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Kiss Me, I’m (an honorary member of the) Irish

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My Scottish friend Lindsay Hutton (the man behind the awesome Next Big Thing, don’tcha know) is in town, and yesterday morning he wanted me to come out with him for coffee. I was going to explain to him that I don’t drink coffee, but you can’t tell a Scotsman anything, least of all the Scotsman named Lindsay Hutton, so I went ahead and took him to a local café, where he sipped an espresso and I managed to consume a mocha with lots of added sugar.

When I got back to Uni Watch HQ, I found a large package waiting in the vestibule. My downstairs neighbor has been receiving and returning a seemingly endless series of large Zappos boxes (I think she’s trying about 18 different kinds of boots), so I figured it was just another of those. Then I realized it wasn’t addressed to her. It was addressed to me. The return addressee was unfamiliar to me, and I wasn’t expecting any large packages, so this was a head-scratcher.

The box was fairly heavy and unwieldy, and I had a hard time getting it up the stairs. Once I finally wrestled it into my apartment, I opened up the box and found the following (like all of the images in today’s entry, you can click on these two to see larger versions):

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Yowza — a deluxe Notre Dame promo kit, for tomorrow’s game against Maryland. I’ll get to the helmet, jersey, and gloves in a minute, but first let’s take a guided tour through the rest of the box’s contents, beginning with this little vial containing 1 ounce of gold dust:

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According to a note enclosed in the box, the gold dust was “reclaimed from the Golden Dome on the Notre Dame campus.” After I took that photo, I tried to get those tiny bits of dust back into the vial, but the dust instantly smeared. Yes, that’s the same piece of paper that the dust had been on. Magic!

Next up: a box with two pieces of logo-shaped chocolates (one of which had broken in transit) covered in edible gold leaf:

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No word on whether the edible gold leaf was recovered from the Golden Dome, but I prefer to think that it was.

Next: a gold-toned 8GB flash drive, etched with the Notre Dame and Adidas logos:

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I plugged that drive into my computer and found that it contained much more professional photos of the promo kit than the ones I was taking. If you want to see, I’ve grouped them all here, but I warn you: Caitlin isn’t in any of them.

Next: a pair of gold-toned headphones:

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What do headphones have to do with Notre Dame football, you ask? Beats me, but I guess they’re meant to pair up with 16GB this greeen-and-gold iPod Nano (thoughtfully pre-loaded with the Notre Dame fight song):

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Believe it or not, I’ve never owned an iPod before. I’d like to say it’s because I always knew Adidas would eventually give me one for free, but it’s actually because I work at home, where I already have access to all my music, so it’s never really seemed necessary. But hey, I have one now!

According to this item (note the name of that site — cute), Adidas made only 11 of these kits, to symbolize Notre Dame’s 11 championships, to jibe with today’s date, to honor Nigel Tufnel’s amp, etc. Mine is No. 4. Darren Rovell got one of the others, and one is going to be given away to a lucky Notre Dame fan (because anyone who gets free chocolate is lucky, am I right?). Who got the other eight? Dunno. If all 11 of us eventually get together in the same room, arrange our 11 kits in a circle, and play this album, will the kits suddenly be linked by green-and-gold lasers, followed by the opening of a wormhole that showers us with gold coins and emeralds? Dunno. But hey, anything’s possible.

Okay, so what about the actual uniform components? A few thoughts:

• I hadn’t really said anything about Notre Dame’s shiny/buffed helmet until now (aside from saying it validated my longstanding point about 17-year-olds responding to shiny objects), mainly because I wasn’t sure what I thought of it, wanted to see how it looked in the game, etc. Having now seen it in person, held it in my hands, etc., I can say it looks better in person than it does in photos. Of course, that doesn’t help you much if you’re one of the few million people who’ll be watching it on teevee, but I’m just sayin’. I’ll bring the helmet along to the Uni Watch party on Saturday so people can see. (Of course, that doesn’t help you much if you’re one of the thousands of readers who won’t be able to attend the party, but I’m just sayin’.)

• Another interesting thing about the helmet: All of the decals are underneath the shell’s exterior finish. In other words, you can’t run your fingernail against the edge of a decal and peel it off. Is this as unusual as I think it is?

• As for the jersey, I’ve seen lots of super-stretchies before (in fact, I think I was the first journalist who ever saw them, back when Joe Skiba gave me an early peek at them a few years ago), but this is the first time I’ve worn one. It’s an odd experience, because it really does conform to your — or at least my — body. The compression factor is significant but not uncomfortable. This jersey is tagged as a large and, obviously, was meant to be worn with shoulder pads, which means it should be way too big for me, but it fit fine. I have a feeling it would fit a very wide range of body sizes. As for the lack of sleeves, well, at least it was a warm day here in Brooklyn yesterday.

• Hey look, now I can do the glove-palm salute, just like all the cool kids:

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It’s fine, I guess, except it’s a little odd not to be able to see the pattern on the palms while making the gesture. (And no, I did not practice in front of a mirror first.)

And there you have it: an utterly ridiculous waste of money elite promotional experience from our friends at Adidas. My only gripe: What, no cleats?

I kinda like that my day segued right from the Scots to the Irish. I know they can’t bloody stand being mistaken for each other, but it still seemed somehow apropos.

Oh, and in case you hadn’t heard: Maryland will be wearing their flag-based uniforms for this game. I assume my deluxe promo kit from Under Armour will be arriving any moment now.

(Special thanks to my pal Matt Weingarden for taking photos of me on my front stoop.)

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Party reminder: Uni Watch party tomorrow, 2pm, at Sheep Station in Brookyn. I’ll be passing out Uni Watch stickers and might theoretically have certain T-shirts available for sale. See you there.

Gift Guide reminder: I’m about to start working on the annual Uni Watch Holiday Gift Guide column for ESPN. If you have suggestions for good uni-related gifts, do tell.

