EGAD, NOOOOOOOO!!! This cannot be happening! Whatever happened to the fashion high-ground? Those snazzy blue jerseys, those brilliant red jerseys, those striking white jerseys! The pixie vests are the spawn of Satan!

I demand a petition!

Maybe it will have the same result as the red TC cap on home games on Sunday. They lost like every single one of those games and Gardy said enough!

While I never wish the Twins to lose, maybe that's what it takes to make sure that the Twins put the smack down on the marketing dork who thought this was a good idea!

But just in case I'm ready to fly out there and storm the gates, pitchfork in hand so these things never make it out.

I'm back at work after a lovely vacation, the Bears are tearing up the NFC North, I learned from Alton Brown that all those cantaloupes I've been eating over the years aren't really cantaloupes, and now this. I'm not sure how much more shock my system can take.

One more thing. According to DJ Cuddles Cuddyer the starting pitcher gets to pick the jersey worn by the team.

Bad karma if the Twins force the team to wear these things even if the pitcher wants to wear something else.

By the way I like the red TC cap, I just knew sometime around July that if they were wearing them it was going to be a loooooong day.

There's hope (for you girls anyway).

Several years ago, I went the "pixie vest" route one summer for the 14 yr old team of my son's that I used to coach. The boys did not like them.

Then one of them started wearing the vest without a t-shirt underneath. The next game they all went without the undershirt... "showing off their guns" yanno.

Maybe the Twins will do the same and you'll all be drooling over those bulging biceps.

Or not.

I like the sleeveless jerseys.

*sinks back into hole*

The "beginning of the end" for me was the first time I saw Harmon Killebrew wearing a powder blue twins road uniform with a red TC cap.

I believe in my heart that it was no coincidence that the return of "real" baseball uniforms to the Twins in 1987 also brought the team back to the playoffs and ultimately World Series glory.

Johan Santana in a pixie vest? say it aint so, TR

Anybody got a link to an image?

As a counterpoint to the doom and gloom, I can't think of a way that this could be worse than the powder-blue craze that swept the nation back in the 70s and 80s. (I'm trying to suss out how many teams adopted the abomination. I remember the Twins, the Royals, the Cards, the Phillies, the Rangers, and the Brewers. Can anybody think of anyone else?)

Other powder blue unis were worn by the Expos and Blue Jays.

I'm pretty sure this rises to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors. Who can I call?

My only consolation is imagining Gardy going bat-shit crazy when they broke the news to him. Just imagine.... Ron all livid, throwing office furniture, telling Dave St. Peter where he can stick, um, things.

Is this Carl's doing? Is this Carl saying, "You won't give my team a new park? Fine. I'll give you uniforms that look like the Rockford Peaches. The skirts are in the works for 2007."

Seriously, who can I call? I'm distraught.

The Cubs had powder blue unis with white pinstripes.

But on the other hand... the Twins never wore short pants.

Not those godforsakenevildead vests!!!
I'd rather see the Twins in their powder blue uniforms! Heck I'd even take the red caps on Sunday - even the FUGLY red/orange jersys - anything but those DAMN vests!!!!

My life is over =p

Much Love
Wonder Woman

Obviously, the theory is that the Twins dont really need changes in their line-up... they just need new uniforms.

And if they're ugly enough, the fans MIGHT even be so pissed off about that that they won't notice that TR didn't bring in any hitting.

Pixie vests? Icka bicka boo.
I will bet they are cheaper than our typical uni.
They are just funny lookin' on grown men.
*s h u d d e r*

On another point--are those of you who usually buy season tickets waiting until we have, well...like a viable team...one with some guys that can hit?
I just can't part with my cash yet. Am I a (glup) fair weather fan? any counsel would be appreciated.

The weather today, 11/28 is seriously messing with my mind. I could swear April and the opener is just weeks away.

Opening with what? who?

Yours,
kal

I like the powder blue uniforms...

I also like powder blues--and sleeveless vests. I even own a sleeveless Mariners jersey.

