The Shibe Vintage Sports History Blog

Editor's Note: Philadelphia area sports writer Ben Horrow contributes weekly to Authentically Speaking.)

By Ben Horrow

Due to the recent recession, fans, citizens, small businesses, and other companies alike have compiled financial hardship.  These financial woes have not seemed to affect ticket sales at sporting events, but sports apparel companies are not immune. 

At the close of the first quarter, February 29^th, Nike announced that they had increased profits by 7% in comparison to the same period of the prior year.  The largest sports apparel company in the world mentioned that it had not reduced the number of products they offer in light of the recent recession.  

Fueled by the recent European Football Championships, Nike saw sales in Europe rise despite financial issues plaguing the European Union and the entire continent.  Nike remarked that their revenues in North America and China also rose, and that their sales in the U.S. remain high and above their largest market.

On the other hand, Nike has lost about 9% of its market cap and it’s per share has fallen from $1.23 to $1.17.  Overall though it seems like the goliath of a company has not been fazed too much by the world’s collective pecuniary troubles.  

The new Nike NFL jerseys continue to sell well, and with the NFL season rapidly approaching, sales can only rise.  In addition, Nike and rival Adidas will both benefit greatly from the upcoming Summer Olympics in London, England that begin July 27.  

While Olympic rules do not allow its sponsors to advertise their brands at Olympic venues, with almost every runner, track & field star, swimmer, etc. wearing Nike and Adidas gear, the Olympics will be choc full of free advertisements for the two companies.  Adidas sees this as an opportunity to gain ground in the coveted British market that Nike has dominated for so long.                                                                  

++++++++++

(Editor's Note: Longtime baseball uniform expert and author Morris Levin writes weekly for Authentically Speaking.)

By Morris Levin 

Yesterday, this blog posted an image of the WHA's Cleveland Crusaders cap now for sale here on the online shop. The World Hockey Association was a rival professional hockey league to the NHL from 1972 to 1979. The NHL's Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques, Hartford Whalers, and Winnipeg Jets have their roots in the WHA. 

During the height of the Great Depression in 1937, local businessman Albert C. Sutphin built the Cleveland Arena on Euclid Avenue as a playing site for his AHL team, the Cleveland Barons. The Barons played at the 9,500-seat arena until 1973. Nick Mileti had purchased the arena and Barons in the late 1960s and was the founding owners o the NBA's Cavaliers. 

The WHA opened play in 1972 which depleted the talent of the American Hockey League and purchased the rights to start a new WHA team to compete at the "major league" level. He named the team the Cleveland Crusaders and moved the Barons to Jacksonville. The Crusaders played at the Arena for two seasons and then moved with the Cavs to the brand new suburban Richfield Coliseum in 1974. 

In 1976, the NHL transferred the San Francisco-Oakland franchise to Cleveland, renamed the club the Cleveland Barons, and displaced the Crusaders. Barons beats Crusaders. 

++++++++++

More Throwbacks Coming Up:  It will be 1989 all over again when the Mets play at San Diego on Aug 3.  Both teams will be wearing jerseys from that season. 

The Mets part of a three year period with a pull over jersey and block lettering spelling out “NEW YORK,” while the Padres were in the second-to-last season of wearing the brown pinstripes with orange trim at home.

++++++++++

Authentic Store Buzz: Please join us a week from today, July 19, as we welcome former Philadelphia Atoms soccer goalkeeper, and current Philadelphia Union broadcaster Bob Rigby to our Center City Philly store meeting with fans and signing autographs from 11:30-12:30.

Rigby, a Philadelphia-area native, helped lead the Atoms to the 1973 North American Soccer league Championship in his and the team’s rookie season, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as the Atoms were the first U.S. team in any sports to win a professional championship in its first season.

We’ll have a reprint of the SI cover for Bob to sign.  Hope to see you at out store as the soccer community in the Philly region will be alive with the MLS All Star Game the following week.

++++++++++

Authentically Speaking Trivia Time: Who was the last position player (non kicker/punter) to play without a facemask in the NFL ?  Answer on Friday.

Wednesday’s answer:  The Atlantic Coast Conference in 1963-64.

++++++++++

A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, converse with us @PLAphilly, and visit our YouTube page. 

