

    [quote comment=”278684″][quote comment=”278681″][quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)[/quote]

    WNBA is more popular than you think. Viewership and ratings are experiencing double-digit growth this season, in May, WNBA.com shattered the all-time monthly records for visits and page views an increase of 100 percent. Overall attendance for May increased 42 percent over last season. The Los Angeles Sparks opened the season with four consecutive road sellouts. I love watching the WNBA, which as recently as 2 or 3 years ago I didn’t think I would.

    I don’t think using the WNBA as a litmus test is misguided at all.[/quote]

    yeah but going from 10 viewers to 11 is adouble digit growth rate. You can double the pile of shit but its still a steaming pile.

    [quote comment=”278713″][quote comment=”278710″][quote comment=”278706″][quote comment=”278695″]The NFL wasn’t considered a “major sports league” by most fans until the late 1950s. [/quote]

    Which doesn’t mean that it’ll be 30 years into its existence before the WNBA has an “ah-ha!” moment. It doesn’t mean it’ll happen at all.

    The first half of the twentieth century was more of a primordial soup situation when it came to American sports space.

    A league that started in the America of 1920 faced a very, very different next 30 years than one that started in 1997.

    You simply can’t compare the rules and conditions under which the “original” sports leagues started and the rules and conditions under which the alphabet soup of the last 20 years came into being.

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968, you’re “colorful” and “flying by the seat of your pants” and it’s like the “wild, wild west.”

    You operate like the ABA did in 1968 in 2008, and you’re out of business in a year and a half and written off long before that.

    There’s room for all of these sports and leagues as long as the market says there is. That doesn’t mean they all have the same room to grow that the NFL did in postwar America.[/quote]

    I think it has more room to grow. Women are watching sports in general much more nowadays. That’s more than 50% of the population that was ignored in the 20s, 40s, 50s even the 90s. Also women are working more now than in postwar America giving them more disposable income than they had back then.

    But everyone is getting of topic here. Which was it’s appaling for David Stern to have sold uniform space to McDonald’s. Just because most “uniwatchers” don’t watch the WNBA doesn’t mean this isn’t a slippery slope that Stern has embarked on. Frankly I’m surprised that Paul is more upset by a Nike swoosh on a benchwarmers sock than he is about McDonalds on ALL WNBA uniforms. I belive he mentioned once in the ticker. In a few years when the Celtics have the golden arches on their jerseys “uniwatchers” will be up in arms.[/quote]

    Yeah its sad to see Stern “sellout”, but in this case I think it was more of a last-ditch effort to try and make money, or break even with the WNBA. Although he might have said it was a testing-ground, I think it had to have been more a money move for a fledgling league than an test to see how pissed the public would be.[/quote]

    To show you how much David Stern cares about the WNBA, I give you exhibit A.

    link

    The NBA…it’s anti-Fantastic!

    [quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    Watch the bricks. They’re scraping your knuckles.

    [quote comment=”278718″][quote comment=”278713″]Yeah its sad to see Stern “sellout”, but in this case I think it was more of a last-ditch effort to try and make money, or break even with the WNBA. Although he might have said it was a testing-ground, I think it had to have been more a money move for a fledgling league than an test to see how pissed the public would be.[/quote]

    They couldn’t possibly have made enough money off the deal to have cut into the red ink the WNBA has piled up in 12 years (which, by the way, stretches the limit of the term “fledgling”).

    I’m much, much more inclined to believe it was a test balloon. We’ll find out, maybe, if we see ads on NBA uniforms in five years.

    That said, I believe the uproar over what happens in niche sports is much less obvious than it would be in a major sport. Put Golden Arches on WNBA uniforms for 14 games? Knock yourself out. UniWatchers lament. Put Spider-Man on baseball bases for a weekend? Watch your back.[/quote]

    Any league that’s been around for 14 years only because its bankrolled by the NBA and has yet to turn any profit, that’s fledgling in my opinion. But hey, I wasn’t an English major, maybe there’s a much better term for it. “Waste of space”?

    [quote comment=”278723″][quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    Watch the bricks. They’re scraping your knuckles.[/quote]
    It might be sexist, but its true

    [quote comment=”278723″][quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    Watch the bricks. They’re scraping your knuckles.[/quote]
    scraping his knuckles, sure he is, but at the same time that does not mean he’s incorrect.

    [quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    first of all, look harder *coughsuebirdcough*

    and if the reason you think the wnba isn’t exciting or appealing is because it’s lacking smokin hawt chicks attractive females, then you’re looking at the wrong demographic

    there are many reasons the wnba isn’t successful…i highly doubt it’s because its of the facial attractiveness (because for the most part, their bodies are kick ass) of its athletes

    While we’re on the topic of coporate sponserships on uniforms….I can’t help but backtrack a tad from my stance of being “OK” with corporate sponsers on MLS unis. At first it seemed cool to be like one of the big European clubs and get a uni sponser for the Chicago Fire, more money=bigger and better players on the field. But half a season into it, I have to admit it’s a eye-sore. I never like their ’07 uni design and was hoping for something better for ’08 so I could finally buy one, well I got a couple t-shirts insted. Damn the man.

    [quote comment=”278721″][quote comment=”278684″][quote comment=”278681″][quote comment=”278665″]

    do you mean like the McDonald\’s logo on EVERY WNBA uniform. I have no problem with the swoosh on the socks but McDonalds on the WNBA uniforms makes me sad. I am assuming that Stern and Co. are doing this as sort of a test. Next up NBA. Then Selig will do it with MLB and Bettman with NHL…[/quote]

    If the NBA is using the WNBA as a litmus test, they’re sorely misguided! It’d be about as legit as my mowing a giant gatorade logo into my back lawn, and, if nobody complains, decide it’s fine to put into the Busch Stadium field. (I know, my references should all refer to Wrigley, but I just can’t suggest something so horrid)[/quote]

    WNBA is more popular than you think. Viewership and ratings are experiencing double-digit growth this season, in May, WNBA.com shattered the all-time monthly records for visits and page views an increase of 100 percent. Overall attendance for May increased 42 percent over last season. The Los Angeles Sparks opened the season with four consecutive road sellouts. I love watching the WNBA, which as recently as 2 or 3 years ago I didn’t think I would.

