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My 100 favorite collectibles ... No. 98: T-shirts

Writer: Mark Potash
Mark Potash
May 7
7 min read

Updated: May 8

From the White Sox' glorious 1977 season, when they were second in the American League with 192 home runs (Richie Zisk 31, Oscar Gamble 30, Eric Soderholm 25; Chet Lemon 19; Lamar Johnson/Jim Spencer combined for 36). The Sox faded in August and September to finish 90-72 — in third place, 12 games behind the Royals (following the lead of the Cubs, who were 47-22 on June 28 and finished 81-81 to land in fourth place, 20 games behind). I think I bought this knockoff t-shirt at Comiskey Park, and as of a couple of years ago, it still fit!
From the White Sox' glorious 1977 season, when they were second in the American League with 192 home runs (Richie Zisk 31, Oscar Gamble 30, Eric Soderholm 25; Chet Lemon 19; Lamar Johnson/Jim Spencer combined for 36). The Sox faded in August and September to finish 90-72 — in third place, 12 games behind the Royals (following the lead of the Cubs, who were 47-22 on June 28 and finished 81-81 to land in fourth place, 20 games behind). I think I bought this knockoff t-shirt at Comiskey Park, and as of a couple of years ago, it still fit!
When I was in high school in the 1970s, the Illinois state basketball tournament was a tough ticket — it sold out every year. My senior year in high school in 1977, some friends and I were fortunate enough to get tickets through someone at out school and it was a big deal. It was a great state tournament, but unfortunately, the first time in 10 years that a Chicago-area school did not win the Class AA tournament. In fact, the championship game was an all-Downstate affair — Peoria Central vs. Springfield Lanphier. Without a local team, I adopted Peoria Central — their big man was named Ernie Banks.
When I was in high school in the 1970s, the Illinois state basketball tournament was a tough ticket — it sold out every year. My senior year in high school in 1977, some friends and I were fortunate enough to get tickets through someone at out school and it was a big deal. It was a great state tournament, but unfortunately, the first time in 10 years that a Chicago-area school did not win the Class AA tournament. In fact, the championship game was an all-Downstate affair — Peoria Central vs. Springfield Lanphier. Without a local team, I adopted Peoria Central — their big man was named Ernie Banks.
Good times!
Good times!
I was a mini-Jerry Krause as a basketball junkie in the '70s and '80s — always looking for some off-the-radar prospect. As a senior at Missouri with a lot of time on my hands, I drove to Kansas City for the NAIA national tournament to "scout" Rolando Frazer of top-seeded Briar Cliff. By this time, the 6-7 Frazer was clearly on the NBA radar ("Talent-wise, he can run and jump with any of them," Bulls GM Rod Thorn said prior to the tournament. "But I really need to see how he'll do against some bigger people who can jump."). Alas, Frazer was a disappointment at the tournament, scoring 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting as Briar Cliff was upset by Hillsdale (Mich.) in the second round. Frazer ended up being drafted in the fourth round by the Indiana Pacers but never played in the NBA. He still had a productive pro career, winning the MVP award twice in Puerto Rico.
I was a mini-Jerry Krause as a basketball junkie in the '70s and '80s — always looking for some off-the-radar prospect. As a senior at Missouri with a lot of time on my hands, I drove to Kansas City for the NAIA national tournament to "scout" Rolando Frazer of top-seeded Briar Cliff. By this time, the 6-7 Frazer was clearly on the NBA radar ("Talent-wise, he can run and jump with any of them," Bulls GM Rod Thorn said prior to the tournament. "But I really need to see how he'll do against some bigger people who can jump."). Alas, Frazer was a disappointment at the tournament, scoring 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting as Briar Cliff was upset by Hillsdale (Mich.) in the second round. Frazer ended up being drafted in the fourth round by the Indiana Pacers but never played in the NBA. He still had a productive pro career, winning the MVP award twice in Puerto Rico.
The Big Ten has lost six straight and 10 of 11 in the Rose Bowl when Michigan and Butch Woolfolk beat Washington 23-6 in Pasadena on Jan. 1, 1981 to finish 10-2 and fourth in the country. The Big Ten would lose the next six Rose Bowls to go 1-17 since Ohio State's 1968 national championship.
The Big Ten has lost six straight and 10 of 11 in the Rose Bowl when Michigan and Butch Woolfolk beat Washington 23-6 in Pasadena on Jan. 1, 1981 to finish 10-2 and fourth in the country. The Big Ten would lose the next six Rose Bowls to go 1-17 since Ohio State's 1968 national championship.



