Road Jersey Redesign for a Contest - watcha think?
Paul Lukas from ESPN.com has a Uni-Watch blog. Currently, there's a contest on the site that asks readers to design a jersey for any MLB team. The design could be home, away or alternate.
Several months ago, I made this fan shot of a genuine 1909 road jersey:
I knew ahead of time that Al liked that jersey, and wondered if it would be a good one to update for a new alternate jersey. Well, thanks to this contest, I finally have an excuse to give it a shot.
We all know that the home pinstripes are classic, and shouldn't be messed with. Aside from the sleeve patch, they haven't changed significantly since 1957. While the uniforms are a big reason why I fell in love with the Cubs as a kid, I for the life of me can't figure out how a team that has such a legacy of languishing in the middle to the bottom of the pack clings to it's uniform design like the Cowboys, Steelers, Yankees or Canadiens do. They're teams with winning traditions. It's not a complaint. I just have always wondered why they wouldn't want to switch it up a bit.
Maybe the road jersey was always regarded by Cubs ownership through the years as a chance to switch it up. It has gone through many different looks, to varying degrees of success.
I propose for their next roadie, instead of thinking outside of the box like they did with the short-lived "Cuba" jersey, or the early 80s pinstriped pajamas, they should pull inspiration from their past, when they were regarded as perennial favorites.
What many people don't know is that the Cubs, before they settled on their current home design back in the '50s, were trendsetters. They were the first team to wear sleeveless jerseys, first to wear powder blue, and first to wear zipper front jerseys back in the '30s and '40s. Heck, they were even the first to wear pinstripes.
I also wanted to reflect this unique, uniform pioneering history as well.
So, here it is:

Pulling the vertical "CHICAGO" off of the Tinkers-Evers-Chance era jersey and combining it with elements from the Gabby Hartnett era uniform wore in the '30s (my personal favorite) were musts as far as I was concerned.
I decided to give the uniform a flannel like texture and keep the names off of the back to give it that old-school feel and tinted the traditional gray a little blue to pay homage to that first attempt to introduce light blue to baseball back in the 40s.
Of course, I had to add the Ryno era sleeve patch (again, my favorite of the various sleeve logos they've worn) to pay homage to the first team to return to the post-season after a 39-year drought back in 1984.
Hope you dig it.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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I'd keep the name on the back.
And that retro-early-80’s Cub? I dunno. And I’d lean towards more gray than powder-blue.
But otherwise I like this look.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree
with the gray. Don’t like the powder-blue.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 28, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the blue might be a problem...
when it comes to viewing on a monitor. I’ll tweak it before submitting. While designing, it looks much more gray. When I save it out as a jpeg, it turns really 80s-ish powder blue. Not what I wanted. I just want something a little fresher than the traditional gray.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
it is not the monitor
it is the basic design. The blue instead of gray is a problem, so is the CHICAGO down the front.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 28, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Also, I'm not sure about this claim
Heck, they were even the first to wear pinstripes.
Unless you count that 1909-era road jersey as “pinstripes”, the first team to wear them was the Yankees — in 1912.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Marc Okkonen in his book...
credited to the Cubs with the 1900s road uniform, but you’re right, it wasn’t until the Yankees put them on white and spaced them out more, that they became a standard baseball uniform element.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
Marc Okkonen in his book...
credited to the Cubs with the 1900s road uniform, but you’re right, it wasn’t until the Yankees put them on white and spaced them out more, that they became a standard baseball uniform element.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
sorry for the double post...
meant to reply to Al.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
I believe
National League rules require names on the backs of road jerseys. I remember that was the case at least back in 79 (as was mentioned in the comments to todays uniwatch entry) and I believe that rule is still in effect today.
See the Cubs 2010 schedule (now with game times & TV Schedule) at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
So they get the DH...
and we get names? Gotta say, I like the NL’s rule difference a little better.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
It's ok
except the Chicago down the front looks cheesy IMO.
This.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 4:02 AM CDT up reply actions
I think if you chose a different font it would look better
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Looks like a softball league jersey
sorry to say that to someone that put a lot of effort into the design. Just my 2 pennies worth…
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
a truly horrific design
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 28, 2010 11:34 AM CDT reply actions
Not a big fan
You said
nstead of thinking outside of the box like they did with the short-lived “Cuba” jersey, or the early 80s pinstriped pajamaswhich I’m not sure is a critique of the pajama look or not, but this looks like pajamas to me. That may be mostly the color.
