By Phil Hecken
Yesterday evening, the Padres wore a throwback uniform while playing the Giants in Petco. Unfortunately, this was a late game for the east coast (not starting until 10:10 pm) and it was another game I didn’t get to see on the television. Perhaps that was for the best.
In the third of three throwbacks for their season, the Padres went with the uniform that was supposed to be the 1948 Pacific Coast League Padres. They’d actually done this particular throwback once before, in 2006.
The 2013 version, which was made by Majestic, looked like so (click to enlarge):
Now, that’s not too bad, especially when you consider that Alexi Amarista (pictured scoring on the left) is wearing nicely bloused pants and stirrups. And if you look at the cap, (seen on pitcher Sean O’Sullivan, on right), that seems to be pretty close to what the 1948 PCL Padres wore. Photos from that time are scarce, but here’s how that uniform looked:
The 2013 throwbacks look pretty close to what the 1948 Padres wore. Unfortunately, not everyone dressed as “properly” as Amarista, as lots of pajama pants abounded:
Although, there were certainly more stirrups than you normally see on a 2013 diamond.
So why didn’t it “feel” like 1948, and why was I disappointed? Well, these are actually Negro League uniforms, and in 2006, when this uniform was first debuted, it was billed as the “Padres’ Third Annual Salute to the Negro Leagues. The Padres will sport 1948 Pacific Coast League uniforms in honor of San Diego native Johnny Ritchey, who broke the PCL color barrier while playing for the Padres that season.” In 2006, the Padres played the Cubs, and they didn’t outfit the Cubs with any kind of throwback uniform; likewise, last evening the Giants played in their regular uniforms. If you’re going to go out of your way to honor a team and throwback, you really should equip your opponents in a period costume as well. That, coupled with the fact that it appeared more than half the players didn’t show proper hosiery is also disappointing.
Usually, all players will go out of their way to properly wear the Negro League throwbacks. I didn’t see any announcements (that doesn’t mean there weren’t any, I just didn’t see any) even mentioning what this uniform was throwing back to, or what team the Padres were honoring. I’m wondering if the players themselves weren’t even aware of its history.
There were other problems too, as spotted and reported by eagle-eye Uni Watcher Sean Robbins who noted that Will Veneble was wearing stirrups, but not showing stripe (photo on left below), and they didn’t bother giving the ball girl matching pants (photo on right below):
I’ve generally enjoyed the various throwback games this year, and I think Majestic has gotten better at making the uniforms. These seemed to match the 1948 uniforms well enough (and the caps were good, plus they removed the decals from the batting helmets — definitely a plus). But, they failed to equip the Giants with some form of throwback, and it didn’t seem as though much effort was made on the players behalf to dress the part. So the game didn’t have much of a throwback feel. I wish I could have actually seen it. Or maybe I don’t.
You can see more photos from this game here.
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 Brady Ivie, with some Brownies’ concepts:
Hey Phil,
I’m a little late with redesigning the Browns, but I was working on a logo and found a few tweaks made it great for Cleveland. I made jerseys, too, and thought the Browns could pull off wearing cream jerseys on the road.
Hope you like them.
Brady Ivie
Next up is Derek Lannabary, with just a logo tweak (it’s already full size):
Hi Phil,
Love the blog. It’s the first thing I read every day. Anyway, just wanted to send along my idea for a Redskins rebranding. If you wouldn’t mind throwing it in the ticker sometime, I’d like to see what others may think. I didn’t actually come up with the name, I heard it from someone else sometime back, but I haven’t ever seen anyone do anything with it so thought I would. The idea is, of course, they can keep everything but the name. Since the Native Americans were the first Americans it’s a logical choice to me and goes well with the capital city’s name. I also don’t think many really find the Indian head logo itself offensive and it reminds me of the buffalo nickel, which I wish they would bring back. Anyway, let me know what you think.
Derek Linnabary
We close today with Rob Holecko (he of the UWFFL) who is actually thinking of proposing a new football team for the Borough of Brooklyn:
Phil,
The Brooklyn Uni Watchers!
Boy you’re right, these colors do make a sharp uniform!
Rob
And that’s it for today. Back with more next time.
Stirrup Fridays…
Because we love the stirrup here at Uni Watch, this section is devoted to those of us who sport the beautiful hose on Fridays — a trend popularized many years ago by Robert P. Marshall, III. For many of us, it’s become a bit of an obsession, but a harmless one — a reflection of our times. Where we once had Friday ties, which has been replaced by Casual Friday — we now have Stirrup Fridays. It’s an endearingly simple concept — no matter where you work (or even if you don’t) — break out a fresh pair of rups to compliment (or clash with) your Friday attire.
