All posts in Stirrups

A look at the Reds Throwback uniform to be used on Wednesday, June 15 vs the Dodgers. The uniform is modeled after their 1944 road design

The Reds are tossing it back to 1944 when the Dodgers host them on Wednesday, June 15th for one of LA’s “Throwback Days.” 3:10pm EST start, by the way.

In what started as a fan-vote promotion during the off-season, has become quite a uniform-enthusisat’s treat this season. Fans had the choice of several options: Uniforms from 1911, 1931 or 1944, obviously choosing the ’44 design based on blue satin uniforms worn during that era by the Brooklyn Dodgers.

2011 Dodgers throwback uniforms (Photo: Dodgers)

1940′S ROAD ALTERNATE UNIFORM
After nearly 50,000 votes, this uniform edged out the 1911 Road option by less than 2,000 votes. Though the original uniform worn in the 1940s was made of a highly reflective satin fabric to make it more visible under the lights for night games, the 2011 throwback jerseys will be made of the same material and maintain the same feel as those worn by the Dodgers throughout the season. The jerseys will be available for purchase by fans at Dodger Stadium beginning on the first date they are worn, April 21, when the Dodgers welcome Atlanta to Chavez Ravine. That date marks the anniversary of the franchise’s first victory, which also came against the Braves in 1890.

While the uniforms for the Reds will be produced by Majestic, uniforms for the previous two Throwback Days (against the Brave and Cubs, respectively) were made by Bobcat Athletic. UniWatch did a fantastic profile on Bob Halfacre, who runs Bobcat Athletic, about landing the gig and producing prototypes and the first two rounds of uniforms for the Dodgers.

Hall of Famer Bill McKechnie sporting the 1944-style Reds road uniform

As for the Reds duds, we’re excited to see them on the field. While the 1944 road uniform is fairly conservative in design, they’ll look solid. They lack the pizzaz that, say, a 1978 Padres uniform might bring to the diamond, and are certainly not as exciting as the previous two “Throwback Days” opponents – the Braves and the Cubs. The blue cap with red bill should really make the look, though. We’re glad that the Dodgers chose to keep the Reds’ look in the ’40s to match the Brooklyn uniforms and didn’t go outside of the era just to get a more interesting visual match-up.

Also, no word yet on the hosiery the Reds will be wearing. Most of the team wears pants “style de pajama” (notable detractors include Mike Leake and Bill Bray), but the Braves did rock stirrups as a team during the first throwback game. There’s always hope, right?

The Reds are indicating that more photos of the Reds uniforms will be posted once the team gets to Los Angeles on Monday. No word on whether there jerseys will be available in the Reds Team Shop, but we would venture to guess they won’t be, as this promotion has been completely organized and paid for by the Dodgers. Game-used uniforms for both teams will be auctioned off by the Dodgers.

By the way, the 1944 Reds finished 89-65, good for 3rd place in the National League behind Pittsburgh and St. Louis. The Cardinals went on the beat the St. Louis Browns in the World Series. 1944 was also the debut of one Mr. Joseph Henry Nuxhall.

Speaking of throwbacks, did you see the Padres/Nationals game Saturday night? Beautiful!

UPDATE: Reds fans will get another throwback treat when they travel to Milwalkee and play in the 6th Annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game on Saturday, July 9. The Brewers will be wearing Milwaukee Bears reproductions – maybe these?. From brewers.com:

In tribute to one of the greatest baseball traditions ever established in sports, the two teams will honor the legendary Negro Leagues and its players by wearing vintage uniforms from the Milwaukee Bears and Cincinnati Tigers Negro Leagues teams.

The Reds will also don tribute uniforms, honoring the 1937 Cincinnati Tigers who wore these beauties.