I got an e-mail the other day from someone informing me of an error in the the Uni Watch Glossary. He said I needed to change the entry for “Pupello Pouch” (which refers to the strap-on hand-warmer pouches worn by NFL players) because the proper term is actually “Pupello Pocket.” And he was in a good position to know, because the guy e-mailing me was the hand-warmer’s inventor, Frank Pupello himself.
As many of you know, Frank devised the pocket during his lengthy stint as the Buccaneers’ equipment manager. But it turns out he also came up with several other innovations I hadn’t been aware of. We discussed all that and more in the following interview, which is lengthy but worth checking out in its entirety — trust me.
Uni Watch: Let’s start with some basics about you. When did you work for the Buccaneers?
Frank Pupello: I was there at the very beginning, in 1976, and I stayed for 21 years. At one point I even started working on a book called 21 Stinkin’ Years. You can take that any way you want.
UW: Had you previously worked for any other NFL team, or in any other sport?
FP: I never worked for another NFL team. But before I was with the Bucs, I was with the University of Tampa. And before that, Jesuit High School, which is in Tampa. I attended high school there, and I tried out for the football team when I was a freshman, but I hurt my knee. So I said to the coach, “I’d like to be with the team, but I can’t play.” And he said, “Well, why don’t you go in the back and see if they need any help.” And as the old saying goes, I’ve been in the back ever since.
UW: So you got your start in the equipment biz while you were still a teen-ager in high school!
FP: Right. And when I was a senior, one day I saw a coach from the University of Tampa — there’s no more football there now, but there was back then. So their coach was watching our practice, and I figured he was taking a look at one of our players. So I went into the equipment room to get something, and he followed me in. Turned out he was there to talk to me. He said, “You want to come to the University of Tampa and do this over there?”
UW: So he recruited you as an equipment manager?!
FP: Yeah. Amazing. So I went over there and did that for two years. But when the Bucs announced they were coming in, the university decided to drop football. So in 1975 I went back to my high school and coached there for a year — I was the assistant defensive backs coach — and meanwhile I was sending résumés to the Bucs, trying to get in there. Eventually their main equipment guy, Pat Marcuccillo, hired me as his assistant.
UW: When did you take over for him?
FP: In 1982. Pat had a little trouble with the front office, and Coach McKay had enough confidence in me to give me the job, instead of bringing in another equipment guy.
UW: And what do you do nowadays?
FP: Since 2000 I’ve been working for Bank of America in Jacksonville.
UW: Wow, that’s a very different world than the NFL. What do you do for them?
FP: Right now, believe it or not, I’m working risk closure. So when someone messes up and screws up something on their account and we have to close it, I’m the guy who closes the account and tells them that we’re doing it.
UW: So you deal with all the fun people.
FP: Yeah, I deal with a lot of people who are very irate.
UW: When you left the Bucs, why didn’t you stay in the sports world?
FP: I had some connections with the Devil Rays, and I was supposed to be a shoo-in for the clubhouse job there. And I stupidly trusted some people who said they’d take care of me, and then that didn’t work out. By that point I was kind of disillusioned with sports. And any other sports job I could have taken probably would have meant moving away from Florida. Plus it was kinda nice to finally have my weekends to myself, be able to watch NASCAR and stuff like that, ’cause I’m a big NASCAR fan. So it was nice to be able to live like a normal person for a change. My wife likes it better this way, too.
UW: Okay, now let’s talk about your signature invention, starting with its name. Is it the Pupello Pouch, or the Pupello Pocket?
FP: It’s the Pupello Pocket.
UW: I’ve often heard “pouch.” Do people often get that wrong?
FP: Sometimes. But the name I came up with, and the name it was marketed under when we were selling it, was the Pupello Pocket. And then the logo on the pocket said “Pupello Design,” which is the company I put together to sell them. We don’t sell ’em anymore, because I can’t get anyone to make ’em.
UW: How and when did you invent it?
FP: When I was working with the Bucs, we always had problems in cold-weather situations. And Coach McKay came to us one day and said, “From now on, I want us to be prepared when we’re playing in cold weather. This bullcrap where we go out there and freeze our asses off, we’re not gonna do that anymore. Frank, I’m puttin’ you in charge of researching this and finding out what we need.”
Now, this was before the days of the NFL making deals with everyone and their mother for equipment. Back then you did everything yourself, you made your own deals, you bought your own jerseys, the whole bit. So I called around, talking to long-underwear companies, ski gear companies, places like that.
UW: When was this?
FP: 1980, more or less. ’79, ’80, ’81 — somewhere in there. So at some point I stumbled upon this company called Zinkwazi — I don’t think they’re even in business anymore. They made some really nice long underwear. We got to talkin’, and I said we needed some head liners, which were sort like hoods. So they did those for us, and they were made out of polypropylene. Real nice. And they were asking what else I needed, and I got to thinking about the quarterbacks. Because when you’re playing a cold-weather game, you’d see quarterbacks like Joe Namath”¦
UW: They’d have the pockets sewn into the jersey, like a sweatshirt.
FP: Exactly. And I didn’t want to do that. Because we’d been in games where it starts out warm and then it gets cold during the game, so what do you do then? So I thought that if we had something removable, like a muff, that would work. But it had to be geared for football. I wanted nylon on the outside and polypropylene on the inside. I wanted it cuffed, to keep it warm. It had to lay flat. It couldn’t absorb water. And I said, “I don’t want a buckle on it, because I don’t want a player to be tackled by it. I want Velcro, so if a defender grabs it, he’ll end up holding the pocket instead of making the tackle.” And that actually happened one time, where the defensive player ended up with a handful of Pupello Pocket, and our player scored a touchdown.
So I sat down and kinda sketched out what I wanted, and they made me a prototype. And it kind of evolved — I’d say, “Make a little longer, try this, try that,” and they’d keep revising it. A later version had a little pocket on the inside where you could put one of those hot packs. So then we started taking them with us, and people would call: “Where’d you get that, where can I get one,” blah-blah-blah. And of course, some people stole the idea.
UW: You mean other teams?
FP: No, I mean other companies. We tried to get a patent on it, but we couldn’t get the patent because it was too close to a ski muff.
UW: Now, these early ones that Zinkwazi was making for you, did they have your name on them?
FP: No. In fact, they had Zinkwazi’s name on them. After a while they went out of business, so I found someone who’d make them for me in Tampa. We made them on a small scale, but I did sell some to the Eagles, to the Vikings”¦
UW: So you were willing to share the idea.
FP: Sure. And besides, once teams saw it, they wanted it. And if they couldn’t get it from me, they’d just get a knock-off from some other company. That’s what you see the players wearing now — knock-offs. But they’re not as good as the original one I designed. They’re too heavy, they don’t lay flat, they have buckles instead of Velcro. I’ve seen players tackled by them.
UW: I confess that until you sent me the photos where the “Pupello Design” logo is visible, I didn’t realize it was a branded product. I thought the term “Pupello Pocket” was more of a slang term that covered all hand-warmer pouches.
FP: Nope. It was actually in Zinkwazi’s catalog as the Pupello Pocket.
UW: When was that?
FP: Probably around ’82, ’83.
UW: So just a year or two after you came up with the idea.
FP: Yeah, exactly. And then Zinkwazi went out of business, but I still had a demand for them. Plus, the players kept stealing the damn things! The players and coaches would steal ’em for golf. Hunters loved it, too. One of our players, Scot Brantley, I ended up making him a few in camo for hunting. So I tried every way I could think of to market these things — I tried marketing them to Titleist, companies like that. But it didn’t work out, and by that time the knock-offs were being made in China, so those were cheaper.
UW: Did you ever have any discussions with the NFL, either in terms of striking a deal with them or in terms of them coming to you and saying you couldn’t use unauthorized equipment or anything like that?
FP: I approached them at one point, and they said I’d have to buy a license. So they got real, uh”¦
UW: Corporate.
FP: Yeah, corporate, that’s a good word. Not the first word I would have used.
UW: But they never tried to make you stop using the pocket.
FP: No. Even after they licensed someone to make knock-offs with the team logos, they didn’t make us use those — we were still able to use mine. A lot of times, you know, we were able to do stuff because we were overlooked.
UW: You could fly under the radar.
FP: We didn’t even have radar. Nobody cared about us. So got away with a lot of stuff.
UW: Like what?
FP: Well, some players had shoe contracts, but they didn’t like the shoes they were contracted to wear. So we’d tape up the shoes, and then I’d draw the shoe on the tape.
UW: You mean you’d draw the swoosh, or whatever?
FP: I mean I’d draw the laces, the holes, everything. Tony Davis had a big contract with Nike — this was before Nike was any good — so he wore Adidas, and we painted ’em to look like Nike.
UW: What about the rest of the uniform? Did you pull any maneuvers there?
FP: After I took over in 1982, I started making the helmet logo bigger, a little bit at a time. Nobody ever noticed. I’d make it a quarter-inch bigger, an eighth-inch bigger. I’d call up the decal company and have them make it bigger.
UW: What was your feeling about Bucco Bruce? Some fans love him, some hate him.
FP: I always liked him. But you know, we never called him that — that was just the media’s term.
UW: What did you call him?
