By Phil Hecken
The announcement earlier this week that Mark Cuban was going to attempt to crowd source new uniforms for the Mavericks (and which Paul covered very nicely on Tuesday) not only brought reaction from the various professional (and amateur) designers on the board, it also brought back memories of the White Sox design-a-uniform contest back in 1981, which begat these uniforms (which the ChiSox are fauxbacking to this year). But, was that the first ever “design a uniform” contest for a Major League Baseball team?
In the comments that day, my buddy Chance Michaels wrote,
I just realized ”“ there was a fan logo contest before the White Sox. The Brewers held one in 1977 to replace the beer barrel man.
The winner was a student named Tom Meindel, who received $2,000 from the team (almost $7,700 in 2013 dollars). His design, FWIW, was then given to a professional design firm which tweaked it and refined it.
But that can’t be the first one, can it?
As soon as I saw that, I contacted Chance and asked if he’d like to expand upon that comment and do a writeup for Uni Watch. He happily obliged. So, with that setup, I’ll now turn the remainder of this lede over to Mr. Michaels, who will give us all the details on …
The Brewers Fan-Designed Logo Contest of 1977
By Chance Michaels
In the fall of 1977, the Brewers were in a funk.
The team was limping to a 67-95 season, 33 games out of first place. In eight seasons since moving from Seattle, they had never finished above .500. Fan support in Milwaukee was strong, topping a million fans four of the past five seasons (a good record in those days), but patience was wearing thin. Club president Bud Selig needed to shake things up, and nobody was safe. At the end of the season, Selig fired manager Alex Grammas, general manager Jim Baumer, and the team’s logo, the Beer Barrel Man.
The club had been using the Beer Barrel Man as its logo since 1967, years before Milwaukee had a team of its own. The character himself dates back at least as far as 1942, when he was called Owgust and welcomed patrons to old Borchert Field, although the version used by the Brewers made its debut in 1947.
But times change, and late in that 1977 season, the Brewers announced an open contest to let their fans submit designs for the Brewers’ new logo, which would accompany new (team-designed) uniforms.
One of the entrants was a graphic design and art major at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire named Tom Meindel. He heard about the contest from a local television station, and decided to give it a try.
Meindel reportedly came up with the idea for the Ball-in-Glove while bored in a psychology class, sketching in the margins of his notebook. “I remember working with the M and B and I was stuck,” he later recounted. “I wasn’t going anywhere. Then I decided to start using lower case letters. The obvious thinking was to put them side-by-side, but I thought ‘let’s stack it, one on top of the other.’ It was a very crude drawing, but all of a sudden, boom, the light bulb came on. It reminded me of a baseball glove.”
His original design was rougher, more elongated. The baseball had stitching rather than the smooth seam we have today.
He mailed his design to the Brewers’ marketing department, and a couple weeks later was informed that his had been chosen as one of two finalists, chosen from nearly 2,000 entries. The Brewers flew him to Milwaukee to discuss the design with Dick Hearn the team’s vice president in charge of marketing. Meindel’s entry was refined (possibly in-house, possibly by an outside firm), and shortly after Meindel returned to Eau Claire, he received a telephone call from the Brewers informing him that his design had won.
For his creation, Meindel received $2,000, which in 2013 dollars comes to just under $7,700. He put the cash towards the down payment for a house.
Selig’s new-look Brewers experienced an instant turn-around. The 1978 Brewers, with Meindel’s logo on their caps, went 93-69, only 6½ games back of the Yankees in the AL East. Selig himself was named “Major League Executive of the Year” by United Press International, beating out his own GM, Harry Dalton. Times were looking up for the Brewers, and the new logo helped shake off the cobwebs of mediocrity that had hung off the club since 1970.
Everyone knows the rest of the story. The Brewers would win a share of the AL East in 1981 and the American League pennant in 1982, taking the Cardinals to seven games in the World Series and securing a place in Milwaukee’s hearts forever.