I also don’t like the Chicago on buttons. Remove that and I’d buy this as a nighttime shirt, but I don’t think it’d be something I’d like to see on the field.
This might inspire some discussion
But, I really see NOTHING wrong with the one we currently have. I actually feel like the road gray is my favorite jersey. Anyone else feel the same way (not necessarily favorite, just like the jersey as is)?
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
I, too like the current road unis
the current roadies are good looking, the best looking ones since the 1960s and early 70s
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 28, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed!
I’ve always liked the road grays the best — Simple, plain, conservative — The way a uniform worn by one of the oldest franchises should look, IMO. I do like the home white pinstripes too though.
Now if we could just ditch those blue alternates and set fire to them. I realize the alternates provide one more jersey for the team to sell, but I’ve never liked them and I think of Big-Z every time they’re worn.
IMHO, The Cubs should wear white pin’s at home, gray on the road — PERIOD!
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie" -- Tony Montana
Do you think it would be a good idea to go back to the blues from a while back?
Like this one?

A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 28, 2010 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions
meh...not as bad as others. Not that great either.
Looks too much like a Tshirt in my eyes…which it is.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 4:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Never liked those.
Looked like a softball uniform.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
NO
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 29, 2010 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions
A little nit to pic
On these replica jerseys, the name is arched wrong. The letters should be more straighter up and down with the top and bottom of the letters arched. See the example on Morelands jersey below.

See the Cubs 2010 schedule (now with game times & TV Schedule) at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Actually,
They did both. I always remembered it the way it is here. It’s called vertical arching. I think that’s the way they were the first couple of seasons with them, but in by ‘89 they were fanning them out like they are now. That’s called radial arching, and it’s the standard mostly because it’s a lot easier on equipment managers.
Vertical arching requires a lot of different versions of the same letter because where that letter appears in a name and how long a name is changes the amount of distortion needed to create the arch, but it looks so much cooler.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
That may be true..
(I have to check on that), but they sell those jerseys as replica 1984 Jerseys. My wife & daughter bought me one as a fathers day present last year. If it was a true 1984 style jersey, it would have the vertically arched names.
See the Cubs 2010 schedule (now with game times & TV Schedule) at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Here's the proof
Members of Uni-Watch get cards that have custom backs that look like the jersey of their choice (some people do some crazier stuff). I wanted an ‘84 Cubs road jersey, because as an 11 year old boy, that’s the team I fell in love with, and while I don’t like it as a rule, it looks distinctive. People know what team that was when they see the red numbers in that font.

So, when I selected that as my design, Paul asked me if I wanted the vertical arched name (the one I picked) or the radial arched (the way it is on those throwbacks). He explained that they used both, and provided me this screen shot.

So, if it were a true ‘84 jersey, it’d have vertically arched letters. If it were an Andre Dawson throwback, for example, it’d be radial.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
Cubbie blue is not pale blue
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 30, 2010 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions
I for the life of me can’t figure out how a team that has such a legacy of languishing in the middle to the bottom of the pack clings to it’s uniform design like the Cowboys, Steelers, Yankees or Canadiens do.
Because uniforms have absolutely nothing to do with whether or not a team wins or loses?
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
Not to mention neither of those uniforms look bad
Now, if the Astros had kept their rainbow jerseys, then yes, would be advocating a change.
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 28, 2010 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe my point wasn't clear
Of course, winning teams don’t win because of their uniforms. Losing teams don’t lose because of their uniforms. But typically it’s the winning teams that stick with a look.
It’s called branding. People have associations to images no matter how if you want them to or not. The Yankees uniform works because the Yankees wear them. You put the Seattle Mariners in those uniforms and people would say that they look like a generic baseball team.
If you really look closely at the Cowboys uniforms, they’re a mess. Green pants, silver helmet, navy blue star with royal blue numbers and stripes. If the Jaguars wore them, they’d look sloppy, but since we associate the Cowboys with being one of the best football teams on the planet, people like it.
All I’m saying is, from a branding standpoint, it’s weird that a team associated with losing for so long not ditching the look a long time ago. Not because the uniforms look bad, but because sometimes teams change just to change.
Just look at the uniform history of that other baseball team in Chicago…
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
Not true about the Cowboys
The home pants, according to the Dallas Cowboys official media guide, are a common metallic silver-blue color (PMS 8280 C) that help bring out the blue in the uniform.
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 28, 2010 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Uniforms have nothing to do with winning as you say.
