What is your favorite sports team uniform? The one you like the most in all of professional sports?
I expect anyone who is reading this article on LADT would say without hesitation that the Dodgers home uniform is, without doubt, the cream of the crop. Perhaps it is the history we have with the team, the passion the team has elicited within us or it was the uniform we encountered in our inaugural experience with the Dodgers. The uniform that has remained pretty much unchanged since the first uniform to display the team name was unveiled in 1933, and the current designs for both home and away were unveiled in 1939.
Even the heartbreaking move to Los Angeles (for me) in 1958 didn’t affect their look in the least, keeping the traditional uniform and signature “Dodger Blue” coloring over the years. How relieved were we that the Dodgers didn’t fall into the trap in the years when MLB teams like the Padres, Pirates, White Sox, Astros, and others often had carnival-like uniforms in an attempt to lure fans to the ballpark or to buy team jerseys. Granted there are times when a special uniform is in order such Veteran’s Day or breast cancer day or a throw back historical day. That is progress in social awareness and change is great but there are just some things that should never change. A prime example – the Dodgers home uniform.
First, a look at the hat with the interlocking LA letters that have been there since 1958. They simply replaced the “B” on the Brooklyn Dodger hat.
Tim McAuliffe of the Boston-based athletic equipment company sent a letter to Dodgers’ PR director Arthur (Red) Patterson on December 11, 1957, commenting on the two different cap logos the team had he been considering. He indicated someone in the Brooklyn office requested a logo in which the lower bar of the “L” acts “as the crossbar of the “A”. Perhaps it was because of the New York Yankees interlocked letters. McAuliffe himself preferred two letters standing out by themselves not interlocked in any way. And so, the cap of today was born with only minor changes in the lettering on occasion over 61 years with thickness or width of the interlocked letters.
As history would have it, 1958 was not the first time the interlocking letters were used on a uniform in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Angels Pacific Coast League minor league team as far back as the 1920s had a large interlocking LA on the front of the uniform on the left-hand side. However, when the “Rifleman”, Chuck Connors, played with the Angels as a Cubs minor league team in 1951 and 1952 the LA on the cap was not interlocked. Fortunately, Tim McAuliffe did not have his way with the design of the Dodgers hat for 1958.
A quick look at the jersey with the scripted “Dodgers” on the front. The Dodgers, with Brooklyn on the front of the jersey, began the underscoring “swoosh” under the scripted letters on their home jerseys in 1938, and it’s been there ever since – by far the longest any team has worn an underlined name. Dodger green bold print letters disappeared and “Dodger Blue” was born.
In 1939 the Brooklyn Dodgers added the team name to the home uniform instead of the city name. This jersey design mirrors the current uniform and the design has remained consistent ever since, with only a few cosmetic alterations.
Several weeks ago I was listening to a Loons MiLB radio cast and the Loons were wearing a replica of the Dodgers uniform. Play-by-play announcer Brad Tunney took note of the red number on the left side on the front of the uniform. The Loons are the only Dodger minor league affiliate that does not have a uniform that would be recognizable as a Dodger affiliate uniform. Tunney questioned it and knowing the reason for the red number I sent him a link explaining when and why it first appeared on the front of the Dodgers uniform. I then jotted it down as a possible article for LADT.
The brand-new uniforms that the Dodgers unveiled on opening day in 1952 carried five-inch identifying red numbers on the left side of the jersey, below the team name, in addition to the regulation numbers on the back. This was another idea of Walter O’Malley, president of the club, and is of particular benefit to television fans who often obtain only a front view of a player before he passes out of the camera range. Why red, perhaps because of contrasting colors and perhaps because it was felt it would show up better on television. In any event, it was a great choice. But that is the rest of the story. Certainly helping identify players on television was a good idea but that was not the whole motivating factor.
I expect many LADT readers also know the story of the red number but perhaps some might not. It goes back to the fall of 1951. What do you remember about that fall? The Dodgers had blown a 12.5 game lead to the Giants and went into a 3-game play-off. All we really remember is the Bobby Thompson home run – the “Shot Heard Round the World.” O’Malley had the definitely different uniforms made for the Dodgers to debut in the 1951 World Series, something definitely different. Because of the Bobby Thompson home run their introduction had to wait until 1952. However, the red number has now made 15 World Series appearances and looking for number 16.
