Throw Back Uniforms, 1997

Inter-league play began in 1997 and for the first time since the 1906 World Series, the Cubs and Sox would play official games against each other.

The teams met in a three game series at Comiskey Park on June 16-18. To commemorate this special event, the clubs decided to wear throwback uniforms for the June 16 game, a day game. The Sox wore uniforms from their 1917 Worlds Series championship team. The Cubs made an odd choice, going with a road uniform worn by the team in 1911 and 1912, seasons in which the Cubs did nothing special. It was a pretty ugly, all blue set. It reminded me of the all blue uniform the Sox wore during the Bill Veeck years in the 70's.

Both Score and Upper Deck put out special cards to commemorate the beginning of inter-league play and used photos from the throwback game.






And then several of the other brands featured pictures from the game.






Both Collectors Choice and Upper Deck had cards of Kevin Foster in the throwbacks. Foster was the Cubs starter on June 16 and got the win as the Cubs topped the Sox 8-3.



Flair's Sosa card also gives us a look at 1906 Sammy Sosa.





And Pacific got into the act too, with cards of Mark Grace and Kevin Orie.