So if you are making an argument for the team generating more money from sales of a jersey fans would buy more of, then changing the jersey for “branding” makes sense. However it won’t change whether the team is perceived to be a winner or not, that takes….you know…actual winning.
And I never liked the way the Cowboys uniforms have changed since the 70’s, 80’s or whatever you use. You have a history of winning, why mess with it. I think people respect the simplicity in a good design and the dollars you make up with a lot of variation you can lose with people thinking they look foolish. But I’m not the majority of fans either. Opinions will certainly vary.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 4:09 AM CDT up reply actions
It's a little too retro for me...
I love the attempt, but it looks too much like a novelty jersey that a fat guy sitting in the upper deck might wear – one that he picked up from the discount store. The Chicago running down the front just looks too odd. Looked odd on the jerseys back then, too. I like the shoulder piping. The color reminds me of the old flannel unis
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
Eh...I like the design, but not for the modern day game.
If those were the jerseys in like 1980 they would be sweet.
I really have no problem at all with the Cubs jerseys now.
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
My new blog/ebay auction site: http://mikessportscards.weebly.com/
Man
I like it, I think even though some may not appreciate where you’re going with this, having seen other submissions on UniWatch this is one of the better ones I have seen. Seriously, some of the uniform tweaks people come up with are horrible. While this may not appeal to all I think you did a nice job with incorporating the elements from the specific periods. Bravo!
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Thanks!
I was beginning to wonder if I just completely missed the mark.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
If you're going to listen to anyone about this
it should be StevenABQ. IIRC from a previous discussion, he has a HUGE collection of Cub jerseys from all different eras-very impressive-bordering on obsession. I would imagine he’s quite the authority on jerseys past and present.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 29, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Also
Whether one likes the CHICAGO on the placket or not, this is one of the best updates to that turn of the century style that I have seen. Either way you slice it that is got to be one of harder designs to incorporate into a uni, mainly because it was used on a sun-collar jersey.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
But the basic probloem is trying to incorporate that start of the 20th century look.
There is a reason why they ditched that look decades ago.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 28, 2010 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
That's true
It’s a dated style that will always scream retro more than timeless ala the Yankees
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
by StevenABQ on Jul 28, 2010 3:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Good point
a few styles are timeless while most others are just old
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 29, 2010 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Patch
I am a big fan of the cubby bear face patch on the left sleeve, I absolutely can’t stand the crawling bear thats on our sleeves and road jerseys now
"Okay, just so I understand it...in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil."- Jim Halpert
by ryanbrixenivy on Jul 28, 2010 1:38 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I completely agree
When they changed from this one to the big bear head of the early 90s I was bummed. When they changed it to the one they have now, I was horrified.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
That walking bear always looked like it was walking away from first place and into the Forrest, err basement.
"Don't shed any tears. You think about this: Here I am, the grandson of a slave. And here the whole world was excited about whether I was going into the Hall of Fame or not. We've come a long ways." BUCK O'NEIL
by HotDogDude on Jul 29, 2010 9:28 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
rec'd
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 28, 2010 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions
If they'd change back to the 1960's era cubby bear face, I could go for it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That is sweet.
And I almost put it on this, but ultimately decided it didn’t fit the “Cubs Winning Tradition” theme.
But yeah, a return to that instead of the “new” logo would be a plus.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
Except that logo...
… was on several very good Cub team uniforms from 1967-72.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
For the record, I actually like the Crawling Bear
Looks nice
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 28, 2010 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Your design is starting to grow on me.
My first reaction was that I didn’t care for the powder blue. If I saw this in gray I probably would have loved it immediately.
I really like the Chicago down the front. Not sure about the stripe on the shoulder though.
Since the 100 anniversary of Wrigley being built is coming up in a few years, maybe the 1914 logo would be appropriate. Just a thought.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
And a very interesting thought.
I just might work that up. Thanks!
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
I swore I hit reply...
That was at katie. Sorry.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
Cool.
You are brave to open this up for critique. If you take too much advice, you might end up with a hodgepodge. I think you should just submit your own favorite.
That being said, if you do a full uniform design including the pants…I think they should have stirrups.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Nice for a throwback day
but for the long term, no. I don’t like reminders that the last time won a WS was before…well, just about everything of the modern age…..including Wrigley Field.
Nice job, though.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 28, 2010 3:31 PM CDT reply actions
I think it's a nice mix of the retro and the modern.
