Although today's title refers to the nickname that originated during the team's 1959 American league pennant winning season, we'll borrow liberally to use it here describing how cool it looks to see the White Sox donning their 1972 home uniforms this season, the second occasion occurring yesterday in Chicago's 4-1 win over Boston.
Sure, the 2012 models are not 100% exactly like the '72 jersey, with buttons replacing a zipper front for example, but to see the large numbers on a nameless back of the jersey against a gray-clad road team, in this case the Red Sox, is a true throwback look to a game of a different era.
Ah, throwbacks. MLB marketing and the teams will be all over the place with throwbacks this seasons. We've already had the Red Sox and Yankees with no numbers whatsoever, the Colt .45's, and coming in June the Giants and Cubs will don 1912 throwbacks, in a centennial celebration game.
Authentic Weekend Buzz: We really liked how Nike had the correct font in lettering each jersey for the first round draft choices as they came on stage at the NFL Draft. All the jerseys had the number "1" and the player's name in the correct style by team. A search found this article on the very subject as to how it was all done.
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Please Don't Forget: The next Pro League Authentics installment of our four-part exhibition series "Jerseys as Art" is Thursday, May 10.
This presentation features former Mitchell & Ness president and throwback uniform expert Peter Capolino discussing and exhibiting jerseys going back decades to the all-flannel era, and a collector's look at virtually all of the commemorative jersey patches (Minnesota Twins - see above) ever worn by the 30 major league clubs, some 250 patches in all.
Also, Philadelphia baseball stadium architect Rich Villa will discuss a throwback project rich in jersey history.
The event begins at 6:00 pm at our Center City store location (137 S. 13th St - between Walnut/Sansom), with refreshments provided and in-store discounts on all authentic MLB products.
We hope to you see you there, but if you can't make it we plan to tape the event to be available online.
