This year’s Society for American Baseball Research annual convention took place in Seattle. I didn’t attend, but as a SABR member I received a copy of the publication that was whipped up for the event: Rain Check: Baseball in the Pacific Northwest, which features some dynamite photos from David Eskenazi’s collection.
Since the northwest didn’t get a big-league team until the 1969 Seattle Pilots — and then was MLB-less again from 1970 through 1976, until the Mariners were brought into existence — the region’s baseball history is all about the minor leagues. So the book is full of photos of gorgeous minor league unis most of us have never seen before. Check out, for example, this shot from the 1913 Northwest League All-Star Game.
Lots of great details, too. Look at this cap, these sleeve patches, the verical striping on these socks (never seen anything like that on a baseball uni), and these incredible belts (not to mention the lace-up plackets and the chest pockets)! And it’s not all ancient history, either — here‘s a good Seattle Pilots shot I’d never seen before.
Although not strictly uni-related, there are also amazing scorecard cover designs. If you like the Tigers’ swinging kitten logo, compare this version. And check out this truly astonishing program design that was created in 1968 to commemorate Seattle’s impending graduation from minor- to major-league status.
All in all, a fine book. If you want a copy, it’s available from Amazon via the link at the top of the page.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Yet another high-socks Pedro Martinez sighting on Wednesday night, but still no sign of that cancelled check, alas. … The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins will have a new alternate jersey this season (one of many they’ve had over the years). … Good analysis by Dave Sterling, who notes: “Since the Browns have had their share of problems at center this year (Bentley hurt, Hallen AWOL), they traded for former atriot Ross Tucker. Ryan Tucker plays right tackle — since they have the same last name and the same first initial, they will both have their whole name on their jerseys, correct?” That is indeed how it should work, although a lot of teams seem to color outside the lines a bit regarding that rule. … Underbill update: A trusted source with the Astros says the team will be switching to black underbills next season. And it looks like Roy Oswalt doesn’t feel like waiting that long. … Good minor league update from Mackay Smith, who writes: “Boston’s single-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive, who normally dress like this are celebrating the 175th anniversary of their hometown by wearing these nifty green ensembles. The G patch on the sleeve is Greenville’s logo.” … Shinjo’s wristbands du jour: argyle (with thanks to Jeremy Brahm). … As noted in the first item in this article, colored visors have been banned in the NCAA this season (kudos to Marc Beck). … If you go to this link, you’ll see a fantastic video of Oilers co-owner Todd McFarlane explaining how he helped design the team’s alternate jersey (great find by Chris Dralla). … Break out the sunglasses (or maybe the LSD) before viewing the single-A Everett AquaSox’s tie-dyed jerseys. “They wear them every year for a home series,” says Andy Head. “They call it Frogstock.” … Soccer news, courtesy of Jeremy Brahm: Real Madrid is wearing this patch (here it is on David Beckham). According to this article about the team’s new uniforms, “The most innovative detail is the incorporation of the Best Club XX Century logotype. Real Madrid is the only world Club allowed to carry this logo; additionally, the shirt is no longer exclusively white, featuring new colours. To fight the forgery and fakes markets, the Club has introduced an authenticity tag, which only the official Adidas shirts will feature.” … Major logo dispute brewing in Quebec. … Rob Klingenberger reports that he recently attended a minor league game in which the Indianapolis Indians had serious problems keeping their jerseys tucked in. “One of their pitchers had his shirt come untucked in the back. Looked like he was wearing a diaper. I was just about to take a picture when someone in the crowd screamed, ‘HEY, UMP! MAKE THE PITCHER TUCK HIS SHIRT IN!’ The pitcher obliged. The fan must have been a Uni Watch guy.” … Check out the cool throwbacks being worn by the Madison Mallards (with thanks to Patrick Ryan for the tip). … Looks like there’s something weird going on with Rudy Carpenter’s helmet logo. … According to yesterday’s USA Today, Blue Jays reliever Jay Witasick “forgot his shoes before [Wednesday’s] game, forcing him to wear teammate Justin Duchscherer’s cleats — which were a size too small, causing his feet to go numb.” Witasick allowed two hits, two runs, and two walks in his one inning of numb-footed (and numb-skulled) work.