    I don’t think using the WNBA as a litmus test is misguided at all.[/quote]

    yeah but going from 10 viewers to 11 is adouble digit growth rate. You can double the pile of shit but its still a steaming pile.[/quote]

    Success is relative. Don’t have to do NFL or NBA numbers to get a decent TV contract. Ad rates based on viewership.

    USFL, for example, was drawing okay numbers, better than projected and better than anything else ABC or ESPN had run in those time slots, at that time of year. Networks were happy. Advertisers were happy. As a spring league, USFL was fully viable cuz had two important TV contracts ready to renew. Plenty to build upon.

    Then Trump came along and browbeat other owners into playing in the fall, into competing directly with the NFL. Had the league stayed where it was, in the spring, who knows what would have happened? It had a future there. Not as an NFL rival, but certainly as additional TV football during the “offseason”… and could conceivably had it own, but lesser of course, success.

    Thanks to Trump, though, who wanted to litigate his way into the NFL, the USFL committed marketing/TV packaging suicide. So we’ll never know.

    [quote comment=”278728″][quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    first of all, look harder *coughsuebirdcough*

    and if the reason you think the wnba isn’t exciting or appealing is because it’s lacking smokin hawt chicks attractive females, then you’re looking at the wrong demographic

    there are many reasons the wnba isn’t successful…i highly doubt it’s because its of the facial attractiveness (because for the most part, their bodies are kick ass) of its athletes[/quote]
    The WNBA is to butch ladies what softball is to hot ladies. Sure, you might find the hot one playin hoops every once in a while, but the overwhelming majority might as well be men…

    there is a reason that women’s softball gets better ratings on ESPN than women’s basketball…

    [quote comment=”278728″][quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    first of all, look harder *coughsuebirdcough*

    and if the reason you think the wnba isn’t exciting or appealing is because it’s lacking smokin hawt chicks attractive females, then you’re looking at the wrong demographic

    there are many reasons the wnba isn’t successful…i highly doubt it’s because its of the facial attractiveness (because for the most part, their bodies are kick ass) of its athletes[/quote]

    Agreed, hottness is nice, but only an added bonus(i.e. my fiancee getting into baseball more because Podsednik was “hot”). In reality she was already into it or she wouldn’t have been watching in the first place. BTW, is Sue’s got nothing on Lauren Jackson.

    Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but I think it would be cool if we could be taken through the process of how a new uniform, team name, and logo are created w/r/t the new team in OKC (which is rumored to be called the Barons). I think this would make for a fantastic article. Seeing the design process and getting a peak at what names and prototypes were thrown around. I’d love to read something like this. Paul?…anyone?… your thoughts?

    i was watching sportscenter this weekend, and noticed that during the disastrous weekend hatting fiasco, one of the players on the twins (methinks it was a 2nd baseman) was wearing a red hat…did any one else notice this?

    [quote comment=”278731″][quote comment=”278728″][quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    first of all, look harder *coughsuebirdcough*

    and if the reason you think the wnba isn’t exciting or appealing is because it’s lacking smokin hawt chicks attractive females, then you’re looking at the wrong demographic

    there are many reasons the wnba isn’t successful…i highly doubt it’s because its of the facial attractiveness (because for the most part, their bodies are kick ass) of its athletes[/quote]
    The WNBA is to butch ladies what softball is to hot ladies. Sure, you might find the hot one playin hoops every once in a while, but the overwhelming majority might as well be men…

    there is a reason that women’s softball gets better ratings on ESPN than women’s basketball…[/quote]

    Alright, this is getting borderline sexist/homophobic. Can we keep this a little more high-brow?

    [quote comment=”278716″][quote comment=”278711″]I’d say Candice Parker is to WNBA as, Pele was to NASL. Is it a good product sure, a few of the players are worth watching, but it’s not a bankable league.[/quote]

    I agree with your second statement, butn ot your first.

    Candace Parker has almost zero chance of doing for the WNBA what Pele did for the NASL (even though his spike was short-lived and the league did, eventually, go under).

    Pele was the most famous athlete in the world (Ali may have been more famous – they were probably 1-2) and generally acclaimed as the best ever to play his sport. He had accomplished more in his sport than Parker has in hers. He brought much more attention (not only world wide, but national) to his league than she can hope to to hers.

    Pele’s signing with the Cosmos brought about a huge boom/fad in soccer here, with the concurrent spending sprees, investment, expansion, TV coverage and interest – all of which combined, in a perverse and ironic way, to eventually kill the league when Americans stopped paying attention.

    There is virtually no way that there will be a spike in those WNBA categories because of Candace Parker (again – fantastic player) that is on the scale of what Pele brought to the NASL. It’s not going to happen.

    All that said, the WNBA is more stable and conducts its business a bit more prudently than the NASL did. You have to in 2008.[/quote]

    Pele was a washed up old man by the time he signed with the Cosmos (it was like watching Willie Mays as a Met play soccer). Candice Parker is young, exciting and getting better ever game.

    [quote]this is getting borderline sexist/homophobic[/quote]

    homophobic???

    a little mysogynistic perhaps…

    and yeah…i do agree with ducks…lets cut the “butch chicks” repartee (if one can even deem it that)

    Here’s a reality. Sex appeal is an element in spectator/TV viewing sports.

