My List Of The Ugliest Sports Uniforms Ever

A friend of mine sent me a link, he thought it was funny and he knew that anything about sports is something I love to blog about…this one took the words out of my mouth. I mean who would in her right mind wear such an atrocious knows that anything about sports is something I love to blog about. jersey. Here’s what I am talking about…see for yourself and let me know that I am wrong in my observation. Atrocious, dreadful, appalling, hideous…what other adjectives do you want me to say? I wonder what was on the mind of Guazzini when he approved this new shirt - one of the official game jerseys- of Paris pro rugby club, Stade Français.

On the other hand, team owner Guazzini has been in pursuit to find younger, affluent new enthusiasts and have also courted the large gay-community in Paris. Indeed he has even made major changes such as embracing pink as an official team color, have orchids as one of its symbols, and marketing a team calendar with all the players in the nude as models. I would have to say that he was actually effective in gaining more fans, not only gays but also women and heterosexual backers too. But this latest jersey, dubbed “the Crowd”, worth $102 is indubitably the worst marketing strategy he has made.

But Guazzini is not alone in making this maistake. There are so many out there that could be the ugliest sports uniforms ever in the history of mankind. Well, some may disagree with my choices, I can only say we all have our own opinions, and these uniforms, IMHO, are the most appalling uniforms ever worn by a professional sports team. It honestly makes me wonder how the players really felt when they were wearing it. So here it is, my list of the ugliest sports uniforms ever:


Houston Astros, 1975 – 1993

The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team located in Houston, Texas. In the 1975 season, they introduced the new-look uniforms for Astros with multi-shade stripes of orange, red and yellow in front and back with a large dark bluestar over the stripes. The same stripes run down the pant legs. Although the critics criticized it, the public though loved it and it and versions of it even started to appear at the high school and little leagye leve. I can understand how the colors look very bright, enough to be appreciated by kids, but I have to disagree because I really don’t like it, most especially not on a baseball team. And the team certainly did not win championships during the years they were wearing this team wear.

Pittsburgh Pirates, 1976 – 1986

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a major league baseball (MLB) team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Aside from the color, the cap with stripes make quite a look that’s not suited for a baseball team but more for the circus or a band or drum corps. It’s no wonder that the Pirates had a hard time winning any game while wearing this sports uniform; they were even regarded as the worst baseball team during the mid ‘80s.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976-1995

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (often shortened to Bucs) are a professional American Football team based in Tampa, Florida. Tangerine on a team doesn’t do much for fan support or respect. Unfortunately, it didn’t do well on their journey to the championships because since they wore that sports uniform in 1976 they started losing big, losing their first 26 games and suffered 14 consecutive losing seasons. It was only in 1996 when the new owner Malcolm Glazer jettisoned the new uniforms to oblivion and hired a new coach when they started picking up again.

John Daly

John Daly is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour who had bouts with his weight as well as other misdemeanors. He had a lap-band surgery in 2009 which limits the amount of food intake and so he said he is down to less than 200lbs since the surgery. Also at that time when he was with the European Tour he started wearing the Loudmouth Golf Apparel which he now officially endorses. I think maybe he liked the so loud colors and designs. Whew!

Vancouver Canucks, 1978 – 1984

The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia. What I consider a very bad taste of team wear consisted of a huge yellow, red-orange, and black striped V coming down from the shoulders. The V suggested “victory” according to designers though it never gave the team that. What it actually gave was several criticisms for being one of the most unpopular in NHL history. Just like other teams with hideous sports uniforms, the Canucks was a mediocre player having only one significant playoff which was in the post-season of 1982.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Chicago, Illinois. White Sox have always been noted for uniform innovations that have really been the best such as putting players’ last names on the back of the jerseys. But when they came out in 1976 for a doubleheader against Kansas City Royals wearing a new team uniform, it was something unmatched. The new uniforms featured collars and were designed to be worn out, not tucked in, and worse they were wearing shorts. Not only were they critiqued for that but it really is not practical to wear shorts at play because it is not conducive to sliding, which is a way of life for baseball. After a lot of teasing from the rest of the league, the Sox changed their team wear.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. When the Broncos first appeared for a game, their original uniforms were criticized by the public. Imagine wearing white and mustard yellow jerseys with vertically striped socks on brown pants with satin sheen and a brown helmet. Two years later the Broncos got rid of their ugly uniform and in celebration they held a public bonfire to burn the striped socks. In 2009, they wore this set of throwback uniforms again in honor of their 50th anniversary season as one of the eight original American Football League team.

The trend that I realized while writing about these ugly uniforms is that unwittingly how horrendous their uniforms look affected how the team played. Yes, how great one play is determined by how hard they trained for it. But, we all know that when we feel good and look good we also perform better. And maybe that is how these players felt when they were wearing these revolting uniforms.

What do you think? Share me your point of view by leaving a comment. Thanks and have fun reading one of my lighter blogs.

