Cardinals to wear World Series patch for home games

[Blackjack76]

If they wore it on their away unis, the patch would effectively be 1) a big F-U to everyone they play, and 2) a target for everyone they play.

I'm in total agreement with yh...this must be a MLB directive, yet the Cardinals are known for selling as much "stuff" as possible (i.e. the auctioning off of Busch Stadium Jr., commemorative patches, etc.).

[Gothamite]

NOTE: The Red Sox wore the gold trim all game too; not just pre-game.

That is not my recollection. It was the original plan, as reported, but when the day came they changed out of the special jerseys and into the before the game.

[cheo25]

If they wore it on their away unis, the patch would effectively be 1) a big F-U to everyone they play, and 2) a target for everyone they play.

I'm in total agreement with yh...this must be a MLB directive, yet the Cardinals are known for selling as much "stuff" as possible (i.e. the auctioning off of Busch Stadium Jr., commemorative patches, etc.).

My first inclination would be to say "an MLB directive" as the correct answer for the source behind the patch. With a former used-car salesman as its commissioner (after finally ditching the"acting commissioner" title that lasted for about 80 years), it's no shock MLB has become junk-peddlers on everything. They put ads on shoelaces if they thought people could see them on TV.

Of course, the Cardinals once had a banner at Busch celebrating their "2001 Central Co-Champion" status with a painted outfield wall banner when, in reality, they were the wild-card team out of the NL that year. NFL teams don't claim co-division titles if they finish tied for a division title but were a wild-card team, and neither had an MLB team to that point. So maybe I'm giving the Cardinals too much credit by blaming MLB for this year's patch.

A world championship banner is fine, a sleeve patch is too much. It's tacky.

[FiddySicks]

Here's the final final word on this, from a friend who works for the Cardinals:

Even though I hope they dont use it all year, thats one good lookin cap. I love it when a team wears a patch on the side of their caps that matches their color scheme. I have an Astros cap from the 2004 All Star Game that has the patch on the side that looks terriffic due to the colors matching perfectly. Its one thing that has always bugged me about world Series patches on hats. While I love the idea, some hats look rediculous because the color schemes clash so bad.

[Blackjack76]

From the Cardinals' press release announcing the festivities surrounding Opening Night:

"For opening night and each of the first three games of the season, Cardinals players will wear gold stitching on their uniform. The special stitching will outline the number on the front of each player's jersey, the players name and number on the back, and a World Series Champions patch on the left sleeve. That logo will also adorn the left side of the Cardinals cap for the opening series vs. the Mets.

The home uniform will retain the World Series Champions sleeve patch for the entire season."

So MLB pushed the Red Sox Initiative and EXTENDED it for three games. You have to believe La Russa hates this marketing/merchandising strategy.

(In a related story, I am wearing the new Cardinals' 59/50 Performance Cap, complete with 2006 World Series Champions logo. Because I'm from St. Louis, and that's how I roll in the S-T-L.)

[Gothamite]

So the Cards are actually going to wear the gold-trimmed jerseys in a game, unlike the Red Sox?

[STL FANATIC]

Eh. I'm not a fan of doing this the whole series.

But I'm with BlackJack in believing this was MLB pushed. Like he says, La Russa's been all about being happy about last year, but putting it behind them and being hungry to win right now.

Also, with three games, and ESPECIALLY against the Mets, the gold trim and extra hat patch does seem to be a bit too strong of bragging (though, if MLB required it, what can you do?).

That said, when I've seen this posted on other Cardinals boards, most fans really love it and are excited about the festivities. To them it has nothing to do with bragging, and all to do with celebrating for ourselves what was an October we'll all remember the rest of our lives.

[McCall]

Well, I guess I'll get to see them in the gear afterall. Which kinda makes sense, seeing how the second game is the ring ceremony. The whole series is kinda unnecessary, but not really classless. The patch at home, instead of road is actually better. They're not shoving it in the other team's face in the other team's home park. They're just proudly displaying and acknowledging it in there own home park. Still no qualls with this one, though I should probably call the retail director at Busch and have her hold me a hat. May not be any left on Tuesday. Plus, I could get my discount. I love my job.