I LOVE that Madison Mallards throwback – something about that pristine white uni that screams to get dirty playing ball. Love the socks too.
Outstanding finds in the N-NW photos. I love the vertical names on the shirts.
[quote comment=”5040″]I LOVE that Madison Mallards throwback – something about that pristine white uni that screams to get dirty playing ball. Love the socks too.[/quote]
Yeah, I’m glad someone else said it first. Being from Wisconsin, I didn’t want to sound like a ‘homer’, but that’s a classy look.
*****UNRELATED COMMENT ALERT *****
Was watching the Mets/Padres yesterday when I noted
1. A Charles Kerfeld sighting! the last greater bespectacled pitcher. (tell me he wasn’t the basis for the Vaughn character in major league.)
2. Did Pedro Feliciano change his number from 39 to 25 this week?
[quote comment=”5042″][quote comment=”5040″]I LOVE that Madison Mallards throwback – something about that pristine white uni that screams to get dirty playing ball. Love the socks too.[/quote]
Yeah, I’m glad someone else said it first. Being from Wisconsin, I didn’t want to sound like a ‘homer’, but that’s a classy look.[/quote]
I’m from Upstate New York – so I’m no homer – I just see that and it SCREAMS old time ball to me – all they need is those stubby fingered puffy gloves they used to wear, and a handlebar mustache, and that to me would be baseball nirvana.
[quote comment=”5043″]Did Pedro Feliciano change his number from 39 to 25 this week?[/quote]
Last week. Roberto Hernandez wanted 39, and Feliciano gave it to him.
[quote comment=”5043″]*****UNRELATED COMMENT ALERT *****
Was watching the Mets/Padres yesterday when I noted
1. A Charles Kerfeld sighting! the last greater bespectacled pitcher. (tell me he wasn’t the basis for the Vaughn character in major league.)
2. Did Pedro Feliciano change his number from 39 to 25 this week?[/quote]
Yes he did – he cut a deal with Roberto Hernandez. Hernandez wore 39 last year, but wore 49 when he came back (and that just throws too many Armando Benitez memories back at this Mets fan!) I don’t know what the deal was, but Roberto is back to 39 – which is less than his age by the way!
The Everett AquaSox usually only wear that uniform for one game, but the team went on a tear and ended up wearing it for almost a week, even taking it on the road to the Tri-Cities for two games.
It’s a take-off of the Seattle Mariners’ 70’s night. (The Sox are the short season A club of the M’s)
These are tamer versions of the jerseys worn by the Frogs. The first few years was a red/white/blue tye-dye with the frog logo on the right chest.
[quote comment=”5043″]*****UNRELATED COMMENT ALERT *****
Was watching the Mets/Padres yesterday when I noted
1. A Charles Kerfeld sighting! the last greater bespectacled pitcher. (tell me he wasn’t the basis for the Vaughn character in major league.)
2. Did Pedro Feliciano change his number from 39 to 25 this week?[/quote]
He obliged Roberto Hernandez’s request for 39 (which he had worn in 2005 for the Mets). What a guy.
Paul,
Any chance that your check has been taped to Pedro’s locker at Shea hence why it’s not be cashed? Unless of course, Pedro is saving the $$ to pay off his paperboy at month end…….
The is a great book available called “The Grand Minor League” that has a ton of great old PCL photos. Paul, I’ll be sending you a copy shortly in case you don’t have it already. I just have to get it out of storage.
What a great collection of old uniforms from Rain Check, I have to agree with the Mallards Minor League throwbacks, authentic and classy.
Pedro, come on, cash the check already!
