You know how they say fashion goes in phases? Well baseball is in the stage of going retro. The Houston Astros are the latest team in this trend as they have combined aspects of previous uniforms including aspects from when the team was the Colt .45s. They have simplified their uniforms and logos to have a more classic look while also simplifying the color palate down to three colors. I love these uniforms, they’re simple but sharp. The Astros aren’t the only team to shift to classic uniforms. The Mets dropped the black out of their uniforms and have added a classic cream-colored uniform reminiscent of the 1962 original uniforms. The Reds reintroduced their mascot from 1956 Mr. Red Legs and the Cardinals will wear a jersey fashioned after their unis from the 1926 season. Teams have found that these changes have been met with very positive fan fair as teams are realizing that vintage is in. ON the other hands teams that have tried to develop innovative jerseys have been met with mixed reaction. Look at the Miami Marlins. While many people do like their new colors and logo, their bright and gaudy uniforms have not been we’ll received. Miami if your going to use orange be subtle, loud rave color orange doesn’t belong on the baseball diamond. Not to mention the logo I know it’s a marlin but what marlin looks like that? For now it seems that major league teams will continue to use past uniforms or what I like to call retroize their uniforms by making them look more like their vintage counterparts. While the Astros might not have the best season on the field in 2013, at least they’ll look good.
MLB
Fall of the Empire? Is the Yankees dynasty coming to an end?
That’s right Yankee fans the reign of dominance that the Yankees have had for more than a decade is coming to an end. Since 2000, when the Yankees won their third World Series in four years, the club has only won the championship once, in 2009, during the last 12 years. Fast forward to 2013, the winds are changing in the Bronx as many factors are slowly eating away at the Yankees facade as the best team in baseball. You cannot question the teams’ success, 27 championships in the club’s history, but more recently the Yankees have lost the dominance the once had. There are many reason for this including the passing of the George Steinbrenner and passing the ownership to his son’s who have not shown the same passion for winning that their father once had. Do you think that the boss would have stood for this or been this quite in the offseason? The competition in the AL East has caught up with the Bronx Bombers. Remember when it used to be a two-horse race between the Yankees and Red Sox? While the Yankees often beat out the Red Sox in the past decade, the Sox have won more championships than the Yankees. While the Red Sox have taken steps backward, the Blue Jays have vastly improved this offseason, especially because they’ve added half of the Marlins lineup and the N.L. Cy Young winner. Add in the Always competitive Rays and the improved Baltimore Orioles and you have a competitive division from top to bottom. It’s not like it was a few years ago when the Yankees could just beat up on the weaker teams in the division, now they will have to play in arguably the most talented division in baseball. While the Yankees competition has gotten better the Yankees biggest opponent may be father time. Just look at this team. At this rate they’ll get their AARP cards before they win another World Series. Just look at this spring, the injuries to Granderson, and Teixeria have already put more pressure on a thin depth chart. This Yankee roster is littered with players in the twilight of their careers with large contracts that the team cannot move. If this offseason was any indication the team isn’t willing to increases their already absurd payroll due to the salary cap tax the team would face. They are paying these players hundreds of millions of dollars for declining production, trips to the DL, and no championships. Just look at A-Rod. Over the past few seasons his
production has steadily been declining and he’ll miss most of this season with his hip injury. The answer is to replace him with Kevin Youkilis? Sounds more like waving a white flag then a move to put this team over the top.The problem the Yankees face is can they win a World Series with this group? We know they can make the playoffs but the Yankees are built for championships not playoff appearances. If they get to a point where the front office doesn’t believe this team can Win a World Series then they need to rebuild. Ok I know Yankee fans dread that infamous R word and are probably yelling profanities right now but hear me out. The Red Sox began their rebuilding by shedding their payroll while continuing to develop their farm system. The Yankees have the luxury of having the largest payroll in baseball so once they shed the contracts of A-Rod, Granderson, and Texieria, not to mention when Jeter an Mo come off the books, they can use that money to invest in a younger core. Cano would be a great piece to rebuild around for this new Yankee team. Let me ask Yankee fans this. Would you rather see this team to continue to decline to the point where they can’t even reach the playoffs, or sacrifice a year or two without October baseball in order to win more World Championships in the next decade? What do you think? Take the poll below and don’t forget to subscribe!
If it’s broken, it needs fixing: teams that are desperately in need of a makeover
Ah yes fashion, where styles come and go so fast that most people feel way behind. Sports is intriguing because some fashion choices stay eternal. The iconic sweaters and logos of the Original Six in the NHL, the pinstripes of the New York Yankees, the yellow and purple of the L.A. Lakers, and the silver and black of the Raiders. Some teams never need to change their iconic logos and superb jerseys. However, there are some teams that desperately need to update their look. You just look at them and go geez what the heck are they wearing. Here is my list of ten teams that need a makeover.
