Back to back weeks I’ve posted this blog a day late. Sometimes life gets in the way even when jerseys are at stake. Last week I got caught up in March Madness. This week I had the flu.
The Round-Up
Roy Halladay Powder Blue Throwback Blue Jays Jersey
This puppy came in from China just in time for Opening Day. The Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day starter has been a real revolving door since they traded Halladay to the Phillies in 2010.
What a wrecking crew. The fact that Doc pitched seven consecutive Opening Days is a testament to his longevity and dominance. He was truly the GOAT of Blue Jays pitchers. Read more
Every Raptor fan’s favourite fat-turned-slim point guard has come a long way since his first years in Toronto.
In seven seasons with the Raptors Lowry has surpassed Damon Stoudemire, Muggsy Bogues and Jose Calderon to cement himself as the franchise’s premier point guard. The Lowry-Derozan era Raptors were one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. Who knows how long the Kawhi era lasts and who’s to say what will become of the Spicy P & OG future. Lowry and Derozan may have never reached the Finals, but they delivered five years of consistent regular season success and playoff basketball, which just wasn’t a thing before 2014.
Here’s how JD No Whisky holds up among Blue Jays 3rd basemen:
I mean… with a franchise with Rance Mulliniks AND Kelly Gruber it can certainly be tough to stand out. Yet there Donaldson stands, on the Mount Rushmore of Blue Jays greats. Now it’ll be tough to go from a perennial MVP candidate to **checks Blue Jays depth chart** Brandon Drury, but Donaldson’s dead arm campaign of 2018 should dampen the blow. Don’t get too impatient because, despite the MLB trend of manipulating superstar rookies’ service time, the next great Blue Jays 3rd base is right around the corner.
This era of Kings jersey is my favourite. It slightly edges out the Marcel Dionne-era purple and gold but destroys the Ziggy Palfy purple and black. The current ones are a nice modern update on the 90’s look but in my opinion the original is King. Shoutout Kerry Fraser missing Gretzky’s high-stick on Gilmour. Dark times.
Sonny Weems was by far our favourite player in a shitty era of Raptors basketball. Whether he was getting his ankles broken
or absolutely throwing down
Money Weems made things happen when he was on the court. He wasn’t just jogging along to get his steps in. He had a couple of solid seasons in the NBA. His best ones by far were as a Raptor. But the guy is still making money moves overseas.
In 2017 Weems player 8 games for Zhejiang in the Chinese Basketball Association and averaged 31.7 points per game, 8 rebounds and 5.9 assists. The guy can hoop. I’ve often said that.
I honestly couldn’t identify this jersey at first glance. I honestly though it was some Walmart road hockey hybrid. But on further investigation it was used as a third jersey for exactly two seasons. Anytime someone throws a throwback Anaheim Mighty Ducks jersey at me it is an automatic contender for Jersey of the Week. Give me one dripping in obscurity and we have a winner.
This caps off a bunch of baseball logo updates to the site today, most of it spent bringing Minor League Baseball back up to date… feel free to let me know if I missed anything in therehttps://t.co/rSIPt0XNe5pic.twitter.com/LwennGGGCG
Just a couple of GOATs. Throwback to the 2006 and 2011 Finals.
Speaking of GOATs…
(1990) 29 years ago today, Michael Jordan's # 23 jersey went missing out of his locker before an away game against the Magic. MJ reportedly tried using a fan's jersey from the crowd, but none fit. He ended up wearing a backup # 12 Bulls jersey with no name .. & scored 49 points. pic.twitter.com/vDxEdff9pJ
29 years ago today, Michael Jordan had to wear a nameless No. 12 jersey after his No. 23 was stolen from the locker room pregame pic.twitter.com/N9YltN6V5D
Last year the Badger’s mens basketball team was second in the OUA and first in the Western Conference with a record of 21-3 which was good enough to qualify for the USports championship as the seventh seed in Canada. This year’s team is 7-4 and the word on the street is the team looks noticeably worse.
Some would say the difference this year is the fact that face of the program Dani Elgadi graduated to play pro basketball in Germany. Others would point to the fact that unofficial season ticket-holders Adam and I haven’t been to a game since last season. It’s tough to say which is the reason.
Mats Sundin Quebec Nodiques Jersey
I would trade a Wendel Clark jersey for this guy any day of the week (jersey credit to Phillip Waind) pic.twitter.com/eR8CMR51Hi
Zut alors what a jersey. Pour one out for the Nordiques team that never was. When the Nordiques got bounced to Colorado in 1995, they were the smallest market in the NHL and the second smallest market to Green Bay of the Big 4 Leagues. The unfortunate part is the team was on the upswing and won North East Division with a 30-13-5 record in the lockout shortened 1994-95 season. The following year the Avalanche won the 1996 Cup with this beauty of a roster:
Imagine how much crazier this roster would’ve been had the Nordiques not traded a 22 year-old Mats Sundin for 1 season of Wendel Clark?
