UniWatch on the '86 era Mets Home Unis

[batmagadanleadoff]

[FIMG=444]https://dugout.uni-watch.com/app/uploads/2021/03/1986-nlcs-game-7-mets-vs-astros-e1616270195229.jpg[/FIMG]



Excerpt:

One thing that has always piqued my interest is how fans can “like” a certain uniform — one we might otherwise consider bad, or of poor design — based on how well a team does while wearing it. [***] I am probably in the minority here, especially as a Mets fan, but I've always hated the uniforms worn by the Mets when they won their second, and most recent, World Series, way back in 1986. I've always thought it was a poor design — I'm fine with pins, and I'm fine with racing stripes — but having both on a uniform was overkill. Not only that, but somewhat inexplicably, the team chose to go with pullover jerseys but paired them with belted pants, a rather disjointed look. Yes, not every team that wore pullovers wore sansabelt pants (or vice versa), but these were exceptions rather than rules. But because the team won the World Series in these uniforms, fans love them, and by extension, think they're “good” uniforms. Not only was their stripe overkill, but frequently during play, the jerseys would shift, causing misaligned stripes (this is especially upsetting to those of us with OCD). I didn't dislike the gray roadies as they didn't have pinstripes. And I will always like the Expos racing stripes (especially since they wore button fronts and belts), [FIMG=333]https://theundefeated.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/gettyimages-53203899.jpg?w=1024[/FIMG] but I never liked the stripes/pins look of the Mets, despite their success wearing them

https://uni-watch.com/https://uni-watch.com/

Edited March 21, 2021 by Guest

[dinosaur jesus]

I agree with him. I don't hate those uniforms--they did still look like the Mets--but the racing stripe looked dumb.



At least they never wore baby blue road uniforms, like half the teams in baseball in the seventies.

[Edgy MD]

Dead on. I mean, every bit.



And the alternative blue tops looked like softball unis.



https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_736,h_485,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Frisingapple.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1171486994-850x560.jpeg>



I think they tended to wear them in spring day games, so they had a way of being a real intrusive opening day presence.

[G-Fafif]

Sport magazine c. 1987 ran a best/worst uniforms piece, back when you had no idea people thought about such things. I remember the Mets were panned for their “War Eagles be damned” ensemble, an Auburn University reference. At the time I was insulted because how dare anybody criticize anything about the Mets, but I thought about it and the stripes plus stripes thing did seem a bit excessive.



Still love ‘em for the reasons Phil Hecken cites in the above excerpt. They had a good run.

[Edgy MD]

I wouldn't even have intuitively occurred to me to link the Mets piping and the Expos piping as relatives from the same design feature trend, although of course they are. The moment it appeared on the Expos kit, it was like it was always there, like it had always been there and I jut hadn't noticed.



The Expos tended to have a way of producing an elegant whole from a lot of goofy parts. Sort of like that wounded soldier on M*A*S*H* who pays the 4077 back by going to their mess hall and making delicious food out of the same awful ingredients that Igor couldn't do anything with.

[batmagadanleadoff]

The guy that dissed these unis more than anyone I know (or heard), is ....











Keith Hernandez.

[G-Fafif]

When the Mets adopted the side stripes, I thought, “Oh, like the Expos have.”



Because I was away at college the first month of the '83 season, I don't think the update really sunk in for me until I saw the yearbook on sale at my local newsstand in May and it was featured in cartoon form on the cover.

[batmagadanleadoff]

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=58268 time=1616379923 user_id=68]
The guy that dissed these unis more than anyone I know (or heard), is ....











Keith Hernandez.

[batmagadanleadoff]

=G-Fafif post_id=58270 time=1616380717 user_id=55]
When the Mets adopted the side stripes, I thought, “Oh, like the Expos have.”



Because I was away at college the first month of the '83 season, I don't think the update really sunk in for me until I saw the yearbook on sale at my local newsstand in May and it was featured in cartoon form on the cover.

[batmagadanleadoff]

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=58272 time=1616380846 user_id=68]
=G-Fafif post_id=58270 time=1616380717 user_id=55]
When the Mets adopted the side stripes, I thought, “Oh, like the Expos have.”



Because I was away at college the first month of the '83 season, I don't think the update really sunk in for me until I saw the yearbook on sale at my local newsstand in May and it was featured in cartoon form on the cover.

[G-Fafif]

Clarification: after returning home for the summer (in May).



Racing stripes were good http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2016/04/11/seaver-and-the-hendersons/throwback fodder almost five years ago.

