YOU’RE A GOOD MAN JEFFREY JONES
No, we’re not referring to the actor who played Principal Rooney in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This salute to a good deed is extended to a 48-year old Columbus Dispatch season ticket-holder of that name, whose story kicks this column off with a feel-good tale.
At the last home game for the Jackets, the team held a Shirt Off My Back promotion (nothing to do with this column, natch). Jones won the jersey worn by Tommy Sestito, who was making his NHL debut in that game.
Knowing that fact, Jones and his wife felt the jersey would have more significance to Sestito than to him. While he was invited onto the ice to receive his prize, he didn’t act there, concerned of possibly embarrassing the rookie. So, using his ticket accountant with the team, the arrangement was made to give Sestito his first NHL sweater. Jones wasn’t asking for anything in return, though the Jackets generously provided him with a signed Sestito team-issued road jersey.
Thanks to the Columbus Dispatch for giving Mr. Jones credit where credit is due.
PATCH NEWS
The NCAA teams that reached the Final Four had the NCAA Tournament patch issued to all 64 teams removed in favor of a Final Four logo.
Also, the Pittsburgh Pirates are wearing a yellow and black rectangular patch on their home jerseys celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the city of Pittsburgh.
LOGO LORE
In Major League Baseball, sleeve logos are only worn on uniforms that are from official, contracted MLB suppliers. That’s why 1987-99 Braves homes (and 1987-92 roads) had no logo…they were made by Wilson. The majority of 1987-99 Blue Jays jerseys and many 1992-99 Whiten Sox jerseys also are logo-less due to being from Wilson. You’ll also lack manufacturer logos on 1992-99 Cardinals, many 1992-99 Pirates, 1992-94 Dodgers, and most Barry Bonds Giants jerseys, all from Rawlings. Goodman, too, could not place a company logo on Nolan Ryan Rangers unies it had produced, as well as 1990-91 home Padres and some 1987-93 Astros outfits.
The supplier logos that are used are Rawlings (1987-91 and 2000-02); Russell (1992-2004) and Majestic (2000-present). The logos were placed on the right sleeve until 2000, when they were switched over to the left sleeve. A small number of 2000 and even 2001 Russell gamers may still have a right sleeve logo due to being older shells used after the change was made. Vests before 2000 had the Russell logo on the back of the neck, with no logos from 2000-04 (although undershirts carried a left sleeve logo) and, starting in 2005, Majestic vests placed the logo on top of the left arm hole.
Next time, logos on BP jerseys and minor league unies will be covered.
SOT: RAIN WASHES OUT HISTORIC MLB FIRST
Thursday’s consistent rain that postponed the White Sox-Twins game in Chicago also postponed a historic first for MLB. The starting pitchers were to be Livan Hernandez (Twins) and Jose Contreras (Chisox). It would have marked the first time ever in MLB annals that opposing starting pitchers for a game would have both been Cuban defectors.
OBITUARY
NBA 1947-50 player John Toomay died March 12th at age 85 due to a case of peritonitis (stomach infection…I’ve been hospitalized for it twice myself). Toomay played for the Chicago Stags and 5 other early NBA teams. His son is Pat Toomay, a 10-year NFL DE with Dallas and Oakland.
CUBBIES AT 5 IN A ROW AND COUNTING…WE’VE GOT THE SWAGGER!