No one complains about the Tigers uniforms, but they’ve been wearing something similar for almost 100 years.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
There is no stripe down the middle of the Tigers uni
This is a major difference, Al. This screams “ancient.” I like throwback unis, but I prefer — the days before Tinkers to Evers to Chance. The Tigers uniform looks as clean now as it did 50+ years ago.
But again, for a Throwback Day this concept would be fine. For 82 Road games — no.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 28, 2010 4:10 PM CDT reply actions
I still like the look.
It’s different. It’s unique in baseball today. It honors the past. I’d like to see something like this.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't like the vertical letters much for a road jersy, for a throwback it's fine.
I’d like to see other styles and options. It sure is a pleasant topic compared to how we will change the team into a winner with the way they’ve been playing and handling the team this year. I sure have been glad they have kept the pinstripes. San Diego is spot on that Detroit, The Yankees, and the Cubs uniforms look as clean now to me as they did 50 years ago. Simple and elegant. Classy.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 4:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Unique does not equal better
The Padres camo unis are unique, but hardly better
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 29, 2010 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions
I think
it looks horrible. It’s way better than anything I could put together, but it doens’t look good imo.
DEJESUS!!!
Well
Interesting point, but I would like to know what specific elements of the uni design you find so offensive? Granted you have admitted that it is better than what you could put together, but it would be cool if you would throw out some ideas on what works/doesn’t work.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Looking again
I think my big complaint about the vertical lettering is that it’s so big and vibrant. It just screams at me. I might like it if it were more subdued and blended a little more. It just seems so stark compared the rest of the outfit.
If you tweak the color so it appears more grey as you originally planned, can you repost? I’d be curious at how much difference that’d make.
I like the shoulder stripe and the patch.
How 'bout this?
I think you made a good point on the strength of the type. I think I was clinging a little too closely to the type used for the “UBS” in the logo, and trying to fill the placket from side to side.
I also dimmed down the blue-ness.
I’m fond of the shoulder stripes too. Without them, it looks fine, but doesn’t achieve what I want.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
I like that much better
As an alternate jersey, I enjoy the modern take on a retro style. I like it.
Just for my own curiosity, what if the jersey were white rather than grey. Keep everything else as is here.
IDK man
This doesn’t look all that modern to me. The lettering would look better horizontally, vertically still looks too flashy.
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 28, 2010 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Horizontal would be bad
Granted it may not be possible to incorporate the veritical look from the early century, the OP was trying to use that feature in this vision. I suggest taking a look at the Cubs jerseys over the last 100 years (both road and home) and then evaluating where the OP was going with this. I think it is a damn cool design, while not something that may be adopted, it could easily be a feasble fan jersey that would probably fly off the shelves. oh IMHO.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
That's the problem. the verticle letters.
Change those and then see what it looks like. kinda hard to do that in your mind.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 4:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Shoot vertical.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 4:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe later
I plan on doing a home version of the same concept later. It won’t have the CHICAGO on it, because while putting both Chicago and Cubs on any jersey is unorthodox, I don’t think it’s ever right to put a city name on a home jersey. Just a hang up I have.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
You mean you dont like this jersey?
(neither do I)

See the Cubs 2010 schedule (now with game times & TV Schedule) at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Yeah, that's silly
The Cubs spelled out “Chicago Cubs” one way or an other a few times over their history. It doesn’t really work, and I don’t think anyone else has tried it, but I could be, and probably am wrong.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
One that I can remember...
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Jul 29, 2010 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep. Good one
The Sox also did it with a script, dodgers-style Chicago, with White Sox in the long underline/tail thing.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
by STLCubFan on Jul 29, 2010 3:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
O.O
Holy crap those are ugly. It’s wild cause I actually like the powder blue Cards jerseys of that era.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I never did like the powder blue road unforms for ANY team.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The Padres wore these last night
I guess they must have lost a bet.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 30, 2010 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Must have.
I saw some of that game. The uniforms still look as bad as they did then.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Taco Bell unis
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 30, 2010 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
One issue
Which you probably already noted, is that the original unis which had the city name on the placket were of the pull-over style. These which you have rendered would be tucked into the uni pants, so it would likely require the city name to be reduced to allow for tucking in of the uni top.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Yeah, this is for a concept
If it’s actually wins, which is a long shot, we’ll probably have to re-think how the letters work.
I actually remember reading somewhere someone wanted to do this with and old KC Monarchs jersey I think. He said that they don’t even have equipment that can do it now. So if a team wanted to do it, they’d probably have to be creative and use some non-standard techniques.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
Try making it with the Cub face logo from the 1960's.