I love the WBS Baby Pens unis. Classic 1972 Pittsburgh Penguins unis with a minor league feel. Hands down the best part of the jersey is the neck tie.
Next we need the jerseys to go back to being a woven sweater.
The Penguins need to go back to the baby blue and navy as a 3rd jersey via 1972
:::::SIDE NOTE:::::
USA Hockey Under-20 team practice and tryouts two goalies wore the same number.
link
Read the caption
How can such an ugly man (Shinjo) be so dang popular? The choclate sprinkles mustache especially.
Are the Mets one of the teams that let the pitcher choose the jersey? Do they choose the cap and socks too. I think Pedro’s high socks would look better blue with the blue cap.
Hate the black!
[quote comment=”5053″]I love the WBS Baby Pens unis. Classic 1972 Pittsburgh Penguins unis with a minor league feel. Hands down the best part of the jersey is the neck tie.
Next we need the jerseys to go back to being a woven sweater.
The Penguins need to go back to the baby blue and navy as a 3rd jersey via 1972[/quote]
I like the Baby Pens uni too – so funny that the AHL has some great logos, and then some really strange ones – I still don’t like two teams in the league as Admirals (personal note – my high school hockey team was F.D. Roosevelt HS in Hyde Park, NY – and we were the “Presidents” – how bad is THAT? – and our main rival was the Arlington Admirals, so maybe I’m a biased opinion), but I love the Manitoba Moose, though I have an original Minnesota Moose hat before they moved.
Late in last night’s Colts-Rams preseason game, Buck and Aikman began babbling about the new NFL referee uniforms. Comments included they looked “European – like a rugby shirt” and “slimming.”
I love the WBS Baby Pens unis. Classic 1972 Pittsburgh Penguins unis with a minor league feel. Hands down the best part of the jersey is the neck tie.
Next we need the jerseys to go back to being a woven sweater.
The Penguins need to go back to the baby blue and navy as a 3rd jersey via 1972.
Holia- No truer words ever spoken… absoultely awesome.
if only an NHL uniform designer from today would open a bookor look at a trading card from the late 60’s and early 70’s to prevent the Ducks and Sabres catastrophes of recent weeks.
Syl Apps Jr., Greg Polis and Jean Pronovost…where are you?
Okay, skull caps on MLB players. Paul? What’s up?
Preston Wilson modeling the latest from New Era…
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link
T.
looks like rudy carpenter is already pencilling himself in for some post season, all star bowl games after his senior year, in 2008. historically players have traded helmet decals with one another at these bowls and haphazardly wallpaper their helmets with them. any insight on the history behind this practice?
[quote comment=”5046″][quote comment=”5043″]*****UNRELATED COMMENT ALERT *****
Was watching the Mets/Padres yesterday when I noted
1. A Charles Kerfeld sighting! the last greater bespectacled pitcher. (tell me he wasn’t the basis for the Vaughn character in major league.)
2. Did Pedro Feliciano change his number from 39 to 25 this week?[/quote]
Yes he did – he cut a deal with Roberto Hernandez. Hernandez wore 39 last year, but wore 49 when he came back (and that just throws too many Armando Benitez memories back at this Mets fan!) I don’t know what the deal was, but Roberto is back to 39 – which is less than his age by the way![/quote]
What are the odds that it wasn’t the Rolex that Abreu had to pry 53 from Bowa’s sweaty hands?
what an amazing column today, Paul! those minor league unis are sweet. the Mallard throwback is true greatness. really good stuff today. my (old style minor league) hat is off to Uni Watch today!
Did his dad play?
That “truly astonishing program design” from 1968 may not be original. If you look closely, right smack-dab in the top-center is John Olerud’s name.
Hope the baby Pens are planning on wearing those pants like his is in the photo+
link
completely unrelated note…im here at work surfing through chris creamer’s site…and the blue jays had some really sweet uniformats back in the day…especially their road gray’s
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I was watching the Colts-Rams game last night and saw that the Colts were wearing solid blue socks. Didn’t they change them to striped along with the facemask to grey two years ago? Are they switching back to no striped socks? Sorry, no pics.