    At the U.S. Open, Natalie Gulbis’ galleries were far larger than should have been based on her play.

    And it doesn’t take much think of male athletes who have generated tremenduous “star power” based on their attractiveness combined with their athletic skills.

    Does anyone truly believe Joe Namath’s iconic status was based totally on his ability to throw a football?

    And looks have NOTHING to do with the marketability of David Beckham?

    Same goes for Jenny Finch. Being honest, the WNBA does needs its own Jenny Finch.

    Well, it couldn’t hurt.

    [quote comment=”278739″]Here’s a reality. Sex appeal is an element in spectator/TV viewing sports.

    At the U.S. Open, Natalie Gulbis’ galleries were far larger than should have been based on her play.

    And it doesn’t take much think of male athletes who have generated tremenduous “star power” based on their attractiveness combined with their athletic skills.

    Does anyone truly believe Joe Namath’s iconic status was based totally on his ability to throw a football?

    And looks have NOTHING to do with the marketability of David Beckham?

    Same goes for Jenny Finch. Being honest, the WNBA does needs its own Jenny Finch.

    Well, it couldn’t hurt.[/quote]

    no one is saying the league wouldn’t be helped by perhaps some more attractive players (see: sharapova, maria)…

    but to say the league as a whole is failing because there are a dearth of attractive players is rifuckindiculous…

    and ricko, do you watch soccer because of beckham?

    [quote comment=”278735″][quote comment=”278731″][quote comment=”278728″][quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    first of all, look harder *coughsuebirdcough*

    and if the reason you think the wnba isn’t exciting or appealing is because it’s lacking smokin hawt chicks attractive females, then you’re looking at the wrong demographic

    there are many reasons the wnba isn’t successful…i highly doubt it’s because its of the facial attractiveness (because for the most part, their bodies are kick ass) of its athletes[/quote]
    The WNBA is to butch ladies what softball is to hot ladies. Sure, you might find the hot one playin hoops every once in a while, but the overwhelming majority might as well be men…

    there is a reason that women’s softball gets better ratings on ESPN than women’s basketball…[/quote]

    Alright, this is getting borderline sexist/homophobic. Can we keep this a little more high-brow?[/quote]
    Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean its not true. Its a valid point to why the league is failing… not everything is going to be PC in its reasonings…

    What are sports mainly marketed to? Men. What is ESPN mainly marketed to? Men. What does the WNBA cater to? Women…

    Unless the WNBA starts catering to men, and the way in which they would do that would be as I explained above, it will be a failed league. Its just not exciting enough to overtake the established leagues, it just isn’t happening.

    Oh, man, I didn’t intend to agree the league was struggling because of that. I was trying to point out that if someone doesn’t think such factors exist, they need a reality check.

    I’m just an ad/marketing, former pro sports PR guy looking at what gets attention and creates buzz in the marketplace.

    Me, I really only watch soccer during the World Cup, but I understand how “star power” personalities extend a league’s presence beyond its normal range. That, in theory and in fact, is where new customers come from. And the WNBA could use someone with that kind of “beyond the sport” charisma, that’s all.

    Don’t necessarily NEED it, but they could use it.

    [quote comment=”278737″][quote]this is getting borderline sexist/homophobic[/quote]

    homophobic???

    a little mysogynistic perhaps…

    and yeah…i do agree with ducks…lets cut the “butch chicks” repartee (if one can even deem it that)[/quote]

    Agreed. Let’s keep it a little farther above the board, huh?

    [quote comment=”278741″][quote comment=”278735″][quote comment=”278731″][quote comment=”278728″][quote comment=”278719″]Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…

    Sorry, but i’m not gonna watch a sport where the most exciting play is a layup… thats not fun, thats not entertaining, thats not exciting. Add to that butch faces and shiny mens-like baggy uniforms and you have yourselves a recipe for disaster. The ONLY way to make that league more profitable is to go skin tight on the unis and get those ladies some beauty makeovers…[/quote]

    first of all, look harder *coughsuebirdcough*

    and if the reason you think the wnba isn’t exciting or appealing is because it’s lacking smokin hawt chicks attractive females, then you’re looking at the wrong demographic

    there are many reasons the wnba isn’t successful…i highly doubt it’s because its of the facial attractiveness (because for the most part, their bodies are kick ass) of its athletes[/quote]
    The WNBA is to butch ladies what softball is to hot ladies. Sure, you might find the hot one playin hoops every once in a while, but the overwhelming majority might as well be men…

    there is a reason that women’s softball gets better ratings on ESPN than women’s basketball…[/quote]

    Alright, this is getting borderline sexist/homophobic. Can we keep this a little more high-brow?[/quote]
    Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean its not true. Its a valid point to why the league is failing… not everything is going to be PC in its reasonings…

    What are sports mainly marketed to? Men. What is ESPN mainly marketed to? Men. What does the WNBA cater to? Women…

    Unless the WNBA starts catering to men, and the way in which they would do that would be as I explained above, it will be a failed league. Its just not exciting enough to overtake the established leagues, it just isn’t happening.[/quote]

    I didn’t say I didn’t like it, what I don’t like is women being called butch. But I also think it’s a drop in the bucket of why the league is failing. It’s failing because no one likes watching lay-up drills. If the WNBA went out of it’s way to market towards sex, then it would be dumbing down the product. Playing it up is fine, but making it the focus would be misguided. Keep in mind that any “sexy” ads for Beckham or Gulbis aren’t by the league, it’s by their individual sponsers.

    ricko…

    agreed…but the same goes for personalities who transcend the game (and who are pretty asskicking players in their own right)…see woods, tiger, or jordan, michael

    you get people who’d NEVER watch golf watch because tiger is playing…i watch it all the time, but truth be told, i get WAAAAAY more pumped when he’s in there…and not only is every golfer wishing tiger a swift and speedy recovery (and not worrying about that steroids test he just missed due to injury…ahem)…but so too are the networks

    im not gonna watch the wnba because of lisa leslie or candace parker or sue bird…im not…i don’t give a shit…but it’s NOT because the women ‘aren’t attractive’…does it hurt? of course not…it’s just not my cup of tea…and unless you’re gonna have a ‘topless wnba’ then you’re not going to capture the caveman demographic

    id rather watch softball with “butch chicks” than women’s hoop with “hot chicks” simply because i prefer softball to hoop

    lets get back to the mickey d’s logos on the unis now

    “Keep in mind that any “sexy” ads for Beckham or Gulbis aren’t by the league, it’s by their individual sponsers.”

