On Throwback Jerseys and Celebrating Team History
by Ben Golliver on Aug 18, 2009 6:00 AM PDT
in News
Email
PrintBoth Jason Quick and Brian T. Smith have all you need to know about the nuts and bolts of the Blazers' Monday morning 40th anniversary kickoff press conference.
I'm not going to lie to you: it was a strange event. Let's invite the entire Portland media and bring together multiple generations of Blazers personalities in a mostly empty Longview, Washington, high school gynasium to celebrate a rich tradition hawk throwback jerseys. Alright then.
I guess that's life these days; business is business.
Don't get me wrong: reaching out to the community -- although apparently not encouraging much of said community to attend -- should be a never-ending mission for the franchise. Open arms are always appreciated and applauded.
Indeed, a children's basketball camp took place in the afternoon and the organization provided a brand-new basketball court to Mark Morris High School, as it has to every high school in the PIL. Big-time, sincere kudos for those gestures.
But the event was still strange.
Blazers Founder and President Emeritus Harry Glickman jokingly admitting to the crowd that he was given, according to the event's precise schedule, exactly seven minutes to sum up 20 years of his life's work?
Broadcaster Bill Schonely -- whose microphone hangs from the Rose Garden rafters next to the retired jerseys-- huddling with Terry Porter behind a curtain before stepping out to model a throwback jersey that hung to his knees, complete with his signature catchphrase "rip city" across the chest?
An accompanying press release recognizing the team's "very first center" Dale Schlueter in one paragraph and then touting how and where to purchase the newly-unveiled merchandise (Blazers.com, of course) in the next?
I'm rubbing my eyes today asking, "What just happened? Did that really just happen?"
The scene already feels like an alternate universe. I now take you to a board room somewhere deep inside that alternate universe.
"Yesterday's event was an overwhelming success. Pictures of our jerseys even made the front page of Blazersedge.com! It must have been the killer narrated slideshow we put together."
"That's right. Huge success! Let's build off that! Let's Rise With Ourselves (Us)! Today's meeting topic: How can we more obviously cash in on Blazermania?"
"How about imploding the Memorial Coliseum after the Turn Back The Clock game and selling Harry Glickman-autographed rubble?"
"Hmmmmmm.... there's something there but that sounds a little bit too much like the Berlin Wall memorials."
"Headbands with Bill Walton's face on them?"
"Come on, man. So, obviously, cliche."
"Wait a minute, wait a minute, have we auctioned off Greg Oden's #52 game-worn orthotics yet?"
"Booya. We haven't done that yet. Winner."
"Sweet, ok, I'll draft a release and alert the media."
"No, wait, hold on, first let me check to make sure the Medford Elks Lodge isn't already booked!"
"CHAMPIONSHIP. 2010... NBA... Champions..."
"Awesome meeting guys."
The new jerseys are truly sweet and the Blazers' rich past is absolutely worth remembering at every possible opportunity. Everyone participating -- especially those over 60 years of age-- seemed thrilled. Still, it felt like some lines were getting seriously blurred.
I guess I should know better. But I simply wish that yesterday's two driving principles -- the honest recognition of visionary, historic efforts and the raw commerce of memorabilia sales -- hadn't been linked together quite so closely, quite so methodically, quite so brilliantly.
78 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Why couldn't they get someone important to wear the white jersesy?
I do not have a single fond memory of Bill Schonely. To me, he is just the voice of a company that sells TV’s and appliances. Why bother with Terry Porter if you’re going to taint the event with a pitchman in the other jersey? They should have replaced Porter with the Sham Wow guy.
I Grew Up Here...Schonely is King
Maybe your not as familiar with the teams history or your brand of sarcasm does not come through well in written word. For those who knew the team mid-90’s and prior, the man in the white jersey was the voice of god.
by The Mallorcan Rocket on Aug 18, 2009 6:51 AM PDT up reply actions
He's been promoted from leader of the world?
When did that happen?
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
Memories
You obviously don’t know or appreciate history. Do the Yankees treat their former greats as you seem to want to? Sheesh!
by Original Blazer Fan on Aug 18, 2009 6:52 AM PDT up reply actions
I know the history and don't care
Schonely was never a player and should not be wearing the uniform.
If they were to remake The Sound of Music (1965), they would most certainly hire a younger actress to play Maria instead of giving it to Julie Andrews, just because she did it before.
maybe Julie Andrews
could play the baroness Schrader?
the Schonz invented the phrase “rip city” so they couldn’t have found a better man to wear that (hideous!) uniform. I can only hope that no current Blazer player wears it, but I suspect I’ll be seeing them again, at the MC against Phoenix.
It’ll be great to hear Bill call a quarter of that game on the radio. It should be required listening for every Blazer fan under 30
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Aug 18, 2009 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Shonely only gets a quarter?
