(Photo credit: cardboardconnection.com)
(Editor’s Note: Philadelphia area sports writer Ben Horrow has joined the writing staff of Authentically Speaking. In his first column for us, Ben reviews some recent eye-popping news when it comes to valuable uniforms worn by some of baseball’s best-known names.)
By Ben Horrow
This past holiday weekend, former Yankees pitcher Don Larson announced that he wanted to sell the jersey he wore pitching a perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. Larson wants to auction the jersey, as well as the pants, to the highest bidder in order to ensure that his estate has adequate funds to pay for his grandchildren’s college education.
The auction will be transpired this fall between October and December.
Larson, of course, remains the only pitcher to ever toss a perfect game in the World Series, a historic moment in Yankees and Major League Baseball history.
Yogi Berra,
Larson’s catcher in that iconic game, never owned the shirt he wore that
day. Instead, believe it or not, the
recycled jersey landed in the hands of a tryout player who held on to it for
more than half a century, before putting it up for auction in 2010. Winning bid: $565,000.
For comparison’s sake, as was recently spotlighted on Authentically Speaking, a 1920’s Babe Ruth jersey sold for $4.4 million at auction, the most ever for a piece of sports memorabilia.
Other recent MLB apparel auction news includes the sale of a 1965 Sandy Koufax Dodgers jersey for $166,818. In 1965 Koufax won one of his three Cy Young awards and was awarded the World Series MVP award.
In addition, Grey Flannel Auction announced that the owner of Reggie Jackson’s rookie Kansas City Athletics jersey would be selling the uniform. The Athletics played in Kansas City from 1955 until 1967 before moving to northern California. The jersey’s colors are green and yellow, with Jackson’s number 31 on the front along with the Athletics signature “A”.
One other uniform note: You may have noticed an interesting patch on Baltimore Orioles jerseys this season. The patch commemorates the 20th anniversary of the opening of Orioles Park at Camden Yards.
The building of the park at Camden Yards marked the beginning of a new wave of ballpark designs. Camden Yards, Progressive Field, and other modern stadiums have rustic feels to them giving the fan the experience of watching a modern day MLB game in an older style stadium. Oriole’s players wear the patch on both home and away jerseys and will wear the patches for the entire 2012 season.
++++++++++
There’s a whole lotta throwbacking going on: It starts tonight with our season long favorites the Astros going back to the great 1975-86 era with the jersey they wore both home and away for five of those seasons (1975-79) as they take on the Reds at Minute Maid Park. They will break those out again on June 22 against Cleveland.
And, yes, they’ll don orange caps, joining the Marlins in that category this season.
Saturday in San Francisco it’s a “Turn Back the Century” game as the Cubs and Giants will don the old-time look with 1912 uniforms. The Cubs 1912 hat has been a big hit with online purchases through the store this spring.
++++++++++
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.)
By Morris Levin
When the San Francisco Giants moved to Pac Bell Park (now AT&T Park) for the 2000 season, the team tweaked its uniform, changing the fabric color to a light cream color from the standard home white. In 2012, the Giants, Mets, Twins, Cleveland, Atlanta, and the Phillies all wear cream uniforms.
The Pirates were the first team to switch from wool flannel to double-knit uniforms in 1970. Whereas white flannel was truly an off-white cream, the new double-knit unis were a clean white. By 1973, all twenty-four Major League teams had switched to double-knits, and home whites were bright white.
The White Sox hosted the first Turn Back the Clock game on July 11, 1990. Rawlings reproduced the 1917 uniforms in double-knit, using a clean white fabric with midnight navy pinstripes. This was the first Turn Back the Clock game and Rawlings' reproduction work was impressive for an event for which there was no previous example.
In 1993, Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co. was invited to make uniforms for many Turn Back the Clock games, specifically 1925 Pirates uniforms for a July game against the Reds, and 1933 Phillies uniforms for an August game against the Pirates. Mitchell & Ness used historically accurate felt for lettering and numbers, and precisely matched the fonts, but per-the request of the teams, used polyester fabrics. But to increase the authenticity of the unis, Mitchell & Ness used a cream colored fabric rather than bright white.
Many teams have subsequently worn cream uniforms for TBTC games.
The Giants were the first to introduce cream uniforms as their primary uniform. Prior to the 2008 season, the Phillies introduced alternate uniforms recreating their 1948 uniforms in cream color. The Mets changed the fabric color for the pinstripe home uniforms to cream in 2010. The same season, the Twins moved into Target Field and introduced alternate uniforms recreating the team’s 1961 to 1971 flannel uniforms. Atlanta introduced an alternate uniform prior to this season recreating their late-1960s jerseys.