And now, your look back at the hosiery worn by the Uni Watch Revolution for the past week (and almost always on Friday):
Joe Gleason:
Comrades Phil and Rob,
Pitching for the NY Gothams at the 15U Perfect Game Tournament, Ft. Myers, FL.
Joe Gleason
Matt Malinoski:
Phil/Robert,
Getting ready for a softball game with my Red Sox stirrups and knee-length Mizuno pants.
Matt Malinoski
James Poisso:
Phil,
Just got these Irish beauties in the mail yesterday so they had to be worn today.
James Poisso
“Soulfish”:
Phil/Robert,
My softball team, the Mermen, wear orange Marlins hats, and jerseys with various monikers like “The Codfather” on the back. I also choose to wear black stirrups with northwestern stripes, so I look extra slammin’.
~Soulfish
Michael Clary:
Phil:
It was a great day, but alas, not even stirrups can make potty time fun.
-Clarybird
And that ends today’s look at Stirrup Friday — all of you who participate, send me your pics and a brief (~50 words) description of their relevance, and I’ll run ’em here on Saturday (and sometimes Sunday too!). Be sure to visit Robert’s House of Hose for news on rups.
And now…here’s …
Comrade Marshall’s Rupdate:
Comrades!
This weeks winner of the Stirrup Friday photo contest is Michael Clary. Get in touch with me, and you get a buy one/get one from the revolutionary armaments. Or should that be legaments?
I should just never trust timelines I am given by TCK, or just never throw them off by ordering anything “funky”. No, getting things that we just could find otherwise is what makes this fun. But I have now been told that the Pilots and .45s will ship by the end of day Friday(yesterday), or Monday, and I am poised with envelopes addressed for a quick turnaround when they come in. Unfortunately last week I teased the 57 Cubs and 57 Reds, so even though I have not turned around the last order, I am going to go through with taking pre-orders this weekend on those two 1957 Senior Circuit hose. They were both ordered Monday, so I will have a limit of 12 each, if there are still some not accounted for, I will run these two as “new” next weekend as well, and since they are a standard pattern, they should be here July 25th-ish.
from each according their strype,
to each according their stirrvp.
That’s going to do it for today. There had been some rumors that the Buffalo Sabres would be unveiling their new third sweater yesterday, and they did give a few teasers — so much so that most of the people following this believe it will be a gold sweater. You can see some jersey teasers in this video released yesterday by the Sabes:
Sabres https://t.co/5Q04nfLCu3
— Phil Hecken (@PhilHecken) July 12, 2013
You can also read more and look at a mockup here
Everyone have an excellent Saturday, and unless there is some late, breaking uni news today, tomorrow’s lede (and the whole post really) should be really, really good. So make sure you check back in then. I’ll see you all tomorrow.
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHecken
Peace.
“Tom Brady’s been wearing a triathlon wetsuit since 2003 under his football gear to stay warm on cold and snowy days.”
–“Sully”
Great stuff today, Phil!
I don’t think those we’re supposed to be Negro League throwbacks, but rather that they took a standing Negro League promotion and folded PCL throwbacks into it by honoring the first black player in the league.
Agree that pajama pants kill a throwback. Little details make or break.
>sigh<. Darn auto-correct.
"were", not "we're".
It’s simply not a Negro Leagues throwback. The PCL was not, ever, part of negro baseball.
And I almost laughed out loud at the criticism of the baggy pants, coming as it did after link. Yes, darn these modern players for their too-long baggy pants! Why don’t they show some respect and dress like they did back in the day? Oh …
And I almost laughed out loud at the criticism of the baggy pants, coming as it did after this photo of 1948 players. Yes, darn these modern players for their too-long baggy pants! Why don’t they show some respect and dress like they did back in the day? Oh …
Hey, at least they bloused their pants back then.
The big tall African American in the picture of the ’48 Padres is Luke Easter who finished his long and storied baseball career with the Rochester Red Wings. Big Luke was a fan favorite during his six years with Rochester. He also served as a coach with the Wings where he tutored the likes of Boog Powell, Curt Blefary and Pete Ward.
Luke has had his number retired by two International League teams. Number 25 by the Buffalo Bisons and Number 36 by the Red Wings.
Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!
Is the restaurant at the Bisons’ stadium still called “Luke and Ollie’s”, after Mr. Easter and another Bisons legend, Ollie Carnegie?
When I was in high school, Luke Easter was working as a security guard, in Cleveland, I think. He was killed in a robbery. It was big news in Buffalo: people of my dad’s generation were genuinely broken up about it.