My first job out of college was at the Arkansas Democrat in Little Rock. A great place to start a career. Loved every minute of it.
My first job out of college was at the Arkansas Democrat in Little Rock. A great place to start a career. Loved every minute of it.
The Anchorage Northern Knights played in the Continental Basketball Association from 1977-82.
The Anchorage Northern Knights played in the Continental Basketball Association from 1977-82.

The Chicago Blitz played two seasons in the USFL. Chicagoan Marv Levy coached the Blitz (with former Bear Vince Evans at QB) in 1984 — after coaching the Chiefs and before coaching the Bills.
The Chicago Blitz played two seasons in the USFL. Chicagoan Marv Levy coached the Blitz (with former Bear Vince Evans at QB) in 1984 — after coaching the Chiefs and before coaching the Bills.
An early "troll" t-shirt from 1983, when Miami (Fla.) won the national championship under Jimmy Johnson, but only after losing to rival Florida in the season opener. I must have bought this while covering Cardinals spring training in St. Petersburg, Fla. for the Arkansas Democrat in 1984.
An early "troll" t-shirt from 1983, when Miami (Fla.) won the national championship under Jimmy Johnson, but only after losing to rival Florida in the season opener. I must have bought this while covering Cardinals spring training in St. Petersburg, Fla. for the Arkansas Democrat in 1984.

This prototype of a Cubs-related t-shirt I made in 1984 predates Obvious Shirts by more than 30 years! My lack of marketing skills in the pre-internet era — and still being in the formative stages of a sportswriting career — doomed the project.
This prototype of a Cubs-related t-shirt I made in 1984 predates Obvious Shirts by more than 30 years! My lack of marketing skills in the pre-internet era — and still being in the formative stages of a sportswriting career — doomed the project.
Spring training at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Ariz. became a thing after the Cubs made the playoffs in 1984. The Cubs moved to Sloan Park in 2014.
Spring training at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Ariz. became a thing after the Cubs made the playoffs in 1984. The Cubs moved to Sloan Park in 2014.
In 1985, I was covering downstate Madison in the Class A state tournament for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, which gave me the opportunity to witness the most dominant performance in the history of the small-school tournament in Illinois. After three disappointing finishes in the Class A state tournament, Providence-St. Mel left nothing to chance in Lowell Hamilton's final season in 1985. St. Mel won by 48, 33, 11 and 32 points in four tournament games (starting with the supersectional), beating Chrisman 95-63 in the championship game. ("They threw Chrisman to the Lions" was my lede on the title game). The only threat came in the semifinals against Hoopeston-East Lynn and co-star Thad Matta, who later coached Ohio State to two Final Fours, including a loss to Florida in the 2007.
In 1985, I was covering downstate Madison in the Class A state tournament for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, which gave me the opportunity to witness the most dominant performance in the history of the small-school tournament in Illinois. After three disappointing finishes in the Class A state tournament, Providence-St. Mel left nothing to chance in Lowell Hamilton's final season in 1985. St. Mel won by 48, 33, 11 and 32 points in four tournament games (starting with the supersectional), beating Chrisman 95-63 in the championship game. ("They threw Chrisman to the Lions" was my lede on the title game). The only threat came in the semifinals against Hoopeston-East Lynn and co-star Thad Matta, who later coached Ohio State to two Final Fours, including a loss to Florida in the 2007.




The 1988 All-Star Game at the Chicago Stadium was the site of the greatest dunk contest of all-time. Michael Jordan, with a now iconic dunk from the free throw line, beat Dominique Wilkins in the final. A lot of people thought Wilkins deserved the trophy. And even Jordan acknowledged that home-court advantage likely made the difference. But when I talked to Wilkins at the All-Star Game in 2014 in New Orleans, he accepted the verdict with no gripes, saying the event, if not the outcome, was good for the game.
The 1988 All-Star Game at the Chicago Stadium was the site of the greatest dunk contest of all-time. Michael Jordan, with a now iconic dunk from the free throw line, beat Dominique Wilkins in the final. A lot of people thought Wilkins deserved the trophy. And even Jordan acknowledged that home-court advantage likely made the difference. But when I talked to Wilkins at the All-Star Game in 2014 in New Orleans, he accepted the verdict with no gripes, saying the event, if not the outcome, was good for the game.




