Skip to content
 

Drawings from a Paynter

IMG_0023.jpg

A few weeks ago I got a package in the mail from reader Bruce Jaynes. Inside were copies of several dozen comics and illustrations, along with a cover note, which read as follows:

I wanted to pass along these uni-related comics created by my late uncle, Ned Paynter. Like most longtime baseball fans, he despised most of the modern changes and longed for the game of his youth. As a way of venting his disgust, he created an alter ego called “The Grizzled Veteran” — a crusty, Ty Cobb-like columnist who had a chip on his shoulder and an ever-present frown.

My uncle followed that up with the “Hey, I Didn’t Know That!” series, which was his take on little-known baseball arcana. His disdain for the modern uniform was a constant theme in both series.

I really loved, as I’m sure you do, the muted colors, killer illustrations, and snappy text in Ned’s work. I wrote back to Bruce and asked about his uncle’s backgroud — had he been a professional graphic artist, a writer, or what? Here’s what he wrote back:

He was a journalism major but ended up a history professor. ”¦ He would do freelance writing (mainly on architecture — his other great love) and contributed commentaries on San Diego’s KPBS radio. As for his art, he was influenced by early Sporting News and Street & Smith’s illustrations, and was a big fan of R.Crumb. But other than the illustrations in his high school yearbook, he wasn’t published. His cartoons were mainly done for the amusement of family and friends.

The amazing thing was that he could draw characters without a photo to prompt him. I remember watching him do an “Ol’ Griz” piece and marveling at how he could sketch DiMaggio, Feller, Griffey, Rodriguez, etc. by memory. The details on Pudge alone — sunglasses, turned helmet, chest protector — are incredible.

But wait, it gets better: Bruce also included a second batch of material, and this one went waaaaay past the boundaries of the cranky-old-fan shtick. Dig:

The second bactch is from the fictitious East Central Saskatchewan League. Its genesis came from the time we spent with my dying grandfather, who’d grown up on the central Canadian prairie. As he drifted in and out of consciousness, he would talk about the different towns in the area. As a way of coping, my uncle and I would come up with imaginary team names for the towns, complete with team colors and ballpark designs.

The town of Esterhazy had a potash mine, so they became the Ashers [additional Ashers content here]. Spy Hill became the Agents, for obvious reasons. Saskatoon was a hub for the CP Rail, so they became the Switchmen. My uncle’s illustrations are quite clever, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy his take on the uniforms.

This batch, despite being rendered in black-and-white, is pure gold. Ned came up with fictitious game accounts, “legendary” lore, stadiums running the gamut from old-school to newfangled (oops, that one wasn’t built) to fantastical, a columnist who covered the league with a jaundiced eye, and game notes.

There’s so much life in these pages, so much inspiration and imagination — amazing stuff. Big, big thanks to Bruce for sharing his uncle’s work with us, and to Ned for totally making my day, even if he’s not around anymore to hear my praise. RIP, buddy.

Uni Watch News Ticker: Not clear why this Madden screen shot shows the Eagles using a helmet number (and off-center, at that), but I assume it’s just a Madden error, not a portent of things to come in Philly (as spotted by Brendon Yarian). ”¦ Nice look at early-’70s basketball cards here. ”¦ The classics never die. Brian Codagnone spotted that signage on Rt. 93 north of Boston on Saturday. ”¦ Hey, Terry Proctor, when did Sand-Knit make these?! (As found by Roger Faso.) ”¦ Also from Roger: I’d never seen Mr. Met wearing catching gear — until now. ”¦ The FIVB has changed its Beach Volleyball Tour logo from this to this. Ooops, wait, I mean this. Details here (thanks, and apologies, to Jeremy Brahm). ”¦ New uniform controversy at Oregon, but it’s not what you think (with thanks to Kenny Ocker). ”¦ Newly minted Jets QB Mark Sanchez threw out the first pitch prior to Monday’s Mets/Marlins game. ”¦ Even the great Satchel Paige wasn’t immune from getting his buttons mixed up (with thanks to Justine DeCotis). ”¦ Also from Justine: Mismatched uniforms — but, thankfully, high cuffs — at the Mets’ Dominican training complex. ”¦ EA is introducing a “team builder” feature for NCAA Football 10. Video report here (with thanks to Patrick Runge and Ethan Crooks). ”¦ Not sure why Jamie Costello waited so long to tell us this, but he dressed up as Mike Nolan last Halloween. “I DIY’d a pair of headphones into a coach’s headset (using cardstock, tape, and Motorola logos I printed), made myself a little lapel pin out of cardstock and a 49ers logo I printed out, and made a custom pink slip which I laminated and put in my suit pocket (because he’d just been fired),” Jamie says. “I also printed a generic-looking coach’s play sheet and laminated that. Finally, I got a little piece of red fabric and tied it up to look like a challenge flag, which I kept in my back pocket. I wore a plain suit with a red tie and carried around a 49ers glass all night. For people who got it, they thought it was a great costume. Not sure what the other 95% of the people thought.” ”¦ Larry Bodnovich knows I like shoulder yoke striping, so he sent along these shots of OSU, circa 1960 or ’61, OSU ’65, and Dartmouth 1957 or ’58 (and look at those stripes on Princeton!). ”¦ Interesting that the Chargers and Bills had their draft picks pose with throwback jerseys. ”¦ Meanwhile, Alphonso Smith’s photo-op jersey had an upside-down I. ”¦ I don’t much care about spring football scrimmages, but I might make an exception for team with uniforms as nice as UCLA’s (with thanks to Erkki Corpuz). ”¦ Nice hockey ref billboard treatment at the IIHF Men’s World Championships (with thanks to Steve Alvarado). ”¦ As most of you know by now, the Red Sox have gone back to wearing red sox (and sleeves) on the road. But here’s a question: What will they do this Friday, when they’ll presumably be wearing their solid-navy Friday road jersey? Will they wear red hose with that (ugh — not a good idea), or are they now start packing a separate set of navy sox on road trips, just for use on Fridays? Or will they wake the fuck up and scrap the alternate jersey already because it’s a nothing but a douchebag merchandising move? Never mind, no chance of that happening. ”¦ Wait, update: According to this piece from today’s Boston Globe, the Bosox “will go back and forth [between red and navy socks] throughout the season.” Doesn’t say they’ll do so specifically because of the navy alt jersey, but I’m willing to bet that’s what will drive it. … Jeremy Brahm has uploaded a bunch of his Japanese baseball photos to Flickr. ”¦ Great work by Dan Cichalski, who found shots of Adrian Beltre wearing flat soles in the field and spikes at the plate in the same game. Both shots are from 9/1/07. ”¦ A reader who didn’t give his full name submitted an interesting question: Why do so many left-handed pitchers wear No. 57? In raw numbers, the split isn’t so pronounced — nine lefties on MLB rosters currently wear 57, compared to seven righties — but when you consider how there are so many more right-handed pitchers out there, the nine-to-seven ratio is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser. Anyone..? (Answers involving Heinz ketchup are not acceptable.) … Lots of uni number news for the Chiefs (with thanks to Brinke Guthrie).

 
  
 
Comments (248)

    Knowshon Moreno’s jersey “N” was also upside down. I’d show you but I can’t link to flash images on the Broncos site. The interesting part is that the letter itself is correct, but the serif that the Broncos use is in an incorrect location. Also, the small ‘c’ in McBath’s jersey is odd… I think they took an O or some other letter, turned it sideways, and link

    Well, I’m not Terry Proctor, but I’m sure he’ll tell us these funky Sand-Knit pants…
    link|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A2|294%3A50
    …are from the late ’70s and have nothing to do with the Oakland A’s. I do remember such pants being worn hereabouts by a softball team from a downtown bar called “Archie’s Bunker”. There were other combinations, too, such as royal, red and white.

    —Ricko

    How come people grip about the Texas Rangers red hats not matching the team’s blue lettering on the white home jerseys, but people don’t have the same concern about the Red Sox navy caps not matching the red lettering on their white home jerseys?

    The grizzled vet was right in saying that he was disgusted with other teams copying the Wrigley field backstop. I have nothing against retroparks, but if you want to make a ballpark look cool, at least leave the backstop alone.

    I have always loved those UCLA unis. But does anyone else miss the old number font? Before they switched to the block numbers a few years ago

    [quote comment=”326521″]Knowshon Moreno’s jersey “N” was also upside down. I’d show you but I can’t link to flash images on the Broncos site. The interesting part is that the letter itself is correct, but the serif that the Broncos use is in an incorrect location. Also, the small ‘c’ in McBath’s jersey is odd… I think they took an O or some other letter, turned it sideways, and link[/quote]

    Best image I could find of Moreno’s N is link

    Compare that with the N in Quinn’s jersey link

    Anyway, we now return you to things you actually care about. :P

    Well, I wish I could see those Ned Paynter drawings, yet, I’ve been Flickred again. It’ll just have to wait until later. In the meantime, those 1957-58 Princeton striped unis are incredible! Thanks Larry.

    57 is a pitcher’s number cause pitchers can’t wear single digits. 7 is a very popular number, but looks stupid when worn by a pitcher, so they have to audible to a higher number like 57

    Paul —

    1. You’re right about UCLA’s uniforms. But the road ones looked better before they cluttered them up with three-color numbers. The dark blue looked better too. See Rick N. below.

    link

    2. As for my Red Sox — I was thinking last night what the Sox would do with the blue jerseys. But why would red sleeves necessarily look bad under them? (See Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi below.) No matter what, it seems they need to keep the red socks. Would blue sleeves and red sox be okay? That’s what they used to wear anyway.

    link

    link

    [quote comment=”326533″]As for my Red Sox — I was thinking last night what the Sox would do with the blue jerseys. But why would red sleeves necessarily look bad under them?[/quote]

    link

    OK, so the Sox wouldn’t have red headwear. But still…

    [quote comment=”326534″][quote comment=”326533″]As for my Red Sox — I was thinking last night what the Sox would do with the blue jerseys. But why would red sleeves necessarily look bad under them?[/quote]

    link

    OK, so the Sox wouldn’t have red headwear. But still…[/quote]

    Yikes. Point taken. But would blue sleeves, blue jerseys, and red socks work? Think spring training, 1990s.

    [quote comment=”326533″]Paul —

    1. You’re right about UCLA’s uniforms. But the road ones looked better before they cluttered them up with three-color numbers. The dark blue looked better too. See Rick N. below.

    link

    2. As for my Red Sox — I was thinking last night what the Sox would do with the blue jerseys. But why would red sleeves necessarily look bad under them? (See Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi below.) No matter what, it seems they need to keep the red socks. Would blue sleeves and red sox be okay? That’s what they used to wear anyway.

    link

    link
    I believe that’s Ken Holtzman gettting dousd with champagne…
    link

    It’s pretty bad, though, when you’ve introduced an alt jersey that doesn’t go with your normal scheme of undershirts and sox.

    I take that back… I guess the navy alts do go with the original plan of navy socks and undershirts.

    Looks like the H in Smith’s nameplate was also upside down.

    Red socks with Boston’s blue alternate jersey should be ok. There is some red trim and decoration on them to balance out.

    Not sure why lefties wear 57. Maybe the same reason knuckleball pitchers wear 49?

    Another Madden error: link

    Of course, finding Madden uniform errors isn’t exactly the hardest thing to do in the world.

    [quote comment=\”326536\”][quote comment=\”326533\”]

    link
    I believe that\’s Ken Holtzman gettting dousd with champagne…
    link

    It\’s pretty bad, though, when you\’ve introduced an alt jersey that doesn\’t go with your normal scheme of undershirts and sox.[/quote]

    Think you\’re right. All those guys with mustaches in the \’70s looked alike. ;)

    Wow, just…wow….and wow…and wow again!

    This was an update certainly worth waiting for. I want to thank Bruce for sharing this with us. This was just so much fun to read, definitely changed my mood after a hellish morning commute. The contributions of the Uni Watch community cease to amaze me, thanks again!

    I just noticed something with UCLA’s basketball uniforms and the A’s old uniforms. The striping on the colors and pants isn’t uniform. I think that adds to the character of the uniforms. See above how the A’s striping on the collars doesn’t match the sleeves and pants? See below for UCLA’s uniforms.

    link

    For striping that is uniform, see this:

    link

    Phew… UniWatch is back… almost went crazy yesterday without the ability to dissect how the Mets are ruining baseball and how Reebok is fucking up the NFL.

    (as I typed ‘NFL’, Martin Brodeur gave up 2 more goals)

    [quote comment=”326531″]Well, I wish I could see those Ned Paynter drawings, yet, I’ve been Flickred again. It’ll just have to wait until later. In the meantime, those 1957-58 Princeton striped unis are incredible! Thanks Larry.[/quote]

    Having to wait until I get home to see Flickr links is a killer. I even tried googling Ned Paynter and came up with a Blogspot site but they’ve blocked that as well so I can’t even check that. Bruce, if you are reading this…is/was this site something your uncle was involved with?

    link

    The stories. The ballparks. The uni’s. Very imaginative. Thanks Bruce for sharing that.

    Pitchers can wear single digit numbers. Very few ever do, but there have been a few in the majors.

    [quote comment=”326550″]Pitchers can wear single digit numbers. Very few ever do, but there have been a few in the majors.[/quote]

    The last one I can remember was Josh Towers wearing #7. I can’t think of any others at the moment.

    [quote comment=”326547″]I know Paul must be so pleased…

    link

    Not Pontiac?
    Oh, I suppose not. Would be more appropriate if it were September.

    —Ricko

    I found the number assignments by position very interesting. Does anyone know what year this started? I think I remember Brad Van Pelt, a Giants linebacker, wearing #10 when I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s. Also, John Hadl, QB with the Chargers #21, and Ed Podolak of the Chiefs, a RB, wearing #14. I think I remember hearing Van Pelt also being listed as a punter, so that might explain his number.

