Earlier this year I wrote a post about how several Major League Baseball teams were opting for a retro look with their alternate uniforms. This week we saw several teams turn back the clock and wear uniforms specially designed to match the ones from the old days.

Chicago Cubs



The Cubs commemorated the 60th anniversary of their first broadcast on WGN with these pinstripe-less threads. You can see that the Cubs' current design has been around in some incarnation for many years.

Atlanta Braves



The Braves opposed the Cubs in these uniforms from 1948, which also happens to be the last year the Braves won the pennant in Boston. It was the second of only two they won in Beantown, but that Billy Southworth-helmed team featuring star third baseman Bob Elliott and the "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain" pitching staff was a special one.

Baltimore Orioles



They did it! They did just what I suggested on this blog! They celebrated the 25th anniversary of their last World Series title by wearing throwbacks with elastic waistbands! The Orioles organization has made a lot of mistakes in recent years, but this is one thing they definitely got right.

San Francisco Giants



The 70's was not a good decade for the Giants, but the 1978 team that these uniforms are a tribute to was memorable for being in first place most of the year until tailing off in August and finishing in third. Like the Orioles, it's good to see a team that doesn't ignore the elastic waistbands in their uniform history.

San Diego Padres



The Padres remembered the 30th anniversary of the first squad in franchise history to finish with a winning record by donning these throwbacks that actually feature the full team name. The Padres prove why I keep bringing up the elastic waistbands though, because these uniforms would be more accurate if they had them.

Cleveland Indians



Unlike the alternates that only had a retro feel to them, these are actual replicas of the 1978 Indians' uniforms (minus, all together now, the elastic waistbands). Why they'd want to honor that sixth-place team led by Andre Thornton I'm not sure, but the uniforms themselves don't look half bad.

Why do I love throwbacks so much? Why am I such a stickler for accuracy? Why do I want to remind everyone that the goofy elastic waistband uniforms ever existed? I guess it's just the sports history buff in me. No matter how ugly some teams' uniforms used to be, there's something about seeing them that stirs up my romanticism for baseball. That's another reason America's Pastime is my favorite sport; it's the only one that has that effect on me. Here's to the future and the eternal remembrance of baseball's rich history.

A new baseball season is just around the corner, and right now every team has the chance to make this year something special. At least, that's what they want you to believe. Is there reason for you to have hope? Sorry, but no. This just isn't going to be your year. Whichever team you root for, here's why it ends for them after Game #162.

AL West:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They have too many mediocre players in their lineup. With injuries to their two best starters this early in the season there's no way they're going to be able to get the momentum going that they need to make the Playoffs.

Oakland Athletics. They had a losing record last year and then gave away most of their good players. What are they going to do, improve?

Seattle Mariners. Last year's 88 wins were an illusion. They actually allowed more runs than they scored. You can get lucky like that once, but it's hard to do it two years in a row. The rain outside Safeco this year will match the tears inside.

Texas Rangers. They have below-average hitting and below-average pitching. Put it together and you get a below-average team. When September rolls around the Cowboys will be the only team in town anyone is talking about.

AL Central:

Chicago White Sox. OK, so they improved their bullpen. It doesn't change the fact that their roster is full of guys who are living off their past reputations. It's going to be another long year on the South Side.

Cleveland Indians. After coming within one game of the World Series last year they basically stood pat during the offseason. That's a good way to fall behind other teams. Don't be scratching your head in October wondering why the exact same guys as last year didn't make the Playoffs.

Detroit Tigers. Yeah, they've got a great lineup, but you know they aren't going anywhere with that underachieving pitching staff of theirs. Enjoy the slugfests Tiger fans, because they're all you're going to get.

Kansas City Royals. They're the Kansas City Royals, also known as "That Team That Never Makes the Playoffs".

Minnesota Twins. Other than Francisco Liriano they have a weak starting rotation, and their lineup isn't good enough to pick up the slack. Get ready for the Lousiest Show on Turf.

AL East:

Baltimore Orioles. Peter Angelos is still the owner. That's all you need to know.

Boston Red Sox. Yeah, they won the World Series last year, but the Patriots' Super Bowl loss is a clear sign that New England's deal with the devil has expired. Members of "Red Sox Nation" can only hope that the drought doesn't reach 86 years again.