Promotional t-shirt for the 1992 movie "White Men Can't Jump," with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. I have no idea how I got it. But I still have it.
Promotional t-shirt for the 1992 movie "White Men Can't Jump," with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. I have no idea how I got it. But I still have it.
I wrote a feature on Doug Collins' Basketball Camp in the late 80s, I think, and ever since, camp director Bob Sullivan (who coached Kevin Duckworth at Thornridge) would send me t-shirts — little did he know how much I appreciated that! Doug is one of my all-time favorites — a star at Benton High School, Illinois State and a would-be hero on the 1972 USA basketball team; When I was I high school I had Bulls season tickets in 1975-76, and the first game of the season against the 76ers, Doug scored 26 points to lead the Sixers to victory. And I had the honor of introducing Doug at the Sun-Times All-Area banquet years later. But most of all because Doug not only is a nice guy, but had a fine appreciation for my work ethic and went out of his way to recognize it. We didn't cross paths often, but when we did — like before a Bulls-Pistons, or Bulls-76ers game when he was coaching — he always made time for me. I always root for his success, and his son Chris as well.
I wrote a feature on Doug Collins' Basketball Camp in the late 80s, I think, and ever since, camp director Bob Sullivan (who coached Kevin Duckworth at Thornridge) would send me t-shirts — little did he know how much I appreciated that! Doug is one of my all-time favorites — a star at Benton High School, Illinois State and a would-be hero on the 1972 USA basketball team; When I was I high school I had Bulls season tickets in 1975-76, and the first game of the season against the 76ers, Doug scored 26 points to lead the Sixers to victory. And I had the honor of introducing Doug at the Sun-Times All-Area banquet years later. But most of all because Doug not only is a nice guy, but had a fine appreciation for my work ethic and went out of his way to recognize it. We didn't cross paths often, but when we did — like before a Bulls-Pistons, or Bulls-76ers game when he was coaching — he always made time for me. I always root for his success, and his son Chris as well.


My late friend Bob Holt — a classmate at Missouri and colleague at the Arkansas Democrat who passed away suddenly (and on the job) in 2024 — knew I had a thing for t-shirts and often went out of his way to get me shirts from events he covered, like these three from the late '80s and early '90s. (Special nod to longtime Cotton Bowl VP of communications Charlie Fiss, a friend from his days in Fayetteville, for getting the Cotton Bowl shirt).
My late friend Bob Holt — a classmate at Missouri and colleague at the Arkansas Democrat who passed away suddenly (and on the job) in 2024 — knew I had a thing for t-shirts and often went out of his way to get me shirts from events he covered, like these three from the late '80s and early '90s. (Special nod to longtime Cotton Bowl VP of communications Charlie Fiss, a friend from his days in Fayetteville, for getting the Cotton Bowl shirt).

A Birmingham Barons shirt from Michael Jordan's 1994 season with the White Sox's Class AA team.
A Birmingham Barons shirt from Michael Jordan's 1994 season with the White Sox's Class AA team.
I was covering the state basketball tournament in Champaign when — after a week of speculation — news broke that Michael Jordan would be returning to the Bulls. The Sun-Times nailed the front page — with a headline that is one of the lasting images of the anticipation of that memorable event.
I was covering the state basketball tournament in Champaign when — after a week of speculation — news broke that Michael Jordan would be returning to the Bulls. The Sun-Times nailed the front page — with a headline that is one of the lasting images of the anticipation of that memorable event.
Jordan's first full season back was even better than anticipated, as the Bulls set an NBA record for victories in a season when they went 72-10. I covered the historic 70th win in Milwaukee that season, and also the loss to the Pacers in Game 81 that prevented them from having single-digit losses, when Jordan fouled Chicago's own Eddie Johnson in the final seconds.
Jordan's first full season back was even better than anticipated, as the Bulls set an NBA record for victories in a season when they went 72-10. I covered the historic 70th win in Milwaukee that season, and also the loss to the Pacers in Game 81 that prevented them from having single-digit losses, when Jordan fouled Chicago's own Eddie Johnson in the final seconds.

