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Uni Watch

Everybody’s Got A Trademark

By
Moore spats color CU

By Phil Hecken (with a big assist from Ricko)

There are certain things certain athletes always do (or did) — or almost always do (or did) — in the way they wore their uniforms, or the way they dressed for their sport. In some cases, they were the first to do what they did. In others, it was just them, and their way.

Beyond that, there isn’t much need for introduction, so here we go. We’ve numbered the athletes, and included a picture of their ‘trademark.’ The hint and the picture will hopefully lead you to guess at the star. Keep track, and the answers will be at the end. Good luck!

1. He spatted his shoes (as if didn’t look quick enough?).

2. He cut off his sleeves, super short, showing those guns.

3. He was the first to wear white cleats in pro football (well, Fred Williamson of the Raiders wore ”˜em, too, in ”˜64).

4. Wore knee pads (or were they huge elbow pads?) around his shins.

5. One of the first to have his pants tapered, and pull his stirrups up high.

6. Before George Scott and John Olerud, he wore his batting helmet playing defense.

7. First to wear a batting glove during regular season (a golf glove, actually).

8. The first great big man wore some great big knee pads.

9. Cut those sleeves off super short (Tommy McDonald did earlier, though).

10. White tape on baseball cleats, football-style, inspired by his facemask, evidently.

11. That one wristband, way up high. And he did rise above things.

12. In the 60’s, was totally color-coordinated, even his spikes.

13. Oh, them golden slippers.

14. Combined two pair of stirrups, leading the way to the high-stirrup era.

15. Short pants and stickum-covered socks. Stickum-covered everything, actually.

16. A houndstooth hat while prowling and growling the sidelines.

17. Just how much pine tar can one helmet handle, anyway?

18. This was the Afro of Afros, or probably the most remembered.

19. Oh, that’s just a doo-rag being”¦

20. Now, this mustache was a real “Schwinner”. Or did he sing barbershop on the side?

21. Somehow, he seemed bjorn to wear this headband.

22. “Well, sometimes it really hurts when the center snaps that pigskin.”

23. “Afterward, let’s, like, hang out at the beach and dig for, like, clams or something.”

24. Appropriately for the classic imagery of his “plus-fours”, at his funeral the bagpiper disappeared into the early morning mist.

25. Before his big NBA contract, he couldn’t afford new socks.

26. Two words: Sunday. Red.

27. Always hit the links in all-black or black & white.

28. Playing with her, you should never be so stupid as to ask, “You’re pink, right?

29. He liked white trim: kneehighs, wristbands and a drawstring on the fly…so to speak.

30. Old lady Voorhees’ kid musta been a fan of the guy who marked the stitches he woulda had.

So, how did you do? Some of them were, admittedly, quite tough, others were easy. Here’s the answers, by picture:

Answer 1.
Answer 2.
Answer 3.
Answer 4.
Answer 5.
Answer 6.
Answer 7.
Answer 8.
Answer 9.
Answer 10.
Answer 11.
Answer 12.
Answer 13.
Answer 14.
Answer 15.
Answer 16.
Answer 17.
Answer 18.
Answer 19.
Answer 20.
Answer 21.
Answer 22.
Answer 23.
Answer 24.
Answer 25.
Answer 26.
Answer 27.
Answer 28.
Answer 29.
Answer 30.

And now a quick word from Paul: Anyone out there ever submit an unsolicited uniform or logo proposal to a team? If so, did you ever hear back from the team’s front office (even if only via a “No thanks” form letter), or did you get no response at all? If you’ve any sort of experience of this nature, I want to hear from you. Thanks.

 
  
 
Comments (74)

    It’s amazing how many I got right.

    I think it’s time I watch a movie, or maybe something that won’t lead to this obsessive behavior.

    I remembered almost all of these players, and can barely remember my high school math class. WTF?

    Where was Barry and his battle armor?
    Slick Watts and his headband?
    Mel Hall and his butt full of batting gloves waving at the pitcher?