They aren’t even letting him do the whole PRESEASON game? Maybe they really should have hired the sham wow guy.
Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game
they should let Schonz do the first quarter
then he can “pbp” Wheels under the table and finish out the game
(kind of like a drinking contest?)
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Agree with larue about mandatory listening....
for all Blazer fans under 30. Looking at some of these comments, younger fans don’t appreciate what they missed.
I don’t care for the rip city jerseys for the team, but Schonz deserves all the respect rip city has to give.
Schonely wasn't a player....
but to MANY people that have followed the team for years, he is and always will be the voice of hte team. He’s the one that brought the Blazers into our homes for years and years, and made them relevant. When I began following the team, there were very few games on TV….pretty much the best most could hope for was to “see” the game on radio….and Schonely could help us see them.
Jack Ramsey wasn’t a player, nor was Stu Inman or Harry Glickman. Yet long time fans know their importance to the team. Bill Schonely deserves to be in that group.
"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green
by antediluvian on Aug 18, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well done, TiH
You pulled in a couple of suckers with that one.
You’ve been lying low for a while, so the new guys don’t know you, apparently.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
I was serious
I hate old people voices, I don’t like Schonely and never have and he should not be wearing a jersey, a player should. To me, Schonely is the voice of the jail blazers and a Standard TV and Appliances.
Maybe it is because I did not become a Blazers fan until after I moved to Oregon in the late 90’s, but I have never liked Schonely. Has always seemed like a Harry Carary to me. I can see how everyone loved either guy, but they both reached a point where they became caricatures of who they used to be. It would be like Jack Nicholson playing the Leonardo DiCaprio role in The Departed.
I could even say the same for Vin Scully (he does the Dodgers games). His delivery is flawless but it does not appeal to me. It sounds like the war/new coverage in old movies.
If I grew up listening to those guys, they would probably be beloved to me. Instead they are just broadcasters that do not know when retire, and they take away from the entertainment of the game.
I can understand this sentiment
I felt the same way when listening to Harry and Milo Hamilton call a baseball game
and I cannot stand listening to Jack Niehouse, but (I guess) Mariner fans love him
(I thought Ernie Harwell’s delievery was great, though, and I didn’t grow up listening to the Tigers)
So I guess you could say Schonz is an “acquired taste” But associating his voice with the Jail Blazer era is just…wrong. Wheels took over before the franchise really fell into the abyss
“Thank you Harry Hutt!” for saving the Schonz from having to call those dreadful games, but long-tiem Blazer fans sure didn’t feel grateful to you, at the time…
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
its Dave Niehaus
and he’s pretty much as legendary as the Schonz. Love ‘em both, even though they’re both pretty much senile at this point.
The old Niehaus joke goes:
“That ball is belted, deep center field…………..and its caught by the second baseman.”
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog
yeah, what he said
I’m glad to say I don’t listen to enough M’s games to correctly remember his name
Tony Luftman, Dave Niehaus? Dave Niehaus, Tony Luftman?
(I’d rather listen to fingernails on a chalkboard…)
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You may not like Niehuas
But come on, Niehaus and Luftman don’t belong in the same breath.
Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game
Wow! I thought that was in poor taste when I assumed it was sarcasm.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but disrespecting the Schonz …?
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 18, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Time ago you needed money to keep your Army fighting.
Then you started collecting taxes. When it wasn´t enough you sold promotions. And when everything else failed, you stole to the dead bodies before doing even worse. The Victory cleaned all. (Just practising with my English).
You forgot selling indulgences
or declaring a holy war so you don’t even have to pay the soldiers.
There are so many ways to finance a campaign. As future ruler of the world, I’ve been studying the topic.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
I know you, darn heretics sons of Luthero, don´t like selling indulgences.
Ben´s concern about honors joining commerce is just a reminiscence.
Thanks, Ben
Cynicism FTW.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Aug 18, 2009 7:02 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
they're more like
the Ferengi
http://www.sjtrek.com/trek/rules/
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Maybe Harry Glickman is a Ferengi with those ears.......
But the rest of them are striaght-up green blooded, pointed eared hop-goblins.
2-4 the who
Bill Schonley is our Chick Hern
He’s our Vin Scully (wrong sport but you get the idea) Oh never mind.
Where can I get one of the Bill Walton head bands? ;-)
Ironic thing about the heavy pushing of merch sales...
I was online for over an hour last night trying to buy a rip city tshirt (the logo looks great on the T’s… just not sure about the jerseys) and the site wouldn’t let me buy anything! kept looping me back around to the login page! lol… so they spend all this effort to push the sales and then screw up the register!
cmon guys…….
I'd still honk once!
It's all part of the marketing campaign
They know that if you can’t have it now, it will only increase your desire for it later….
