October 2011
1 post
Club América - 95th anniversary kit
The kits of Mexico’s Primera División are usually adorned with any number of garish, overbearing advertisements, so it’s nice to see a team opt for simplicity. Such is the case with Club América’s 95th anniversary kit, to be worn Oct. 23 vs. Chivas. A limited edition of 5,000 will be sold.
September 2011
1 post
July 2011
3 posts
New York Cosmos Blackout Collection
I had the pleasure of attending the launch party for the latest genius collaborative project from Umbro and the New York Cosmos: The Blackout Collection. Inspired by the 1977 blackout which blanketed the city in darkness, Umbro took their recent Cosmos designs and made them all black errrthing for a collection that will appeal to footy heads and rap music artists alike. I will be making a move...
France national team - 2011/12 home and away kits
After a disastrous campaign in South Africa that most in the Gallic region would like to forget, the French national team dropped Adidas and linked up with Nike for what seems to be a signal towards some sort of rebirth for Les Bleus. They’ve always been a team that’s been easy to hate, at least for me, but one that I’ve always begrudgingly respected. This is due mostly to...
Selections from the vault
A few from my personal collection…
May 2011
14 posts
Michael Jordan + Kid 'N' Play
Puma King Pelé
Introduced in conjunction with the 1970 World Cup, these Puma boots were made (and named) for the undisputed king of football, Brazilian legend Pelé. Representatives from Puma paid Edson $120,000 to sport the boots, with the caveat that he attract extra attention to the shoes. To comply, Pelé stopped the referee before kick off of one of his matches in Mexico so that he could tie his...
Joe Namath
Only someone like Namath could look less like a football player and more like a Velvet Underground hanger-on whilst on the disabled list. I would comment on the gumption it would take to pull off a ballsy move like wearing a fur coat on the sidelines, but the NFL did that for me by moving to require all team members and staff to wear league-approved apparel after “Broadway Joe”...
Magic Johnson - 1989-90 season kicks
Cons? Pro.
Bo knows Blue
Thankfully, the ad wizards in KC brought back the baby blue strip after years spent stashed somewhere in the bowels of Kauffman Stadium, perhaps in hopes that Billy Butler doesn’t emulate Bo Jackson and destroy team property in such an aggravated manner.
"Pistol" Pete Maravich
Words can’t really begin to describe the phenom that was Pete Maravich. His scrawny frame produced moves thereto unseen on the boards, accented further by his Beatles-at-Shea shag cut. A three-time All-American, he set several NCAA records playing for his father at LSU, and went on to an illustrious pro career (5x All-Star). He became known for his droopy gray socks, which loosely...
Toronto Raptors inaugural season jersey
“Let’s bring basketball back to Canada!” they said. On paper, it sounded great. Then they named the team the “Raptors,” trying to cash in on the popularity of Jurassic Park. Let’s be honest with ourselves - who amongst us had ever heard of a velociraptor before we saw those clever girls on screen terrorizing John Hammond’s grandchildren? It’s...
Notre Dame Alternate Green
Joe Montana busting up the middle in the Notre Dame emerald green alternate jersey. Though I consider myself a traditionalist, especially when it comes to Notre Dame football, I believe these green jerseys deserve a special place in the locker next to the tried-and-true navy and white variants.
For an entertaining read, check out this definitive Notre Dame uniform guide.
Adidas NASL cleats
In black, white and “super.” Super has always been one my favorite hues.
Baltimore Orioles 1971 Alternate
Someone at Memorial Stadium thought it wise to outfit my beloved Birds in a head-to-toe orange strip. I’ll let Lou Hatter of the Baltimore Sun fill you in:
“Orange you glad you’re an Oriole fan?” You betcha.
Mitchell & Ness Head Coach Cardigan
Mitchell & Ness brings us this line of classy-as-all-hell cardigans. The tack pin on the logo is an especially nice touch. The Notre Dame one makes me want to re-enroll in school and follow my dream of kicking for the Irish, knocking up the head cheerleader, then having a crash-and-burn career in the pros with a post-NFL stint as an “official spokesman” for binge drinking.
Colorado Caribous (NASL) - 1978 Home Jersey
Fringeworthy. This jersey was the sole assassin of the NASL.
US National Team Away Jersey - World Cup 1994
The biggest soccer event in US history saw the home team take the field at their opening match in the Pontiac Silverdome against Switzerland sporting…faux-denim kits. Can one chastise Adidas, perhaps the classiest of sportswear manufacturers, for this misstep? The answer is a resounding yes. The company made the Yanks look like Amy Grant’s road crew, an embarrassment on their own turf. ...