This one:
![]()
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I might be the only one, but I only see a red x here.
And I wanted to see what it looked like! lol…love the Cub face.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 4:15 AM CDT up reply actions
my tattoo :)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jul 29, 2010 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Ah sorry.
Must have been reading too fast. I knew what the face looked like, for some reason I thought you meant you had a pic of it prominently displayed on a uni. I like it on the arm as it has been.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions
The problem is not the style of the lettering down the front
it is the lettering down the front
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 29, 2010 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Unique? So was the Astros rainbow jersey
and the White Sox shorts, did you like those?
It is possible for something to be unique and ugly, and I think that lettering down the front, while it would be unique, is really ugly. My disdain for the current blueberry jerseys is well-documented here, but I would prefer they wear those for every road game than ever wear than that retro-ish looking thing.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 29, 2010 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions
OK, you and I differ on "ugly".
I agree with you on the Astros jerseys and the White Sox shorts.
I like this one, You don’t. Simple as that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It's kinda funny...
In the marketing/advertising world we call the most basic, obvious, safe concept a “fastball”. Seems his username might be spot-on.
I keed, I keed.
I get that the vertical CHICAGO doesn’t look “good”, and I wouldn’t suggest ever doing it if it weren’t a part of the team’s history. Sort of how I don’t really care for white football helmets, but when the Chargers switched up a couple of years ago, it worked, because that is a part of their history.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
I'd still like your design even if it didn't have the vertical "CHICAGO" on it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If it did not have the vertical CHICAGO
it would be a lot better, not good, but a lot better, that is deal-breaker.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 29, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
There is a reason why a safe design is safe
because to most people it looks good. Your design is not safe because to most people it looks ugly. You are trying so hard to be different and combine so many disparate elements that your design ends up looking like hell.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 29, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he has surely seen your objection long ago.
I don’t like the vertical letters either but everyone’s opinion is just as valid. You don’t know what looks ugly to most people until you take a poll.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
bored again SET?
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 30, 2010 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Nope.
But I’ll take a hug anytime.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 30, 2010 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Ironic how you resent my multiple posts in this thread
considering the number of threads here you can be found obsessing in. One of those do as I say and not as I do types I see. Hardly a surprise.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 31, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
The Block "SOX"
across the front of their 80s jersey was terrible, too. Their 1959 jersey — with the red piping added to the black — still their best uni.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 29, 2010 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I still don't like the Chicago down the middle
If you left it be without that I’d love it
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
The color is much better.
I keep going back and forth on the “Chicago” lettering. At first, I kinda hated it, but now, I kinda like it. Then I think about it and I don’t like it. Then I look again, and I like it.
Back with blue numbers and name on the back? I know the original design had no player names, but I think it’d be nice. White or red number/letter outline? Or none?
"Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes..."
FWIW
I really like the Blue number/Red outline look.
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 29, 2010 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions
don't get me wrong
A reason why I like our current road unis is because of the colors they have: I really like the blue names and red numbers.
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 29, 2010 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Again, great for a Throwback Uni
Love to see the Cubs wear this a few times for special events. But as a road uni, it’s just dated. Vertical lettering is just very, very, very, very ancient.
But I appreciate your attention to detail in this project. Taking “Chicago” out with the 40’s Cubs logo and the 80s’s logo, this uni is quite interesting.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 29, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
The idea of a the throwback uni usually
is that it is a replica of a uni that the team actually wore, and the team never wore this uni. It is a mish mash of features of old Cubs unis.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 30, 2010 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Ok, we can agree.
It isn’t a “throwback”. Yep, it’s a combination of features that the Cubs once had.
The assignment for the contest is to design a NEW jersey for an MLB team.
So, in order to create something “new” I thought it’d be interesting to reflect different periods of the Cubs history. The times when they were winners, and I was going to work up the vertical Chicago uniform for Al because he mentioned earlier this year he’d like to see an update for it, and so did I. The contest just gave me a deadline.
Designing for the Cubs is tricky. Something new usually isn’t very well received by the loyal fan base, see the current blue alts or the infamous “Cuba” road jersey. And, their current look is fine. Probably the best they’ve had in my lifetime. I think it could be dressed up a bit, a la the 60s roadies that everyone loves, but none the less, they’re good.
There are two reasons why, over objections by some, I kept the vertical Chicago on the jersey. One, it’s a unique element that is a direct reference to the most dominant period of Cubs history. The other is the fact that if I took it off, it’d be almost a literal throwback to the uniforms of the ‘30s, and therefore wouldn’t be “new”.
