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This year's World Series features two of baseball's most classic-looking teams, the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both franchises have made very few changes to their aesthetic over the years; here's a good summary of both: There was some tinkering in the early years but once both clubs nailed down one look they stuck to it. Now that you've got a good sense of what both teams have been wearing, enjoy four beautiful shots of notable Red Sox and Dodgers players: Jackie Robinson, Sandy Kofax, Luis Tiant, and Ted Williams. All four images are from The SPORT Collection. 

The Boston Red Sox are having a heck of a year. They finished the 2018 regular season with 108 wins, and, on route to that end point, breached the century mark before any other team claimed 90. They ranked first for hits, RBIs, and runs. Their pitching staff had the most wins in the league and were top-10 in ERA. And so, not surprisingly, the Sox became favourites to win the World Series by August. The postseason got off to a good start for the Sox as they beat their most hated rivals – the New York Yankees – in four games, outscoring the Bombers 27 to 14 in the process. As of this writing Boston is leading Houston in the American League Championship Series two games to one. Each club has won one away game and the Sox will try to make it two at "the Juice Box," Houston's Minute Maid Park.  If you look back at the baseball history books it becomes clear that, for some reason, the Sox are most successful at the beginning of each new century. They won the World Series in 1903, 1912, 1916, and 1918, then waited 86 long years before winning it all again in 2004, followed by 2007 and 2013. There must be something about the big calendar change that magically fills each Sox player and coach with a certain joie de vivre. And it looks like the club could match their 20th century championship total by winning it all in 2018, just as they did 100 years ago.  Here at The SPORT Gallery we're celebrating the Sox and their great season with a very specific call back: the 1908 stocking logo. At the beginning of their franchise history the Sox went by a different name, the Boston Americans. They were the Americans for six seasons, from 1901 to 1907, before taking their current title. To announce this change the franchise donned a large red stocking on their chests, a bold move that had their top looking like a hockey sweater. This bold sartorial choice was in fact the first time the Boston franchise officially announced their "Red Sox" nickname. The jersey lasted just that one season, but the name stuck around, of course. We've now had 100 years of Red Sox baseball, and what better way to celebrate that anniversary by bringing back the 1908 stocking logo! It's a timeless look, and is a significant marker for the club. The fine folks at American Needle and Red Jacket Clothing helped us to create two custom products, the "Statesman" cap and the "Hillwood" tee. Both feature the 1908 logo, have a vintage-inspired design overall, and are of the highest quality. Better yet, both can only be found at The SPORT Gallery.  Want to grab a hat and/or tee? We've got them stocked at all three of our physical locations – Boston, Toronto, and Vancouver – and online. US customers can visit us at thesportgallery.com, and those in Canada can go to thesportgallery.ca!

As the leaves change and the weather cools, signalling a switch to fall, only one thing can be on the minds of college football fans: the chase for the National Championship is starting to heat up. For supporters of the University of Notre Dame that chase is very real this season. The Fighting Irish made a statement this past Saturday; they overtook rivals Stanford 38-17 in what was a battle of undefeated top-ten ranked programs. Going undefeated is of the upmost importance in the college game today as it is really the only way to ensure your program will be included amongst the four teams selected for the National Championship Playoff. If Notre Dame can stay perfect they could have a clear path to one of those coveted spots. An undefeated season would give Notre Dame a resume that boasts victories over ranked opponents Michigan and Stanford, as well as potential wins over notable programs like Virginia Tech, Florida State and USC – a resume that would most assuredly guarantee them a top-four ranking. The road to an undefeated season won’t be easy, but it's a real possibility for the Fighting Irish this year. Despite 2018 marking the 30th anniversary of their last title-winning squad, the 1988 Fighting Irish, fans of the historic program know very well about undefeated seasons and National Championships. Notre Dame has claimed 11 National Championships (the NCAA recognizes 13 titles) in their history, four of which were under Hall of Fame coach Frank Leahy. The legendary coach led the program to National Championships in 1943, 1946, 1947, and 1949 and posted six undefeated campaigns, including a 39-game unbeaten streak spanning across five seasons during his career at the school. He also helped coach four Heisman Trophy winners (Angelo Bertelli, Johnny Lujack, Leon Hart, and Johnny Lattner) and was a part of six of Notre Dame’s National Championship winning teams, having won back-to-back titles as a player in 1929 and 1930. Known for a tough, merciless style of play against his opponents and with players, along with a disdain for kicking field goals, Leahy is one of the winningest head coaches in college football history. Referred to by writers as “The Master,” Leahy was elected to the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1970.  This Saturday Notre Dame got one step closer to finally being a National Championship team again; what better way to honour past, present and future teams then by adding this print of the legendary coach to your wall. The shot was snapped during a photo shoot at the University of Notre Dame for the historic SPORT magazine and features head coach Frank Leahy on the sidelines during the Fighting Irish’s undefeated 1949 National Championship season. It's a must have for any fan of Notre Dame and college football. Find the limited edition print here.