FP: We called the logos “Morgans,” after Morgan the Pirate. So in the old days, we wouldn’t put the logos on the helmets in training camp until the week before the first game, so they wouldn’t get messed up. I’d do the kickers first, then the quarterbacks, the receivers, and then on the very last day I’d do the linemen, because otherwise they’d get all beat up during practice. So as that week went along, it’d be like a little surprise each day to see who got their Morgans on their helmets, and everyone’d be saying, “Hey, are the Morgans in yet?” and “Alright, got my Morgans today!” and all that. There was even a little newspaper item about it one time. But then the league got more commercial and wouldn’t even let you practice without the helmet logos, so that kind of ruined that little ritual I had.
UW: Were you there for the first season of the pewter?
FP: No. When the orange and white left, I left. When they came in with that puke-er color, I left.
UW: So were you happy to see the orange and white throwbacks last season?
FP: Well, it would’ve been nice if I had been invited, or had some input, or maybe got to put the decals on the helmets. Up until that time, I was at every orange and white game the team ever played, and I put the decals on the helmets for every orange and white game ever played. So I kind of broke my streak, which I didn’t like. And they did make a few mistakes, which I could have helped them with.
UW: All throwbacks tend to have some errors. Overall, though, it looked good to see the design back on the field?
FP: I guess. We didn’t get the game up here in Jacksonville. Afterward, I got e-mails from some of the players saying, “Where were you?” And I said, “Nobody told me about it. Nobody invited me.” But that’s the NFL — it stands for no freakin’ loyalty.
UW: Anything else to add regarding the Pupello Pocket?
FP: Well, I wish I could’ve made money on it. Just like the clear facemask, I wish I could’ve made money on that too.
UW: Wait, you invented the clear facemask?
FP: Yes, I did.
UW: Wait a minute, there were clear Lucite masks way back in the 1950s.
FP: Yes, there were Lucite bars. But not the shield, the clear eye shield.
UW: Oh, the visor! You invented that?
FP: Yes. Sports Illustrated even credited it to me. The first one I did was in 1974, for a University of Tampa player who got poked in the eye. I went to a motorcycle shop and got a yellow visor, because we were playing at night, and I rigged it up on his helmet and it worked out pretty good.
UW: Was it positioned pretty much like the visors we see on the field nowadays?
FP: Yes, exactly. Then a couple of years later, when I was with the Bucs, Lee Roy Selmon got poked in the eye, so I came up with two things: First, I came up with a facemask that had two bars by the eye. Now, there was a mask before that, a receiver’s mask that had two bars by the eyes, and that was called the New York Giants Special. But I took it and made it longer, and Schutt called it the Tampa Bay Special. [Here it is being worn by Harvey Martin, who’s posing with the proud designer. — PL]
UW: So you worked with Schutt to design that?
FP: Yes. I also worked with them to design the “shark cage” mask for Doug Williams when he broke his jaw. In fact, there’s a photo of me holding that helmet at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Now, about the visor shield, there is some controversy about whether we were first or whether it was the Vikings.
UW: Yeah, I always thought it was the Vikings myself.
FP: The issue is, I did it for Lee Roy Selmon, but he never wore it in a game. He only wore it in practice. The next time I did it was for Hugh Green in 1984 — he got hurt in a car accident. He wore it in a game, but the debate is who was on the field first — him or the Viking player. It was very close.
UW: But either way, you came up with the innovation prior to that.
FP: Yes, the Selmon shield was a few years earlier. Also, if you have the NFL’s 75 Seasons book, look on page 273 — they credit me with the shield there too.
UW: What’s the story behind the solid-orange uniforms that you were supposedly going to wear for Sam Wyche’s last game?
FP: The fans had voted on it. The team had a food drive — you were supposed to bring in a canned food item, and they had two barrels set up to receive the food. One barrel had a picture of a uniform with an orange jersey and orange pants, and one had and orange jersey with white pants. So the fans voted by where they deposited the food. And the orange-on-orange won in a landslide. So for that game, we sent the players out for pregame in their white pants, and then we were gonna have ’em change to the orange when they came back after pregame. Then we’d come out in solid orange and blow everyone’s mind. I had the orange pants all laid out in the lockers and everything. And some of the players were all excited about it. But Hardy Nickerson said [affecting bad-ass African American accent], “I ain’t gonna play this game if I gotta wear orange pants with my orange jersey. I don’t like it.” And Coach gave in. So one guy vetoed the whole thing. It was bullcrap. We could’ve been the first ones to wear the solid-color uniforms, which of course everyone does now.
UW: What about the uniform numbers on the white jerseys in 1976 — weren’t they, like, famously hard to read?
FP: Yes. Our white jerseys had orange numerals outlined in red, but the orange was too light — there wasn’t enough contrast, and it didn’t show up right, especially on films. We had to fix it for the following year. So Ron Wolfe [better known as the Packers’ GM, but he was Tampa’s VP of operations in the mid-’70s — PL] decided to have an in-house contest. He invited everyone in the organization to submit ideas for how to solve the problem with the uniform numbers, and then they’d judge which was the best.
So a bunch of people brought in their ideas — secretaries, trainers, all different people. Some of them mocked it up on posterboard, some people made up actual jerseys with heat-transfer numbers or whatever. And there were some really weird things, man — orange number outlined in black, outlined in brown, solid dark-orange numbers. And me. My idea was to reverse the colors.
UW: So instead of orange numbers outlined in red, it would be red numbers outlined in orange.
FP: Correct. But how were they gonna judge the winner? Ron gave me all the entries and said, “Go to the back fence” — which was two football fields away — “and stick ’em up on the fence” So I went over there with some clothespins, stuck ’em on the fence. And when I came back, the only one you could make out and read clearly was mine. So I won. And that’s what we wore the next season. [Frank’s idea to change the number colors was later mentioned in the team’s 1992 program, when the Bucs made their next round of uni changes. — PL]
UW: What did you win?
FP: I think he gave me 50 bucks and a cigar. And I don’t smoke.
UW: Any other changes you were responsible for?
FP: Well, we did change the socks. If you look at the early photos, there were stripes on the socks, to match the sleeves. And a different set of striped socks for the orange jersey. So after the first year, Pat and I sat down and said, “Y’know, we gotta keep changin’ the socks every week, this is a big piece o’ shit. This is too much like work.” And he said, “So what should we do?” And I said, “I dunno, why don’t we just go with orange-topped socks and the hell with it.” And he said, “Good idea — do it.” It was just too much work switchin’ socks back and forth, man. Plus some of the players were tall and some were short, so the stripes never lined up the same way. It looked like crap, man. Looked like a damn seismograph or something. That was no good. So we went with the solid top.
UW: There’s one other thing I wanted to ask you about: You guys had one of the more unusual uniform memorials when you had that “Mr. C” sleeve script for Hugh Culverhouse in 1993.
FP: We had it on the back of the helmet, too.
UW: Really? I didn’t realize that [and have been unable to find a photo of it — PL]. I was always intrigued by it on the sleeve — a very different approach from the usual black armband or initials. Who’s idea was that?
FP: I’m not sure. Maybe Coach McKay. I can’t remember exactly who it was. I do know that my Dad did the script for it, though. He was a graphic artist. He actually did it for the decal on the back of the helmet, and then we sent that to the people who did the jerseys and had them put it on the sleeve.
Actually, you know whose idea it might’ve been? It might’ve been Mr. C’s daughter, Gay Culverhouse. She might’ve been the one who came up with it. Anyway, everyone called him Mr. C. Everyone. He was a good man. I tell you what, I miss him. A good guy. We thought about putting his initials on there but we thought nobody would know what it was for. “Mr. C” just seemed to fit him. He wasn’t a champagne kinda guy. He was more of a “Let’s have a beer” guy. Mr. C.
Phew! Lengthy but worth it, as I’m sure you’ll agree. Frank says he also has videos of some old TV interviews he did back in the day and plans to upload them to YouTube, so here’s hoping he gets around to that soon.
“Capitalist Tool,” indeed: Hey, all you budding journalists out there: Forbes magazine is inviting you to write for them. Just one catch: You’ll be working for free. But hey, it’s worth it for the “exposure,” right? And if your career somehow doesn’t take off as a result, then you’ll have more time left over to paint Tom Sawyer’s fence, so it’s a win-win!
Technical Difficulties: Due to a computer crash last night, I lost a bunch of today’s Ticker material. I was able to reconstruct most of it, but I might have missed a few things, so if you sent in something good yesterday and don’t see it listed below, feel free to re-send it today.