Raul Says Adios to Real Madrid

Raul bids goodbye to Real Madrid after 16 incredible years, 323 goals and 550 league games or 744 official games. He has spent most of his football career playing for Real Madrid until 25th of July 2010 when he decided to sign a two-year contract with German Bundesliga club Schalke 04. After 16 years, he will change his team wear from whites to royal blue. He is a legend and a tough act to follow because he really was the soul of Real Madrid. His exit marks the end of an era, the Raul Madrid era.
His records in numbers say it all:

• 16 years - and 15 full seasons - with Real Madrid's senior side
• 17 years and four months... The youngest ever player to debut for Real Madrid's first team
• 228 League goals...third highest all-time goalscorer in La Liga
• 323 Competitive goals...Real Madrid's all-time top scorer
• 66 Champions League goals... all-time top scorer in the competition. He's also the first player to hit the 50-goal mark 68 goals in all UEFA club competition... joint all-time top scorer
• 550 appearances in La Liga... a Real Madrid record and the second highest in the league's history
• 132 Champions League appearances... second highest in the competition's history
• 16 major titles including three times UEFA Champions League title plus six times the Spanish championship
• Finishing his career as Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer

UEFA Champions League
1997/1998, 1999/2000, 2001/2002

Spanish championship
1994/1995, 1996/1997, 2000/2001, 2002/2003, 2006/2007, 2007/2008

Club World Cup
1998, 2002

European Super Cup
2002

Spanish Super Cup
1997, 2001, 2003, 2008

He is a legend and a tough act to follow. Yes, there will be newer players, even better players as there is now. But what Raul is can’t simply be replaced by a good player. As Cyrus C Malek of Goal.com wrote:

Every team have their talisman - the player who symbolizes the principles and values of his club, the man who embodies his club’s spirit, the leader who wears the captain’s armband and heads his team not just by way of words, but also by example.

For Real Madrid, that man is Raul Gonzalez Blanco.

Here are some of what his former teammates had to say about Raul:

Iker Casillas : "Raul is a symbol of Real Madrid. A great captain is defined by ups and downs, knowing how to always make the best of any situation. Raul is an example of professionalism and he helped me grow as a player and person. The incredible histories of clubs are written by great footballers, and Raul is one of them."


Cristiano Ronaldo: "Playing by Raul's side has been an honour. I always dreamed of doing so as a kid. It was an honour to share the same dressing room and I wish him all the best."


Xabi Alonso: "Raul represents the values of Real Madrid. He is a symbol and a part of this club's history. It isn't easy to play for Real Madrid for 15 years, but he did because is a magnificent player."


Kaka: "Raul is an amazing player and an important member of this club. Raul will forever be a part of Madridismo and his departure is a sad day for fans and team-mates."


Pepe: "The 16 years that he played here speak volumes about his talent. He holds a special place in my heart because he always followed my progress when I was injured. He got off from the bench and accompanied me to the dressing room, which was an incredible gesture that I will never forget. He is a huge piece of Real Madrid's history."

Schalke on the other hand is honored with his presence because as the Scalke boss said “Raul is one of the world's best players. The fans have something to look forward to. Raul is one of that rare breed of footballers who put their own interests behind those of the team. And you don’t get that very often these days.”

And so we wish him luck on his new journey with Schalke 04. He will wear a new color, Royal Blues, and a new team uniform but still with his traditional number 7, he is still El Siete.

2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London

London will finally be be hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and construction for the Olympic venue is ongoing. After almost 3 years of work they won the bid in 2005 and since then has been planning and working hard for its success. Though there has been some controversies about cutting the budget, the Mayor of London is adamant about keeping the exact budget to ensure the success of the Games. Everybody knows that the successful delivery of the 2012 Olympics will give London and the whole country a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase itself to the world.

The Olympics planning committee is certainly doing everything to make it a success. Their ultimate goal is to make London a better city even after the Olympics in 2012. And they have integrated arts and culture in the public spaces around the Park to achieve a unique, world-class area that will attract new businesses, new communities who would want to live and make London as world-class visitor destination. It may sound ambitious but the ultimate goal is “use the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to change lives, to create Games for everyone.”

And though it may still be two years away, they have chosen world-renowned Stella McCartney to be the creative director for the British Olympic team. McCartney will add glamour and will add a touch of haute couture to the Team GB’s kit. She will head the Teaam GB’s Adidas ranges. Team uniforms for all the competing athletes will be designed by Ms McCartney. She will oversee the performance wear, the village wear and a retail range for the purchasing public. Another sponsor will take care of the teamwear for the Opening Ceremonies. The challenge to McCartney is for her to create a team uniform that will look good, feel good as well as work-technically for the athletes. She has until early 2012 to design the athlete’s kit and team uniforms but has worked on the Team GB-inspired retail range which the public can purchase.