This week’s Spotlight is a celebration of the opening of another incredible Baseball season. We are also going to pay tribute to another great tradition of March Madness and do a bracket for the best uniform in Negro Leagues History.
We need you to pick the winners!
Our field and rankings are brought to us by the incomparable Phil Hecken - Uniform Aficionado & Deputy Editor of Uni Watch, a website devoted to the Obsessive Study of Athletic Aesthetics.
Phil also used to write for the Sporting News and has been quoted in the Washington Post and had some sports photography appear on ESPN
Today – The FINAL FOUR
Who will be the winner?
#8 - 1942 Kansas City Monarchs vs. #13 1939 Philadelphia Stars
The 8th seed - 1942 Kansas City Monarchs – Phil’s comments “I LOOOOOOVE this one. The beautifully vertically arched "MONARCHS," the piping, the red sleeves. It all works so well together. It was great seeing the KC Royals bring this to life during several of the NLB throwback games. There are several great Monarchs unis, but this one may be their best yet. And anyone who knows their history knows '42 was a great year for the team!”
Coming in at #13 - 1939 Philadelphia Stars – Phil’s comments “throughout their history, the Stars always had nice uniforms, but for some reason, this particular iteration always stands out for me, the abbreviated “PHILA.” (w/colored button for a period!) spread across chest (as opposed to stacked version of later vintage) is endearing.”
VOTE FOR THE WINNER IN THE COMMENTS BELOW
#8 - 1942 Kansas City Monarchs vs. #13 1939 Philadelphia Stars
Who will be the winner?
#3 - 1920 Detroit Stars vs. #7 - 1949 Baltimore Elite Giants
First up is #3 1920 Detroit Stars - The Stars had several great uniforms, but this one is easily my favorite. The solid midnight blue (I think) placket piping, the red "DET" and "OIT" with the white "R" and red star are a look that would look great today. Fortunately, the Detroit Tigers have brought this uniform to life during NLB throwback games.
#7 seed - 1949 Baltimore Elite Giants - This is one of my favorite road jerseys of all time. Clearly not designed for TV, you had to be very close to this one to read the "ELITE GIANTS" contained in the tail of the script. But that's part of the beauty of it. The "Baltimore" script is magnificent as well.
VOTE FOR THE WINNER IN THE COMMENTS BELOW
#3 - 1920 Detroit Stars vs. #7 - 1949 Baltimore Elite Giants
#HistoryInYourSize