[Edgy MD]

Two button pullover top baseball trivia -- The only other MLB team to wear two-button pullover tops in the same style worn by the Joe Torre managed era Mets were the Texas Rangers in the 1970s. The only players to have worn the two-button pullover tops for both the Rangers and the Mets were Lenny Randle and Tom Grieve.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mVcAAOSwyqleDZ8j/s-l400.jpg> [fimg=300]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lsoAAOSwMz5fyGID/s-l500.jpg[/fimg]



No?

[Edgy MD]

That Mets uni is a touched up Rangers top, innit?

[G-Fafif]

Never mind. You were back home in Mets country in May.

You got it.



I can still see that yearbook in that magazine rack in that particular luncheonette on the Saturday night I spotted it and can still feel the giddiness of it being available somewhere besides Shea.



I noticed the 2021 MFY yb for sale at a local chain drug store the other day. That seems wrong on many levels.

[G-Fafif]

Man, was I ready for the 1978 jersey update. To my adolescent mind, everything about the Mets was tired rather than traditional. It's the same reason I welcomed Steve Albert with open ears.



I seem to recall Bob Murphy being very approving of the new look, what with the two buttons keeping it from being a pure pullover. (Trying to imagine Murph being virulently against something.)

Edited March 21, 2021 by Guest

[batmagadanleadoff]

Edgy MD wrote: Two button pullover top baseball trivia -- The only other MLB team to wear two-button pullover tops in the same style worn by the Joe Torre managed era Mets were the Texas Rangers in the 1970s. The only players to have worn the two-button pullover tops for both the Rangers and the Mets were Lenny Randle and Tom Grieve. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mVcAAOSwyqleDZ8j/s-l400.jpg> [fimg=300]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lsoAAOSwMz5fyGID/s-l500.jpg[/fimg] No?

Yes! Good catch. I forgot about Rusty and I realize why: I was only thinking about players who were Rangers in the 70s before they were Mets from that era because I assumed that the Rangers didn't wear the two-buttons in the 80s.

Edited March 21, 2021 by Guest

[batmagadanleadoff]

=G-Fafif post_id=58277 time=1616381425 user_id=55]

Never mind. You were back home in Mets country in May.

You got it.



I can still see that yearbook in that magazine rack in that particular luncheonette on the Saturday night I spotted it and can still feel the giddiness of it being available somewhere besides Shea.

[batmagadanleadoff]

=G-Fafif post_id=58278 time=1616381668 user_id=55]
Man, was I ready for the 1978 Jersey update. To my adolescent mind, everything about the Mets was tired rather than traditional. It's the same reason I welcomed Steve Albert with open ears.



I seem to recall Bob Murphy being very approving of the new look, what with the two buttons keeping it from being a pure pullover. (Trying to imagine Murph being virulently against something.)

[Edgy MD]

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouf_zcyfE7w/XxZ6cqCuFgI/AAAAAAABKDQ/Lu0v58Hekssi64-lhWQPSJpPDKs8AxTsACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/jorgensen7.JPG> [fimg=300]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71d6evDTf5L._AC_SL1000_.jpg[/fimg]



[fimg=300]https://i1.wp.com/mets360.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/zest-front-4-Montanez.jpg[/fimg] https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2~EAAOSw5P9bGHi9/s-l500.jpg>

[batmagadanleadoff]

When the Mets adopted the side stripes, I thought, “Oh, like the Expos have.” Because I was away at college the first month of the '83 season, I don't think the update really sunk in for me until I saw the yearbook on sale at my local newsstand in May and it was featured in cartoon form on the cover. You could buy a Mets yearbook at a newsstand in Tampa? Never mind. You were back home in Mets country in May.

[FIMG=555]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060655228_999fd50a55_o.jpg[/FIMG]

[Edgy MD]

Found a fourth two-button two-teamer.



https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61%2BZCGG7vUL._AC_SY445_.jpg> https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9m66ardIALg/XF3cjTgHEpI/AAAAAAABDEQ/5DUN-ixhJa45L0vh67KjtMMiCKXsM0H8gCLcBGAs/s1600/377bc28dcb7a6461230401a4b30a.jpg>

[batmagadanleadoff]

Edgy MD wrote: Found a fourth two-button two-teamer. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61%2BZCGG7vUL._AC_SY445_.jpg> https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9m66ardIALg/XF3cjTgHEpI/AAAAAAABDEQ/5DUN-ixhJa45L0vh67KjtMMiCKXsM0H8gCLcBGAs/s1600/377bc28dcb7a6461230401a4b30a.jpg>

Dock and Rusty could start their own club: players who wore both the Mets and Rangers two-button pullovers in the same season.



If they were alive.