You know what really burns me up: Terry Ryan sitting on his hands while he talks to the paper about the importance of improving his team defense. The Twins had the worst offense in the league this year, and lost ELEVEN games by a 2-1 score, and the GM actually thinks improving team defense is a top priority--that's gonna make a big difference next year. Gah. Put this on your wall, Mr. GM: IT'S THE ASS BATS, STUPID! Stare at it for an hour each morning until the message seeps in.

The Twins could wear powder blue pixie vests and softball shorts every single day next year, for all I care, as long as I don't have to suffer watching the Ass Bats anymore.

Say what you will about how Mr Steinbrenner is bad for baseball, but he would never allow the Yankees to wear these unAmerican uniforms.

Rod Carew would be turning in his grave, if he was like dead and what not.

p.s.

I also liked the power blue unis of my youth.

Bring 'em back !!! Also bring back the brown and yellow Pardes and rainbow astros ....

This must be stopped! Who do we call? Who do we write?

OH
DEAR
LORD
NO

Just say no to pixie vests.

*And loud sobs are heard from an apartment west of Minneapolis. It is clear JustBeth has just heard the news about the pixie vests, and realized despair of the offseason was NOTHING compared to this*

As mike said, it's a good thing Rod Carew isn't dead, or there'd be earthquakes from the turning.

Oh. My. God.

This can't be happening.

Please Tony Gwynn, make it stop.

I don't know why the Twins need a vest-they have 2 perfectly fine blue alternates (the road one being my favorite Twins jersey). They don't even wear the current alts enough, so why bother with the vest?

Oh well, time to start saving for another authentic Mauer jersey...

OK BG, I've taken the hint, I'll get you something different for Christmass

D

Well, I'm glad management finally figured out why the hitting was so awfull this year: it's the jersey's!!! Have you ever tried hitting with one of those heavy shirts with sleeves?? Much easier to hit in those pixie vests, I kid you not...much more freedom in the arms and shoulders! ;)

Am I the only one wondering whether Shaun's post is pure irony?

YF

I saw just the title of today's post and thought "oh god no! who did we lose?", so this jersey nonsense seems all right by me.
Talk to me again when they actually start wearing them.

Un-freakin' believable! What sort of chimp outfit is this team turning into? Pixie vests, yeah, that'll solve everything! If Cuddy is telling the truth and pitchers choose the jerseys then any pitcher picking the vests of their own free will should be given a swirlie after the entire bullpen has used the toilet.

I don't have much of a problem with the vests. not my favorite, but I don't hate them. too bad Abernathy left us (didn't he leave us?), because they'd be perfect for him. anyone else notice how he always hiked up his sleeves when he was up to bat?

now, the powder blue jerseys... if those make a comeback, I will boycott Twins games until they go away. I HATE that color. it's fine for the sky, but that's it.

actually, no, it's not. I hate the color of the sky. I'd prefer a nice teal. ;-)

It's true, the day's starting pitcher gets to choose the jersey, I learned it on the Twins clubhouse tour at Twinsfest a couple years ago.

Well, I have to admit that the idea of the vests isn't abhorrent to me; I wouldn't choose them, but they'll be OK, I suppose. I actually think they'd be cool if, instead of saying "Twins" across the chest, they just have the "TC" on the upper left chest and then the number on the lower right. So I shall reserve judgment until I see the actual design.

Now on to actual baseball issues - for all those who think the Twins should trade Joe Nathan, have you seen the obscene salaries given to Wagner and Ryan? We have one of the top 5 closers in the game, and he's an absolute steal money-wise compared to these guys. Count your blessings, my fellow Twins faithful.

Oh, and let's sign Piazza.

Somebody took my BG name....do I change it????

Yes, Abernathy is a Brewer so he doesnt get to wear the ugly Jersey...I just went to Twinsbaseball.com and they didnt say anything about new jerseys so I am hoping this is just a false rumor spread by some guy who had too much turkey...

We got a lot of bargain pitchers--even Radke and Santana at 9mill per year--As just signed Estaban Loaiza for $21 mill over 3 years and he is a 500 pitcher no better than Lyle...

No, I understand this move.

It's always a good idea to copy the LAST PLACE TEAM in every way possible.

Sheesh.

Leave the pixie vests in Kansas City, kids.

