What you see pictured above from the Twitter universe is a first look at the 2012 Stars & Stripe caps to first be worn during games upcoming on Memorial Day weekend.
The team logo embroidery includes a digital-camouflage look, and overall, we do like it better than this model, and this model, but wish that teams simply wore a U.S. flag patch for those games and be done with it.
It’s bad enough putting patches on the side of the cap with such little room, but changing the look altogether, doesn’t make sense.
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Speaking of Caps: Some pretty interesting one's in the store right now including a Philadelphia Firebirds snap-back with the NAHL logo on the side, a Philadelphia Stars model from the USFL days, plus Phillies fitted caps for the years 1926 and 1942. See more on our Facebook page here.
When will it happen-an update: Still no Marlins orange cap Tuesday night against Houston as the team has hit the 30-games played ledger.
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In-Store Event: We’re looking forward to welcoming you to tomorrow night’s second installment of Pro League Authentics “Jersey as Art” four-part series. On the agenda are 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.
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.
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A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and musings on the world of uniforms, Like our Facebook page and follow us @PLAphilly.
To Philadelphia sports fans what’s more surprising; the Flyers down 3-1 to New Jersey with the Devils able to clinch tonight at the Wells Fargo Center, or the 76ers leading top-seed Chicago (minus reigning MVP Derrick Rose) 3-1 able to clinch tonight at the United Center?
We say Sixers, even without the talented Rose, although the ability to finish off a team when it’s down will be the test for Philly in Game Five this evening.
The current version of the team’s jersey is an improvement of where things used to stand, but still pales to the origin of “PHILA” that goes back to the team’s first season of 1963.
That moniker was worn until 1971, when “SIXERS” replaced it on no less than eight different versions (including that disaster pictured that said “Philadelphia Sixers” making no sense whatsoever), until “PHILA” reappeared in Feb. 2007, albeit a flashier and crowded version.
What was the best looking era of the “PHILA” jersey? Easy, 1966-70 when the team won its first NBA title in ’67. The look was simple, traditional and unique with the city abbreviation, and it would be great one day to see a version return as the road uniform.
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When will it happen: Not too many MLB teams have ever worn an orange cap. In fact, off the top of our head (no pun intended), we can only think of the 1971-82 Houston Astros, although the 1975 Orioles had an orange front panel, and the Giants have had an orange bill in the past, and present (Sunday games).
The Miami Marlins orange hat has been a big seller this spring since its debut. However, the team has only worn it in exhibition play, not yet in a regular season game only wearing their black hat through Monday night's game at Houston.
So, any guesses out there as to when the orange cap will first see the field of play? Let us know at: info@proleagueauthentics.com.
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In-Store Event: We’re two days away from Thursday’s installment of Pro League Authentics “Jersey as Art” series. On the agenda are 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.
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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A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and musings on the world of uniforms, Like our Facebook page and follow us @PLAphilly.
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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A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and the world of uniforms, Like our Facebook page and follow us @PLAphilly.
It’s Flashback Fridays in Houston tonight. No, that’s not the name of some new trendy, casually-priced nationwide chain of restaurants, but rather the Friday night home promotion that the Houston Astros are showcasing in their 50th anniversary season, and final one as members of the National League.
The Astros, and new owner Jim Crane as part of the conditions of buying the club, were essentially forced to move to the American League West to not only balance each league at 15 teams, but provide the Texas Rangers with a Central Time Zone rival.
In month two of the Flashback Fridays promotion beginning tonight against St. Louis at Minute Maid Park, the Astros will don their shooting star jerseys worn in two versions throughout the 1960s and ‘70s.
The first variation from 1965-70 featured blue trim and caps, with the design staying the same but switching to orange trim and caps from 1971-74. For Flashback Fridays this month it will be the original blue version that sees the field.
With the move to a new league and with the new ownership, the talk has been that an updated look based on the shooting star jersey will return in 2013, replacing to us what has been a rather dull period in the ‘Stros uniform history, especially under previous owner Drayton McLane who hated gray and preferred the brick alternates to be the (almost) regular road jersey.
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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 next 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. 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.
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A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and the world of uniforms, Like our Facebook page and follow us @PLAphilly.
(Editor's Note: Longtime baseball uniform expert and sports author Morris Levin has his second weekly look at MLB team jerseys. Today, Morris focuses on perhaps the most famous uniform in all of sports, the pinstripes worn by the 27-time World Series champion New York Yankees.)
By Morris Levin
While the New York Yankees have worn the same pinstripe jersey at home since 1936, the Yankees have made many subtle changes to their jersey through the years, while continuing to be the most conservative of clubs in considering changes.
Majestic introduced the lighter weight Cool Base fabric jerseys in 2006 as a warm weather alternative to the double-knit poly worn since the early 1970s. Majestic offers every MLB club the option of having on-field jerseys made in either standard double-knit of double-knit, or both. The Los Angeles Angels have jerseys made in both fabrics while some teams, like the Astros, only wear Cool Base. In 2012, the Yankees remain one of only two teams which do not wear Cool Base.
