The Best: I angered fellow HBTer Drew Silva with my dissing of the Cardinals’ powder blues earlier today. I have this feeling I’m going to step in it with some Astros fans now too. But here goes:
I know I’m supposed to be all hip and say I liked the crazy 70s-80s getup the best, but despite the fact that I am steeped in irony appreciation, they’re not my favorites. I hate white shoes on baseball players. I don’t like the numbers on the pants. There are all kinds of things wrong with that ensemble separate and apart from the rainbow design. My favorties: the late 60s-early 70s shooting star unis. Those things are just as pleasing as can be. Honorable mention: the Colt .45s gun uniforms. Which, if introduced today, would create a political crisis which would no doubt carry over into presidential campaigns and Supreme Court confirmation hearings. What a drag the modern era is, no?
Worst: Even if the day-glos weren’t as great as everyone now ironically says they were, the 1994-99 overreactions were far worse. Like the Brewers, they looked like a committee put them together. The current ones are better, but not that much better, especially when they wear the brick red batting practice jerseys. Just uninspired and blah. And a Texas team should not wear pinstripes any more than a city slicker should wear a Stetson.
Assessment: Isn’t there a middle ground between gonzo rainbows and corporate calculation? I’d like to think Houston could find it. Oh, and one other thing: the best thing ever about those day-glos was the cap with the block H over the star. That has to return, even in a more muted color scheme.