The Red Sox have had many unique players don the "B" and take the field at Fenway Park. Ted Williams and his grumpy, John Wayne-like persona, a god among men. His teammate "The Scientist," Dom DiMaggio, in his spectacles. In the 1960s and '70s there was tough-as-nails Carl Yastrzemski and, of course, "Spaceman" Bill Lee with his Eephus pitch and communist leanings. More recently we witnessed Manny Ramirez' antics and that strange Kevin Youkilis batting stance.  But today the spotlight is on none of these men. It falls on the one-and-only Luis Tiant. The man they call "El Tiante" is known for his intensity and for being a big-game pitcher. He dominated in Boston and lead the Sox' charge to the American League pennant in 1975. Outside of his playing style, Tiant is known for some quirky traits. First off, a twisting, loopy windup before each pitch that at one point would have him facing out to center field. The Cuban ace is also known for his deep love of cigars; you can find him smoking away at any point of the day, including in the shower! There is, of course, his trademark horseshoe moustache that works its way down to the chin. He's had this iconic facial hair since the early '70s but since going grey it has become especially impactful.  El Tiante is someone you can't take your eyes off off – he controls a game and its viewers' attention. On a team full of talent, amongst names like Yastrzemski, Rice, and Fisk, Tiant was the guy both fans and players wanted to get behind. Even in photographs he stands out. Tiant's personal style breaks through the uniformity of sport. It can be hard to explain, but some ballplayers just "have it," a certain swagger; red-hot pitching with a cooler-than-cool demeanour... El Tiante is ice cold.  Though he may have retired after the 1982 season, Tiant is still very popular with baseball fans. He is greeted with much fanfare when in Boston. And recently a documentary film was made about the Cuban-born pitcher's journey back to his homeland after having spent almost 50 years in exile. As there have been ongoing travel restrictions between Cuba and the United States many Cuban players, including Tiant, have been forced to say goodbye to friends and family in order to pursue a major league career. As he did on the mound, Tiant shines on the screen, a quiet but captivating protagonist in a full-length film.  Somewhat amazingly, Tiant has not been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was first on the ballot in 1998 and appeared a few times after that but has not been able to receive enough votes. But, as MLB.com points out in an article about the pitcher, Tiant's numbers line up with one of the all-time greats, Catfish Hunter.  Hunter: 224-166, 3.26 ERA, 104 ERA+, 2,012 Ks, 954 BBsTiant: 217-156, 3.21 ERA, 118 ERA+, 2,270 Ks, 1,027 BBs  Tiant led the American League in ERA twice, in 1968 with Cleveland and in 1972 with the Red Sox. He was cut by the Twins in 1970 and left for dead, but changed his pitching style to include those jerky motions and became the go-to arm in Boston. It was a career of reinvention bookended by dominance, one that certainly deserves the ultimate recognition of being celebrated in Cooperstown. He's been added to the ballot this year so hopefully this Hall of Fame issue gets resolved, but even if not, Luis Tiant has something that many Hall of Famers do not: iconic style. When you think of stand-out images of Major League Baseball at various points over the years, Tiant's dominant profile is one of them. He makes up a part of baseball's visual memory book, which is priceless.  

"The Splendid Splinter," "Teddy Ballgame," "The Kid"; "All-Star," "Hero..." and, sometimes, "Villain."  Ted Williams has been known by many names. But there is none that suited him so well as "The Greatest Hitter That Ever Lived." Hitting a baseball was an obsession for Williams; he dedicated his life to that simple task. Though simple, it is by no means easy to hit a round ball with a round bat. The best major league hitters succeed three times out of ten. No one has done better than that mark for an entire season since 1941. The last person to hit .400? Ted Williams.  Yesterday would have been Williams' 100th birthday. He passed 16 years ago, in 2002, at the age of 83. Today his legend is as formidable as ever. He is remembered as the ultimate master of his craft, as a foe of the press, and as an tireless supporter of the Jimmy Fund for children with cancer. To salute Williams on his centennial, we've put together a selection of the best prints from our photographic archive of The Greatest Hitter That Ever Lived. Though he was never at peace with being written about or having his photo taken, Williams was an extremely popular subject. As a result, we are very fortunate to have a number of great images of him. Enjoy! (Yes, that's him pitching on the bottom left! He pitched two innings of a 12-1 loss to the Tigers on August 24, 1940, giving up only one run.) 

