ESPN

Whatever else you can say about the Houston Astros, they've certainly had some of MLB's most creative uniforms of the past half-century. Even the team's embrace of orange qualifies as an innovation, one that other MLB teams are only now catching up with.

So with the ’Stros slated to get new uniforms next year, to coincide with the team's move to the American League, expectations are high. Will they go with a solid orange uni? Rainbow striping from head to toe? A handgun and a shooting star facing off against each other?

We'll have to wait until autumn to find out. For now, though, Uni Watch readers have come up with their own proposals for redesigning the ’Stros (see: above). Nearly 100 of you sent in designs -- some wacky, some fairly traditional, but almost all of them interesting.

Click here to read the full story, and see all of Uni Watch's favorites.

Earlier today, we posted a blank cartoon and readers offered their captions. Our favorite was by commenter Billy2757. Please check your ESPN.com profile message center for an email.

Thanks for participating. Check back tomorrow for another cartoon.

Iconic. Beautiful. Quite simply, unparalleled.

And ... tremendously, tremendously flawed?

That's right. It doesn't diminish the special nature of the Stanley Cup, of course. But when the Los Angeles Kings or New Jersey Devils hoist this sought-after trophy soon, they'll be carrying a piece of material that isn't exactly without mistakes. Lots and lots of them.

Kurt Snibbe illustrates:

(Read full post)

We asked you Tuesday, and we've got your answers: New words we need in sports, as illustrated by Kurt Snibbe.

We asked you Tuesday, and we've got your answers: New words we need in sports, as illustrated by Kurt Snibbe.

It started, Mark Penxa says, as a tribute to his grandfather -- an artistic "journey through American sports lore" that featured special renderings of famous athletes, and ones long forgotten.

Called Stealing Signs, the first part featured baseball: 100 paintings and sketches, similar to the Derek Jeter one above. Then came hockey: 76 of them. All offered special elements -- stats, names, other items -- and their slightly abstract style set them apart from straight-up portraits.

Now Penxa, a Detroit-area native who also works at a screen and printing shop, is embarking on his most ambitious project yet: a visual "road trip" from state to state, inspired by stories and suggestions from readers and fans who were touched by his original works. He's going beyond baseball this time, too. All sports are open. All eras, too.

(Read full post)

On Monday night, the New Jersey Devils will play host to the New York Rangers. If the home team wins, that guarantees at least one more 2011-12 game at Prudential Center.

Today we take a look back at one of those New Jersey Devils home contests, one from April, in which the NHL squad held a special online competition through the Web program/app Doodle.ly, asking fans to submit their best Devils-themed artwork. The winner, Jessica Chepauskas, scored season tickets and got her doodle on an in-game giveaway towel during the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

(Read full post)

J.O. Applegate, who brought us James Harden as Mr. T, offers another clever Bouncex3 comic on this NBA Saturday. Think "Muppet Babies," but with basketball.

Check out Applegate's full slate of Bouncex3 comics here.

Like Derrick Rose before him, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant has become a piece of abstract art, thanks to the mind and hand of Jesse Hora (creator of AthleteObjects.com):


*THE ELEMENTS*
Tarantula: Nicknamed "The Durantula."
No. 35: Kevin has always worn jersey number 35.
Trophy: Surely the only thing he can think about.
Toy Guns: He is a straight-up shooter.
Cowboy Hat: He played at the University of Texas.
Tattoos: He's got ice in his veins, is a three-time NBA scoring champ and was the 2010 FIBA World Championship MVP.
Squeegee & Spray Bottle: For his squeeky-clean image.

As the NHL Stanley Cup semifinals commenced -- with the Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes meeting in the Western Conference, and the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers facing off in the East -- Swedish hockey fan Fredrik Hilding noticed something rather interesting about the geographical layout of the four host cities:


Coincidence? Or simply hockey achieving its destiny?

Google "animated graphic novel" and you won't find much. But you will find this: "Bottom of the Ninth," a unique, baseball-themed, soon-to-be-released story from Hollywood animator, character designer and storyboard artist Ryan Woodward.

(Read full post)

Go ahead. Try to find a final day of a sport -- in America, or in any country -- more dramatic than Sunday, when the Barclays Premier League in England wrapped up its season in a most astonishing fashion.

For a recap of Manchester City's dazzling comeback to steal the title from Manchester United, go here. For a new twist on the most epic of soccer/football mornings/afternoons, artist Richard Swarbrick created some fresh illustrations on his website, and was gracious enough to share them with Playbook Visuals:

(Read full post)

On Tuesday we asked you a question: What new sports words do we need?

Here are your best answers. Thanks for playing!

Last year Englishman Richard Swarbrick burst onto the soccer (football over there) scene with some fascinating animations, ones that illustrated the year's best moments and goals.

And he hasn't stopped creating. The Tottenham Hotspur supporter (known as @RikkiLeaks on Twitter) still offers his unique interpretations of soccer's momentous occasions, and has shared five of them -- plus commentary -- with Playbook Visuals.

Check out his website for all of 2011-12's to-date. And you never know what's coming; there's still a Premier League weekend and a Champions League final in the offing...

Maicon's goal, Inter Milan vs. AC Milan

"Bang! A great goal to end a great Milan derby. This game was everything I love about Italian football."

(Read full post)

Jesse Hora, creator of Athlete Objects, returns to the pages of Playbook with an ESPN-exclusive Derrick Rose piece -- one that pays loving tribute to the reigning NBA MVP (Hora is a Chicagoan and Bulls fan) but also acknowledges the star point guard's current injury:

THE ELEMENTS
Rose: The last name that speaks volumes.
Crutches: Unfortunately, Rose suffered a devastating injury in Game 1 of the playoffs.
MVP & ROY: Rose won Most Valuable Player last season and NBA Rookie Of the Year in 2008-09 -- just a few accomplishments in his young NBA career.
No. 1: His jersey number and draft position.
Chicago Bean: Can you find it? He is a Chicago native, the city is in his blood.
Honey with a Lock: A combination of "Pooh" and "Houdini," in a nod to Rose's "Poohdini" tattoo.
Hot Dog: Chicago style, to be exact, no ketchup!