    [quote comment=”326551″][quote comment=”326550″]Pitchers can wear single digit numbers. Very few ever do, but there have been a few in the majors.[/quote]

    The last one I can remember was Josh Towers wearing #7. I can’t think of any others at the moment.[/quote]
    Jeff Juden wore #7 with the Indians. Didn’t Vida Blue wear #7 for a while?

    I heard the Yankees have cut the prices of those “behind home plate” tickets (the $2,600-dollar ones, and others) in half.

    Must figure the banks and other lenders are almost out of bailout money; can afford only $1,300 these days.

    (Not picking on NY, honest. Just that and the Lincoln-Mercury thing are in the news today.)

    Twins wore their vests last night. They won, but, still…yuck.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326538″]Not sure why lefties wear 57. Maybe the same reason knuckleball pitchers wear 49?[/quote]

    Knucklers wearing 49 is a shout-out to Hoyt Wilhelm.

    As for single-digitized pitchers, I wrote something about this way back in 2001. It’s no longer on the web, so here’s the text:

    Rob Bell and Wayne Gomes were among the lower-profile pitchers to be traded this summer, but that’s not all they have in common. With Bell taking uniform number 6 after being dealt to the Rangers in June and Gomes donning number 2 upon joining the Giants in July, they also became members of an elite fraternity: According to Jack Looney of the Society for American Baseball Research, Bell and Gomes are only the 10th and 11th pitchers since 1960 to wear single-digit uni numbers, and are the first pair of hurlers to do so in the same season since Jack Jenkins of the Senators (No. 1) and Bob Priddy of the Pirates (No. 8) in 1962.

    All of which leads Uni Watch to wonder: Why do pitchers usually wear double-digit numbers anyway, especially since there’s no corresponding numerical protocol for position players? Mark Stang, author of the seminal *Baseball by the Numbers,* isn’t sure. “If you look at scorecards from 1931 and 1932 [when uniform numbers were first coming into vogue], you’ll find pitchers like Lefty Gomez and Carl Hubbell wearing number 11,” he says. “Catchers usually wore 8 through 10, so pitchers’ numbers usually started after that, but there was never any set pattern.” Sportswriter Bill Arnold, who’s also looked into the topic, recently wrote, “Teams tended to assign the manager number 1 and the starting position players numbers 2 through 9. That left only double digits for the starting pitchers.”

    Whatever the double-digit tradition’s source, it’s solidly ingrained by now. So what led Bell and Gomes to buck it? An irritable Giants spokesman insisted to a skeptical Uni Watch that Gomes chose his number “just because, and that’s all he has to say about it,” although this overly defensive posture invites speculation to the contrary (Uni Watch’s hunch: unresolved fantasies of playing shortstop). Bell, meanwhile, has said he simply wanted the lowest number available. In any case, they both might want to reconsider — since becoming single-digitized, they each have earned run averages over 6.00, which means they may soon have a new distinction: the first pair of pitchers to finish with ERAs higher than their uniform numbers.

    Here’s a listing of single-digitized pitchers from 1962-2001 (from my notes to the piece shown above):

    1962, Jack Jenkins, Senators, 1
    1962, Bob Priddy, Pirates, 8
    1963, Bob Baird, Senators, 8
    1968, Bill Monbouquette, Giants, 8
    1970, Dooley Womack, Oakland, 3
    1985, Atlee Hammaker, Giants, 7
    1990, Matt Young, Mariners, 1
    1997, Jeff Juden, Indians, 7
    2000, Mark Small, Expos, 0
    2001, Rob Bell, Rangers, 6
    2001, Wayne Gomes, Giants, 2
    ========

    I haven’t kept track of all single-digitized pitchers since then. Someone mentioned Josh Towers, and David Wells wore No. 3 for part of his tenure with the Red Sox (as a shout-out to the Babe, natch) before switching to a more conventional number in mid-season.

    Fantastic piece and great illos on the East Central Saskatchewan League. Although fictional in this context, the Melville Millionaires are still going strong, in hockey:

    link

    and baseball:

    link

    57?

    Much like Linda Cohn… these pitchers all have twelve toes… the hard way. 5 and 7.

    The only reason I can come up with for lefties wearing 57 is Johnny Vander Meer. I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but he did throw back-to-back no-hitters in 1938 (the only player in MLB history to accomplish such a feat) and was a indeed a lefty who wore 57. Maybe his ’38 accomplishment was enough for the next generation of lefties to pick that number and it just kept going…

    [quote comment=”326528″]I have always loved those UCLA unis. But does anyone else miss the old number font? Before they switched to the block numbers a few years ago[/quote]

    YES! looove the old number font! so much so, i kinda used it for my 1st DIY jersey:

    link

    I know many Venezuelan pitchers wear 57. I believe it’s in tribute to an early Venezuelan major legue pitcher, but I can’t remember who.

    Sort of how 13 is a popular number for Venezuelan infielders, in tribute to Aparicio or Concepcion.

    [quote comment=”326558″]57?

    Much like Linda Cohn… these pitchers all have twelve toes… the hard way. 5 and 7.[/quote]

    Linda has debunked that suburban myth:
    link

    [quote comment=”326559″]The only reason I can come up with for lefties wearing 57 is Johnny Vander Meer. I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but he did throw back-to-back no-hitters in 1938 (the only player in MLB history to accomplish such a feat) and was a indeed a lefty who wore 57. Maybe his ’38 accomplishment was enough for the next generation of lefties to pick that number and it just kept going…[/quote]

    Hmmm…remembering a question from the back of a Topps baseball card, probably 1957 or so (coincidence?) asking what player in MLB wore the highest number. Answer: Vito Valentinetti, Cubs, #57 (more coincidence?).

    Curiouser and curiouser.

    —Ricko

    Anyone else notice the upside down swoosh on the shoes of the player in today’s lead image?

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326564″]Anyone else notice the upside down swoosh on the shoes of the player in today’s lead image?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Backwards, too.

    [quote comment=”326561″]I know many Venezuelan pitchers wear 57. I believe it’s in tribute to an early Venezuelan major legue pitcher, but I can’t remember who.

    Sort of how 13 is a popular number for Venezuelan infielders, in tribute to Aparicio or Concepcion.[/quote]

    Didn’t Aparicio wear $11…with the White Sox, anyway?

    [quote comment=”326565″][quote comment=”326564″]Anyone else notice the upside down swoosh on the shoes of the player in today’s lead image?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Backwards, too.[/quote]

    In the sock entry, Mark Grace is also wearing a pair like those.

    One of the questions for Griz came from Nyack, NY…my hood!

    That depth of writing and knowledge reminds me of hanging out with my wife’s grandfather.

    I literally pepper hime with questions about old timey baseball and he never disappoints.

    [quote comment=\”326556\”]Someone mentioned Josh Towers, and David Wells wore No. 3 for part of his tenure with the Red Sox (as a shout-out to the Babe, natch) before switching to a more conventional number in mid-season.[/quote]

    I believe Wells pitched exactly one regular-season game wearing 3 for the Sox, his first start of 2005 in which he was pounded mercilessly (by the A\’s, if memory serves). The next game he was wearing 16 and didn\’t look back.

    wow bruce!!! your uncle ned was an AMAZING artist! and clever! i love the stadiums! thanks so much for sharing!!!

    [quote comment=”326564″]Anyone else notice the upside down swoosh on the shoes of the player in today’s lead image?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    And four-stripe Adidas?

    [quote comment=”326566″][quote comment=”326561″]I know many Venezuelan pitchers wear 57. I believe it’s in tribute to an early Venezuelan major legue pitcher, but I can’t remember who.

    Sort of how 13 is a popular number for Venezuelan infielders, in tribute to Aparicio or Concepcion.[/quote]

    Didn’t Aparicio wear $11…with the White Sox, anyway?[/quote]

    Good point. I think I was thinking of Omar Vizquel.

    [quote comment=”326571″][quote comment=”326564″]Anyone else notice the upside down swoosh on the shoes of the player in today’s lead image?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    And four-stripe Adidas?[/quote]

    Actually, Frank Thomas (I assume that’s your reference) wore Reeboks that had five or six stripes. I think that’s the cleat he’s representing in that schematic. I’m sure someone can find a photo.

    [quote comment=”326532″]57 is a pitcher’s number cause pitchers can’t wear single digits. 7 is a very popular number, but looks stupid when worn by a pitcher, so they have to audible to a higher number like 57[/quote]

    Which explains Josh Towers and his look at me move when he wore single digits last year in his supposed attempt at being a Major League pitcher…

    [quote comment=”326570″]wow bruce!!! your uncle ned was an AMAZING artist! and clever! i love the stadiums! thanks so much for sharing!!![/quote]

    I don’t know what I love better, the birdcage or the railroad track stadium!

    I love the line that states that every dad should bring hos kid to the ballpark once in a while, it’s the american way.

    Absolutely right…some of you might not like those GM commercials with the rally caps but I lov em because that sentiment.

    Very happy to see so many of you digging today’s lead entry. I think this is some of the most special material that’s ever appeared on the site, and I’m really pleased to see that many of you apparently agree.

    [quote comment=”326562″][quote comment=”326558″]57?

    Much like Linda Cohn… these pitchers all have twelve toes… the hard way. 5 and 7.[/quote]

    Linda has debunked that suburban myth:
    link

    I would take that more as a shout out to Tony Kornheiser and his fans…

    [quote comment=”326573″][quote comment=”326571″][quote comment=”326564″]Anyone else notice the upside down swoosh on the shoes of the player in today’s lead image?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    And four-stripe Adidas?[/quote]

    Actually, Frank Thomas (I assume that’s your reference) wore Reeboks that had five or six stripes. I think that’s the cleat he’s representing in that schematic. I’m sure someone can find a photo.[/quote]

    link

    [quote comment=”326579″][quote comment=”326573″][quote comment=”326571″][quote comment=”326564″]Anyone else notice the upside down swoosh on the shoes of the player in today’s lead image?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    And four-stripe Adidas?[/quote]

    Actually, Frank Thomas (I assume that’s your reference) wore Reeboks that had five or six stripes. I think that’s the cleat he’s representing in that schematic. I’m sure someone can find a photo.[/quote]

    link
    link

    [quote comment=\”326575\”]Here you go…
    link

    I stand corrected. Interesting.

    I knew that K-Swiss had five stripes. Never knew Reebok used stripes like that.

    “I love the line that states that every dad should bring his kid to the ballpark once in a while, it’s the American way.”

    i believe it was Donald Honig who wrote…
    “Baseball really is nothing more than an endless stream of all of the fathers and all of the sons.”

    There is SO much of that in today’s entry. That’s why it’s so very, very good.

    I’ll be 63 this year, and I play first base on a team with a bunch of young guys. One of them, the scary fast outfielder with the huge arm for such a skinny kid, is my 27-year-son. Trust me, guys, if you ever get to experience the joy of such a thing, you’re blessed.

    —Ricko

    Forget the stripes on that Princeton player, take a look at the GIGANTIC facemask he has on his lid!!!

    Another mistake on the Madden screen grab, I read that Maclin will be wearing #18 for the Eagles because wide receivers cannot wear single digits. So he took 18 because 1 and 8 add up to 9.

    [quote comment=”326524″]Wow….just, WOW! Bruce, thanks so much for sharing your uncle’s outstanding work! Amazing stuff.[/quote]
    [quote comment=”326529″]bruce jaynes…

    my god your uncle was amazing…thanks for sharing that awesomeness

    just…wow[/quote]
    [quote comment=”326542″]Wow, just…wow….and wow…and wow again!

    This was an update certainly worth waiting for. I want to thank Bruce for sharing this with us. This was just so much fun to read, definitely changed my mood after a hellish morning commute. The contributions of the Uni Watch community cease to amaze me, thanks again![/quote]

    1. RIP Ned Paynter. Thanks a million, Bruce. It’s a terrific gift to all of us.

    2. But almost as magnificent are those insane Japanese baseball photos from the late 1930s – early 1940s. Yet another reason for the full canonization of Blessed Jeremy Brahm.

    [quote comment=”326566″]
    Didn’t Aparicio wear $11…with the White Sox, anyway?[/quote]
    He wore 11 dollars? Where? In his G-string?

    [quote comment=”326586″][quote comment=”326566″]
    Didn’t Aparicio wear $11…with the White Sox, anyway?[/quote]
    He wore 11 dollars? Where? In his G-string?[/quote]

    Indeed he did.
    That wasn’t a typo.

    LOL

    [quote comment=”326582″]I’ll be 63 this year, and I play first base on a team with a bunch of young guys. One of them, the scary fast outfielder with the huge arm for such a skinny kid, is my 27-year-son. Trust me, guys, if you ever get to experience the joy of such a thing, you’re blessed.[/quote]

    by the time he was ten, playing baseball got to be like eating vegetables or taking out the garbage…so when he was 14, he started to refuse. could you believe that? an american boy refusing to play catch with his father?

    /great story rick…

    [quote comment=”326577″]Very happy to see so many of you digging today’s lead entry. I think this is some of the most special material that’s ever appeared on the site, and I’m really pleased to see that many of you apparently agree.[/quote]

    “I think this is some of the most special material that’s ever appeared on the site”

    couldn’t agree more paul! just can’t wait to have a chance, take a break, and kick-back and read more of the material!!!

    [quote comment=”326587″][quote comment=”326586″][quote comment=”326566″]
    Didn’t Aparicio wear $11…with the White Sox, anyway?[/quote]
    He wore 11 dollars? Where? In his G-string?[/quote]

    Indeed he did.
    That wasn’t a typo.

    LOL[/quote]
    But seriously, it is kinda funny now how guys like Vizquel and Ozzie Guillen went with #13 because of Concepcion and now Venezuelan players like to pick #13 because of Vizquel and Guillen.

    link.

    [quote comment=”326576″][quote comment=”326570″]wow bruce!!! your uncle ned was an AMAZING artist! and clever! i love the stadiums! thanks so much for sharing!!![/quote]

    I don’t know what I love better, the birdcage or the railroad track stadium!

