Green vs Gray

by secret ASian man on Apr 9, 2006 5:38 PM PDT

It's time to put on those tin foil hats and talk conspiracy theories.

In the season before the Anaheim Angels became the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Halos seem to wear their red tops frequently on the road. The red tops said "Angels" while the greys said "Anaheim." A few Angels fans had noticed that the Angels had de-emphasized Anaheim in all of their marketing.

Once the name change was made, it seemed that the Angels wore their road greys more often now that it reads "Angels."

Ladies and gentlemen, it's now our turn. In this young campaign, the A's have yet to wear their road greys with "Oakland" on it. Here's some photoghraphic proof:

Today

Yesterday

Friday

Thursday

Is this due to an uncertainty of a future in Oakland for A's?

A caller asked Robert Buan why is it that the A's have yet to wear their road greys, Buan gave an answer that sounded a little too defensive for me to believe.

He ended his answer with "NO CONSPIRACY THEORY HERE." Instead of easing my suspicions he actually made them deeper.

Buan countered that jersey choice has always been the perogative of the starting pitcher he even said it could have been a superstition of some sort. But the mojo theory doesn't hold water with the A's losing with the green tops on thursday.

Although it is the starting pitcher's choice, isn't it possible for Lew Wolff to hang out with the team in the clubhouse one day and say, "hey guys, I'd really like it for you to wear the green tops on the road more often this year." With Wolff being the one signing the paychecks that suggestion would carry a lot more weight.

Still, Buan's response to the question didn't sit well with me, I think he's bad at lying.

Poll

So, is this a conspiracy theory?

There is no spoon.

16 votes

FIRE MACHA NOW

10 votes

Yes, this is a prelude to the A's moving out of Oakland.

47 votes

No, you're crazy.

35 votes

108 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 55 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

where are the black uniforms at?

I loved those uni's. We should still have kept those...

"Peter you're drunk again!"... "No, I'm just exhausted because I've been up all night drinking."

by ChavyFan03 on Apr 9, 2006 5:47 PM PDT reply actions

I think it was a one time deal.

I think it was only used with the 100 year celebration of the A's.

"It was an incredible catch, but I didn't really like his footwork." - Ken Macha

by secret ASian man on Apr 9, 2006 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions

yea

the black uni's were the best, but nothing tops the vintage A's uniforms. I think we should wear those more.

by stompersnuts on Apr 9, 2006 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Seriously

I first considered buying a (an?) uniform for the first time when I saw those jerseys. Who would I have gotten? My favorite player at the time: Miggy. But o decided against it; it was jusst too expensive.

Those uni's (and that player) rocked! Does anyone know where one can buy the black uni's? Any place that sells retro stuff or something similar that would sell the black? Because I would buy that now. I am not making the same mistake twice.

In any case, they should definitely bring them back (though with it they would probably have to install a beer tap in the press room).

P.S. I now have 1 uni: the main guy we got for Miggy leaving. It's #20.

"A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore." - Yogi Berra

by vignette17 on Apr 9, 2006 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions

grammer

lol good point vignette17 but is it a uniform or is it an uniform?

by greekpride08 @ Athletics Nation on Apr 9, 2006 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions

i think

that its "a uniform" because i vaguely remember someone saying something about "uniform = yuniform" or something. i dunno haha

The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how much you play, you'll never be as good as a wall. I played a wall once. They're relentless.

by DelMundo on Apr 9, 2006 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions

sportsk.com

I love that site. I have a blank black jersey and I got it there.

http://sportsk.com/oakasalgreen.html

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 9, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah!

I loved those uni's. One of the first games I went to was a night game with Tim Hudson wearing the Black uniform tops. I also have a beanie that is colored the same from that time. Bring them back! I mean they did bring those ugly bright yellow unis from the 70's for a while, why not these?

2006 Oakland A's: Making history, one game at a time.

by OaktownRajah on Apr 9, 2006 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Bleech...

Just my opinion, of course, but I loathed those jerseys. To me, black is for the Giants, Orioles, White Sox and Rockies.

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 9, 2006 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

We need throwback unis.

Bright yellow tops!

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Apr 9, 2006 6:12 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe they just forgot to pack 'em.

Heck, if they can forget bats for a spring training game, why not the grey uniforms for Seattle?

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 9, 2006 6:30 PM PDT reply actions

I hate gray uniforms

I know I'm in the minority, but I just don't like them - on any team.

I wish we could just wear whites all the time. The Dallas Cowboys practically do it. Why can't we?

by TurnTwo on Apr 9, 2006 6:34 PM PDT reply actions

Make that two...