A number of teams now have the number on the front of the jersey with the Braves following suit in 1953, and the Reds joined the trend in 1956.
It wasn’t until 1959 that the red number on the front was added to the road jersey in time for the 1959 World Series with the White Sox.
One other Dodger icon that has now survived many decades is the “shooting” ball or “ascending” ball logo. Its origin has been traced back to Dodger letterhead from the 1930s. The “shooting ball” logo has had its font tweaks over the years but the color scheme has remained the same and the red color for the ball and the streaks has always been prominent.
What’s not to like about the Dodgers home uniforms? They are clean and crisp, free from piping, have underscored scripted letters, steeped in history, plus they have a red number.
In a player poll run by Major League Baseball in May of 2019, the Dodgers were voted as having the best uniforms in the league. No surprise there.
I have just one suggestion. Put “Dodgers” on the away jersey for every away game.
Very nice.
Love the Dodgers and their iconic uniform, but aesthetically my favorite is the St. Louis Cardinals.
Heresy! String him up!
And, my favorite non-Dodger — Stan “The Man” Musial. “The Man” was coined by Dodgers fans in Brooklyn.
DC – Thanks for another stroll down memory lane… Wrigley Field, home of the L.A. Angels…
Had small tables in front of our seats, where I learned to score games… My Mom wasn’t a great baseball fan, but she would go to see the ‘Rifleman’ Chuck Connors for sure…
Great baseball played in the PCL those days…
Dodger blue and Yankee pinstripe. That would make for a great October! And Jansen, Ryu, Kersh and Buehler rounding into playoff form! Now just need to get the offense healthy. Can’t wait!
I pretty much grew up on Dodgers v Yankees. I would love that matchup and I would love revenge on the Astros. Can’t go wrong with either team. Twins and Indians would also be awesome. The only turd in the punch bowl for me is the Rays. Let’s beat them down tonight and push them off the cliff.
Incidentally, I hate Wild Card teams, but I can’t argue that it doesn’t keep a bunch of teams in the running and more meaningful games at the end of the season. If it weren’t for the Wild Card, there would be just one race to watch this year and teams would be playing Spring Training games like we are.
Very nice and informative article, Mark. I learned some interesting things like the red number on the Dodger’s uniforms and the “shooting star design”. My all-time and forever number 1 favorite uniform is the Dodger Blue. Number 2 and 3, for color and design, , not historical reasons, I second SoCalBum’s choice…..the Cardinals and next the BlueJays. What can I say, I like birds. Talk about “carnival like uniforms”, you could add the D-Backs. Some of their outfits look like they are either wearing pj’’s or prison uniforms.
Where’s Kelly? He doesn’t pitch much. Is he still hurting?
We’re biased, but the Dodgers unis are so iconic, there’s a fan club named after the Pantone code of their trademarked blue. A poll of major leaguers agree. https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-players-on-the-best-uniforms
If you do a search on MLB uniforms ranked, there’s a whole page of bloggers giving their own ranking on bottom to top, and I got a few chuckles reading a few this morning, especially the idiot who broke consensus and actually didn’t rank the Dbacks unis on the bottom. Man, those uniforms are hideous! They’ve always been hideous. The 2001 World Series is tarnished because of that Arizona uniform, although it was an iconic battle between classic (Yankees) and new (new franchise), history and modernism.
What’s the ugliest uniform of all time? Everything about the 70s aesthetically is mostly bad. The cars (AMC Pacer…Ford Pinto), Jimmy Carter, and baseball uniforms. Although I have some fondness for the We Are Family Pirates unis with their pill hats (except when Kent Tekulve with his overly tinted coke bottle glasses wore them. Kent Tekulve in his Pirates uniform is the apotheosis of 70s cringe), and I admit I did like the exploding supernova Astros jerseys, the 70s in general are mostly forgettable. The Blue Jays have retained their 70s inspired font, which is why I hate their uniforms. However, by far, the ugliest uniform of all time is the 70s era Baby Poop Brown Padres uniform. I remember collecting baseball cards when I was maybe seven and thinking, “Man, those uniforms are ugly!” Even Dave Winfield can’t make that Padres uniform cool. You can even see the look of embarrassment in his face. https://images.app.goo.gl/Tk4cHX6P9vTCr1jr5
I don’t like novelty in baseball, the uniforms being no exception. I like classic designs that don’t change, that exemplify baseball’s timelessness. My favorites, besides the Dodgers are:
Braves – I think the piping around the collar and down each side of the buttons is nice, and the shade of red they use is classy. Good use of incorporating a tomahawk into the cursive font.