    I love the line that states that every dad should bring hos kid to the ballpark once in a while, it’s the american way.

    Absolutely right…some of you might not like those GM commercials with the rally caps but I lov em because that sentiment.[/quote]

    my favorite is the anglers “lake meadow stadium”… not only for the 520′ to center, and 405′ to left field… geez! but the bait shop (bill’s tackle) and docks in the outfield! lots of doubles and trips in that stadium!!!

    TEEBZ!!! AHL NEWS!! Canada is Getting a re-located franchise!!

    Also, and most sad, the Phantoms are leaving Philly…DISCOUNT JERSEY TIME!!!

    [quote comment=”326556″]As for single-digitized pitchers, I wrote something about this way back in 2001. It’s no longer on the web, so here’s the text:[/quote]
    Paul, have you reprinted that on another occasion? I know I’ve read that before but I’m pretty sure I didn’t discover Uni Watch until 2004 at the absolute earliest.

    Close, the Oakland start where Wells was pounded was his sixth of 2005… his first start was at Yankee Stadium…

    I wonder if that’s where (and probably why) he wore uni #3? Anybody have any pictorial evidence?

    link

    [quote comment=”326568″][quote comment=\”326556\”]Someone mentioned Josh Towers, and David Wells wore No. 3 for part of his tenure with the Red Sox (as a shout-out to the Babe, natch) before switching to a more conventional number in mid-season.[/quote]

    I believe Wells pitched exactly one regular-season game wearing 3 for the Sox, his first start of 2005 in which he was pounded mercilessly (by the A\’s, if memory serves). The next game he was wearing 16 and didn\’t look back.[/quote]

    [quote comment=”326593″][quote comment=”326556″]As for single-digitized pitchers, I wrote something about this way back in 2001. It’s no longer on the web, so here’s the text:[/quote]
    Paul, have you reprinted that on another occasion? I know I’ve read that before but I’m pretty sure I didn’t discover Uni Watch until 2004 at the absolute earliest.[/quote]

    It first ran in Uni Watch’s original incarnation, in the now-defunct sports section of The Village Voice. I used to link to that material from this site and from ESPN, but it’s no longer archived on the Voice server.

    I’m off to visit the family for the rest of the day. See you all tomorrow.

    Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?

    [quote comment=”326595″][quote comment=”326593″][quote comment=”326556″]As for single-digitized pitchers, I wrote something about this way back in 2001. It’s no longer on the web, so here’s the text:[/quote]
    Paul, have you reprinted that on another occasion? I know I’ve read that before but I’m pretty sure I didn’t discover Uni Watch until 2004 at the absolute earliest.[/quote]

    It first ran in Uni Watch’s original incarnation, in the now-defunct sports section of The Village Voice. I used to link to that material from this site and from ESPN, but it’s no longer archived on the Voice server.

    I’m off to visit the family for the rest of the day. See you all tomorrow.[/quote]

    After taking Phil’s bait, I googled the Kinsella line and came up with this:

    link

    Combine that with Ricko’s story and I think Paul spending time with family is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time.

    Most excellent contributions today. The pictures and details were most fun. Those Gold Diggerettes had quite a revealing top, but my favorite picture and uniform is the overall-wearing Switchmen. Such simple creativity there. Add in the crazy stadiums, and this is a full fledged league!

    Red socks for the Red Sox yes, but why drop the blue sleeves? I always thought they looked better with both home and road uniforms anyway.

    [quote comment=”326548″][quote comment=”326531″]Well, I wish I could see those Ned Paynter drawings, yet, I’ve been Flickred again. It’ll just have to wait until later. In the meantime, those 1957-58 Princeton striped unis are incredible! Thanks Larry.[/quote]

    Having to wait until I get home to see Flickr links is a killer. I even tried googling Ned Paynter and came up with a Blogspot site but they’ve blocked that as well so I can’t even check that. Bruce, if you are reading this…is/was this site something your uncle was involved with?

    link

    Yes, that’s him. His love of politics rivaled his love of baseball.

    [quote comment=”326551″][quote comment=”326550″]Pitchers can wear single digit numbers. Very few ever do, but there have been a few in the majors.[/quote]

    The last one I can remember was Josh Towers wearing #7. I can’t think of any others at the moment.[/quote]

    I didn’t mean that they’re outlawed, I just meant that it’s not a common practice, and for some reason looks really goofy

    [quote comment=”326557″]Fantastic piece and great illos on the East Central Saskatchewan League. Although fictional in this context, the Melville Millionaires are still going strong, in hockey:

    link

    and baseball:

    link

    Wow! I had no idea that there was an actual Millionaires team (let alone two) in Melville! It just sounded good off the tongue at the time….thanks for the info.

    [quote comment=”326584″]Another mistake on the Madden screen grab, I read that Maclin will be wearing #18 for the Eagles because wide receivers cannot wear single digits. So he took 18 because 1 and 8 add up to 9.[/quote]
    In about 5 years, there will be no wide receivers wearing numbers in the 80s anymore, which will leave QBs to fight it out with the punters and kickers for the single digits.

    There should be an NFL rule that Punters and kickers have to wear #0 or 00.

    [quote comment=”326604″][quote comment=”326584″]Another mistake on the Madden screen grab, I read that Maclin will be wearing #18 for the Eagles because wide receivers cannot wear single digits. So he took 18 because 1 and 8 add up to 9.[/quote]
    In about 5 years, there will be no wide receivers wearing numbers in the 80s anymore, which will leave QBs to fight it out with the punters and kickers for the single digits.

    There should be an NFL rule that Punters and kickers have to wear #0 or 00.[/quote]
    How ’bout just a big P or K on the jersey?

    Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    Until yesterday, neither Chicago baseball team had faced an opponent wearing alternate jerseys this season (unless you count Jackie Robinson Day jerseys as alts.)

    So naturally, the Diamondbacks had to buck that trend on a day that Carlos Zambrano was pitching.

    link, link?

    I must be the only one who has anything negative to say about Ned Paynter’s material. The drawings ARE amazing, yes. It’s his never-ending cynicism with today’s ballplayers, salaries, ballparks, etc. that I’m referring to. While I don’t disagree in principle to what he’s saying (salaries too high, Tiger Stadium vs. Comerica Park, naming rights, etc), the incessant nature of the criticisms wore on me very quickly. The never-ending barrage of what’s wrong with the game today – I had to stop reading and just look at the pictures instead.

    [quote comment=”326588″][quote comment=”326582″]I’ll be 63 this year, and I play first base on a team with a bunch of young guys. One of them, the scary fast outfielder with the huge arm for such a skinny kid, is my 27-year-son. Trust me, guys, if you ever get to experience the joy of such a thing, you’re blessed.[/quote]

    by the time he was ten, playing baseball got to be like eating vegetables or taking out the garbage…so when he was 14, he started to refuse. could you believe that? an american boy refusing to play catch with his father?

    /great story rick…[/quote]

    My 10th graders are reading Shoeless Joe right now. Great book, the movie really does it justice despite the changes.

    Of course, in the book it was Ray’s twin brother Richard who walked out on their father at age 16, but the important thing to do is not to quibble over details…….

    [quote comment=”326556″][quote comment=”326538″]Not sure why lefties wear 57. Maybe the same reason knuckleball pitchers wear 49?[/quote]

    Knucklers wearing 49 is a shout-out to Hoyt Wilhelm.

    As for single-digitized pitchers, I wrote something about this way back in 2001. It’s no longer on the web, so here’s the text:

    Rob Bell and Wayne Gomes were among the lower-profile pitchers to be traded this summer, but that’s not all they have in common. With Bell taking uniform number 6 after being dealt to the Rangers in June and Gomes donning number 2 upon joining the Giants in July, they also became members of an elite fraternity: According to Jack Looney of the Society for American Baseball Research, Bell and Gomes are only the 10th and 11th pitchers since 1960 to wear single-digit uni numbers, and are the first pair of hurlers to do so in the same season since Jack Jenkins of the Senators (No. 1) and Bob Priddy of the Pirates (No. 8) in 1962.

    All of which leads Uni Watch to wonder: Why do pitchers usually wear double-digit numbers anyway, especially since there’s no corresponding numerical protocol for position players? Mark Stang, author of the seminal *Baseball by the Numbers,* isn’t sure. “If you look at scorecards from 1931 and 1932 [when uniform numbers were first coming into vogue], you’ll find pitchers like Lefty Gomez and Carl Hubbell wearing number 11,” he says. “Catchers usually wore 8 through 10, so pitchers’ numbers usually started after that, but there was never any set pattern.” Sportswriter Bill Arnold, who’s also looked into the topic, recently wrote, “Teams tended to assign the manager number 1 and the starting position players numbers 2 through 9. That left only double digits for the starting pitchers.”

    Whatever the double-digit tradition’s source, it’s solidly ingrained by now. So what led Bell and Gomes to buck it? An irritable Giants spokesman insisted to a skeptical Uni Watch that Gomes chose his number “just because, and that’s all he has to say about it,” although this overly defensive posture invites speculation to the contrary (Uni Watch’s hunch: unresolved fantasies of playing shortstop). Bell, meanwhile, has said he simply wanted the lowest number available. In any case, they both might want to reconsider — since becoming single-digitized, they each have earned run averages over 6.00, which means they may soon have a new distinction: the first pair of pitchers to finish with ERAs higher than their uniform numbers.

    Here’s a listing of single-digitized pitchers from 1962-2001 (from my notes to the piece shown above):

    1962, Jack Jenkins, Senators, 1
    1962, Bob Priddy, Pirates, 8
    1963, Bob Baird, Senators, 8
    1968, Bill Monbouquette, Giants, 8
    1970, Dooley Womack, Oakland, 3
    1985, Atlee Hammaker, Giants, 7
    1990, Matt Young, Mariners, 1
    1997, Jeff Juden, Indians, 7
    2000, Mark Small, Expos, 0
    2001, Rob Bell, Rangers, 6
    2001, Wayne Gomes, Giants, 2
    ========

    I haven’t kept track of all single-digitized pitchers since then. Someone mentioned Josh Towers, and David Wells wore No. 3 for part of his tenure with the Red Sox (as a shout-out to the Babe, natch) before switching to a more conventional number in mid-season.[/quote]

    Another one for the list:
    link
    Skip down, there is a section on the numbers he wore, 1973 Oakland A’s

    [quote comment=”326605″][quote comment=”326604″][quote comment=”326584″]Another mistake on the Madden screen grab, I read that Maclin will be wearing #18 for the Eagles because wide receivers cannot wear single digits. So he took 18 because 1 and 8 add up to 9.[/quote]
    In about 5 years, there will be no wide receivers wearing numbers in the 80s anymore, which will leave QBs to fight it out with the punters and kickers for the single digits.

    There should be an NFL rule that Punters and kickers have to wear #0 or 00.[/quote]
    How ’bout just a big P or K on the jersey?[/quote]
    Works for me, although one of the most famous kickers ever wore #00…

    link

    [quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?

    [quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the UGA/GT helmet?

    These illustrations are amazing! The Birdcage concept is genius! Great stuff, seeing those was a real treat.

    [quote comment=”326612″]How many things are wrong with link.[/quote]
    You mean aside from the spelling, number and color? Looks like they got the trim sorta correct, though.

    [quote comment=”326608″]I must be the only one who has anything negative to say about Ned Paynter’s material. The drawings ARE amazing, yes. It’s his never-ending cynicism with today’s ballplayers, salaries, ballparks, etc. that I’m referring to. While I don’t disagree in principle to what he’s saying (salaries too high, Tiger Stadium vs. Comerica Park, naming rights, etc), the incessant nature of the criticisms wore on me very quickly. The never-ending barrage of what’s wrong with the game today – I had to stop reading and just look at the pictures instead.[/quote]
    The schtick is a “grizzled veteran” who hates to see which direction his beloved game has turned to these days. It’s a sentiment that Mr. Paynter probably agreed with, but a schtick nonetheless.

    [quote comment=”326608″]I must be the only one who has anything negative to say about Ned Paynter’s material. The drawings ARE amazing, yes. It’s his never-ending cynicism with today’s ballplayers, salaries, ballparks, etc. that I’m referring to. While I don’t disagree in principle to what he’s saying (salaries too high, Tiger Stadium vs. Comerica Park, naming rights, etc), the incessant nature of the criticisms wore on me very quickly. The never-ending barrage of what’s wrong with the game today – I had to stop reading and just look at the pictures instead.[/quote]

    You’re not the only one. This guy’s stuff is great-looking and creative, but I found his opinions on Chief Wahoo unsettling. Is he actually approving of minor league teams named “Chinks” and “Darkies” because they come from a more “laid-back time?” After the literary equivalent of a double take, I think he actually might be.

    That’s… racist. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe that way. As a Chinese-American, I’d be pretty shocked if an all-white team from SF had the insensitive audacity to themselves the “Chinatown Chinks.” With an OPIUM PIPE LOGO. What the hell? The worst thing might be his note that the logo was protested by Chinese-Americans in the area, and Paynter dismisses these protests with a “I guess PC was alive even then!”

    Even more unsettling is his take on the “Danville Darkies.” He writes nostalgically of a team that had a elderly black man as a mascot/clubhouse “boy.” And this “clubhouse boy” would dance a jig and “gobble watermelon” after every Darkies homer. Is the fact that a team like this would never be allowed to engage in such practices an example of political correctness gone wrong? That’s one of the more egregious examples of racism in professional sports I’ve ever seen.

    The “more laid back time” that Ned Paynter hearkens back to – was the climate of Jim Crow and institutionalized racism a part of that? I’m not sad the Danville Darkies and the Chinatown Chinks are forgotten. Are any of you?

    Perhaps his views are poorly expressed, but the impression of racial insensitivity I get from Ned Paynter leave a bad taste in my mouth.

    [quote comment=”326615″][quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the link helmet?[/quote]

    According to the link they will. Remains to be seen how faithful they actually are.