Tonight Washington D.C. hosts the Midsummer Classic. It's the first time the capitol city has entertained baseball's All-Stars since 1969, back when the old Senators were around. The Nationals are actually a separate franchise from the Sens, who now exist as the Twins; the last time the Nationals hosted they were known as the Expos, and Montréal was the host city. It's all a bit confusing, but the point of the matter is this: Nationals Park being the site of the 2018 All-Star Game allows us to celebrate Canada's first turn at hosting, the 1982 "Partie D'Étoiles." 59,057 people crammed into the Olympic Stadium on July 13, 1982 to witness the best of the National League and American League do battle. The bench bosses were Billy Martin of the A's and Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers. In terms of entertainment value, that's one of the better manager match ups; Martin and Lasorda are both known for being animated and outlandish. The player selections were full of characters, as well. The American League had names like George Brett and Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage. For the National League, there was the likes of Pete Rose, Andre Dawson, Phil Niekro, and Fernando Valenzuela. That's just to name a few.  The game is not known for any particular plays or an exciting finish. The home team won 4-1 – Dave Conepcion hit a two-run homer and Jackson and Rose tacked on a sacrifice fly each. This is kind of the issue with baseball: it's not so easy to deliver a bloated scoreline on demand like you can with basketball or hockey. Other sports can just ignore defence, but in baseball the defence holds the ball. It's unique that way. And it's why, for a number of years, the winning league of the MLB All-Star game earned home field advantage in the World Series; this created drama, the thought went. It was only last year that Commissioner Rob Manfred did away with Bud Selig's 2003 ruling to make Major League Baseball akin with other major North American leagues.  The real action of All-Star weekend has become the Home Run Derby. The Derby gives you that gratuitous offence fans want in a best-of-the-best showcase. It's a relatively new feature, debuting in 1985, so unfortunately those in Montréal did not get to witness guys like Jackson and Dawson slugging them out to the bleachers. This year the Derby did not disappoint as hometown hero Bryce Harper hit 9-straight dingers in the final few seconds to win it. The fans were going nuts, celebrating as if it were a key match-up in October. We'll see what the game has in store for us this evening, but if it's close to last night we're in for a Partie. Shop the 1982 Authentic Replica Gary Carter jersey here!

No expansion franchise has had an inaugural season like the Vegas Golden Knights. Traditionally, being a first-year team means heavy losses and lots of them. After four or five seasons you might find success, but not right away. According to NHL.com it takes an average of 11.9 years to reach the Stanley Cup Final. These things take time.  Well, the Golden Knights said "bah" to that. They won their first division race, put together a first round sweep of the Kings, got through the Sharks, and then beat the highly-touted Jets four games to one in the Conference Final. Win three more and they will be champions. The new guys have made quite the first impression.  In truth, there has been one other NHL team to make it within four games of the Stanley Cup in their first year: the St. Louis Blues. They had a bit of a leg up, however – the six "Class of '67" franchises were initially grouped into the same conference, so they only had to beat their equally mediocre classmates to reach the Final. The Blues actually made it to the promised land in each of their first three years, but were swept all three times.  Vegas had to take on the established Western Conference and did well, finishing third overall. They've won all of the playoff series they've appeared in thus far. They won a Final game, becoming the first expansion franchise to do so in their debut season. It's been, to put it simply, a cinderella year. Let's see if they can finish it off in style. ***  We've got two awesome, custom Class of '67 tees here at The SPORT Gallery. Made by Red Jacket clothing, they're perfect for a lover of hockey history, or of quirky logos. Grab one in store or online!