I don't really like the gray uniforms.

Greatest conversation ever.

by Jennifer on Apr 9, 2006 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I only like the white uniforms.

I think all of the other unis look like crap, particularly the green tops because they make the players look like they just rolled out of bed. Ellis, Crosby, Zito, and Blanton are excluded, because the high socks pull the look together. So, if anyone wants to convince a player to wear high socks, tell them Sharon from AN thinks he looks like a big fat turd.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 9, 2006 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions

A polished turd?

Sorry, I thought we were discussing batting orders again.

"I think the Coliseum is... comfy. Not state-of-the-art, not trendy, not chic, just comfy. It matches my wardrobe." - poppy

by McFood on Apr 9, 2006 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the green tops with white bottoms

are better than the gray bottoms.

What I can't stand about the A's unis are the warm up fleece shirts. Most of boys whack the sleeves off with what looks like dull scissors, possibly a rock. They are crooked and have raw hems. It kills me.

Greatest conversation ever.

by Jennifer on Apr 9, 2006 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I love all of our unis.

The whites are my favorites, but I love the green and grays too.

"Baseball is reassuring. It makes me feel as if the world is not going to blow up." -Sharon Olds

by AsGirl on Apr 9, 2006 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions

'Cause sometimes...

...the other team wears white.

Dallas and (I think) Washington are the only two teams in the NFL that have designated white as their home team's uniform -- all other teams wear colors at home. So the Cowboys wear white at home, and white on the road (unless they go to Washington) because the other team wears colors.

There is no such discrepancy in MLB. All home teams wear white (or whatever they choose). I don't believe road teams are allowed to wear white jerseys at all.

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 9, 2006 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions

I was kidding

But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't want to wear white for 162 games if they could get away with it.

by TurnTwo on Apr 9, 2006 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh...

OK. :)

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 9, 2006 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I like the grays

they're old school with the cool Oakland across the front. Remember, the A's first season wearing this uniform was 1988 and we all know what that season was the begining of. They're a modern classic.

"Using technology to clean up the mess made by technology doesn't seem too intelligent." ~George Carlin

by haren4prez on Apr 10, 2006 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions

1987

1987 was the first season of the grays. That year they had the all star patch.
in 88 they reintroduced the elephant, and the rest is history.

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 10, 2006 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I am totally ok with the Green Tops

I like them better. But that deep green color has always been one of my favorite colors, so I may be a bit bias!

I don't think there is a conspiracy.

"I hope everyone here gets 450 at-bats, makes millions and millions of dollars and we win the World Series. That's my utopia." - Macha 3/29/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Apr 9, 2006 6:38 PM PDT reply actions

I don't know what uniform conventions are

but I vastly prefer the dark green tops to the gray; I just like to see the ostentatious color, I suppose, which brings me to my next point, that I'd be really pleased to see the A's wear bright yellow throwbacks. We have unique colors, so why not flaunt 'em?

The white unis can look ok sometimes, especially with the socks, and/or with dark green sleeves underneath. Perhaps it's appropriate that the gray looks like baggy elephant skin, but it isn't the most attractive color.

And all this only proves that my mind is more tuned to aesthetics than to conspiracy theories... or that I'm distracted by bright colors and pretty things :)

by diabolicslugs on Apr 9, 2006 7:22 PM PDT reply actions

"880 A's" Uniforms!

If we can get Wolff to lock in on building his new Stadium on Interstate 880 this covers Oakland, Fremont, and San Jose!
All the East Bay possibilities! Hell, It even covers Drawbridge and Alviso!
<Saves big bucks on uniform alterations and designs as new stadiums become necessary>

Along with "880 A's" there would be plenty of room left over for classy artwork depicting the "880 A's Stadium" along with Wolff's smiling face with those unusual eyes just glittering away!

All colors, doesn't matter.

Marco!

by A s Eh on Apr 9, 2006 7:27 PM PDT reply actions

That's it!

You're right, Wolff does look like Clarence the Angel. Except I picture him pulling the wings off things, or maybe looming over them with a magnifying glass. <cue evil cackle>

Of course, he may in fact be the richest man in town.

Defeat d'Anaheim!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 9, 2006 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions

It's possible

The O's stopped wearing "Baltimore" on their jerseys, in an attempt to be more "regional", especially in the face of a new ballclub in DC...

The motivation could indeed be to give the "A's Brand" more exposure, as opposed to giving exposure to a city that might not be our home anymore in the near future.