The Yankees were also hold-outs during the early-1970s change-over from flannel uniforms to poly. The Pittsburgh Pirates were the first club to switch from flannel to double-knit polyester fabric uniforms in 1970. The Yankees waited until 1973 to wear polyester, and along with the Montreal Expos were the last club to make the change.
In 1981, the Yankees changed the density of pinstripes on its uniform. In his opus, the MLB Game Worn Jerseys of the Double Knit Era, Bill Henderson notes that the Yankees’ pinstripes were approximately 1¼-inches to 1 1/3-inches apart from 1973 to 1980. The Yankees changed this to a 1-inch width which increased the number of stripes on the jersey and pants.
Today’s Yankees jerseys have six button down the front placket. Through 1991, the Yankees wore seven buttons down the front, evenly spaced from top to bottom. Since 1992, the team has worn only six buttons with the top two spaced close together at the top.
Majestic and Major League Baseball added the MLB corporate logo to the rear collar of on-field jerseys in 2000. The MLB logo on the rear of the Yanks’ jersey was navy and red from 2000 through 2011. New for the 2012 season, this MLB logo is now navy and gray on the Yankees’ shirts.
My favorite element of the Yankees’ authentic jersey is that it is the only jersey in 2012 which does not have the Majestic manufacturing label on the sleeve. Because the Yankees are the Yankees, the Yankees opt out from this obligation of MLB’s contract with Majestic, keeping the sleeves clean and corporate logo-free.
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Throwback Night: In writing about throwbacks on Monday, we neglected to mention another one of the occasions marking Fenway Park's centennial season celebration that includes throwback jerseys in select games.
The latest was Wednesday night's Red Sox 4-2 win over Oakland in which teams wore 1936 jerseys, the Athletics appearing as the Philadelphia A's in their gray uniforms, and the hometown Sox in a similar looking jersey to the longtime home model, albeit with a '36 cap and socks.
The reason for 1936? It was the year that the teams made a trade in which Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx was sent from Boston to Philly in a deal involving four other players and $75,000.
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Authentic Store Buzz: As we wrote earlier in the week, Flyers women's merchandise has been flying off the shelves during the team's post-season run which continues Thursday night with game three against the Devils at 'The Rock' in downtown Newark, N.J., the series deadlocked 1-1.
There will be plenty of stock on hand in time for Saturday's Cinco de Mayo street festival which will be happening right outside the PLA store on 13th Street, so plenty of reasons to come by the area for fun and shopping.
One prominent item that will be featured for Flyer fans are three new styles of Zephyr Flyers caps, and for throwback fans, how about hats from these long-gone leagues? WHA, NAHL, and the USFL! If you don't remember what the acronyms stand for, just click the links.
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Coming Up: One week from tonight, the second installment of PLA's "Jerseys as Art" series at the aforementioned Center City Philadelphia store location which is located on 13th Street between Walnut and Sansom (137 S. 13th Street).
Former Mitchell & Ness president and throwback uniform expert Peter Capolino will discuss and exhibit jerseys going back decades to the all-flannel era.
Philadelphia baseball stadium architect Rich Villa will detail a stadium project that's full of rich, baseball jersey history, and there will be a collector's look and presentation
of virtually all of the commemorative jersey patches ever worn by the 30 major league clubs.
The event begins at 6:00 pm, 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.
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A Reminder: For more news about Pro League Authentics and the world of uniforms, Like our Facebook page and follow us @PLAphilly.
(Editor's Note: In today's installment of Authentically Speaking, Pro League Authentics executive John Rabik takes us on both a personal recollection of fond Spectrum (1967-2009) memories, and specifically zeros in on some rare jersey patch scenarios involving both the Flyers and minor league affiliate Phantoms at the start of the 2008-09 NHL/AHL hockey seasons.)
By John Rabik
In what is now the parking lot for Xfinity Live, once stood the Spectrum, “America’s Showplace”. It was here in the 1980s and '90s that my blood changed from red to Orange & Black.
Going along with my grandfather to Flyers and Sixers games at the Spectrum is how I learned what it meant to be a Philadelphia sports fan. Many trips were for the standard fare of the NHL and NBA, however there were also some other flavors mixed in. The Barnum and Bailey Circus was always a favorite. Disney on Ice was a regular trip, but I would just sit there disappointed it wasn’t the Flyers.
I’ve seen Koko B. Ware, George the Animal Steele, and Junk Yard Dog in a rare WWF showcase immediately following a 76ers game. Hulk Hogan Tag Teamed with Macho Man (managed by Ms. Elizabeth) as well as The Rockers in a Saturday morning WWF show. I’m man enough to admit it now… I saw the New Kids on the Block there. I’m proud to say I skated on the ice for the Mites on Ice segment.