    OK, I got 19 — or 20 if you’ll accept “Mister Mittens” as my answer to #22 since I could not remember David Carr’s name for the life of me. And I would have had another one if I hadn’t totally blanked out on Dick/Richie Allen, too.

    Is there an answer key for the answer key? After looking at it, I still have no clue who #12 & #27 are.

    [quote comment=”314020″]This list has been left wanting by forgetting hockey’s #1 signature uni trademark:

    link link link, link.[/quote]

    Oh, lord, we knew of plenty of others. But just stopped cuz thought 30 was enough.

    —Ricko

    Nice job, Ricko and Phil. It’s great that both of you know so much sports history (not that I’m implying that, like, you’re really old). But, could you provide some names for those of us who don’t know everybody? I don’t remember watching any sports prior to the 1997 season (I was 7), so I don’t know much about the old-timers, outside of the really well known players, and the few that I’ve picked up on from reading this blog. Thanks!

    [quote comment=”314023″]Nice job, Ricko and Phil. It’s great that both of you know so much sports history (not that I’m implying that, like, you’re really old). But, could you provide some names for those of us who don’t know everybody? I don’t remember watching any sports prior to the 1997 season (I was 7), so I don’t know much about the old-timers, outside of the really well known players, and the few that I’ve picked up on from reading this blog. Thanks![/quote]

    well…we wuz hopin’ to provide some discussion, but i guess we failed there, so if there are any names you’d like, post the numbers…out of curiosity, how many did you guess correctly? :)

    A Sunday Uniquiz! Nice job, guys. I smell a new tradition.

    I got 21 of the 30. I missed #3 (I was sure it was Namath but the stripes looked blue, not green on my monitor (excuses, excuses)…#s 5,7,11 (that was one that had me kicking myself for not knowing),12,13,18,23,29 (looked at the “answer and I STILL don’t know who that Laker is (I’m NBA challenged).
    Some were easy enough to know without looking at the ‘hint’. That picture of the Hawk reminded me of what a great look he had with the Indians. Love that 1969 vest uni. Too bad he is such a hack broadcaster.

    I think you’re all going to like this
    BU Men’s hockey coach Jack Parker won his 800th game two weeks ago in North Andover, MA at Merrimack College (3rd coach to ever reach that number).
    Friday was his first game back home since doing that, so BU held a ceremony for him before our game with UMass-Lowell.
    For some reason, they gave him a jersey with “800” as the number

    here’s the proof

    And the best part was that the whole time Parkr didn’t smile at all and he rushed off the ice when the pictures were done being taken. He’s never much for honoring himself, he just wanted to play the game (and maybe he realized how dumb the gift looked)

    28 out of 30. Must admit, got many as much from Phil’s clues as the photo. Missed Mr. Miken and I still can’t figure #12. Would have said Gary Player but he’s 27, right? Maybe it’s 27 out of 30.

    [quote comment=”314030″]28 out of 30. Must admit, got many as much from Phil’s clues as the photo. Missed Mr. Miken and I still can’t figure #12. Would have said Gary Player but he’s 27, right? Maybe it’s 27 out of 30.[/quote]

    nice job larry…credit rick with most of the clues, and he came up with athlete #12…i knew him from watching the golf channel (old tourney clips and such), but can’t remember ever seeing him play…

    i’ll have rick post the answers around 8:00 pm eastern-ish…just in case there are a few more people who wanna play along

    [quote comment=”314021″]Is there an answer key for the answer key? After looking at it, I still have no clue who #12 & #27 are.[/quote]

    #27 is link.

    [quote comment=”314018″]It’s amazing how many I got right.

    I think it’s time I watch a movie, or maybe something that won’t lead to this obsessive behavior.

    I remembered almost all of these players, and can barely remember my high school math class. WTF?[/quote]

    That is precisely the first thing I thought of. Except my answer was, “math and french.”

    [quote comment=”314032″][quote comment=”314021″]Is there an answer key for the answer key? After looking at it, I still have no clue who #12 & #27 are.[/quote]

    #27 is link.[/quote]

    For extra credit, is that Arnie in the background?

