Day: December 5, 2015

Critics of Alexander Julian, prepare to be criticized

Did you see this morning’s rave in the New York Times over the Tar Heels’ argyle-accented basketball and football uniforms? The Times noted that Dean Smith’s eye initially had been caught by Alexander Julian’s award-winning pin-striping of the NBA Charlotte Hornets in 1988. Not mentioned, however, was Julian’s less well received work for the minor-league Charlotte Knights.

Here’s what the Los Angeles Times reported in 1991:

“The Knights’ parent club, the Chicago Cubs, is about to junk its farm team’s Julian-designed black uniforms, described by one sportswriter as ‘Knightmarish’….

“Of the Cubs’ decision to change the Knights’ uniforms, Julian said: ‘I’m very disappointed. I did the best I could.’

“Of the sportswriter’s fashion review, he said: ‘I’m tracing the way this guy dresses. Let me just say this. It’s like having an illiterate criticize Hemingway.’ ”

 

Sheriff Taylor’s story had familiar ring

On this day in 1960: On “The Andy Griffith Show” Sheriff Taylor ends a feud between two mountain families by arranging the marriage of their children. Andy tells Opie the Southern version of “Romeo and Juliet,” which had been on the flip side of his hit record, “What It Was Was Football.” This is the only episode to make use of material from Griffith’s repertoire as a standup comedian.