The True Measure Of Greatness

Written by: Charles Sollars on 29th July 2010

The True Measure Of Greatness | read this item

I will admit that I have something of an addiction to kicks. I have a closet full of Nikes, J’s, and Limited Edition this and that. I am constantly checking out shoe sites to see what the newest colors or re-releases are coming out for the month. Lately Nike has been bringing back the old Griffey kicks in retro colors and some fresh new colors. This started somewhat of a large debate between me and a few of my friends about how baseball shoes are never cool. Most everyone in the shoe world will agree that 10 out of the 12 versions of Air Griffey shoes were cool, they will also tell you that Deion Sanders shoes that he wore for football and baseball were cool, and then there was that one pair of Big Hurt shoes but other than that baseball shoes have been lacking that style that makes you want to wear a pair of trainers for years.

Currently Jeter is the only player to have a real off the field shoe that is sold in the casual arena and that shoe is branded as Jordan so it does not really count in my mind. The debate started with me and my was this “If Albert Pujols is so good and such a dominate force in the baseball world why has he not been given a sweet off the field shoe?”

It is a simple question I think. The world of sport can often be measured by the shoes on the feet of this so called All-Stars.

No one will argue that Griffey was the coolest guy to ever play the game. He single handedly gave more little coaches headaches than any other player before or to come after him. Griffey had us all rocking our hats to the back, buying chains, and trying to rationalize to our mom and coach why we need long sleeves in August. You could not just have the Griffey cleats you had to have the trainers too not because you planned on playing in them but because you planned on wearing them to dance that friday night.

Griffey Jr. even after hanging up his glove has one last shoe coming out next month. The new Nike Air Trainer 1.2 will have a colorway dedicated to Jr. and his 600 HRs.

So if we all agree that Albert is the best player in the league now why am I not seeing the Air Albert or Pujols Pinch Hit at my local footlocker? Is it because Albert can not sell a product? Is it because he is a Cardinal? Is it because no matter how good Albert plays he will never really be cool? The simple answer is all signs point to Nike saying yes. Nike who has owned the rights to make a signature Pujols shoe since his 2007 but have only recently used his name on a shoe and that was under the umbrella of the February re-release of the Bo Jackson Trainer from the BO Knows ads (Possibly the Greatest Sports Shoe Marketing of All Time). The Albert shoe was sold with the re-release of the BO Knows shoe in a double pack and only in limited numbers in a few stores. (The shoe if you missed it is the one on top of the box in the pic below). This week for the All-Star game saw another Albert shoe but it was just a red version of the new trainer 1.2 which all players at the game were given.(pictured below)

I know Albert has a cleat but lots of guys have cleats but no one has a trainer. Albert has been used by Nike to sell other shoes but they have yet to pull out a one of a kind Albert only shoe. Kobe has his own shoe, Lebron has like 20 or so at any given time, Jordan is his own brand now, Lance Armstrong has his own shoe/brand, but King Albert doesn’t? Bo, Griffey Jr., and Big Hurt all proved that a true MLB Uber Star can and should have their own shoe so I am calling on all of you in Cardinal Nation to support my case for the first real King Albert Signature Trainer to be made, sold, and waited in line for across the nation.

I am suggesting we all start a design competition/naming competition for the first Albert Pujols Signature Trainer. If we design it and yell loud enough Nike will build it and sell it back to us. So submit your design and name on our facebook page.

These are my three favorite names and my favorite design for an Albert Trainer.

Names for shoe

King Albert

Air Machine

M5P

Here is my attempt at an Albert Only Shoe Design Idea. My challenge to you is – show us what you think his shoe should be – and who knows, maybe we can get Nike to make it.