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Uni Watch News Ticker: The Marlins will finally unveil their new wardrobe tonight, and I can confirm that the image shown at right, which began circulating yesterday, is indeed the home uni. You can click on it for a larger view, but it’ll still be blurry and unsatisfying, so just wait for the unveiling and do something productive with your day until then. Phil will have full coverage tomorrow. … You know what Tulsa really needs? Another helmet, that’s what. Hey, it’s only their fifth of the season (so far)! Frankly, I like this one. Kinda wish more teams would experiment with the forehead-positioned logo (from Matt Spencer). … You know what Virginia Tech really needs? Another helmet, that’s what. I think that’s their fourth one this year (so far), but my abacus just broke, so I’m not positive. … Here’s a bunch of city-specific sports logo mash-ups. Most are so-so, but a few are really good. Wish they were larger so we could see more details (from Nam Ho). ”¦ Ooooh, now here’s a truly gorgeous hockey sweater. Dave Hembree found it while poking around on this site. ”¦ New soccer kits for Switzerland, Spain, and the Czech Republic (from Kenny Loo). … FIVB is bringing out a new volleyball. Further info, including a video clip, here (from Jeremy Brahm). … I’m still calling it St. James Park — and I’m not the only one. … The surge of gray uniforms in college hoops prompted Martyn Beeny to send me two articles about the time Manchester United wore gray (or, rather, grey, since it was in the UK). Look here and here. … Here’s an article — although not a particularly good one — on mean/angry/etc. team logos (from Jason Trapp). … Latest school engaging in patriot(ism) games: Wyoming. … You know how NBA shorts now have that silicone inner waistband strip, to help keep the jersey tucked in? I thought of that when I got this note from Collin Wright of Houghton College: “Through a packing error last year, we were forced to wear Malone University’s road uniforms when we went to their place. They had new Adidas uniforms that had the rubber material on the inside of the shorts to keep the jerseys tucked in, and our players loved it. That was their biggest request for the new set this season. So our new shorts have the rubber strip.” … Here are the jerseys that Mako Mameli designed for Eric Bangemann’s rugby referee society. Nicely done! … More Mets uni gossip, mostly confirming what most of us already know, here. I’m told that we’ll see the real things by this time next week. … More reconnaissance from 49ers beat reporter Sam Lam: “Players were trying out the new jerseys and pants [for next season] today. Nothing too groundbreaking. But I did ask one of the equipment guys what the difference is between these jerseys and Reebok. He said that the different cuts of the jersey are the main difference. I asked if these jerseys are the same ones used by college teams, and he said they were.” … Fun note from Eric Vogeler, who writes: “I was watching SportsNation today and Colin Cowherd had a segment similar to Pictionary, where he drew pictures and Lomas Brown graded them. There was one he drew that included a pair of shoes that Brown graded a B, saying he marked him down for adding the swooshes.” … The NFL is running a new contest. Top prize: two tickets to the Pro Bowl. Rumors that second prize consists of four tickets to the Pro Bowl the rest of the tickets for the entire fucking stadium are almost completely untrue. … No, corporate influence hasn’t spread too far in American life, not even a little bit. … Rough time last night for Raiders coach Hue Jackson, who was auditioning for a spot in a Kiss cover band but didn’t make the cut. ”¦ The Vancouver Giants — that’s a junior hockey team — have a cool new throwback jersey (from Geoffrey Holland). ”¦ I’m pretty sure we’ve covered this before, but just in case: Casey Hart notes that Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford has extra-thick sleeve stripes. What’s that about again..? ”¦ Someone at a retail shop on the Penn State campus made a small but telling adjustment to the logo in their window (big thanks to Ben Harris). ”¦ Italy’s new soccer kit will be unveiled on Monday. ”¦ Dom Lewis notes that the Bountiful High School Braves in Utah have managed to poach multiple Florida State logo — not just the helmet, but also look at the rear neckline. ”¦.”I know it’s a too late, but this is the best Winnipeg Jets jersey concept I’ve seen,” says Brent Jensen. I don’t know if I completely agree, but I sure do like the name of that guy’s web site. ”¦ Today is, of course, the biggest day ever — and the biggest day there will ever be, at least for the next century — for the Corduroy Club. Further details here.

 
  
 
Comments (301)

    Were you just wearing the green sneakers yesterday, or did you toss them on to coordinate with the ND stuff?

    (Now we’ve seen it all. Paul is wearing a superstretchy AND making a glove salute. And the world didn’t come to an end!)

    I had been wearing black sneakers, but as I put the jersey on it occurred to me that my green vintage Pro Keds would go nicely with the rest of the ensemble, so I did a quick footwear switcheroo.

    It’s getting a bit nippy in my neck of the woods. Perhaps hell is freezing over as we read this. ;o)

    Wait, it’s Canada. When isn’t there snow?

    Nice publicity job by Adidas and good recognition for Uni-Watch as the go-to resource on Athletics Aesthetics. (I wonder what passersby thought during your photo shoot.)

    Surprised that the Marlins are going to have “Miami” on the home jersey.

    Agreed that front logos on football helmets are a great idea, so long as they’re symmetrical.

    I wonder what passersby thought during your photo shoot.

    Eh, it’s Brooklyn — there’s always some kinda shit going on. Nobody thinks anything of it.

    Instead of playing the fight song, you should take it to eleven and play link. I know it’s English and not Irish, but it kept running through my head after you mentioned Nigel Tufnel.

    “MIAMI” on the home jersey is probably just to emphasize the name change, may be a temporary one- or two-year thing.

    Very cool Notre Dame promo kit, Paul. Out of curiosity, what color is the inside of the helmet…and where does the fancy finish stop?

    BTW, Paul, you need to work on your “guns” for occasions like this…get those biceps pumped up like a strong safety.

    I know Paul already chimed in on this, but I speak as another skinny person – some of us don’t hang out at the gym 7 hours a day or are built like linemen. As a person whose lost over 90 pounds of excess weight in my 20s I can tell you I feel a lot better now being down to a more ideal weight for my 6’4″ height. No more aches and pains in my joints, I was probably pushing Type 2 Diabetes, I don’t sweat while I eat, and now I just feel quicker and better overall. Plus another perk is not spending so much on food.

    I get a bit concerned when I see some guys filling out XXXL Cooperstown, NHL or NFL jerseys like they’re supposed to be that big. Football players back in the day weren’t 300+ lbs, baseball players looked more like Omar Vizquel rather than Albert Pujols.

    All I say is “kudos” to Paul for not being a part of our obesity problem.

    Like that final picture of QB Lukas heading back into the pocket. Also very glad for your swag haul. But those green sneakers didn’t come in the box.

    I am WAY too attached to blue/gold simplicity and way too cranky for shamrocks and leprechauns, but that crap in the crate does look like fun.

    As your man will tell you, Scotland is named for the Irish – the Scotti – during our Hell’s Angels stage. Pillagers first, then the monks. We’re cousins if not brothers. And their whikey is the best. Try an Oban, neat.

    /Marooned in Heathrow/

    PS Beat Estonia!

    I don’t think the jeans came in it either. ;)

    Good luck getting to wherever you’re headed, Connie.

    Tut tut, Connie.

    From Scotland it’s “whisky”, from Ireland it’s “whiskey”.

    Good luck getting away from Heathrow – we’ve decided to check passports now, and we’re going to start with people leaving. It’s easier.

    Love the Norte Dame swag – realy cool. I say the shade of Green is a might too dark – a bit lighter/more Enerald would look better for my tastes.

    BTW, not a big Va. Tech fan, but I really dig the matching stripes on the helmet. 500% improvement. Really works for me. Lokks good closeup, looks great from a distance. Makes those plain dark helmets really jump out from the cheap seats – in a good way.