The Bulls beat the Seattle Supersonics in the 1996 NBA Final. The highlight of that series — and I would argue the peak of the Jordan dynasty era — was in Game 3 at Key Arena in Seattle. With the home crowd at a fever pitch, the Bulls dominated from the opening tip and led 19-4, 34-12 and 62-38 at halftime en route to a 108-86 victory that gave them a 3-0 series lead.
The Bulls beat the Seattle Supersonics in the 1996 NBA Final. The highlight of that series — and I would argue the peak of the Jordan dynasty era — was in Game 3 at Key Arena in Seattle. With the home crowd at a fever pitch, the Bulls dominated from the opening tip and led 19-4, 34-12 and 62-38 at halftime en route to a 108-86 victory that gave them a 3-0 series lead.




Took my boys to De Paul's Midnight Madness in the last 90s. They got Bobby Simmons' autograph on this one.
Took my boys to De Paul's Midnight Madness in the last 90s. They got Bobby Simmons' autograph on this one.

While covering the Bears from 1998-2000, I was a "celebrity" bowler at Mike North's Bowl-A-Rama in 2000. Enjoyed the event — I bowled with the guys from Jay's potato chips. The highlight was the introductions, which were done in alphabetical order. That put me next to Hall of Fame bowler Johnny Petraglia, one of my favorite bowlers when I was a kid. Pretty cool.
While covering the Bears from 1998-2000, I was a "celebrity" bowler at Mike North's Bowl-A-Rama in 2000. Enjoyed the event — I bowled with the guys from Jay's potato chips. The highlight was the introductions, which were done in alphabetical order. That put me next to Hall of Fame bowler Johnny Petraglia, one of my favorite bowlers when I was a kid. Pretty cool.
The Brandon Marshall Era at Halas Hall was never dull. At one of Brandon's more, uh ... interesting press conferences, he gave a quiz about whatever cause he was supporting. He gave me this t-shirt for getting one right. One of many great memories of the Bears beat.
The Brandon Marshall Era at Halas Hall was never dull. At one of Brandon's more, uh ... interesting press conferences, he gave a quiz about whatever cause he was supporting. He gave me this t-shirt for getting one right. One of many great memories of the Bears beat.

I won this t-shirt as a caller on Les Grobstein's show on The Score back in the day. It was some kind of debate contest about which Cubs playoff team was better — 1984 or 1989. I had to defend 1989, which should have been a losing argument but Les gave me the "dub." Maybe he recognized my voice.
I won this t-shirt as a caller on Les Grobstein's show on The Score back in the day. It was some kind of debate contest about which Cubs playoff team was better — 1984 or 1989. I had to defend 1989, which should have been a losing argument but Les gave me the "dub." Maybe he recognized my voice.
We all miss Jeff Dickerson, the ESPN 1000 Bears reporter who died of colon cancer in 2021 at 43. JD wasn't just well-liked on the Bears beat, he was admired. He had the gift of finesse — a way of challenging coaches and players without offending them. He really was the best.
We all miss Jeff Dickerson, the ESPN 1000 Bears reporter who died of colon cancer in 2021 at 43. JD wasn't just well-liked on the Bears beat, he was admired. He had the gift of finesse — a way of challenging coaches and players without offending them. He really was the best.


I bought these Beatles t-shirts on two of my three trips to London to cover the Bears. The first two were from the 2024 trip. The last one was from the 2011 trip, with my Sun-Times colleague Rick Telander. The Grapes is a pub on Mathew Street where the Beatles hung out when they were playing at the Cavern Club down the street. It's still a cool place to hang out.
I bought these Beatles t-shirts on two of my three trips to London to cover the Bears. The first two were from the 2024 trip. The last one was from the 2011 trip, with my Sun-Times colleague Rick Telander. The Grapes is a pub on Mathew Street where the Beatles hung out when they were playing at the Cavern Club down the street. It's still a cool place to hang out.

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