The Finnish Flash. 76 goals and 132 points as rookie. Teemu was a sick sick puppy. While he may have played more seasons as a Duck and won a Cup in Anaheim, Winnipeg is where it all started. While I’m a big fan of the Winnipeg Jets revamped look, their old look is an absolute classic.
It was just over three years ago that the Blue Jays traded for the best shortstop in the game, 22 year-old Aaron Sanchez was throwing bullets from the bullpen and the Blue Jays were the hottest team in baseball heading into the 2013 playoffs.
Can the #BlueJays expect a full & productive 2019 season from Troy Tulowitzki?
Ross Atkins: “Candidly, and I think Troy would agree, that’s not likely… that doesn’t mean he’s not going to do it, but candidly I don’t think that’s likely.”https://t.co/BhnkcbMOJV
Here’s my defense of the Tulowitzki purchase: Tulo was my favourite non-Blue Jay before the trade, he had been one of the best shortstops in baseball and the Jays shop at the Rogers Center was sold out of Donaldson, Bautista, and Encarnacion. Right from the get go Tulo has been a let down and now he gets paid a lot of money to chill on the DL. As long as I have money in my bank account I’ll continue to buy bad jerseys.
As for Sanchez, when he doesn’t have blister issues, has shown the ability of an ace. He’s shown some command issues and might traded for prospects that better fit the Blue Jays timeline. But when he’s on, he has one of the best fastball curveball combos out there.
The Jays might be kind of crappy right now but at least we’ve had a few good seasons in the last 2 decades.
“The guy before Brady”. The four-time Pro Bowler has become a footnote in the story of the Bellichick era. If he didn’t have a net worth estimated at $48 million I’d actually feel bad that Bledsoe got cucked by Tom Brady.
This gem of a jersey screams early 2000’s. While I love the Bufflo Bills colour scheme and would puke if this were their current jerseys, ugly throwbacks always play. This is some very nice tailgate attire.
Boston Bruins Classic Dark and 1995/96 – 2005/06 Alternate Bear Jerseys
As much as I hate the Bruins I also hate how much I like their jerseys. The jersey on the left was their main jersey in the 80’s up until 95. This jersey was worn by legends like Ray Bourque, Cam Neely and Happy Gilmore.
As for the Pooh Bear Jersey, as I’ve said above, ugly throwback jerseys always play. I’d rock a Jumbo Joe Thornton Pooh Bear jersey in a heart beat. Bruins hate aside they have some clean looks.
Could #NHLSeattle rock a "plaid" uniform? It'd be unique. I created a "Plaid-Cut" jersey over at #TheBattleofSeattle …It's not sublimated or screened, but uses traditional hockey sweater seams with the right colours to create the effect…Would work well with several names… pic.twitter.com/aTAToZwMUQ
As found in a Value Village for a crisp $5 bill, this Blue Jays jersey is quite the find. You know it’s a winner when you Google the jersey and one of the top results is Eric Hinske.
Off the top of my head, here are all of the Blue Jays’ Opening Day first basemen since Hinske left in 2006: Lyle Overbay, Adam Lind, Edwin Encarnacion, Chris Colabello, Justin Smoak…
And survey says… I missed Steve Pearce in 2017… As Blue Jays era Steve Pearce apologist, this is a tough look for me. I guess when I think of Steve Pearce as a Blue Jay I remember him absolutely fighting for bloopers and his cement feet in left field. For the record, had Pearce been healthy and Justin Smoak not broken out at first base forcing Pearce to platoon in left, Steve Pearce would’ve been fine for the Blue Jays.
Throwback to high school where Arian Foster was the NFL’s premier running back. In 2011 I did my first fantasy football draft and was hoping to have Foster drop to me at 4th overall. He ended up going first so I took Maurice Jones-Drew after Calvin Johnson and Ben Roethlisberger (that guy was an idiot) were off the board. That was 7 years ago… Life comes at you fast…
Ray brings the jersey heat once again. The Wizard of Oz was a weird goalie in the sense that he was both incredibly overrated with his .905 save percentage across 744 career regular season games, but also was underrated as a playoff performer. 74 career playoff wins and three Stanley Cups show that Osgood knew how to turn it on when it mattered most. And his funky goalie mask? Incredible.
Jay Ajayi Philadelphia Eagles 2018 Super Bowl Jersey
Fly Eagles Fly. While this year’s poor showing probably proves that the Eagles are a flash in the plan, it was one hell of a flash. Last year’s Super Bowl run was incredible in hindsight. The Eagles were a well-oiled machine despite having Nick freaking Foles at the wheel of the offence (even if some people wildly claim that “Big Dick” Nick should still be the starter).