    I caught a few minutes of the Virginia Tech game and my impression was that VT has great college unis. I like the way the helmet stripes matched the jersey stripes perfectly… they even looked to be exactly the same size. And the plain white pants topped off the college look nicely. Well done…

    Unfortunately, their colors are horrible. I think the story is that VT choose that color combination because no one else had it. FYI, there was a reason no one else had it.

    Their unis are a hell of a lot better than when their TV numbers were of a different color than the other jersey numbers. Ugly…

    I like the uniform style they wore last night. However, I don’t believe that those colors work well together. Frankly, you couldn’t do much worse if you choose random colors from a spin of the color wheel.

    But those colors are the school colors, so I understand why they are on the football uniform. At least they haven’t tried to add BFBS. However, in rating the uniform you can’t ignore the uniform colors.

    Different strokes I guess, but I’ve always been ok with the VaTech colors. I’ve been admirer of theirs from afar, after touring the campus on a trip through Virginia some years ago. Beautiful country.

    To me, it was an interesting contrast in the game. I like GT’s colors (for full disclosure, I am a GT alum), but GT’s uniform style has been horrible ever since they changed to Russell. On the other hand, VT has terrible colors but a nice uniform style. Of course, we each have our own opinions, but then that is why we are here, lol. :)

    I’ve learned to live with VT’s colors. I’ve followed the team because they always seem to have great athletes. Michael Vick, for example…

    It would be like Christmas. LOVE the gold dust vial, headphones and iPod.

    The game Saturday is still going to be an assault on the eyes

    Love the civic logo mashups. Even the so-so ones are mostly not bad. Minnesota and Wisconsin are great, and that New York one is truly epic.

    StL-the cardinal w/ the rams helmet perched on the music note

    nashville’s logo is my fav

    fun stuff

    Any word/update on whether Maryland “corrected” their flag kit? (Reversing shoulder emblems in order to better reflect flag quadrants.) I suppose they could always just wear the jerseys backwards…

    The only way Maryland’s flag unis could be “corrected” would be to burn them. But would that be illegal in Maryland…?

    “You think I should lose the coat?” “If you lose it, you might find it again. I think you should burn it.”

    Narrow three-stripe neck & sleeve piping just like every other team in baseball is seems like for the Marlins? Huuuuuge disappointment. Blurry as it is, the rest of that home uni looks much better than I expected, but the lazy jersey piping is a full grade reduction for me.

    Agreed. I was hoping for “Marlins” script at home and “Miami” for the road…it looks rather boring.

    Obviously, they are emphasizing the change to the MIAMI Marlins. This is all tied into the new stadium deal.

    I don’t mind the Miami home script – just as I don’t mind the Yankees NY home script or the Tigers D home script – but the M logo’s apostrofish symbol is much too abstract for the word Marlin never to appear. The team needs either a less abstract fish, or they need the word Marlins to appear somewhere.

    I don’t like the fish on the cap…

    I’m kind of getting to like plain (boring?) baseball uniforms with traditional detailing.

    You know what’s sad? I bet with this new color scheme they could have some truly kick-ass socks. But we all know that we’ll never see any.

    I still think that they should have gone with a tequila sunrise style uniform with all the colors they’re using instead of a boring “traditional” uniform.

    Tequila sunrise racing stripes. Down the shoulders, jersey sides, and pant legs. Matching socks. What I’ve seen of the new Marlins logos convinces me that this is the right team to have brought back racing stripes. The narrow inverted-Giants piping is just exactly the wrong approach for this team in this city with these new logos.

    The neck and sleeve piping is what I like about it. Beats hell out of the tiresome, ubiquitous headspoon, which seems to be the only alternative.

    Matter of fact, damnedest thing, I really like what I see in that pic. Colorful but restrained, with a unique font, like a 60s uniform.

    That orange softball shirt is nice. Except for the darn Giants piping. That is just sooooo the wrong approach. That script requires – demands! – more colorful jersey accents than run-of-the-mill narrow three-stripe piping.

    On the other hand, points to the Fish for consistency. Consistent laziness, that is: The piping appears to be orange-black-orange on the home uniform, and it appears to be the same on the orange alt, which makes two of the three stripes invisible. If you’re going to be so lazy in conception as to go for this style of piping, then might as well go all in and also be so lazy in execution that you don’t even bother to reverse the colors so they show up on your alternate.

    Re: Brent Jensen’s Winnipeg proposal, while the jersey does nothing for me, the logo is interesting , the idea of Jets flying in formation, with their plume forming a “W” is pretty creative.

    Saying that the Jets current uni’s are growing on me.

    Paul, you’re ripped, not too much fat content there.

    It would be interesting to know whether five jets could have been incorporated in that logo, the five representing the five skaters on ice (not including the goaltender). Maybe it would look too cluttered.

    How much do you think a promo box like that cost? The helmet is probably upwards of $200, and a link.

    Either way, that’s pretty awesome. The super-strechy looks really awkward on you (no offense). You should buy a set of pads, just for this occasion. Maybe even white pants.

    Apparently, I’m still a three-year-old, because as neat as all that swag was, the box itself was my favorite thing. That’s one mighty fine box right there.

    It could be way more than that. If I recall, public records showed that it cost the University of Oregon $2,600 for each green helmet because of the unique color-shifting paint.

    The same cost level could be at play here.

    If the Marlins don’t open each game with their players running onto the field with the Theme from Miami Vice blaring and have their grounds crew in pastel blazers with t-shirts and no socks, I’ll be sorely disappointed. I cant wait to see them fully unveiled, but this glimpse gives me hope. They actually look like they belong in Miami and they do NOT look like any other baseball team. No more White Sox South. Me likey.

    Calls to the bullpen made with a huge old brick cell phone… Glenn Frey throwing out the first pitch.

    I hope Rovell got a bigger sized jersey, there’s no way he’s fitting into that jersey with all of the junk food he eats!!!

    “All of the decals are underneath the shell’s exterior finish.”

    Paul, I’m not sure, since I would have to see it in person, you have my address…heh heh But, I believe that is a water transfer process. The same way Oregon, TCU, Maryland got those crazy graphic designs on their helmets.

    link

    The gold pattern here was actually engine-turned by hand with real gold leaf by Troy Lee Designs (an automotive detailer).

    “The gold pattern here was actually engine-turned by hand with real gold leaf by Troy Lee Designs (an automotive detailer).”

    Thanks for clarifying Andy.

    i’m a fan of TLD form WAY back! started sketching out logos my own logos the day i saw their/his work. can’t remember where i first stumbled upon TLD though. i know it was his helmet designs that first drew me in (no pun intended). but the stickers were always amazing to me! i couldn’t believe how custom it would be to have one of your own. i used to get lost in all the designs. i can credit him and that company as my first huge inspiration

    Probably not the same as the ND helment, but when I played HS football (in the early 90s), our helmets were a clear shell, with the decal attached to the inside of that shell, then painted gold on the inside. So while we may have had our helmets knicked up during the year, there was absolutely no marring to the paint or logo.