Edited March 21, 2021 by Guest

[G-Fafif]

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=58281 time=1616382409 user_id=68]
=G-Fafif post_id=58278 time=1616381668 user_id=55]
Man, was I ready for the 1978 Jersey update. To my adolescent mind, everything about the Mets was tired rather than traditional. It's the same reason I welcomed Steve Albert with open ears.



I seem to recall Bob Murphy being very approving of the new look, what with the two buttons keeping it from being a pure pullover. (Trying to imagine Murph being virulently against something.)

[G-Fafif]

[FIMG=555]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060655228_999fd50a55_o.jpg[/FIMG]



To square the topical circle, finding an Official Mets Yearbook away from Shea matched the thrill of being able to buy a Mets replica batting helmet, like the ones seen here, at Nathan's in 1971.



All of New York was Mets Country.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Terribly cheap-looking in retrospect, too. I was too dazzled by that 9-6 start in 1978. I was impressed that when the alumni were brought back for Shea Goodbye, the players of that era were outfitted appropriately, as if somebody had been paying attention. Those Rangers never won anything but they sure sported some sweet threads.

While I knew, logically, how bad those Mets were, I was still young enough to remain unreasonably optimistic about their chances. I mean, I was crazy for Steve Henderson, and saddened when, in the end, it became clear that he would never duplicate the magic of his rookie season. And for two years, I would argue with everyone 'till I was blue in the face that Craig Swan was one of baseball's best pitchers, which he was, but didn't get his due because his Mets were atrocious and back then, hardly anyone bothered to look beyond a starting pitcher's unimpressive W-L record. If I was joining this forum today, I could just as easily pick swanbelongsontheallstarteam for a handle.



Some of those Rangers unis were fantastic.



How much more awesome would this awesome Rangers home uniform look in button-down style?



[FIMG=444]https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/default/print/10.5/14/break/images/artworkimages/medium/2/texas-rangers-bump-wills-march-28-1977-sports-illustrated-cover.jpg[/FIMG]

Edited March 21, 2021 by Guest

[batmagadanleadoff]

[FIMG=555]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060655228_999fd50a55_o.jpg[/FIMG] To square the topical circle, finding an Official Mets Yearbook away from Shea matched the thrill of being able to buy a Mets replica batting helmet, like the ones seen here, at Nathan's in 1971.

So did I! At Nathan's. Which, in 1971, I wore to the very first Mets game I ever attended and removed from my head and placed it over my heart for the singing of the National Anthem. And then from a peripheral vision side glance, caught my older cousin smirking and elbowing his fiancee to look at me when he caught me in the act of saluting with my Nathan's helmet -- not a mean or mocking smirk, more of an "aww, how cute" smirk, I assumed.



One day, I was playing golf with that helmet in the living room. I don't mean that I was golfing while wearing the Nathan's helmet. Instead, I had invented some golf-like game where the helmet was the golf ball. And when I tapped the helmet ever so lightly with my age-appropriate wooden baseball bat, the helmet cracked into like three or four pieces. Lucky me I wasn't playing the hardball or real version of baseball back then, beciause if I did, I would've surely worn that Nathan's helmet. With pride. And with a very false sense of security. That helmet was one of my prized possessions from that era.

Edited March 21, 2021 by Guest

[G-Fafif]

[FIMG=444]https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/default/print/10.5/14/break/images/artworkimages/medium/2/texas-rangers-bump-wills-march-28-1977-sports-illustrated-cover.jpg[/FIMG]



One imagines on The Jeff Burrows (or perhaps Toby Hurrah!) Forum, threads with “Bump” have a different meaning than they do here.

[batmagadanleadoff]

I think you're the only person that I can recall ever acknowledging the 1971 Nathan's Mets batting helmet.

[Edgy MD]

The Nathan's in Oceanside in the early seventies was more of a palace than a restaurant. Visiting there, as a kid, was more event dining for me than even the Coney Island one.

[Edgy MD]

Edgy MD wrote: Found a fourth two-button two-teamer. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61%2BZCGG7vUL._AC_SY445_.jpg> https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9m66ardIALg/XF3cjTgHEpI/AAAAAAABDEQ/5DUN-ixhJa45L0vh67KjtMMiCKXsM0H8gCLcBGAs/s1600/377bc28dcb7a6461230401a4b30a.jpg> Dock and Rusty could start their own club: players who wore both the Mets and Rangers two-button pullovers in the same season. If they were alive.

Montañez was a two-button, two-team, one-season guy, also. Jorgy could have been, but he was a PtBNL that didn't come to the Mets for Willie until after the season.



I hated that Montañez was having such a terrible season in '79 and then found his stroke mere minutes after being traded, but the Mets really won that deal handily by getting Jorgenson and Lynch, didn't they?