Last night's Pirates-Mets game was the latest in the
MLB/Century 21 "Turn Ahead The Clock" promotion, although
"none" of the players "seemed to appreciate what they saw as
another in a series of promotional duds," according to David
Waldstein of the N.Y. POST, who writes the game featured
"silly-looking 'futuristic' uniforms" and a Mets logo that
was "a cross between some kind of demonic woman's symbol and
the Tinky-Winky character on Teletubbies." Mets P Orel
Hershiser, on the MLB promotion: "If we can't sell the
product the way the product is, let's just give it a rest."
In looking ahead to MLB in 2021, the Shea Stadium scoreboard
showed a photo of Mets LF Rickey Henderson with "Yoda-like
ears and a third eye," to which Henderson said, "Everyone
looked silly, but they went overboard on me. The umpires
were laughing at me" (N.Y. POST, 7/28). Prior to the game,
the Shea Stadium PA announcer said, "Greetings, Earthlings.
Welcome to Shea Station 4C." Mets manager Bobby Valentine
called the idea "progressive." But in N.Y., Lisa Olson
writes that MLB is "doing a poor imitation of the NBA," and
players "have groused" that the promotion "is akin to
turning their backs on the game's true spirit." Olson: "Why
not just give them big red noses and make them dress up like
clowns?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/28). In Newark, Pat Borzi, on
the concept: "All the scene lacked was a keg at third base
tended by a Martian" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 7/28).
UNIFORM OPINIONS: Reax to the futuristic uniforms --
featuring sleeveless jerseys, horizontal surnames, and
enlarged logos -- was mixed. NEWSDAY's Marty Noble writes
that some players "enjoyed the evening. Some wondered why."
Mets bullpen coach Al Jackson: "I don't know what to make of
it. I've been here seven weeks, and I've worn more uniforms
than I did the whole time I pitched" (NEWSDAY, 7/28). Mets
P Al Leiter: "We got 900 different uniforms anyway. What's
the difference with one more." In N.Y., Dave Anderson
writes that "as goofy as last night's uniforms appeared,
don't be surprised if they're in style in 2021 in the
natural evolution of baseball fashion" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/28).
But FSN's Keith Olbermann said, "The Mets unis are great, if
you're Marlon Brando in 'Superman'" ("Primetime," 7/27).
Pirates manager Gene Lamont: "They're a little bit like the
hockey uniforms. Hockey's gone a little bit wacko, hasn't
it?" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/28).