On post #24 I meant to say ARE NOT wearing those pants… I stress… ARE NOT wearing them!
[quote comment=”5053″]I love the WBS Baby Pens unis. Classic 1972 Pittsburgh Penguins unis with a minor league feel. Hands down the best part of the jersey is the neck tie.
Next we need the jerseys to go back to being a woven sweater.
The Penguins need to go back to the baby blue and navy as a 3rd jersey via 1972[/quote]
What will happen with some players though is that they will leave it untied and have the two dangling strings there.
We had jerseys that had those in high school and I left mine untied. Something about having a cute little bow thing on the front of my jersey didn’t seem to work.
The jerseys with those strings do look awesome though.
Regarding adidas “introducing” an authenticity tag on the Real Madrid kits: Nike has put a hologram on official link and link kits for years.
From taking link and making link to taking link and making the link, I think the only things you see adidas introducing lately are new ways to apply their three stripes.
Actually that’s a pretty good outing for Witasick.
sorry, mucked up my links:
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link
link
link
Regarding a newborn John Olerud on the 1968 program: This link notes that John Olerud, Sr., (father of the major leaguer) played for the Pacific Coast champion Seattle Angels in 1966.
Todd McFarlane has always had ideas that are just too weird looking to me. Their is a differnce between “cool” and “tripping on acid while I drew it”. Those Oilers jerseys are garish! I mean, not only does it make little sense, how the heck did he decide silver was one of their team colors? And would you people please stop hating on the Mets using black. It’s not like the blue no longer exists and black is their new color. It is an accent color that I think makes the unis look sharp. If every uni was “old school” and “throwback” it would look boring.
I was looking at Chris Creamer’s site after reading one of the comments above and I came across link. This is suposedly a proposed helmet design for the last time the ‘Fins updated their colors/uniforms in 1997. As a proud ‘Fins fan, let’s just say I’m relieved.
Slight correction…Witasick and Duchscherer – A’s, not Blue Jays. And yeah, that’s a good outing for Witasick unfortunately.
I had not ready it anywhere, but yes, the Colts were wearing solid blue socks last night rather than the striped ones from the past two years. I think the stripes look better.
Also, the Colts have a Dexter Reid and a Darrell Reid…both players have their full name on the back of their jerseys.
I was driving home yesterday when I glance out my side window. Next to me was a UPS truck, nothing odd about that, but I saw a bit of logo creep as the driver had on brown socks with the UPS logo on them.
[quote comment=”5074″]And would you people please stop hating on the Mets using black. It’s not like the blue no longer exists and black is their new color. It is an accent color that I think makes the unis look sharp.[/quote]
I agree. And it’s not like they’re just throwing in some random trendy color.
From the link:
[quote]HOME UNIFORM
Jersey:
Design Description: Original design combines aspects of the uniforms of the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants. White button-down jersey with royal blue pinstripes (pinstripes based on the Yankees), with “Mets” in script across front on an upward slant (layout style based on that of the Dodgers). “Mets” script is royal blue (taken from the Dodgers) outlined in orange (taken from the Giants). Royal blue undersweater. [/quote]
Since the Giants’ colors are black and orange, the black actually has historical significance.
The thing I really don’t get is why so many Mets fans are in love with the pintsriped unis. A) They’re flat-out ugly. B) They’re based on the Yankees pinstripes.
[quote comment=”5078″]I was driving home yesterday when I glance out my side window. Next to me was a UPS truck, nothing odd about that, but I saw a bit of logo creep as the driver had on brown socks with the UPS logo on them.[/quote]
I don’t think that really qualifies as true logo creep.
Now if they were brown socks with, say, a gold Under Armour logo, then we’d be talking logo creep.
