MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX
Q: When did Sand-Knit go from being Medalist Sand-Knit to MacGregor Sand-Knit?
A: The changeover was first seen on 1985 MLB jerseys and pants, as that season, these items have been seen with two Medalist tags, two MacGregor tags, or one of each. The last stand of MacGregor Sand-Knit tags (and Sand-Knit itself) was seen on a handful of 1990 NFL jerseys (such as Green Bay).
Q: When did the NFL first use the neck shield on their jerseys?
A: The original design…the league shield by itself, first was used in 1991. A recent eBay item showed a Raiders Marcus Allen jersey made by Wilson from 1991 offered (likely by lack of research) as a 1984-85 gamer…years when there was not only no neck shield, but when Sand-Knit supplied the silver-and-black. The second version, with the shield inside an NFL Equipment mini-patch, was first used in 2002, with many recycled 2001 Reebok gamers also showing the newer insignia. The neck adornment was updated again in 2008, with the shield itself altered to show only 8 stars (one for each NFL division) in the blue field on top.
Q: Your reports in the past on Michael Jordan’s White Sox uniform in the 1994 April exhibition at Wrigley Field mention MJ’s Wilson-made, patchless shirt. What did the rest of the Sox players wear that day?
A: Naturally, MJ’s fellow Chisox wore the same black jerseys that His Airness did. However, the other players wore Russell jerseys with the 125th Anniversary patch present on the right sleeve. Given that other minor leaguers were brought in for the game by both teams, it makes sense that some 1994 Russell alternate jerseys figured to be only game-issued were worn in that Cubs-Sox friendly, as well.
Q: Did Russell produce any other professional gamers besides 1992-93 MLB jerseys with the intera tag?
A: The intera label also appears in a small number of NFL jerseys (Rams, Eagles, and a couple of others) from the same time frame.
In addition, contrary to my initial report that the Intera tag was not used in retail jerseys, Rudy at Game Used Forum made mention of the special fabric tag being in a retail jersey he owns, meaning, of course, there’s likely more out there.
Q: It was well publicized in 1998 as to the return of Mark McGwire’s 62nd home run by a Cardinals groundskeeper who caught it. What went on with Sammy Sosa’s 62nd that year?
A: Sosa hit both home runs 61 and 62 in the same game. And, unlike McGwire’s 62nd, this one was significantly messier. The ball was originally retrieved in an alley that runs between and parallel to Sheffield and Kenmore Avenues by longtime Ballhawk Moe Mullins. He was immediately buried in a fan pile-on to the extent that he was unable to breathe. Letting the ball loose, it was scooped up by a previously uninvolved fan, Brandon Cunningham. Cunningham, with the assistance of CPD officers not aware that he wasn’t the rightful owner of the prized baseball, helped him make a retreat. The ensuing debacle involved an injunction by Mullins to prevent Cunningham from selling the ball, an approach from Judge Judy’s TV show to mediate the case in her TV court (Cunningham agreed, but Mullins declined) and two major memorabilia dealers in Chicago refusing to either buy or auction the ball based upon Cunningham’s taking advantage of a helpless Mullins. Eventually, Cunningham gave the ball back to Sosa, and, disgustingly, was pictured with Sosa in a 1999 Hall of Fame display honoring people who didn’t decide to cash in on McGwire or Sosa homers over #61. Mullins, sadly, gained no mention in the Cooperstown exhibit.
OF CANUCKS AND CHARLOTTE
The Vancouver Canucks unveiled a third jersey this past week to be worn 15 times this season, beginning with last night’s game. The sweater will use the original blue, green and white color scheme and will incorporate all three Canucks logos (the stick and rink, the V and Johnny Canuck).
As far as Charlotte goes, the city’s current NBA squad (the Bobcats) are wearing a team 5th Anniversary patch this season.
RING THEFT
Report from the Canadian Press:
The residence of one of the Bronfman brothers (not said at this time whether it was Peter or Edward) was victimized by a $1 million dollar burglary. Among the items taken were two Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup rings, received by the brothers, who were co-owners of the Habs at the time the rings were earned. Stolen were rings from the 1973-74 and 1975-76 championship seasons.
OBITUARIES
Preacher Roe, pitcher for the Cardinals, Pirates and Dodgers, died of colon cancer at age 92. Roe was best remembered for his years in Brooklyn (1948-54), which included multiple World Series starts, and a Cliff Lee-like 22-3 won-lost record, netting him the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year award, as there was no Cy Young Award issued until 1956.
Herb Score, former Indians and White Sox pitcher and longtime Tribe broadcaster, succumbed to multiple health problems at age 75. His career began in 1955, when he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The darkest day of his career, though came in 1957. In a May 7 game against the Yankees, Score was smashed in the face by a line drive off the back of New York’s Gil McDougald. Score returned to pitching, but was never the same again, as a new delivery style employed to avoid another line drive beaning caused arm injuries that ended his career after the 1962 season.
Finally, Frank Williams, older brother of Hall of Famer Billy Williams, died as the result of a March stroke. He was 72. Williams played in the minors for 4 years, and, although he never made it to the Majors, was an accomplished player for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. He played in the last Negro League East-West All-Star Game, held at Comiskey Park.
JOEY WHO?? CONGRATULATIONS GEOVANNY SOTO, 2008 NL ROY!