The curse of Stradivarius has long been a topic of fascination and speculation in the world of music. Antonio Stradivari, an Italian luthier from the 17th and 18th centuries, is widely regarded as one of the greatest violin makers of all time. His instruments, known as Stradivarius violins, are renowned for their exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship. However, along with the fame and acclaim came tales of a curse associated with these extraordinary instruments. According to legend, Stradivari made a pact with the devil in order to acquire the knowledge and skill necessary to create such magnificent violins. As a result, every Stradivarius violin was said to be cursed, bringing misfortune and tragedy to its owners.
Nfl mascots vs kids
By Paul Lukas
Special to Page 2
It was December 20th, and the Dolphins were wearing those stupid orange jerseys. Fortunately, Uni Watch aide-de-camp Ruth Wedes found something else to focus on. "What's up with the dolphin on their helmets?" she asked.
Ah yes, the Dolphins' dolphin -- a subject upon which Uni Watch was only too happy to expound: "Yeah, the dolphin's helmet has an 'M' on it. He should actually have a helmet with a dolphin on it, like the players do. And then that dolphin would have a helmet too, so you'd have a dolphin with a helmet with a dolphin with a helmet, and so on, creating an infinite regression, which would be so cool! Why didn't they design it that way? What a bunch of idi--"
"No," said Wedes, abruptly interrupting Uni Watch's reverie. "I don't care what's on the dolphin's helmet. Why is he wearing a helmet in the first place? The other teams don't put helmets on their animals."
A quick survey of the league's mascots reveals that Wedes was on to something (she's since been promoted to Uni Watch attach� for her efforts). The animals appearing on the uniforms of the Ravens, Jaguars, Texans, Bills, Broncos, Eagles, Lions, Falcons, Panthers, Cardinals, Rams, and Seahawks aren't just helmetless, they're devoid of any football-related imagery. Same goes for the non-uni secondary logos used by the Bears and Bengals. And the Colts, despite their equine team name, don't even have a logo horse (although they used to -- and he wore a helmet!).
It turns out that the Dolphins are the only NFL team that currently has a football-themed logo critter. And the NFL isn't the only league that prefers to depict its mascots in a non-sporty setting. Here's a quick survey of the animal-adorned teams from the four major pro sports leagues:
ANIMAL-ADORNED TEAMS | ||||
Plain animals | Animals wearing uniforms or equipment | Animals shown with balls or equipment |
*Team name not animal-based, but animal appears on uniform
**Animal not shown on uniform, but is part of team's brand imagery
This lopsided breakdown caught Uni Watch by surprise. After all, everyone knows the best mascot ever is Pittsburgh's skating penguin (whose original, portlier version, complete with a scarf, looked even cooler). All the best humanoid logo characters are athletically inclined, too: Pat Patriot; the Swinging Friar; Lucky the Leprechaun; Mr. Met; the Cincinnati Running Man (not to mention his old-school predecessor); and, of course, Beer Barrel Man (who apparently was a five-tool player, given his depictions here, here, and here). So why aren't there more sporty animals?
As it turns out, there used to be. In addition to the aforementioned Colts, here's a quick rundown of current teams whose animal mascots were once players, not just cheerleaders (with a tip of the Uni Watch cap to the invaluable LogoServer Web site):
MLB: Cardinals, Cubs, Blue Jays, and Orioles (whose logos have also included this, this, and this).
Why have so many teams moved away from athletic animals? "It's part of a larger trend toward more sophisticated logos," says uni and logo designer Todd Radom. "A lot of the old logos were drawn by newspaper cartoonists, but now computers make it easy to do slicker designs. And these aren't just mascots anymore -- they're corporate marketing tools. Something like the old Milwaukee Buck would never be viable today. It would be shot down in two seconds -- they'd think it was too goofy, not aggressive enough."
That's too bad, and not just for fans of animal athletes. In the current marketing environment, we aren't likely to see cool humanoid characters either, like the ones once used by the Steelers and Pistons.
Meanwhile, it turns out that there's something else unusual about the Dolphins' mascot: Look closely and you'll see that his helmet actually covers his blowhole instead of his skull. How's the poor guy supposed to breathe? No wonder the NFL's other mascots don't want to suit up.
Numbers Game
There was a lot of speculation about what uni number Randy Johnson would wear with the Yankees, because his familiar 51 is already worn by Bernie Williams. This got Uni Watch thinking about the rich history of players bartering and negotiating for coveted uniform numbers. The best story ever may be the current saga of the Redskins' Clinton Portis, who initially offered to box a teammate for his number, then agreed to buy the number for $40,000, and is now being sued for non-payment.
As for Johnson, he's going to wear 41. It's not yet clear whether this is a reference to his age or to the number of cameramen he plans to assault this season.
This & That
Several months ago, in a column about retired numbers, Uni Watch opined that teams that relocate and change their names tend to start their retired number rosters from scratch. But reader Ferdinand Cesarano (whose brother Michael is the man behind the excellent Mets Uniform Timeline) has pointed out several such teams that have continued to honor their old retirees.
The Sacramento Kings, for example, have kept 14 retired for Oscar Robertson, who played for the franchise when it was called the Cincinnati Royals. In the NFL, the Titans have kept the old Oilers numbers retired. And in the NHL, the Coyotes (who used to be the Winnipeg Jets) and Hurricanes (formerly the Hartford Whalers) continue to honor their forebears. A chastened Uni Watch stands corrected.
Last month's survey of football facemasks prompted reader Gary Streeting to turn up some great old team portraits that show players posing with strap-on noseguards (see additional portraits here, here, and here). This crude protector, which was patented back in 1891 and was fairly common among high school and college players in the early 1900s, could arguably be called the first facemask, even though it appeared well before the helmet itself.