But times change, and Meindel’s logo fell out of favor. In 1994, to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary, the Brewers set it aside in favor of a more serious logo, with darker colors and sharper lines. Still, the BnG remained popular. In 2005, the Brewers were considering reviving Meindel’s logo in some form (we now know that they settled on an alternate uniform). The club held a “fan vote” at Miller Park, where patrons were given the choice between one of two free t-shirts at the turnstyles; the current barley-M or Meindel’s classic. The BnG won convincingly, as 63% of fans chose the classic t-shirt.
Interviewed by the Register-Guard in his new home of Eugene, Oregon, Meindel was intrigued by the persistence of his design. “For me, the way this thing keeps coming back is almost surreal,” he told the paper. “I wouldn’t compare it with any of the classics, but it has certainly withstood the test of time.”
It sure has. If anything, looking around Miller Park on any given home game makes me think he’s being modest.
Thanks, Chance! Great writeup (as always). Well, folks — two things — how great is that and was this the first ever ‘crowdsourced’ uniform or logo design contest ever held (for any sport)? Even if it wasn’t (or was), it would be great to have a list of them so put on your thinking caps and lets find out!
Uni Tweaks Concepts
We have another new set of tweaks, er…concepts today. After discussion with a number of readers, it’s probably more apropos to call most of the reader submissions “concepts” rather than tweaks. So that’s that.
So if you’ve concept for any sport, or just a tweak or wholesale revision, send them my way.
Please do try to keep your descriptions to ~50 words (give or take) per image — if you have three uniform concepts in one image, then obviously, you can go a little over, but no novels, OK? OK!. You guys have usually been good with keeping the descriptions pretty short, and I thank you for that.
Like the colorizations, I’m going to run these as inline pics — click on each one to enlarge.
And so, lets begin:
We begin today with Andy Cusack, who did up a whole batch of ChiSox unis, with a nice throwbacky feel:
Hi.
I’ve been a White Sox fan my entire life. I think I’m in the same boat as most other Sox fans in that I don’t dislike their current uniforms. But at the same time, they just don’t feel exactly right. There seems to be some disconnect with our glorious mess of a uniform history. The silver and black is just a little too stark for my taste.
Long story short: I created a series of uniforms that both give a nod to different eras of the team’s history (It’s be pretty obvious that each is rooted in a uniform of the past). But they also attempt to tie everything together into something that is at least a little cohesive.
I believe if the White Sox employed a uniform system like this, they wouldn’t have to bring back a past uniform to wear as an alternate as they’ve been doing the past few seasons with the ’59, ’72 and ’83 varieties. And I think they look pretty sharp.
Hope you enjoy these.
-Andy
Next up is Zachary Schwartzer, who retweaked the new U of Arizona Wildcat football unis:
Phil,
The U of A football team will be releasing new football uniforms very soon. It’s been confirmed by Greg Byrne on Twitter that there will be 4 different helmets, the 4th being the copper helmet they used last year. Rumors have it there will also be an alternate uniform to match with the copper helmet. Here is my concept for the new U of A uniforms.
Sincerely,
Zachary
We close today with Chris Powers who has added an alternate to the classic Tigers uniforms:
Hi Phil,I know the Tigers’ unis are sacred, but I was inspired by all of the orange uniforms that were on display last week. I think this concept turned out quite well even if they’d never be used in a million years. It features a two-color script based on their primary wordmark and other lettering to match. I also included the headspoon that both current jerseys have. Stripes are a callback to the stripes on the 1980s away unis. Also if they’re not careful, they could inadvertently end up as the Tiggers considering where the “G” lands on the placket.
I am especially proud of the sleeve patch I created using the ”˜80s design style and the cat from the ”˜90s that is used as an alternate logo and by some of their farm teams. It could be used on the away uniforms, but I’d leave the home as-is. Hopefully the patch would bring the blessings of 1984 and not the quagmire of 2003.
~Chris Powers
And that’s it for today. Back with more next time.
ASG Smocks
Looks like the 2013 National and American League Batting Practice jerseys have been released for both teams. As in the past, the colors borrow from the colorscheme of the host team, which this year is the Mets, so we have a royal and orange set. Not too bad, as far as softball tops go:
…And on that note, that’s it for today. I prepped this post early Saturday, so apologies if there was any other breaking uniform news on Saturday that I missed. Feel free to break stuff in the comments below. Thanks (as always) to Chance for a fantastic historical lesson. You guys have a great Sunday and a better week, and I’ll catch you next weekend.