This Jay Ajayi jersey is especially cool since Ajayi changed his number going into year making his #36 a Super Bowl exclusive.
Isiah Thomas Throwback Detroit Pistons Adidas Jersey
Before he was a broadcaster or the failed Knicks head coach, Isiash Thomas was widely regarded as one of the best point guards of all-time. Too many think of the short Isaiah Thomas currently guarding point for the Denver Nuggets when they hear the name, Isiash was the face of the infamous Detroit “Bad Boys” Pistons of the 80’s.
As per Wikipedia, Isaiah was actually named after the Pistons great:
Thomas was named after former Detroit Pistons Hall of Fame point guard Isiah Thomas when his father, James, bet his friend that his favorite team, the Los Angeles Lakers, would defeat the Pistons in the 1989 NBA Finals (which the Pistons won in a four-game sweep). The younger Thomas ended up being born months before the Finals took place, but James had already warmed to the name, which his mother, Tina Baldtrip, insisted on spelling Isaiah, as she desired a biblical name.
This is a very cool jersey.
The Weekly Jersey Dump
Miami #Marlins make it official, unveil their whole new logo set and colour scheme for 2019 #OurColores#MLB
12 years later, Colts fan at game today showing his love for Mike Vanderjagt for his missed kick in the AFC playoffs against the Steelers (📷 by @baharp84) pic.twitter.com/jIgVrVuFs1
You’d think a team with the nickname “Magic” would go out on a limb and not be so boring. For a basketball team neighbouring Disney World that hasn’t been relevant since Dwight Howard, they should be trying out crazy new designs on a monthly basis. They should be trying out as many loud looks as a 90’s expansion hockey team. Bright colours, Tie Die, comets, Mickey Mouse, anything. Let’s get weird.
28. Indiana
Another yellow on grey. Yuck x2
27. Dallas
Swing and a miss Mark Cuban.
26. San Antonio
Not bad, I’m just not a huge fan of replacing words on the front of jerseys with the primary logo. Just doesn’t do it for me.
25. Phoenix
Not a tonne of wow factor here. I do like that its a louder purple like their old Barkley-era jerseys but its not different enough from their normal jerseys.
24. Pistons
At least the Pistons tried something different
23. Washington
Boring but less bad than the jerseys I ranked below.
22. Lakers
Purple with black pinstripes just don’t pop. The Lakers have had some iconic looks but this ain’t it chief.
21. Clippers
Some people dig this jersey but I think it’s kind of a rip-off of the 76ers look. Also the LA logo on the front looks too much like the New Balance logo:
20. Portland
This year’s take on the Rip City jersey isn’t as good as the old sleeved Adidas jersey (one of the few sleeved jerseys that were actually popular), but are better than last year’s City jerseys.
19. Charlotte
Kind of cool. I’d pop on a Kemba City jersey.
18. Houston
These are pretty decent. A lot of fine designs in the background of the jersey when you look closely. These will absolutely pop off in China.
17. Cleveland
I initially thought that the jerseys were fugly, but I’m actually warming up to these bad boys. I can’t wait for K Love to get healthy and zipping around the court for the 2-12 Cavaliers.
16. Milwaukee
This is the type of weird that the lower-class NBA teams need to deploy.
15. Sacramento
Fox, Bagley, Cauley-Stein and Hield make this 8-7 Kings team kind of frisky. These jerseys are very frisky.
14. Philadelphia
These have gotten some heat in the NBA twitterverse for being kind of ugly but I like the look of these. They look like a complete throwback. These jerseys are like Rocky meets Hoosiers.
13. Atlanta
A slight OVO rip-off but these are still pretty cool. Might have to scoop up a Trae Young City jersey.
12. Golden State
The Warriors haven’t really missed on a jersey since the Baron Davis era
11. New York
I’m a huge fan of the stripes down the side look that some basketball jerseys use. Marquette and the Bucks uniforms are both very solid.
10. Utah
These are good but I docked them some spots because Utah is the only team rolling out the same City Jerseys as last year.
9. OKC
I like these way better than OKC’s regular jerseys
8. Toronto
These look a lot cooler than last year’s black and gold OVO City Jerseys. If they aren’t sold out yet I’ll have to scoop up a Kawhi one before it’s too late.
7. Brooklyn
6. Boston
Simple and effective.
5. Chicago
Chicago’s city flag just looks so cool on a jersey.
4. New Orleans
These are infinitely better than the Pelicans main jerseys. Why is tan/beige a prominent colour in their design? Give me more Mardi Gras!
3. Denver
Shout out Alex English and the rainbow era Nuggets
2. Minnesota
1. Miami
The only thing that could’ve made these jerseys more MIAMI is if they somehow included Pitbull. The King of Miami. Mr. Worldwide.