    Just a fantastic post Paul….made the day off without uniwatching yesterday totally worth it.

    Frank

    [quote comment=”326615″][quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the link helmet?[/quote]

    Ooops, I’m pretty sure that on the actual Falcons helmets the white stripes were adjacent to the black center stripe. The gold stripes were a bit narrower and on the outer edge of the white stripes. That was the only gold on the original Falcons’ unis.

    I have a full-page color headshot in my files of Alex Hawkins (I think it’s the Hawk) wearing his helmet. From SPORT magazine, if I remember correctly. I’ll dig it out, scan and post it tonight.

    —Ricko

    Wells wore the number 3 for multiple starts. The reason why he changed his number was for edgar rentaria. He had worn 3 the previous year and was wearing 16 rentaria was having a horrible start batting under 200. so one day they just switched numbers. rentaria took 3 and wells took 16.

    [quote comment=”326613″][quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?[/quote]
    Their road uni link.

    This is the page that espn links to as an example of the uni. Doesn’t really clarify it one way or the other it seems.

    link

    [quote comment=”326626″][quote comment=”326613″][quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?[/quote]
    Their road uni link.[/quote]

    Maybe he means the Twins because they aren’t PLAIN gray?

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326621″][quote comment=”326608″]I must be the only one who has anything negative to say about Ned Paynter’s material. The drawings ARE amazing, yes. It’s his never-ending cynicism with today’s ballplayers, salaries, ballparks, etc. that I’m referring to. While I don’t disagree in principle to what he’s saying (salaries too high, Tiger Stadium vs. Comerica Park, naming rights, etc), the incessant nature of the criticisms wore on me very quickly. The never-ending barrage of what’s wrong with the game today – I had to stop reading and just look at the pictures instead.[/quote]

    You’re not the only one. This guy’s stuff is great-looking and creative, but I found his opinions on Chief Wahoo unsettling. Is he actually approving of minor league teams named “Chinks” and “Darkies” because they come from a more “laid-back time?” After the literary equivalent of a double take, I think he actually might be.

    That’s… racist. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe that way. As a Chinese-American, I’d be pretty shocked if an all-white team from SF had the insensitive audacity to themselves the “Chinatown Chinks.” With an OPIUM PIPE LOGO. What the hell? The worst thing might be his note that the logo was protested by Chinese-Americans in the area, and Paynter dismisses these protests with a “I guess PC was alive even then!”

    Even more unsettling is his take on the “Danville Darkies.” He writes nostalgically of a team that had a elderly black man as a mascot/clubhouse “boy.” And this “clubhouse boy” would dance a jig and “gobble watermelon” after every Darkies homer. Is the fact that a team like this would never be allowed to engage in such practices an example of political correctness gone wrong? That’s one of the more egregious examples of racism in professional sports I’ve ever seen.

    The “more laid back time” that Ned Paynter hearkens back to – was the climate of Jim Crow and institutionalized racism a part of that? I’m not sad the Danville Darkies and the Chinatown Chinks are forgotten. Are any of you?

    Perhaps his views are poorly expressed, but the impression of racial insensitivity I get from Ned Paynter leave a bad taste in my mouth.[/quote]

    Oh jeez. This is like saying “I really like Three Stooges movies, but I just get tired of the boys smacking each other around”. That’s part of the humor. Whether it’s your cup of tea or not lighten up, no one’s suggesting this character is Albert Schweitzer.

    [quote comment=”326630″][quote comment=”326626″][quote comment=”326613″][quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?[/quote]
    Their road uni link.[/quote]

    Maybe he means the Twins because they aren’t PLAIN gray?

    —Ricko[/quote]
    True, but neither are the Rockies.

    Loved the entry for today. Mr. Paynter’s skill and imagination are to be applauded. I could see these teams and illustrations being used for a good book.

    [quote comment=”326633″][quote comment=”326630″][quote comment=”326626″][quote comment=”326613″][quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?[/quote]
    Their road uni link.[/quote]

    Maybe he means the Twins because they aren’t PLAIN gray?

    —Ricko[/quote]
    True, but neither are the Rockies.[/quote]

    Oh, that’s right, yes.
    (Of course, I have to force myself to think of the Rockies. Apolgies to any Rockies fans, but to me they are the most “meh” uni in MLB. Have been since they came into being. Not bad, just nondescript.)

    Speaking of single-digit pitchers, in Japanese high school baseball, the main pitcher link (and the other starters also wear their positions).

    (The truly maniacal might also notice that they use a slightly thicker number font for the #1. Some professional teams use this same font, meaning that there are four different widths: a super-thick one for #1, a somewhat-fat one for 0 and 2-9, a regular one for 10-99, and then this link.)

    This has resulted in several pitchers wanting to keep #1 when they become professionals. Yuta Omine of Bobby Valentine’s Chiba Lotte Marines has it now. You might need eye protection from the rest of the uniform, but link.

    [quote comment=”326603″][quote comment=”326557″]Fantastic piece and great illos on the East Central Saskatchewan League. Although fictional in this context, the Melville Millionaires are still going strong, in hockey:

    link

    and baseball:

    link

    Wow! I had no idea that there was an actual Millionaires team (let alone two) in Melville! It just sounded good off the tongue at the time….thanks for the info.[/quote]
    Melville is also the home town of former Astro Terry Puhl. Also, I assume Lake Meadow Stadium is named after Meadow Lake, in northern Saskatchewan.

    I was born and raised in Saskatoon, and loved today’s entry. Although, our rail lines have never been celebrated as much in our history. We’re the City of Bridges! I do love Round House Park. Far better than the current Cairns Field.

    [quote comment=”326624″][quote comment=”326615″][quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the link helmet?[/quote]

    Ooops, I’m pretty sure that on the actual Falcons helmets the white stripes were adjacent to the black center stripe. The gold stripes were a bit narrower and on the outer edge of the white stripes. That was the only gold on the original Falcons’ unis.

    I have a full-page color headshot in my files of Alex Hawkins (I think it’s the Hawk) wearing his helmet. From SPORT magazine, if I remember correctly. I’ll dig it out, scan and post it tonight.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Here you go: link

    [quote comment=”326633″][quote comment=”326630″][quote comment=”326626″][quote comment=”326613″][quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?[/quote]
    Their road uni link.[/quote]

    Maybe he means the Twins because they aren’t PLAIN gray?

    —Ricko[/quote]
    True, but neither are the Rockies.[/quote]

    Maybe Houston since they wear their red alts on the road all the time?

    [quote comment=”326638″][quote comment=”326624″][quote comment=”326615″][quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the link helmet?[/quote]

    Ooops, I’m pretty sure that on the actual Falcons helmets the white stripes were adjacent to the black center stripe. The gold stripes were a bit narrower and on the outer edge of the white stripes. That was the only gold on the original Falcons’ unis.

    I have a full-page color headshot in my files of Alex Hawkins (I think it’s the Hawk) wearing his helmet. From SPORT magazine, if I remember correctly. I’ll dig it out, scan and post it tonight.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Here you go: link

    Thanks, Larry. Okay, they gold wasn’t narrower, but it was on the outside. That’s what I thought.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326640″][quote comment=”326638″][quote comment=”326624″][quote comment=”326615″][quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the link helmet?[/quote]

    Ooops, I’m pretty sure that on the actual Falcons helmets the white stripes were adjacent to the black center stripe. The gold stripes were a bit narrower and on the outer edge of the white stripes. That was the only gold on the original Falcons’ unis.

    I have a full-page color headshot in my files of Alex Hawkins (I think it’s the Hawk) wearing his helmet. From SPORT magazine, if I remember correctly. I’ll dig it out, scan and post it tonight.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Here you go: link

    Thanks, Larry. Okay, they gold wasn’t narrower, but it was on the outside. That’s what I thought.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    That’s just one picture from one year. Who’s to say that it didn’t change a bit? BTW, they couldn’t find black Dymo tape in Atlanta?

    [quote comment=”326631″][quote comment=”326621″][quote comment=”326608″]I must be the only one who has anything negative to say about Ned Paynter’s material. The drawings ARE amazing, yes. It’s his never-ending cynicism with today’s ballplayers, salaries, ballparks, etc. that I’m referring to. While I don’t disagree in principle to what he’s saying (salaries too high, Tiger Stadium vs. Comerica Park, naming rights, etc), the incessant nature of the criticisms wore on me very quickly. The never-ending barrage of what’s wrong with the game today – I had to stop reading and just look at the pictures instead.[/quote]

    You’re not the only one. This guy’s stuff is great-looking and creative, but I found his opinions on Chief Wahoo unsettling. Is he actually approving of minor league teams named “Chinks” and “Darkies” because they come from a more “laid-back time?” After the literary equivalent of a double take, I think he actually might be.

    That’s… racist. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe that way. As a Chinese-American, I’d be pretty shocked if an all-white team from SF had the insensitive audacity to themselves the “Chinatown Chinks.” With an OPIUM PIPE LOGO. What the hell? The worst thing might be his note that the logo was protested by Chinese-Americans in the area, and Paynter dismisses these protests with a “I guess PC was alive even then!”

    Even more unsettling is his take on the “Danville Darkies.” He writes nostalgically of a team that had a elderly black man as a mascot/clubhouse “boy.” And this “clubhouse boy” would dance a jig and “gobble watermelon” after every Darkies homer. Is the fact that a team like this would never be allowed to engage in such practices an example of political correctness gone wrong? That’s one of the more egregious examples of racism in professional sports I’ve ever seen.

    The “more laid back time” that Ned Paynter hearkens back to – was the climate of Jim Crow and institutionalized racism a part of that? I’m not sad the Danville Darkies and the Chinatown Chinks are forgotten. Are any of you?

    Perhaps his views are poorly expressed, but the impression of racial insensitivity I get from Ned Paynter leave a bad taste in my mouth.[/quote]

    Oh jeez. This is like saying “I really like Three Stooges movies, but I just get tired of the boys smacking each other around”. That’s part of the humor. Whether it’s your cup of tea or not lighten up, no one’s suggesting this character is Albert Schweitzer.[/quote]

    Great stuff today Bruce, I am sure your are very pround of your Uncle Ned, thanks for sharing him for the day.
    In relation to the ‘PC’ stuff, I just think he forgot the sarcasm tags…

    [quote comment=”326639″][quote comment=”326633″][quote comment=”326630″][quote comment=”326626″][quote comment=”326613″][quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?[/quote]
    Their road uni link.[/quote]

    Maybe he means the Twins because they aren’t PLAIN gray?

    —Ricko[/quote]
    True, but neither are the Rockies.[/quote]

    Maybe Houston since they wear their red alts on the road all the time?[/quote]

    I think the article is just wrong. Here is a look at all the uniforms in 2009 via Dressed To the Nines:

    link

    Of course, a lot of these uniforms are wrong, so take it for what it’s worth.

    Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326641″][quote comment=”326640″][quote comment=”326638″][quote comment=”326624″][quote comment=”326615″][quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the link helmet?[/quote]

    Ooops, I’m pretty sure that on the actual Falcons helmets the white stripes were adjacent to the black center stripe. The gold stripes were a bit narrower and on the outer edge of the white stripes. That was the only gold on the original Falcons’ unis.

    I have a full-page color headshot in my files of Alex Hawkins (I think it’s the Hawk) wearing his helmet. From SPORT magazine, if I remember correctly. I’ll dig it out, scan and post it tonight.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Here you go: link

    Thanks, Larry. Okay, they gold wasn’t narrower, but it was on the outside. That’s what I thought.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    That’s just one picture from one year. Who’s to say that it didn’t change a bit? BTW, they couldn’t find black Dymo tape in Atlanta?[/quote]

    Only change they ever made in that helmet was to, eventually, drop the gold.

    Edit to my link above:

    The thumbnails are wrong, but when you click on the thumbnail to view the full size, they are right.

    sdfsdfs

    I must be the only one who has anything negative to say about Ned Paynter’s material. The drawings ARE amazing, yes. It’s his never-ending cynicism with today’s ballplayers, salaries, ballparks, etc. that I’m referring to. While I don’t disagree in principle to what he’s saying (salaries too high, Tiger Stadium vs. Comerica Park, naming rights, etc), the incessant nature of the criticisms wore on me very quickly. The never-ending barrage of what’s wrong with the game today – I had to stop reading and just look at the pictures instead.

    You’re not the only one. This guy’s stuff is great-looking and creative, but I found his opinions on Chief Wahoo unsettling. Is he actually approving of minor league teams named “Chinks” and “Darkies” because they come from a more “laid-back time?” After the literary equivalent of a double take, I think he actually might be.

    That’s… racist. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe that way. As a Chinese-American, I’d be pretty shocked if an all-white team from SF had the insensitive audacity to themselves the “Chinatown Chinks.” With an OPIUM PIPE LOGO. What the hell? The worst thing might be his note that the logo was protested by Chinese-Americans in the area, and Paynter dismisses these protests with a “I guess PC was alive even then!”

    Even more unsettling is his take on the “Danville Darkies.” He writes nostalgically of a team that had a elderly black man as a mascot/clubhouse “boy.” And this “clubhouse boy” would dance a jig and “gobble watermelon” after every Darkies homer. Is the fact that a team like this would never be allowed to engage in such practices an example of political correctness gone wrong? That’s one of the more egregious examples of racism in professional sports I’ve ever seen.

    The “more laid back time” that Ned Paynter hearkens back to – was the climate of Jim Crow and institutionalized racism a part of that? I’m not sad the Danville Darkies and the Chinatown Chinks are forgotten. Are any of you?

    Perhaps his views are poorly expressed, but the impression of racial insensitivity I get from Ned Paynter leave a bad taste in my mouth.

    Actually, Chief Wahoo doesn’t bother me (you should see what Chief Wahoo link). The Braves and the Tomahawk Chop don’t bother me. As I said, I agree in principle with what he was saying. My point was that his jaundiced view toward today’s game was so over-the-top that he couldn’t seem to simply enjoy watching a ballgame.

    [quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Western Kentucky, MTSU, New Mexico, UNLV. Any others?

    [quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Georgetown
    Hawaii
    Montana
    New Mexico
    UNLV
    Wazzou

    [quote comment=”326650″]The New England Patriots have a silver helmet.[/quote]

    See? Told ya there’d be some forehead smackers. LOL

    [quote comment=”326647″]sdfsdfs

    I must be the only one who has anything negative to say about Ned Paynter’s material. The drawings ARE amazing, yes. It’s his never-ending cynicism with today’s ballplayers, salaries, ballparks, etc. that I’m referring to. While I don’t disagree in principle to what he’s saying (salaries too high, Tiger Stadium vs. Comerica Park, naming rights, etc), the incessant nature of the criticisms wore on me very quickly. The never-ending barrage of what’s wrong with the game today – I had to stop reading and just look at the pictures instead.

    You’re not the only one. This guy’s stuff is great-looking and creative, but I found his opinions on Chief Wahoo unsettling. Is he actually approving of minor league teams named “Chinks” and “Darkies” because they come from a more “laid-back time?” After the literary equivalent of a double take, I think he actually might be.

    That’s… racist. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe that way. As a Chinese-American, I’d be pretty shocked if an all-white team from SF had the insensitive audacity to themselves the “Chinatown Chinks.” With an OPIUM PIPE LOGO. What the hell? The worst thing might be his note that the logo was protested by Chinese-Americans in the area, and Paynter dismisses these protests with a “I guess PC was alive even then!”

    Even more unsettling is his take on the “Danville Darkies.” He writes nostalgically of a team that had a elderly black man as a mascot/clubhouse “boy.” And this “clubhouse boy” would dance a jig and “gobble watermelon” after every Darkies homer. Is the fact that a team like this would never be allowed to engage in such practices an example of political correctness gone wrong? That’s one of the more egregious examples of racism in professional sports I’ve ever seen.

    The “more laid back time” that Ned Paynter hearkens back to – was the climate of Jim Crow and institutionalized racism a part of that? I’m not sad the Danville Darkies and the Chinatown Chinks are forgotten. Are any of you?

    Perhaps his views are poorly expressed, but the impression of racial insensitivity I get from Ned Paynter leave a bad taste in my mouth.

    Actually, Chief Wahoo doesn’t bother me (you should see what Chief Wahoo link). The Braves and the Tomahawk Chop don’t bother me. As I said, I agree in principle with what he was saying. My point was that his jaundiced view toward today’s game was so over-the-top that he couldn’t seem to simply enjoy watching a ballgame.[/quote]

    How ’bout this tomahawk chop ;-) link

    [quote comment=”326528″]I have always loved those UCLA unis. But does anyone else miss the old number font? Before they switched to the block numbers a few years ago[/quote]

    Absolutely. The newer thre-color block numerals are too busy for the color scheme and add nothing to the uniform but DISTRACTION. The more recently discarded round numerals were much cleaner, worked better with the uni scheme and colors, and just made the entire package a better uniform.

    i have to imagine the [sarcasm] [/sarcasm] tags were missing from the “link” series…hard to imagine the name ‘chinks’ wasn’t offensive even then, and that due to protestations from the chinese community (and the jaundiced view of them), the team changed it’s name to the “wops” the next year as a tribute to the italian community next door

    im pretty sure the gentleman isn’t taking a ‘nostalgic’ view of the time but is invoking the old sarcasm tool…

    but i could be wrong

    So, then, not very many silver helmets at BCS level—or whatever it is—at all.

    (I’m not sure who is BCS or not; too irritating to follow all that, frankly, LOL)
    Ohio State
    Kansas State
    Washington State (they have a full-time alt. helmet now?)
    Hawaii (they definitely have an alt black helmet)

    Help me here. How many in the designated upper echelon? Very few.

    [quote comment=”326656″]Ricko, how could you forget the legendary link?[/quote]

    Another forehead smacker.
    Trumane Johnson, Fred Willis, Stan White, Greg Landry and Tim Spencer will never forgive me.

    [quote comment=”326654″]i have to imagine the [sarcasm] [/sarcasm] tags were missing from the “link” series…hard to imagine the name ‘chinks’ wasn’t offensive even then, and that due to protestations from the chinese community (and the jaundiced view of them), the team changed it’s name to the “wops” the next year as a tribute to the italian community next door

    im pretty sure the gentleman isn’t taking a ‘nostalgic’ view of the time but is invoking the old sarcasm tool…[/quote]

    Agreed. It’s so obvious he’s being a jerk it serves as sarcasm tags.

    Oh, lordy, the Tampa Bay Bandits, too.
    Eric Truvillion (is that a great name or what?), John Reaves, Gary Anderson (not the kicker)…

    [quote comment=\”326606\”]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    I wonder how many people actually pronounce the team name \”FALL-cons\” instead of \”FAAAHL-cons.\”

    [quote comment=”326657″][quote comment=”326656″]Ricko, how could you forget the legendary link?[/quote]

    Trumane Johnson, Fred Willis, Stan White, Greg Landry and Tim Spencer will never forgive me.[/quote]

    link?

    [quote comment=”326553″]I found the number assignments by position very interesting. Does anyone know what year this started? I think I remember Brad Van Pelt, a Giants linebacker, wearing #10 when I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s. Also, John Hadl, QB with the Chargers #21, and Ed Podolak of the Chiefs, a RB, wearing #14. I think I remember hearing Van Pelt also being listed as a punter, so that might explain his number.[/quote]

    Someone else on our UW posting family may know better, but I believe that the NFL insituted a “hard” numbering policy in 1974. I say “hard” policy, because, prior to 1974, they let AFL players like John Hadl (QB, #21), Ed Bell (WR, Jets #7) and Emmitt Thomas (DB, #18) keep their numbers, but also let new NFL players like Van Pelt (LB, #10 – rookie 1973) wear out=of-position numbers.

    My understanding was that in 1974, no NEW players could deviate from the number system, but the older players were now grandfathered in and allowed to keep ther numbers. Atr some point John Hadl – with either the Packers or Oilers – had to wear #12 because #21 was taken, but was later allowed to reclaim #21.

    I do not know the more recent exceptions, except that when numbers are not available, certain positions can now where certain out-of-position numbers.

    I always thought that a cunning team could get around this system by letting the player claim to play two positions. Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ??????

    If anyone knows more abut the 1974 imposition of a numeral system, etc., please feel free to corrrect my loose recollection.

    [quote comment=”326662″][quote comment=”326657″][quote comment=”326656″]Ricko, how could you forget the legendary link?[/quote]

    Trumane Johnson, Fred Willis, Stan White, Greg Landry and Tim Spencer will never forgive me.[/quote]

    link?[/quote]

    And Jerry LeVias (who began capitalizing the “v” only AFTER he came into the NFL).

    [quote comment=”326654″]i have to imagine the [sarcasm] [/sarcasm] tags were missing from the “link” series…hard to imagine the name ‘chinks’ wasn’t offensive even then, and that due to protestations from the chinese community (and the jaundiced view of them), the team changed it’s name to the “wops” the next year as a tribute to the italian community next door

    im pretty sure the gentleman isn’t taking a ‘nostalgic’ view of the time but is invoking the old sarcasm tool…

    but i could be wrong[/quote]

    Seemed pretty obvious to me. I actually thought the sarcasm was rather over the top. Surprised that anyone took him seriously.

    [quote comment=”326659″]Oh, lordy, the Tampa Bay Bandits, too.
    Eric Truvillion (is that a great name or what?)…[/quote]

    That and Trumaine Johnson.

    Imagine a “Trumaine Truvillion.” Whoa.

    Enjoyed everything about the East Central Saskatchewan League but how could the Esterhazy Ashers compete with a capacity of only 435?

    It would be interesting to learn “The Grizzled Veteran’s” opinion about revenue sharing.

    If you’re going to throw it back…THROW EVERYTHING BACK!

    Awesome video of Texas Tech’s throwbacks on youtube. Search Texas Tech throwback highlights.

    Really cool.

    “Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ???????”

    Speaking of that, anyone heard what number Pat White will wear with Miami?
    (Just as an aside…you think the Wildcat gave defenses problems with Ronnie Brown, wait’ll we see how Pat White works that formation. The Dolphins taking him just might be—MIGHT be, mind you–one of the great picks in this year’s draft).

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326663″][quote comment=”326553″]I found the number assignments by position very interesting. Does anyone know what year this started? I think I remember Brad Van Pelt, a Giants linebacker, wearing #10 when I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s. Also, John Hadl, QB with the Chargers #21, and Ed Podolak of the Chiefs, a RB, wearing #14. I think I remember hearing Van Pelt also being listed as a punter, so that might explain his number.[/quote]

    Someone else on our UW posting family may know better, but I believe that the NFL insituted a “hard” numbering policy in 1974. I say “hard” policy, because, prior to 1974, they let AFL players like John Hadl (QB, #21), Ed Bell (WR, Jets #7) and Emmitt Thomas (DB, #18) keep their numbers, but also let new NFL players like Van Pelt (LB, #10 – rookie 1973) wear out=of-position numbers.

    My understanding was that in 1974, no NEW players could deviate from the number system, but the older players were now grandfathered in and allowed to keep ther numbers. Atr some point John Hadl – with either the Packers or Oilers – had to wear #12 because #21 was taken, but was later allowed to reclaim #21.

    I do not know the more recent exceptions, except that when numbers are not available, certain positions can now where certain out-of-position numbers.

    I always thought that a cunning team could get around this system by letting the player claim to play two positions. Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ??????

    If anyone knows more abut the 1974 imposition of a numeral system, etc., please feel free to corrrect my loose recollection.[/quote]

    That fits with my recollection – I do know that the NFL first took a stab at assigning numbers by position in 1952. It was more like a guideline, and was either successful enough or unsuccessful enough that they set the hard requirements you mention (although I remember it being 1973).

    [quote comment=”326668″]If you’re going to throw it back…THROW EVERYTHING BACK!

    Awesome video of Texas Tech’s throwbacks on youtube. Search Texas Tech throwback highlights.

    Really cool.[/quote]
    Or just read link.

    [quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    UNLV
    New Mexico
    Western Kentucky
    Middle Tennessee

    are the other 1-A (or FBS) schools with Silver

    [quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Just a little trivia, in the 1960’s Tulane wore a silver helmet for one or two years, despite silver NEVER having been a school or team color.

    Saw it on a very rare photo grab from an NCAA helmet history site.

    Mark,

    How about the Kintetsu Buffaloes Keishi Suzuki, Japanese Baseball Hall of Famer, #1.
    link

    Matt Keough, #4 Hanshin
    link

    [quote comment=”326672″][quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    UNLV
    New Mexico
    Western Kentucky
    Middle Tennessee

    are the other 1-A (or FBS) schools with Silver[/quote]

    Thanks, Jonathan.

    [quote comment=”326669″]”Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ???????”

    Speaking of that, anyone heard what number Pat White will wear with Miami?
    (Just as an aside…you think the Wildcat gave defenses problems with Ronnie Brown, wait’ll we see how Pat White works that formation. The Dolphins taking him just might be—MIGHT be, mind you–one of the great picks in this year’s draft).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Pat White will wear number 6 as number 5 is taken by the kicker, Dan Carpenter.

    link

    [quote comment=”326639″][quote comment=”326633″][quote comment=”326630″][quote comment=”326626″][quote comment=”326613″][quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?[/quote]
    Their road uni link.[/quote]

    Maybe he means the Twins because they aren’t PLAIN gray?

    —Ricko[/quote]
    True, but neither are the Rockies.[/quote]

    Maybe Houston since they wear their red alts on the road all the time?[/quote]

    i just took a guess off the top of my head, no biggie!

    Paul:
    Any thoughts on doing a silks and blinders/blinkers analysis for the Kentucky Derby?

    Post Horse Trainer Jockey Odds
    1 West Side Bernie Kelly Breen Stewart Elliott 30-1
    2 Musket Man Derek Ryan Eibar Coa 20-1
    3 Mr. Hot Stuff Eoin Harty John Velazquez 30-1
    4 Advice Todd Pletcher Rene Douglas 30-1
    5 Hold Me Back Bill Mott Kent Desormeaux 15-1
    6 Friesan Fire Larry Jones Gabriel Saez 5-1
    7 Papa Clem Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 20-1
    8 Mine That Bird Bennie Woolley Calvin Borel 50-1
    9 Join in the Dance Todd Pletcher Chris DeCarlo 50-1
    10 Regal Ransom Saeed bin Suroor Alan Garcia 30-1
    11 Chocolate Candy Jerry Hollendorfer Mike Smith 20-1
    12 General Quarters Tom McCarthy Julien Leparoux 20-1
    13 I Want Revenge Jeff Mullins Joe Talamo 3-1
    14 Atomic Rain Kelly Breen Joe Bravo 50-1
    15 Dunkirk Todd Pletcher Edgar Prado 4-1
    16 Pioneerof the Nile Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez 4-1
    17 Summer Bird Tim Ice Chris Rosier 50-1
    18 Nowhere to Hide Nick Zito Shaun Bridgmohan 50-1
    19 Desert Party Saeed bin Suroor Ramon Dominguez 15-1
    20 Flying Private D. Wayne Lukas Robby Albarado 50-1

    I want to ask a favor of those people who do computer design images for unfiroms (like the baseball ones we saw a few weeks ago). Could take this current St. Louis Rams logo and simply change the colors to their former blue and yellow combination? It would be much appreciated. Here is a link to the logo I’m referring to:

    link

    [quote comment=”326677″][quote comment=”326639″][quote comment=”326633″][quote comment=”326630″][quote comment=”326626″][quote comment=”326613″][quote comment=”326596″]Did anyone notice that in that Boston Globe piece on the Red Sox uniforms, they say 28 out of 30 teams wear gray uniforms? I know the Padres don’t have gray road unis, but who’s the other team that doesn’t?[/quote]

    royals?[/quote]
    Their road uni link.[/quote]

    Maybe he means the Twins because they aren’t PLAIN gray?

    —Ricko[/quote]
    True, but neither are the Rockies.[/quote]

    Maybe Houston since they wear their red alts on the road all the time?[/quote]

    i just took a guess off the top of my head, no biggie![/quote]

    I’m presuming that he either miscounted or confused the Blue Jays’ power blue alts with the road uniform they were based on. That would make more sense if the Jays weren’t in his division.

    By the way, I don’t know what similar examples exist, but this might be a good way to take several current team logos and “retro-ize” them. Take a current logo you like and add the old team colors from glory days past.

    Anyway, I’d really like to see that Rams logo in their old traditional Rams colors from the LA days as well as Super Bowl 34. In 2000 they updated their uniforms to the current color combination and created this logo to go along with it. I’d like to see what the new logo would be like with the old colors. Thanks!

    I love this post. Truly awesome. Someone should publish the history of the ECSL. It reminds me of a Lake Woebegon for the baseball set. Thanks for this.

    [quote comment=”326673″][quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Just a little trivia, in the 1960’s Tulane wore a silver helmet for one or two years, despite silver NEVER having been a school or team color.

    Saw it on a very rare photo grab from an NCAA helmet history site.[/quote]

    I assume a lot of you are using this:
    link

    … and scanning for silver. If you’re not, check it out anyway. Like Dressed To The Nines, not always accurate — but lotsa creamy Uni goodness.

    [quote comment=”326679″]I want to ask a favor of those people who do computer design images for unfiroms (like the baseball ones we saw a few weeks ago). Could take this current St. Louis Rams logo and simply change the colors to their former blue and yellow combination? It would be much appreciated. Here is a link to the logo I’m referring to:

    link

    Here is a quick version, not professional, and probably not the “official’ old colors.
    link
    Lee

    [quote comment=”326684″][quote comment=”326679″]I want to ask a favor of those people who do computer design images for unfiroms (like the baseball ones we saw a few weeks ago). Could take this current St. Louis Rams logo and simply change the colors to their former blue and yellow combination? It would be much appreciated. Here is a link to the logo I’m referring to:

    link

    Here is a quick version, not professional, and probably not the “official’ old colors.
    link
    Lee[/quote]

    Here’s link, using the colors on Donovan Moore’s link.

    [quote comment=”326674″]Mark,

    How about the Kintetsu Buffaloes Keishi Suzuki, Japanese Baseball Hall of Famer, #1.
    link

    Matt Keough, #4 Hanshin
    link

    Great find! (I miss those pinstriped home caps on the Tigers!)

    Here are some more: link, and link.

    link.

    In 1936, the Tigers numbered their players based on the order of their names in the traditional alphabet (link).

    I remember once reading that in one early season, the Tigers gave all their pitchers single digits, with the position players having everything after that, but I can\’t remember the year. Do you know?

    [quote comment=”326678″]Paul:
    Any thoughts on doing a silks and blinders/blinkers analysis for the Kentucky Derby?

    Post Horse Trainer Jockey Odds
    1 West Side Bernie Kelly Breen Stewart Elliott 30-1
    2 Musket Man Derek Ryan Eibar Coa 20-1
    3 Mr. Hot Stuff Eoin Harty John Velazquez 30-1
    4 Advice Todd Pletcher Rene Douglas 30-1
    5 Hold Me Back Bill Mott Kent Desormeaux 15-1
    6 Friesan Fire Larry Jones Gabriel Saez 5-1
    7 Papa Clem Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 20-1
    8 Mine That Bird Bennie Woolley Calvin Borel 50-1
    9 Join in the Dance Todd Pletcher Chris DeCarlo 50-1
    10 Regal Ransom Saeed bin Suroor Alan Garcia 30-1
    11 Chocolate Candy Jerry Hollendorfer Mike Smith 20-1
    12 General Quarters Tom McCarthy Julien Leparoux 20-1
    13 I Want Revenge Jeff Mullins Joe Talamo 3-1
    14 Atomic Rain Kelly Breen Joe Bravo 50-1
    15 Dunkirk Todd Pletcher Edgar Prado 4-1
    16 Pioneerof the Nile Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez 4-1
    17 Summer Bird Tim Ice Chris Rosier 50-1
    18 Nowhere to Hide Nick Zito Shaun Bridgmohan 50-1
    19 Desert Party Saeed bin Suroor Ramon Dominguez 15-1
    20 Flying Private D. Wayne Lukas Robby Albarado 50-1[/quote]

    not sure if paul is doing one (he’s away from his desk now, so im handling his calls)…but i was considering doing one on saturday … but then the moment passed

    paul has written on the derby & silks and even the belmont in the past tho

    i enjoy the fastest two minutes in sports as much as the next guy, but as far as jockey attire — that’s kinda beyond my giving a shit scope

    if there is any interest, and any of you want to assist with a portion of saturday’s column … let me know

    OK, Japanese readers, here’s a complete list of all the single-digit pitchers in NPB history:

    link

    I forgot about Shinji Taninaka; I link, and during this game, his catcher was Jin Nakatani, wearing #66. So the catcher’s number was 65 greater than that of the pitcher, plus the pitcher and catcher had names that were anagrams of each other.

    There’s some kind of record here; I just can’t tell what it is.

    Ricko…

    You can go ahead and add the Carolina Panthers to your silver helmet list…

    Warning, not safe without eye protection…

    link

    John Daly rocking some orange, red and pink argyle golf pants. Even Ian Poulter wouldn’t wear those.

    Packers rookie numbers as listed on packers.com team depth chart. Only two got to keep their college numbers.

    DT B.J. Raji #90
    LB Clay Matthews #52 (47 not a LB#)
    OT T.J. Lang #70 (50 taken by LB A.J. Hawk)
    OT Jamon Meredith #69 (77 taken by DE Cullen Jenkins)
    FB Quinn Johnson #45
    DE Jarius Wynn #94 (99 taken by LB Jeremy Thompson)
    LB Brad Jones #59 (40 taken by CB Joe Porter)
    CB Brandon Underwood #33 (8 taken by P Durant Brooks)

    Thanks guys. Good job, it looks very interesting. Since the logo was designed to go with the current colors, it may look more natural that way. Or maybe I’m just too used to the current combo. Which do you fellow Uni Watchers think looks best:

    Current logo:

    link

    Current logo with traditional colors:

    link

    [quote comment=\”326693\”]link the mustard padre throwbacks could NEVER make a good throwback today…unless all the players learn how to blouse their pants and wear stirrups (comes link)[/quote]

    Does MLB have any official guidelines to the way pants (and the uniform in general I guess) are to be worn?
    Or are players allowed to wear it absolutely however they see fit?

    I mean pants, in general, are getting longer and longer & looser and looser. Can it be stopped?

    Lee

    [quote comment=”326678″]Paul:
    Any thoughts on doing a silks and blinders/blinkers analysis for the Kentucky Derby?

    Post Horse Trainer Jockey Odds
    1 West Side Bernie Kelly Breen Stewart Elliott 30-1
    2 Musket Man Derek Ryan Eibar Coa 20-1
    3 Mr. Hot Stuff Eoin Harty John Velazquez 30-1
    4 Advice Todd Pletcher Rene Douglas 30-1
    5 Hold Me Back Bill Mott Kent Desormeaux 15-1
    6 Friesan Fire Larry Jones Gabriel Saez 5-1
    7 Papa Clem Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 20-1
    8 Mine That Bird Bennie Woolley Calvin Borel 50-1
    9 Join in the Dance Todd Pletcher Chris DeCarlo 50-1
    10 Regal Ransom Saeed bin Suroor Alan Garcia 30-1
    11 Chocolate Candy Jerry Hollendorfer Mike Smith 20-1
    12 General Quarters Tom McCarthy Julien Leparoux 20-1
    13 I Want Revenge Jeff Mullins Joe Talamo 3-1
    14 Atomic Rain Kelly Breen Joe Bravo 50-1
    15 Dunkirk Todd Pletcher Edgar Prado 4-1
    16 Pioneerof the Nile Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez 4-1
    17 Summer Bird Tim Ice Chris Rosier 50-1
    18 Nowhere to Hide Nick Zito Shaun Bridgmohan 50-1
    19 Desert Party Saeed bin Suroor Ramon Dominguez 15-1
    20 Flying Private D. Wayne Lukas Robby Albarado 50-1[/quote]

    The Kentucky Derby home page has those little drawings of the jockey silks on top of the page.

    link

    Looks like the 3, 4, and 5 are all owned by the same group (WinStar), as they are all wearing the same silks. Same thing for the 10 and 19 (Godolphin) and the 1 and 14 (George and Lori Hall).

    Wonder why none of them are paired together as mutual entries, as two horses usually are when owned by the same owner (that’s when you see horse numbers like 1 and 1A, 2 and 2B, etc.)

    [quote comment=”326694″]Thanks guys. Good job, it looks very interesting. Since the logo was designed to go with the current colors, it may look more natural that way. Or maybe I’m just too used to the current combo. Which do you fellow Uni Watchers think looks best:

    Current logo:

    link

    Current logo with traditional colors:

    link
    The second logo looks like something that would belong to the Buffalo Sabres…

    Yeah, I can see what you mean. It is kind of Sabres-esque, but it’s growing on me nonetheless. I’m going through a phase right now where I really appreciate the Rams old uniforms and colors. Hence the testing.

    [quote comment=”326697″][quote comment=”326694″]Thanks guys. Good job, it looks very interesting. Since the logo was designed to go with the current colors, it may look more natural that way. Or maybe I’m just too used to the current combo. Which do you fellow Uni Watchers think looks best:

    Current logo:

    link

    Current logo with traditional colors:

    link
    The second logo looks like something that would belong to the Buffalo Sabres…[/quote]

    jeebus…good call beardface

    [quote comment=”326698″]Yeah, I can see what you mean. It is kind of Sabres-esque, but it’s growing on me nonetheless. I’m going through a phase right now where I really appreciate the Rams old uniforms and colors. Hence the testing.[/quote]

    Second one would look good—outlined in royal, of course—on the sleeve of an updated version of their 1950’s light gold jerseys. With white pants and all (see the 1994 Throwbacks link over there to the right…and way up high).

    —Ricko

    What I would pay to see a game at the Grain Exchange…

    Can you imagine how much an advertiser would pay to have their sign painted on the grain elevators?

    And (grumble, grumble)…the Padres didn’t wear Mustard. Neither did the ’60-’61 Broncos. By condiment standards, yes, but this ain’t Oscar Meyer Watch. By uni standards they wore Light Gold or Yellow-Gold. Like the Steelers. Anyone ever call the Steeler pants “Mustard”? In uni-speak “Mustard” is the color of the hat crowns on the original Pirate doubleknits…the ones they wore the FIRST time they played the Orioles in the W-S. Not the bumblebee mix n’ match sets of ’79.

    (grumble, grumble…LOL)

    —Ricko
    (Gimme a harrumph.)

    [quote comment=”326702″]And (grumble, grumble)…the Padres didn’t wear Mustard. Neither did the ’60-’61 Broncos. By condiment standards, yes, but this ain’t Oscar Meyer Watch. By uni standards they wore Light Gold or Yellow-Gold. Like the Steelers. Anyone ever call the Steeler pants “Mustard”? In uni-speak “Mustard” is the color of the hat crowns on the original Pirate doubleknits…the ones they wore the FIRST time they played the Orioles in the W-S. Not the bumblebee mix n’ match sets of ’79.

    (grumble, grumble…LOL)

    —Ricko
    (Gimme a harrumph.)[/quote]

    well…i was only using the parlance of the author of the post, governor lepetomaine sir ricko…

    and besides…that yellow shit ain’t mustard anyway…that’s…i donno, but it doesn’t even deserve to be called a condiment

    [quote comment=”326657″][quote comment=”326656″]Ricko, how could you forget the legendary link?[/quote]

    Another forehead smacker.
    Trumane Johnson, Fred Willis, Stan White, Greg Landry and Tim Spencer will never forgive me.[/quote]

    I had small article I cut out from USA Today. With Stan White a former Buckeye saying how him and Tim Spencer another Buckeye thought the Blitz unis were like Ohio States

    [quote comment=”326531″]Well, I wish I could see those Ned Paynter drawings, yet, I’ve been Flickred again. It’ll just have to wait until later. In the meantime, those 1957-58 Princeton striped unis are incredible! Thanks Larry.[/quote]

    link

    Another Princeton picture from same game vs Dartmouth

    [quote comment=”326696″][quote comment=”326678″]
    Wonder why none of them are paired together as mutual entries, as two horses usually are when owned by the same owner (that’s when you see horse numbers like 1 and 1A, 2 and 2B, etc.)[/quote]

    Thanks lil Phil and Mike.

    Mike: I believe that they do not use 1 and 1A, because only one of them can run and the owners, Winstar, have three different trainers and three different jockeys riding. Just my thoughts!

    Thanks and Take Care and enjoy the mint juleps!

    [quote comment=”326705″][quote comment=”326531″]Well, I wish I could see those Ned Paynter drawings, yet, I’ve been Flickred again. It’ll just have to wait until later. In the meantime, those 1957-58 Princeton striped unis are incredible! Thanks Larry.[/quote]

    link

    Another Princeton picture from same game vs Dartmouth[/quote]

    Is that Dick Kazmeier?

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326703″][quote comment=”326702″]And (grumble, grumble)…the Padres didn’t wear Mustard. Neither did the ’60-’61 Broncos. By condiment standards, yes, but this ain’t Oscar Meyer Watch. By uni standards they wore Light Gold or Yellow-Gold. Like the Steelers. Anyone ever call the Steeler pants “Mustard”? In uni-speak “Mustard” is the color of the hat crowns on the original Pirate doubleknits…the ones they wore the FIRST time they played the Orioles in the W-S. Not the bumblebee mix n’ match sets of ’79.