New York Yankees. Their old guys are too old and their young guys are too young. This is a rebuilding year in the Bronx.

Tampa Bay Rays. I'm pretty sure the only reason the Rays were created was because the owner of last place in the AL East was tired of renting it out and wanted a buyer. Sorry, but the Rays are comfortable right where they are.

Toronto Blue Jays. They were one of the worst run-producing teams in the league last year, and they've done little to improve in that area. Their pitching staff was great last year, but they aren't good enough to lead the team to the Playoffs single-handedly. It's safe to say that baseball won't be making anyone in Canada forget that it isn't hockey season this summer.

NL West:

Arizona Diamondbacks. See my comments on the Mariners. There won't be much charming about these snakes.

Colorado Rockies. They have a talented roster, but their lack of depth is going to hurt them in the strong NL West. It's back to mediocrity in the mountains.

Los Angeles Dodgers. They have too many overrated players on their roster. Overrated players make overrated teams. Teams as overrated as the Dodgers don't make the Playoffs.

San Diego Padres. Their center fielder is 37-year-old Jim Edmonds and they actually have Mark Prior on their roster. Those are two recipes for disaster right there. Kiss this season goodbye.

San Francisco Giants. Their lineup last year consisted of Barry Bonds and little else. Now they don't even have him. When your best hitter is Aaron Rowand you have problems. Show me someone who honestly thinks the Giants will contend and I'll show you a delusional fan.

NL Central:

Chicago Cubs. They made the Playoffs last year. The last time the Cubs made the postseason two years in a row was 1908, when they won their third straight pennant and second straight World Series. Sorry, but two years in a row just doesn't happen in Wrigleyville.

Cincinnati Reds. When Dusty Baker isn't wearing out his pitchers he's encouraging his hitters to be too aggressive. The only way the Reds contend is if their youngsters develop, and that's not happening under Dusty. Does Vegas have the odds on how long it'll be before Scott Hatteberg gets released for being too patient at the plate?

Houston Astros. They've invested a lot in their lineup and bullpen, but the only reliable starting pitcher they have is Roy Oswalt. Sorry, but that's not the model for a contending team. Craig Biggio knew just when to retire.

Milwaukee Brewers. They have a lot of power, but their depth and starting pitching leaves a lot to be desired. Besides, their closer is Eric Gagne. He used to be good, but based on those 18.7 innings he pitched for the Red Sox last year he's clearly not good anymore. With all the games Gagne blows for them the Brewers will be eliminated by the All Star Break.

Pittsburgh Pirates. It'll be a while before the new management can undo the damage done by the previous regime. The Pirates have some promising young talent, but haven't we been saying that for years? This season will be just as undistinguished as any of the last ten Pirate seasons.

St. Louis Cardinals. Adam Wainwright is their only good starter who isn't rehabbing, and fewer than a handful of their hitters scare opposing pitchers. The Redbirds had a good run earlier this decade, but their time has passed.

NL East:

Atlanta Braves. The Braves stopped making the Playoffs when Leo Mazzone left. Until they bring him back they're doomed to hover around .500.

Florida Marlins. They traded the last two stars remaining from the 2003 World Series team. It's time for the Marlins to start rebuilding, not trying to win. The Fish are going to be fried in this year's NL East race.

New York Mets. Have you seen their current list of injuries? By the time everyone's healthy they'll be out of the race. They proved last year that September isn't their month, so don't expect any late-season heroics.

Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies didn't win the division last year, the Mets just choked it away. Don't believe me? Any Mets fan will tell you the same thing. Since the Phillies aren't capable of making the Playoffs on their own they'll have to watch as someone else takes the division this year.

Washington Nationals. They've collected so many problematic players it'll be a miracle if they avoid 100 losses. They're continuing the tradition of incompetence started by their ancestors, the Expos.

To sum things up, don't get too excited about October. Your guys will only be there if they buy tickets. But hey, keep your head up. There's always next year.