    The clear shell was a popular style in the 1970s and 1980s. There’s some info on them over at Helmet Hut.

    My guess is this Notre Dame helmet has an extra thick clear-coat on it so as not to mar up the gold for the duration of the one game they’ll be wearing these.

    The clear shell with the paint and decals on the inside goes back to the early 1970s. A couple of manufacturers (the real MacGregor for one) used the process.

    Think you can throw some of that ND swag (ugh. Can’t believe I used that word) in the Holiday Gift Guide column? I’m looking at those headphones (and the helmet, but mostly the headphones).

    The game would be the least valuable part of winning a Pro Bowl trip. Honolulu in February on somebody else’s dime would be terrific.

    As I type this sitting on a bus to DC for the ND/MD game, I still hate the helmets. Lou Holtz wrote in one of his books that he wanted to put a monogram on the helmets when he got to ND, but he was told they represented Our Lady on the Dome and would not be adorned. Now, two different types of shamrocks in one year?

    I know there’s a brief history of shamrocks on the ND helmet, but none of those years were particularly successful and one of the shamrock designs looked like a propellor.

    Cool package, though. I don’t know how often they give out dome gold. I know some goes into the football helmets and graduating seniors get a coin/medallion with dome gold from the Alumni Association.

    (skip directly to comments. read no further)

    No Dickerson-esque goggles in place of your glasses?? THAT would make that outlandish costume complete!!

    Paul, you never know when you might get blindsided on your steps. Wear the damn chinstrap next time…and a neck roll.

    NCAA Football Rule 1 Article 4a. 1 clearly states that helmets shall have a four- or six-point chinstrap with all points secured when the ball is in play. “Flag on Number 11 on the Green team. Chinstrap not properly attached…..” What we gonna do with you, Paul?

    There is just something about that helmet that I LOVE. One of my favorites in sport.

    On a selfish note, I’ll be the knucklehead to ask it, what are the chances some of the swag ends up on the holiday give-a-way list?

    Does anyone know what colleges do with all the extra helmets they have on hand? Tulsa certainly doesn’t need 5 helmets for every player. Do they get passed along to a needy high school or youth football program? I assume they are sold to alumni. Can’t have enough game used junk!

    Sorry for the back-to-back posts. I have to say that I am sad to see the Marlin’s current set go. It was one of my favorites in baseball. I am a fan of the black, teal and silver combo. I really liked the unis when the marlin was on the front of the jersey too, not just the name across the chest like it is/was now. I am not a fan of the new branding, or at least it looks like I won’t be. Feels 80’sish (eightiesish). I look at it and think Miami Vice, rolled up sleeves on suit jackets and Tony Montana.

    I still miss the Marlins’ original road jersey, with the arched serif “FLORIDA” and the round marlin logo.

    I miss the whole thing already, heck that uni makes me miss the days with teal caps. Now my 1993 cap and black softballtop jersey look more appealing now than they did yesterday.

    I look at it and think Miami Vice, rolled up sleeves on suit jackets and Tony Montana.

    Why is that a bad thing? What’s wrong with the team’s look being appropriate for the region they play in?

    Their original set? That had character and represented south Florida nicely. But what they had recently been wearing was basically just a generic baseball uniform with a fish on it.

    The green is beautiful. I’ve got a Schweinsteiger home jersey from the World Cup last year, may need to get another Basti shirt.

    Sent Paul a e-mail this morning about it around 8:30 AM. It will be mentioned Monday (11/14) for the record.

    I met you at the Minneapolis Uni-Watch party but don’t remember you being that small. Start eatin’, son. Most of the chicks in Minnesota have 50 pounds on you.

    I think the way the sleeves bunch up above his shoulders make him look a lot smaller than he is.

    From age 20 thru my late 30s, I was a welterweight. Then I expanded slightly, to junior middleweight, which has been my weight class for the past nine years or so. I’m looking to stay there.

    Holy crap, do I love that promotional set. And this is coming from a guy that hates Notre Damn. Still, if they sent me one of those, I’d probably start pulling for the Domers. What a neat idea. I wonder if all colleges do things like this?

    I think the question is whether all “lifestyle” apparel companies do this. I would bet dollars to donuts that adidas picked up the tab on these. If ND did this, I’d have to question their use of school budget to promote something that everyone will see on TV anyway. My guess is, if no one else has done this yet, they soon will.

    My guess is that if the school picked up the tab on these, the chocolate, the iPod, the outside of the box, etc. wouldn’t have the adidas logo stamped into them.

    Oh I’m sure it was adidas behind it. I guess I could have worded the original comment better. As pointless and a waste of money/resources it is, can I still think it’s “cool” and not come off as a hypocrite? Ha.

    I love the kit, but if even one cent came from ND, I’ll be even more upset when they call asking for Alumni donations.

    “Ahhh, WHAT’S IN THE BOX???” (with apologies to Brad Pitt)

    Paul, why the hell did you take all the ND swag out of the box? You just blew the collectability of the package. I’m sure the guys on that show Pawn Stars would have offered you at least $100 for the set.

    How do you NOT open it? That’s like buying an unopened pack of baseball cards from the 50’s/60’s from a collector – damn the torpedoes, I’m tearing that sucker open even if it means I get three Barry Latman’s and Mike De La Hoz’s instead of one Mantle and one Mays…

    -Jet

    Yeah, you can’t call it NRFB* anymore!

    *never removed from box, for those who don’t know

    Yeah I don’t get this dealer mentality of never opening memorabilia. What fun is it to sit on an unopened box and just sit around and speculate what could be inside it, or how mint it is. Toys are to be played with.

    Crack that sucker open and enjoy the present. I’m still curious on why Paul of all people got this (maybe they knew about the site’s traffic). But man, what an extravagant (and pondering) piece which has to be well worth over $1,500.

    Penn State Football Promo Box includes:

    1) Stop Snitchin’ T-shirt
    2) Bucket of sand (to bury one’s head in)
    3) “See no evil, Hear no Evil, Say no Evil” monkey figurines made in China

    I think it was MaxPro that used to do clear helmet shells and paint/sticker from the inside/underside. My high school’s helmets were like that for years, and I think we’ve seen examples of Steelers and Bengals lids from the late 70s and early 80s made that way..

    love the emphasis on GOLD

    the ADIDAS package looks soooo sweet.

    the only thing is that the gloves are kind of lame,imo. everything else is amazing

    I think with those photos in circulation we can pretty much rule out any future Lukas presidential campaign. Makes Dukakis in the tank look positively Lincolnian (is that a word?) by comparison. :-)

    I like the comment saying they should call them uniforms instead of kits, because Americans should only use one kind of terminology, not bow down to the specifics of the sport.

    How about we call them uniforms because “kit” sounds stupid. Football uniform. Baseball uniform. Basketball uniform. Soccer uniform. Duh.

