Friday, April 9, 2010

The Official Launch

After years of mulling, it's time to finally undertake this project.


It all started in my mind about 10 years ago, before new media fully took over the world. I was wearing my Dennis Rodman Chicago Bulls jersey, roughly 4 years after it had any relevence. I said to myself, "I wonder what people think when they see me wearing this thing?" In fact, I often wonder that to this day. Then I came up with a thought: for us jersey collectors, admirers or Uni Watchers, seeing a rare breed of jersey out in the world is sort of like spotting an endangered species in the wild. Wouldn't it be cool if we had a place where we could share our crazy experiences that make us smile while roaming the grocery store or on line at the concession stand at the game? Let me set the scene: image you're walking through Disney World when, all of a sudden, there it is. A rare breed of jersey someone is rockin' that you NEVER thought you'd see on anyone other than the player themselves. That's a true moment where your OJD sets in: your Obsessive Jersey Disorder.


Since I first had this thought, the blogosphere has exploded. Sparing you the history lesson on new and social media and how it impacts the way we see the world, I believe the climate is now right to start this thing off right.


Throughout our own little social experiment, I will be sharing with you some of my own collection and a little story on how each came to be. And I encourage you to do the same. You can reach me at submitojd@gmail.com Got the most unique jersey that you're dying to tell the story of how it came to be in your closet? Snap some pics and send them over. Saw someone wearing a jersey that made you chuckle? Get that camera phone out, snap a picture and send it our way. If nothing else, this will be fun. Maybe I'll look back on this one day and see the birth of something great.

A little about the author:

My name is Brian Erni. I'm a full time public relations professional, part time baseball player and die hard Mets fan. From the child sized Pittsburgh Pirates gold t-shirt my mother wrote 'Bonds 24' with t-shirt paint on the back to the latest incarnation of Mets pinstripes, I've been fixated on the athletic heroes who come into our home and the cloth they wear on their back.

Some of my inspirations undertaking this project are:

Paul Lukas of Uni Watch and ESPN Page 2: Never read Paul's insight into the world of sports uniforms? You're missing out. Acting as the watch dog on all athletic aesthics, Paul is as cool of a guy as he is gifted of a writer. I truly can not imagine by day without reading Uni Watch in the morning, and that's testament to his hard work and dedication to his trade. Check out his insight at www.uniwatchblog.com

Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.com: After starting MetsBlog as a college project, Matt parlayed his love of his team into one of the most well-read blogs on the 'net, landing a sponsorship from Verizon and a partnership with SNY. Matt, who is always accessable to his followers, can be found at www.metsblog.com and www.matthewcerrone.com

Shannon Shark of MetsPolice.com: I began reading Shannon's work last year and I have to say, I was truly struck by how he's able to essentially read the mind of most Mets fans and compile all our musings into a blog so influential that Citi Field will never be the same. I met Shannon at Opening Day this year and he couldn't have been a nicer guy. You can read his work at www.metspolice.com and shannonshark.wordpress.com

Chris Creamer and the guys at Jersey Central: Two incredible insightful boards, www.chriscreamer.com (and sportslogos.net) and jerseycentral.org made me understand I wasn't alone in how I see the word. For that, I'm incredibly greatful.

My parents: My parents deserve most of the credit, as my jersey collecting days may never have even begun if it wasn't for them. In all seriousness, if my parents were ever guilty of anything, it was giving me too much. They have looked the other way on far too many pricey purchases all because they know my fascination with jerseys has all to do with my love of baseball and nothing to do with my need to have the new, hot ticket item. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Love you!

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