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 9, 2006 8:16 PM PDT reply actions

Excellent Observation

I don't think it's coincidence. I remember in the mid-80s when the A's added "Oakland" to the road unis, they actually said they were making a point of representing Oakland. Not so much any more, huh?

As far as colors are concerned, I really dislike the color-top-grey-pants look. It just looks like Spring Training to me. I like the road greys. Simple, cool. In fact, I'd love the A's to adopt the old-school baggy look (and the players probably would have been happier in flannels the first week, anyway).

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 9, 2006 8:16 PM PDT reply actions

If they still sold those wool and leather

baseball jackets that say Oakland (like many old-time fans were wearing last week) I would buy one in a heartbeat.

You just don't see them anymore...a shame...and I don't think it's a coincidence.

by OaklandSi on Apr 9, 2006 8:30 PM PDT reply actions

I'm an old school guy

teams should wear white at home -- gray on the road.
Solid color jerseys were designed to make you young guys buy more stuff . . . looks like it worked. And the black unis?? Awful.
Wouldn't mind the A's incorporating a white "tank top" uni with the solid green undershirt. Maybe with an A's on the pocket.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Apr 9, 2006 8:50 PM PDT reply actions

Jerseys

I agree on the black jerseys- awful. But sleeveless jerseys are ugly, too. I dunno, maybe it's just because I associate them with crappy Central Division teams like the Bucs, Reds, Royals...

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 9, 2006 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions

White, grey, or black is not an old school/new...

...school choice. A variety of colors has been used over the years. At the turn of the (20th) century home unis were white, but road could be grey or another dark color (often dark blue). The O's wore black pants on the road in 1901, and the Giants sported an all black uni for the 1905 World Series. The Reds wore red pants in 1936 and 1937.

I too prefer the white/grey base, but the choice is just about aesthetics, not tradition. And I'm not a fan of the sleeveless jersey at all.

"I'm a lexicon devil with a battered brain."--Darby Crash

by lexdevil on Apr 9, 2006 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's a picture of the Giants' 1905 WS uniform.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/exhibits/online_exhibits/dressed_to_the_nines/uniforms.asp?league= NL&city=New+York&lowYear=1905&highYear=1906&sort=year&increment=9

And check out the rest of the database. It's awesome. One of my fave websites.

"I'm a lexicon devil with a battered brain."--Darby Crash

by lexdevil on Apr 9, 2006 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions

And don't miss Brooklyn's 1916 plaid number.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/exhibits/online_exhibits/dressed_to_the_nines/detail_page.asp?file Name=nl_1916_brooklyn.gif&Entryid=250

"I'm a lexicon devil with a battered brain."--Darby Crash

by lexdevil on Apr 9, 2006 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Or the White Sox wild reverse pinstripe of 1917.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/exhibits/online_exhibits/dressed_to_the_nines/detail_page.asp?file Name=al_1917_chicago.gif&Entryid=269

"I'm a lexicon devil with a battered brain."--Darby Crash

by lexdevil on Apr 9, 2006 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions

those grey jerseys

get their due. They have worn the green ones too much in my opinion the last few years. I'm an old school guy too and i like the grey ones a lot and of course the home whites. I don't have a problem with alternate green ones but they wear those too much between home and away they probably wear the green ones the most.

"Who wouldn't look great wearing Green and Gold?"- Ray Fosse

by OakAs33 on Apr 9, 2006 9:13 PM PDT reply actions

I like the tank tops

The A's used to wear them, why not bring them back? How bout ones with just a bug "A" on it instead of Athletics, like the old days

by OakLgb on Apr 9, 2006 9:19 PM PDT reply actions

I like em all, gray, green, and white.

do not care for the old yellow tops. But those black ones were very cool.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 and finally the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Apr 9, 2006 9:24 PM PDT reply actions

I preffer it when the road jersey........

says "Oakland." But I also think the ceremonial first pitch should count towards the first batters count. How fun would that be?

Barry and the "Intangibles"

by Duke of left field on Apr 9, 2006 10:02 PM PDT reply actions

NO MORE BANK EXECUTIVES PITCHING

More Little Leaguers!

MMMM... gotta love the "new season" smell ~~ jlaff

by Poppy on Apr 9, 2006 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions

That's what I'm talking about.

Would it kill some one to take a few practice tosses before three hopping it in front of 35k?

Barry and the "Intangibles"

by Duke of left field on Apr 9, 2006 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Since we are on the ......

"Dumb !@#$ Duke's Think's About" segment of the show - - does anyone else get a mental image of monkeyball in a server room when the cable company describes macafee's pop-up blocker?

Barry and the "Intangibles"

by Duke of left field on Apr 10, 2006 12:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Ignore that possesive......

I should really only write one thing at a time.

Barry and the "Intangibles"

by Duke of left field on Apr 10, 2006 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

I agree, gotsta keep Oakland on the uni's. At least give this to us Oaklanders before you take our team Big Bad Wolff! Or how about an alternative one that just says "The Town" across the front?

"Future Golden State A's Fan"

by MoUpInTheO on Apr 10, 2006 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions

ANGELS never wore RED tops

OPening paragraph is incorrect memory of the Angels Uniform.

Road Gray
Home White

Road said "Anaehim" 2002-03, team name now

Home says Team name.

An alternate home jersey is sleveless with a red undershirt.

But never wore a RED Uniform.

by RevHalofan on Apr 9, 2006 10:25 PM PDT reply actions

thank you for the correction

no red jerseys.

"Oakland is home, and you always want to go home. Anytime you get the chance, you're happy to go home." - #24 Rickey Henderson

by burnone on Apr 9, 2006 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess I mistook BPs for alternates.

Who am I to argue with an Angels fan.

"It was an incredible catch, but I didn't really like his footwork." - Ken Macha

by secret ASian man on Apr 9, 2006 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

green vs. grey

harden and zito like to wear the green jersey. they both where them at home quite a bit also. i have seen them wear all 3 at times, but i think they prefer the green, especially Z. as for blanton, just following suit i guess.

"Oakland is home, and you always want to go home. Anytime you get the chance, you're happy to go home." - #24 Rickey Henderson

by burnone on Apr 9, 2006 10:45 PM PDT reply actions

the black uniform

the broadcast team and the players did not like to wear the black uniforms. i don't remember why, i just remember them always making that comment the year we wore them. i have one and love it. it's the best one to wear at "non game" situations. i like that it goes with the all black hat, the camo hat, and the black with the green logo (which is the hat that went with it, BTW). i like to wear cutoff camo cargo shorts, the black jersey and my profit camo hat around town. the white jersey is the best looking one, but i only wear that at big games and friday nights and it doesnt have that many nice hats that go with it. the green i wear when zito or harden pitch. unless it's a friday night. my grey jersey has huddy's name on it, so i gotta get a new one.

"Oakland is home, and you always want to go home. Anytime you get the chance, you're happy to go home." - #24 Rickey Henderson

by burnone on Apr 9, 2006 10:50 PM PDT reply actions

SAM

SAM, I had the exact same thought that you did today when you posted this diary. I was this close to posting a diary about it actually.

I have wondered if this precludes a moveoutside of oakland... If they do not wear the "oakland" jersey before the end of the road trip I will really start to wonder.

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 9, 2006 11:08 PM PDT reply actions

I have wanted

I have wanted, for a long time,
to start my own adult baseball team. We would be as competative as would be possible (I know a few former minor league players and university players so I could get a good team together).

We would be called the athletics, of course.

Our home uniform would be the alternate greens with the all green cap with the golden A's on the front.

Our Road jerseys would be the black ones with the black hat with the green A's logo on it.

Our pants would be grey with a forest green piping down the side.

We would have forest green socks.

And, here is where the fantasy gets really interesting.... We would play in a park that is a replica of the playing field of Shibe Park.

Thoughts?

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 9, 2006 11:12 PM PDT reply actions

And a real elephant for a mascot....

That would walk around the warning track before and after the game. On hot days, he would spray water out of his trunk onto the fans in the first few rows.

"I think the Coliseum is... comfy. Not state-of-the-art, not trendy, not chic, just comfy. It matches my wardrobe." - poppy

by McFood on Apr 10, 2006 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions

how would I pay for that

peanuts?

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 10, 2006 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

PURE GENIUS...

I love this idea so much, I will contact Ringling Bros. to inquire about a "soon-to-be" retired elephant......

Now THIS is Billy Ball

by Masaryk on Apr 10, 2006 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions

To hell with the Black Jerseys

Yeah, they look cool, but we ain't the Raiders....less black = better.

If you wanna bring something back, bring back the Handle-Bar Mustaches, Orange Balls, and the Swingin A's logo. Besides, I loved it when the Rangers had to wear the Senators Jerseys ;)

"OH MY GOD!, You Cloned Kennedy, you BASTARDS!" (Anonymous ANer on seeing Brad Halsey)

by 510inDenver on Apr 10, 2006 9:44 AM PDT reply actions