(Picture credit: visitkc.com)

We’ve always liked the picture of the all star game teams lining up on both base lines, one side in all home white, the other in all road gray while each team member is introduced, as they did for last night’s lackluster, one-sided affair with the National League coasting 8-0 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. 

That wasn’t always the case, of course, as players wore their respective jerseys which up until 1991 still included power blue as the regular road jersey of the Expos and Royals.

Besides the various colored shoes which seemingly is the latest trend, there was the movement of non—planned memorial patches honoring the Mets Gary Carter and the Padres Darrel Akerfelds to the top of the left chest of those team's respective all star jerseys in order to affix the all star patch to the right sleeve.

But MLB allowed the patch to be moved to the left side of the sleeve on the jersey of the Red Sox David Ortiz, because the Fenway Park 100^th anniversary patch was formally scheduled all season on the right sleeve.

++++++++++

Authentic Store Buzz:  If you are a fan of the long gone but certainly not forgotten World Hockey Association, then PLA has you covered. 

New snap back caps for several of the teams have arrived, including the Philadelphia Blazers, Indianapolis Racers, and Cleveland Crusaders,  (pictured above-left to right).

+++++

Please join us a week from tomorrow, Thursday, July 19, as we welcome former Philadelphia Atoms soccer goalkeeper, and current Philadelphia Union broadcaster Bob Rigby to our Center City Philly store meeting with fans and signing autographs from 11:30-12:30.

Rigby, a Philadelphia-area native, helped lead the Atoms to the 1973 North American Soccer league Championship in his and the team’s rookie season, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as the Atoms were the first U.S. team in any sports to win a professional championship in its first season.

We’ll have a reprint of the SI cover for Bob to sign.  Hope to see you at out store as the soccer community in the Philly region will be alive with the MLS All Star Game the following week.

++++++++++

Authentically Speaking Trivia Time: What major college basketball conference was the first to put players names on the back of the uniforms?  Answer on Thursday.

Tuesday’s answer:  The Cincinnati Reds.  Instead of the MLB 125^th anniversary patch, the Reds wore a Cincinnati Red Stockings 1869 team picture as a patch.

++++++++++

A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, converse with us @PLAphilly, and visit our YouTube page. 

The NFL currently has a rule that a team cannot have two helmets as part of its submitted standard home and away uniforms.

Teams can wear a second helmet that is part of a regularly-worn throwback uniform up to two times a season, but not different helmets for a typical 16-game schedule.

That wasn’t always the case in the pre-merger NFL as during the 1969 season, the Eagles sort of had a cross-pollination of their 1968 uniforms and 1970 uniforms creating up to six different looks with their ’69 attire, all having the NFL 50^th anniversary patch affixed on the left shoulder, with both white and green helmets. 

And they certainly mixed and matched.  During the 14 game season Philly wore each helmet seven times, white at home, green on the road, in addition to both sleeves, and no sleeves on both their green and white jerseys.

Think of the possibilities today, especially if the team ever decides to go back to more of a Kelly green or lighter pantone first worn up until 1973, then again from 1985-95.

++++++++++

Authentic Store Buzz:  More Nike NFL Elite jerseys have hit the store, including white and blue Cowboys jerseys (pictured above) for WR’s Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, and QB Tony Romo.

Also in at our 13^th Street Center City location (pictured above) are two great ’47 Brand Eagles women’s stylish T’s, and just in time for the Olympics July 27-Aug 12 in London, a USA basketball snap-back hat from Sports Specialties.

+++++

Please join us at lunch time a week from Thursday, July 19, as we welcome former Philadelphia Atoms soccer goalkeeper, and current Philadelphia Union broadcaster Bob Rigby to our Center City Philly store meeting with fans and signing autographs from 11:30-12:30.

Rigby, a Philadelphia-area native, helped lead the Atoms to the 1973 North American Soccer league Championship in his and the team’s rookie season, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as the Atoms were the first U.S. team in any sports to win a professional championship in its first season.

We’ll have a reprint of the SI cover for Bob to sign.  Hope to see you at out store as the soccer community in the Philly region will be alive with the MLS All Star Game the following week.

++++++++++

Authentically Speaking Trivia Time: We wrote about 1994’s MLB’s 125^th anniversary patch on Monday, what team did not wear it on either their home/away/alternate jerseys during the strike-shortened ‘94 season?  Answer on Wednesday.

Monday’s answer:  The 1978 San Diego Padres hosted the All Star Game at what was then simply known as San Diego Stadium on July 11, 1978, and they wore a patch commemorating the event on all three of their jerseys that season. 

By the way, those ’78 jerseys are some of the few in MLB history to have the city name and team nickname on the front of the jersey. 

++++++++++

A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, converse with us @PLAphilly, and visit our YouTube page. 

As the all star players and related personnel made their way to Kansas City Sunday night, from a multitude of points nationally on a multitude of charter aircraft, to be in town for Monday night’s home run hitting event and Tuesday’s annual league versus league exhibition that has taken on the added relevance of home field advantage in the World Series, we take a look at a myriad of looks over the final first half weekend.

We didn’t think we’d see the shortened season (the 1994 MLB player’s strike ended the season on Aug. 12 that year) 125^th anniversary patch, known for its metallic glitter gold embroidery, used again. 

But there were the Twins with it on their right sleeve Saturday against Texas at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington, the Rangers opting not to wear the patch on their ’94 throwbacks, only the team diamond-shaped shield, which they actually wore from 1995-99. 

The A’s and Mariners went PCL Sunday as the Oaks and Rainiers at the Coliseum.  Kudos for the matching helmets.

Perhaps a preview at Citi Field Friday as the Mets went with a blue “Los Mets” jersey, and word is a blue alternate jersey is on the drawing board for 2013 and that this jersey served as a, dress rehearsal, pun intended.

The Astros went 1982-88 Friday against Milwaukee with the sans-a-belt pants.

++++++++++

Authentic Store Buzz:  Please join us at lunch time a week from Thursday, July 19, as we  welcome former Philadelphia Atoms soccer goalkeeper, and current Philadelphia Union broadcaster Bob Rigby to our Center City Philly store meeting with fans and signing autographs from 11:30-12:30.

Rigby, a Philadelphia-area native, helped lead the Atoms to the 1973 North American Soccer league Championship in his and the team’s rookie season, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as the Atoms were the first U.S. team in any sports to win a professional championship in its first season.

We’ll have a reprint of the SI cover for Bob to sign.  Hope to see you at out store as the soccer community in the Philly region will be alive with the MLS All Star Game the following week.

++++++++++

Authentically Speaking Trivia Time: What was the first year in MLB that the host team wore an all star game patch?  Answer on Tuesday.

Friday’s answer:  Super Bowl XIII on Jan. 21, 1979, when the Dallas Cowboys elected to wear white as the home team NFC representative against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 35-31 Steelers victory. 

++++++++++

A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, converse with us @PLAphilly, and visit our YouTube page. 

Photo Credit: NBA

(Editor's Note: Philadelphia area sports writer Ben Horrow contributes weekly to Authentically Speaking.)

By Ben Horrow

Rarely do sports and politics mix.  Oftentimes, politicians will attend sporting events to promote their local team, or even mention their support through social media.  Last week, following the Red Sox trade of Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox, President Obama, a staunch White Sox fan, remarked in front of a Boston audience, that he was thankful to the Bostonians for trading Youkilis to the White Sox. 

In May, the Phoenix Suns wore jerseys with “Los Suns” written on them.  They did so in celebration of Cinco de Mayo as well as a statement against recent immigration legislation in Arizona governing illegal immigrants.  

Steve Krakauer at Mediaite, a news and opinion blog and aggregator for the media industry, said, "Political statements in sports are a rare occurrence. But with the Arizona immigration law already intersecting with sports (in baseball) we could see more players and teams, or entire leagues, taking stands against the bill deemed by some to be unfair toward a set of people who make up large portions of the American sports world." 

In addition to Krakauer’s comments, Canadian Steve Nash remarked, "I'm against it. I think that this is a bill that really damages our civil liberties. I think it opens up the potential for racial profiling and racism. I think it's a bad precedent to set for our young people. I think it represents our state poorly in the eyes of the nation and the world... Hopefully it will change a lot in the coming weeks." 

In addition to the Suns’ opposition to Arizona’s recent immigration policies, a dicier political situation has arisen.  An anonymous donor gave a large sum of money to a Minor League Soccer team to wear jerseys with the phrase “Believe in America."  "Believe in America” is republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign slogan. According to the secret donor, “I love futbol, I love America, I am a proud Latino-American who believes Mitt Romney needs to be our next president.”   

FIFA, the governing body of F.C. New York, the Minor League club in question, has strict rules against slogans involving religion, politics, or personal statements on jerseys are strictly prohibited.  The club will not wear the jerseys, in testament to the fact that the sporting world is, and should always be, above he realm of government and politics. 

++++++++++

++++++++++

Authentically Speaking Trivia Time:  What year did the NFL begin allowing the designated home team in the Super Bowl to select its jersey color instead of the league maintaining an alternate year schedule for the AFC/NFC team to wear its colors or a white jersey?  Answer on Monday. 

Thursdays answer:  Seven times, or each season between 1969 and 1975, the Indians changed their uniforms.  Talk about inconsistency for the brand.

++++++++++

A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, converse with us @PLAphilly, and visit our YouTube page. 

(Editor's Note: Longtime baseball uniform expert and author Morris Levin writes weekly for Authentically Speaking.)

In the beginning was Marc Okkonen and his 1991 publication, Baseball uniforms of the 20th century: The official major league baseball guide. Okkonen visually chronicled the authentic game uniforms worn by every National League and American League team since 1901.

His work was first widely published in the sports world in the 1987 Sports Illustrated baseball preview issue, and today his research is the basis for much of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s “Dressed to the Nines” uniform database. Okkonen published his last printed edition in 1993. His work is thorough, useful today in 2012, and neither complete nor infallible.

Ten years after Okkonen’s last update, Philadelphia area game worn baseball jersey collector Bill Henderson picked up the mantle and published his own ground-breaking work, the Game Worn MLB Jersey Guide.

Henderson is a collector who happened to grow up in the typography and print-setting industry. He can deconstruct font styles with the best of them, has a passion for the hobby, and came to find himself with the skill and knowledge to identify and verify the authenticity of game worn jerseys.

This month, Henderson has released his most recent update to the edition. The 2012 edition has been updated to include every jersey worn between 1970 and May 2012. The work is incredibly detailed and specific.

There are now more than 2,500 pages in Henderson’s study. The Brewers chapter details team uniform prototypes. There are hundreds of Turn Back the Clock games chronicled, and almost all of the one year Turn Ahead the Clock jerseys. The Orioles chapter has obsessive detail on variations of trim, styles discontinued just days before they were to be worn on the field, mid-season and unannounced changes to lettering.

It is a very fun read, and for the time being, there is a early bird special discount for orders of the new Sixth Edition. When you check out, enter the code, “EarlyBird10” and receive $10 your order. 

++++++++++

A Patriotic Salute: Two observations on a day in which all 30 teams wore the cameo Stars & Stripes caps as they did on Memorial Day in observation of July 4: The Nationals blue patriotic jersey doesn't match up well with the rest of the home game attire, and boy, those Oakland A's gold alternate jerseys are sweet.

You can have an authentic gold alternate yourself, customized or blank, just check the store website.  There's also a women's replica available as well.  

++++++++++

Authentic Store Buzz:  Please join us on Thursday, July 19 from 11:30-12:30 as we welcome former Philadelphia Atoms soccer goalkeeper, and current Philadelphia Union broadcaster Bob Rigby to our Center City Philly store meeting with fans and signing autographs.

Rigby, a Philadelphia-area native, helped lead the Atoms to the 1973 North American Soccer league Championship in his and the team’s rookie season, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as the Atoms were the first U.S. team in any sports to win a professional championship in its first season.

We’ll have a reprint of the SI cover for Bob to sign.  Hope to see you as soccer will be in the Philadelphia air with the MLS All Star Game the following week.

++++++++++

Authentically Speaking Trivia Time:  From 1969-1975, how many times did the Cleveland Indians change their uniform in that six-year period?  Answer on Friday. 

Tuesday’s answer:  The 1970-71 NBA season all teams had to have a player's name on the back, including the (link pictured) Boston Celtics for the first time. 

++++++++++

A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, converse with us @PLAphilly, and visit our YouTube page.