I hate the Cardinals, but birds on the bat are distinctive. They are easily recognizable
Red Sox. A player could throw on one of Ted William’s old uniforms and it wouldn’t look out of place.
Don’t hate me, but I will give grudging respect to the Giants uniforms. Orange, black and cream are a good combo. They’re Fall colors. The colors and the font make you think of baseball played in the chill of Fall.
As far as 59inarow goes, he gets on my nerves at times. He can be a bit of a loudmouthed, know-it-all in a stereotypical Huntington Beach, extreme lifted dual cab pick up truck, Dickies wearing, tatted forearms, Tap Out MMA kind of way, but you know what? I read his posts….all of them. He knows baseball. He’s insightful. His opinions are sometimes grating, but usually always interesting.
He has something to say. rudybyrd, 59 is right here. You don’t say much here and when you do say something it shouldn’t be to dictate who is deserving to post here. Simply because he says stuff that you don’t like does not make it “hateful.” That drives me nuts, and is what is wrong with the state of discourse in this culture.
As for the “suck my D” comment. That kind of thing shouldn’t be a habit here. …However, Bluto can dish it out in his own obliquely snide kind of way. Just the contrasting bluntness made me laugh at that comment.
And Dirk, I skimmed through the Forbes article. It’s things I’ve already read. We already know the percentage of black players is declining. I think the reasons are cultural, and the article highlighted some of them. Basketball has thrived in black communities. Baseball no longer has the same appeal. Maybe part of it is the lack of access to baseball fields in black communities in cities, whereas it’s pretty easy to find space to put in a basketball court. I think the glitzy marketing that started in the 80s, with Air Jordans and the rise of hip hop culture may be a part of it. Baseball doesn’t have street cred. It’s slow and doesn’t have in-your-face monster reverse dunks.
MLB is trying to have outreach programs to get black kids and communities more engaged, but there has to be a willingness and and interest. What I don’t think explains the declining black participation in baseball is some sort of white privilege or structural racism or whatever shiny new Woke buzzwords that are promulgated constantly. If dirt poor kids growing up in the Dominican Republic can come to dominate MLB rosters, then the problem isn’t access to private lessons in wealthy white suburbs. Sorry Dirk, it just ain’t true.
Good post DC! I think the Dodger uniforms are the best! I also like the Cardinals (the white w/red – not the blue version) and I’m partial to some of the A’s uniforms. I happen to like green and yellow.
Some of the older Astros’ and Padres’ uniforms have to be the ugliest.
2D2 – You beat me my man… Yep Charley was fun…
The Will Smith train seems side tracked. Needs to find his way to that elusive right track. Think Dodgers better hold on to that switch hitting catcher prospect for a while longer. I always liked the Dodger grey away uni.
Charley Finley and the O’s uni’s decked with white shoes… Ouch… Clubhouse boy told Charley that Reggie didn’t want to wear those damn white shoes… Charley came right back and said “Reggie can go barefooted as far as I’m concerned, but the rest wear white shoes”… Charley knew the guy that steered the ship…
Saying all that and throwing team chemistry in the crapper, that was one of the finest baseball teams I’ve ever watched during their run..
Didn’t the A’s also have those yellow balls or is my memory fading? Lol.
Dodger Blue Mom – In all respect, I’m not gonna touch that…
Patch, but you got me all wrong. I drive a mustang and mostly wear Adidas gym shorts or Hurley. My tats are on my biceps and shoulders, not my my forearms. Actually, you’re pretty close.
You’re right, about state of discourse in this culture and that’s exactly why I responded to Bluto the way I did. I don’t want to get into a diatribe, so I’ll leave it at that. But, I will point out that I responded. I didn’t initiate anything. In fact, I hadn’t posted in a week, but Bluto thought he needed to talk… (fill in the blank). I certainly wouldn’t want to offend anyone by choosing the wrong word. **sarcasm**
Let’s just move on from this. I took a hiatus because I felt bad because a dropped to a level that I shouldn’t have by insinuating that someone is stupid. We don’t need to agree, but we need to be respectful. Sometimes we mess up, and try to change for the better. That’s it. I certainly don’t want to be the focus of comments, good or bad. Let’s just talk some baseball.