2007 has been a frustrating year for fans of NL Central teams. The Astros just fired their manager and general manager in the middle of a disappointing season, and they're on the verge of just their second finish below .500 in the last 16 years. The Pirates are pretty much a lock for their 15th straight losing season and the Reds have continued their disappointing decade. The Brewers started off hot and looked headed for their first postseason since 1982, but they've been treading water for the past two months and now find themselves in third place. Then there are the Cubs and Cardinals, the two most popular teams in the division who happen to have a long-standing rivalry.

A year after winning the World Series the Cardinals haven't looked like a defending champion. Their record is right at .500, their starting pitching has been mediocre, and their offense and defense haven't been anything special. By looking at those facts alone you might assume that they've been a huge disappointment. The only problem with that assessment is that they've been one of the hottest teams in baseball lately and are now the favorites to win the division in the minds of many. It's incredible to think that just two months ago they were 10½ games out of first and had the worst pitching in the league. They're now only two games behind the first-place Cubs.

Speaking of my Cubs, their season has been a bit frustrating too. They ushered in what they hoped was the start of a new era when they hired Lou Piniella as manager before the season. There was lots of the usual optimism in Cubville, but I myself was still skeptical. When the Cubs found themselves in a hole after the first two months of the season they got hot (possibly sparked by a Piniella tirade against an umpire over a call in a game I was fortunate enough to attend) and worked their way into first place. It was enough to make me a believer in this team, but thanks to some inconsistent play in August they haven't been able to pull away from the pack. While I'm certainly not conceding the division to any other team, it's enough to drive a fan crazy.

I hate the Cardinals in more than just the typical "I'm a Cubs fan so I have to" way. They're like the New York Yankees of the National League. They've won more World Series than any other NL team and are tied with the Giants for the number of World Series appearances. As such they get treated like one of those hallowed franchises that can do no wrong because they're just dripping with history, tradition and class. I hate pretty much any franchise like that, partially because it's obnoxious and partially because the fans seem to get arrogant when the media always has their team's back.

Most baseball fans know that the Cubs haven't won the World Series in almost 100 years. They've had so many struggles that it's become part of their image. The Cubs are the lovable losers to many outsiders, but they're a frustrating team to root for if you're a fan. If the Cardinals come from behind to take the division from the Cubs, who still have it within their sights, it'll probably become another famous moment in this relatively one-sided rivalry. People will say that these teams were just following the usual script. In the cosmic order of things the classy Cardinals are supposed to win and the Cubs, while fun to pull for, ultimately exist only to come up short. While this idea is nothing more than a piece of baseball folklore, the Cubs haven't done much to disprove it over the years.

I still have faith in my team. I know that they have what it takes to win the division, but I also know that nothing is guaranteed. You have to earn every win and you can't get cocky. I never wrote off the Cardinals even when they were way behind and my fears are now being realized. If the Cubs can hold on to first place for one more month I'll finally be able to breathe easy. Being a fan is so stressful sometimes.

Please Cubs, for the sake of your fans all over the country, don't let the Cardinals beat you out this year. Win the NL Central, and feel free to win the World Series while you're at it. The Cardinals have had bragging rights in this rivalry for a long time. Don't give them another year to hold over our heads. Spare us all from having to hear about the great story of Rick Ankiel, the hustle of David Eckstein and the genius of Tony LaRussa when October rolls around. The number of years in our drought is almost in triple digits. Don't let a potential dream season turn into another "what could have been."

We're down to the last two months of baseball season. The trade deadline has passed, and by now we (mostly) know who's in it to win it and who needs to start preparing for next year. The races are heating up, and several teams are still vying for one of those coveted eight Playoff spots. It's about time for baseball fans to start thinking about who they're rooting for in the quest for October. If you're a big fan like me, you probably also have a few teams you're rooting against. I don't know who's going to win, but here's what I'm hoping for:

American League West:

I'm pulling for the Mariners. They've been a surprise team all year, and there seem to be a lot of loyal Mariner fans out there even though you don't hear much about them. While they seem to have been playing above their heads all season (their pitching and run production have been mediocre at best), they deserve credit for staying in it this long. They surprised me last season too, as I predicted that they'd lose 100 games and they ended up finishing close to .500. While conventional wisdom says the Angels are going to win it (if I had to give an official prediction I'd pick them), I'm hoping Seattle has enough left to battle it out and overtake them for the division title.