[quote comment=”5060″]looks like rudy carpenter is already pencilling himself in for some post season, all star bowl games after his senior year, in 2008. historically players have traded helmet decals with one another at these bowls and haphazardly wallpaper their helmets with them. any insight on the history behind this practice?[/quote]
I think players in the Blue-Gray game do this every year. I’m looking for pictures to back this up, but no luck so far.
[quote comment=”5075″]I was looking at Chris Creamer’s site after reading one of the comments above and I came across link. This is suposedly a proposed helmet design for the last time the ‘Fins updated their colors/uniforms in 1997. As a proud ‘Fins fan, let’s just say I’m relieved.[/quote]
I love the helmet
When your hockey jerseys have the bow ties, the best way to do it is to knot the middle of the tie on the outside of the top hole. This will allow you to rock the untied look and still keep your sweater tight. (looking and feeling)
Unless the Browns’ Ryan and Ross Tucker plan to wear the same *number* I see no reason for them to have their full names on the back of their jerseys. I think that looks terrible, and isn’t the point of the number to differentiate between players?
I ordered two books from a Martinez on half.com. Imagine my surprise when I received the books that they were from Pedro Martinez in, yes, New York. That’s why he hasn’t cashed Paul’s check–he’s selling off his library to pay his fine!
P.S. I love the Mallards’ unis. The red socks are so classy, I forgive the lack of stripes. As for the Seattle program design, love that even more as it’s so creative. I can’t imagine someone coming up with something like that today–it probably wouldn’t test well.
As much as I love traditional and classic looks, I am just as much for new exciting quality stuff. I have to say that link is freakin’ fantastic! But maybe not enough white…
This is the final product of the design that Todd McFarlane was talking about in the video Paul linked: link
Nope, no stripes on the link.
Also, it’s kinda cool to see NFL tough guys link and link manning up and wearing tights. Personally, I’ve never understood the idea of wearing such big shorts for football or basketball, two sports where you need your legs to move freely! At least link understand.
Lastly, guys it’s unnecessary to preface your comments by saying “not related” or something to that effect. If it’s about uniforms or the look of a player in any way, it’s related.
[quote comment=”5088″]If you go to this link, you’ll see a fantastic video of Oilers co-owner Todd McFarlane explaining how he helped design the team’s alternate jersey (great find by Chris Dralla).[/quote]
How is this video “a great find” since it was featured in link Page 2 article from Wednesday?
My brother and I attended a W-B/S Pens game this past season and it is quite disconcerting to see that many different jerseys, all for the same team, being worn at a game. I think just about every one of them from their website was represented by the fans, plus Pgh Pens jerseys and Rimouski Oceanic jerseys for Crosby.
JTH said:
The thing I really don’t get is why so many Mets fans are in love with the pintsriped unis. A) They’re flat-out ugly. B) They’re based on the Yankees pinstripes.[/quote]
The black was never part of the original uniforms because the Mets took the Blue from the Dodgers and Orange from the Giants. The black was ditched from the beginning and should have stayed that way.
JTH said:
[quote]The thing I really don’t get is why so many Mets fans are in love with the pintsriped unis. A) They’re flat-out ugly. B) They’re based on the Yankees pinstripes.[/quote]
The Mets uniforms are hideous. Shea Stadium is as ugly a stadium as can possibly be built. The whole thing is a disaster.
That’s right John, it’s a mess, an ugly, loud mess. You’re either a Yankee fan or plain ol’ jealous brother. It’s an ugly place with a hot team right now get over it!
If no one’s mentioned it, the guy in the Pilots uni is none other than jim Bouton.
link
That Miami helmet looks like it should be on the side of a citrus produce box. What next, a Chiquita banana fruit helmet?
