It's hard to believe that this look didn't catch on. You might have to click on the image to get a closer look, but Gary Roenicke's batting helmet is adorned with a football-style face mask on the left side of his jaw. It was a temporary precaution that was taken after he was hit in the face with a pitch. There's a clearer shot of the makeshift guard here, and an excellent article by Uni Watch's Paul Lukas here. It largely focuses on former Pirates outfielder Dave Parker; to be fair, his helmet stylings were much more terrifying and unusual than Gary's.
What's your favorite unusual uniform modification? Brooks Robinson's sawed-off helmet brim? Frank Robinson's extended stirrups?
actually an awesome little defense mechanism. I see this alot in little league and fast pitch softball games these days, but i'm pretty sure ballplayers would never pick up on this -- there's way too much of a tough guy and tradition honoring culture in the game for this.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt, Charlie Hayes and his see-through mouth protector from his Rockies days. He was a blue-collar man's player, scrappy and underappreciated.
ReplyDeleteI like Brooks' small brim helmet, totally unique. I've never seen anyone else do that. Having said that, this is nobody cooler than Frank Robinson. And those stirrups are a big part of it.
ReplyDeletegoyanks - I've seen cage masks in little league, but I seem to remember that we were cageless when I played. We did have an elastic chin strap to keep them on our narrow little heads, though.
ReplyDeleteWilliam - I read recently on Camden Chat that current O's reliever Alberto Castillo was once traded for Charlie Hayes. Tells you that he's been around the block!
Bob - Those stirrups beat the heck out of the new style, with guys pulling their pant cuffs over the bottoms of their shoes. Ugh.