    That’s what I mean by “beyond the sport” reach. The league definitely should NOT do the the selling, a league wants someone around whom such things just happen.

    Sonny Werbelin knew exactly what he was doing when he signed Namath to that big contract. He wasn’t getting just a player, he was getting a celebrity.

    Does anyone else know about…

    link

    because it is the same thing that Mark is starting up with playerexclusive.com. Even though it is a “nike” forum (well no offical affliation) they have some members who represent other companies like Easton, Ringor, and Adidas. Great site in my opinion as I play college baseball and I would say at least 75% of thier posts are on point. Write back and let me know if I am wrong please, but regardless I can’t get enough about PE models.

    [quote comment=”278746″]”Keep in mind that any “sexy” ads for Beckham or Gulbis aren’t by the league, it’s by their individual sponsers.”

    That’s what I mean by “beyond the sport” reach. The league definitely should NOT do the the selling, a league wants someone around whom such things just happen.

    Sonny Werbelin knew exactly what he was doing when he signed Namath to that big contract. He wasn’t getting just a player, he was getting a celebrity.[/quote]

    Word. Sorry I haven’t had a chance to give you the proper attaboy for the scanned pics as flickr is blocked here at work.

    The “TC” embroidered on the Twins stirrups in the picture accompaning the Tribune article is all out of whack. That must have been a mock-up set.

    I wish a could find a soft spot in my heart for the late Cavin Griffith. But he was a cheap scrooge.

    [quote comment=”278691″][quote comment=”278690″]I think I can make out what it says under Zito’s brim…

    “Note to Self: DON’T SUCK TODAY!”[/quote]

    that ship sailed long ago[/quote]

    That ship is somewhere in the Indian Ocean by now. But I tell you what, he was lights out in his last start, and I do not get it.

    You know, it never fails to amaze me how males decide that sex > athleticism.

    The Hockey Hall of Fame should be listening.

    [quote comment=”278654″]Peter King on SI.com today talking about the possibility of Brett Favre signing with the Vikings:

    “Imagine Favre in purple. It’s an absolutely vomitous scenario for the Packers, imagining Favre playing for their arch-rivals — and imagining Favre charging out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field for the opening game of the 2008 season. Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football, the night Favre was supposed to have his number retired for the Packers.”

    I’d say Paul would be vomitting as well![/quote]

    Lambeau would explode. Literally. No way that happens.

    [quote comment=”278753″][quote comment=”278654″]Peter King on SI.com today talking about the possibility of Brett Favre signing with the Vikings:

    “Imagine Favre in purple. It’s an absolutely vomitous scenario for the Packers, imagining Favre playing for their arch-rivals — and imagining Favre charging out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field for the opening game of the 2008 season. Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football, the night Favre was supposed to have his number retired for the Packers.”

    I’d say Paul would be vomitting as well![/quote]

    Lambeau would explode. Literally. No way that happens.[/quote]

    Serious question: What would be worse to Packer Faithful: Favre in Viking Purple or Bear Blue?

    [quote comment=”278754″][quote comment=”278753″][quote comment=”278654″]Peter King on SI.com today talking about the possibility of Brett Favre signing with the Vikings:

    “Imagine Favre in purple. It’s an absolutely vomitous scenario for the Packers, imagining Favre playing for their arch-rivals — and imagining Favre charging out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field for the opening game of the 2008 season. Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football, the night Favre was supposed to have his number retired for the Packers.”

    I’d say Paul would be vomitting as well![/quote]

    Lambeau would explode. Literally. No way that happens.[/quote]

    Serious question: What would be worse to Packer Faithful: Favre in Viking Purple or Bear Blue?[/quote]
    Third party here, but I’d think Brett as a Bear would be worse. (a) Two really old franchises who have been rivals forever, in their respective museums Lambeau and Soldier Fields, (b) Favre to Chicago would be the reverse Jim McMahon, and (c) From one respectable uniform to another. Come on, the Vikes wear purple clown suits.

    I think it was said on here before. Most men find the WNBA boring because many of them can do the same moves that the women do … thre’s no WOW factor in it for them. Whereas, the majority of men can never even dream of getting off those shots seen on the NBA floor, or the football field … thus more WOW. And lets face it, more men will be on this site commenting about the women’s Olympic volleyball uniforms than on the style of play … with little or no knowledge of what’s even going on.

    Uh, that’s Jim Nash on the SI cover, not Jim Hunter. He’s still decked out in my all-time favorite uni – the stripes, the shoes, the shoe laces, the works.

    [quote comment=”278751″][quote comment=”278691″][quote comment=”278690″]I think I can make out what it says under Zito’s brim…

    “Note to Self: DON’T SUCK TODAY!”[/quote]

    that ship sailed long ago[/quote]

    That ship is somewhere in the Indian Ocean by now. But I tell you what, he was lights out in his last start, and I do not get it.[/quote]

    Two of his last three, really. But in between he was garbage. I, too, just don’t get it.

    I know the topic has ranged far from this, but, RE: The Colosseum as “multi-purpose”
    I think what the author was talking about was simply the string of concrete donuts from the 60’s and 70’s.