The Milwaukee Admirals must have come close to rebellion over this jersey
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Plaid, like Gramdma’s apron…
[quote comment=”5084″][quote comment=”5075″]I was looking at Chris Creamer’s site after reading one of the comments above and I came across link. This is suposedly a proposed helmet design for the last time the ‘Fins updated their colors/uniforms in 1997. As a proud ‘Fins fan, let’s just say I’m relieved.[/quote]
I love the helmet
When your hockey jerseys have the bow ties, the best way to do it is to knot the middle of the tie on the outside of the top hole. This will allow you to rock the untied look and still keep your sweater tight. (looking and feeling)[/quote]
That’s what most of us did. It was a pain the get the knot out when I had to wash just the string once, but it looked cooler, and fit a lot nicer.
I think there are a few NHL teams that could go with this style and it would look real nice.
[quote comment=”5094″]That’s right John, it’s a mess, an ugly, loud mess. You’re either a Yankee fan or plain ol’ jealous brother. It’s an ugly place with a hot team right now get over it![/quote]
The Mets are a good team. I never claimed otherwise.
On that 1968 program – is that a “Mike Hunt” joke there, on the lower right? The names are right next to each other, but different colors, which would imply that they’re parts of other names – but there aren’t any other names around them that they would be connected to.
you guys can argue on whether or not its a sport, but i totally dig the faux lumberjack uni travis pastrana wore when he pulled off the double
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personally, i think it takes SOME athletic talent to have the strength to control yourself and your bike for 2 backflips.
Sport or not, that’s ballsy. Most people wouldn’t even want to get on the bike, let alone go that fast, go off that big of a jump, and do 2 back flips.
You have to love the frog in the first logo for the Quebec logo. Almost as good as the swingin’ kitty.
[quote comment=”5103″]You have to love the frog in the first logo for the Quebec logo. Almost as good as the swingin’ kitty.[/quote]
Speaking of swingin’ kitties (and going back to yesterday’s minor league logos discussion) I’m a big fan of the link (Northern League).
I love that i-beam bat.
Gosh there’s a lot of crappy logo and uniform work out there these days. Minor league critters and major league misses…
The last time I saw a logo and said boy that is sharp in the Nationas almost three years ago.
Is there a moritorium against good sports design or something?
T.
Browns new retro unis look good, the gray facemasks and the slightly darker shade of brown ( seal brown) jerseys and the black shoes. The helmets are still a neon orange though, they should have gone back to the burnt orange helmets that they used to wear.
[quote comment=”5105″]Gosh there’s a lot of crappy logo and uniform work out there these days. Minor league critters and major league misses…
The last time I saw a logo and said boy that is sharp in the Nationas almost three years ago.
Is there a moritorium against good sports design or something?
T.[/quote]
Tom, we get it. If it wasn’t designed by you, it should be ridiculed.
Those Aquasox jerseys remind me of the Nets’ tie dye unis from the early 90’s…I think they only had them for one year…
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[quote comment=”5107″]Tom, we get it. If it wasn’t designed by you, it should be ridiculed.[/quote]
That is precisely the kind of personal invective I do NOT want on this site, people. Like I’ve said before: If you have something nasty to say to someone, email it to them privately, or else just take the high road and ignore them. There is NO place for personal attacks on each other in the comments section — got it? Good.
Anyone else read the recent article in ESPN the Magazine by Jim Caple about Ichiro linking his batting average increase due to his move from pajama style pants to old school showing of the socks? Yes, Ichiro argues that it is easier to move around with the pants pulled high. It is in the July 31, 2006 issue on page 137.
It is a shame. I was watching the first regional game of the LLWS and none of the kids had high socks.
Great throwbacks in the Mets/Nats game, except the catchers always ruin the look by wearing ugly equipment. The Nats catcher was wearing GOLD equipment with the classy old Grays pinstripes, watch for the highlights on Sportscenter if you didn’t see the game!