So, my choices may not be for everyone, nothing is, but I do feel that my design is better now after getting feedback from people that care about how the Cubs are represented.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
Classic grays are the best....
The rule in MLB is that long established teams (Yanks, Bosox, Cards, Dodgers, etc.) wear White/Gray and leave the softball uniforms to the bottom feeders. I think the Cubs road grays are classic-can’t stand the Blue Pajamas.
However it should be noted
That the road jerseys from the period did indeed have slight blue hue to them, by virtue of the wool blends of grey at the time. While this version may hark back to the blues of the 1930s, even game used jerseys from the 60s have a strong blue tone which is different from the poly blends from 1972 forward.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
They did indeed.
Here’s a photo of Ron Santo from that era — has to be between 1964-68, since that’s when they wore these jerseys and that’s Shea Stadium in the background. Definitely a blue tinge to the gray.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's a great shot.
I think my new color selection is much closer to this than the 70s/80s powder blues.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
BTW
Al, how did you know it was Shea? And I ask only since I would have never known.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Couple reasons.
First, I know what Shea looks like.
Second, nearly all players had their Topps card photos taken in New York in this era, because that’s where the Topps company HQ was and they just sent their photographers to Shea and Yankee Stadiums to take player photos when teams came to play the Mets and Yankees.
Look at virtually any card from the 1960’s and you’re likely to see these two stadiums in the background.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Dear 64-68 Road Uniform,
To quote the Jackson 5, “I want you back.”
Love,
Phubbies
"Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes..."
This is the BEST
road uni of the last 60 years.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 29, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't mind a little blue hue.....
But the current loud alternate blues are more appropriate to an expansion team. AT least the Cubs brass outlawed wearing the blues at home this year…that’s progress.
Something like this would be sweet
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Well, if you're still interested
Here’s the design I’ve submitted to the contest.
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
by STLCubFan on Jul 29, 2010 9:54 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
It's grown on me
Now make a white vertical lettering on a white jersey!
But only if you have time and inclination to. It’s more for my curiousity. .
This photo was taken by a friend of mine in Cooperstown last weekend
This is the 1968 road jersey — you can tell by the right sleeve, which has the Illinois sesquicentennial (150 years) patch.
This is a nice, clean look — if they’d go back to this, with a NOB and the blue numbers with red outlines, we might have a winner.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Jul 29, 2010 10:02 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I like the design, I'd just choose a different shade or color.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 29, 2010 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions
A little more gray
and agreed, we have a winner. :D
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 30, 2010 2:25 AM CDT up reply actions
much better
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 30, 2010 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes... this one!
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
Current gray, baby cub on the sleeve replacing the sesqis... 150 year patch
and then put some real talent inside it and I’m all over it like I’m Alyssa Milano at the All Star Game.
may addition by subtraction be real
I thought the '69 Jersey was the IL 150 year celeb?
Memory…fading…
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 30, 2010 1:42 PM CDT reply actions
Nope.
1968 was. The 1969 road jersey went to all-blue lettering, with a number on the front, and the MLB 100th anniversary patch (maybe that’s what you are thinking of). This one:

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I like this jersey, but with the red trim and no front number of the 68's.
Morph them majiic of interwebs!
may addition by subtraction be real
Yeah, that's it! The 100 yr patch.
Like the 68 jersey better because of the red piping. But this one is simple and nice.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 30, 2010 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Wait, so the 100 year anniversary of MLB was
in 1969? And the 100 year anniversary of the World Series was in 2003? And the 100 year anniversary of the Cubs’ last title was in 2008?
We don’t do well in centennial years, I guess.
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
Cubs should bring back the 1908 road uniforms.
The powder-blue submission would make for some sweet kids pjs.
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Jul 30, 2010 11:09 PM CDT reply actions
That is what I thought of when I saw that design
If I was 8 I would love them.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 31, 2010 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
The current Cubs home whites and away greys are the best uniforms in baseball.
No need to change that, with either the current softball blue ones or any throwbacks. With a few exceptions, the reason old jerseys aren’t worn anymore is cause they weren’t as good as the new ones.
Amen
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Aug 1, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Update on this post.
The contest as started. You can see my entry, along with 19 or so others, out of a field of about 100 here:
http://www.uniwatchblog.com/2010/08/24/triple-a-b-a-douggie-style/
You have to scroll down a bit…
Thanks in advance for checking it out!
"Whoever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance























