I was working on the site last night and Beloved Daughter starting asking about it, which then turned into a nice night.
The beginning: I think Mets uniforms look best with no names on the back. My argument is that you should know who #5 is, and if you don’t either the TV will tell you, or you have amazing eyesight that can read a name from the upper deck.
On April 15, 2008 the Mets took the field to honor Jackie Robinson. Everyone wore #42. No names on the back.
Even the announcers couldn’t keep track of who was who.
Isn’t it stupid not to have names when everyone has the same number? Are the names important or not? How come Yankee fans are able to figure out which one is A-Rod?
No Names was the straw that set me over the edge (weird mixed metaphor there). After years of Mets stupidity I needed to vent, and then quickly realized I might be able to change things for the good.
Last night, to explain this to Daughter, I broke out the Mets Illustrated History. We were able to sit together and look at pictures of nice uniforms, and some of the dopey uniforms. It started some “who is that” type discussions and some general Mets talk.
That’s how you create the next generation of fans.
However, if you ruin the father’s love of the team (say by gouging him for Opening Day or charging him to print tickets at home), that love won’t get passed to the children. They will just learn about the Yankees from their friends at school.
Me? I’m hooked. However, there’s lots of casual fans out there, and their kids are wearing pinstripes.
Penny-wise, pound-foolish. Especially if your name is Jeff and you hope to have this thing another 50 years.
My daughter, I love her. Even though she asked for a black jersey.