    You know what a “soccer kit” is? A ball, 2 portable nets and can or 2 of spraypaint to mark the field boundaries.

    Calling a sports uniform a kit is on par with referring to french fries as chips.

    Ok maybe that was a bit harsh… but let’s just say there’s a reason that many software packages give you options of both English(US) or English(UK).

    So why isn’t it a tennis field when it’s played on grass? Is it still a hockey rink if you play it outdoors on a pond?

    Except they don’t refer to a football field as a pitch in the UK. It’s not a dialect difference; it’s jargon specific to the sport.

    We’re not talking about the playing surface or anything to do with the rules of the game, we’re talking about what the players are wearing. In this case, it *is* a dialect thing. I’ve seen plenty of comments here where non-US posters have referred to an American Football uniform as a kit. At best, it’s interchangeable, like hockey jersey/hockey sweater.

    A “soccer kit”, by which I presume you mean a “football kit”, is what the players wear. Simple. We do not debate in our pubs what Wigan’s new uniform is going to be. We talk about their kit.

    “Kit” is not nets and ball and the other paraphenalia. The “kit man” looks after the shirts and shorts and socks. The groundsman looks after the pitch (not field).

    No doubt or argument over here. ;)

    Thanks George. Like I said, different languages. You and I both speak “English” but our words don’t always mean the same things.

    Someone needs to produce a replica of that Lethbridge Native Sons hockey jersey – like, NOW. I’m reaching for my checkbook…

    -Jet

    Based on what I’ve seen so far, I think I may be in love with the Marlins’ new unis. Great color scheme and design, perfect for Miami.

    One thing evidenced by today’s lead photos…

    Those virtually sleeveless jerseys that players love because they get to show off their guns? They work just as well for those who want to do the same on the street.

    Don’t they.

    :)

    I had never seen one of those stretchy pullover so-called jerseys being worn by a regular fella before…and I must say, what I suspected to be the case is true: they really are ridiculous looking.

    :)

    I could care more about Notre Dame… but that promotional package is absolutely amazing! I’m 28, but I guess I like shiny things too. And only 11 of these made? Awesome.

    Regarding the Manchester United link: I was a little kid living in England right then and I remember that controversy well. The funny thing was that the kids at school loved that kit. I still have my junior replica version and I still think it looks pretty good. Of course, my favorite Man U away was the green and yellow with the lace-up collar…

    Paul that was a sick package Adidas sent you!!!
    Throwing My Name on the list when it comes around to auctioning off the helmet or the jersey!!!!!
    VIP Member Card Status!!!!

    the large helmet combined with the compression jersey gives you Nancy Reagan syndrome (head disproportinately large for your body)

    The Marlins uni looks rather less awful than it probably could have been, but I’ll reserve judgment until I see the whole set clearly. Having “MIAMI” on the home jersey is odd but not entirely surprising; they probably want to reinforce the name change and I can see this changing to “MARLINS” in a couple of years.

    Notre Dame helmet texturing looks like the base of rich man’s hooka pipe.

    Seriously tacky.

    But, I’m sure someone thinks it’s just SO neat and inventive.

    Yeah, well, people once though avocado was a great color for appliances, too.

    I don’t think it’s tacky at all. If it was a faux vinyl or water transfer design it would be tacky, but this is the real thing. Engine-turning and gold-leafing are true link with a lot of history.

    It looks like the first “M” in “MIAMI” is multicolored, like the cap logo we’ve all seen, while the “-IAMI” lettering is black trimmed in teal and orange, or white trimmed in teal and black depending on the background. And we’ve seen silver on the cap logo, so that makes five colors total.

    Theoretically, assuming that’s the home uni and the road grey has the same script, we could see any of the following softball tops:

    – Black, with “-IAMI” in white trimmed in teal and orange.
    – Orange, with “-IAMI” in white trimmed in teal and black.
    – Teal, with “-IAMI” in white trimmed in orange and black.

    I think the yellow and silver will probably appear only on the multicolored “M” on the cap and the first letter in “MIAMI”. Same thing if/when the home script changes to “MARLINS”. Everything else will be teal, orange and black.

    I suppose the scheme might be a little too Dolphins for some people, and might have been better if the orange and/or yellow were dropped and replaced with green, but there’s nothing wrong with two teams in the same city wearing the same colors (see: Pittsburgh, Mets/Knicks/Islanders, Giants/Rangers, &c).

    The current (for a few more hours, anyway) uniform will probably appear as a throwback in 2013 to commemorate 10 years since their last WS win.

    Graf, I think you’re seeing a print logo that doesn’t correspond to the jersey logo. For one thing, the single-outlined IAMI logo on that ticket thingy is vertically arched, while the MIAMI script on the jersey in the photo is radially arched. For another, the leaked photos of the orange alt show very clearly that the cap-style outlining continues to the other letters.

    In regards to the Blackhawks goalie sleeve stripes in the ticker. If I’m not mistaken, the sleeve stripes on goalie cut Hawks jerseys are always thicker. I can’t quite remember the reasoning behind it.

    Let me be clear:

    I am an Irish (former) Catholic who is from around Chicago – in fact I was born about 5 minutes from a Notre Dame Prep high school. I’m also a huge college football fan and attended catholic schools for 13 years.

    All my life, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to hop onto the ND bandwagon and had I done so, I would have joined a majority opinion, but not once have I ever considered that blaspheme.

    I LOATH Notre Dame and all of the false morals and standards they “stand for” but I especially hate their consistently (and statistically provable) overrated football program and all their dumb, lemming, homer fans.

    THAT BEING SAID:
    I want that box. That’s fucking awesome. haha

    I don’t know if there ever was a reasoning behind it. Yes, goalie-cut jerseys have a slightly different template, but I’ve never seen another team’s goalie have a different stripe pattern than the rest of the team, and I’ve hardly ever seen a Blackhawks goalie with “normal” stripes.

    Ok, so theory here:

    It looks, to me, like the stripes widen around the elbow but not as much around the elbow pit (if that makes sense…).

    Now the cut of Edge unis around the elbow looks like this – link – the gray seams can be seen and the area inside those seams on Hawks Unis are always filled with 5 equal stripes. On the home it’s Red White Black White Red, on the road it’s Black White Red White Black.

    Perhaps the goaltender needs more movement in the arms so the area between the two seams near the elbow are expanded in the back (near the elbow, not the elbow pit) so the jersey has added mobility. BUT because of the cut of hawks jerseys and how the five stripes take up all of the area in between the seams, the stripes have to become distorted.

    This would also explain why the home goalie uni doesn’t look as distorted, because the outside red stripes mask the distortion – because they match the uni color.

    A) I hope that makes sense
    B) I’m probably wrong

    Marlins will have an Orange uniformity with “Marlins” on it and fish logo between the L and I

    The question is, why? Both the Giants and Orioles already use an orange softball top. Why do we need a third team doing it? Why couldn’t they use teal? Or yellow?

