SMU history question for the SMU "experts".

[PoconoPony]

I played baseball at SMU in the mid 60s. Yes, Armstrong field was located where the soccer field are now located. Home plate was diagnally across the intersection from the outdoor pool with metal bleachers along both the first and 3d base lines. Left field fence (roughly 345 feet on a line running parallel along the road behind Letterman Hall and the frat houses) ran along the street (Airline) in front of Moody. Dead center field was close to 400 feet at a right angle from Airline running back to the parking lot behind McElvaney ( roughly 365 feet on a line running parallel along the back row of the parking lot).

The uniforms varied only slightly during the years. Home white uniforms were all pinstriped (blue as I recall) with a script type lettering of Mustangs ( in red/scarlet) on the front with a line emanating from the last letter "S" drawn back full length underlining the MUSTANGS. There was red parallel double piping 2 inchers apart up the front around the button holes continuing to wrap around and accent the jersey neck area. An old style red bucking mustang was on the left sleeve. Caps were blue with a block letter red M. Uniforms in 1964 had sleeves with double red piping at the bottom of the sleeve worn with blue 3/4 arm length blue under jersey. Blue pin stripped pants had a full length red stripe on the side with, blue leather belt, blue leggings and white sanitary socks. (I hope I remember the colors combos right as it has been a long time.)

Uniforms were essentially the same in '65 and "66; however, the top uniform was sleeveless for those 2 years accenting the blue under jersey on the shoulders and arms. Uniforms returned to the sleeved top in 67. Colors were traditional SMU red and blue.

We had a number of players drafted in this time period including Donnie Denbo a top prospect of the Dodgers. Problem was that professional baseball was still not convinced that the college game was very strong and wanted kids immediately out of high school to go into their vast number of professional leagues which unbelievably in those days started with Class D ball, Class C , Class B, Class A, Class AA, Class AAA and finally the majors. As a result, college kids were drafted; however, given limited time to make the majors as they were already considered old at 22/23 years before turning pro. Hence, most college kids were only given a short shot of 2 years and maybe a 3d year to make it or be cut in favor of development time for the younger non-college kids in the organization. In addition, the Viet Nam war and the draft caused a great number of the college draftees to miss several years in military service and they were simply cut as being too old to invest in development. The good news was that guys like Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando, Tom Seaver, Burt Hooten came out of college in 67/68 and jumped almost straight into the majors with impact which finally gave credibility to the college game. Once the college game became respected by the major leagues Class D,C and B ball leagues were quickly abolished and the colleges were finally given credit as a top level of ball with quality coaching, competition and almost major league ready prospects.

Jersey in question pictured in this thread does not appear to be a 60s vintage jersey. Note the jersey in question contains a current Mustang logo on the left sleeve. If authentic would necessarily be from the 70s.