    [quote comment=”278757″]I think it was said on here before. Most men find the WNBA boring because many of them can do the same moves that the women do … thre’s no WOW factor in it for them. Whereas, the majority of men can never even dream of getting off those shots seen on the NBA floor, or the football field … thus more WOW. And lets face it, more men will be on this site commenting about the women’s Olympic volleyball uniforms than on the style of play … with little or no knowledge of what’s even going on.[/quote]

    What???? The worst player in the WNBA can out play 99.99% of men. My guess is the men that find it boring are sexist pigs. WNBA is 100 times more exciting than watch golf or NASCAR.

    [quote comment=”278748″]Does anyone else know about…

    link

    because it is the same thing that Mark is starting up with playerexclusive.com. Even though it is a “nike” forum (well no offical affliation) they have some members who represent other companies like Easton, Ringor, and Adidas. Great site in my opinion as I play college baseball and I would say at least 75% of thier posts are on point. Write back and let me know if I am wrong please, but regardless I can’t get enough about PE models.[/quote]

    I consider myself a loyal member of NT as well as a daily reader and frequent poster on UW.

    MPowers16 has contributed much to Mark’s MLB/NCAA thread and I’ve also posted many links to that thread here!

    Phil, that explanation by the Pony designer was ridiculous! Bass Fishing and Football???

    Off the Field…tends to make you wonder about the green accents on his shoe!

    [quote comment=”278752″]You know, it never fails to amaze me how males decide that sex > athleticism.

    The Hockey Hall of Fame should be listening.[/quote]

    [quote comment=”278757″]I think it was said on here before. Most men find the WNBA boring because many of them can do the same moves that the women do … thre’s no WOW factor in it for them. Whereas, the majority of men can never even dream of getting off those shots seen on the NBA floor, or the football field … thus more WOW. And lets face it, more men will be on this site commenting about the women’s Olympic volleyball uniforms than on the style of play … with little or no knowledge of what’s even going on.[/quote]

    As humans we respond in certain ways to other humans. Don’t know if its cultural or we’re hardwired that way. But we do it nontheless.

    Know the number one thing air travelers (male and female) say makes a flight better?

    If the person seated next to them is good-looking.

    It’s interesting that apparently it’s fine to appreciate looks, being in shape, charm, personality and charisma in movie stars or musicians but it’s wrong to find them appealing in an athlete, especially a female athlete. If someone does that, suddenly they’re sexist.

    On the other hand, it’s just as wrong to undervalue an athlete’s performance because he or she doesn’t look like a potential model. That’s just ridiculous. Anyone ever downgrade John Kruk cuz he wasn’t a candidate for Playgirl?

    If you don’t find an athlete attractive, then just evaluate their skills. If you do find him or her attractive…surprise, you’re human.

    BTW…I rarely watch the WNBA but enjoy the game when I do…

    It’s much more team oriented than the men’s game,

    They play the game as I do, below the rim, thus picks, cuts, and deft passing is more integral than the highlight reel moves by the men,

    I actually like the cut of the shorts much more than the guys…no sarcasm!

    It is refreshing to watch new faces in uniforms that I am unfamiliar with!

    BTW…The shoe that Kobe and the rest of the Nike-clad US Olympians will be wearing has been released:

    link

    Lebron and Carmelo will be wearing their signature shoes.

    Lebron:

    link

    Carmelo:

    link

    Check out these special Retro Olympic Jordan VI:
    link

    “Dominic Brown of the Lakewood BlueClaws is my kinda ballplayer”

    Haha i was just at the Lakewood BlueClaws game here in lexington against legends, and instantly noticed the whole team was in high red socks except him in stirrups. The legends were all in PJ’s

    on fox sports wisconsin going into the commercial break they just showed sabathia, in a brewers jersey, smiling and holding up a cheesy looking screen printed t shirt with his name and number on the back. apparently in all the excitement someone forgot to get an official jersey for him to hold up…

    more begging from the Ricko Files:

    I am dying to see color photos of the 1970 White Sox (home or road) uniforms, based on the 1969 vs. 1970 color debate over the weekend. And/or scans from the ChiSox TBTC game with the confused colors.
    As a huge White Sox (and uniform) fan, I’m boggled that their team colors from 1969 (royal blue) as noted in previously shown ebay Topps cards and this hat
    link

    could somehow have morphed into this:
    for the 1970 season alone?
    link

    I own a superb Mitchell and Ness 1969 White Sox road jersey (wool) which is a very muted light blue (appearing gray at a distance?). and also the 1969 White Sox home jersey which is certainly white with royal blue lettering and piping. I also own the M&N versions of the home and road 1968 and the differences are Okkonen obvious.

    so despite reading the text from the newspaper (Red Book) stating the White Sox cap was: “Navy blue with Sox in white.” I don’t believe it. nor that they ever wore this cap on the field:

    link

    I say the White Sox colors were “the same” in 1969 and 1970, with the Okkonen scans simply being “off” from 1970 to 1969, and Red Book being wrong. yet it’s possible the White Sox confused the colors or years during a TBTC game…

    no way I’ll be able to sleep until I get my head wrapped around the truth,

    [quote comment=”278764″]BTW…The shoe that Kobe and the rest of the Nike-clad US Olympians will be wearing has been released:

    link

    Lebron and Carmelo will be wearing their signature shoes.

    Lebron:

    link

    Carmelo:

    link

    Check out these special Retro Olympic Jordan VI:
    link

    Wow … um … MP … I never knew you had … such … a …

    big box.