++++++++++
Who says it's not the uniform? Now we know why the Twins are wearing the "M" cap more often than not lately as we wrote yesterday. It's simple; they're winning with it.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune the team 's record was 27-68 from August 7, 2011, the last time the team wore the "M" cap as part of a 20th anniversary celebration of the 1991 World Series championship team at Target Field last summer, until this past Monday when the Twins wore a Stars and Stripes "M" cap to begin a three-game series against Oakland, who they swept yesterday wearing the traditional "M" cap the last two games.
Friday night the Twins are in Cleveland. Which road jersey will they wear if they do indeed keep the "M" cap in place?
A) The gray "Minnesota" jersey
B) The blue "Minnesota" alternate
We'll guess "C" as the fonts match up, and we'll check our results on Monday.
++++++++++
Authentic store buzz: There's no doubt that the largest demographic that has made Citizens Bank Park a "cool" place to hang out during the Phillies almost three-year long consecutive sellout streak are 20 and 30 somethings, especially women.
We can tell by the amount of women that shop at the store for Phillies merchandise, wanting to look fashionable while rooting on the home team.
To that end, a new Nike ladies track jacket and hoodie (pictured above) has arrived, and next week look for ladies "cadet" Phillies caps from Banner 47. Check with the store for details.
++++++++++
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 Stanley Cup finals get underway tonight in Newark, N.J. with the Devils and Kings battling it out for Lord Stanley’s hardware. And, as has been the case in every NHL final series since 1989, the two teams will wear cup final commemorative patches on their jerseys.
Major League Baseball got into championship patch marketing two seasons earlier for the 1987 World Series, although only the Cardinals wore the patch, not the series winning Twins.
For the Super Bowl, commemorative patches actually began in Super Bowl X between Pittsburgh and Dallas honoring the nation’s bicentennial, and once again to celebrate the 25th game played in 1991 in Tampa between the Giants and Bills.
It wasn’t until the 1997 game in San Diego, Super Bowl XXXII with Denver facing Green Bay, that both team regularly wore a Super Bowl patch.
In the NBA Finals, patches date back to the great Chicago Bulls era of the ‘90s, with the 1996 championship series between the Bulls and Seattle the first time a small trophy patch was added to the jerseys.
++++++++++
“M” is for memories: The Twins have been on an “M” kick with their on-field cap of late, replacing the standard “TC” version. Not only did they wear the alternate “M” as their Stars and Stripes cap Monday against the A’s, they wore the traditional “M” Tuesday night versus Oakland as well.
The “M” cap was the Twins primary home and away cap from 1987-2001. In 2003 they went back to the “TC” at home and the “M” on the road until 2009, then a season later the team unveiled a new road version of the “TC” cap.
Minnesota wore the “M” cap at home for three games last August, part of the 20th anniversary of the 1991 World Series championship club, but not in 2010, therefore this week’s sighting is a little unusual.
++++++++++
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.
We knew the
return of the Stars and Stripes caps in the
2012 version was happening all across MLB games yesterday, and at least the
base color of each team’s cap was the same, with only the cap logo embroidery
changed to a raised digital-camouflage pattern. The look was
understated on some teams, more prominent on others.
We simply don’t understand why a simple (hand pressed) American flag patch can’t be added to the jersey chest for patriotic holidays like the cancer awareness ribbons on Mother’s and Father’s Day and leave it at that.
One team’s look we really liked Sunday and Monday was the Marlins in orange jerseys at home, white pants, and black cap (the Stars and Stripes version on Monday) with “MARLINS” across the front instead of “MIAMI” that appears on the white, gray and black versions.
On that note, we’ve never agreed with teams wearing the city name at home, as currently Miami does for the majority of its games and Texas does for all games, home and away. Baseball protocol of the nickname or logo at home, and city name on the road, always made the “unis” unique.
The weekend started off with a bang Saturday at Safeco Field with the Angels becoming the PCL L.A. Angels, and the Mariners the PCL Rainiers, both circa 1955. Great look!
The Pirates wanted to honor military veterans a la the Padres each home Sunday in San Diego, so the Bucs wore their version of a camouflage jersey Saturday and Sunday against the Cubs at PNC Park, breaking out the black Stars and Stripes cap with it two days earlier than the rest of the teams.
Two other uniform notes: Making their 2012 debuts, the Reds black cap with a red bill, and the Rockies in purple jerseys at home that have “COLORADO” across the front. Ugh.
