Nope, No “Glue Guys” Here!
April 2, 2008About That Bullpen
April 2, 2008
I mentioned this in yesterday’s Minute, and was somewhat surprised by the reaction of those that responded. The short of it is this, I can’t stand the new uniforms the Indians are using this year. For those that haven’t heard, they are alternate uniforms, and have replaced the vests that the Tribe occasionally wore since being introduced in 2002. (By the way, Chris Creamer’s SportsLogos.net is the authority on any information of this kind.)
The new uniforms are officially cream colored, were designed at the request of GM Mark Shapiro. (Mark, I’m considering taking back my vote.)
It’s very old-school,” says Schloss. “We removed the retail glitter and looked back at the history of the team.”
Make that modern old-school in the best sense. Made of Coolmax, a breathable fabric, the jersey is cream in color, with a simple block INDIANS across the chest, with a Chief Wahoo logo on the left sleeve. The players’ names will not be on the back, just their numbers, and the matching pants are also cream with a simple strip of navy blue down the side. The caps are solid navy blue, adorned with a block C in red.
“Mark had a vision,” said Schloss of Shapiro. “We looked at where we had been and where we wanted to go. We wanted to get back to a simpler look.”
Look, I understand the idea of simplicity and wanting to honor your history. I just think these uniforms looked dingy and old. In addition, the font for the front is just too plain. They also need to wear something other than the gray shirt with the blue sleeves and trim under them. That just looks ridiculous, especially on Hafner who doesn’t button his jersey all the way up.
Now, I may be the only guy in Cleveland who thought the vests were good looking, and so I am willing to admit that perhaps part of my dislike for these jerseys are because they replaced my favorite. So I went to Paul Lukas’ Uniwatch column to see what he thought of them. I should have known that Paul would be in favor of it-
The Indians didn’t wear a solid-colored jersey, but they did open the season in their new cream-colored retro-ish alts. I think they look awesome (well, on most players), but I still think a team should wear its standard uni on Opening Day (esp. since this alt isn’t a throwback — the Indians have never worn this design before, so it’s not like they’re using it to honor their history or anything like that). Also: Since the alt uni has its own alt cap, couldn’t they also have shelled out for alt batting helmets?
So now we’ll put it to a vote. The poll is in the sidebar, though feel free to leave your response in the comments. Are you in favor of the new uniforms?
30 Comments
I’m ok with them…not really opposed, not really for. so, I voted “meh.” Although, I thought they were throwback, so didn’t really form an opinion duiring opening day. My only thing is that I don’t think that the alternatives should stray all too far from the norm – maybe just change up the colors a bit – not a whole new scheme. Perhaps this is just another step in phasing out Chief Wahoo? (And yes, I know he’s technically still there…)
I vote for BLEH.
That is more for a throwback day, and if you wanted a throwback just wear the Major League jersey, that’s the one most of America associates with the Indians anyways.
I still love them. I think they’re classy.
And man did I hate those stupid vests and the feather script ‘I’ on the hats. Ugh. This is a major upgrade in my opinion.
Come on Buckeye fans, you know Tressel would rock the vest if he were a baseball player!!
Old man wearing scarlet & gray sweater vest as he leads the program to unparalleled levels of success since Woody is awesome.
A Cleveland team trying to look like a Cincinnati team with sleeveless jerseys just doesn’t do the same for me.
What?!?! youre insanse! those alt unis are my favorite of all!
Thank you Darren, finally a voice of reason and intelligence in this debate!
Wait, you were agreeing with me weren’t you Darren? Cause if not then you’re an idiot!
(Note extreme sarcasm there…)
@ Jack Gonzo: As discussed with a buddy of mine on Monday, the #99 is only good if you have the hair to go with it
“And man did I hate those stupid vests and the feather script ‘I’ on the hats. Ugh”
I actually really like the script-I hats. That’s what I wear. I’ve always thought Chief Wahoo was a little over the top. I do have Native American blood in me, but I don’t hate Wahoo over that. I just always thought it was a little too cartoonish & stupid looking. Maybe I need to find an old late 70’s era crooked-C hat? But I haven’t seen any in a low-profile, fitted cap.
NOOOOOOOOOO….. the vest can’t lose to Meh! Look at the picture again folks- check out the nice blue piping! Seriously at least the vests should beat Meh, right?
That’s right Mark- I like the script I hat too! And by the way Rock-
“A Cleveland team trying to look like a Cincinnati team with sleeveless jerseys just doesn’t do the same for me.”
Don’t forget that the Indians wore the vests back in the day as well-
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/cle/history/index.jsp
put me in the ‘meh’ group.
tho the cream color on the other hand…MONEY. they should switch their home whites to the cream.
on another uni related note…for their regular unis, they got rid of the silver trim in the lettering and numbers…GREAT move.
Yeah, when they tried to look like the Reds. 🙂
I agree on that silver trim, Spencer. For me, the simpler a uniform, the better. But that’s just my opinion.
Script I Hats: Approve
Chief Wahoo: No problems at all.
Block C Hats: Big Fan.
Vests / “Throwbacks”: Meh
Apparently Rick likes ugly uniforms. Simple is better.
I love the new uniforms. Hated the vest. I also hated “Script I.” Not that anyone asked.
wow
Yeah…well Jeremy likes…ugly….girls.
I don’t like either. I’d just prefer they’d stick to the main.
Good one Rick! The vest sucked, the script I hats sucked, the new uni’s are solid. As far as ugly girls are concerned, well… I’m speechless… For now anyway.
Vests are making a comeback in the poll!!!! (Unlike Rick’s wit)
i hate the script I. i think a ballcap should always be the team logo, or the first letter of the city the team is from. hence i wear the crooked c from the mid seventies.
The simpler is better, but what is more simple then a vest with Wahoo? I’m with Rick on this one, I dug the vest, no matter what the team.
So I’m watching the game in HD and wondering why….. plain is boring. Need Wahoo on the hats. The “I” looked like the big pretzel that you buy at the Jake. Never did like it. Voting yes on the vests, but NO way liked the pretzel-like hat logo.
New unis rock, but need the names on the jerseys. This ain’t Boston y’all.
The vests have cut the lead, and its now under ten…that’s always important going into halftime according to Austin Carr!
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The creams are worn too much… Bring back the vests