    [quote comment=”314034″][quote comment=”314032″][quote comment=”314021″]Is there an answer key for the answer key? After looking at it, I still have no clue who #12 & #27 are.[/quote]

    #27 is link.[/quote]

    For extra credit, is that Arnie in the background?[/quote]

    Certainly appears to be.

    [quote comment=”314024″][quote comment=”314023″]Nice job, Ricko and Phil. It’s great that both of you know so much sports history (not that I’m implying that, like, you’re really old). But, could you provide some names for those of us who don’t know everybody? I don’t remember watching any sports prior to the 1997 season (I was 7), so I don’t know much about the old-timers, outside of the really well known players, and the few that I’ve picked up on from reading this blog. Thanks![/quote]

    well…we wuz hopin’ to provide some discussion, but i guess we failed there, so if there are any names you’d like, post the numbers…out of curiosity, how many did you guess correctly? :)[/quote]

    Oh, I wasn’t really counting. Seven or eight, plus a few more that I have a pretty good guess, but I’m not sure of. Like I said, I don’t even know the name of a few of the players featured.

    [quote comment=”314025″]A Sunday Uniquiz! Nice job, guys. I smell a new tradition.

    I got 21 of the 30. I missed #3 (I was sure it was Namath but the stripes looked blue, not green on my monitor (excuses, excuses)…#s 5,7,11 (that was one that had me kicking myself for not knowing),12,13,18,23,29 (looked at the “answer and I STILL don’t know who that Laker is (I’m NBA challenged).
    Some were easy enough to know without looking at the ‘hint’. That picture of the Hawk reminded me of what a great look he had with the Indians. Love that 1969 vest uni. Too bad he is such a hack broadcaster.[/quote]

    If you look closely at #7 you can see that he also was one of the first who had two pair of stirrups sewn together…ala Frank Robinson.

    Interesting that the photo of Randy Johnson shows him wearing one of the grey underbill caps (100% wool)not the current New Era black underbill

    Great work today, Guys. I think I got about 15-20 correct.

    I’m about to listen to the Pro Bowl on the radio and see if not being blinded by the unis might enhance the experience.

    I was playing with the jersey customizeront the online NHL shop and I noticed that some of the third jerseys have the Reebok wordmark on them and some have the vector logo. I only saw this is the customizable youth jerseys and i have no idea if that logo is on the actual jersey when you order it.

    Vector logo:
    link
    link

    Reebok Wordmark:
    link
    link
    link

    [quote comment=”314037″]

    If you look closely at #7 you can see that he also was one of the first who had two pair of stirrups sewn together…ala Frank Robinson.[/quote]

    Yeah, Ricko, I think that’s right. hard to see but there looks like there is a seam above the ankle. jeez, I love that uni. Best thing about those 50s/60s vest jerseys are that the shoulder ‘straps’ are thinner than those ones the new ones.

    I know I got 13 right, but have no clue who the others are, even after looking. I made up guesses, but don’t even know if they are right.

    Pro Bowl uniforms aren’t great, but I always like that they player’s real team logo is on the shoulders.

    [quote comment=”314044″]I know I got 13 right, but have no clue who the others are, even after looking. I made up guesses, but don’t even know if they are right.

    Pro Bowl uniforms aren’t great, but I always like that they player’s real team logo is on the shoulders.[/quote]

    Oh, man, the NFC unis are just…stupid.
    And the AFC’s aren’t much better.

    only 6 outta 30. I guess I’ve gotta step my game up big time

    Hi, we’re the Little Boy Blue Boys.
    Seriously, those are embarassing.
    Hardly the way a major league should outfit its best.
    Does Roger G. have a fourth-grade daughter who designed these?

    I got 22 out of 30, and my wife is appalled. So am I–how could I have forgotten Oscar Gamble? (I saw \”Afro,\” thought of Darnell Hillman, and got stuck.)

    On another note – only indirectly related to uniforms, but still part of \”athletic aesthetics,\” broadly defined – something that\’s always sort of intrigued me is the extent to which team names are appropriate to their cities/states. For example, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Orioles: excellent; Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers: not so much. I\’d be interested in hearing other nominees.

    [quote comment=”314048″]I got 22 out of 30, and my wife is appalled. So am I–how could I have forgotten Oscar Gamble? (I saw \”Afro,\” thought of Darnell Hillman, and got stuck.)

    On another note – only indirectly related to uniforms, but still part of \”athletic aesthetics,\” broadly defined – something that\’s always sort of intrigued me is the extent to which team names are appropriate to their cities/states. For example, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Orioles: excellent; Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers: not so much. I\’d be interested in hearing other nominees.[/quote]
    all the more reason that i think that teams should have to establish a new identity when they move from one city to another

    [quote comment=”314049″][quote comment=”314048″]I got 22 out of 30, and my wife is appalled. So am I–how could I have forgotten Oscar Gamble? (I saw \”Afro,\” thought of Darnell Hillman, and got stuck.)

    On another note – only indirectly related to uniforms, but still part of \”athletic aesthetics,\” broadly defined – something that\’s always sort of intrigued me is the extent to which team names are appropriate to their cities/states. For example, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Orioles: excellent; Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers: not so much. I\’d be interested in hearing other nominees.[/quote]
    all the more reason that i think that teams should have to establish a new identity when they move from one city to another[/quote]

    Yup. Imagine how dumb “Los Angeles Vikings” would be. Gotta give Tennessee credit for not trying to make “Oilers” work.

    Although not as dumb as Lakers or Jazz, the Arizona Cardinals and Memphis Grizzlies make less sense now than they did in their original homes. Of course there aren’t really any Tigers or Lions native to Detroit are there?

    [quote comment=”314051″]Although not as dumb as Lakers or Jazz, the Arizona Cardinals and Memphis Grizzlies make less sense now than they did in their original homes. Of course there aren’t really any Tigers or Lions native to Detroit are there?[/quote]

    Well, animal mascots don’t necessarily need to have geographic relevance. But socio/cultural names rather do. So keeping Lakers or Jazz was a little goofy. Although I can see keeping Lakers, just because there was some serious NBA history attached to that name. But the Jazz hadn’t exactly lit up the NBA in New Orleans, and the name is anathema to Utah, for pete’s sake. And I’m pretty sure the Vikings never sailed anywhere near Southern California in their travels, so that definitely would be off base, too. I mean, even “Stars” would be better than Vikings.

    [quote comment=”314050″] Yup. Imagine how dumb “Los Angeles Vikings” would be. Gotta give Tennessee credit for not trying to make “Oilers” work.[/quote]

    Except they DID try to make it work, for two seasons (1997 and 1998). Pretty stupid.

    [quote comment=”314052″][quote comment=”314051″]Although not as dumb as Lakers or Jazz, the Arizona Cardinals and Memphis Grizzlies make less sense now than they did in their original homes. Of course there aren’t really any Tigers or Lions native to Detroit are there?[/quote]

    Well, animal mascots don’t necessarily need to have geographic relevance. But socio/cultural names rather do. So keeping Lakers or Jazz was a little goofy. Although I can see keeping Lakers, just because there was some serious NBA history attached to that name. But the Jazz hadn’t exactly lit up the NBA in New Orleans, and the name is anathema to Utah, for pete’s sake. And I’m pretty sure the Vikings never sailed anywhere near Southern California in their travels, so that definitely would be off base, too. I mean, even “Stars” would be better than Vikings.[/quote]

    Agreed about animal names, Ricko – though you gotta give the O’s extra credit. Actually, as a native San Franciscan (hence my fondness for the Niners), I always thought “San Francisco Giants” was kind of stupid. “Giants” made sense in New York, but in San Francisco??? I understand they wanted to keep the continuity of Mathewson/McGraw/Hubbell/Ott/etc., but I’ve always thought they should have changed to “San Francisco Seals,” which had its own glorious tradition. (Feel the same about L.A./Brooklyn Dodgers, by the way.)

    Two team moves where keeping the name made sense are the Pistons moving from Ft. Wayne and the (North) Stars moving to Dallas.

    I’m thinking “Flint Tropics” though.

    [quote comment=”314055″]Two team moves where keeping the name made sense are the Pistons moving from Ft. Wayne and the (North) Stars moving to Dallas.

    I’m thinking “Flint Tropics” though.[/quote]

    There were rumors at the time that Dallas was going to take the name “Lone Stars” I wish they had.

    Milwaukee Brewers is a natural (mmm… beer!), and Pittsburgh Steelers is good too – though I’ve always wondered why they didn’t have, you know, steel gray or blue as one of their colors.

    While I’m at it, I’ve never been much of a fan of singular names (Minnesota Wild, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic), either. And teams should never try to cash in on popular movies (Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Raptors).

    i’m probably the only one here watching the pro bowl but noticed a couple things.

    1. steve smith is wearing a green dot. any reason why a wr would wear one?

    2. the vikings seem to be the only team wearing their secondary logo on their shoulder. it looks like all the other players are wearing their helmet logo there.

    TA-DAAA!!!!

    A few minutes early, but here are the Names to go with Numbers that go with the Clues & Closeups…

    1. Lennie Moore
    2. Ted Kluszewski
    3. Joe Namath
    4. Wilt Chamberlain
    5. Willie Mays
    6. Richie/Dick Allen
    7. Ken “Hawk” Harrelson
    8. George Mikan
    9. Don Maynard
    10. Dave “The Cobra” Parker
    11. Michael Jordan
    12. Doug Sanders
    13. L.C. Greenwood
    14. Frank Robinson
    15. Fred Biletnikoff
    16. Paul “Bear” Bryant
    17. Vladimir Guerrero
    18. Oscar Gamble
    19. Manny Ramirez
    20. Rollie Fingers
    21. Bjorn Borg
    22. David Carr
    23. Rafael Nadal
    24. Payne Stewart
    25. “Pistol” Pete Maravich
    26. Tiger Woods
    27. Gary Player
    28. Paula Creamer
    29. Michael Cooper
    30. Gerry Cheevers

    —Ricko

    I did ok on those. I did not keep track of how many. Seems like the older references the better I do. Why is it that remembering sports facts,names or numbers from your kid years. Sticks with you longer than say 3 years ago?

    [quote comment=”314058″]Milwaukee Brewers is a natural (mmm… beer!), and Pittsburgh Steelers is good too – though I’ve always wondered why they didn’t have, you know, steel gray or blue as one of their colors.

    While I’m at it, I’ve never been much of a fan of singular names (Minnesota Wild, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic), either. And teams should never try to cash in on popular movies (Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Raptors).[/quote]
    Ducks were owned by Disney though, so at least they had a reason.

    Notice that the Borg headband is worn inside out. I’ll bet it had a logo or color scheme(like Fila) that he no longer endorsed.

    In 2010 Olympic Hockey Qualifying, Germany’s jerseys had the Nike/Bauer logo on the back, as well as having the names below the numbers.: link|1&axs=0|84690545%2c84690476%2c84690464%2c84690427%2c84690376%2c84690290%2c84690068%2c84690051%2c84690019%2c84690011%2c84668753%2c84668747%2c84668745%2c84668741%2c84668738%2c84668735%2c84668733%2c84668731%2c84668729%2c84668726%2c84668724%2c84668721%2c84668719%2c84657870%2c84657739%2c84657459%2c84657435%2c84657376%2c84657371%2c84657299%2c84657281%2c84657260%2c84657145%2c84657137%2c84656652%2c84656627%2c84656611%2c84656594%2c84577048%2c84557953%2c84557826%2c84557712%2c84557708%2c84557417%2c84557401%2c84557373%2c84557366%2c84557345%2c84557336%2c84557326%2c84557319%2c84557303%2c84557271%2c84557262%2c84557259%2c84557250%2c84557236%2c84557230%2c84244167%2c84244123|0

    [quote comment=”314039″]Interesting that the photo of Randy Johnson shows him wearing one of the grey underbill caps (100% wool)not the current New Era black underbill[/quote]

    Thats because it is a photoshop of him in the uniform…at least when the Diamondbacks photoshopped the same picture they changed the underbill to be correct/current

    link

    I seem to recall Big Daddy Lipscomb when he was on the Steelers wore his jersey untucked. I do not know if he was the only guy who did that or how long he did.Did Art Donovan do the same? I do not know when the NFL made it a rule to tuck jerseys in.

    you guys did a great jobg with the quiz, just outstanding, and while i am sure you could have gone for days, it was the perfect #. btw, i got 24, and i am happy with that, but i missed lenny more, how does a baltimore native miss lenny moore?

    I must amend my score. 27 of 30. Even after looking at the full photo, I thought Paula Creamer was Annika Sorenstam.

    Doug Sanders, eh?

    [quote]Even after looking at the full photo, I thought Paula Creamer was Annika Sorenstam.[/quote]

    you need to look harder ;)

    /doug sanders…sharp dresser, underrated golfer

    [quote comment=”314073″]I must amend my score. 27 of 30. Even after looking at the full photo, I thought Paula Creamer was Annika Sorenstam.

    Doug Sanders, eh?[/quote]

    Apparently, he was Sergio before Sergio was Sergio (no, he didn’t spit in the cup). link

    [quote comment=”314070″]searching for something else, i stumbled across this link…note the ROYAL blue of their (chargers) unis, and note the “america’s best city” badge (or whatever the designation was) they had until 1963 is gone for 64[/quote]

    Love those old AFL pictures and uniforms. Other than old football cards has there been any of the New York Titans in color?

    And not to change topics but with me being new here, I have been going through the archives. But mostly the stories and ticker. Not all of the comments. That may take a long time. Last night I found the most exciting pictures I have seen. Those 1930’s color pcitures found by Tom Farley and I did enjoy the comments from that day. I have seen color films of games from the 1930’s and 1940’s. Mostly late 1930’s color film. But pictures of games wow.The Cardinals vs Packers and Marquette vs Wisconsin and the high school team.

    Great site and some very impressive guys here. It is a blast to see the things opthers have found and shared.

    After reading the real answers, I can bump my score up to 14, from 13. My most obscure correct one was Dave Parker, who I like from his Reds days.

    The Florida teams all have relevant team names. Lone exception could be the Jaguars.

    not an action shot, but i found this color titans uni worn in ’61…

    according to the website:

    [quote]In the third game of the 1961 season versus the Boston Patriots, Titans fullback Bill Mathis broke his collarbone and this jersey was cut and removed from his body as he was helped off the field. Despite the injury, Mathis went on to play all 14 games that season – a testament to the toughness exhibited by the players of the American Football League. He led the AFL that year with 202 attempts, was second in rushing yards with 846 and second in touchdowns with seven.[/quote]

    [quote comment=\”314058\”]Milwaukee Brewers is a natural (mmm… beer!), and Pittsburgh Steelers is good too – though I\’ve always wondered why they didn\’t have, you know, steel gray or blue as one of their colors.

    While I\’m at it, I\’ve never been much of a fan of singular names (Minnesota Wild, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic), either. And teams should never try to cash in on popular movies (Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Raptors).[/quote]

    The Steelers do have blue in their logo. It\’s one of the hypocycloids.

    Very detailed historical account of Philadelphia Flyers uniforms link Until I read this, I forgot they wore 3 different jersey patches in 1991-92. There’s also a link Both of those links are from link, which also has extensive team stats from every season.

    It’s Pink Time again in college basketball.

    Pretty good way to start…
    Tulane junior guard Indira Kaljo – who lost her mother to breast cancer in 2001 – nailed a game-winning three-pointer with one second left for a 72-69 win, one of her six threes on the day:

    link

    I might be a day late but, a couple things first off I was fortunate to be able to watch most of the series. I also do not have the sports package but I am getting MLBTV at the moment thankfully. Secondly did anyone see that I believe it was Cristhian Presichi of Mexico was wearing these link as batting gloves. It wasn’t that style, but it was black gloves with “Mechanix” writtin on them.