1) The Phoenix Suns:
Wow I think Willy Wonka let the ompa lompas out. The Suns have never had great uniforms and have gone through many different logos, colors, and uniforms in their history. However, no matter what they do nothing seems to work. I get orange should be incorporated with the uniforms but not as an Orange and Grey eyesore. I know that the Suns have a difficult mascot to work with but I feel that their logo and jersey defiantly is in need of an overhaul. Players look like giant pumpkins isn’t intimidating and I don’t get who the jerseys are so different. Home is white with primarily purple highlights and only a little orange. The road jerseys are all orange and grey with no purple. Guys I understand you want to mix it up but please have a little consistency. I think that the best move for the Suns is to have simpler uniforms without these colors clashing and should try to update their logo. Also pick what colors your going to be and stick with them. If you want to be purple be purple if you want to be orange be orange make up your mind!!!
2) Miami Marlins:
Ok I know that orange is popular because of the Hurricanes and Dolphins but that doesn’t mean you have to wear it to! Just because you’re the Miami Marlins now doesn’t mean you copy the colors of the two other teams in town with orange and coral blue. These jerseys are an eyesore and while at first I thought they were kinda cool that novelty wore off faster than Miami traded away their team this offseason. Maybe the orange is appropriate for the fire sale they’re having on South Beach. I give Miami credit for trying something new but seriously guys when if I have to ask id that is a Marlin on your hat then you probably did it wrong. These jerseys are new but I do think these need to go to. Hey maybe the Marlins will trade their uniforms next!
3) Milwaukee Brewers:
This is a different one. While the new Brewers uniforms aren’t bad, I’d love to see them go back to their old uniforms full-time. The classic Brewers uniforms are sharp and are perfect with most teams going to “more retro” uniforms. The lighter blue and yellow with the old school block lettering is reminiscent of great baseball uniforms of the past. The Brewers should follow this fashion trend of bringing back vintage looks because it will also bring back one of the most iconic logos in baseball, the glove and ball Brewer logo. While the new uniforms and logo aren’t terrible, I think most of the Brew Crew and their fans would accept these classics once again.
4) New England Patriots:
Another case of bringing back the old school. Ok Jet fans I know you hate the Patriots like I do, but even you have to admit these are pretty sweet duds. These are patriotic red, white, and blue instead of the current blue and silver color combination the Patriots wear now. These jerseys are bold and colorful and make a statement that this is an American team. Also these uniforms would bring back the fabled Pat the Patriot mascot. Hmmmm do I want a tough and gritty patriot hiking a football in a three-point stance, or the patriot that looks like a cheesy rip off of Elvis. The new uniforms also don’t make sense. I hate there is barely any red and the overuse of silver. Lets make this clear there is only one team that can and should were silver in the NFL and that is the Silver and Black of the Raiders. While I do hate the Patriots seeing them in these uniforms would make them a little easier to stomach when Tom Brady torches your team’s secondary.
5) Tennessee Titans:
These uniforms are trying to do too much. They try to mix a new team and design with the classic colors of the Houston Oilers. The result is a confusing combination of blues and white that just look like they can’t agree. This franchise is trying modernize the old Oilers jerseys instead of creating their own identity. With different shades of blues in different and odd combinations makes these uniforms an eyesore and confusing. On top of that the logo just never seems to fit in especially with all the red when there is no red in the uniforms. I think this is one NFL franchise that should go back to the drawing board and instead of trying to recreate an identity just create their own unique logo and uniforms.
6) San Diego Chargers
Most football fans agree that the Chargers powder blues are one of if not the best uniforms in the game. But here’s my question, why the heck aren’t they wearing them??? These beauties are currently the alternates to the main navy colored jerseys which have been the primary colored jerseys since 1973. Why the Chargers took the best uniform in the game and put it as an alternate I will never know. I am sick of seeing the dark blue charger uniforms and would love to see these babies full-time. The chargers need to embrace their best look because it is the perfect color for San Diego. It’s cool, laid back, and easy-going just like the people of San Diego. Heck if I was the Chargers I would petition the commissioner to wear these uniforms all the time. Can the fans of San Diego petition to make these uniforms the primary home uniforms. I’ll say it again these are my favorite uniforms in the league please wear them!!!
7) Dallas Stars:
Talk about vanilla. While simpler is usually better for Dallas the Stars jerseys are terrible. They took a great jersey in the nineties with the star shape around the bottom of the jerseys and a good logo off their uniforms. Now all that’s left is Dallas, green stripes, and numbers in the front. YYYYAAAAAWWWWWNNNNNN. The Stars need a new uniform and possibly logo. While to logo isn’t bad it could use some upgrading. This is Texas things are supposed to be bigger and better not quieter and simpler. Dallas needs to embrace their inner Texan and get rid of these pathetic jerseys.
8) Anaheim Ducks
Ah yes the Anaheim Ducks. A franchise notorious for hideous jerseys. While their new third jerseys are an improvement the main jersey with the word “Ducks” across the Chest is boring. Not to mention the gold with black combination which should look cool looks pretty weak. My suggestion is to combine the jerseys and logos of the past. Use the classic duck mask, or Wild Wing logo, with the double hockey sticks that the Mighty Ducks franchise made famous with their Disney movies. Then use this old logo with the new black and orange color schemes. Also if the could combine it with the diagonal stripe of the original jersey, then the Ducks could have one of the best looking jerseys in the game.
