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Category: Player Names/Nameplates

What Are the Most Common MLB NOBs?

[Editor’s Note: Today we have a guest entry from Brandon Brewer, who’s going to enlighten us on an interesting statistical metric. ”” PL] By Brandon Brewer I’m very interested in …

Play for the Name on the Front of the Jersey (and the back, while you’re at it)

Potentially entertaining development yesterday in the world of minor league baseball, as Marlins farmhand Austin Nola (above left) was promoted from the Double-A Jacksonville Suns to the Triple-A New Orleans …

A Cornucopia of Uni Goodness in One Photo

Reader Leo Strawn Jr. recently sent me this photo of Pete Rose, which I hadn’t seen before. Pretty sure it’s from 1963. There’s so much going on here! Let’s go …

You Won’t Be Seeing This Jersey on the Field Again

Paul here. I’m returning to the site today, then webmaster John Ekdahl will have tomorrow’s content, and I’ll be back for good on Monday. So: The controversy regarding Vanderbilt’s “Anchor …

A Typographical Quirk at the World Cup

About 25 years ago, when I was working as a book editor, I was introduced to the concept of a ligature. That’s the typographic term for what happens when two …

Possibly the Most Teeny-Tiny Uni Detail Ever

In case you missed it yesterday afternoon, my latest ESPN column is about NOBs with lowercase and small-cap lettering. It’s a fun typographic rabbit hole — enjoy. Now, several other …

A Major St. Paddy’s Day Historical Find

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up on Monday, which means teams from around the sports world will be wearing green. Many of you probably know that this gimmick-turned-tradition was pioneered …

A Pair of Pre-Thanksgiving Turkeys

When White Sox owner Bill Veeck pioneered the placement of players’ names on uniforms in 1960, he was probably too busy misspelling Big Klu’s name to wonder how his innovation …

Name Games

Two players who play two different sports for two different teams situated on two different continents are changing their NOBs — ostensibly for two very different reasons. In the end, …

Situation, Odd

Paul here, serving on weekend duty while Phil takes a well-earned break. Rare sight at last night’s SMU/Texas Tech game, as Mustangs running back Prescott Line was sporting FIOB with …

If It Can Happen to Gretzky, It Can Happen to Anyone

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve tried to stay up late and watch the Mets when they play on the west coast. And ever since I was a kid, …

History Lesson via Nameplate

Photos by Tim Haney; if slideshow doesn’t work, click here Thirty years ago, when I was in college, we had an on-campus nonprofit record store that was staffed entirely by …

Channeling Their Inner Astros

Click to enlarge Arizona unveiled new football uniforms yesterday. As you can see above, the most interesting thing about them (not to be confused with the best thing about them) …

A Typical Piece of Cuban Propaganda

Meet Erisbel Arruebarruena. He plays shortstop on the Cuban team in the World Baseball Classic. And as you can see, he has one doozy of an NOB –13 letters, which …

Another Day, Another Sandy Hook Memorial

Click to enlarge Yesterday’s Newtown memorial du jour took place in Providence, whose basketball team wore green uniforms with “Sandy Hook” NOBs. The jerseys are going to be sent to …