Follow me on twitter @PhilHecken.
Peace.
“Obviously the NBA will just retroactively declare that the New Orleans Hornets were always called the Pelicans and were an expansion team, while the Charlotte Hornets simply suspended operations much like the Cleveland Browns, then changed their name to the Bobcats, only to change back. Obviously.”
–(THE) Jeff Provo
Okay, so I just did Insanity, which kicked my butt and had me all nauseated. But I got through without puking…until you posted that Jaguars get up.
I absolutely love Andy Cusack’s 5th White Sox alt with the 1983 style in the solid black, in fact if you did up a white and a gray version of that, plus maybe a home Sunday Red softball top alt, you’ve have an awesome set. I’ve always liked that ‘SOX’ script that’s on the beach blanket set, but never been that crazy about the wide stripes themselves.
Also the Chris Powers’ Tigers orange alt is nice too — a way to give them something new without ticking off the traditionalists who wouldn’t let you touch the home and away.
I came here to say this, I really like the Tigers softball top by Chris Powers as well.
But they also attempt to tie everything together into something that is at least a little cohesive.
The only thing that’s cohesive is the colors. Adding red to the mix is a nice idea, but your uniforms bring in elements from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 20s. Wildly disparate ones at that. If you’re going to mix elements, limit it to two, maybe three. Anything more, and you dilute the brand.
Consider the current set. They take the basic design of the 1970s (home pinstripes with old English wordmark and number in the front; roads with a script city name), but use colors that were not only trendy at the time, but very in tune with the team’s history. More often than not, they’ve worn stark colors (black and white, navy and white).
I posted this in the comments yesterday, but I just wanted to make sure that somebody saw it.
New logo/uniforms for the Peoria (IL) Rivermen link
They aren’t terrible, but they aren’t that great either. I love the logo, but I’m not a fan of the wave pattern on the sleeves and bottom of the sweaters. The color scheme is quite nice too.
I think the logo is an upgrade over what they had. It’s a nice nod to older logos in Peoria Rivermen history. I think traditional striping would look good, but like you, I’m not a fan of the waves either.
Reminds me of when I was a kid and sent the Mets a uniform redesign…don’t think it was a formal contest. I remember it was a pullover with the blue skyline buildings taking up most of the shirt, with orange on top of the buildings and back numbers in a baseball. New owner link
This is probably the most solid collection of concepts I’ve seen. Really nice job, all three of yinz.
The Cubs posted a photo on their facebook page of Starlin Castro, posing with a Lego figurine of himself. Castro wears a Phiten sleeve on his left arm, and it appears he cut the sleeve of his compression undershirt to accomodate it. Do other players do this?
link
Not sure about cut undershirt sleeves for the purpose of a Phiten sleeve, but you can’t watch a MLB game without spotting MANY players who have cut the sleeves of their undershirts. Makes me wonder why Majestic and Nike don’t produce more 3/4 sleeve shirts.
Thanks for the write up on the Brewers “mb” logo. I had always wondered where
it had come from, and since my love of baseball (especially uniforms) blossomed in
the 70’s and 80s, I was especially interested in that particular logo. Between that, the “SOX” unis are the ones I remember the most when they came out.
On the topic of the Sox uniform, I am probably in the majority but I hated it when it came out and still loath it today. Correct me if I am wrong but along with the re-design didn’t Chicago also introduce shorts with this uniform? If I am remembering correctly I think that is what really cemented my hatred of that design and was beyond happy when Chicago went back to something more traditional.
Don’t mention the shorts. Especially since you were thinking of the wrong uniforms.
Sorry that should be, I am in the minority about the Sox unis
For me, it was disappointing to see the Brewers 1977 logo last only until 1994. That’s not a very long time in the context of cap logos, which tend to be more identified with a particular club. 1982 is easily the greatest Brewer team ever, so one would have thought a massive redesign would not have been in order so quickly. Always felt the current Brewer
set is bland, and a full time return to the 1977 style would be the best move.