I think we should all get our letters ready for when the Twins do announce the new tops:

Dear Twins letter reader ---

Please inform me beforehand of games in which the new "pixie" jerseys will be worn so I can plan to avoid those games.

Thank you,

Duquephart

I didn't say I disliked the powder blues - if they were good enough for Rodney - Tony O and The Killer - hey what am I to say??
I grew up with those uniforms -

Say no to pixie vests and Yes - to Pixie Stixs! Mmmmm sugar...........

Much Love
Wonder Woman

DC Twins fan-

Having someone else steal your BG name is truly an emotional and trying situation. I, too, went through this as Batgirl grew in popularity (though it's probably my fault for being completely unoriginal). I flirted with a new name, but it never felt right, and as the season wore on and the fair weather batlings left, the problem solved itself.

If there's a name you might like to try, think of it as an opportunity! Otherwise, you could always go to arbitration with the name usurper.

DCTF-

Me too!

I just added the NY.

God knows what happened to the other Brian......

kal - having put my valuable dollars down on teams through the 90s, I've signed up for 2006 season tix. Admittedly, it's with more hope for improvement than I ever had in the 90s.......

Just a little perspective, but everyone's decision on those valuable discretionary dollars will be different......

I'm so-so on the new unis. I liked the red jerseys of 10 years ago that players nixed. We'll see what happens to these new ones. But I agree we'll only see them if the team wins while wearing them or at least while the pitcher pitches!

I hate the off season......... :-(

here is the description of the pixie vest:

The sleeveless jersey, something the team never has worn, will have a large 'TC' on the front and be available at Twins pro shops in Apple Valley, Roseville and Minnetonka.

Sorry Twins but I won't be buying that one.

Teams only need a home white and a road grey jersey. The alternate blues have grown on me. I'm ok with the powder blues, its the white pullover jeresy from those days that I don't really care for.

I hope it helps I sent the Twins an e-mail.

It's worse than you think my friends. my buddy wrote an article this past season for a Cincinnati message board about the woeful fate of vested ballclubs. it made me laugh (in spite of the fact that I adore his Redlegs almost as much as our Twins), but now it's got me pretty worried.

click on my name to read the article.

I feel like a real dork now... I kind of like that jersey style. It looks good on the Reds... kind of... doesn't it?

Sincerely, a fashion-ignorant male fan,

Neil

Dear Batgirl

Slightly off topic, but when I woke up this morning there were a couple of new baseball questions asked today.

First Jeter to centerfield ? Would he do it and can he play it ?

The second was 1st timers on the HOF ballet(which you should be a part of)but the two they discussed on the quickie were Doc Gooden and Orel Hershiser. They say no to the Bulldog, but having watched what he did in '88 and how he pitched in big spots I think he should be in.

I think me need a new rule for the BBHOF, the Jack Morris rule. If you have a post season like Morris did with you guys or Orel did with the dodgers you should be in the hall. I think with Orel and Jack the numbers don't tell the whole story of the player.

mike

Friends don't let friends wear pixie vests.

Perhaps my post was ironic YF, since I don't see why the Twins need another jersey but then stating I would plunk down the cash for an authentic Mauer one. I am a sucker, what can I say? ;)

BG, thank you for naming the sartorial shame that is the pixie vest-- as mentioned by JimCrikket, only if they were worn sans-undershirt might they be acceptable ... there was a "Turn Forward The Clock" day at the Kingdome where pretty much the only highlight of looking at some really really Evil unis were the cut-off sleeves affected by certain rebellious players.

oh, and the starting pitcher picking the emsemble of the day is pretty common across baseball, unless you have a star (coughGriffeycough) who really cares what the guys are wearing on a particular day....

You will all be safe from the pixie horror - if you catch a game Brad Radke pitches - he prefers the white jersey at home - I think I fell over once when he might have picked the blue jersey to wear - he's such a creature of habit =)

much love
Wonder Woman

Ummmm...the evil, pernicious White Sox do wear those sleeveless vests on occasion, and, though I hate the Pale Hose with a hate that is more than hate, they ARE the (gag) world champions...so the "curse of the vest" angle doesn't quite work. Besides, the old Oakland Athletics wore those back in the Sixties and early Seventies, and they were great.