    I know that orange may not be the ONLY one (well, I’m assuming we’ll get a black one), but jeez.

    Do the Orioles really have an orange alt? I know they have a black one. Aside from throwbacks, I don’t think I’ve seen them wear orange in recent years.

    I’m guessing that ND kit won’t be included in the end of year swag giveaway, but if it does, I’d like to be the first (and winning) entry!

    Paul,

    Thanks for raising the awareness of corduroy. It’s a neglected fabric, especially in the athletic world, and I’d love for some women’s basketball team to wear it sometime.

    (It’s ribbed for her pleasure, after all.)

    Thanks also for the reference to the Corduroy (Appreciation) Club. It was only after checking out your links did I comprehend what the hell Thursday’s _Wizard of Id_ comic was getting at: link

    As mentioned earlier, I’m glad Addidas showed Uniwatch some lovin’ with this exclusive 19-year-old’s dream box.

    Also, Paul, seeing you throw up the glove-palm salute made my week. Absolutely hilarious.

    Gotta say I never ever thought I’d see you do the palm salute. Maybe with just the middle fingers extended…

    Happy Veterans Day, everyone.

    And Happy 11/11/11. So who’s your favorite 11?
    Mine even had legs that looked like link
    RIP, Manute.

    Herkie Walls, WR, Texas (opposite WR, Donnie Little, wore #1)…
    link
    link
    And, of course, this guy…
    link
    and Jack Concannon, mostly because of how the number looked in the Bears’ font..
    link

    Ummm, no.
    Liked Concannon, and was first time I’d seen “11” on one of the Bears.

    Although, while I’m not a Roy Fan, I’m sure he has a great future as the poster boy for “Motivation.”

    Possibly also could teach seminars on “How to Cash Big Paychecks You Haven’t Earned.”

    Oh, yeah! He can teach everyone exactly when to give that first down signal. Do you do it just after you hand it to the teller? Do you wait until you get your cash? As you’re walking out the door? So many options…

    “I pulled a Powers”

    ~~~

    you’re going to try to steal paul’s helmet tomorrow?

    The guaranteed win versus the New Jersey Devils in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Final, followed by his remarkable game, makes link to ever live (in my opinion). Or course, winning the Cup six times and being regarded as one the greatest leaders in all of sports helps too.

    I was number 11 in high school for soccer when I had the choice. Except for my senior year when I was ineligible for the first 2 games because of being gone for the state basketball tournament and not having enough practices. I was the basketball team manager. A freshman took my number and I got stuck with 2, which I guess is 1+1. My favorite 11 would have to be by sport. I’ll pick the three I actually care about.
    Football: Drew Bledsoe, mostly because of the Washington State connection since I live in Washington.
    link
    Soccer: Ryan Giggs, Manchester United is my favorite European team so it stands to reason.
    link
    Basketball: Arvydas Sabonis, I’m a die hard Blazer fan so goes without question.
    link

    INNOCENCE LOST: The Penn State Football Tragedy

    Isn’t it a coincidence that the year the team removes the white trim collars and cuffs from their jerseys that the “purity” of the institution comes into question?

    Since this has been happening for a very long time, the mere idea that a minor uniform change is related to the “purity” of the school is offensive on a vast number of levels to the victims of this horrific situation.

    Then again, maybe I’m just horrified at that statement due to the weight of the tragedy and the lives shattered because of it.

    Prediction from the resident Old Guy…

    When this full story is known, it’s gonna be a monster.
    This is a huge, quirky, murky and sordid tale, and we are just beginning to see it unfold, and to understand the scope of it.

    Call it “vibe”, call it the result of a lot of years of paying attention, say it’s owning to having some experience on the inside…but something about the story, even what little we know, is really, really ominous.

    Ponder this. Sandusky, highly respected, leaves the Penn State coaching staff a dozen years ago…and doesn’t get ONE job offer? Not from anywhere?

    Prediction from a much younger refugee from print journalism: Ricko is right. Sandusky’s “retirement” presents a strong circumstantial case that knowledge of his crimes was widespread. Not just at Penn State’s athletic department. Not just across the PSU leadership. But throughout the upper reaches of Division 1 and possibly pro football. Probably among a number of sports media insiders as well. The rot here begins to look worse than your average pedophile priest.

    I’m beginning to wonder if there’s any morally acceptable response other than “burn the mother down.” PSU’s football program for starters. Not fire the coach, not bring in some management consultants, but award the current players scholarships until their graduation dates and stop playing varsity football.

    But really, the crap we’ve learned about how many dozens of Division 1 programs in the last 18 months, maybe it’s time to shut the whole damn thing down. No more scholarships for football; varsity programs run like, say, any given school’s ultimate frisbee or golf team; and the NFL can set up minor leagues and pay players to develop them and start acting like they live in a capitalist country, not a Soviet-style plantation-economy athlete factory.

    Ricko, That is what I think too. Sandusky retires in 199 at a young age for coaches after being rumored to be heir to Paterno.
    How can anybody not see that this has been a coverup since 1999. At least.

    Word is getting out that Sandusky’s pedopila was widely known. The town and football community is too small for it not to be.Coaching staffs are together too many hours, college towns lack the places to hide who you are with and when you are with them. Once one rumor is confirmed, the pieces fit together. Who needs Occum’s Razor when you have staff eyewitnesses.

    Here’s my question, if you know Sandusky has got these problems, WTF is he doing still allowed to be around the program and to stregthen his position to attract and attack kids?

    As corrupt as it is, I can see the Nittany DA taking a pass with the rationalization that “there isn’t enough evidence, etc.” That is corrupt, but provides an explanation.

    But why in the world would JoePa (Joe Pa’s Best case scenario – that he was out of the loop and simply an unknowing 75-85 year old doddering symbolic cash cow money machine propped up by the program), or, that whoever controlled the info JoePa received, allow this monster Sandusky to remain around the program. There is NO explanation for that – NONE. Unless you get to the Def Con ONE scenario ….

    The DefCon One Scenario is that this problem involved alot more adults than simply Sandusky, including those in the chain of command, and that they were protecting a bigger problem than Sandusky alone here. I really don’t want to believe that one, but just 48 hours ago I thought JoePa was getting railroaded too soon ….

    “The DefCon One Scenario is that this problem involved a lot more adults than simply Sandusky, including those in the chain of command, and that they were protecting a bigger problem than Sandusky alone here.”

    Unfortunately, that’s kind of the gut feeling I’m getting, and not about just the chain of command, but perhaps a small, dark and powerful segment of the community in general.

    The element of that DA who vanished in ’05 or so, and the hard drive from his computer remains missing, is more than a tad disturbing, too. Not to make a TV plot out of it, but you have to admit the circumstances are…well, almost too odd to be coincidental. Yeah, he could have accidentally fallen down a well. But where’s his hard drive? He had it with him?