“So quickly”? Dude, it was 12 years. In no realm or human experience is 12 years considered “quick.”
As to “bland,” I get that there’s a lot of sentimental attachment to the ball-in-glove era Brewers, both the team and the unis. But if the word “bland” has any meaning whatsoever in the English language, then it applies at least as much to the ball-in-glove era Brewers. There has never have been a more generic-looking uniform in the history of organized sports than what the Brewers wore back then. Which I don’t say as a condemnation: The Yankees have an extremely bland uniform too; for some teams, bland can be a virtue.
There may be many valid reasons for changing back to the old Brewers uniforms, but becoming “less bland” ain’t one if them.
At least the Brewers’ 1978-1993 uniforms had the advantage of a bright, distinctive color scheme. “Bland” is the perfect way to describe the navy-and-tan uniforms they wear now.
Had the Brewers kept the royal and athletic gold, they’d own that color scheme now. And it’s a much better one, perfect for a summer’s day.
@Ted E: The shorts were from 1976, pre-dating the beach blanket uniforms.
May the Tigers never ever wear alt tops. Ever.
Never. Ever.
Wow, I’ve been reading this blog since its debut, and followed Paul before that. And this is the first time I’ve realized the ball-in-glove logo is made of a M and a B! Geez I was blind.
It certainly is a great day when you realize the “Ball in glove” logo is an “M” and a “B”.
Being an Eau Claire resident, it’s always cool to think how one of my fave logos of all time was designed by a student at my hometown’s university. One day, I sure do hope it comes back full-time for the Brewers.
I think Andy Cusack’s White Sox uniforms are great. Really well thought out and executed.
new template for future bp jerseys?
Was browsing online and saw a small blogger so a NFL uniform ranking. Thought it might be cool for the ticker.
link
“(which the ChiSox are fauxbacking to this year).”
How are they fauxbacks? They actually wore them, they aren’t made up.
They’re fauxbacks because they aren’t exact throwbacks. Stripes slightly different, they’re wearing belts instead of sansabelts. There are probably a couple of other subtle differences too.
When have any throwbacks been exact? Even the most accurate ones have little differences like the MLB logo on the hat.
Kind of splitting hairs here to use this new, cute “fauxback” word.
Although technically correct, I think we should reserve the term “fauxback” for things that are totally made up, like the Rays “1979” uniforms and other examples that are totally anachronistic, like the New York Jets 1994 green helmets.
Things that are merely errors due to laziness or indifference, like belts instead of sansabelt, fonts too big, stripes incorrect, etc., I think should just be called “poor throwbacks”.
ChiSox concepts are awesome
Giants are going high cuffed as a team with the interlocking SF road greys. How a team should look.
The Arizona concepts are fantastic, and far better than the clown uniforms that were just released. Nice idea, and much cleaner/less cartoonish than next year’s set!
(Personally, I’m even more conservative- I think Arizona should stick with their classic white helmet for all of their sets, but whatever.)
No photos, but the Giants all went high cuffed for today’s game against the Rockies. Sadly, no orange stripes, but they may be startin something new as Bochy called for a team meeting. And the Giants didn’t wear their orange billed caps for today either.
Everytime I see the Bengals in rookie camp or training camp photos, I think how easy it ould be for the team to look good again.
link
Make the long sleeved shirt orange. Pants are white with conventional black-orange-black stripes.
If it weren’t for those helmets I’d mistake them for the Falcons!
Sweden breaks out the gold helmets after winning the IIHF world championships today.
As always I’m in the minority. I never did like the Beer Barrel Man and liked the later version of the BnG look much better (the ones with the cursive jersey lettering). But the 94 look with the green added is still my favorite look. But I’m sure the only other ones that feel that way beside me are the people that designed that look.
I think only you and Todd Radom like the Motre Bame look.
You’re probably right. Don’t know why but I liked it. Didn’t care for it as much after they dropped the green but there was just something about it I liked. It’s a lot better than what they wear now though!