Not to steer us away from the Pixie chat... but in "Former Twin" news, I thought many of you would be interested to know that the Pirates have released Michael Restovich. Click my name for the link.

Anyone know where he'll be headed?

The Twins website has posted an article about the pixie vests, complete with pictures. Click my name for the link.

Thanks for the link to the new pixie vests.

I think I'll buy one right after I go blind so I don't have look at it.

Sorry bat-girl for the off topic.

Looks like Resto isn't the only former Twin on the move. Mike Ryan and Corky Miller are as well.

6 year minor league FA's Michael Ryan and Corky Miller have moved on. Ryan signed with Atlanta and will likely be a Richmond r-Brave in 2006. Miller signed with Seattle and will likely end up in Tacoma.

Mike: Before we discuss Doc and Orel--we need to focus on Bert Blylevin getting in the HOF--he has 100 more wins than either of them--3rd in Ks when he retired--now passed by Rocket and Unit--he would have had 300 wins if he had won 15 of the games that he lost 1-0. Watching Twins games on MLB Extra Innings--I have heard many other announcers (Hawk, Suttons kid who does Brewer games, Ron Fairly, Tommy Hutton others I cant remember) all say Bert needs to be in the Hall.

NY-Brian: Thnx for the hint--made slight change to BG alias...(no offense meant--DAM are my initials)

p.s. a couple of other announcers saying Bert needs to be in hall--Paul Splitorff of KC, Al Hrabosky of St. Louis

Erm, those pixie vests in the picture just look like jerseys with different-colored sleeves. That, in my book, would be acceptable (but not in any way preferred), whereas pixie vests are best left to pixies.

Those different colored sleeves aren't sleeves at all. They are the blue T-shirt you are supposed to wear underneath the pixie vest! Shocking!

Wait, the pixie vest is a sleeveless garment isn't it? Suddenly I'm not sure. Why would you just put blue sleeves on the standard white uni?

I'm now confused.

"A navy blue undergarment will be worn in combination with the jersey"

why? just think Ted Kluszewski is what I say... click the url for a fine example.

AAAAAAAGGGGGGH!!!!!

Dear DAM

Bert does not get in. He is close. Too many losses too many hrs not enough wins.

mike

Oh, blecch on the vests. They always appear ill-fitting---. On the bright side, I didn't know they were called Pixie Vests. Now when Batgirl makes our eyes bleed with her "hottest chick"scapades, she won't have to change the tops the guys are wearing....

The Pixie vests always seem like they are meant to be grown into. Are they all supposed to have massive chests and huge guns someday?

Maybe they could wear those tight sexxxy shirts like Torii was advertising for... Although not all Twins would look hot in them.

If only the Twins still had LeRoy on the team. He could wear his tight Torii shirt around the dome before squeezing into his pixie vest.

And then we can all understand that Donnalove is right not all Twins players would look good in them.

I'm going to miss LeRoy.

From the Charley Walters PiPress item
>The sleeveless jersey, something the team never has worn, will have a large 'TC' on the front and be available at Twins pro shops in Apple Valley, Roseville and Minnetonka.

The design shown on the Twins website has no large 'TC.' And, were I Cuddyer, I might be a bit concerned about my number being assigned to a generic vest model.

Have the vests been redesigned since last week or did Charley just have bad, bad info? No wonder it was a "don't print that' item.

On Channel 5 news this morning - they showed the pixie vest - and Mike Binkley said that a dark blue t-shirt would be worn under it

Then they showed the new batting practice jersey -which has a big TC logo on the chest - it was a navy blue jersey

I think Charley smooshed them together by accident =)

Much love
Wonder Woman

Hmm...sleeveless vest WITHOUT a shirt underneath...

What a year to lose Matty.

Saw the same piece on the news that WW mentioned. I like the new BP jersey, but the vests are just BAD. If you simply *must* have a vest-style jersey (and I really wish we didn't) they should be solid-colored. Pinstripe vests??? ACK! Ugly on top of ugly!

I'd rather have the powder blue uni's make a comeback--and I'd rather have my fingernails pulled off with pliers than put our boys in the powder blue again. (Of course, if it were up to me, they'd wear navy every game. I do love those navy jerseys.)

