Vintage day at the CWS
June 19th, 2007, 2:21 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Dan Zeiger
Needing to defeat UC Irvine today to stay in contention for its first national championship since 1981, the Arizona State baseball team will wear the same uniform those College World Series winners donned.
The Sun Devils have taken the field at Rosenblatt Stadium for pregame warmup in vintage duds (modeled by Barry Bonds in the photo above, although he was not on the ‘81 team), replete with gold socks and caps, maroon stirrups and white shoes.
Bonds will have a presence, however, as a No. 24 jersey will hang in the Sun Devils’ dugout during the game. He is the co-holder of the CWS record for consecutive base hits, with eight in 1984.
ASU last wore the vintage look during a series against Oregon State at Packard Stadium last year, as part of a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ‘81 championship team.
I have long contended that the 1970s and ’80s look suits the Sun Devils much better than the old-style jerseys that the team has worn since the start of the postseason. Perhaps today’s game will set a new uniform trend, especially if ASU wins.
The Sun Devils will be the designated visiting team and bat first. The wind blowing in from left field appears to be weaker than it was in the first game between North Carolina and Louisville, but, of course, that could change.