The Single Most Amazingly Awesome Photo in the History of Ever

I have a bad habit of engaging in way too much hyperbole (I even did it just there, by using “way too much”). I routinely describe things as great, awesome, the bomb, the shit, my-t-fine, tremendous, stupendous, cool, the bee’s knees, and on and on. Part of this is because I write about dozens of things on a daily basis and often feel like superlatives are the only way I can adequately and efficiently express my enthusiasm, and part of it is sheer intellectual laziness. Either way, I realize I often sound over the top about too many things. They can’t all be the bee’s knees, right?

Still, even given my penchant for gratuitous effusiveness, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the photo you see above is probably the single greatest image ever to appear on this site. Or if not, it’s certainly close. The jersey, the shorts, the skirt, the spikes, the hose, the composition, the focus — it’s a masterpiece! And it looks even better when you see a larger version of it.

Robert Marshall posted that shot in last night’s comments. He says it’s from this book. The date is April 9, 1955, and the caption reads like so: “During an Amateur Softball Association game, Linda McConkey of the Atlanta Lorelei Ladies executes a full-extension dive into third base as Jerrie Rainey of the Tomboys jumps for the ball.” A team called the Tomboys — I’ve been waiting my whole life for that and didn’t even realize it!

Colorizers, you know what to do.

New ESPN column today, about a very interesting chapter in basketball (and basketball uniform) history.

Uni Watch News Ticker: Gotta love this vintage Vets Stadium usherette uniform! ”¦ Here’s something really interesting: a letter from the National League office to the N.L. umpires, advising the umps about new lightweight summer uniforms. ”¦ This is a great country, and you know why? Because you can major in bowling industry management, that’s why (and look, there’s Peter Greenberg enrolling right now). ”¦ A gallery in Portalnd is about to host an exhibition of Trailblazers-inspired artwork (thanks, Kirsten). ”¦ You know BFBS has gotten out of hand when it afflicts a team called the Red Bulls (with thanks to Dave Leiphart). ”¦ Instead of color-on-color, how about white-on-white? That’s Roseau and Wayzata, two Minnesota high schools, from last weekend’s fifth annual Hockey Day Minnesota (with thanks to David Caruso). ”¦ If an auto plant had a softball team, what kind of patch would they wear? This kind. Is that awesome or what? It’s from a Hudson Motors plant, and is one of several great uni-related photos that Doug Mooney took a few years ago at the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum. You can see the whole batch here. ”¦ Speaking of cars and uniforms, I really like the lettering on this baseball jersey. ”¦ It now looks like the Pirates may add a Chuck Tanner memorial patch after all. As it happens, Tanner’s grandson, Zack, is a Uni Watch reader. “I have zero inside knowledge as to the team’s plans,” he says, “but the family was given these Stargell Star-esque stars over the past few days. They have a sticky back, just like the replica stars the team wears with throwbacks. I think it would make a killer patch.” ”¦ Here is a partial list of people who I would rather see as owner of the Mets than Donald Trump: Mark Cuban, Phil Knight, Bud Selig, Hal Steinbrenner, Ron Paul, Jimmy Qualls, Luis Castillo, and Hosni Mubarak (but not Dan Snyder, David Koch, Gary Bettman, Hank Steinbrenner, Rudy Giuliani, John Rocker, Oliver Perez, or Robert Mugabe). ”¦ Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: A certain douchebag-ish marketing term has migrated from the gridiron to the diamond. Sigh. ”¦ Meanwhile, the sublimated sweatback patterns are now available on T-shirts (with thanks to Collin Wright). ”¦ Here’s something really good: an interview with the guy who designed the New York Cosmos logo, among other things (big thanks to Mark Weinstein). ”¦ Nice to see Chipper back among the high-cuffed (with thanks to JR Francis). ”¦ Speaking of the Braves, Dan Uggla is wearing No. 26. “He wore 6 with the Marlins, but I’m assuming that will be retired for Bobby Cox,” says Britton Thomas. ”¦ O.J. De Castro notes that the Bulls wore red at home on Tuesday. Was that a Valentine’s Day thing? ”¦ The only problem with this shirt is that nobody would be caught dead wearing the corresponding “good” version (thanks, Phil). ”¦ Here’s a video about Under Armour’s new design lab. “They mention a new shirt technology that will be used at the NFL combine,” says Joe Hilseberg. ”¦ Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: The Indians now have block-C batting helmets, which will presumably be worn on the road. ”¦ Also from yesterday: Here’s a good story about how the Wild’s team name and visuals were chosen, including a slideshow of ideas that didn’t make the cut. ”¦ It’s hard to tell from this photo, but Grant Goldman says Mike Bibby’s headband on Monday night didn’t have the NBA logo. ”¦ Ryan Dowgin recently sent three footballs to the Wilson factory in Ada, Ohio, to be rebladdered and relaced. They came back in two weeks, good as new. ”¦ If you’ve liked the infographics that’ve been featured on the site lately, you’ll flip for this iPad app that tracks every single MLB game since 1951. Even if you don’t have an iPad, I strongly recommend that you watch the whole video — it’s really fun (major thanks to Matt Shevin). ”¦ We’ve occasionally mentioned indoor baseball here on the site. Now Tim Wood has gathered 20 uni-notable photos from that sport into this Flickr set. Lots of good stuff in there, but here’s the keeper. Not only is it a gorgeous uni, but that’s Frank Halas — Papa Bear’s brother. ”¦ More interactive infographics, this time comparing Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan in every conceivable way (with thanks to Coachie Ballgames). ”¦ “Here’s a strange modification to a jersey, seen at Wednesday night’s Penguins/Avalanche game,” says Dane Drutis. ”¦ Jason Isringhausen, a long shot to make the Mets roster, is already the subject of some uni-numerical speculation (with thanks to Dan Cichalski). ”¦ Michael Worley noticed some inconsistencies in the Lakers’ warm-up attire last night. … Fascinating article about how helmets in women’s lacrosse may do more harm than good.