If you were to attach a particular saying to Cubs' great Ernie Banks, it would certainly be "let's play two" – meaning, play back-to-back ballgames in a single day. The ever-smiling, affable Banks understood how lucky major leaguers are to play a child's game for a living. Why play one game when you could play two?  The doubleheader is unique to baseball; it would not be possible with any other sport. Hockey, basketball, and football are too taxing on the body to accommodate such a schedule. Baseball's more meandering pace allows for six-plus hours of it to be played in a single day. In fairness, doubleheaders are no longer a preplanned event – they were once commonplace, but now are usually the result of poor weather (when a game is rained out it's easy to bump it over to the following day before a night start). Still, they happen a handful of times in a season and are a long haul for those involved.  Nothing helps a team grab some momentum during the regular season like taking two games in a single day. The Blue Jays did it this season against the Royals, winning the first 11-3 and then 5-4 in extras. Having your record skip forward two happy steps is like gaining an extra day while travelling; it's as if you have one up on everybody else. Losing both games of a doubleheader results in utter dejection. Kick a man while he's down, why don't you. It feels much worse to lose two in one day than it does two in two, despite it being, in reality, the same thing numbers-wise. Go on to lose the next day and get swept? There is no pill more bitter to swallow – just ask the Royals. No matter your particular allegiances as a fan – and therefore possible sorrows for being on the losing end – it's important to cherish the doubleheader when it happens. They are, as previously mentioned, more of a rarity these days. The doubleheader is a throwback to an earlier time, a time when Mr. Cub gleefully roamed the infield. Sadly, Ernie is no longer with us, but his memory comes calling back every time two games are played in a single day. The hot summer sun coming down on the Wrigley Field bleachers. Cold beer and ice cream. You buy one ticket and spend a full day at the park, nowhere else to be and nothing to worry about except getting a W. Yep, let's play two.     

As long as there has been sport to watch, there has been sport to write about. There are your game recaps in the paper, longer and more in-depth pieces in magazines like SPORT, (auto)biographical books, and fictional works.  As the representatives of The SPORT Archive we work to keep the magazine's output alive, but we also look to offer a selection of the best sports books, both new and old, at our three galleries.  Here's a rundown of the titles that we're reading right now:  Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador and the Future of Hockey, by Ken Dryden Dryden, former goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, is best known for his book The Game, an inside look at the NHL – what it's like to be on the ice, in the locker-room, and on the road. With Game Change he tackles one of the biggest issues modern hockey is faced with: brain injuries. Dryden expertly explains how the sport has changed over the years, from a slower-paced, below-the-neck skill game to a fast and violent grind. Changes must be made to ensure player safety, he argues, using the story of Steve Montador's career and passing as sobering proof. For those that care about the future of hockey, this is a must read. Saturday, 3pm: 50 Eternal Delights of Modern Football, by Daniel Gray Times may change, but some things stay the same. This is Daniel Gray's thesis put simply. As soccer has modernized, some of its qualities – like standing sections and simple, ad-free uniforms – are no longer, but that doesn't mean that the game has lost all of its beauty and charm. Gray breaks his writing up into a collection of short think-pieces and rememberings that eloquently show us just how many things there are to love: seeing a ground from the train, the first day of the season, slide tackles in the mud, talking to an old man about football, club eccentrics, singing, collectors, club nicknames, watching people get player autographs... and that's just to name a few! Ball Four, by Jim Bouton If one were to make a list of must-read sports books, Ball Four would certainly be near the top. Named one of the New York Public Library's Books of the Century, Bouton's tell-all is an unfiltered account of life in professional baseball. Ball Four, broken up in day by day accounts, is as a personal journal would be. While this makes Bouton's telling easy to dive into, it also makes it controversial; many in the baseball community felt such behind-the-scenes stories were better left private. Becoming somewhat of a social pariah was well worth it, as Bouton himself would say, as Ball Four has transcended the sporting sphere and become a cultural landmark.  Ball Four, by Jim Bouton