    (grumble, grumble…LOL)

    —Ricko
    (Gimme a harrumph.)[/quote]

    well…i was only using the parlance of the author of the post, governor lepetomaine sir ricko…

    and besides…that link ain’t mustard anyway…that’s…i donno, but it doesn’t even deserve to be called a condiment[/quote]

    Evidently it’s a food thing with the Padres. First mustard. Then tacos. I suppose the camo jerseys would be, what…humus?

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326675″][quote comment=”326672″][quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    UNLV
    New Mexico
    Western Kentucky
    Middle Tennessee

    are the other 1-A (or FBS) schools with Silver[/quote]

    Thanks, Jonathan.[/quote]

    As I recall, perhaps 25-plus years ago, TCU had silver helmets for a few seasons.

    [quote comment=”326703″]
    and besides…that link ain’t mustard anyway…that’s…i donno, but it doesn’t even deserve to be called a condiment[/quote]
    link.

    “LI Phil”: Is that short for Laughable, Ignorant Philistine?

    [quote comment=”326624″][quote comment=”326615″][quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the link helmet?[/quote]

    Ooops, I’m pretty sure that on the actual Falcons helmets the white stripes were adjacent to the black center stripe. The gold stripes were a bit narrower and on the outer edge of the white stripes. That was the only gold on the original Falcons’ unis.

    I have a full-page color headshot in my files of Alex Hawkins (I think it’s the Hawk) wearing his helmet. From SPORT magazine, if I remember correctly. I’ll dig it out, scan and post it tonight.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Man Ricko has a great eye for detail.

    link

    link

    [quote comment=”326707″][quote comment=”326705″][quote comment=”326531″]Well, I wish I could see those Ned Paynter drawings, yet, I’ve been Flickred again. It’ll just have to wait until later. In the meantime, those 1957-58 Princeton striped unis are incredible! Thanks Larry.[/quote]

    link

    Another Princeton picture from same game vs Dartmouth[/quote]

    Is that Dick Kazmeier?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    If that photo is from Princeton v. Dartmouth in 1957 or 58, it can’t be Kazmeier. He graduated in 1951, the year he won both the Heisman and the Maxwell.

    [quote comment=”326707″][quote comment=”326705″][quote comment=”326531″]Well, I wish I could see those Ned Paynter drawings, yet, I’ve been Flickred again. It’ll just have to wait until later. In the meantime, those 1957-58 Princeton striped unis are incredible! Thanks Larry.[/quote]

    link

    Another Princeton picture from same game vs Dartmouth[/quote]

    Is that Dick Kazmeier?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    I think Kazmeier was around 1950. The Princeton pics were 1957-58

    paul! i am not even going to read today’s ticker out of respect for today’s intro work, and i need to go over that post again, and again. this is awesome stuff here for sure. i honestly can’t wait to spend the hours it will take me to digest it. how anybody could post a comment about anything on the minutea side of UW today is beyond me. this is my favourite post ever, and i say that with a hearty haaaaaaaaaaarumpf.

    [quote comment=”326709″][quote comment=”326675″][quote comment=”326672″][quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    UNLV
    New Mexico
    Western Kentucky
    Middle Tennessee

    are the other 1-A (or FBS) schools with Silver[/quote]

    Thanks, Jonathan.[/quote]

    As I recall, perhaps 25-plus years ago, TCU had silver helmets for a few seasons.[/quote]

    Forgot about them. One of those sets had lavender jerseys, if I recall, with white numerals edged in purple. I think WR Mike Renfro, later of the Oilers (and son of Browns Ray Renfro), was on those teams.

    (Lavender Horny Toads? Let’s not even get STARTED on that one…LOL)

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326712″][quote comment=”326707″][quote comment=”326705″][quote comment=”326531″]Well, I wish I could see those Ned Paynter drawings, yet, I’ve been Flickred again. It’ll just have to wait until later. In the meantime, those 1957-58 Princeton striped unis are incredible! Thanks Larry.[/quote]

    link

    Another Princeton picture from same game vs Dartmouth[/quote]

    Is that Dick Kazmeier?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    If that photo is from Princeton v. Dartmouth in 1957 or 58, it can’t be Kazmeier. He graduated in 1951, the year he won both the Heisman and the Maxwell.[/quote]

    Yeah, after I posted that I was thinking, “Um….no.” Thanks for the precise dates. Didn’t realize he was a far back as ’51.

    [quote comment=”326710″][quote comment=”326703″]
    and besides…that link ain’t mustard anyway…that’s…i donno, but it doesn’t even deserve to be called a condiment[/quote]
    link.

    “LI Phil”: Is that short for Laughable, Ignorant Philistine?[/quote]

    Just Teasin’ Homey

    [quote comment=”326711″][quote comment=”326624″][quote comment=”326615″][quote comment=”326606″]Dunno if it has been mentioned but the Falcons will be wearing 1966 throwbacks for at least 1 game this season.

    link

    they gonna have the link helmet?[/quote]

    Ooops, I’m pretty sure that on the actual Falcons helmets the white stripes were adjacent to the black center stripe. The gold stripes were a bit narrower and on the outer edge of the white stripes. That was the only gold on the original Falcons’ unis.

    I have a full-page color headshot in my files of Alex Hawkins (I think it’s the Hawk) wearing his helmet. From SPORT magazine, if I remember correctly. I’ll dig it out, scan and post it tonight.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Man Ricko has a great eye for detail.

    link

    link

    Yeah, but now I’m trying to remember who wore #85.
    Vern Burke?
    Billy Martin?
    Taz Anderson, maybe?

    LOL

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326715″][quote comment=”326709″][quote comment=”326675″][quote comment=”326672″][quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    UNLV
    New Mexico
    Western Kentucky
    Middle Tennessee

    are the other 1-A (or FBS) schools with Silver[/quote]

    Thanks, Jonathan.[/quote]

    As I recall, perhaps 25-plus years ago, TCU had silver helmets for a few seasons.[/quote]

    Forgot about them. One of those sets had lavender jerseys, if I recall, with white numerals edged in purple. I think WR Mike Renfro, later of the Oilers (and son of Browns Ray Renfro), was on those teams.

    (Lavender Horny Toads? Let’s not even get STARTED on that one…LOL)

    —Ricko[/quote]

    You’re on the mark there. It was in that same era that the TCU head coach collapsed and died on the sideline.

    [quote comment=”326720″]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/Larrymb/scan0038.jpg?t=1241034816

    TCU vs Ohio State in 1973. And Ohio State wearing the mesh jerseys[/quote]

    And there they are, the TCU “Fighting Florists”.
    (The huge “ULP” you are hearing is from the “black makes you look tough” contingent…LOL)

    And for todays column. As I said before I have great admiration for anybody with artistic talent. Especially since I am at the stick figure level of ability.

    [quote comment=”326718″][quote comment=”326710″][quote comment=”326703″]
    and besides…that link ain’t mustard anyway…that’s…i donno, but it doesn’t even deserve to be called a condiment[/quote]
    link.

    “LI Phil”: Is that short for Laughable, Ignorant Philistine?[/quote]

    Just Teasin’ Homey[/quote]
    Oh, I am, am I? Is that what you think? Well if that’s what you think, I have something to tell you… something which may shock and discredit you. And that thing is as follows: I’m not wearing a tie at all.

    [quote comment=”326709″][quote comment=”326675″][quote comment=”326672″][quote comment=”326644″]Admittedly, I’m a little foggy today, but it occurs to me there aren’t very many teams in major college football that wear silver helmets.

    K-State, for one.
    Ohio State, of course.
    Washington State, sometimes.

    After that, just can’t think of too many.

    (Not really all that many in the pros, either: Lions, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks (formerly), Bills (originally)…and defunct Wash. Federals (2nd year), Jacksonville Bulls, Jacksonville Sharks, NY/NJ Knights and in CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions (Flutie years)…

    I’m know I’m forgetting some…a few probably really obvious.

    Anyone?

    —Ricko[/quote]

    UNLV
    New Mexico
    Western Kentucky
    Middle Tennessee

    are the other 1-A (or FBS) schools with Silver[/quote]

    Brown (as in Ivies)

    aaargh!! paul, you were not home to accept the package?! that tears it, i’m getting drunk.

    [quote comment=”326722″][quote comment=”326720″]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/Larrymb/scan0038.jpg?t=1241034816

    TCU vs Ohio State in 1973. And Ohio State wearing the mesh jerseys[/quote]

    And there they are, the TCU “Fighting Florists”.
    [/quote]

    The light purple (it’s not exactly “lavender”) doesn’t look so bad, at least in the photo. (For what it may be worth, in the early 1960s, TCU had some of the most boring uniforms possible: on the road, white helmets and jerseys and grey pants; at home dark purple jerseys, white helmets, and grey pants. No stripes anywhere.)

    [quote comment=”326729″][quote comment=”326722″][quote comment=”326720″]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/Larrymb/scan0038.jpg?t=1241034816

    TCU vs Ohio State in 1973. And Ohio State wearing the mesh jerseys[/quote]

    And there they are, the TCU “Fighting Florists”.
    [/quote]

    The light purple (it’s not exactly “lavender”) doesn’t look so bad, at least in the photo. (For what it may be worth, in the early 1960s, TCU had some of the most boring uniforms possible: on the road, white helmets and jerseys and grey pants; at home dark purple jerseys, white helmets, and grey pants. No stripes anywhere.)[/quote]

    Those lavender (light purple, if you will) unis were innovative and reflective of the times. Just look strange in the rear view mirror. And you’re right about TCU’s unis in the years before that era, back to the days of Sonny Gibbs and Buddy Iles and them. Northwestern’s were almost identical…and therefore just as boring. Purple and white, off the rack generic. Zzzzzz….

    —Ricko

    I remember TCU wearing the silver helmets in the 80’s, towards the end of the SWC. They looked generic.

    As someone who usually makes it out to 1 or 2 Horned Frog games per season, I can tell you it’s no visual treat to see them still wearing link Very 1996 of them.

    [quote comment=”326731″]I remember TCU wearing the silver helmets in the 80’s, towards the end of the SWC. They looked generic.

    As someone who usually makes it out to 1 or 2 Horned Frog games per season, I can tell you it’s no visual treat to see them still wearing link

    Very 1996 of them.[/quote]

    Very AF2, also.

    Warren, TCU did have boring uniforms early 1960’s

    Here is TCU at Ohio State in 1961 in color

    and TCU had a sharp looking helmet in 1966 at Ohio State.

    Ohio State had those unique padded helmets in the early 1960’s.

    link

    link

    [quote comment=”326734″]Warren, TCU did have boring uniforms early 1960’s

    Here is TCU at Ohio State in 1961 in color

    and TCU had a sharp looking helmet in 1966 at Ohio State.

    Ohio State had those unique padded helmets in the early 1960’s.

    link

    link

    Cool. First color game-action photo I’ve ever seen of those one-year wonder red Buckeye helmets.

    [quote comment=”326735″][quote comment=”326734″]Warren, TCU did have boring uniforms early 1960’s

    Here is TCU at Ohio State in 1961 in color

    and TCU had a sharp looking helmet in 1966 at Ohio State.

    Ohio State had those unique padded helmets in the early 1960’s.

    link

    link

    Cool. First color game-action photo I’ve ever seen of those one-year wonder red Buckeye helmets.[/quote]
    I was staring at the picture trying to figure out why they had black TV numbers and didn’t even notice the red helmet. Damn, that looks weird.

    [quote comment=”326736″][quote comment=”326735″][quote comment=”326734″]Warren, TCU did have boring uniforms early 1960’s

    Here is TCU at Ohio State in 1961 in color

    and TCU had a sharp looking helmet in 1966 at Ohio State.

    Ohio State had those unique padded helmets in the early 1960’s.

    link

    link

    Cool. First color game-action photo I’ve ever seen of those one-year wonder red Buckeye helmets.[/quote]
    I was staring at the picture trying to figure out why they had black TV numbers and didn’t even notice the red helmet. Damn, that looks weird.[/quote]

    Not to mention BFBS, for which they never seem to get any grief here.

    [quote comment=”326735″][quote comment=”326734″]Warren, TCU did have boring uniforms early 1960’s

    Here is TCU at Ohio State in 1961 in color

    and TCU had a sharp looking helmet in 1966 at Ohio State.

    Ohio State had those unique padded helmets in the early 1960’s.

    link

    link

    Cool. First color game-action photo I’ve ever seen of those one-year wonder red Buckeye helmets.[/quote]

    I have not seen many game action pictures of Ohio States red helmets. Actually they wore those in 1966 and 1967 before going to the silver.

    And while many Buckeye fans and even Ohio State’s own websites say the Buckeyes were first used in 1968. I have proof they were worn on the red helmet in 1967.

    And while TCU wore a nice looking helmet in that 1966 game I know they went back to plain white later in the 1960’s Someplace I have a picture of them vs Ohio State in 1969. Black and white though.

    [quote comment=”326736″][quote comment=”326735″][quote comment=”326734″]Warren, TCU did have boring uniforms early 1960’s

    Here is TCU at Ohio State in 1961 in color

    and TCU had a sharp looking helmet in 1966 at Ohio State.

    Ohio State had those unique padded helmets in the early 1960’s.

    link

    link

    Cool. First color game-action photo I’ve ever seen of those one-year wonder red Buckeye helmets.[/quote]
    I was staring at the picture trying to figure out why they had black TV numbers and didn’t even notice the red helmet. Damn, that looks weird.[/quote]

    Larry, the 1966 picture with OSU in Red jerseys/Red Helmets apperas to have some type of School NOB or NOB? Any info on that, as the pic doesn’t give us a clear shot at it.

    Had the red helmets for two seasons, huh.
    Didn’t know that. Not sure, but think maybe OSU wasn’t on Gopher schedule there for a couple years, at least not at Minnesota, because I was at all the games those years.