Seriously, though, that’s a blow to their efforts. Marketing does a good job of raising interest, but Sales can’t actually allow the product to be moved…..
This happens more than you know
It’s a huge problem—marketing spends all this money to get people to the point of sale, and then the technology or shopping cart design fails them.
"HA HA HA HA HA
I'm not laughing, I'm just listing the five ugliest Blazers ever."
- rockingharder
Ben come on
You are focusing on the wrong thing here. Harry Glickman was reported to have given a great speech about how the franchise came to be, not everyone knows that story, yet you focused on his 7 min comment, instead of the story itself!
And you seem to make a big deal about this event being held in Longview for no apparent reason, but there was a reason for it, and I have to assume it was announce during this event at some point. That high school was the host to the Blazers first exhibition game!
Lets stop just focusing on the money/merchendising part of the event, (you must have seen by now that, money makes the world go round, so it will be at every event, not just Blazers events!) and include some of the “real” news from these events.
Other than that, thanks again for the report that we can seemingly only get on BlazersEdge.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
The Big 40
Well first of all, for most of us older fans, Schonely is the original voice of The Blazers. To me, enough said on this account. Too many memories of listening to games called by Schonely…he is great.
Secondly, 40 years is a milestone number. The Blazer have to do something. If they peddle a few T-Shirts in the process…that’s Okay with me. All franchises do that all the time now.
Of course I wasn’t at the event, so I just have to go on reported impressions. It does seem a little strange that they would bring Media in, Go to the trouble of including Schonely, Porter and other Blazer notables of magnitude and NOT really include the fans themselves. But this I think was a launch event, not THE event.
In anycase, I suppose it will create material The Blazers can use for those BORING television game half-time stories.
The trick is to celebrate 40 years of franchise existence without acting like you are 85 years old. Rip City I croaked as I cough up a lung and reach for the Ensure. Why do I suddenly feel like I’m with the “Old” camp in the movie “Space Cowboys”?
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
RT: Why do I suddenly feel like I’m with the "Old" camp in the movie "Space Cowboys"?
I think some of these “young whippersnappers” need to be served some baby food in the lunch room ;^)
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
We're not old, we're... we're... rats, I forgot what I was going to say.
Anyone seen my reading glasses?
by MiledAnimal on Aug 18, 2009 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
This year I'm going to watch the opening night game at The Fox theater ...
You guys want to join me?
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 18, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, I'll be at the Suns game
section 12, row P, seat 9-10, have to remember to bring a radio to listen to the Schonz, just like the old days
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
and it will be nice
to not have to listen to that “rock concert” sound system they have in the RG, for one last game
back in the day, the MC home crown made their “own” noise
(now, git off my lawn!)
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
No truer words were ever spoken.
But, what did you say? I couldn’t hear you over the racket.
Seriously, the #1 thing I hated when we moved into the RG was that infernal racket all the time. It totally disrupted my frequent conversations with Joey Crawford.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 18, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for the invitation, BFS. I'd be there if I didn't live here.
I’ve never even made it back to Portland for any of my high school reunions.
by MiledAnimal on Aug 19, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Bad/Weird Move
They put Schonely out to pasture years ago. I hope they’re only bringing him back for a few sentimental moments. I’d be fine with neither Schonely or Wheeler. Old guys have trouble keeping up with the game, and Wheeler’s catch phrases seem so forced that I cringe every time he says “Boom Shakalaka!” It’s obnoxious. Not to mention the quality/place his voice comes from. My friends call that voice “paper asshole” voice. I’ll stick to the TV guys. At least they have some information.
The team is not called Rip City.
Kevin Calabro
once his kids graduate from HS up in Seattle he’d be the perfect next “voice” of the Blazers
but it’ll never happen, Wheels is firmly entrenched and he’s “getting healthier”
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Calabro does tv, Wheels does radio.
"If the Lakers are Hollywood, then we are South Central." - Clipper fan.
by Cablinasian on Aug 18, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm sure something could be arranged....
If Kevin wanted to get back into the NBA he might agree to do radio, or maybe Barrett could slide over?
But Calabro and Wheels are close, so I doubt Kevin would ever agree to “replace” Brian
too bad…but I only listen to Blazer games on the radio when I’m trapped in the car at game time anyway. And I think Wheels does a nice job on the Game with Vance and Allen
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
thats crap
r. Old guys have trouble keeping up with the game
marv albert and al michaels are still top tier announcers regardless of their age.
Senior Asian ambassador of Blazers Edge
by Philthyanimal on Aug 18, 2009 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Ah cmon, I dub thee sticks in the mud
Schonz is cool and so is bringing out some new hip jerseys to sell. Is this “KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD” – type madness?
