2011 Uniform Roundup, Volume 1
It’s time again for my semi-annual NPB uniform roundup. This year, I’ve decided to break things up into two posts, so look out for another one later in the season, after more alternative unis are introduced.
- Orix has been wearing these throwback Hankyu Braves uniforms off and on. The most retro-looking guy is probably Mike Hessman.
- I hope to one day see Orix revive the old Kintetsu Buffaloes uniform and logo. I figure if they can advertise one Osaka-area railway (Hankyu) they can do the same for another (Kintetsu).
- Rakuten has only been around for seven seasons, so they don’t exactly have throwback uniforms… but that isn’t stopping them from running out these 1980’s Houston Astros knock-offs.
- I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to Nippon Ham’s gold road uniforms. One thing that’s kind of cool about the new Fighters uniform is the tag on the inside of the collar, which has four stars representing the Japan Series title and three Pacific League titles that Nippon Ham has won in recent years.
- Hanshin has a spotty record when it comes to alternative uniforms, but this they’re going with these classic Osaka Tigers threads.
- This one isn’t an NPB uniform, but former Yomiuri and Yokohama closer Marc Kroon suited up in this Homestead Grays throwback for a 3A game a few weeks ago.
- Here’s last year’s uniform post. And 2009’s. Results may vary with the links on those pages.
24/05/2011 at 6:31 pm Permalink
The Kintetsu days are at the bottom of this page.
http://special.buffaloes.co.jp/legend/event/
24/05/2011 at 7:31 pm Permalink
Too bad Orix isn’t throwing back to the buffalo horns cap design, that was the best part. The Braves throwback is a hit.
Tigers are a terrible team, but those Osaka unis look great (they did that last year with grey striped socks).
25/05/2011 at 6:43 am Permalink
sasuga Passerby.
25/05/2011 at 11:22 am Permalink
I swear, I almost felt like writing a post just about the shock of seeing Hiroyuki Kobayashi in those BEE-STRIPED SOCKS OMG. I’m not sure I even noticed that the rest of the uniform was similar or the same as older ones.
25/05/2011 at 11:38 pm Permalink
Hi Patrick,
Love the site. Any chance you will be updating your top international FAs and posting candidates list for 2012? Even if not, would you mind throwing out a few of the most interesting names here?
Many thanks!
Nate
26/05/2011 at 7:20 am Permalink
Yeah, eventually.
26/05/2011 at 8:36 pm Permalink
Yeah, Hessman does look like he is right out of the dead ball era. Of course he needs to be like 8 inches shorter, but he has that look.
29/05/2011 at 1:22 am Permalink
Patrick,
Tateyama (former Fighters) just had his Major League debut a few hours ago. What’s your thoughts on him?
30/05/2011 at 7:24 am Permalink
I haven’t seen much of Tateyama, but I did write about him for the Rotowire guide this year (still on bookstore shelves). If he’s used as something of a righty specialist he could be a pretty useful bullpen arm
31/05/2011 at 3:18 am Permalink
Thanks, Patrick.