[Blackjack76]

"...I should probably call the retail director at Busch and have her hold me a hat. May not be any left on Tuesday...."

I'm coming up from Atlanta for all three games, and ordered my hat via MLB.com before I got there (DHL delivered. Those souvenir stands will be jammed for every game in that series.

(Off topic: By the way, McCall, I designed some goodies that the Cardinals are selling inside Busch Stadium: KiDS ScoreCards, and just sent a sample to the SportService guys in Springfield -- minor league affiliates are selling their parent club's version. Anywho, we made a commemorative World Series version, along with the standard 2007 edition. Let me know if you want me to hold you one of each.)

[Discrim]

In Chicago, it was made an issue with which the Tribune said "ignore the perennial playoff contender on the other side of town, we have better fans"

*looks at map of Chicago ballparks*

*re-checks map*

oh...you mean the Schaumburg Flyers?

[Guest]

TheOldRoman strikes me as the guy that posts at White Sox Interactive and says "in yesterday's Trib, the Sox beat reporter had 500 words and the Cubs reporter had 509! I counted! CUBUNE!!! CUBUNE!!!"

[McCall]

"...I should probably call the retail director at Busch and have her hold me a hat. May not be any left on Tuesday...."

I'm coming up from Atlanta for all three games, and ordered my hat via MLB.com before I got there (DHL delivered. Those souvenir stands will be jammed for every game in that series.

(Off topic: By the way, McCall, I designed some goodies that the Cardinals are selling inside Busch Stadium: KiDS ScoreCards, and just sent a sample to the SportService guys in Springfield -- minor league affiliates are selling their parent club's version. Anywho, we made a commemorative World Series version, along with the standard 2007 edition. Let me know if you want me to hold you one of each.)

Well, I go up and help/work at Busch Stadium whenever they need me to. I know pretty much all the Retail people, I'm good friends with them. I'm technically an employee there, as I was put on the payroll during the playoffs last year. All I have to do is call one of my buddies in the warehouse or the director or anyone, for that matter, and have them either hold one for me, or send me one, and I'll get my discount. Hell, I still have $1200(@ retail cost) worth of merchandise from last fall that they still haven't charged me for, and may not. So they may even comp me a hat.

I'm the Assistant Retail Manager for SportService at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo. I'm in charge of ordering for the Retail Department, so more than likely, it's coming to me (I'm sitting at my desk in the office at the ballpark, typing as we...well...type). What's the name and company on it and I'll try and be on the look out for it.

[Survival79]

NOTE: The Red Sox wore the gold trim all game too; not just pre-game.

That is not my recollection. It was the original plan, as reported, but when the day came they changed out of the special jerseys and into the before the game.

April 11, 2005 pre-game:

April 11, 2005 during the game:

[Gothamite]

So they wore the sleeve patch during the game, but not the gold-trimmed jerseys.

[VitaminD]

If they wore it on their away unis, the patch would effectively be 1) a big F-U to everyone they play, and 2) a target for everyone they play.

This argument makes no sense whatsoever. They play the entire National League home and away; if they're going to wear it for all 81 home games, they're going to give the "big F-U" to the entire league at least once. The only interleague teams to be spared this "insult" are Detroit and Oakland (they play KC home and away). How is it less of a target or an insult - their opponents are going to see it at some point. And if professional athletes need to be roused by the defending champions sporting a patch commemorating their accomplishment, then they shouldn't be playing the game in the first place.

It used to be worse; at the turn of the 20th century, John McGraw changed the Giants' uniforms to read "WORLD'S CHAMPIONS" in giant letters across the front. No "NY", no "GIANTS". And as already posted, the Cardinals did this to celebrate early titles as well.