Uni Watch News Ticker: New throwbacks for the Bears, and if you can work up the energy to give a shit then you’re way ahead of me. Let’s face it, any Bears throwback that doesn’t revive this or this is a waste of everyone’s time. ”¦ It’s official: The Mets now lead the league in young players with absolute beaks for noses. ”¦ Matthew Robins reports that the Mariners have printed up seven different pocket schedules this season, including four in foreign languages! ”¦ Southern Miss baseball is wearing a jersey patch to mark the school’s 100th anniversary (with thanks to Jonathon Binet). ”¦ Also from Jonathon: Many players in Auburn’s recent A-Day game were wearing the old SEC 75th-anniversary patch, last seen in 2007. ”¦ Best broken bat photo ever? It’s certainly in the running. ”¦ If you watch this video clip, you’ll see Johnny Damon was wearing white spikes the other night. This wasn’t an all-42s game, so what gives? (As noted by Joe Saputo). ”¦ Did you know Heath Bell wears special Marines-style cleats when the Padres wear camo? I didn’t, until Pat Finley pointed me toward this story. Couldn’t find a photo, though. ”¦ It would be great if a Uni Watch reader snapped up this old NFL comforter and this Vikings bobble (both spotted by Brinke Guthrie). ”¦ New retina-searing alt kit for the Seattle Sounders. ”¦ Here’s something I’d never seen before: Babe Ruth in catcher’s gear! That photo ran the other day with this story (big thanks to Dan Cichalski, who treated me to lunch yesterday at the always-wonderful Rutt’s Hut in New Jersey). ”¦ The creator of Minnie and Paul — the two guys shaking hands across the river in the Twins’ logo — has passed away. … Everyone can breathe easy: Joe Maddon can wear his hoodie after all. ”¦ Statistical oddity: Mike Pelfrey leads the Mets in wins and saves. ”¦ Two good US Presswire finds by Doug Summers: First, check out the weird facemask being worn by Ray Brown in this 1977 shot (kinda reminds me of those inflatable jobbies). And dig Alfred Jenkins wearing Pumadidas! ”¦ When did the Jets wear this helmet? I don’t recall it at all (good spot by Aaron Bell). ”¦ Great Questions of Our Time No. 327 (as posed by Mike Colvin): Exactly why was Mike Laga shown wearing a pink jersey in the 1987 Topps set? Like, did they think the shitty airbrushing job on the cap would distract us from the jersey? ”¦ “Zach FitzGerald of the Albany River Rats has a capital G in the middle of his surname,” says Teebz. “The problem is that the River Rats use an NOB style that doesn’t show off this peculiarity. Back when he was with the Manitoba Moose, however, he was able to express himself properly. I’ve never seen another ‘FitzGerald’ like that on a hockey jersey. Do you know of any other athletes that had capital letters in the middle of their surnames?” William VanLandingham comes to mind. Anyone else? ”¦ Speaking of NOBs, for well over a decade, the Cardinals have styled their McNOBs as all-uppercase with a space. But Kyle McClellan has a superscript “c” — never seen the Cards use that style before (good spot by David Lee). ”¦ Other Cardinals-centric observations from David: Matt Holliday shredded his batting gloves last Thursday; Brendan Ryan has had a swoosh on his sleeve; and someone showed up at Busch with some interesting headgear. ”¦ Hey, remember Gary Hogeboom? He was probably never as interesting as he was in that photo, what with the 25th-anniversary patch and the hip-borne uni number (thanks, Phil). ”¦ Here’s the ball that will be used for the World Cup Finals (with thanks to Jeremy Brahm). ”¦ Contribution of the day, or maybe the year, courtesy of Chad Todd: If all rain delays were a fraction as entertaining as this one, the world would be a far, far better place. Kudos to both teams, and to the video crew that documented the proceedings and produced the clip. Bravo.
Jets wore that helmet I believe in 94 during the 75th anniversary. I am sure we’ve talked about this on here before…they also wore against the Pats that year…
I’m pretty sure the Jets wore that helmet during the 1994 throwback year. I think they were too lazy to get new helmets so they put the old logo on the current helmet.
When did the Jets wear this helmet? I don’t recall it at all.
nfl’s 75th season…some very poor attempts to replicate “throwbacks” back then…including the bills who like the jets, slapped the a different logo on their (then) current helmet
(as jth said last night) *NOTE TO SELF: always hit F5 before posting
From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals
Didn’t the Bills do the same thing that year? I remember them wearing red helmets with a white buffalo.
[quote comment=”386730″]When did the Jets wear link? I don’t recall it at all.
nfl’s link…some very poor attempts to replicate “throwbacks” back then…including the link who like the jets, slapped the a different logo on their (then) current helmet[/quote]
[quote comment=”386733″]Didn’t the Bills do the same thing that year? I remember them wearing red helmets with a white buffalo.[/quote]
Just saw you post that already, thanks.
Sad thing about that picture of Babe Ruth is that is was taken at the St. Mary’s industrial school for boys, which became Cardinal Gibbons, Which is closing due to money issues. Tons of great sports tradition there including a gym floor that was recently dedicated to a deceased father and educator that is going dark at the end of this year.
[quote comment=”386730″]When did the Jets wear link? I don’t recall it at all.
nfl’s link…some very poor attempts to replicate “throwbacks” back then…including the link who like the jets, slapped the a different logo on their (then) current helmet[/quote]
Actually, the picture vs the Bengals is from 1993. Notice the lack of any stripes on the helmet. The 1994 version had a double white stripe on it.
[quote comment=”386729″]I’m pretty sure the Jets wore that helmet during the 1994 throwback year. I think they were too lazy to get new helmets so they put the old logo on the current helmet.[/quote]
Ah, yes. Shame on me for not remembering.
Paul, I saw this and thought of you….
link
[quote comment=”386732″]From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals[/quote]
that might be a university of illinois jersey…i don’t ever recall seeing pics/mocks the bears wearing that font; not saying it is, but that’s where halas got the idea for the bears colors…
paging timmy b
[quote comment=”386737″][quote comment=”386729″]I’m pretty sure the Jets wore that helmet during the 1994 throwback year. I think they were too lazy to get new helmets so they put the old logo on the current helmet.[/quote]
Ah, yes. Shame on me for not remembering.[/quote]
Wasn’t even the current helmet. Current helmet had no stripes, and they added two white ones. Their idea of a throwback was, evidently, to flip-flop the colors on the Namath-era helmets and declare it accurate.
Said it before, they ended up looking more like the ’80s Saskatchewan Roughriders than any Jets team. Ever.
Pretty lame, actually. Although it was a nice salute to Ron Lancaster, I suppose.
Mentioned over the weekend that the 49ers and Cowboys also stuck with their current helmets in ’94, which made them inaccurate as throwbacks. Was thinking there was another team that didn’t get the helmet right, too. Was the Bills, yes, thanks for the reminder. They stuck with red, and their throwback was a bit of “invention” rather than history.
—Ricko
[quote comment=”386739″][quote comment=”386732″]From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals[/quote]
that might be a university of illinois jersey…i don’t ever recall seeing pics/mocks the bears wearing that font; not saying it is, but that’s where halas got the idea for the bears colors…
paging timmy b[/quote]
Yeah, seems to me the numbers are a bit (a lot?) too thick on that Bears jersey. No problem with the font, per se, because they didn’t go to the current really rounded (and condensed) font until the early ’50s, I believe.
But, yeah, the real answers will come from TimmyB.
—Ricko
*ahem*
The Jets wore the throwback with no helmet stripes in 1993 – celebrating the 25th anniversary of their Superbowl win.
In 1994, they wore the version with white stripes.
[quote comment=”386742″]*ahem*
The Jets wore the throwback with no helmet stripes in 1993 – celebrating the 25th anniversary of their Superbowl win.
In 1994, they wore the version with white stripes.[/quote]
I find it funnier that the player is wearing “Reebok The Pump” sneakers on the turf
Before there’s some debate over the Jets helmet shown today and their 1994 throwback lids, here’s the two-stripe ’94 throwbacks (Google found it at UW from 2/2/10)
link
The green one without stripes was their standard helmet during the Boomer days.
—Ricko
[quote comment=”386744″]Before there’s some debate over the Jets helmet shown today and their 1994 throwback lids, here’s the two-stripe ’94 throwbacks (Google found it at UW from 2/2/10)
link
The green one without stripes was their standard helmet during the Boomer days.
—Ricko[/quote]
Egad! The Jeff and I are on the same side on this one.
[quote comment=”386744″]Before there’s some debate over the Jets helmet shown today and their 1994 throwback lids, here’s the two-stripe ’94 throwbacks (Google found it at UW from 2/2/10)
link
The green one without stripes was their standard helmet during the Boomer days.
—Ricko[/quote]
Oops! Forgot.
GO, ROUGHRIDERS!!!
If the Seahawks trot out a alt jersey with the Sounders “Electricity” color, can we file a class action suit for the nation wide nausea it will produce?
[quote comment=”386747″]If the Seahawks trot out a alt jersey with the Sounders “Electricity” color, can we file a class action suit for the nation wide nausea it will produce?[/quote]
Seeing how yellow isn’t a Seahawks color… yes. I don’t think it’ll look as bright in use as it does in those pictures. It’s just freakin yellow.
[quote comment=”386741″][quote comment=”386739″][quote comment=”386732″]From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals[/quote]
that might be a university of illinois jersey…i don’t ever recall seeing pics/mocks the bears wearing that font; not saying it is, but that’s where halas got the idea for the bears colors…
paging timmy b[/quote]
Yeah, seems to me the numbers are a bit (a lot?) too thick on that Bears jersey. No problem with the font, per se, because they didn’t go to the current really rounded (and condensed) font until the early ’50s, I believe.
But, yeah, the real answers will come from TimmyB.
—Ricko[/quote]
Regardless, I’m in full agreement that link needs to be the Bears’ next throwback. (Although I’d also settle for the 1930s-era orange.)
Great interview, too.
RIP Ray Barton.