    Talking about this…
    link

    Police “don’t believe” there’s a connnection. But they’re still looking at it again.

    And I see they did find the hard drive, eventually.
    The reports I read the other day said it was still missing. Sorry about that.

    Does seem curious that the hard drive was found UPRIVER from where the laptop was recovered, though.

    Curiouser and curiouser.

    The question being, why had the hard drive been removed?
    Under normal circumstances, shouldn’t it have been in the laptop?

    cbssports.com claims the orange top is the home uni and the black top (under the jacket) is the road. With the preliminary leaks thus far, think I can wait until 9pm to see the legit lineup.

    link

    Re the orange as the home uni: Outside of Miami, I’d be outraged by the idea of a solid color home jersey. For some reason, if they DO call it the “standard” home jersey, I’d be a little tickled.

    Then, maybe Houston would be willing to start calling their home unis brick red, and the White Sox calling their black set the standard uni. Why not?

    The caps are ridiculous. Too large a “M”, too busy with too much trim on the “M”. Less is more in thisinstance. The Orange “home” jersey is OK, but you are playing OUTDOORS in MIAMI. A sensible home White over White uni would be worth having.

    My biggest complaint is the tequila sunrise/rainbow trim. Too much. Certainly not on the cap or jersey chest.

    Then there is the “Orange Problem”. Orange is simply too cliche for Florida teams.

    Does every single team in Florida have to use range in their color choices? I think the missed the boat by not relacing the Orange with a bright Athletic Gold or something similar.

    MLB, and baseball in general, could use a couple of solod Yellow/Athletic Gold caps, with sensible logos attached. Why not here? Athletic Gold cap, socks, numerals. Sensible trim, the new fonted “M” with the Marlin integrated. you could have an alternate Orange jersey with Alt cap and senible trim to integrate with reguular elements.

    Are the Marlins new unis an improvement. Maybe. Did they clearly miss the opportunity to hit a Home Run, Absolutely.

    I don’t know why people are calling these “rainbow(s)”, because only brunt orange, Athletic Gold & light blue doesn’t make a rainbow, unless Walmart makes a “Lucky Charms” imitation cereal with only 3 colored rainbow marshmallows.

    Just my confusion. Tho I wouldn’t say it’s an “orange problem” and go primary orange.

    I…I really want to hate these but I just can’t for some reason. The color combo sounds atrocious on paper but in execution it doesn’t look THAT bad…

    Watching sportscenter this morning and they were promoting the camo unis that michigan state and north carolina will be wearing tonight. They said “whit these uniforms the players really understand what it is like to be in the armed services, and make sacrifices for their country” WOW

    not the same as Afghanistan, but they are playing it about a working/functional US Naval ship, and from what I’ve read they toured the place, etc.

    While I don’t think that JUST wearing camo makes them feel different, but hopefully a tour of the ship and meeting some of the men and women who risk their lives DID change or alter the perception they have.

    My only gripe: What, no cleats?

    That’s your only gripe? Doesn’t it also bother you that your kit is #4 of 11, but they gave you a jersey with #11 on it?

    link

    OK, so let’s assume the rumors we’ve already heard are true (black shadow gone, black tops one more year). Questions that need to be asked and/or answered at the presser on Wednesday:

    1. Is this a permanent change or a one-year thing?
    2. Will the home pinstripes be white or off-white?
    3. Will the road grays also have no black shadow?
    4. Will the road grays be worn with blue caps?
    5. Will the two-tone (black/blue) cap be retained?
    6. Will the revised home and road uniforms have numerals on the front (they didn’t in ’62)?
    7. Will the revised home and road uniforms have NOB?
    8. Will the numeral and NOB fonts remain the same?
    9. Will the left-sleeve patch be the standard Mets medallion or a special Anniversary patch?
    10. Will the cap squatchee be orange or blue?

    If I had to guess, I’d say: permanent change; off-white; no; yes, but not all the time; yes; yes; yes; yes; anniversary patch; orange.

    I hope I’m wrong on some of those, particularly 2, 3, 4 and 5. If the Mets were smart, which they’re not, the simplest thing to do would be to resurrect the 1997 uniform set, exactly as it was, minus the white cap and white outline on the home script (with the black softball tops and solid black caps thrown in for one more year of absurdity).

    Paul, will you be attending the presser?

    Paul, will you be attending the presser?

    Probably not. I’ve found that attending these things in person usually isn’t particularly useful or practical. I can get more images/info more quickly by staying home on the computer.

    I’ve noticed in the past couple days on Mets Hot Stove on SNY a drop shadow free road jersey next to their current ones.

    Paul, I am here to extend an offer of fifteen U.S. dollars for this kit. I live in Park Slope, so the transaction can be done quickly. If you choose not to accept, there will be heck to pay! HECK, I tell ya, HECK!

    Buuuuut not really about the whole threat thing. I am jealous as hell, though.

    Sold!

    Eh, on second thought, no.

    Seriously: I’ve been flooded with inquiries today regarding what I plan to do with the box. One thing I can assure you: It’s staying intact. Aside from quick show-and-tell occasions (like bringing the helmet to tomorrow’s Uni Watch party), I’m not going to break it up into separate components.

    I will have more to say about this next week. Until then, please don’t bother asking, suggesting, etc. Thanks.

    No suggestions? Screw that. Suggestion: Start a new sport of one-on-one football combined with competitive DJ-ing, sort of like link. Call it Gridhouse. Use the ND box as your uniform and equipment for both sides of the competition. Win world championship and niche newsmedia renown year after year after year as you dominate the sport.

    [Note: Not an actual suggestion. Unless Paul adopts it, in which case I demand a cut of his career profits.]

    You know, let me rephrase that: Suggestions are fine (esp. if they’re as entertaining as Scott’s). But just so you know, I already have a pretty good idea of how I’m going to handle this.

    “I already have a pretty good idea of how I’m going to handle this.”

    ~~~

    yes, you’re going to give it to me, right? ;)

    Hey Paul,

    Are the numerals on that ND jersey screened on or are they tackle-twill? If tackle-twill, are they embroidered (think cheap China knock-off jersey) or zig-zag stitched?

    Thanks,
    PuckBoy

    Cloth numerals (I don’t know that they’re actually tackle twill, which is a specific kind of cloth; I think these may be a stretch fabric), zig-zag stitched.

    Those are screened. You can see the mesh showing through if you blow up the pictures to full size. I would guess they do that to allow the super-stretchies to stretch more uniformly than they would if the numbers were sewn down.

    I have wonderful timing, don’t I? I was even thinking as I wrote that, that Adidas uses sewn down mesh numerals on the NBA jerseys so these could be the same. :P

    I’m staring the hell out of link, and they don’t to seem to be the Revolution 30 “mesh-twill” numbers used on the NBA jerseys. It’s gotta be lightweight stretch twill, which is growing in popularity.