9) Carolina Hurricanes:
To think this used to be a franchise with one of the best logos and uniforms in hockey. But alas the Whalers are gone and now they are the hurricanes. First off the logo is weak a red and black circle really intimidating. Looks more like a tropical storm then a hurricane. Also the uniforms with red white and blacks fighting with each other makes it a very confusing look. I love the secondary logo on the shoulder and the third jersey. It combines the Carolina triangle, a hockey stick, and a flag in a hurricane to make a simple yet cool logo. The third jerseys that are black with this logo are great and I wish they would switch to these babies full-time and make a white version with it. Those would make the Hurricanes look cool and not like there is a giant red and black eye on their chest.
10) Washington Wizards:
Like the Titans earlier in the list the Wizards have tried to combine two teams into one. Bad idea taking an already weak logo and name and bring to combine it with the historical Bullets jerseys creates this star-spangled screamer. While I do commend them for actually using red white and blue instead of gold and blue the old combination of the old uniforms and logo are just a mess. While these are retro uniforms, sometimes simpler is better. Look at the Nets and Knicks they changed to simpler uniforms and look great. While I think they are going in the right direction, these uniforms are defiantly the elephant in the room, not Republicans, when it comes to the city’s sports teams. While at first they were cool now they need an upgrade. Also the Wizards logo of the wizard and basketball has been weak and outdated for years. This is another team that needs to update their mascot or find a new one. Instead of Wizards rename the team, like in New Orleans, to something more appropriate. Names like Eagles, or Diplomats could be possibilities.
Do you agree with my list? Any teams you think I left out or think I was wrong about? Please feel free to comment below and tell me what you think. Don’t forget to email me or write in the comments section about what you would like me to write about next. Thanks and have a great day!
Are we there yet????… NO!!! still waiting
Well it’s that time of year again. Before we know it pitchers and catchers will report for spring training and baseball season will finally kick into high gear. While most of these camps will focus on the present, in Port St. Lucie the eyes will be looking toward the future. For 2013 the highlight for the New York Mets won’t be the play on the field, but the hosting of the MLB All-star game at Citi Field. It’s been a rough offseason for Mets fans as the franchise traded away the reigning N.L. Cy Young award winner and has done nothing to address an outfield situation that is almost

D’arnaud was the key piece in the R.A. Dickey trade and could be the Mets backstop for the next decade
bleaker then a Stephen King novel. While 2013 will probably be a lost season for the Metropolitans and their fans the prospects of competing in 2014 is a reason for optimism. After trading R.A. Dicky to Toronto the Mets now have two of the top prospects in baseball. Travis D’arnaud is ranked #6 and Zack Wheeler # 8 on MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list. Not to be outdone the other key piece in the deal, Noah Syndergaard a right-handed pitcher, is ranked 29th on the top 100 list as well. D’arnnaud was the key in the Dickey trade, and as the best catching prospect in baseball he could give the Mets their best backstop since Gary Carter. Well all Mets fans know about Matt Harvey and the impact he had last season, Zack Wheeler could be an even better pitcher. The right hander was traded to the club during the Carlos Beltran trade and has been compared to Justin Verlander with a 98 MPH fastball and a devastating curveball. Not to be
outdone Syndergaard while young, can throw in the upper 90s and if he can develop his secondary pitchers could an integral part of the rotation in flushing. You can view all of the Mets top prospects and see their scouting report videos by clicking here. While the future looks bright for the Mets, especially with the possible rotation of Wheeler, Harvey, Niese, and Syndergaard in the near future, the Mets have once again swung and missed in the offseason. While signing Shaun Marcum will add a solid arm to the rotation the Mets waited until this week to try to fix their disastrous bullpen for a season ago. Feliciano to a minor league deal and Brandon Lyon will give them a possible solution at closer the Mets could have vastly improved earlier in the offseason. Overall I give the Mets a B+ with the Dickey trade and these solid last-minute signings, but they kinda missed something important. Um guys you do realize you need three players to play the outfield right?? Whoops while the Mets were busy creating their new alternate uniforms this offseason they kinda forgot that you need people to catch the ball in the outfield. Kirk Nieuwenhuis is a good outfielder they have, but they let Scott Hairston go and now have Lucas Duda and Mike Baxter penciled in as outfielders. They aren’t starting outfielders, although they are an improvement over Jason Bay. Bottom line if you want to know how the Met’s season is going to be then click on this link. Overall though I am getting excited for the Mets future and I can see these team competing in the next few seasons. The only problem is it’s going to be a llllooooonnnnngggg 2013. However, if the Mets prospects are as good as advertised than not only will the Mets make it back to the playoffs, but a World Series could be heading to Citi Field.