It's officially playoff time for the NHL. The lone Original Six match-up this year is Maple Leafs vs. Bruins, and thus far it's been an all black-and-yellow affair. The Bruins won the first two games handedly, 5-1 and then 7-3. The series now shifts from Boston to Toronto and the Leafs will hope for some home-ice magic.  You never know how things are going to go when these two teams meet. This is the 14th playoff match-up all-time and momentum has always heaved from one side to the other. The last meeting, in the second round in 2013, was especially tempestuous.  The Leafs are leading 4-1 in the third period of game seven – run out the clock and they will be bound for the Eastern Conference Finals. But run out the clock they will not; the Bruins mount a wild comeback, scoring three goals to force overtime and another 6:05 in to seal it. The Leafs' season, just like that, is over. Unfortunately for their fans, the Leafs have become synonymous with failure. The club does have 13 Stanley Cups to its name, but has not won one – or even made a Finals appearance – since the 1966-67 season. Their series loss in 2013 is representative of the last 50 years, of high hopes quickly dashed.  The Leafs are still fixing to exorcise their playoff demons. Their chances remain good this time around – even down two games in the series – with this core group of young talent, especially with the experience of going toe-to-toe with Washington last season under their collective belt. Who knows, maybe this year will finally be the year. Winning tonight will be a good place to start.  *** To get a better sense of how long Toronto has been waiting and what a Finals appearance would mean to the city, lets take a look in at two very different generations of Leafs fans... "What was it like back then? When we were actually good... What was it like to see the cup raised? I can't even picture it." Jon asked these questions of his grandfather. 1967 felt like an eternity away and he wanted to get a better sense of what winning felt like, to know if the stories of the Maple Leafs raising the Stanley Cup were actually real and not just some fairytale. They sure felt make-believe. "We weren't known for losing then," Jon's grandfather said. "We had won close to ten Cups over a 20-year period. But it was still a party when we won. There were parades, thousands of people downtown, streamers and whatnot. It was a blast. And we walked a little taller, I guess. Yeah." "It's just so hard to imagine. We're so removed from it – it feels like a entirely different team now." "Well, it is in a way. The experience is different at least. For me, it was the whole package... The Garden was such an intimidating building. When you walked down Carlton and came up to it, you felt like an ant. As a young man, this towering structure above you, home to so many greats... it was intimidating. I think visiting clubs felt that too." "Right, right. What was it like inside then?" "It was simple! Hah. No jumbotron, no HD highlights and loud music. No ads on the boards. There wasn't much light in the stands when the game was on either, just this glowing white oval in the middle of it all... drew you in. A simpler time." "Crazy." "I guess to you it would be! To us it was normal. So was winning. We had good teams back then, with guys like Armstrong and Mahovlich, or Bower. Real legends. We weren't the butt of jokes, that's for sure." They certainly were not. The Maple Leafs of Toronto held Stanley's famous cup aloft in 1918, 1922, 1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, and, most recently, in 1967. It would be a suspect few laughing at the Leafs in the first half of the 20th century. The idea of 50 straight trophyless seasons would have seemed utterly absurd in '67. "I wish I could have lived through that. I'm just hoping we can make one finals by the time I kick it." "Hah, my poor boy, you will. This team we've got now is on their way! We've got to put the last 50 damn years behind us and look to the next 50. These young lads will get us there, I'm sure of it. We're worlds away from my time, sure, but we can be winners again." "Matthews pushes it down the ice, skirts one defender as he crosses the blue line. Cuts in, drags the puck back... a quick wrist shot – and he scooooooooores! Goal, Austin Matthews!" Winning has finally become the norm in Toronto as this young Leafs squad continues to stand their ground in a competitive Atlantic Division. They made the playoffs last year and are poised to do so again. The role of Mike Babcock – so popular in Toronto he's inspired a line of socks – cannot be overstated; the head coach, who has won a Stanley Cup and Olympic gold as bench boss, has really groomed his young talent well. The Leafs have also brought back the vintage 32-point leaf logo from more successful days to help provide a greater connection to the past, to the 50 years of the franchise that are worth remembering. The simplified 11-point leaf saw nothing but failure in its five decades and has been banished, and with it, the Leafs hope, their inability to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Put exciting young players in inspiring throwback uniforms and throw in some excellent coaching – it's certainly a good recipe for reaching the promised land. "Alright kid, are you ready to go?" "Yeah, grandpa, one sec! I just need to grab my hat!" Jon put on the weathered snapback hat he had worn to countless games and met his grandfather, who had come down from Guelph, at the door. It was March and they had tickets for a St. Patrick's Day showdown against the Habs. Tonight Jon would also wear a "St. Pats" t-shirt – before 1927, when the team became the Maple Leafs, they were known as the Toronto St. Pats, an attempt to appeal to the large Irish population in the city. Before that they were the blue and white "Arenas." "You know it's funny, Jon, you wearing that St. Pats shirt... that was way before your time – I remember it!" "I know, I know, it's just a good look!" They sat in section 318, row 9, and watched as the Leafs grabbed an 1-0 first period lead on a cool, late-winter Toronto night. Jon, 25-years-old – who had never seen the Leafs even reach the Stanley Cup Finals – and his grandfather sat together, fans of two very different times. Things got worse for the Habs early in the second as the Leafs grabbed another on a breakaway. They would make it 3-0 before the third and 4-0 by night's end, a solid "W" for the boys in blue. "I've got a good feeling this year," said Jon's grandfather.