Blazer Fan
Some marketing guy copied...
… “Keep Portland Weird” from “Keep Austin Weird”. Let’s move on and do something original.
Indidentally, Vin Scully is a very skillful announcer. Schonely isn’t. My appetite for sentimentalism can be sated with a sound bite or two from Schonely, but let’s get back to merit, and start creating some new memories.
Why is this even an issue?
I’m in favor of any marketing plan that can help this team/organization return to profitability. The more profit this team generates, the happier Paul Allen will be, and the more likely he’ll be content on fronting money for the essential pieces this team will need to compete for a championship.
If this team continues to hemorrhage money for the next decade, this “rise with us” motto will turn into “well, that was fun while it lasted”.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
You smacked the nail on the head
The team is losing money in an effort to do a complete turnaround from what it was. And to their credit, team management (and owner) are willing to underwrite the losses. I have no problem with aggressive merchandising to help them narrpow the losses as long as they keep trying to win the right way.
Purity is awfully nice….but HUGELY expensive. I can live with crass commercialism to keep the team here.
"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green
by antediluvian on Aug 18, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions
line
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
I could live with it...
with only SOME whining on my part. I realize that the Blazers do not have the revenue opportunities that some other large market teams have. So they have to make their bucks elsewhere. If that helps keep the team in Portland and allows the team to spend as necessary to field a team that is competitive for a championship, I’m good with that.
"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green
by antediluvian on Aug 18, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Look at the 4 best teams in the NBA:
Staples Center
TD Banknorth Garden (now TD Garden apparently)
Quicken Loans Arena
Amway Arena
I think this city overvalues its lack of arena branding.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
if not Nike or Intel then who?
the Gen-Weld Rose Garden?
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I never liked the Rose Garden name anyway.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 18, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
back in the day
I used to think “The Brickyard” was appropos
but the current team can shoot the rock a lot better than those guys in the retro jerseys
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
In the works...
It takes a year to a couple of years for game worn jersey changes to get approved by the league. So if these things are gonna be worn in the actual season, then this thing has been in the works for awhile. I remember the Blazers talking about the red throwbacks after Roy won ROY!
by SamGoody on Aug 18, 2009 9:32 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
funny you mention that
they were talking about it when i was on the advisory board in 2007
Senior Asian ambassador of Blazers Edge
by Philthyanimal on Aug 18, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm genuinely surprised by some of the reactions on here...
Yes, the Rip City jerseys are a bit odd, but they’re not supposed to be really anything more than a unique sideshow attraction.
The Schonz is an important part of the team’s history, just as are Glickman, Inman, and etc.. No need to slam him because he loves staying around the team he helped grow up.
I think we all need to be a little more open-minded here, and not worry so much about petty things like “jersey coolness” or “aging personnel”. Let’s focus on the positives!
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Aug 18, 2009 9:58 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Sick of the hype.
To some of us over 60 fans Schonely needs to stay retired. He is best respected as the past and not continually shoved down our throat constantly in advertising, etc. I have been tired of his voice for decades.
by behindpaul on Aug 18, 2009 10:04 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I have to agree. His voice was perfect in the 1970s but it just sounds out-of-place now.
Wheels is just okay. Kevin Calabro would be perfect. What’s he doing now anyway?
by MiledAnimal on Aug 18, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I'd do just about anything to get Calabro in as the Blazers announcer.
He would be the absolute perfect fit. Right now he’s calling Sounders games and the occasional ESPN games for the NBA as well.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
Great article series int eh Seattle Times
a couple of weeks ago about the quality of announcers in the city….Calabro being one of them.
"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green
by antediluvian on Aug 18, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Back in the day the TV guys were awful
We used to turn off the volume on the few TV games & listen to the radio broadcast.
He did it! Yes he did!
yup
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
yep
up through the early ‘90s we’d much rather listen to the Schonz than Snapper and Pat “laugh-at me”
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I heard him again, calling the Salem-Keizer Volcano's games
but that was a few year’s back, not sure if he’s still doing it
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
My burning question
why is the number “75” on the front of Porter’s jersey and “77” on the back?
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
they started wearing this jersey desing in 75-76, and stopped wearing it after 76-77 (the title year)
you can get a glimpse of year by year jerseys in these team photos:
http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/Home/Photos/OfficialGalleryAlbum/tabid/165/GalleryView/Album/AlbumID/5513/MediaID/3376/Default.aspx
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
that's just "too obscure" for me
I’d rather see “76” on the front and “77” on the back
‘75 was a forgettable season, even though it was Hollins and Gross’ rookie year
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I work in Longview
and had no idea that the Blazers were in town. I would have taken my kids. However, no promotion of the event here whatsoever.
the reason for it being in longview is obvious
it’s so you can now find it for the exhibition game.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