    [quote comment=”278769″]more begging from the Ricko Files:

    I am dying to see color photos of the 1970 White Sox (home or road) uniforms, based on the 1969 vs. 1970 color debate over the weekend. And/or scans from the ChiSox TBTC game with the confused colors.
    As a huge White Sox (and uniform) fan, I’m boggled that their team colors from 1969 (royal blue) as noted in previously shown ebay Topps cards and this hat
    link

    could somehow have morphed into this:
    for the 1970 season alone?
    link

    I own a superb Mitchell and Ness 1969 White Sox road jersey (wool) which is a very muted light blue (appearing gray at a distance?). and also the 1969 White Sox home jersey which is certainly white with royal blue lettering and piping. I also own the M&N versions of the home and road 1968 and the differences are Okkonen obvious.

    so despite reading the text from the newspaper (Red Book) stating the White Sox cap was: “Navy blue with Sox in white.” I don’t believe it. nor that they ever wore this cap on the field:

    link

    I say the White Sox colors were “the same” in 1969 and 1970, with the Okkonen scans simply being “off” from 1970 to 1969, and Red Book being wrong. yet it’s possible the White Sox confused the colors or years during a TBTC game…

    no way I’ll be able to sleep until I get my head wrapped around the truth,[/quote]

    As I said, sat 15 feet from a whole team of those uniforms at old Met Stadium in ’69 and again in ’70. Royal hats, etc. in ’69. Navy hats, etc. in ’70 (with gray unis). Would have been pretty obvious if hats dif. color from Twins’ navy. Sox had four dif. unis in four years, but ’70 photos wildly scarce for some reason. That McCraw baseball card is most accurate I’ve found. His hat and sleeves are same color as the home team baserunner’s. In 1970, only AL teams in royal were Brewers and Royals and there’s no striping down side of pantlegs…some must be navy, and McCraw’s hat and sleeve match runner. Also, royal would be noticeably lighter than the black mourning band.

    [quote comment=”278764″]BTW…The shoe that Kobe and the rest of the Nike-clad US Olympians will be wearing has been released:

    link

    Lebron and Carmelo will be wearing their signature shoes.

    Lebron:

    link

    Carmelo:

    link

    Check out these special Retro Olympic Jordan VI:
    link

    Those Hyperdunks are so friggin awesome! I can’t wait to get me a pair and I can’t wait until they release them on Nike ID.
    I was so upset with those “Olympic” Jordan VI’s. I thought they were gonna release the USA colored Retro shoes that were released several years back.

    [quote comment=”278770″][quote comment=”278764″]BTW…The shoe that Kobe and the rest of the Nike-clad US Olympians will be wearing has been released:

    link

    Lebron and Carmelo will be wearing their signature shoes.

    Lebron:

    link

    Carmelo:

    link

    Check out these special Retro Olympic Jordan VI:
    link

    Wow … um … MP … I never knew you had … such … a …

    big box.[/quote]

    That said, I like how the website states “buy two items, get free ground shipping!!”.

    Seriously? How many people, when purchasing shoes, only want ONE item? I certainly hope their customers call stink on that one.

    [quote comment=”278756″][quote comment=”278754″][quote comment=”278753″][quote comment=”278654″]Peter King on SI.com today talking about the possibility of Brett Favre signing with the Vikings:

    “Imagine Favre in purple. It’s an absolutely vomitous scenario for the Packers, imagining Favre playing for their arch-rivals — and imagining Favre charging out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field for the opening game of the 2008 season. Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football, the night Favre was supposed to have his number retired for the Packers.”

    I’d say Paul would be vomitting as well![/quote]

    Lambeau would explode. Literally. No way that happens.[/quote]

    Serious question: What would be worse to Packer Faithful: Favre in Viking Purple or Bear Blue?[/quote]
    Third party here, but I’d think Brett as a Bear would be worse. (a) Two really old franchises who have been rivals forever, in their respective museums Lambeau and Soldier Fields, (b) Favre to Chicago would be the reverse Jim McMahon, and (c) From one respectable uniform to another. Come on, the Vikes wear purple clown suits.[/quote]

    As a die hard Packers fan and a resident my whole life in Wiscosnin, and a guy who is having his wedding reception at Lambeau Field next year, would find it much worse if Favre were a Viking than a BEar. The rivalry versus the Bears is a more understood and good rivalry where as theBear and Packers (and their fans) absolutly just h ate each other. Plus, if Favre were to play for any other team, I would not watch football until he was done playing football forever.

    [quote comment=”278773″][quote comment=”278770″][quote comment=”278764″]BTW…The shoe that Kobe and the rest of the Nike-clad US Olympians will be wearing has been released:

    link

    Lebron and Carmelo will be wearing their signature shoes.

    Lebron:

    link

    Carmelo:

    link

    Check out these special Retro Olympic Jordan VI:
    link

    Wow … um … MP … I never knew you had … such … a …

    big box.[/quote]

    That said, I like how the website states “buy two items, get free ground shipping!!”.

    Seriously? How many people, when purchasing shoes, only want ONE item? I certainly hope their customers call stink on that one.[/quote]

    Well they have so much fresh stuff that you want at least 2 items. One may get a pair of sneakers and a t-shirt to match. I’ve purchased from there numerous times, great guys they are.

    A closeup od said Olympic shoes:

    link

    China and the other “Nike” countries will be wearing the Hyperdunks as well:

    link

    Dirk, in Nike Zoom BB2’s:

    link

    Notice the uni…same template as the U.S.

    Except for Yao, who is with the Vector:

    link

    [quote comment=”278719″]“Until Stern can make the WNBA exciting, it will always be a failed league, and that applies to all women’s sports where its rare to see an attractive female while watching…”[/quote]

    Also, what markets you’re in. What’s the largest market in the USA that doesn’t have a team?

    [quote comment=”278763″]BTW…I rarely watch the WNBA but enjoy the game when I do…

    They play the game as I do, below the rim![/quote]

    dude…you’re 5’8″…of course you’re going to play below the rim

    welcome back slapnuts…how was the cape?