All of those memories ran through my mind on my last trip to the Spectrum to see the Flyers play one last time against their minor league affiliate, the Phantoms, on October 7, 2008.
Once I got into my seat I was pleased to notice that the Flyers were wearing a commemorative patch to honor their last games at the Spectrum. It sparked my interest because the Flyers don’t often wear patches on their jerseys. After doing some homework, I found that there are three known Spectrum patches that were worn by the Flyers and Phantoms in that 08-09 season.
What I discovered was all the patches have the Spectrum building, Spectrum bar logo, dates the stadium stood, as well as the Comcast Spectacor logo, but in different locations on the patch itself.
***There is the with a black border that says "September 27th 2008 - America's Showplace." This patch was worn by the Flyers in their final NHL (pre-season) game in the building against the Carolina Hurricanes on that 9/27/08 date.
It was at this game that Mike Richards was presented with his new captains sweater by Ed Snider (below). This patch was also worn by the Flyers in their final all-time game at the Spectrum, also in the preseason versus. the Phantoms 10 days later on Oct. 7, 2008.. Note that this is the only version of the "America’s Showplace" patch with angular color bars on the border colors.
***There is an "America’s Showplace" patch version with a white border that was worn the entire season on both the Phantoms home (below left) and road (below right) jerseys.
***Lastly, there is an "America’s Showplace" patch (top of article) that was worn on the Phantom’s alternate Spectrum jersey with a black border. What's most interesting about this patch is that it isn’t fully embroidered, but rather a sublimated graphic onto a twill backing.
Like the perpetually sticky floors that were part of the Spectrum's lore, questions remain about the variations in the "America’s Showplace" patch from that final year of the building. We’d love to hear what you know. Please submit any feedback on other variations of the patch that may be out there, or any intricacies that we have omitted. Email us at: info@proleagueauthentics.com.
Tenants of The Spectrum
Philadelphia Flyers (NHL 1967-1996)
Philadelphia 76ers (NBA 1967-1996)
Philadelphia Wings (NLL original franchise
1974-75 - current franchise 1987-1996)
Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL 1996-2009)
Philadelphia Kixx (NPSL/MISL/NISL 1996-2009)
Philadelphia Soul (AFL 2004-2008 selected home games)
Philadelphia Freedoms (WTT 1974)
Philadelphia Bulldogs (RHI 1994-1996)
Philadelphia Fever (MISL 1978-1981)
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Coming Up: We have added noted baseball stadium architect Rich Villa to our lineup of presenters for the second installment of "Jerseys as Art" on Thursday, May 10.
Former Mitchell & Ness president and throwback uniform expert Peter Capolino will also be on hand discussing and exhibiting jerseys going back decades to the all-flannel era, and there will be a collector's look and presentation of virtually all of the commemorative jersey patches ever worn by the 30 major league clubs.
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.
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Coming Up (2): Tomorrow on Authentically Speaking, a look at perhaps the most famous uniform in sports. Morris Levin with details on the Yankees Cool Base Jersey.
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Please Note: For more news about Pro League Authentics and the world of uniforms, Like our Facebook page and follow us @PLAphilly.
The fine folks at the store had been telling us for almost a week that they've been pleasantly surprised at the large number of women customers shopping for Flyers accessories, mostly to personally adorn, during the break between the first-round, six-game elimination of Pittsburgh, and the start of the conference semi-final series with New Jersey that continues tonight with game two in South Philly and the Flyers up 1-0.
Sure enough when we stopped by ourselves yesterday afternoon, there were two women trying on different items, excitedly talking about the team's chances to move on and perhaps face the top-seeded New York Rangers in the conference finals.
"Not so fast," reminded the Flyers fan to an inquisitor. "We have to take care of business (beating the Devils) first."
Professional hockey has always been a popular sport among women according to major polling companies, and that includes all age demographics. In Philadelphia, where Flyers loyalty is legendary among generations of families dating back to club's debut in 1967, there's always been a huge turnout of female fans first at the Spectrum and now Wells Fargo Center.
And for this particular group out there on Facebook, if anyone's a Flyers fan near Philly, stop by we'll take good care of you.
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Coming Up: Speaking of the Flyers and the Spectrum, know anything about the patch below? You will tomorrow as John Rabik has details about the patch, when and by whom it was worn, in tomorrow's installment of Authentically Speaking.
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Speaking of Patches: Many baseball team jersey patches will be on display next Thursday, May 10, at the Pro League Authentics store for the second installment of "Jerseys as Art," PLA's four-part exhibition series this spring/summer.
The 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 and presentation of virtually all of the commemorative jersey patches (original Yankee Stadium 50th anniversary patch worn in 1973 - above) ever worn by the 30 major league clubs.
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.
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Please Note: For more news about Pro League Authentics and the world of uniforms, Like our Facebook page and follow us @PLAphilly.
