On the WNBA answer: looking for something else, I found a post from 2010, that started with "The sports media world, Uni Watch included, doesn’t pay much attention to women’s sports." That wasn't what made me want to cover women's sports for UW (I already did) but it was, uh, motivation. Fourteen years later, that sentence sounds quaint.
I know this isn't exactly your farewell, but this AMA is a really fitting capstone, Paul. I really appreciate your legitimizing this particular niche within sports fandom. It's nice to know that other people notice/pay attention to the aesthetics of sports. And while there are times that the comment section feels a bit too much like an echo chamber for my tastes, I appreciate that the community always seems to notice and latch on to different things: in particular, I really enjoyed your interview last year with the reader who collects basketball shorts. Not something you'd see anywhere else on the internet!
One question I wish I had submitted: do you have an all time favorite MLB hat?
I'm happy to announce that I went high-cuffed in my softball team's season opener last night (unfortunately I don't have stirrups, but it sounds like Commissioner Paul Lukas would let it slide!). Sadly, only one other player did the same, and he was on my team.
I have a group text of 7 people (active thread that texts pretty much daily) that had it not been for you, I would have never met. So, thank you for that!!!!!
It was probably mentioned upon his death, but in the spirit of the column I'll argue that Landry's hat was a Trilby not a fedora, even though that's what a quick internet search returns. Best wishes, Paul.
Paul, maybe the current animosity between the Pats and Bill Belichick will get in the way of any large memorials down the road, but there is an opportunity for the team to go with a hoodie patch when the time eventually comes. Don't lose hope!
Ok, I’m just going to email you directly once a year to get your thoughts on the developments in the uni-verse the previous year. [Or you could just do that in your Substack. Just sayin’.]
Throwing this question in here, hoping it isn't too late or at least will be considered by you, Paul....have you ever discussed/selected a favorite all time uni matchup in the NFL regular season? Reason I ask - I was watching NFLN and they showed Randy Moss in a red Patriot jersey throwback game - in snow, no less! - against the Titans, in their Oilers 60s/70s throwbacks. Might be one of the most aesthetically pleasing matchups ever. I know you've talked about Super Bowl matchups and the like, but wasn't sure if you ever extended that to the regular season.
I had a question about “Red” from Greenbay and how he’s stepping down. Since he’s stepping down is it going to affect if reeboks template is an organizational decision or is Nike going to switch them over cuz Red isn’t there to lobby for it still? Was hoping you were able to expand on that. TIA.
It's possible that they'll switch now that Red Batty is gone -- we'll see. I've learned over the years that they don't talk about this stuff, so I no longer ask. We'll find out soon enough.
This might be my favorite AMA so far. Great, thoughtful, stuff!
Re Lucas/Lukas, I moved to Wisconsin in 2015 and noticed right away that I had to identify myself to strangers as "Rogers with no D" thanks to the local fame of Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback left Wisconsin last year, and already I can just identify myself to strangers as "Rogers" and folks spell my name with a D almost as infrequently as before 2015. It's funny how the local fame of an individual with an unusual spelling of a name can influence expectations!
The broke/poor differentiation is important, and something I hadn't really thought about explicitly before. And it seems related to a distinction that I'm consistent and careful in making between "cheap" and "inexpensive." A low price makes something inexpensive; it may or may not be cheap. And a poorly made thing is cheap regardless of the price.
My favorite word in the English language? Hmm…I’m partial to the plural of hepatitis, which is hepatitides. The Greek of a singular itis becoming itides is fun but there’s something about hepatitides that makes me smile when I hear it
On the WNBA answer: looking for something else, I found a post from 2010, that started with "The sports media world, Uni Watch included, doesn’t pay much attention to women’s sports." That wasn't what made me want to cover women's sports for UW (I already did) but it was, uh, motivation. Fourteen years later, that sentence sounds quaint.
"Quaint" isn't the word I'd use. More like embarrassing and shameful. Thanks for all you've done to help change that, Jamie.
It sounds accurate.
I know this isn't exactly your farewell, but this AMA is a really fitting capstone, Paul. I really appreciate your legitimizing this particular niche within sports fandom. It's nice to know that other people notice/pay attention to the aesthetics of sports. And while there are times that the comment section feels a bit too much like an echo chamber for my tastes, I appreciate that the community always seems to notice and latch on to different things: in particular, I really enjoyed your interview last year with the reader who collects basketball shorts. Not something you'd see anywhere else on the internet!
One question I wish I had submitted: do you have an all time favorite MLB hat?
I’m with you on the mid- to late-1960s Cardinals. I’d totally wear that!
And yes, down with purple!
I'm happy to announce that I went high-cuffed in my softball team's season opener last night (unfortunately I don't have stirrups, but it sounds like Commissioner Paul Lukas would let it slide!). Sadly, only one other player did the same, and he was on my team.
Great work as always!
I have a group text of 7 people (active thread that texts pretty much daily) that had it not been for you, I would have never met. So, thank you for that!!!!!
Paul, I love these segments. You are honest, frank, and pull no punches with your answers. Thank you. You are one in a million.
It was probably mentioned upon his death, but in the spirit of the column I'll argue that Landry's hat was a Trilby not a fedora, even though that's what a quick internet search returns. Best wishes, Paul.
Paul, maybe the current animosity between the Pats and Bill Belichick will get in the way of any large memorials down the road, but there is an opportunity for the team to go with a hoodie patch when the time eventually comes. Don't lose hope!
Ok, I’m just going to email you directly once a year to get your thoughts on the developments in the uni-verse the previous year. [Or you could just do that in your Substack. Just sayin’.]
Throwing this question in here, hoping it isn't too late or at least will be considered by you, Paul....have you ever discussed/selected a favorite all time uni matchup in the NFL regular season? Reason I ask - I was watching NFLN and they showed Randy Moss in a red Patriot jersey throwback game - in snow, no less! - against the Titans, in their Oilers 60s/70s throwbacks. Might be one of the most aesthetically pleasing matchups ever. I know you've talked about Super Bowl matchups and the like, but wasn't sure if you ever extended that to the regular season.
I had a question about “Red” from Greenbay and how he’s stepping down. Since he’s stepping down is it going to affect if reeboks template is an organizational decision or is Nike going to switch them over cuz Red isn’t there to lobby for it still? Was hoping you were able to expand on that. TIA.
It's possible that they'll switch now that Red Batty is gone -- we'll see. I've learned over the years that they don't talk about this stuff, so I no longer ask. We'll find out soon enough.
A small personal regret, as a fan: the end of the theoretical T-shirts coming before we got a "Pretzels" shirt styled after the Phillies logo.
This might be my favorite AMA so far. Great, thoughtful, stuff!
Re Lucas/Lukas, I moved to Wisconsin in 2015 and noticed right away that I had to identify myself to strangers as "Rogers with no D" thanks to the local fame of Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback left Wisconsin last year, and already I can just identify myself to strangers as "Rogers" and folks spell my name with a D almost as infrequently as before 2015. It's funny how the local fame of an individual with an unusual spelling of a name can influence expectations!
The broke/poor differentiation is important, and something I hadn't really thought about explicitly before. And it seems related to a distinction that I'm consistent and careful in making between "cheap" and "inexpensive." A low price makes something inexpensive; it may or may not be cheap. And a poorly made thing is cheap regardless of the price.
My favorite word in the English language? Hmm…I’m partial to the plural of hepatitis, which is hepatitides. The Greek of a singular itis becoming itides is fun but there’s something about hepatitides that makes me smile when I hear it