    Paul. The original press release about these helmets stated that a Leprechaun logo would be on the back of them, but I have not found a single image showing that. I know there will be a ton after tomorrow, but did you see this? And if it is there, anyway we could get even a camera-phone shot of it? I’ve been praying that its not huge and disneyfied, but as not a huge fan of the intent of these things anyway, I wouldn’t be shocked.

    ohhh!!! TLD on the back, awesome! but, will it be there on gameday? is the leprechaun, the flag and the TLD logo all clear-coated too?

    Paul, you lucky dog getting one of 11 promo kits. Thanks for sharing with us.

    So this will be Notre Dames 4th helmet change this year.

    I was counting the old plain gold, The Michigan game helmet. Then the new gold and this gold one with bigger shamrock??

    Well a Top-o-the-morning to you to! Thanks. I will consider this one catastrophe avoided. Though, the green facemask continues to bother me. Stick with the gray, it’s part of what makes ND’s helmet what it is. None the less, thanks again PLuk.

    Just to clarify: Wyoming wore those helmets on September 10th for their game against Texas State. Just wanted to point out that it’s not the first time they’ve made an appearance this season. 9/10 was when that photo first started circulating as well.

    Enjoy your get-together tomorrow guys (and any guyesses). One year maybe I’ll pop over.

    I’m off down to Wembley to see England and Spain, so won’t be able to correct you on your incorrect use of English. At least we all agree that today is 11/11.

    A long trip to London for us, but you’d probably consider it to be just going out to the store :)

    Is anyone else really excited for the Carrier Classic?

    A) It’s competitive basketball
    B) They’re good teams
    C) It’s on a m*ther f*cking boat

    who cares if they’re wearing ugly unis…

    “It’s on a m*ther f*cking boat”

    ~~~

    i was hoping a) barry would have tried a three-pointer or a half-courter after his speech or b) someone kicks the ball into the water

    This will be the closest to a nuclear reactor that a basketball game has ever been played I figure… USA!

    Not true, during the Chernobyl crisis, Moscow sent their national basketball team to the site hoping the radiation would give them super powers.

    Apparently you haven’t seen the documentary they made about it, it was called Space Jam.

    Coronado is pretty spectacular on its own, so I imagine it’s an amazing experience.

    Will whoever kicks the ball in the water have to go get it?

    This is what the NHL needs to do with a Winter Classic. Forget about the big stadium, plop it somewhere scenic with stands for 10k of your favorite sponsors and a few STHs. Put one on the National Mall. Put one on some Beach in CA- the kings reportedly have wanted one from year one. (Though the LA Coliseum could be a nice alternative). Put one in the Colorado Mountains. Have a game on the St. Lawrence River (heritage classic on that one). Plant a rink in Central Park.

    The options are endless. It’s a made for TV event anyway, why not treat it as one?

    By the way, Paul, the more I look at you in that super-stretchie, the more doofy you look in it. It’s not you, though, but the shirt – while I’m anti-Adidas/Reebok super-stretchy in general, that shirt should never be worn without pads, simple as that. Even the bulked-up football players look doofy wearing those things without pads.

    Maybe you could find a couple of throw pillows, and tuck them inside the jersey above your shoulders?

    I could do without the alts, but the home white uniform is perfectly fine. I’m not sure, though, that the wordmark will be visible enough on the road grays. And I’m a bit disappointed the Marlins are scrapping pinstripes. How many MLB teams have eliminated pins in recent years: the Reds, Pirates, Padres, etc.

    I’m cool with the home and roads, hate the orange alt, and kinda like the contrast of orange numbers and white nob on the black alts- it works for some reason

    I like the home, away, and orange alt. I have this nagging feeling though, that the chest wordmark was designed for a pullover or a henley, rather than a full button down jersey.

    I’m waiting for them to shock the world by having Jose Reyes come out in one of those unis.

    You know what? Not nearly as bad as it could have been, or as we feared. The multicolored “M” looks a lot better from a distance than up close, a lot better on the uni than in a graphic. Not a fan of the numeral font, the sleeve patch looks redundant when it and the “M” on the jersey script are both visible, and the orange alt is awful (although it does have the “MARLINS” script that will probably make its way to the home jerseys in a couple of years), but other than that, not too bad.

    Better then I thought they were going to be. They could do without the black jerseys though.

    It’s not often that you see a rapper performing in suit and tie… at least, I’m not aware of such attire being common in that scene. But there’s Pitbull, pulling it off at the Miami Marlins’ debut…

    Meanwhile, I’m watching the Wiki Magic happen, as the newly-rechristened Miami Marlins Wikipedia Page is gradually being updated to reflect the new identity.

    Heh, turns out I had to help out the Wiki Magic a little myself. Nobody currently editing the page could figure out how to update the “Name” history section of the infobox, so it was stuck on “Miami Marlins (1993-present)”.

    I had to look at another baseball page, so I picked the Giants, and found that a) the previous names were under a field called “pastnames”, and b) the current name’s first year was under a field called “y3”. That second part isn’t the most intuitive (I found it in the edit page for the Giants by searching for “1958”), but once I figured it out, I imported the “pastnames” field, replaced “1993” with “2011” in the y3 field, and viola!

    I don’t know, except for the piping, the coloring on the lettering and the teal cap, they look an awful lot like the leaked ones that you all said weren’t legit.

    I give the Marlins credit for bringing a little variety to the uniform world. But, there’s just too much going on here. So many disparate elements and colors. It’s not as fun as I was hoping it would be. It looks forced. It’s jarring to my eyes. Wished they would have simplified.

    The softball tops are horrid.
    The number font is just…odd. Unappealing.
    The cap logo is too big and is additionally burdened by the abstract fish. I like the M, though.
    I like the MIAMI and MARLINS font but it looks muddy with all that trim color.

    I dunno…I guess I need to see them close up, in detail, before I judge.

    The excess trim on everything seems unnecessary, & the white wordmark on the road is actually kind of nice & unique, but again, it suffers from over-silver trim on a gray uni. The inconsistent shading doesn’t really make a lot of sense, either.

    But the most disappointing thing is the black cap, black sleeves, black alt, black belt, black trim & what is assumed black socks. Why is a team in Miami wearing black?? Primary orange would had been really bold and different. Maybe someday they will use that light blue as the primary color & accent it with the orange or vise versa. As for the cap, pick either the fish or the M – not both; too much clutter.

    Too much of weird elements, the number font doesn’t really bother me, but overall too much of a freak show for my tastes. Grade D

    I know it’s against everything this site stands for, but I’ll sell Adidas the naming rights to my future first-born for one of those ND promo kits.

    No… it’s a cool kit, but it’s not that cool.

    Then again, I don’t like Adidas/Reebok, and I detest Notre Dame, so for me it’s an easy choice.

    If it were a Michigan kit, I *might* have to re-evaluate my stance…

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