He claims, according to the linked article, that he never liked the drawing, saying it wasn’t very good. And he may be right right. But it sure is one of the most endearing and enduring images in baseball, I think.
link
Regarding players with capital letters in the middle of their name, these may not count because their last names are multiple words, rather than compounded together, but James van Riemsdyk and Valerio de los Santos come to mind.
Hardy Nickerson did his hulk hogan muscle flex in the second half of a game at Chicago during his time with the Steelers when the team was losing by at least 20 points.
NFL Films cameras caught him trying to pick a fight in a pregame with Kevin Butler after he moved to Tampa Bay.
I’m not surprised in the least that douchewad ruined the “orange out”.
[quote]And dig Alfred Jenkins wearing Pumadidas![/quote]
Alfred Jenkins and his “Pumadidas” are making me sick/filling me with rage…
[quote comment=”386741″][quote comment=”386739″][quote comment=”386732″]From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals[/quote]
that might be a university of illinois jersey…i don’t ever recall seeing pics/mocks the bears wearing that font; not saying it is, but that’s where halas got the idea for the bears colors…
paging timmy b[/quote]
Yeah, seems to me the numbers are a bit (a lot?) too thick on that Bears jersey. No problem with the font, per se, because they didn’t go to the current really rounded (and condensed) font until the early ’50s, I believe.
But, yeah, the real answers will come from TimmyB.
—Ricko[/quote]
The Bears wore some pretty thick numbers in 1947 (as link will attest), at least on the front. The back numbers were a little thinner (much as the Bears’ TV numbers are thicker now).
There had been some rumors going around that the Packers and Bears were going to wear their throwbacks when they face off in prime time. Since the Bears went blue and not white, won’t happen now.
[quote comment=”386754″][quote comment=”386741″][quote comment=”386739″][quote comment=”386732″]From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals[/quote]
that might be a university of illinois jersey…i don’t ever recall seeing pics/mocks the bears wearing that font; not saying it is, but that’s where halas got the idea for the bears colors…
paging timmy b[/quote]
Yeah, seems to me the numbers are a bit (a lot?) too thick on that Bears jersey. No problem with the font, per se, because they didn’t go to the current really rounded (and condensed) font until the early ’50s, I believe.
But, yeah, the real answers will come from TimmyB.
—Ricko[/quote]
The Bears wore some pretty thick numbers in 1947 (as link will attest), at least on the front. The back numbers were a little thinner (much as the Bears’ TV numbers are thicker now).
There had been some rumors going around that the Packers and Bears were going to wear their throwbacks when they face off in prime time. Since the Bears went blue and not white, won’t happen now.[/quote]
I was actually hoping for an orange Bears throwback this year for that very reason.
Belated follow-up to Paul’s ticket stub story on ESPN. George Mason University basketball tickets had children’s crayon illustrations back in 2000:
link
[quote comment=”386754″][quote comment=”386741″][quote comment=”386739″][quote comment=”386732″]From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals[/quote]
that might be a university of illinois jersey…i don’t ever recall seeing pics/mocks the bears wearing that font; not saying it is, but that’s where halas got the idea for the bears colors…
paging timmy b[/quote]
Yeah, seems to me the numbers are a bit (a lot?) too thick on that Bears jersey. No problem with the font, per se, because they didn’t go to the current really rounded (and condensed) font until the early ’50s, I believe.
But, yeah, the real answers will come from TimmyB.
—Ricko[/quote]
The Bears wore some pretty thick numbers in 1947 (as link will attest), at least on the front. The back numbers were a little thinner (much as the Bears’ TV numbers are thicker now).
There had been some rumors going around that the Packers and Bears were going to wear their throwbacks when they face off in prime time. Since the Bears went blue and not white, won’t happen now.[/quote]
In 1948 the Bears had three “name” QB’s in training camp, veteran Sid Luckman, Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame and Bobby Layne of Texas (a rookie, I think).
They wore, respectively, 42, 32 and 22 (have a photo in one of my books somewhere).
And now you know the origin of Layne later wearing 22 with the Lions and Steelers.
—Ricko
Didn’t the Bears already DO an orange throwback?
Wore it against the Cowboys.
People keep posting photos from that game as an example of a color on color.
Now THIS is great Bears throwback…
link
—Ricko
[quote comment=”386755″][quote comment=”386754″][quote comment=”386741″][quote comment=”386739″][quote comment=”386732″]From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals[/quote]
that might be a university of illinois jersey…i don’t ever recall seeing pics/mocks the bears wearing that font; not saying it is, but that’s where halas got the idea for the bears colors…
paging timmy b[/quote]
Yeah, seems to me the numbers are a bit (a lot?) too thick on that Bears jersey. No problem with the font, per se, because they didn’t go to the current really rounded (and condensed) font until the early ’50s, I believe.
But, yeah, the real answers will come from TimmyB.
—Ricko[/quote]
The Bears wore some pretty thick numbers in 1947 (as link will attest), at least on the front. The back numbers were a little thinner (much as the Bears’ TV numbers are thicker now).
There had been some rumors going around that the Packers and Bears were going to wear their throwbacks when they face off in prime time. Since the Bears went blue and not white, won’t happen now.[/quote]
I was actually hoping for an orange Bears throwback this year for that very reason.[/quote]
I agree, and I’m not an huge fan of the orange jerseys to begin with. These throwbacks look like a half-assed attempt, whether they are accurate or not. Those ’36 whites with the stripes would be fantastic!
gonna be lots of bears stuff this weekend…just sayin
[quote comment=”386758″]Didn’t the Bears already DO an orange throwback?
Wore it against the Cowboys.
People keep posting photos from that game as an example of a color on color.
Now THIS is great Bears throwback…
link
—Ricko[/quote]
Yes, and it’d be nice to see it again against the Packers.
Awesome interview w/ Frank Pupello– he sounds like a fun, cantankerous SOB, makes me really miss my uncles!
Great Snap of the Babe when he was truly a strapping Bambino. Also, take it from a guy that makes quarterly pilgrimages, Rutts’ Hutt is the closest NJ gets to Nirvana. mmmmmmmmmmm.
Jets’ helmet was a one season ‘wonder’ worn during the 1994 campaign. check it out: link
Rod Brind’Amour has the middle-cap thing, but all of the jerseys I can find are all caps, so it doesn’t appear as such.
[quote comment=”386747″]If the Seahawks trot out a alt jersey with the Sounders “Electricity” color, can we file a class action suit for the nation wide nausea it will produce?[/quote]
Can we get the Sounders to play the University of Oregon in an exhibition match? That would be a cornucopia of color right there.
Don’t care what anyone says, this is, for it’s time…
link
…a great looking uniform. It’s just Tennessee with red added for accent and definition.
Lousy team, yes, and the uni gets saddled with that. But, take out of the 0-26 or whatever it was out of the discussion, and for a new Florida team in 1976, that’s a seriously appropriate set of threads.
—Ricko
link
No pics yet, but if anyone has them, please link!
[quote comment=”386738″]Paul, I saw this and thought of you….
link
I distinctly remember the Mets wearing blue jerseys on the road in the early and mid-1980s. But did they wear them at home too? Not counting the batting practice jerseys.
[quote comment=”386765″]Don’t care what anyone says, this is, for it’s time…
link
…a great looking uniform. It’s just Tennessee with red added for accent and definition.
Lousy team, yes, and the uni gets saddled with that. But, take out of the 0-26 or whatever it was out of the discussion, and for a new Florida team in 1976, that’s a seriously appropriate set of threads.
—Ricko[/quote]
Lousy team that made the NFC championship game in 1979 and the playoffs several times in those unis. Just like with the Pats, all the good years from that era go out the window because of a few bad years.
[quote comment=”386754″][quote comment=”386741″][quote comment=”386739″][quote comment=”386732″]From what year is that Bears’ jersey with the curly numerals[/quote]
that might be a university of illinois jersey…i don’t ever recall seeing pics/mocks the bears wearing that font; not saying it is, but that’s where halas got the idea for the bears colors…
paging timmy b[/quote]
Yeah, seems to me the numbers are a bit (a lot?) too thick on that Bears jersey. No problem with the font, per se, because they didn’t go to the current really rounded (and condensed) font until the early ’50s, I believe.
But, yeah, the real answers will come from TimmyB.
—Ricko[/quote]
The Bears wore some pretty thick numbers in 1947 (as link will attest), at least on the front. The back numbers were a little thinner (much as the Bears’ TV numbers are thicker now).
There had been some rumors going around that the Packers and Bears were going to wear their throwbacks when they face off in prime time. Since the Bears went blue and not white, won’t happen now.[/quote]
I would die to own that Sid Luckman gamer!
[quote comment=”386768″][quote comment=”386765″]Don’t care what anyone says, this is, for it’s time…
link
…a great looking uniform. It’s just Tennessee with red added for accent and definition.
Lousy team, yes, and the uni gets saddled with that. But, take out of the 0-26 or whatever it was out of the discussion, and for a new Florida team in 1976, that’s a seriously appropriate set of threads.
—Ricko[/quote]
Lousy team that made the NFC championship game in 1979 and the playoffs several times in those unis. Just like with the Pats, all the good years from that era go out the window because of a few bad years.[/quote]
‘Tis true. There’s also the issue of that uni getting a bad rap. When Doug Williams hit his stride, the Bucs were good football team.
Another point here, too, made very clearly.
Team colors and uni designs are not always, and shouldn’t be always, about the nickname. Many times they are all about geography/location.