[quote comment=”5111″]Anyone else read the recent article in ESPN the Magazine by Jim Caple about Ichiro linking his batting average increase due to his move from pajama style pants to old school showing of the socks? Yes, Ichiro argues that it is easier to move around with the pants pulled high. It is in the July 31, 2006 issue on page 137.[/quote]
I don’t read ESPN the mag that often, but I had no idea that there were 137(or more) pages, if so, why in the world isn’t UniWatch a regular? or is it? If not, it should!
That Seattle Pilot is Mr. Ball Four; Jim Bouton
Roy Oswalt has always had a black underbill…..the only time he didn’t last season was in the World Series.
[quote comment=”5100″]On that 1968 program – is that a “Mike Hunt” joke there, on the lower right? The names are right next to each other, but different colors, which would imply that they’re parts of other names – but there aren’t any other names around them that they would be connected to.[/quote]
How long did it take you to see that? I really need to know if it just jumped out to you, or if you were looking at the names and happened across it.
It’s 3:49 in the morning and I’m on this website. Please. Someone. Tell me why. I’m 22, it’s a Friday night, and I haven’t worn a sports uniform for six years.
[quote comment=”5097″]The Milwaukee Admirals must have come close to rebellion over this jersey
link
Plaid, like Gramdma’s apron…[/quote]
Those unis are a one time deal that they wore and then auctioned.
Bob Uecker did a series of commercials for the Admirals in which he tried to show how good he’d be on the team. One of the things he showed them were these unis. Basically, they’re a little bit of nostalgia/a throwback to those commericials.
But saying they’re coming from Uecker should be explanation enough.
About the Uecker jerseys from Wikipedia:
Uecker appeared in a series of commercials for the Milwaukee Admirals in the mid-1990s, including one in which he re-designed the team’s uniforms to feature a garish plaid reminiscent of the loud sportcoats synonymous with Uecker in the 1970s and 1980s. In February 2006, the Admirals commemorated those commercials with a special event in which the players wore the plaid jerseys during a game. The jerseys were then auctioned off to benefit charity.
__
And also, an explanation from Admirals History:
1993 also saw the beginning of the funniest ad campaign ever to hit the airwaves of Milwaukee. Bob Uecker walked into Lloyd Pettit’s “office” at the Bradley Center and told him he was going to help out an old broadcasting buddy in publicizing the Admirals. (Lloyd’s response was, “Do I know you?”). The whole Uecker ad campaign, including Uecker “helping” to sharpen skates, driving the Zamboni, going with the team on a road trip (via the team’s luggage), and dreaming of playing with the Admirals, was probably one of the most amusing (if not most successful) ad campaigns in the IHL.
The ads played out a little like the Lite beer commercials, but no, Ueck hasn’t been forced to sit in the “front rooow” nosebleed seats of the Bradley Center in these ads. Actually, it went one worse – a few of the ads had him in the catwalks high above the Admirals’ goal (dropping papers on an unsuspecting Admirals goalie). In another ad, he takes control of the Jumbotron scoreboard and the Milwaukee Admirals Victory, the team “blimp” that drops prizes on fans as it flies around the BC during intermissions. The sight of the blimp chasing around a referee makes the whole commercial. Ten years after the commercials began airing, the Admirals auctioned off the “plaid” uniforms that were featured in one of the commercials (playing on Ueck’s trademark plaid sportcoats – which even he no longer wears).
According to yesterday’s USA Today, Blue Jays reliever Jay Witasick “forgot his shoes before [Wednesday’s] game, forcing him to wear teammate Justin Duchscherer’s cleats — which were a size too small, causing his feet to go numb.†Witasick allowed two hits, two runs, and two walks in his one inning of numb-footed (and numb-skulled) work.
Witasick and Duchschere play for the Oakland A’s not the Toronto Blue Jays.
Regarding the Ross Tucker/Ryan Tucker issue –
Ross Tucker’s jersey will probably read “Ro. Tucker”, while Ryan Tucker’s will read “Ry. Tucker”
The only time I can remember anyone with their full names across the back of a uniform was, well, the Browns, when Andra and Andre Davis played together two years ago.