But, thank you!
For some reason I love the White Sox uni’s with the shorts and baggy jerseys. When I was a kid, I was lucky enough to be on the Astros (Little League Team before MLB got greedy and demanded licensing) and we had those star burst uniforms. I loved that uni! The Cardinals are second to the Dodgers in my book (Also one of my LL teams, the one where we won TOC), the birds on the bat is a classic look as is the STL intertwined on their caps. I don’t care for red teams generally speaking, mostly because of the Angels, “Mighty” Ducks and Clippers. The worst uniform for me, even worse than the Padres “Taco Bell” uniforms are the Periwinkle Pinstripes the Angels had with that ridiculous giant “A” with the wing hanging off of it. I think it transcends all sports! It’s the worst uniform in the history of sports.
Last night as I was watching the game, I couldn’t help but wonder how the Rays were feeling when they were getting busted up in front on 50,000 against a superior team that was screwing around, replacing pitchers just for the heck of it, batting an injured player leadoff, resting Turner because we don’t need to win, etc. That must have been a rude awakening.
The broadcast team was horrible. Too many people in the box. I agree with BuellerBellinger that the split screens and interviews during the action is really distracting. But, they did get some things right. The actual stream on my living room and garage TV’s were clear and almost indistinguishable from broadcast TV. I didn’t get any buffering or reduced resolution, etc. I also liked what they did in-between innings.
I was chatting with my brother during the game, and he was about a pitch and a half behind me. That was pretty bad. He had to watch on his iPad because he was working on something in his garage and didn’t have the required tech in place on his garage TV. Pro-Tip, buy a fire stick on Prime Day for 14.99. They’re so cheap at certain times of the year, it just makes sense to have an extra one lying around. They’re great for travel.
Am I on a different planet?
What in the world did I write that this guy took offense to?
This is blown out of proportion. Move on.
You said..
“Why send him anything?
If somebody’s reaction to a “tone it down” request is to leave, perhaps that person isn’t ideal for a community.”
I said, suck a “letter” – Don’t want to repeat it and “trigger” Rudy.
Can we move on now? Or, do we need to keep discussing this? I thought it was funny, at least one other guy thought it was funny. It was meant to be half funny and half, “Don’t call me out”. Geeez!!!!
Your comment was meant to be funny?
I doubt that, but if it makes you feel better just tell yourself it’s true.
Not sure how my comment was calling you out. I’d write it about every single person.
Yes, I’m still laughing and I doubt that you don’t see anything funny in it. I didn’t appreciate your comment about me and I doubt even more that you would write it about every single person.
A little off the subject but when I was in B.C. for 4 days, I came across a name of a minor league LHP pitcher for the University of B. C. named Will Undershute. He is supposed to be a great prospect. Right now he is recovering from some elbow injury, and not on their roster, probably on the IL list. He is just a young kid. His grandmother live in Saskatoon half a year and half a year lives in Costa Mesa, CA. She thinks the Dodgers are looking into him. I have not seen any official word on that but wondered if Mark, AC, DC, or 2D2 knew of him or anything about him. Thanks.
https://www.sccblackhawks.com/sports/bsb/2017-18/bios/undershute_will_784q
https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=472251
Here’s the only scouting report I could find:
William Undershute, LHP/OF, Holy Trinity (Okotoks, Alberta Canada), 2017
Max FB: 76, FB: 74-76, CB: 64-66, CH: 70-71
6-foot-1, 170-pound LHP, arm action is long and works cleanly through a high-3/4 slot, good rhythm and tempo in delivery with regular effort, showed ability to fill up the strike zone with all pitches, fastball showed occasional slight arm-side run, curveball showed inconsistent shape with the best ones showing good 1/7 action, changeup could use a little more velocity difference off the fastball but was an impressive pitch with good sink and fade throuwn with very good arm action.
Very interesting. Thanks so much Mark. I do not see a velocity on his pitches yet, but might have been while he was injured. Will try and keep an eye on him. You got much more information on him than I was able to do. Appreciate it.