Can anyone who knows anything about the various regions of this country NOT say this LOOKS LIKE the Florida Gulf Coast vs. Puget Sound?
link
—Ricko
Phil,
Saw your Sunday post on BFBS. Very good. But you left out the most egregious offenders: college teams that do not have black in their school colors (which, unlike with pro teams, cannot be changed so easily), especially when they already have two or three other colors. The examples include Notre Dame, Florida State, Miami, Dayton, etc. At least Tennessee once wore black football jerseys.
[quote comment=”386771″]Phil,
Saw your Sunday post on BFBS. Very good. But you left out the most egregious offenders: college teams that do not have black in their school colors (which, unlike with pro teams, cannot be changed so easily), especially when they already have two or three other colors. The examples include Notre Dame, Florida State, Miami, Dayton, etc. At least Tennessee once wore black football jerseys.[/quote]
that was just part one…
interesting interview. There is a story today on ESPN about the trouble that Pat Marcuccillo had with the front office that got him fired, giving Mr. Pupello his job.
link
[quote comment=”386768″]Lousy team that made the NFC championship game in 1979 and the playoffs several times in those unis. Just like with the Pats, all the good years from that era go out the window because of a few bad years.[/quote]
Yeah, you go 0-26 and then have 12 straight years of double-digit losses and people have the audacity to forget the three years you made the playoffs (twice getting smacked in the first round).
“A few bad years?” Are you insane?
I was there for 0-26. I was happy to see the creamsicles make a one-off return last year because there were some good times in them, and we all have a tendency to remember the fun times of our youth as we age.
But the playoff years of 1979, 1981 and 1982 were the anomalies, the blind squirrel finding an acorn. My favorite team was the worst-run, most God-awful franchise in the NFL for most of its first 20+ years of existence. I’m okay with that.
But please don’t try to tell me there were “a few bad years” in those unis. That’s insane.
There was catcher Ed FitzGerald of the Pirates and Senators in the ’50s. But that was before names went on the backs of jerseys.
[quote comment=”386776″]There was catcher Ed FitzGerald of the Pirates and Senators in the ’50s. But that was before names went on the backs of jerseys.[/quote]
thanks…thanks a lot…
i will now have gordon lightfoot running through my head the entire afternoon
[quote comment=”386766″]link
No pics yet, but if anyone has them, please link![/quote]
not a great look, but the new logo might be in this pic
link
[quote comment=”386775″][quote comment=”386768″]Lousy team that made the NFC championship game in 1979 and the playoffs several times in those unis. Just like with the Pats, all the good years from that era go out the window because of a few bad years.[/quote]
Yeah, you go 0-26 and then have 12 straight years of double-digit losses and people have the audacity to forget the three years you made the playoffs (twice getting smacked in the first round).
“A few bad years?” Are you insane?
I was there for 0-26. I was happy to see the creamsicles make a one-off return last year because there were some good times in them, and we all have a tendency to remember the fun times of our youth as we age.
But the playoff years of 1979, 1981 and 1982 were the anomalies, the blind squirrel finding an acorn. My favorite team was the worst-run, most God-awful franchise in the NFL for most of its first 20+ years of existence. I’m okay with that.
But please don’t try to tell me there were “a few bad years” in those unis. That’s insane.[/quote]
you should be ‘ok’ w/ that as there have been worse run franchises in the league.
Atlanta
New Orleans
St. Louis/Arizona
Pittsburgh
Detroit
ALl these all tasted prolonged losing for more than 20 yrs. and there’s others such as the NYGiants, Bears, et al that have been winners and had long valleys–so the Bucs’constituency is hardly alone in that regard.
I never lumped the Bucs w/ those franchises because they had a certain elan (coach mcKay??) to their losing ways. Perhaps I’m crazy, I too had a warm spot for those creamsicles that the pewter does not replicate.
Absolutely enjoyed the interview today with Frank Pupello. Loved that tidbit on the “Morgans”.
RE: Mike Pelfrey leading the Mets in wins and saves…
Last pitcher to lead his league in both wins AND saves?
.
.
.
.
Lefty Grove, 1930 A’s = 28 wins, 9 saves
-Jet
Some of my favorite vintage Pro! covers have involved the “Morgans”.
link
link
link
“…they’d have made Whitefish Bay
if they’d put fifteen more miles behind her.”
(in case any of you thought you had successfully got that out of your head)
Great profile today. Mr. Pupello sounds like a guy who gets it. If the new USFL comes back next year and they have a team in Tampa, I hope they consider him for the equipment manager’s job.
This shot of Frank with Harvey Martin link brings back memories. I couldn’t stand the Cowboys then, and I wasn’t a big Bucs fan, but when they played in Texas Stadium I always found it to be a great uni matchup.
link
Could the Arizona Cardinals be getting new uniforms tomorrow? Check out the image.
Loved Rain Day Theatre! Thanks for sharing that, Paul.
[quote comment=”386786″]Loved Rain Day Theatre! Thanks for sharing that, Paul.[/quote]
And Chad.
Fitz is a patronymic prefix like Mac or Mc. For example, Fitz Gerald would be the son of Gerald. While it’s rare we see the second capital after Fitz, it’s really similar to a name like MacManus.
[quote comment=”386729″]I’m pretty sure the Jets wore that helmet during the 1994 throwback year. I think they were too lazy to get new helmets so they put the old logo on the current helmet.[/quote]
absolutely right – drove me nuts. everyone else had new helmets, they just changed logos.
[quote comment=”386784″]Great profile today. Mr. Pupello sounds like a guy who gets it. If the new USFL comes back next year and they have a team in Tampa, I hope they consider him for the equipment manager’s job.
This shot of Frank with Harvey Martin link brings back memories. I couldn’t stand the Cowboys then, and I wasn’t a big Bucs fan, but when they played in Texas Stadium I always found it to be a great uni matchup.
link
Your post struck me as a bit odd, until I ran a search. Sure enough …
link
Big Blackhawks jersey! Field Museum in Chicago gets behind team: link
[quote comment=”386778″][quote comment=”386766″]link
No pics yet, but if anyone has them, please link![/quote]
not a great look, but the new logo might be in this pic
link
See this link:
link
[quote comment=”386789″][quote comment=”386729″]I’m pretty sure the Jets wore that helmet during the 1994 throwback year. I think they were too lazy to get new helmets so they put the old logo on the current helmet.[/quote]
absolutely right – drove me nuts. everyone else had new helmets, they just changed logos.[/quote]
Yup, as discussed. And the result was (see first photo)…
link
—Ricko
[quote comment=”386792″][quote comment=”386778″][quote comment=”386766″]link
No pics yet, but if anyone has them, please link![/quote]
not a great look, but the new logo might be in this pic
link
See this link:
link
This could be the new bobsledding uniform:
link
Great interview today.
Not sure exactly why, but I want one of link in blue and orange, even though it conjures up memories of link.
The link is the best Uni news I’ve heard in a long time.
During the last World Cup I had a very long discussion with a Brit friend of mine as he lambasted the link for being so “Hollywood.” He claimed only the US would use such a commercially stylized logo, which I had to aree with considering link, link and link.
With the redesign of the link, the link (sans logo creep, of course), and the new shield hopefully this will signal a resurgence of “classic” styling for all of Team USA.
[quote comment=”386785″]Could the Arizona Cardinals be getting new uniforms tomorrow? Check out the image.
[/quote]
what image are you talking about?
[quote comment=”386792″][quote comment=”386778″][quote comment=”386766″]link
No pics yet, but if anyone has them, please link![/quote]
not a great look, but the new logo might be in this pic
link
See this link:
link
I guess only 13 states get to participate now.
A football league sponsored by Chuck E. Cheese? Sure, that will last a long time. I think the time for all these upstart sports league and franchises as come and gone. Perhaps that’s a good thing though. It takes a lot of work and luck for a league to be successful for a sustained period of time. War arena football, war FC Gold Pride, war the NLL. I’m out
Team USA shield is the best logo news I’ve heard in a minute. Kudos to the USOC for their recent foray into the link looks. (Sans logo creep of course)
Now if US Soccer could “retro” their link a bit it could stand up to link link link link.
oops, forgot the other Team USA link look going on. Wouldn’t that look much better with the new shield logo?
Will Photoshop it if I have some time…
ouch, having some technical difficulties today…
The other link going on
[quote comment=”386798″]A football league sponsored by Chuck E. Cheese? Sure, that will last a long time. I think the time for all these upstart sports league and franchises as come and gone. Perhaps that’s a good thing though. It takes a lot of work and luck for a league to be successful for a sustained period of time. War arena football, war FC Gold Pride, war the NLL. I’m out[/quote]
Unlike 30-40 years ago, just too many teams in too many markets and too much stuff already filing air time for any new league to get a toe-hold anymore. Last league with a real chance probably was the USFL, but fate trumped them.
Or Trump fated them.
(Does pain me to think ESPN’s audience would rather watch poker than Arena Football, though. That’s just kinda…unsettling).
—Ricko
MLB Network has the Blue Jays at home in the throwback former road powder blues against the Royals in navy blue alts with gray pants. My head hurts.