    [quote comment=”278779″]A closeup od said Olympic shoes:

    link

    China and the other “Nike” countries will be wearing the Hyperdunks as well:

    link

    Dirk, in Nike Zoom BB2’s:

    link

    Notice the uni…same template as the U.S.

    Except for Yao, who is with the Vector:

    link

    Those China Hyperdunks are hot!

    Check out the Manu Ginobli exclusives…

    link

    The others…

    link

    Russia

    link

    Argentina

    link

    Australia

    link

    Spain

    link

    Puerto Rico

    link

    Lithuania

    link

    Germany

    link

    [quote]Know the number one thing air travelers (male and female) say makes a flight better?

    If the person seated next to them is good-looking.[/quote]

    well there’s that and either the 5,280 feet high club or the last row beach blanket hand bingo

    [quote comment=”278782″][quote comment=”278779″]A closeup od said Olympic shoes:

    link

    China and the other “Nike” countries will be wearing the Hyperdunks as well:

    link

    Dirk, in Nike Zoom BB2’s:

    link

    Notice the uni…same template as the U.S.

    Except for Yao, who is with the Vector:

    link

    Those China Hyperdunks are hot!

    Check out the Manu Ginobli exclusives…

    link

    The others…

    link

    Russia

    link

    Argentina

    link

    Australia

    link

    Spain

    link

    Puerto Rico

    link

    Lithuania

    link

    Germany

    link

    Nice work, PBP!!!

    I saw samples on NT a few months back…Spain and Aus. are looking very cool!

    Talk about logo creep. I am currently watching the AFL playoffs on ESPN2 and the Georgia Force as well as the Cleveland Gladiators have both a Virgin Mobile and Mitsubishi logo on the back of their helmets.

    [quote comment=”278785″]Talk about logo creep. I am currently watching the AFL playoffs on ESPN2 and the Georgia Force as well as the Cleveland Gladiators have both a Virgin Mobile and Mitsubishi logo on the back of their helmets.[/quote]

    but no green dot?

    [quote comment=”278759″][quote comment=”278751″][quote comment=”278691″][quote comment=”278690″]I think I can make out what it says under Zito’s brim…

    “Note to Self: DON’T SUCK TODAY!”[/quote]

    that ship sailed long ago[/quote]

    That ship is somewhere in the Indian Ocean by now. But I tell you what, he was lights out in his last start, and I do not get it.[/quote]

    Two of his last three, really. But in between he was garbage. I, too, just don’t get it.

    I know the topic has ranged far from this, but, RE: The Colosseum as “multi-purpose”
    I think what the author was talking about was simply the string of concrete donuts from the 60’s and 70’s.[/quote]

    If it was the Colosseum, that would have been 60 or 70 AD. The Coliseum, however, would work.

    [quote comment=”278677″]”Which one, Brain or Brian? Because I’ll let him know once you decide.”[/quote]Bryan’s the one, sir.

    [quote comment=”278787″]If it was the Colosseum, that would have been 60 or 70 AD. The Coliseum, however, would work.[/quote]

    oh the hours I’ve spent inside the coliseum…dodging lions and wastin’ time…

    [quote comment=”278786″][quote comment=”278785″]Talk about logo creep. I am currently watching the AFL playoffs on ESPN2 and the Georgia Force as well as the Cleveland Gladiators have both a Virgin Mobile and Mitsubishi logo on the back of their helmets.[/quote]

    but no green dot?[/quote]

    Green dot? what’s the green dot for?

    [quote comment=”278792″]Ricko: The A’s wear “Wedding gown white,” not “bridal veil white.”[/quote]

    You’re absolutely right. Thank you. Was doing that from memory. Well, I was close, anyway (gee, you’d think I’d have remembered; “Wedding Gown White” is so nicely aliterative). Either way my original thought at the time holds true: “Kinda strange name to use for a men’s baseball uniform color.”

    What was the green called? “A’s Green,” maybe?

    I know Finley dropped the “ATHLETICS” from the unis when they switched from the “satin” look during ’63. I remember he said something like, Nobody knows what an “Athletic” is.

    And, of course, the reason he switched from “KC” to an “A” on the hats was cuz he was pissed at Kansas City, and his team was pretty much out the door on its way west.

    Anyone remember the umpire’s ball basket that Finley had rise up out of the ground instead of having a ballboy bring out balls? It was supported from underneath by a cutout rabbit that looked a lot like Bugs Bunny. Started in ’61 cuz rabbit wore pins with the navy “A” outline in red on left front of uniform. TV always cut to it when it appeared.

    Don’t remember exactly what Finley called it (“Ball Rabbit”, perhaps?) or how long the gimmick lasted.

    [quote]Don’t remember exactly what Finley called it (”Ball Rabbit”, perhaps?) or how long the gimmick lasted.[/quote]

    harvey

    [quote comment=”278791″][quote comment=”278786″][quote comment=”278785″]Talk about logo creep. I am currently watching the AFL playoffs on ESPN2 and the Georgia Force as well as the Cleveland Gladiators have both a Virgin Mobile and Mitsubishi logo on the back of their helmets.[/quote]

    but no green dot?[/quote]

    Green dot? what’s the green dot for?[/quote]
    The NFL player communication green dot.

    I have no problem with sponsorships, when done correctly. Not like South America and Mexico and eastern europe soccer clubs that have like 20 logos on their uniforms, including socks.

    MLS has some teams who have done it right: DC United(VW), ChivasUSA(Comamex), Red Bull New York(red bull), Toronto(BMO) and Houston(amigo energy)…they came out nice. Chicago(Best Buy), LA(Herbal Life), Columbus(Glidden) and Salt Lake(Xango)-not so much. Cuban has been pushing for Jersey sponsorship in the NBA for sometime, I think it is something we could see in the next 10 years, but I don’t think all teams will get a sponsor…the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, and Knicks seem like teams that may pass on the cash in favor of tradition.

    Since no one wanted to answer the question I put forth in post #176, I’ll answer it for you.

    Philadelphia. The fourth-largest market in the USA. Has no WNBA team, but will have both an MLS and WPS club in 2010, sharing the same stadium in Chester.

    [quote comment=”278760″][quote comment=”278757″]I think it was said on here before. Most men find the WNBA boring because many of them can do the same moves that the women do … thre’s no WOW factor in it for them. Whereas, the majority of men can never even dream of getting off those shots seen on the NBA floor, or the football field … thus more WOW. And lets face it, more men will be on this site commenting about the women’s Olympic volleyball uniforms than on the style of play … with little or no knowledge of what’s even going on.[/quote]

    What???? The worst player in the WNBA can out play 99.99% of men. My guess is the men that find it boring are sexist pigs. WNBA is 100 times more exciting than watch golf or NASCAR.[/quote]

    No argument there! Why just three weeks ago I remember watching the San Antonio Silver Stars and Indiana Fever epic struggle while a couple of hacks named Tiger and Rocko were putting America to sleep on a San Diego golf course. I know I’ll never forget Ann Wauters 19 pt. performance.

    [quote comment=”278795″][quote]Don’t remember exactly what Finley called it (”Ball Rabbit”, perhaps?) or how long the gimmick lasted.[/quote]

    harvey[/quote]

    Do you guys remember Finley’s “KC Half-Pennant Porch”?

    [quote comment=”278799″][quote comment=”278795″][quote]Don’t remember exactly what Finley called it (”Ball Rabbit”, perhaps?) or how long the gimmick lasted.[/quote]

    harvey[/quote]

    Do you guys remember Finley’s “KC Half-Pennant Porch”?[/quote]

    hello larry

    from the “good folks” at wiki:

    [quote]After supposedly being told by manager Ed Lopat about the Yankees’ success being attributable to the dimensions of Yankee Stadium, he built the “K.C. Pennant Porch” in right field, which brought the right field fence in Kansas City Municipal Stadium to match Yankee Stadium’s dimensions exactly, just 296 feet from home plate. However, a rule passed in 1958 held that no (new or renovated) major-league fence could be closer than 325 feet, so league officials forced Finley to move the fences back after two exhibition games. The A’s owner then ordered a white line to be painted on the field at the original “Pennant Porch” distance, and told the public address announcer to announce “That would have been a home run in Yankee Stadium” whenever a fly ball was hit past that line but short of the fence. The practice was quickly abandoned after the announcer was calling more “would-be” home runs for the opposition than the A’s.[/quote]

    charley o also wanted orange balls, pushed the dh until it became the atrosity it STILL is, wanted 3 ball walks and 2 strike strikeouts and a designated runner

    i guess he was always trying to out-veeck veeck

    [quote comment=”278798″]I remember watching…a couple of hacks named Tiger and Rocko…putting America to sleep on a San Diego golf course.[/quote]

    who?

    [quote comment=”278795″][quote]Don’t remember exactly what Finley called it (”Ball Rabbit”, perhaps?) or how long the gimmick lasted.[/quote]

    harvey[/quote]

    Here’s Harvey:
    link

    [quote comment=”278800″][quote comment=”278799″][quote comment=”278795″][quote]Don’t remember exactly what Finley called it (”Ball Rabbit”, perhaps?) or how long the gimmick lasted.[/quote]

    harvey[/quote]

    Do you guys remember Finley’s “KC Half-Pennant Porch”?[/quote]

    hello larry

    from the “good folks” at wiki:

    [quote]After supposedly being told by manager Ed Lopat about the Yankees’ success being attributable to the dimensions of Yankee Stadium, he built the “K.C. Pennant Porch” in right field, which brought the right field fence in Kansas City Municipal Stadium to match Yankee Stadium’s dimensions exactly, just 296 feet from home plate. However, a rule passed in 1958 held that no (new or renovated) major-league fence could be closer than 325 feet, so league officials forced Finley to move the fences back after two exhibition games. The A’s owner then ordered a white line to be painted on the field at the original “Pennant Porch” distance, and told the public address announcer to announce “That would have been a home run in Yankee Stadium” whenever a fly ball was hit past that line but short of the fence. The practice was quickly abandoned after the announcer was calling more “would-be” home runs for the opposition than the A’s.[/quote]

    Here’s how Charlie O tried to pull it off:
    link

    If you notice the RF foul pole is actually at the mandatory distance.

    [quote comment=”278802″][quote comment=”278795″][quote]Don’t remember exactly what Finley called it (”Ball Rabbit”, perhaps?) or how long the gimmick lasted.[/quote]

    harvey[/quote]

    Here’s Harvey:
    link

    actually that’s teh pennant porch…i love how the wall juts out from the fair pole, IN FAIR TERRITORY…only by a foot or so…till it reaches the magic 296 feet

    too bad it wasn’t allowed…i’d love to know the ground rules for a ball landing fair and getting pinched in that corner

    [quote comment=”278802″][quote comment=”278795″][quote]Don’t remember exactly what Finley called it (”Ball Rabbit”, perhaps?) or how long the gimmick lasted.[/quote]

    harvey[/quote]

    Here’s Harvey:
    link

    Lets try again:
    link

    In reference to all the comments about the Metrodome, and whether or not it is considered “multi-use”, this is from the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (who oversee the ‘dome) refers to the Metrodome as the “world’s largest mulit-use air supported stadium”

    It doesn’t mean that it is equally good for each use, the seating configuration is built for football and adapted to baseball. All I can say is thank god my Gophers don’t have to play there after this season.

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