Ifyou want to show off a sweet jersey or want to put a buddy with a jersey-buying problem on blast, be sure to send your submissions to me over Twitter @twaind4
This week’s round-up marks the official end of baseball with a call for MLB jerseys. I’m going to cool my jets on the whole critiquing of entire collections. It takes a lot out of you to be as critical as I am. Also late in the blog I do a very quick power ranking of the NBA city jerseys that have been released. Buckle in.
With last night being Halloween, this is a double whammy jersey post. Growing up Roy Halladay was by far my favourite athlete (again gone too soon) and I wanted nothing more than too grow up to be him. Now unfortunately I was very small with an awful arm so those dreams would’ve been better spent on a profession that I could achieve like an accountant or horse jockey. Either way, in backyard wiffle ball (against my brother who is 4 years younger than me) I may as well have been Roy Halladay. We’re talking slicing cutters, wipeout sliders and some sweet chin music to keep Phillip honest.
Now I couldn’t find my Halladay jersey but my brother’s Wells is still lying around. While the Jays current look is the best uniform set that they’ve ever had, I kind of miss these grey and silver bad boys. The “angry bird” logo on the front evokes flashbacks of Orlando Hudson smiles and Miguel Batista blown saves. If I could get my hands on a “new” Halladay jersey in one of their old jerseys nothing would make me happier. Because, contrary to what the losers and haters may say, I can’t squeeze into a Youth Large.
While I’m pretty indifferent about the Red Sox, Big Papi and his big dingers warrant some jersey appreciation. As a retired Red Sock(x?) Big Papi certainly isn’t afraid to show his bias as a member of the media:
Sweet stache, the 1992 AL Cy Young AND MVP, a 1987 World Series ring, a lifetime 3.50 ERA, 361 games started and 390 career saves. Eckersley was an absolute cowboy. After over a decade as one of the best starters in the game for the Indians, Red Sox and Cubs, Eckersley reinvented himself as one of the best closers of all-time when he was traded to the Oakland A’s in 1987.
As for the jersey itself, I’ve always thought that the A’s jereseys have a clean look. The green and yellow colour scheme is very utilized with only the Green Bay Packers coming to mind as another obvious team that rocks the look.
Another Oakland A’s great hitting the blog. There is nobody better at stealing bases. Ricky Henderson is to base stealing as Joey Chestnut is to hot dog eating. He’s the best and it isn’t even close. Henderson holds the major league records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks and leadoff home runs.
Rickey is also regarded as one of the biggest characters in baseball history. Supposedly he used to practice his swing naked in front of the mirror before every game while yelling “Rickey’s the best!”.
This is a very cool jersey. I’ve actually seen this jersey pop up once or twice in a Brock Sport Management class or at a bar in downtown St. Catharines. As someone who sides with Jordan in the heated MJ v Lebron debates and as a huge fan of Space Jam this jersey speaks to me. I for one want to believe the conspiracy theory that MJ turned to a career in baseball because David Stern secretly suspended behind closed doors for excessive gambling debts.
Penguins wearing “Stronger Than Hate” patches tonight. Jerseys will be signed by each player and auctioned to benefit the families of victims of the Tree of Life synagogue tragedy. pic.twitter.com/ZDnJtrK0vN
Nine Nike basketball programs will participate in honoring Native American Heritage Month with turquoise jerseys. This includes Oklahoma State, Florida State & New Mexico. pic.twitter.com/tm8DrfZiZy
Ifyou want to show off a sweet jersey or want to put a buddy with a jersey-buying problem on blast, be sure to send your submissions to me over Twitter @twaind4
(0:00-18:32) NHL Playoffs
(18:33) Ray’s Red Wings Draft Lottery Simulator
(20:13) NBA Payoffs
(41:54) Toronto Blue Jays Facebook Live Stream Discussion
(44:18) Big 15-5 Blue Jays win + some Luke Maile love
(48:33) The Yankees STINK
(51:57) Sporcle Quiz: Every Stanley Cup Final and Conn Smythe winner since 1980
(58:29) This or That
Pool or Beach
Hot Dogs or Burgers
Campfire or Patio
Favourite Lawn Games
Our podcast is also now on iTunes so be sure to Subscribe, Rate and Review!
(1:40) Toronto Blue Jays are hot
(7:50) Roberto Osuna’s 100th career save
(10:50) Shohei Otani aka The Japanese Babe Ruth
(14:31) Bartolo Colon International Man of Mystery
(16:50) Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
(24:10) Toronto Raptors Playoffs Outlook
(34:30) NHL Playoff Bracket Breakdown
(1:05:00) Cam calls in
For more NHL playoff coverage check out the Eastern Conference First Rund Preview from Cameron and the Western Preview from Ray:
