Last week we mentioned in Authentically Speaking how the current Oakland A’s wore Philadelphia Athletics uniforms against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park May 2, part of the centennial celebration season of the old ballpark along Yawkey Way, with 1936 the year of choice for the team’s attire marking the season the Sox traded future Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx to the A’s.
We thought the story was underplayed on the uniform front, especially in Philadelphia, as it’s not every day you see a team from a city’s sports past resurrected somewhere other than the city of origin.
And, it looked splendid, bringing Philadelphia’s long lost American league franchise to life.
It reminds us that not too far from the store’s Center City Philadelphia location is the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society, a one of a kind relic stationed along the main street of suburban Hatboro, Pa. near the Montgomery/Bucks county border, which bills itself as “The Most Successful Historical Society of its Kind.”
If you’re a historical baseball fan and didn’t know of its existence, it’s worth a visit.
It also segues into the themes of our next installment of PLA’s “Jerseys as Art” series which is this Thursday night, May 10, at the store beginning at 6:00 pm (details below).
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Throwbacks NFL Style: First it was the Steelers a couple of weeks back announcing a throwback jersey in their 80th season celebration this year, now the Redskins have announced similar plans, with a not-yet-revealed throwback jersey to be worn this season, with both teams wearing an anniversary logo patch.
It’s one idea to celebrate season anniversaries like 10, 25, 50, and 75, but 80? Especially coming only five years after the traditional 75th “Diamond Anniversary” seasons which both teams marketed to the extreme.
Even worse is the fact that the ‘Skins are apparently simply using their 75th logo over again for their 80th logo, only changing the numbers “75” and “80” and the years. Cheap!
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In-Store Event: Rare and unique flannel baseball jerseys, a look at baseball’s history in Philadelphia, and an interesting display of virtually all of the commemorative patches worn by the 30 MLB teams are the presentation topics of our three guests for this Thursday’s installment of Pro League Authentics “Jerseys as Art” series.
The event is from 6-8 pm at the store located at 137. S. 13th Street (between Walnut/Sansom) in Center City Philadelphia. You’re invited to stop by, enjoy the uniform talk, light refreshments, and a discount on all in-store MLB authentic merchandise.
Our next event this summer will be a “can’t miss” date, and tentatively we’re looking at Thursday, July 19. MLB Game Worn Jerseys of the Double Knit Era author Bill Henderson will be with us to celebrate the release of the latest (2012) edition of his must-have, Bible of modern baseball jersey information. The last release of Bill’s work was in 2009, so we’re looking forward to the update. Stay tuned.
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