What was Pete Rose wearing?

A few days ago, I watched most of a replay of the 1979 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle on MLB network. I noticed something was different about Rose.

It was one of the better vintage games with the National League working their way through a 7-6 victory. There were plenty of names that came back to me - as those were the days when I prided myself on knowing just about every player in the game.

In this week’s version of my Yesterday column - reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes beyond - I will take a look at some of the novelties of the game and the year in baseball and pop culture.

And do you remember Panama Jack, and did you play Skittle Pool?

As for Rose …

Something Was Different ... Rose wore his batting practice jersey for the All-Star game, which was a solid red with white lettering. Teammates Mike Schmidt, Bob Boone, and Larry Bowa - along with manager Danny Ozark - wore powder blue, road uniforms. Rose’s choice was downplayed back then, but it surely would have been a major talking point in today’s game.

Reggie Jackson wore a Mariners’ jersey for the team pictures because his uniform arrived just before the start of the game. Bob Lemon - who was the American League manager - was fired by the Yankees in June, but still managed the game.

Danny Kaye, who was one of the Mariners’ owners, sang the national anthem, and former President Gerald Ford shared the same box with Bowie Kuhn. This was the lone Seattle game in the Kingdome, as the one in 2003 was played at Safeco Field. The White Sox’s Chet Lemon wore a black uniform with white lettering and short pants. The game also featured 16 future Hall of Famers.

And Gaylord Perry and Dave Winfield sported those Padres’ mustard-and-brown-colored uniforms. You can also throw in the Giants’ Jack Clark with his orange-and-black-colored uniform.

If you remember, Pittsburgh’s Dave Parker was the game’s MVP, mainly for his two laser throws from right field, one that cut down a runner (Brian Downing) at the plate and another that nailed a runner (Jim Rice) at third. He also had an RBI.

Hometown hero Bruce Bochte (not Bruce Bochy) received a lengthy standing ovation when he was introduced, and he later had an RBI single that put the AL ahead at 6-5.

Who’s Who ... There certainly were some players in the game that we may have forgotten: Detroit outfield Steve Kemp, Oakland catcher Jeff Newman, Cincinnati starter Mike LaCoss, Minnesota shortstop Roy Smalley, Houston relief pitcher Joe Sambito, Montreal third baseman Larry Parrish, California relief pitcher Mark Clear, and Toronto starter Dave Lemanczyk.

Former Phillie pitcher Sid Monge was a Cleveland Indian, and Gary “The Sarge” Matthews was with the Braves. Former Phillies manager Pat Corrales was a coach and then manager for the Texas Rangers.

The Year Was Special, Too ... In 1979, Pittsburgh defeated Baltimore in the World Series behind its “We Are Family” mantra. Willie Stargell was the Series MVP and shared the league MVP with the Cardinals’ Keith Hernandez. To date, this is the only time in league history that two players shared the vote. At the time, the 39-year-old Stargell was the oldest player to receive the award.

Stargell had a torrid postseason, leading the team with a .455 average in the NLCS victory over the Reds, and hit .400 in the Series.

Phil and Joe Niekro - remember them? - each won 21 games for Atlanta and Houston, respectively, to lead the league in wins.

Baltimore - led by Mike Flanagan’s 23 wins - won 102 games, but the Orioles blew a 3-1 lead in the World Series.

ABC broadcast the World Series with Al Michaels, Keith Jackson, Howard Cossell, and Don Drysdale calling the action. During the season, USA network - it was big back then - broadcast the Thursday Game of the Week.

Madlock Madness ... Do you remember third baseman Bill Madlock? He came to Pittsburgh in a six-player trade in June 1979, and proved to play a major role in the Buccos’ ride to the title. He sparked Pittsburgh, hitting .328 and compiling an OPS of .860, and provided solid defense at the hot corner. Upon his acquisition, Pittsburgh went 61-30 the rest of the way.

Madlock won four batting titles, two each with the Cubs and Pirates.

Music and Dust ... In 1979, Sony had a breakout item when it unveiled “The Walkman,” which changed the way we listened to music. For walkers and runners, it became an instant companion.

Along with the Walkman, Black and Decker hit the market with their mini-vacuum or otherwise known as “The Dustbuster.” It instantly became a hot item, and was used in our homes and in our cars.

Hear It Live ... July 13 marked the 38th anniversary of the Live-Aid concert to benefit Ethiopia at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. How many of you were there?

Some of the performers were Mick Jagger, Hall and Oates, The Cars, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Beach Boys, Crosby, Still and Nash, and Tina Turner, who had a memorable performance.

It was one of those classic benefit concerts that likely won’t cross our paths again.

No Royal Flush ... In 1979, the Royals top pick in the draft was pitcher Atlee Hammaker, who had his best days with the Giants.

However, Kansas City took their chances by drafting Dan Marino in the fourth round and John Elway in the 19th round. Both Marino and Elway hadn’t played a down of college football yet, but they were locked in to Pittsburgh and Stanford, respectively.

They both certainly could have changed the face of the game, as well as added to the year.

Another Famous Game ... Normally, I recall a baseball or football game from our days gone by.

However, how many of you ever had Aurora’s 70s game “Skittle Pool?” It had Maxwell Smart on the cover of its box, and it was a miniature pool game.

It has a ball and chain pendulum, 10 billiard balls with a rack, two swivel cue ball pool cubes, one cue ball, and instructions for eight-ball, solids & stripes, and other games.

I wish I still had the game.

The Famous Line ... It was in 1979 that baseball created a mythical standard that is still recognized today.

“The Mendoza Line” was created by Bochte and teammate Tom Paciorek in honor of shortstop Mario Mendoza, whose batting average always hovered around .200 (his lifetime average was actually .215). Mendoza was remembered by Phillies’ fans for his days with the Pirates.

Jacks Around ... When I recently heard Billy Joel’s “Captain Jack,” which was released in 1973, I thought about the “Panama Jack” products that hit the market in 1974.

Their fitting motto was “a time and a place - the way life was meant to be lived.” Their items were hats, T-shirts, suntan lotion and furniture.

It certainly had its place in the 70s.

Memory Lane ... Every week, I will look back at a former player, coach, manager, or media personality from yesterday.

Do you remember Phillies pitcher Doug Bird? The right-handed reliever spent the 1979 season with the Phillies, and had a 2-0 record with a 5.16 ERA in 32 games. He came over in a trade from Kansas City in April for infielder Todd Cruz. He was released a year later.

Bird had an 11-year career, primarily with the Royals and also the Yankees, Cubs, and Red Sox with a 73-60 record and a 3.99 ERA.

Feedback ... Your comments, thoughts, and ideas are welcomed and will be published. Submit them to tnsports@tnonline.com.