    Of course I WAS I college and it WAS the ’60s, and there was this blonde girl named Peggy who’d done a lot of modeling…

    Oh, I’m sorry. I was daydreaming there for a second or two.

    —Ricko

    Nick,
    Yes Ohio State did have NOB in 1966.

    link

    And here is the Buckeye helmet in 1967 vs Purdue , Note the Buckeye on Worden’s helmet on the left.

    link

    And I did find TCU back in boring uniforms in the 1969 Ohio State game.

    link

    Phil,

    That is a good site. I know the guy who has that site. He is a big SWC fan and a really good guy too.

    I got a season highlight tape from him of Texas A&M’s 1939 championship season.

    Not sure if this was covered and it definitely is not a uni related subject but, how is it that two professional hockey broadcasters can mispronounce a players name for an entire seven game series? The entire series on Versus they have been pronouncing Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov’s last name as Varmalov.
    I’m not a Caps fan but man is it annoying, i mean cmon man you are a professional and the name isn’t all that hard to pronounce. It just bothers the hell out of me, lol.

    [quote comment=”326744″]Not sure if this was covered and it definitely is not a uni related subject but, how is it that two professional hockey broadcasters can mispronounce a players name for an entire seven game series? The entire series on Versus they have been pronouncing Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov’s last name as Varmalov.
    I’m not a Caps fan but man is it annoying, i mean cmon man you are a professional and the name isn’t all that hard to pronounce. It just bothers the hell out of me, lol.[/quote]
    Uni-related? No. Athletics aesthetics? Definitely.

    Different player, but this is something that has been bothering me, too. The Blackhawks announcers cannot seem to agree on the pronunciation of Niklas Hjalmarsson’s surname. The guys who do the play-by-play and color (Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk, respectively) use a hard J (JALmarsson) whereas the studio guys (Steve Konroyd and various others) go with the soft J (YALmarsson). Frankly, I don’t care if everyone’s pronouncing it correctly. I just want it pronounced consistently. And it really pisses me off when Konroyd is filling in for Olczyk on the color duties.

    On unrelated note, but still something that falls into this same category (kinda), I was picking my kid up from school about 15 minutes ago and I heard a ball being hit by an aluminum bat a short distance away. It sounded to me like the sound you’d hear from a dog if you stepped on its paw or tail.

    day 4 of the jerry manuel death watch…

    another brilliant move today…

    tick … tick … tick

    to make this semi-uni related: third base ump?…they’re really going all out on the protection these days

    [quote comment=”326676″][quote comment=”326669″]”Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ???????”

    Speaking of that, anyone heard what number Pat White will wear with Miami?
    (Just as an aside…you think the Wildcat gave defenses problems with Ronnie Brown, wait’ll we see how Pat White works that formation. The Dolphins taking him just might be—MIGHT be, mind you–one of the great picks in this year’s draft).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Pat White will wear number 6 as number 5 is taken by the kicker, Dan Carpenter.

    link

    I am hoping Pat White can do well for the Dolphins, both as a QB and WR.

    But I absolutely hate the #6 for any QB. It is only second worst to #2 on a QB, and then the horrid numbers in the 20s. Every other number 1-19 looks ok on a QB, but not 2 or 6.

    [quote comment=”326746″]day 4 of the jerry manuel death watch…

    another brilliant move today…

    tick … tick … tick

    to make this semi-uni related: link…they’re really going all out on the protection these days[/quote]

    Talk about a caption error!

    That was a great game today, and I’m glad the Marlins pulled out another one. I didn’t like the huge delay while Manuel found a pinch hitter in the bullpen. Took way too long.

    And one more thing about Citi Field: I noticed the outfield wall is black. It would look a lot better in blue, but that seems to be a common complaint about the Mets these days.

    [quote comment=”326747″][quote comment=”326676″][quote comment=”326669″]”Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ???????”

    Speaking of that, anyone heard what number Pat White will wear with Miami?
    (Just as an aside…you think the Wildcat gave defenses problems with Ronnie Brown, wait’ll we see how Pat White works that formation. The Dolphins taking him just might be—MIGHT be, mind you–one of the great picks in this year’s draft).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Pat White will wear number 6 as number 5 is taken by the kicker, Dan Carpenter.

    link

    I am hoping Pat White can do well for the Dolphins, both as a QB and WR.

    But I absolutely hate the #6 for any QB. It is only second worst to #2 on a QB, and then the horrid numbers in the 20s. Every other number 1-19 looks ok on a QB, but not 2 or 6.[/quote]

    Except on Sonny Sixkiller for the Washington Huskies. There #6 was…perfect.

    —Ricko

    Re: John Daly and the beautiful ensemble he is sporting I have to guess that he procured said electrifying pantaloons from a firm called “Loudmouth Golf”. They make a ton of awesome and wacky golf pants, shorts and accessories.

    link

    Extraordinary!

    [quote comment=”326747″][quote comment=”326676″][quote comment=”326669″]”Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ???????”

    Speaking of that, anyone heard what number Pat White will wear with Miami?
    (Just as an aside…you think the Wildcat gave defenses problems with Ronnie Brown, wait’ll we see how Pat White works that formation. The Dolphins taking him just might be—MIGHT be, mind you–one of the great picks in this year’s draft).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Pat White will wear number 6 as number 5 is taken by the kicker, Dan Carpenter.

    link

    I am hoping Pat White can do well for the Dolphins, both as a QB and WR.

    But I absolutely hate the #6 for any QB. It is only second worst to #2 on a QB, and then the horrid numbers in the 20s. Every other number 1-19 looks ok on a QB, but not 2 or 6.[/quote]
    Man, I thought I was the only one that felt that way. I also hate the #11 for receivers.

    [quote comment=”326663″][quote comment=”326553″]I found the number assignments by position very interesting. Does anyone know what year this started? I think I remember Brad Van Pelt, a Giants linebacker, wearing #10 when I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s. Also, John Hadl, QB with the Chargers #21, and Ed Podolak of the Chiefs, a RB, wearing #14. I think I remember hearing Van Pelt also being listed as a punter, so that might explain his number.[/quote]

    Someone else on our UW posting family may know better, but I believe that the NFL insituted a “hard” numbering policy in 1974. I say “hard” policy, because, prior to 1974, they let AFL players like John Hadl (QB, #21), Ed Bell (WR, Jets #7) and Emmitt Thomas (DB, #18) keep their numbers, but also let new NFL players like Van Pelt (LB, #10 – rookie 1973) wear out=of-position numbers.

    My understanding was that in 1974, no NEW players could deviate from the number system, but the older players were now grandfathered in and allowed to keep ther numbers. Atr some point John Hadl – with either the Packers or Oilers – had to wear #12 because #21 was taken, but was later allowed to reclaim #21.

    I do not know the more recent exceptions, except that when numbers are not available, certain positions can now where certain out-of-position numbers.

    I always thought that a cunning team could get around this system by letting the player claim to play two positions. Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ??????

    If anyone knows more abut the 1974 imposition of a numeral system, etc., please feel free to corrrect my loose recollection.[/quote]

    Heh- I can remember the 72 Bengals roster right now. from memory!
    10 eric crabtree WR
    11 v. carter QB
    12 g.cook QB
    13 k. riley DB
    14 k. anderson QB
    15 d. lewis P
    16 h muhlman K
    17 s. thomas WR
    18 p. robinson RB
    19 e. johnson RB

    proof:

    link

    [quote comment=”326757″][quote comment=”326747″][quote comment=”326676″][quote comment=”326669″]”Recently in N.O., there was a push to let then-rookie Reggie Bush wear #5, which the league denied. The Saints should have claimed him as a part-time kicker or Wildcat QB – case closed ???????”

    Speaking of that, anyone heard what number Pat White will wear with Miami?
    (Just as an aside…you think the Wildcat gave defenses problems with Ronnie Brown, wait’ll we see how Pat White works that formation. The Dolphins taking him just might be—MIGHT be, mind you–one of the great picks in this year’s draft).

    —Ricko[/quote]

    Pat White will wear number 6 as number 5 is taken by the kicker, Dan Carpenter.

    link

    I am hoping Pat White can do well for the Dolphins, both as a QB and WR.

    But I absolutely hate the #6 for any QB. It is only second worst to #2 on a QB, and then the horrid numbers in the 20s. Every other number 1-19 looks ok on a QB, but not 2 or 6.[/quote]
    Man, I thought I was the only one that felt that way. I also hate the #11 for receivers.[/quote]

    This might be one of those things that has a lot of indiviudal perspectives. For me, it’s #12 that looks absolutely, positively wrong on a receiver. Too, too many memorable QBs come to mind who wore it, like Namath, Staubach, Bradshaw, Stabler, Kelly, Charlie Johnson, Williams, Cunningham…

    Not too many lately, I know, but over the years #12 has been worn by some the best, so it’s difficult to shake that association.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326760″]and then…there are times…when one number just looks so right on link (hey ricko, what color is that?) and on link link[/quote]

    I b’lieve that be what we call Air Force Blue. Or Korean WBC Blue. Or Varsity Blue. Or Sky Blue. Or something. Just know we can see it’s darker than the Oilers and lighter than the Bills.

    Shoot, we can make that comparison using that shot from the other day of the AFL 50th Anniversary uni display. Oilers, Bills and Chargers are three distinctly different shades of blue.

    —Ricko

    [quote comment=”326594″]Close, the Oakland start where Wells was pounded was his sixth of 2005… his first start was at Yankee Stadium…

    I wonder if that’s where (and probably why) he wore uni #3? Anybody have any pictorial evidence?

    link\\

    Wells switched to 16 because Edgar Renteria, who was wearing the number, was off to an awful start (that he never recovered from. Wells wasn’t off to a great start either so they swapped numbers. Edgar had worn 3 in both Florida and St. Louis…

    [quote comment=”326568″][quote comment=\”326556\”]Someone mentioned Josh Towers, and David Wells wore No. 3 for part of his tenure with the Red Sox (as a shout-out to the Babe, natch) before switching to a more conventional number in mid-season.[/quote]

    I believe Wells pitched exactly one regular-season game wearing 3 for the Sox, his first start of 2005 in which he was pounded mercilessly (by the A\’s, if memory serves). The next game he was wearing 16 and didn\’t look back.[/quote][/quote]

    Wells switched to 16 because Edgar Renteria, who was wearing the number, was off to an awful start (that he never recovered from. Wells wasn’t off to a great start either so they swapped numbers. Edgar had worn 3 in both Florida and St. Louis…

    [quote comment=”326762″][quote comment=”326760″]and then…there are times…when one number just looks so right on link (hey ricko, what color is that?) and on link link[/quote]

    I b’lieve that be what we call Air Force Blue. Or Korean WBC Blue. Or Varsity Blue. Or Sky Blue. Or something. Just know we can see it’s darker than the Oilers and lighter than the Bills.

    Shoot, we can make that comparison using that shot from the other day of the AFL 50th Anniversary uni display. Oilers, Bills and Chargers are three distinctly different shades of blue.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    so like this, then?

    [quote comment=”326765″][quote comment=”326762″][quote comment=”326760″]and then…there are times…when one number just looks so right on link (hey ricko, what color is that?) and on link link[/quote]

    I b’lieve that be what we call Air Force Blue. Or Korean WBC Blue. Or Varsity Blue. Or Sky Blue. Or something. Just know we can see it’s darker than the Oilers and lighter than the Bills.

    Shoot, we can make that comparison using that shot from the other day of the AFL 50th Anniversary uni display. Oilers, Bills and Chargers are three distinctly different shades of blue.

    —Ricko[/quote]

    link?[/quote]

    Yup. And this…
    link
    Titans…Navy
    Oilers…Powder/Columbia
    Chargers…Air Force
    Bills…Royal

    [quote comment=”326694″]Thanks guys. Good job, it looks very interesting. Since the logo was designed to go with the current colors, it may look more natural that way. Or maybe I’m just too used to the current combo. Which do you fellow Uni Watchers think looks best:

    Current logo:

    link

    Current logo with traditional colors:

    link

    The old colors look amazing!
    -go niners

    [quote comment=”326701″]What I would pay to see a game at the Grain Exchange…

    Can you imagine how much an advertiser would pay to have their sign painted on the grain elevators?[/quote]

    Even moreso…can you imagine the crazy bounces of fly balls off of the rounded and creased face of the grain elevators?!?

    [quote comment=”326607″]Until yesterday, neither Chicago baseball team had faced an opponent wearing alternate jerseys this season (unless you count Jackie Robinson Day jerseys as alts.)

    So naturally, the Diamondbacks had to buck that trend on a day that Carlos Zambrano was pitching.

    link, link?[/quote]

    Yeah, but Arizona was the home team. It was the Cubs and Zambrano who caused the game to look like garbage. If the home team goes with a dark jersey, the road team should wear its standard grays. Period.

    [quote comment=”326770″][quote comment=”326607″]Until yesterday, neither Chicago baseball team had faced an opponent wearing alternate jerseys this season (unless you count Jackie Robinson Day jerseys as alts.)

    So naturally, the Diamondbacks had to buck that trend on a day that Carlos Zambrano was pitching.

    link, link?[/quote]

    Yeah, but Arizona was the home team. It was the Cubs and Zambrano who caused the game to look like garbage. If the home team goes with a dark jersey, the road team should wear its standard grays. Period.[/quote]
    Oh, I agree. And I believe the home team has the right to veto the visitors’ alts — a right Arizona should have exercised.

    It’s funny, though. If this was a different Chicago vs. Phoenix-area team matchup (Bears-Cards, Hawks-Yotes, Bulls-Suns), I’d have been thrilled to see a color-on-color game.

    Harry Stromberg’s “Almost” Catch wasn’t a catch. At least two of the pictures taken by professional photographer James Richards were staged. As you can see, Stromberg becomes a lefty between the second and third images. The umpire made the right call!

Comments are closed.