Since the Angels are the only team posing a real threat to the Mariners at this point, I'm rooting against them. I just have a hard time getting excited about the Angels. Besides, they won the World Series in 2002 and the Mariners never have. While it's hard for me to imagine the Mariners winning the World Series this year, they deserve that chance to play for it a little more in my mind.

American League Central:

If my White Sox were still in the race there's no question I'd be pulling for them. As they are not, however, I'm pulling for either the Indians or Tigers. Both teams have fanbases that I think deserve a winner, and I really don't hate either one even though they're both division rivals of my Sox. I hope one of them wins the division and the other wins the Wild Card. It doesn't really matter which, though I think the Tigers look more likely to win the division.

The team I'm rooting against is the Twins. While they seem to have a fairly loyal fanbase and the underdog factor that comes with playing in a small market, I just don't like them. They don't interest me. Also, some of that underdog appeal has been lost since they've won four division titles in the last five years. Last year it looked to be a two-team race between the White Sox and Tigers in the Central, but the Twins came from behind to win it, relegating the frontrunning Tigers to the Wild Card. I don't want to see it happen again.

American League East:

I've never made any secret about the fact that I hate the Red Sox. The way their "history" and "tradition" get shoved down our throats has gotten rather sickening. That said, I'm rooting for them to win the East this year. Why, you ask? It's all because of the team I'm rooting against.

I hate the Yankees. I want to see them win even less than I do the Red Sox. They're a thorn in the side of baseball fans everywhere. No matter what, they always find a way to make the Playoffs. Even when they were mired in a slump earlier this year I kept saying they were going to be playing in the postseason. Now they're only a few games out in the Wild Card race and within striking distance of the Red Sox. I still think they'll find their way into the Playoff picture, but (as I often find myself saying) I hope I'm wrong. If they do it's likely that either they or the Red Sox will be the Wild Card, and the Playoffs will be much more enjoyable if we don't have to hear about a potential Yankees-Red Sox ALCS.

National League West:

This is a division where I don't feel very strongly. The Giants are the only team at this point that has no real shot of winning it. If I had to choose the team I really wanted to see win it I'd say the Rockies, but of the four contenders they seem to be the one that's having the most trouble breaking through. I also kind of like the Padres, so I'd have no problem if they won it. Neither team has ever won the World Series, so there's not much to hate about them.

While I'm not actively rooting against the Diamondbacks, they don't particularly excite me. I haven't found myself rooting against the Dodgers either, but they seem to have the most to root against. Big market, six World Series titles, fans that leave the games early...yeah, I guess if I'm rooting against anyone in this division it's the Dodgers. Still, it's hard to hate them completely when you have a father who grew up rooting for them on the side.

National League Central:

I'm a Cubs fan. Take a wild guess who I'm pulling for. Is this finally "next year" for the Cubs? We can always hope, but the Cubs have to make the Playoffs first. It's a shame that the they're contending in a year where the team they're battling for first is the Brewers. After all, Brewers fans haven't had much to cheer about in recent times. It's not that I hate our friends up in Milwaukee, it's just that they're blocking my team's path to the Playoffs. If the Cubs can overtake them for first I hope the Brewers win the Wild Card. I could even live with it if they won the division and the Cubs won the Wild Card, but it's cooler to say your team is the division champion.

The team I'm rooting against is none other than that bunch who won the World Series last year. While the Cardinals admittedly look horrible this year, teams that you count out can come back to bite you. While I'm not too worried about the old Redbirds I still root for them to lose every game...just in case.

National League East:

One of my favorite teams in this division has always been the Phillies. Of the 30 Major League teams they're one of seven that hasn't made the postseason since the switch to the three-division format. They're right in the thick of things, so hopefully this year we'll be able to cross their name off that list.

There are two other contenders in this division, and they're known as the Braves and Mets. I've hated the Braves ever since they won the 1995 World Series, and the Mets I hate just because they're from New York. While I don't hate either of these teams as much as say, the Yankees, I can't really root for either one in good conscience. The truth is though, that these two teams currently look like the ones to beat in the National League. If Philly's going to pull it off it'll be an uphill battle.

To sum up, my ideal Playoffs look like this:

National League:

West: Colorado
Central: Chicago
East: Philadelphia
Wild Card: Milwaukee

American League:

West: Seattle
Central: Detroit
East: Boston
Wild Card: Cleveland

I know that they likely won't look this way (especially the NL), but what's a pennant race without something to hope for?