    [quote comment=”314061″]I did ok on those. I did not keep track of how many. Seems like the older references the better I do. Why is it that remembering sports facts,names or numbers from your kid years. Sticks with you longer than say 3 years ago?[/quote]

    I missed a few, including some of the newer ones. I think the reason for this memory thing is that we all have more “room” to store things when our lives are younger and simpler. An example: I was 10 when the first Super Bowl was played. I can still name all 43 of them, but the ones that take the longest are the most recent….

    [quote comment=”314089″][quote comment=”314061″]I did ok on those. I did not keep track of how many. Seems like the older references the better I do. Why is it that remembering sports facts,names or numbers from your kid years. Sticks with you longer than say 3 years ago?[/quote]

    I missed a few, including some of the newer ones. I think the reason for this memory thing is that we all have more “room” to store things when our lives are younger and simpler. An example: I was 10 when the first Super Bowl was played. I can still name all 43 of them, but the ones that take the longest are the most recent….[/quote]

    Interesting theory. I was thinking along those lines when I can remember most of the Pirates starting lineups in the early 1960s when I was a kid.

    [quote comment=”314082″][quote comment=\”314058\”]Milwaukee Brewers is a natural (mmm… beer!), and Pittsburgh Steelers is good too – though I\’ve always wondered why they didn\’t have, you know, steel gray or blue as one of their colors.

    While I\’m at it, I\’ve never been much of a fan of singular names (Minnesota Wild, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic), either. And teams should never try to cash in on popular movies (Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Raptors).[/quote]

    The Steelers do have blue in their logo. It\’s one of the hypocycloids.[/quote]
    As for gray, take a look at the link.

    [quote comment=”314092″][quote comment=”314082″]The Steelers do have blue in their logo. It\’s one of the hypocycloids.[/quote]
    As for gray, take a look at the link.[/quote]

    Yeah, I know. But c’mon: neither one of those really counts as one of their colors.

    [quote comment=”314054″][quote comment=”314052″][quote comment=”314051″]Although not as dumb as Lakers or Jazz, the Arizona Cardinals and Memphis Grizzlies make less sense now than they did in their original homes. Of course there aren’t really any Tigers or Lions native to Detroit are there?[/quote]

    Well, animal mascots don’t necessarily need to have geographic relevance. But socio/cultural names rather do. So keeping Lakers or Jazz was a little goofy. Although I can see keeping Lakers, just because there was some serious NBA history attached to that name. But the Jazz hadn’t exactly lit up the NBA in New Orleans, and the name is anathema to Utah, for pete’s sake. And I’m pretty sure the Vikings never sailed anywhere near Southern California in their travels, so that definitely would be off base, too. I mean, even “Stars” would be better than Vikings.[/quote]

    Agreed about animal names, Ricko – though you gotta give the O’s extra credit. Actually, as a native San Franciscan (hence my fondness for the Niners), I always thought “San Francisco Giants” was kind of stupid. “Giants” made sense in New York, but in San Francisco???[/quote]

    Ever been to link? ;)

    Like you, Paul, the recipient of my letter was the Green Bay Packers. Some years ago I wrote to the equipment manager who has been with the team forever and is something of a “legend.” (Perhaps I should have gone to the GM.) I suggested a more contemporary shade a green. I cannot help thinking of mustard and relish when I look at the current uniform which has been tweaked but not changed significantly for 50 years. I suggested getting rid of the stripes on the sleeves and placing them instead on the elastic sleeve band. Add blue to both the neckline and sleeve band as this was an original team color. Deepen the yellow into a bolder gold. Place a team logo (50th year throwback design) on the sleeves like the Vikings. Outline the numbers rather than having plain white. Place “Packers” on the neckline and complement the jersey and pant colors with similar colors for the helmet. No, I did not hear anything back.
    Thanks for the article today on design.
    Take care, Tom
    (One of these days I’ll have to make it out to your area — from Wisconsin — and take in one of the parties. Also need some Uni-Watch apparel!!)

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