Sartorially yours,

infield

Dearest Infield

Ouch on the fingernails!
My sister loves the blue jerseys too -
Yes - solid would have been more 'acceptable' - I hope they never ever wear them when I am at a game!
Tho for some reason I see Carlos giving then a shot

Much love
Wonder Woman

Heh. I don't find pixie vests offensive at all. In fact, I've got to get me a KC vest before they stop using them. I think they look decent, sue me ;-)

And yeah, most teams allow the starting pitcher to decide what uniform combo they're wearing.

Powder blue unis I remember:

KC, Philly, StL, Cubbies (yeah, those powder blue with white pinstripes were pretty nasty), Twins, Brewers, Atlanta, Cincy, LA, Seattle, Toronto, Montreal, Texas.

At least nobody's doing pinstriped hats anymore, eh?

Re: Jack Morris rule... you can't vote someone into the HOF because they had a great postseason. It's like voting someone in based on having a career year and you can't take great postseasons into account without also looking at the not-so-great ones. Take Hershiser, for example- sure, he was a beast in the 1988 postseason but look at his 1997 postseason numbers- ALDS and ALCS were ok but in 2 games against the Marlins in the WS, he was 0-2 with an ERA of 11.70. And Morris in the 1992 WS- 2 games, 0-2, 8.44 ERA against the same team he owned just a year prior.

Chacaron WW!

So what happens if JC Romero is still around and he wants to wear a red t-shirt underneath? I seem to remember him doing that with the blue alternates.

I am anti-vest in general. But if you were to make a team wear a vest, shouldn't it be a little more different in design then the actual home uniform. If my Twinkies must wear vests, why not something like the Indians's vests. All white, with a little TC in the upper right hand corner.

P.S. - powder blues rule!

Caluofmn -
First I hope JC is not around - and yes he usually was the 'red shirt rebel' -maybe he will just do the dual shirt combo -vest-blue shirt - then a red shirt underneath the blue shirt - with the red sleeves peeking out??!

I fear that the Twins will end up on my sister's favourite show on Bravo - 'WHAT NOT TO WEAR' =)

much love
Wonder Woman

"We wanted to make sure that the new jerseys were available to the fans prior to the holidays," Ruiter said. "We've had very positive feedback from our players on the look and we wanted our fans to have the opportunity to get that new look for their favorite Twins fan."

See? They were thinking of US the whole time!

I've already sent my email via the website, and I have been assured that my comments will be referred to the appropriate person or department. So I'm sure this will be fixed in no time.

Thanks for taking care of it Word. You'll be my hero if your email fixes this.

I think I've been too negative on this vest subject. I'm going to look on the bright side for a minute.

The Twins could have borrowed a page from the Padres and created a Sandy tan colored jersey and put "Twinkies" across the chest. And then the team marketing department could tell us that this jersey is to honor the fans and their loving nickname for the Twins.

If any marketing people are here please hear the sarcasm and don't think what a great idea for the 07'season. PLEASE

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I just heard and I knew I could come here to vent. All last year I kept saying "thank god we don't have vestys". I am a bit in shock. I have been waiting for the Twins to make a big move all off-season but this is NOT what I had in mind.

Money-grubbing ballclubs...BAH, humbug!

Of course they want them out for the holidays. I agree with the earlier post: why make the new vest look identical to the home whites sans sleeves? Clearly they aren't paying big bucks for sartorial creativity.

On uniforms I'm hopelessly encamped in the traditionalist's molasses: home whites, road grays, don't even talk to me about alternative unis.

Hallelujah, though, that there is no teal in the design!

These vests are a really silly idea. I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I don't post often,but am amazed by the humor and quality writing.
I too will miss LeCroy.

We can now all look at the pixie vests on www.minnesotatwins.com. Just go to the shop section under authentic jerseys.

They just cut the sleeves off the normal home whites. That's so cheap. If they were determined to go with pixie vests they should go all the way and design something new not cut the sleeves off a current jersey.

I think this is the equivilant of talking to myself since everyone has moved on to new topics but I was looking at the pixie vest again on the Twins site and I can't believe that they want fans to pay 180.00 for a vest. No name or number either.

I think it's crazy to do that to fans.