Cort-Yes. Ollie’s Number 6 is also retired by the Bisons.
The photo of Luke Easter is not from 1948; it’s from 1949 or 1950 during the brief time when the PCL Padres wore black and orange. The piping was tri-color; orange with a black stripe down the middle.
The ’48 uniforms the Padres wore last night were pretty much correct, piping color included, except that the real 1948 uniforms had zipper fronts.
Brady has the right idea for the Browns. It’s comforting knowing that somebody else thinks they should add cream to their colorway.
There is no right way to wear a baseball uniform. How its worn has been a constant change and evolution. I think it’s the one part of the game that does change. Maybe it changes for the simple reason that it is able to.
Not only does it disrespect the 1948 team when some on the team dress like baseball players and others like jai alai players, it crushes the whole concept of uniform to begin with.
Ah, but disrespect is what it’s all about. After all, they’re pro baseball players–what do they owe to any players or fans, least of all their predecessors? What sort of sucker would show respect for anyone or anything he wasn’t required to respect? And anyway, it’s certainly not as if their teams’ managers or owners care.
On the PAdres telecast last night, Dick Enberg commented on the 1948 unis, saying he really liked them and preferred them tot the current set the Padres wore. His only change would be losing the “S” logo cap they wore and replacing it with the “SD” logo but tweaking it to match the 1948 colors. He really like the combo of navy blue with red trim and said he might be tempted to go to the team store and buy one.
He really like the combo of navy blue with red trim and said he might be tempted to go to the team store and buy one.
Totally, because navy blue and red is such an underutilized color scheme in MLB. ;-)
Yeah, but until the Padres reclaim their rightful brown and gold, they might as well use red and blue. An improvement over their current colors, stolen from the Brewers.
They didn’t get a major element of the uniform correct: look at the 48 Padres photo on link The piping around the collar, down the front and the double set on both sleeves clearly shows piping of the three color variety: red, black, red. Last night’s throwbacks chose el-cheapo piping which was just a single black line. The two lines were too wide in the center of the jersey, coming down between the “d” and the “r” instead of thru the middle of the “d” on the high quality clear photo of the 48 uni.
Also the neck piping continues as two lines from the top of “Padres” up and around the neck on the originals. It’s like you’re expecting to see all the beautiful piping on the Braves uni, only to see the “cleaned up” mid 60’s version with single lines. Pretty sloppy work from a team that gets it right for dozens of area little league teams.
D+.
Spot on, it amazes me that Majestic continues to get these details wrong.
His cap is blank in that photo; how confident are we that it’s from the right year?
The photos shown above are actually from 1949 or 1950 during the brief time when the PCL Padres wore black and orange. The piping was tri-color; orange with a black stripe down the middle.
The ’48 uniforms the Padres wore last night were pretty much correct, piping color included, except that the real 1948 uniforms had zipper fronts.
I just remembered that despite the great work on link some of the actual color schemes are in doubt. The beautiful 49 and 50 sets may have been navy or black with red or orange trim. I guess SD’s sure on 47-48, so that’s what they went with.
Btw, Padres in PCL standings: 1947: 8th (last); 1948: 7th; 1949: 4th; 1950: 2nd!
Someone needs to determine the 48 and 49 colors beyond a doubt!
That Cleveland Browns logo looks awfully familiar, Brady. Lol.
I was thinking that myself.
(What we’re talking about: link)
Not sure why you’re complaining so much, Phil. Negro Leagues, PCL, whatever, they looked 100 times better than they do currently.
And if Posey busts out like he did last night, I’m all for the Padres wearing them every time they play the Giants.
Anyone else getting a dead link to Paul’s ESPN All Star article?!?
If you’re going to go out of your way to honor a team and throwback, you really should equip your opponents in a period costume as well.
This is the biggest problem with throwbacks in every sport. Watching the 1948 Padres vs the 2013 Giants just doesn’t look right. The same thing applies to in the NFL when you have the Packers throwing back to the 20’s and playing against a modern uniform. Throwback games need to have both teams wearing uniforms from the same general era, or they shouldn’t be done at all.
Thank you Phil, Comrade Marshall and ‘Soulfish’!
Without “Stirrup Fridays”, I might never see an orange Marlins cap in on-field action again!
I think it makes sense to critique throwbacks and Phil is certainly entitled to his opinions…that’s what this site is. I just can’t get worked up too much about it anymore. The 1940s, even 50s, 60s, 70s are never going to return. I’m happy just to be reminded one in awhile of what the old uniforms looked like on the field. I can’t be upset or disappointed if a few guys wore long pants, a helmet did not match or the other team didn’t participate.