My nightmare Playoffs look something like this:

National League:

West: Los Angeles
Central: St. Louis
East: New York
Wild Card: Atlanta

American League:

West: Los Angeles
Central: Minnesota
East: New York
Wild Card: Boston

It's almost scary how much more realistic my nightmare scenario looks, but that's just life when you root for the underdog.

Anyway, that's what I'm hoping for. How about you?

In the time I've been blogging about sports I've noticed that a lot of fans tend to be a little on the sensitive side. People are always calling out "haters" and getting defensive about their teams and players. I'll admit that when I was younger I used to be the same way, but now that I've matured a bit I don't see what the point is. Why do people care if other fans hate their teams?

While pondering this question I asked myself what reasons one might have for hating a team. I figured that there were three categories these reasons fell into:

1. The team is traditionally a rival of your favorite team. Just as animals fight over their territory, teams in close geographical proximity fight for the right to call themselves the best in the area. Potential rivalries are abundant with modern sports relying on divisional alignments as they do, but some run deeper than that. We all know the big ones. Yankees and Red Sox. Bears and Packers. Giants and Dodgers. Redskins and Cowboys. Cubs and Cardinals. To be a fan of some teams you are required to hate others. It's not necessarily logical, but it's a tradition that makes being a fan more exciting. For instance, the Cardinals (who have won more World Series than any other National League team) hating the Cubs (who have gone almost a century without winning a World Series) makes no sense other than the fact that the two teams have traditionally competed for the hearts of a large portion of the Midwest.

2. You're jealous of the team's success. Hey, there's no shame in this one. I want my teams to win like anyone else. If some other team wins all the time, therefore preventing my team (or that of someone else who has waited a long time) from doing so, I'm going to hate that team and root against them in hopes that there will be some justice in the sports world. That's precisely why I (and probably most people) hate the Yankees. Their fans expect the Playoffs every year while many of us can only hope to have one year as our moment in the sun. It's just not fair.

3. The team represents something that you hate. Each team has its own "culture" associated with it. Many elements go into forming this culture, including (but not limited to) the team's history, the city in which the team plays, the characteristics of the team's fans and the team's management. If there's something you don't like about one of the team's cultural elements, that could become a reason for hating that team. The Oakland Raiders are a good example of a team with a distinctive culture surrounding it. Al Davis runs his organization like a family and expects loyalty while preaching a "commitment to excellence." Their fans show up with faces painted silver and black, and are known to be loud and proud in proclaiming their team's superiority. Back in the old days the Raiders were known as one of the most aggressive, dirty teams in football, an image which continues to this day for a lot of people. Each of these qualities is potentially lovable or hatable. You could love them because they show that the Raiders are dedicated to winning at all costs, but you could also hate them because they're obnoxious and excessive.

The thing is, there's really no need to get upset if your team is hated for any of these reasons. For #1, the hate comes with the territory. It's nothing personal to hate a rival team. You simply can't possibly expect the fans of certain teams to embrace yours. For #2, being hated is more a badge of honor than anything. They don't like you because you have something they don't, but you shouldn't have to be apologetic for enjoying your team's success. It's why we all stick with our teams in the first place. For #3, it may seem like something more personal if another fan hates your team for reasons that could reflect on you in some way, but being a part of a team's culture is one of those things that makes being a fan special. Outsiders don't "get it." The experience is something you can only fully appreciate if you are one of the diehards, so it shouldn't matter if other fans don't like it. I'll admit that there are certain teams whose fans are a big reason for my not liking them, but I can also admit that I'd probably be just like them if I were a part of their team's culture.

Hating is an integral part of the sports fan's experience. Hate gives games more drama and rivalries more intensity. Even though it can be a bitter experience to see a team you hate succeed, it's also that much more exciting to see them fail. Following sports gives us a chance to experience the joy of winning and the disappointment of losing and also to learn how to deal with both. It's inevitable that you'll grow to despise a few teams along the way while learning from them at the same time. It's all a part of being a true fan. The next time someone hates on your team, don't take it personally. It would be a lot more boring if no one cared enough to hate.