++++++++++
More 2012 Nike arrivals: The authentic home jerseys for the new Seahawks look (number 18 Sidney Rice, top row left) and the Chiefs (number 7 Matt Cassel, top row center) have arrived at the store. Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s home red jersey number 11 (second row left) is also at the store. Please contact for all details.
++++++++++
A reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, follow us @PLAphilly, and visit our YouTube page.
New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane confirmed this week that the team will have new uniforms when it begins play in the American League West next season, and while he’s dropping hints, he’s not letting the cat completely out of the bag.
Crane has indicated that old colors blue and orange will make a return, but he won’t violate Major League Baseball protocol by getting into specifics. We like orange, and it would be great if the Astros returned to an orange cap full-time, or at least had one as an option.
Teams requesting to change jerseys the following season must submit their plans to the MLB office by May 30, which Crane says is on track. Teams can’t reveal new looks until the end of each season, which Crane says will likely happen in November.
So, jersey followers and Astros fans, the current model will become a throwback jersey one day, a collector’s item perhaps to the black, brick, and gold preference of former owner Drayton McLaine.
They can be ordered through PLA’s Majestic drop ship program and come three ways; blank, with a player’s name/number, or customized for an individual, and are shipped in approximately 8-10 business days. Contact the store with any questions.
++++++++++
All Star Game BP Jerseys: June 4 is the deadline to order specific player batting practice jerseys with Majestic for the All Star Game in Kansas City July 10, and of course worn the night before for the home run hitting contest.
As you can see below, the host American League will wear power blue, the National League royal blue, colors of the home team Kansas City Royals.
The players for the game will be revealed on July 1, with shipping approximately five days after that announcement. Please contact the PLA store for all details.
++++++++++
A reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, follow us @PLAphilly, and visit our YouTube page.
(Editor's Note: Longtime baseball uniform expert and author Morris Levin writes weekly for Authentically Speaking.)
By Morris Levin
Pictured above is an official Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia logo t-shirt which you can purchase here at PLA.
Athletic is an active amateur base ball team, and a member of the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League. The club competes in the Federal Conference with clubs in Maryland and Delaware. Most home games are played in Philadelphia’s West Parkside neighborhood, in the grove adjoining Memorial Hall (1876) such that left-center field is bounded by the Smith Memorial Arch (1912).
Athletic plays base ball according to the 1864 National Association rules. The ball is a bit softer than the baseball we use today. The pitcher tosses the ball underhand; fielders play without gloves; and there are slight differences in aspects of base running and fielding.
Scott Alberts founded the club in 2009 and Athletic played its first game in April 2010. As is common to current vintage base ball teams, Scott based the club name and uniform on Philadelphia original Athletic Base Ball Club.
In 1859, several members of Philadelphia’s Handel & Haydn Society singing club gathered recreationally to play base ball, and called themselves Athletic. The team came to dominate amateur play in Philadelphia through the mid-1860s. The club went professional in the late 1860s, supporting the organization of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players. Athletic was a charter member of the National League, before folding in 1877.The current Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia uniforms are based directly on those worn by the team in the early 1860s. Descriptions of Athletic’s 1860s uniforms can be found in The Book of American Pastimes, by Charles Peverelly , as well as from images found in contemporary issues of Harper’s Weekly.
PLA is the sole online distributor of Athletic t-shirts, and a percentage of all sales supports the not for profit educational and community efforts of the Athletic base ball club.
++++++++++
Ladies and Gentlemen...your Phil-a-del-phia Sev-en-ty Sixerrrrrs! Wow. What a game Wednesday night in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals. An evening highlighted off-the-court by the return of A.I., the upstart Sixers, spurred on the court by veterans Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, and the scoring of Lou Williams, forced a game seven in Boston Saturday beating the Celtics 82-75.
There was plenty of Sixers buzz before last night, so you can imagine the talk around the city today. We're sure to see fans come into the store eyeing a couple of Sixers items, caps and a nice-looking adidas jacket.
++++++++++
++++++++++
A reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, follow us @PLAphilly, and check out our YouTube page.
Alright, so the Phillies aren’t hitting, mired in last place with the only division record under .500 heading into the finale of a three-game series with first place Washington this evening at Citizens Bank Park.
But loyal Phillies fans continue to support the team to the tune of 224 consecutive sellouts through last night dating back to July 7, 2009, the day the stadium streak started.
And they do so with many different designs of headwear, especially popular are throwback jerseys and caps.
American Needle Cap has invited PLA to be part of its Cooperstown Collection drop-ship program for its extensive product line of historically worn team caps, including six different models for the Phillies (pictured above left to right, 1980, 1926, 1917, 1950-70, 1930, and 1949).
At least these caps will make it easier rooting for the Phillies in style as the team looks to return to its winning ways.
