Phil Hecken

New York

Deputy Editor at Uni Watch

Uni Watch Editor, Sporting News, Mets fan, Sports Uniforms, Deadhead, Journalist, Curler. RTs=Praise or Scorn.

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Articles

Collector’s Corner for June 5, 2025

2 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

[Editor’s note: Welcome to “Collector’s Corner” now hosted by Chris Weir. Chris approached me about restarting CC, vowing to uphold the old look and style, but with one new twist: he will make each edition timely with what is going on currently in the sports world (i.e. rivalry games, big events, anniversary of events).
NBA Finals Uniforms, Special Patches, Unveiled

2 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

The 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers will meet tonight for Game 1. Thanks to Lockervision, we know what the uniform matchups for the Pacers and Thunder will be. We already knew the Pacers would be wearing their gold uniforms for as long as they remained in the playoffs, thanks to the NBA directing playoff teams to wear their “Core” uniforms (Icon, Association or Statement) beginning with the Conference Finals.
The Art of Ant Volume VII: Hockey Masks

2 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

Good Thursday morning, Uni Watch. I hope everyone had a serendipitous Wednesday. I’m joined again today by Anthony “Ant” Giaccone. Several years ago, Ant was a contributor to my weekend articles, and recently returned with what was then his latest project: Baseball Cards. (For previous editions of the “Art of Ant,” check out Volume I. Volume II, Volume III, Volume IV, and Volume V.) Those articles provide a good back story of Anthony’s vision and techniques.
New Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Begins Play This Saturday

3 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

Professional softball has a new league — The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) — which was founded in 2024. On June 4, 2024, Athletes Unlimited announced a new softball league with four teams and a 30-game season, which will complement the existing Pro Softball Championship, with ESPN will be a founding broadcast partner. MLB announced an investment in the AUSL. Like several recent start-up leagues, the AUSL will be a touring league in 2025, playing in six to eight cities.
Brad Bierman’s Amazing Jersey Patch Collection: Volume VI — Baltimore Orioles | Uni Watch

3 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

A little while back, I began running a series in which reader Brad Bierman, who has collected, mounted and framed every (or almost every) patch worn by every Major League franchise, has been periodically showing them off. (Click here to see the Athletics, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, and New York Mets. Also multiple-team patches for MLB and the NFL). Brad returns today with a look at the patch history of the Baltimore Orioles.
Auction Action: Bill Walton on Hunt Auctions

3 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

Good morning, Uni Watchers, and a Happy Hump Day to one and all. ICYMI, yesterday the Orlando Magic unveiled a new uniform set for 2025-26. And in a late(r) afternoon offering, Culinary Corner has returned! Our own Mike Engle — who you’ll be hearing from shortly — has revived an old favorite and which will periodically appear on the site.
Culinary Corner Returns!

3 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

[Editor’s Note: One of the more fun (non-uni) sections of Uni Watch was “Culinary Corner,” in which Paul would showcase his favorite recipes for food and drink, and which would periodically appear as a sub-lede in a larger article. Our own Mike Engle loved the feature, and wanted it to return, so it has been reborn, and Mike will be taking over its reins. Today the CuCo will be featured in a standalone article, and it will be appearing periodically, most likely as part of a larger post.
Orlando Magic Unveil New Uniforms, Logos and Court for 2025-26 NBA Season

4 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

The Orlando Magic introduced three new uniforms, along with new logos and a new court, as they prepare for the upcoming season. To get fans excited for the new look, the team produced a hype video featuring highlights from past seasons, and bringing us up to the present.
Seattle Mariners to Retire Randy Johnson’s No. 51 Next Season

4 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

The Seattle Mariners have announced they will retire the No. 51 in honor of pitcher Randy Johnson in 2026. The team made the announcement on the the 35th anniversary of Johnson’s no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers in 1990, the first in franchise history. If you’re of a certain vintage, you’ll recall that Johnson was traded from the Montreal Expos to the Seattle Mariners in 1989, in one of the more lopsided trades in MLB history. All the “Big Unit” did in Seattle, seemingly, was win.
Mike Chamernik’s Question of the Week (June 2-6)

4 days ago | uni-watch.com | Phil Hecken

Last week, we had another “Question of the Week” from Mike Chamernik, and he’s back today with his latest QOTW. Enjoy!• • • • •Question of the Weekby Mike ChamernikAfter more than 25 years of playing baseball and now slow-pitch softball, I finally have my own bat. For years, I just used whatever people brought and threw in the bat rack. This year I’m on a new 16-inch softball team, and none of my teammates’ bats are any good. I decided to spend the money and get something nice.