I have alternate jersey fatigue.
Yep.
I think Derek Linnabary’s “Washington Americans” design is brilliantly conceived and equally well executed. Yes!
And maybe if they tweaked the logo to give the man a more realistic skin tone, it would look even better.
Imagine Washington having the “Nationals” and the “Americans” in the same town.
I’ve been looking at that Washington football team’s logo all these years and just now noticed the redundancy of the feathers! Feathers in the man’s hair & feathers on the ring.
Isn’t the “ring” portion of the Redskins’ logo a drum?
I’ve read somewhere that the current Redskins’ was proposed, conceived, and designed by an American Indian.
…current Redskins’ logo. Sorry ’bout that.
“I’ve read somewhere that the current Redskins’ logo was proposed, conceived, and designed by an American Indian.”
It’s an oft-repeated story that Walter Wetzel, former President of the National Congress of American Indians and chairman of the Blackfoot Nation, approached the Redskins in the late ’60s or early ’70s about using an Indian as their logo. Here’s link from the Helena Independent Record in which Wetzel recounts the story:
Another eye-opening Wetzel accomplishment was his idea to put the head of an Indian chief on the helmets of the Washington Redskins.
“Back then, (in the 1960s) there was only the letter “R” on the helmet, so I requested a few pictures to be sent down from my reservation of Indian chiefs,” Wetzel explained.
Wetzel said he walked into the office of the Washington Redskins and said, “I came here to see you guys about seeing a real Indian on the helmets.”
He said a person told him that they would look over his proposal and consider it.
After the team finally picked his idea, he said, he felt really proud — and has ever since — seeing the Indian chief on the helmet.
Frankly, I’m skeptical of Mr. Wetzel’s claim. The Redskins used logos that are very similar to their current helmet decal link.
I don’t think the skin tone is *that* unrealistic. It is a bit dark, but we are talking about people who spent most of their lives outside. The sun does have a way of darkening the skin, after all.
I too was disappointed when the Giants werent wearing a throwback to match. I assumed they would wear PCL San Francisco Seals unis to match. I also think the Padres would have looked better if everyone wore the stirrups….
Since we dabble in ticket stubs here from time to time, check out this beautiful stub that was just uploaded this week. A true gem.
link
It’s a shame that ticket stubs aren’t very cool looking anymore. I’ve got stubs for a few concerts I’ve attended, and the only real difference between any of them is the text.
I just paid to attend the fall Dover race and was offered a ‘flash seat’ option…no ticketing whatsoever.
I passed…I have a credential holder from my first race that I keep my all my tickets in and I will oppose any efforts to render its’ continued use obsolete!
Take that, 21st Century!
I had “digital tickets” for the Sox-Yankees game for the 100th birthday of Fenway Park last year.
Thankfully, my debit card was so old and worn that it wouldn’t read properly at the gate, and they ended up having to print out my tickets.
What the (*&^ are the Yankees wearing today? Camo caps, numerals, and NY logo. It’s July 13th…am I missing a specific reason for this BS? Game is on MLBTV
The Yankees wore the ROAD camo caps already on July 4 (against the Twins, oddly enough) so this is likely a marketing ploy to sell the HOME camo caps…? No other team has both home and road camo caps.
And neither do the Yankees. The July 4 caps had white or gray crowns, depending on whether the team in question was home or away on the day, with either navy or red brims. These are the camo caps that were worn on Memorial Day.
This is the third anniversary of the death of George Steinbrenner; wearing camo would be an odd way to commemorate that.
If it was tomorrow, id say Bastille Day. :)
The point is, these are NOT Negro League throwbacks. These are PCL throwbacks. Epic research fail from Phil, though after yesterday’s comments section I’m not sure I’m qualified to say something like this.
I think the Washington Americans is an excellent idea. As for the Sabres new alternate, it looks to me that it is still blue with lots of yellow/gold trim. Across the bottom and at the neck. What I saw of the logo looked interesting too.
And the Yankees went G.I. Joe today, much to the chagrin of the Ghost of George M. Steinbrenner.
I can’t believe I actually miss that scumbag.
Really.
Wondolowski scored two more goals in the USA vs. Cuba match…he had the extra W sewed into the inside of his shirt. It looked like it was on the underside of his nameplate.
Apparently they’re not to concerned about geography at the Swoosh:
link
I like the Washington Americans idea also. I’m not sure who could really object to that.
The uniforms were clean but I agree that some type of announcement should have been made and that all players should have worn the proper uniform- striped socks etc. Glad to see they removed the decals from the batting helmets as well.