Like all of us who are fans of sports, there are some uniforms that
stick out more than others. Some range from “what were they thinking” to
straight classics. For the classics they are referred to as
“throwbacks”. These uniforms take fans and players alike into a time
warp thinking of a different era. To be on this list, the uniform cannot
be worn that often. For some franchises the team doesn’t even play in
the same city anymore. This list isn’t just for the pro ranks as
300lbsofsportsknowledge sprinkled in some collegiate teams as well that
changed with the times. Here are my top uniforms that we no longer see
or hardly ever see.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers won on the court and
looked good doing it. From the 60’s to the late 90’s, The Lakers were
styling with the warm-up jackets with the 70’s style collar on it.
Besides that, the old school shorts with the trim was a classic look.
The uniform was updated in 2000, but that classic “showtime” look with
Magic Johnson and James Worthy will never be forgotten.
2. Toronto Raptors
Former Toronto Raptor Vince Carter
put this uniform on the map in during The 1999 NBA season. From
1995-1999 The Raptors didn’t win many games, but the classic look with
the dinosaur on it is great. It is too bad the this jersey didn’t last
long.
3. Miami Hurricanes (football)
When you think of Miami
Hurricanes football for the 80’s and 90’s the term “outlaws” may best
describe them. The uniforms weren’t something for outlaws, but they were
indeed cool. To this day The ‘Canes never removed the classic “U” from
the side of the helmet, but with the help of Nike they ruined a good
uniform. When I think of Miami I think of players such as linebacker Ray
Lewis rocking the vintage orange jersey along with The Big East
Conference logo on the sleeve to go along with black cleats, now that is
classic Miami Hurricanes.
4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (basketball)
When I found
out that a throwback was being sold for this uniform I had to purchase
it. The 1996-97 college basketball season was Tim Duncan’s last in
Winston-Salem and The Deacons were sponsored by Nike and struck gold or
in this case black and old gold. Black has always been a tough color and
The Deacons had three variations of this uniform which were old gold,
white, and black. The Deacons have made changes to the uniform since and
they have never been able to replicate that one.
5. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks owner Mark
Cuban changed the team’s colors in 2000 from royal blue to a much darker
shade of blue. The fortunes of the team changed as they became a
perennial power in The NBA which included the team’s first NBA
Championship last season. Prior to that, The Mavericks were an
afterthought as a franchise that was constantly selecting high in The
NBA Draft with little success. The one thing that was great was the
uniforms. The Mavs had this vintage look to go along with a logo having a
cowboy hat in it.
6. Montreal Expos
When throwback jerseys made a
revival in the 2000’s, this uniform was high on everyone’s list. The
pinwheel style hat that had red, white, and blue colors was one of the
best. Even in 2011 you can still find the vintage powder blue jersey
worn by Hall of Famer Andre Dawson.
7. Houston Astros
The Astros jersey from the 70’s and
80’s was as classic as the afro. Before Nolan Ryan was putting Robin
Ventura in a headlock, he was wearing the bright orange jersey with
white cleats. I enjoy seeing the uniform every time that The Astros
break it out during a throwback game.
8. Kansas City Royals
When The Royals were going
toe-to-toe with The New York Yankees in the late 70’s and early 80’s for
American League Supremacy, they did it while wearing the powder blue
uniforms. It was great for Kansas City as the cleats and hats were blue
as well. The Royals introduced the jersey again as a throwback with one
problem; the team only wears the blue jersey opting to wear it with
white pants. You can’t go halfway on this, it’s time they break out the
powder blue pants as well.
9. Houston Oilers
Whether it was the power of Earl
Campbell running over defenders in the 70’s or Warren Moon leading a
prolific offense in the 80’s, we all remember the uniforms of The
Oilers. The all white helmet with the oil derrick on the side of the
helmet was great and the light blue jersey never goes out of style.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
People laughed at The Bucs
when they came into The National Football League in 1976 for their play
and the uniforms, but 35 years later it is one of the best selling
throwbacks on the market. I admit that the pirate on the side of the
helmet winking wasn’t tough, but as a fan you always remembered the
logo. You give me that Doug Williams Tampa jersey with a pair of black
and orange Nike sneakers and I am in business for the summer.