I have no problem with it. It ain't bragging if you back it up, and they won. It doesn't matter that they won 83 games, or that their division wasn't super-tough. Bottom line, they won the final game played in the 2006 season, they got the trophy. Until the trophy is awarded to somebody at the end of October, they're the defending champs, and if they want to throw a patch on their gear (its aesthetic pollution of an otherwise supreme uniform notwithstanding), they've earned that right.

[Guest]

But the problem is that it seems to be a directive from up top, and not the organization's decision, whose stance, as expressed by Tony La Russa, is that last year is over, let's focus on '07.

[STL FANATIC]

But the problem is that it seems to be a directive from up top, and not the organization's decision, whose stance, as expressed by Tony La Russa, is that last year is over, let's focus on '07.

Yeah, I actually heard in a report last night (although shown last night, I think it was made at the beginning of ST), that La Russa has banned the word "defending" as in "defending the championship", because he really wants to stress that winning the Series last year isn't gonna make games any easier this year.

We'll know more about who's directive this was next year if the Champion ends up doing the same thing.

[CC97]

But the problem is that it seems to be a directive from up top, and not the organization's decision, whose stance, as expressed by Tony La Russa, is that last year is over, let's focus on '07.

Yeah, I actually heard in a report last night (although shown last night, I think it was made at the beginning of ST), that La Russa has banned the word "defending" as in "defending the championship", because he really wants to stress that winning the Series last year isn't gonna make games any easier this year.

We'll know more about who's directive this was next year if the Champion ends up doing the same thing.

Keep in mind that the '03, '04, '05, and now '06 champs have worn patches after winning the world series... and please correct me if I'm wrong but no team wore a world champions patch in 70 some-odd seasons before this run of 4 straight.

We don't need to wait till next year, it's clear the league is either forcing this or strongly encouraging it.

Personally, I love seeing teams wearing a patch celebrating their world series victory... it's like a boxer wearing his championship belt. However, I don't think it's something the league should be forcing on teams.

[STL FANATIC]

But the problem is that it seems to be a directive from up top, and not the organization's decision, whose stance, as expressed by Tony La Russa, is that last year is over, let's focus on '07.

Yeah, I actually heard in a report last night (although shown last night, I think it was made at the beginning of ST), that La Russa has banned the word "defending" as in "defending the championship", because he really wants to stress that winning the Series last year isn't gonna make games any easier this year.

We'll know more about who's directive this was next year if the Champion ends up doing the same thing.

Keep in mind that the '03, '04, '05, and now '06 champs have worn patches after winning the world series... and please correct me if I'm wrong but no team wore a world champions patch in 70 some-odd seasons before this run of 4 straight.

We don't need to wait till next year, it's clear the league is either forcing this or strongly encouraging it.

Personally, I love seeing teams wearing a patch celebrating their world series victory... it's like a boxer wearing his championship belt. However, I don't think it's something the league should be forcing on teams.

Oh. For some reason I was thinking the White Sox didn't where one.

Then yes, you're probably right. And the league seems to be pushing for stronger and stronger celebrations (such as the gold trim and wearing it for three games).

It's the trim that really makes me think it's league mandated.

While true that teams hadn't worn a patch for a long time, patches have gotten extra trendy, and once one team started wearing one, I wouldn't be surprised if that had caught on. But since it is more than a patch (and in this case goes against the organizations apparent attitude), I'm definitely inclined to believe it comes from above.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

Personally, I love seeing teams wearing a patch celebrating their world series victory... it's like a boxer wearing his championship belt. However, I don't think it's something the league should be forcing on teams.

But boxers wear their belt to the ring and take it off during the game. And if they lose the fight, they lose their belt. The Cardinals aren't about about to win 162 straight games and the obvious corollary is that when the Cards lose a game, do they relinquish their patches too? Silly, I know.

I agree with the league not forcing things, however. Unfortunately, the leagues rule all. I liked it more when each sports league was more a confederation of 20-30 teams under a league umbrella, versus 29-32 corporate representatives of billion-dollar sports leagues.