[quote comment=”386798″]A football league sponsored by Chuck E. Cheese? Sure, that will last a long time. I think the time for all these upstart sports league and franchises as come and gone. Perhaps that’s a good thing though. It takes a lot of work and luck for a league to be successful for a sustained period of time. War arena football, war FC Gold Pride, war the NLL. I’m out[/quote]
If they don’t make the same mistake as the original league (changing the business plan to go up against the NFL), then they have a shot. Even if they don’t make it, I applaud them for trying.
While I watch the major sports, they’re not my only source of athletic enjoyment. There’s room for fringe leagues, Division II and III athletics, etc.. And the more corporate and complicated and out of touch the major sports become, the more I am drawn to the upstarts.
[quote comment=”386794″][quote comment=”386792″][quote comment=”386778″][quote comment=”386766″]link
No pics yet, but if anyone has them, please link![/quote]
not a great look, but the new logo might be in this pic
link
See this link:
link
This could be the new bobsledding uniform:
link
Or possibly Clark Griswold marketing his new Super Saucer?
—Ricko
[quote comment=”386790″][quote comment=”386784″]Great profile today. Mr. Pupello sounds like a guy who gets it. If the new USFL comes back next year and they have a team in Tampa, I hope they consider him for the equipment manager’s job.
This shot of Frank with Harvey Martin link brings back memories. I couldn’t stand the Cowboys then, and I wasn’t a big Bucs fan, but when they played in Texas Stadium I always found it to be a great uni matchup.
link
Your post struck me as a bit odd, until I ran a search. Sure enough …
link
Yeah, but they’ve been trying to get off the ground for years. They were originally supposed to start play right about… now.
I’ll believe it when the first ball is kicked off. Until then, not so much.
If the Sounders are ever involved in a match where theres a power failure, they’ll have no trouble finding each other if they’re wearing that kit!
Gary Hogeboom was actually a contestant on the 11th season of Survivor. He tried to hide the fact that he was an NFL quarteback.
[quote comment=”386802″]
(Does pain me to think ESPN’s audience would rather watch poker than Arena Football, though. That’s just kinda…unsettling).[/quote]
or hockey…or the UFL
but hey…if it weren’t for the wwl…i wouldn’t know what i flopped a belly buster on a rainbow board means
[quote comment=”386802″]Unlike 30-40 years ago, just too many teams in too many markets and too much stuff already filing air time for any new league to get a toe-hold anymore. Last league with a real chance probably was the USFL, but fate trumped them.
Or Trump fated them.
(Does pain me to think ESPN’s audience would rather watch poker than Arena Football, though. That’s just kinda…unsettling).[/quote]
Yeah, I don’t get that at all.
Nice, albeit painful, play on words.
One thing the new leagues have going for them is the web. OK, and cable/satellite as well. If it was just three networks as it was in times past, they wouldn’t have any chance now.
The key is how the USFL handles the NFL lockout. If they try to take advantage of it to compete directly, they’re asking for trouble. Too many people will welcome the NFL back with open arms when things are settled. If they’re content to be a niche sport, even if they’re the only game in town in 2011, then there is hope for survival.
And to bring this back to unis, whatever team gets the Breakers name better not mess with this classic look:
link
Same with the Panthers:
link
And the Blitz:
link
I love that Twins logo.
Cool tidbit from the story: Originally, both players sported “MT” on their uniforms, for the Minnesota Twins. At some point, the lettering changed to “M” and “StP” for Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Wasn’t there a wire photo of his original logo floating around somewhere?
[quote comment=”386811″]I love that Twins logo.
Cool tidbit from the story: Originally, both players sported “MT” on their uniforms, for the Minnesota Twins. At some point, the lettering changed to “M” and “StP” for Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Wasn’t there a wire photo of his original logo floating around somewhere?[/quote]
Never mind, just found it.
link
After typing that, “wire photo” was triggered in my memory, and that search struck gold.
[quote comment=”386812″][quote comment=”386811″]I love that Twins logo.
Cool tidbit from the story: Originally, both players sported “MT” on their uniforms, for the Minnesota Twins. At some point, the lettering changed to “M” and “StP” for Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Wasn’t there a wire photo of his original logo floating around somewhere?[/quote]
Never mind, just found it.
link
After typing that, “wire photo” was triggered in my memory, and that search struck gold.[/quote]
“At some point” it was changed? Yeah, like almost immediately after that version was released. That’s a photo of the artist’s watercolor comp employed for press release/newswire purposes. Can see the watercolor washes all over the place. Unless it’s on some extremely early material the club cranked out, I don’t recall ever seeing it used that way formally after that. By the time it actually was rendered in pen and ink for black and white, with color overlays created, for extensive use on any kind, the “MT’s” had been changed to “M” and “StP”.
—Ricko
[quote comment=”386803″]MLB Network has the Blue Jays at home in the throwback former road powder blues against the Royals in navy blue alts with gray pants. My head hurts.[/quote]
Good move on KC’s part. Their jerseys blend in nicely with all the empty seats. Toronto players might get confused and forget there are runners on base and forget to hold them on.
[quote comment=”386814″][quote comment=”386803″]MLB Network has the Blue Jays at home in the throwback former road powder blues against the Royals in navy blue alts with gray pants. My head hurts.[/quote]
Good move on KC’s part. Their jerseys blend in nicely with all the empty seats. Toronto players might get confused and forget there are runners on base and forget to hold them on.[/quote]
Royals have navy blue alts?
[quote comment=”386815″][quote comment=”386814″][quote comment=”386803″]MLB Network has the Blue Jays at home in the throwback former road powder blues against the Royals in navy blue alts with gray pants. My head hurts.[/quote]
Good move on KC’s part. Their jerseys blend in nicely with all the empty seats. Toronto players might get confused and forget there are runners on base and forget to hold them on.[/quote]
Royals have navy blue alts?[/quote]
No, they’re royal blue. I didn’t even notice that it said navy.
[quote comment=”386796″][quote comment=”386785″]Could the Arizona Cardinals be getting new uniforms tomorrow? Check out the image.
[/quote]
what image are you talking about?[/quote]
Sorry about that, I can’t get the link to work properly. Go to the homepage, azcardinals.com
[quote comment=”386817″][quote comment=”386796″][quote comment=”386785″]Could the Arizona Cardinals be getting new uniforms tomorrow? Check out the image.
[/quote]
what image are you talking about?[/quote]
Sorry about that, I can’t get the link to work properly. Go to the homepage, azcardinals.com[/quote]
link.
[quote comment=”386818″][quote comment=”386817″][quote comment=”386796″][quote comment=”386785″]Could the Arizona Cardinals be getting new uniforms tomorrow? Check out the image.
[/quote]
what image are you talking about?[/quote]
Sorry about that, I can’t get the link to work properly. Go to the homepage, azcardinals.com[/quote]
link.[/quote]
Thanks JTH
[quote comment=”386816″][quote comment=”386815″][quote comment=”386814″][quote comment=”386803″]MLB Network has the Blue Jays at home in the throwback former road powder blues against the Royals in navy blue alts with gray pants. My head hurts.[/quote]
Good move on KC’s part. Their jerseys blend in nicely with all the empty seats. Toronto players might get confused and forget there are runners on base and forget to hold them on.[/quote]
Royals have navy blue alts?[/quote]
No, they’re royal blue. I didn’t even notice that it said navy.[/quote]
Figured was an oops. Also figured you’d want to correct it.
[quote comment=”386819″][quote comment=”386818″][quote comment=”386817″][quote comment=”386796″][quote comment=”386785″]Could the Arizona Cardinals be getting new uniforms tomorrow? Check out the image.
[/quote]
Anyone think we’re probably looking at a black alternate? Otherwise, I feel like they might’ve used EITHER a road or a home to illustrate then and now…
what image are you talking about?[/quote]
Sorry about that, I can’t get the link to work properly. Go to the homepage, azcardinals.com[/quote]
link.[/quote]
Thanks JTH[/quote]
[quote comment=”386819″][quote comment=”386818″][quote comment=”386817″][quote comment=”386796″][quote comment=”386785″]Could the Arizona Cardinals be getting new uniforms tomorrow? Check out the image.
[/quote]
what image are you talking about?[/quote]
Sorry about that, I can’t get the link to work properly. Go to the homepage, azcardinals.com[/quote]
link.[/quote]
Thanks JTH[/quote]
Hmmm… don’t know what happened there. Anyway, does anyone think it might be a black alternate? I feel like they would’ve chosen either road OR home to illustrated “then and now” otherwise…
Dammit… “illustrate”. I’m outta here.
this Pupello guy looks a lot like Ron Jeremy
[quote comment=”386750″]RIP Ray Barton.
He claims, according to the linked article, that he never liked the drawing, saying it wasn’t very good. And he may be right right. But it sure is one of the most endearing and enduring images in baseball, I think.
link
Absolutely! I can vividly recall that logo on my Harmon Killebrew baseball cards; when my older brother clued me in on the “TC” standing for “Twin Cities” a short time later, it was quite the “Aha!” moment for me as a ten-year old.
Not many people can claim to have put a face on a franchise, let alone TWO of them:
link
God bless Ray Barton and the Barton Family.
[quote comment=”386813″][quote comment=”386812″][quote comment=”386811″]I love that Twins logo.
Cool tidbit from the story: Originally, both players sported “MT” on their uniforms, for the Minnesota Twins. At some point, the lettering changed to “M” and “StP” for Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Wasn’t there a wire photo of his original logo floating around somewhere?[/quote]
Never mind, just found it.
link
After typing that, “wire photo” was triggered in my memory, and that search struck gold.[/quote]
“At some point” it was changed? Yeah, like almost immediately after that version was released. That’s a photo of the artist’s watercolor comp employed for press release/newswire purposes. Can see the watercolor washes all over the place. Unless it’s on some extremely early material the club cranked out, I don’t recall ever seeing it used that way formally after that. By the time it actually was rendered in pen and ink for black and white, with color overlays created, for extensive use on any kind, the “MT’s” had been changed to “M” and “StP”.
—Ricko[/quote]
Lot to love about the original. The detail on the cleats, the faces, so much better than the link. And link, from the 2009 style guide, looks like it was reverse-engineered from a link.
new cards uni?
If my records are correct, the Jets wore that helmet in 1993. In 1994, they wore a green helmet with that logo, but added a white-green-white stripe pattern (1993 had no stripes).
By the way, nobody mentioned link was in that Fergie Jenkins documentary yesterday?
I had no idea the Cubs ever had such a thing. Was that for taking relief pitchers from the bullpen to the mound? If so, it seems like it’d take longer to get the cart from under the bleachers to the bullpen than it would for the pitcher to just make the walk himself.
[quote comment=”386827″]link?[/quote]
Maybe that’s why Hungry Horny Hampster (or whatever he used) never revealed his true identity.
Wouldn’t THAT be a kick in the head.
—Ricko
From the helmet project – regarding the green NYJets helmet, without stripes.
“This special helmet was worn for one game (vs Cincinnati in week 12) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Jets\’ victory in Super Bowl III.”
[quote comment=”386830″][quote comment=”386827″]link?[/quote]
Maybe that’s why Hungry Horny Hampster (or whatever he used) never revealed his true identity.
Wouldn’t THAT be a kick in the head.
—Ricko[/quote]
kick in the head, indeed.
And a pain on the eyesis– if that is indeed the uni, the AZ Cardinals just shot up to the top of the league in the uglly get ups derby!
[quote comment=”386829″]By the way, nobody mentioned link was in that Fergie Jenkins documentary yesterday?
I had no idea the Cubs ever had such a thing. Was that for taking relief pitchers from the bullpen to the mound? If so, it seems like it’d take longer to get the cart from under the bleachers to the bullpen than it would for the pitcher to just make the walk himself.[/quote]
[quote comment=”386829″]By the way, nobody mentioned link was in that Fergie Jenkins documentary yesterday?
I had no idea the Cubs ever had such a thing. Was that for taking relief pitchers from the bullpen to the mound? If so, it seems like it’d take longer to get the cart from under the bleachers to the bullpen than it would for the pitcher to just make the walk himself.[/quote]
Think that’s a scene from FERRIS PAC-MAN’S DAY OFF.
Box office flop. Hardly anybody saw it.
Yeah, you’re right. Would been only slightly quicker to have the reliever catch a bus, wouldn’t it.
—Ricko
[quote comment=”386827″]link?[/quote]
I’ll admit it, that one got my vote. I figured if you’re going for a unique jersey, why not go all the way. Love the Rising Star motif, and it’s a 180 from what a “cardinal” should look like.
[quote comment=”386831″]From the helmet project – regarding the green NYJets helmet, without stripes.
“This special helmet was worn for one game (vs Cincinnati in week 12) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Jets\’ victory in Super Bowl III.”[/quote]
Note the SBIII-era Jets uniforms being worn as well. This was back before special-purpose helmets came into vogue — the Jets either did not want to pay for an extra set of white helmets, or the players didn’t want to have a one-time-wear helmet. It used to be very difficult to break in a football helmet and once they became comfortable you didn’t want to wear another until you had to.
[quote comment=”386835″][quote comment=”386831″]From the helmet project – regarding the green NYJets helmet, without stripes.
“This special helmet was worn for one game (vs Cincinnati in week 12) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Jets\’ victory in Super Bowl III.”[/quote]
Note the SBIII-era Jets uniforms being worn as well. This was back before special-purpose helmets came into vogue[/quote]
Well, one year before. The Falcons, Broncos, Oilers, Patriots and Chargers all wore different helmets with their throwbacks in 1994.
The Rox memorial patch design has been link: “The Rockies are wearing a circular black patch with the silver letters KSM on their right sleeve to honor the passing of president Keli McGregor.” I presume that means we won’t be seeing the team in vests for a few days.
Just as I opened today’s edition of UniWatch, this just popped into my e-mail from Ebbets Field Flannels link …too bad they’re not making the shorts available
[quote comment=\”386788\”]Fitz is a patronymic prefix like Mac or Mc. For example, Fitz Gerald would be the son of Gerald. While it’s rare we see the second capital after Fitz, it’s really similar to a name like MacManus.[/quote]
Doesn’t Fitz signify bastard parentage? I fed that nuggent to a friend’s nephew who played for the Winterhawks against Zack while he was with the Thunderbirds, it apparently was enough to get him to drop the gloves on the spot.
Early reports have the Cubs moving Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen.
Looks like we will see more of him in the home pins and road grays.
[quote comment=”386837″]The Rox memorial patch design has been link: “The Rockies are wearing a circular black patch with the silver letters KSM on their right sleeve to honor the passing of president Keli McGregor.” I presume that means we won’t be seeing the team in vests for a few days.[/quote]
Imagine if it was a really done up 4 or 6 thread job, It’d make for a Law & Order ep.
Anyone else reminded of link with the new Sounders kit? Will Cole Trickle be starting at striker in these games?
[quote comment=”386840″]Early reports have the Cubs moving Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen.
Looks like we will see more of him in the home pins and road grays.[/quote]
He doesn’t get to have the Cubs change jerseys when he comes into the game?
Jeez, I hope he can still find it in himself to pitch.
—Ricko
Here’s a shot of the van Riemsdyk NOB treatment:
link
It’s doubtful that, should this FitzGerald character ever suit up for the Flyers, he’d have a larger ‘G’ versus the other letters.
At UNH, van Riemsdyk’s name actually had the ‘van’ in lower case:
link
[quote comment=”386765″]Don’t care what anyone says, this is, for it’s time…
link
…a great looking uniform. It’s just Tennessee with red added for accent and definition.
Lousy team, yes, and the uni gets saddled with that. But, take out of the 0-26 or whatever it was out of the discussion, and for a new Florida team in 1976, that’s a seriously appropriate set of threads.
—Ricko[/quote]
I TOTALLY AGREE with that stated above, I always have and I always will agree that the Orange/Red Bucs unis were pretty darn good.
My only change would have been a RED facemask – better contrast and works better with the red trim. but that;s just minor – A VERY GOOD uni that had NOTHING to do with 0-26 or losing Bo Jackson to baseball or any of the other mishaps.
[quote comment=”386826″][quote comment=”386813″][quote comment=”386812″][quote comment=”386811″]I love that Twins logo.
Cool tidbit from the story: Originally, both players sported “MT” on their uniforms, for the Minnesota Twins. At some point, the lettering changed to “M” and “StP” for Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Wasn’t there a wire photo of his original logo floating around somewhere?[/quote]
Never mind, just found it.
link
After typing that, “wire photo” was triggered in my memory, and that search struck gold.[/quote]
“At some point” it was changed? Yeah, like almost immediately after that version was released. That’s a photo of the artist’s watercolor comp employed for press release/newswire purposes. Can see the watercolor washes all over the place. Unless it’s on some extremely early material the club cranked out, I don’t recall ever seeing it used that way formally after that. By the time it actually was rendered in pen and ink for black and white, with color overlays created, for extensive use on any kind, the “MT’s” had been changed to “M” and “StP”.
—Ricko[/quote]
Lot to love about the original. The detail on the cleats, the faces, so much better than the link. And link, from the 2009 style guide, looks like it was reverse-engineered from a link.[/quote]
I always have thought it was a bit amateurish looking (which was all the more surprising that a professional artist created it…but $15? Even then…a mere pittance.) But last week while looking at it looming over Target Field I realized the amateur look of it is a big part of the charm, coming from a time when things like team logos were not overdesigned, submitted to focus groups, etc. (he designed if for the cups and Griffith liked it so much he just deemed it to be the team’s logo? WTF indeed?!). The TC is classic and always has been for me (thank god they got rid of the “m” abomination) and now the Minnie/Paul logo will take its rightful place as a classic as well.
Thank you Ray Barton (and Calvin too I guess).
[quote comment=”386844″]Here’s a shot of the van Riemsdyk NOB treatment:
link
It’s doubtful that, should this FitzGerald character ever suit up for the Flyers, he’d have a larger ‘G’ versus the other letters.
At UNH, van Riemsdyk’s name actually had the ‘van’ in lower case:
link
Considering he was signed by the Hurricanes, he’d have a hard time playing for the Flyers. ;)
My point in asking was that common name additions – Mc, Mac, O’, Van, De, De Los, etc. – can have whatever they like in terms of capital letters or small letters.
The “Fitz” portion is extremely old in terms of its anglo heritage, and has been washed through time and common English for so long that most players are now Fitzpatrick, Fitzsimmons, Fitzgerald, and the like.
Rarely do you see a FitzGerald any longer, but Zach made sure it was written that way while with the Moose. The AHL publications list him as “FitzGerald” as well.