11. Seattle Seahawks
To this day I am mad that The
Seahawks changed uniforms in 2002. The logo on the side of the helmet
remained the same, but like most teams The Seahawks went for a darker
color. The royal blue jersey was retired but will always be a good
throwback.
12. Phoenix Suns
When Charles Barkley arrived in Phoenix
in 1992, he changed the fortunes of the franchise and led The Suns to
The 1993 NBA Finals. Team management gave them a new logo and new
uniforms as well. The vintage jersey had a basketball on it with the sun
surrounding it. If you went anywhere during the summer during that
time, whether it was Barkley, Dan Majerle, or Kevin Johnson, you would
see a vast amount of people wearing the jerseys of these three Suns
players.
13. Charlotte Hornets
Everyone wanted to dunk like
“Grandmama” aka Larry Johnson and there were plenty of his Champion made
Hornets jerseys flying of the racks at stores. The Hornets messed with a
good thing when changing this uniform. The teal green, purple, and
white color combination was great and management ruined a good thing.
Memo to The Hornets, bring this uniform back!!!!!!!
14. Orlando Magic
There weren’t too many people that
were rolling with The Orlando Magic prior to Shaquille O’Neal’s arrival
in The Magic Kingdom in 1992. It didn’t take too long for this jersey to
become popular. The Magic’s best jersey was the all black jersey that
said “Orlando” with a silver star in place of A. Three words that best
describe this are classic, classic, and classic.
15. Kansas Jayhawks (basketball)
The Jayhawks switched
sponsors in 2004 leaving Nike in favor of Adidas. When Kansas made that
move, the retired one of the greatest college basketball uniforms. The
jersey was plain as it was royal blue and simply had “Kansas” on the
front, but the shorts were something else. One side of the shorts had
The Jayhawk mascot while the other side had the school’s logo “KU”. Ask
any college basketball fan under 35 about their favorite uniforms and
Kansas’ uniform will more than likely be on the list.
16. Georgetown Hoyas
The Hoyas were one of the first
college basketball teams to be outfitted by Nike and the sneaker giant
made a slam dunk in this uniform design. During the early 90’s the sales
of college jerseys grew and The Hoyas jersey was a very popular one.
Both the shorts and jersey had a kente cloth style in them. One of the
distinct things about The Hoyas is that the team has generally worn gray
uniforms at home when most teams wear white. When I think of this look I
visualize Allen Iverson slicing through Big East Conferences foes
wearing this uniform along with the classic Jordan 11’s.
17. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have had several uniforms but the uniform used during
The Hakeem Olajuwon era sticks out more than others. I am not
referencing to the futuristic uniforms introduced in 1995. I am talking
about the old school red uniforms with the yellow trim. I still enjoy
wearing that throwback jersey.
18. Denver Broncos
If I didn’t put the “Orange Crush” Bronco jersey on this list then I
would have to question my own fandom. The uniform included a royal blue
helmet with a bronco on it. It’s too bad that when people think of this
uniform it is linked with The Broncos losing four Super Bowls.
19. Maryland Terrapins (basketball)
The Terrapins switched from Nike to Under Armour in the mid 2000’s
and we big farewell to that era. The red shorts with the big “M” and the
state flag on the shorts will never be replicated.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
This franchise constantly changes their uniform, but on a few
occasions they actually got it right. One of those times was in 1987
when The Cavs went to blue road uniforms. Prior to that, the road
uniforms were orange. The management decided to switch to blue and The
Cavs made it to The Eastern Conference Finals in 1992. During his time
in Cleveland, Lebron James wore many variations of Cavalier throwbacks
and this one sticks out more than others. It’s too bad when James took
his talents to South Beach that some fans used their talents to burn
good throwback jerseys.
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