Today’s lineup vs a leftie:
Freeze (1b)
Pollock (LF)
CT3 (3b)
Belly (CF)
Kike (RF)
Muncy (2b)
Seager (SS)
Smith (C)
Casey Sadler (WTF)
Probably want to see how gonsolin does from the pen. If not, I want some of what Roberts is smoking.
They’re making sure everyone gets some work and they most likely aren’t going to let Gonsolin go past 5 anyways. The game 4 starter may begin with an opener. Rich Hill still hopes it is him. He’s going to try to get two starts in the final week.
You’re probably right as this configuration might be related to Rich Hill starting a game 4 with a quick hook. It makes me wonder if it’s smart to have Hill on the roster if he’s only going to be able to pitch a couple of innings in a single game each series. At some point, simulating every contingency with limited resources is counter production to get everyone ready.
injury or not, Rich Hill’s always been given a quick hook in October
To our detriment.
Personally, I hate this “opener” nonsense.
Hawk – I commend you on your explanation to the Opiate Kids… We got a great blog going on about uniforms thru out baseball and history… And the veer into the location of tattoos and fellatio…. Where’s the underwear fetish guy???
Me I’m loving my Blue and how now is the time to find out who those extra folks on the roster are going to be… I’ve become a huge fan of Gonsolin and hope he’s around for years to come… He seems to have ice water in his veins coming into games… Some of the other youngsters are like the the duck on the pond, looking cool and all that but underneath the water all hell is bustin loose…
Some Dodger News:
Justin Turner, with taped left ankle, is going through stretching exercises on the field with trainers. Turner jogged straight ahead, but he won’t return to games until he runs the bases and he didn’t do that today. He’s been out of the lineup for nine games and counting with sprained left ankle.
No batting practice today. But with Turner hurt, on the field now are Jedd Gyorko, Edwin Rios and Kris Negron taking grounders at third base.
Dave Roberts said he switched starters because Gonsolin would pitch out of the ‘pen if he makes the postseason roster.
I’m a little late on the news today, been busy today.
My memory was fading, it was orange baseballs. Sorry for the confusion.
The maverick owner Charlie Finley efforts to introduce a bright orange baseball that Charlie thought might put some pizazz into the stuffy ole national pastime. The A’s owner unveiled his masterpiece in 1970, using it in spring training when Bowie Kuhn balked at letting him try it in a regular-season ball game. The baseball is regulation size, and indicates right on the sweet spot that it’s an Official Charles O. Finley baseball. The ball never caught on at the big league level. A great piece of historic baseball memorabilia
Love the Dodger home whites. Next for me is St. Louis home whites. The Cardinals perched on the bat is classic.
Well good news, Anaheim just beat the Yanks. So if we can get this one, we’d tie the Yanks, record-wise
More good news, Atlanta just lost to Philly, so we’re 1 game closer to home field throughout the NL playoffs
M V P…………….
It looks like Verdugo and Hill will not be in service for the rest of the season and maybe most or all of the playoffs. I don’t think the Dodgers are counting him as the #4 starter. I think this job goes to Urias and the rest of the chaps move to the BP or off the roster.
Jansen is falling apart trying to save this game.
Blown save #8 for Jansen.
So much for Kenley playoff momentum!
Honestly I didn’t think his cutter was cutting that much last night but everyone was gushing over his performance
Cannot imagine KJ pitching in the post season. No lead is safe with him.
Bullpen with a 5 ERA today. Normally I look at OPS pitching stat, but the whole game was the bullpen.
Pppsss…..Hey Dave home field advantage.
5 ERA through 9 innings, now its more.
Pagan- now that’s the way a closer pitches the 9th. Overpowering!
What are the Dodgers looking for with a pitching lineup like the one in this game? It is beyond my scope to understand what Doc or the FO are expecting with a group like this with so many seemingly random choices. Auditions should have been over a long time ago. Most of us already know who belongs and who doesn’t.
I always liked the Expos uniforms. I dislike everything about the Yankees including their iconic pinstripes.
Spin this dumpster fire of a game Roberts, and spin how Kenley is going to close games in the postseason? I know the game means nothing, and that is what will be said.
How serious is Turner’s injury really, that is a more important question?
Home field matters to the players not the front office.