++++++++++
Patch news: A tough year for the White Sox baseball family with the death of Chicago native and 1950s-60s slugger Bill “Moose” Skowron last month, and then the death last week of the team’s pre-game instructor and batting practice pitcher Kevin Hickey who was found unresponsive in his Dallas hotel room during a road series against the Rangers.
The team first added a “BMS” patch for Skowron, and now has added a “Hic Man” patch to honor Hickey.
++++++++++
A reminder (1): June 4 is the deadline to order specific player batting practice jerseys with Majestic for the All Star Game in Kansas City July 10.
The players for the game will be revealed on July 1, with shipping approximately five days after that announcement. Please contact the PLA store for all details.
++++++++++
A reminder (2): For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, follow us @PLAphilly, and check out our YouTube page.
By now, those of us in the jersey nation have all seen the 2012 Nike uniforms as first paraded around at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during Nike’s glitzy event in early April.
No major changes except for the Seahawks, with the jerseys first available for public purchase on a limited basis at each of the 32 team official stores surrounding the three day NFL draft last month.
Now, Nike is working with its top retail clients to offer the jerseys in each league market, and will have a couple of samples in stores over the next few weeks.
For Pro League Authentics, its first in-store display of the authentic 2012 model (pictured above) is not of an Eagles player, although one with a brief Philadelphia connection.
The number 11 jersey of Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who before playing two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh, spent part of his senior year of high school at suburban Valley Forge Military Academy off of Philly’s Main Line.
Nike has specific retail transaction guidelines for its clientele, so please contact the store to get all of the details concerning sales of the 2012 NFL authentic.
++++++++++
Looking forward to throw backs: The Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels will wear 1950s era PCL jerseys Saturday night at Safeco Field. Seattle will be the Rainiers, the Angels the namesake L.A. Angels, the team which inspired the franchise’s name upon its 1961 debut playing home games at Los Angeles’s Wrigley Field.
Meanwhile, Sunday and Monday at PNC Park the Pirates will wear a camouflage jersey (joining the Padres who regularly wear camouflage for Sunday home games) to honor the military over the Memorial Day weekend.
++++++++++
They’re ‘Royal’ all star game BP jerseys: You’re favorite all-star player in this year’ batting practice jersey colors of navy and powder blue.
The game’s in Kansas City for the first time since 1973, so the theme is the Royals colors, and it’s a different look that many jersey and baseball fans like for their particular favorite player.
Please contact the PLA store before June 4 so we can order with Majestic and provide all details. The players for the game will be revealed on July 1, with shipping approximately five days after that announcement.
++++++++++
A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, Like our Facebook page, follow us @PLAphilly.
(Photo credit: SCP Auctions)
It was the Babe Ruth of all jersey sales.
Wait, it was Babe Ruth’s jersey that sold at a record-breaking price Sunday according to Laguna Niguel, Calif.-based SCP Auctions.
SCP announced that another auction house, Lelands.com made the winning bid, of $4,415,658 which Lelands.com later announced was for a private client.
The circa 1920 road jersey Ruth wore shortly after being traded by the Red Sox during the off-season is believed to be the earliest known Ruth jersey still in existence, and had been on display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum in Baltimore.
The transaction also made the jersey the most valuable piece of sports memorabilia on the planet, surpassing the $4,338,500 paid in 2010 for Dr. James Naismith’s original two page document, “The Founding Rules of Basketball,” which he wrote in 1891.
++++++++++
A diamond in gold patch celebration: It’s the 75th anniversary of San Francisco’s most recognizable landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge, with big events planned all month around the Bay Area, the largest and most spotlighted of which is this Sunday. May 27th marks 75 years to the day traffic began to flow between “The City” and Marin County.
To take a small part in the celebration, the Giants wore 75th anniversary patches in Friday night’s 8-6 win over across-the-bay rivals Oakland, to honor the bridge and its part in the city’s lore.
And, they blended in great with the Friday home games orange jersey.
++++++++++
June 4 the deadline: They’re back. You’re favorite all-star game batting practice jerseys (above) for this year’s 83rd rendition of the game being held in Kansas City for the first time since 1973 when Kauffman Stadium was known as Royals Stadium, and was in its debut season.
Please contact the store before June 4 so we can order with Majestic and provide all details. The players for the game will be revealed on July 1, with shipping one to five days after that announcement.
++++++++++
Tomorrow on Authentically Speaking: We’ll take a look at Nike NFL 2012 jerseys.
++++++++++
A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and thoughts on the world of sports uniforms, please Like our Facebook page, and follow us @PLAphilly.