When I first saw the Bears throwbacks I was excited thinking they would be the cool white ones.
I have that add on for Mozilla that shows images in the text body.
It would have been sweet if the Bears chose that one. The other is fine.
As if the black Mets caps aren’t bad enough, look at the logo creep from whatever is being worn underneath tonight vs the Cubs: link
on mlb.com, when you go to a photo gallery, how do you get one of the photos in the gallery to get to a microsoft word document?
Florida State football just unveiled a white uniform and helmet.
Just got around to reading the interview with Mr. Pupello. Entertaining and enlightening.
I really liked that original uniform. That pewter thing they wear now is so bleak, so dour, a non-color.
On link
Sorry I’m so late getting on here today/tonight. Stanley Cup playoffs are calling.
Anyway on the Bears throwbacks…
They are based on what was worn from 1941 thru the first couple of games in 1949. Game 3 on in ’49 they switched to a crude version of the rounded white numerals that – with a couple of gaps in the durene/mesh phase period (71-73)- they wear to this day. Without my notes, in 1948 (I think) the Bears did add a very thin white outline to the orange numbers. The font looks a little thicker than what was worn originally.
The Bears were NFL Champs in 1941, 1943 and 1946 and also went undefeated in the regular season in 1942 wearing this jersey. So it is a good period to draw from for a throwback.
As for that #25 sample in the display case? I must say I have never come across that as a Bears jersey.
I’ll replay this post tomorrow.
[quote comment=”386850″]on mlb.com, when you go to a photo gallery, how do you get one of the photos in the gallery to get to a microsoft word document?[/quote]
if you can’t get the “right click” to reveal “copy” you need to do a screen grab…
then crop it in photoshop or ms paint or something…then save it and upload it to ms word
Dunno if anyone’s ever mentioned it before, but I just picked up link link link link.
It’s chock full of link link link and full color shots. Highly recommend.
They use sleeve patches for the chapter pages, link.
link
[quote comment=”386854″]Sorry I’m so late getting on here today/tonight. Stanley Cup playoffs are calling.
Anyway on the Bears throwbacks…
They are based on what was worn from 1941 thru the first couple of games in 1949. Game 3 on in ’49 they switched to a crude version of the rounded white numerals that – with a couple of gaps in the durene/mesh phase period (71-73)- they wear to this day. Without my notes, in 1948 (I think) the Bears did add a very thin white outline to the orange numbers. The font looks a little thicker than what was worn originally.
The Bears were NFL Champs in 1941, 1943 and 1946 and also went undefeated in the regular season in 1942 wearing this jersey. So it is a good period to draw from for a throwback.
As for that #25 sample in the display case? I must say I have never come across that as a Bears jersey.
I’ll replay this post tomorrow.[/quote]
thanks timmy…i’ve already gathered a bunch of unis from that period for a weekend post, but i wasn’t sure of the dates — you’re awesome…and yes, in 48, they definitely added a white outline — scored some gorgeous color pics of that one
as for the #25 sample…i will BET it’s a university of illinois jersey, not a bears one
[quote comment=”386845″][quote comment=”386765″]Don’t care what anyone says, this is, for it’s time…
link
…a great looking uniform. It’s just Tennessee with red added for accent and definition.
Lousy team, yes, and the uni gets saddled with that. But, take out of the 0-26 or whatever it was out of the discussion, and for a new Florida team in 1976, that’s a seriously appropriate set of threads.
—Ricko[/quote]
I TOTALLY AGREE with that stated above, I always have and I always will agree that the Orange/Red Bucs unis were pretty darn good.
My only change would have been a RED facemask – better contrast and works better with the red trim. but that;s just minor – A VERY GOOD uni that had NOTHING to do with 0-26 or losing Bo Jackson to baseball or any of the other mishaps.[/quote]
Count me in on that agreement. Major disappointment when they switched. Quick, who was the first Bucs QB to win a game? I had a football card that said “______ leads Bucs to first win”.
I don’t have tech for a screencap, but Mr. Lukas’ doppelganger was in DC at the Rox/Natinals game sitting right behind home plate.
[quote comment=”386858″][quote comment=”386845″][quote comment=”386765″]Don’t care what anyone says, this is, for it’s time…
link
…a great looking uniform. It’s just Tennessee with red added for accent and definition.
Lousy team, yes, and the uni gets saddled with that. But, take out of the 0-26 or whatever it was out of the discussion, and for a new Florida team in 1976, that’s a seriously appropriate set of threads.
—Ricko[/quote]
I TOTALLY AGREE with that stated above, I always have and I always will agree that the Orange/Red Bucs unis were pretty darn good.
My only change would have been a RED facemask – better contrast and works better with the red trim. but that;s just minor – A VERY GOOD uni that had NOTHING to do with 0-26 or losing Bo Jackson to baseball or any of the other mishaps.[/quote]
Count me in on that agreement. Major disappointment when they switched. Quick, who was the first Bucs QB to win a game? I had a football card that said “______ leads Bucs to first win”.[/quote]
Oh Muuuudley …
I was actually at the game, watched every play, and still can’t remember who QB’d the Bucs to that first win. I do remember that they beat the Cardinals the very next week for two in a row to end the season.
I was too caught up in watching Archie Manning and Bobby Scott combine for FIVE INT’s, three run back for TD’s – which by the way was the margin in a 33-14 A**-Whuppin. I remember talking to Bobby Douglass after the game, as he left the field, and he had the lost look of disgust at being the THIRD STRING QB in that Fool’s Gallery.
Though to be honest, the Bucs probably would have beat the Saints that day without those three INT TD’s – as the Saints simply STUNK that day.
the Bucs just would have found another way to do it, that game simply wasn’t that close.
That was Hank Stram’s last home game as Saints coach.
It wasn’t Steve Spurrier, it wasn’t Parnell dickenson, and wasn’t Terry Hannratty. I’m gonna guess and say Randy Hedberg – Minot State!
if anyone’s awake/cares…and you get YES (or the a’s station…MLB channel will likely carry it)…
phil hughes is goin’ for the no-no…(game in 8th)
/just sayin’…hope i don’t jinx it
[quote comment=”386861″]if anyone’s awake/cares…and you get YES (or the a’s station…MLB channel will likely carry it)…
phil hughes is goin’ for the no-no…(game in 8th)
/just sayin’…hope i don’t jinx it[/quote]
Damn it, Phil.
[quote comment=”386860″][quote comment=”386858″][quote comment=”386845″][quote comment=”386765″]Don’t care what anyone says, this is, for it’s time…
link
…a great looking uniform. It’s just Tennessee with red added for accent and definition.
Lousy team, yes, and the uni gets saddled with that. But, take out of the 0-26 or whatever it was out of the discussion, and for a new Florida team in 1976, that’s a seriously appropriate set of threads.
—Ricko[/quote]
I TOTALLY AGREE with that stated above, I always have and I always will agree that the Orange/Red Bucs unis were pretty darn good.
My only change would have been a RED facemask – better contrast and works better with the red trim. but that;s just minor – A VERY GOOD uni that had NOTHING to do with 0-26 or losing Bo Jackson to baseball or any of the other mishaps.[/quote]
Count me in on that agreement. Major disappointment when they switched. Quick, who was the first Bucs QB to win a game? I had a football card that said “______ leads Bucs to first win”.[/quote]
Oh Muuuudley …
I was actually at the game, watched every play, and still can’t remember who QB’d the Bucs to that first win. I do remember that they beat the Cardinals the very next week for two in a row to end the season.
I was too caught up in watching Archie Manning and Bobby Scott combine for FIVE INT’s, three run back for TD’s – which by the way was the margin in a 33-14 A**-Whuppin. I remember talking to Bobby Douglass after the game, as he left the field, and he had the lost look of disgust at being the THIRD STRING QB in that Fool’s Gallery.
Though to be honest, the Bucs probably would have beat the Saints that day without those three INT TD’s – as the Saints simply STUNK that day.
the Bucs just would have found another way to do it, that game simply wasn’t that close.
That was Hank Stram’s last home game as Saints coach.
It wasn’t Steve Spurrier, it wasn’t Parnell dickenson, and wasn’t Terry Hannratty. I’m gonna guess and say Randy Hedberg – Minot State![/quote]
Actually at the game?!?! That is some serious Ricko type history right there! Since you seem to be the only one still up who might care wo that QB was….here you go.
link
Or in a little more deflated pose….
link
Maybe this link will work better for the historic Buc QB…
link
[quote comment=”386730″]When did the Jets wear link? I don’t recall it at all.
nfl’s link…some very poor attempts to replicate “throwbacks” back then…including the link who like the jets, slapped the a different logo on their (then) current helmet[/quote]
I read somewhere that the Jets and Bills did not want white helmets for their 75th anniversary throwbacks b/c of the fact that the other teams in the AFC East (Pats, ‘Fins, & Colts) had white helmets, and they did not want to confuse their players n the field with the potential for white-on-white divisional match-ups…
LA Kings wearing HIDEOUS togs tonight. Whats up with that? Go Canucks!
Over at underconsideration.com….
link
well i cant think of anyone with a random uppercase letter but Mark DeROSA has a random lower case letter, “DeROSA”
Did anyone else think of Ron Jeremy when they saw Pupello?