Finally, Uni Watch's year-in-review item about Quad Cities Swing's uneven numeral sizes led reader Big C to point out that the St. Louis Blues did something similar in the late 1990s. Which in turn reminded Uni Watch that the Islanders had those weird seasickness-inducing numbers during the team's short-lived Gorton's Fisherman phase. Now there's a logo character who could've used a bit more work.
Paul Lukas's cat, Roscoe, does not wear a helmet, although he does like to crash into things. Archives of pre-Page 2 "Uni Watch" columns are available here. Got a uni-related question or comment? Send it here.
Mascots vs. Kids Halftime Game | 2022
The Vikings held their annual "Mascots vs. Kids" game during halftime of Saturday's game against the Colts.
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The Vikings honored several military families during the recent game against the Packers.
NOW PLAYING videoVikings Honor Skol Service MVPs Prior To Vikings-Packers Game
25 gameday staff members were recognized on field for their outstanding service over the course of the season prior to Sunday's game against the Packers.
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Kirk Cousins and his son sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to the recent game against the Packers.
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Vikings.com's Tatum Everett talked with Vikings Legend Leo Lewis during the recent game against the Lions.
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Sunday's Hometown Hero was Mark Graves who is the branch director of the Southside Village Boys and Girls club and the winner of the NFL Inspire Change Changemaker award.
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The Minnesota Vikings recognized the 2023 All-State team, made up of the state's premiere senior prospects, is selected by a committee of sportswriters, broadcasters, Vikings staff, and Minnesota high school football coaches, during the recent game against the Lions.
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Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to the recent game against the Lions.
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Monday's Hometown Hero was Darlene Schaefer who is a volunteer with the The Salvation Army.
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NOW PLAYING videoAdrian Peterson, Robert Smith and Chuck Foreman Sound The Gjallarhorn Prior To Vikings-Bears
Adrian Peterson, Robert Smith and Chuck Foreman helped sound the Gjallarhorn prior to the recent game against the Bears.
NOW PLAYING videoAidan Fisher Performs The National Anthem Prior To Vikings-Bears
Aidan Fisher sang the National Anthem prior to the recent game against the Bears.
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Vikings.com's Tatum Everett talked with Vikings Legend Adrian Peterson during the recent game against the Bears.
NOW PLAYING videoMajor General Shawn Manke Sounds The Gjallarhorn Prior To Vikings-Saints
Major General Shawn Manke sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to Sunday's game with the Saints. After leaving the active Army as a Captain, General Manke joined the Minnesota National Guard. Prior to his current assignment, General Manke was the full-time Joint Chief of Staff for the Minnesota National Guard.
NOW PLAYING videoSgt. Ben Churchill Sounds The Gjallarhorn Prior To Vikings-Saints
A Services Specialist at the 148th Fighter Wing up in Duluth, Sgt. Ben Churchill sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to the recent game against the Saints.
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Vikings.com's Tatum Everett talked with Vikings Legend Steve Jordan during the recent game against the Saints.
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NOW PLAYING videoVikings Honor Long-Time Equipment Manager Dennis Ryan
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Pee Wees versus Mascots
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This Valentine's Day, Colts Mascot Blue wants to share with you a few of his favorite love stories. We all remember the couple that was married on the field before the December 14th game, right? Well, there's more to the story, and today we're here to share that. "From game day, to wedding day, and Valentine's Day too, football is family and no one wants to spread the love like Blue".
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The Indianapolis Colts mascot Blue marries a pair of Colts fans during pregame at the Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos.
NOW PLAYING videoBest of the Best: Mascots vs. Pee Wees
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Faegre Baker Daniels helps bring Colts Mascot Blue's new book called "Blue's Road Trip through Indiana," to Wendell Phillips School 63 which starts his Read Across America tour with special guest reader Kalen Irsay.
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Blue's Thanksgiving Dinner prior to the Redskins/Colts game.
Hysterical mascots vs kids American Football match 'must be adopted by Premier League'
Never mind Todd Boehly's ridiculous north against south Premier League showdown, a hysterical mascots versus kids clash is the way to go.
Known as Pee Wees vs Mascots in the United States, the final pre-season NFL outings have a history of turning into anarchy during the half-time interval, as 6ft+ mascots across the nation line up to face children in a chance for vengeance.
Enraged by all the spillages and constant requests for photographs, the mascots have an opportunity for brutal demoralisation, which plays out into the greatest of sporting occasions. Sack off your disrespect for relegation, this is the Americanisation we need in this country!
The traditional half-time NFL viewing would make a far grander spectacle than yet another exhausting end-of-season affair - as well as providing some celebratory cheer.
Think Gunnersaurus trying to two-foot someone on the halfway line or Fred the Red attempting the 'siuuu' celebration.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should the Premier League introduce a kids v mascots game? Let us know in the comments section.
NFL teams host a mascot vs kids match during half-time of their final pre-season game The mascots are known to take no prisonersIt appears the ground-breaking idea is already favoured by Premier League fans.
"It is my fervent opinion that the Americans themselves vastly underrate their own masterpiece. Who would have a Pro Bowl when you could have this instead," commented one supporter, taking aim at the north v south equivalent match in America.
Premier League fans want a UK version"West Brom’s boiler mascot wouldn’t take any prisoners," joked a second fan clearly in favour of implementing a similar showpiece in the Premier League.
"Can’t lie if I watched Boilerman two foot a small child it would be the highlight of the season," harked another Baggies supporter.
"A career for [Boris] Johnson where he would actually excel," jibbed a fourth in reference to the former Prime Minister's historical no-nonsense approach when competing against children at rugby and football.
"I enjoyed watching this. Haha! Lets get this over to England. Pronto!" commented a fifth.
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As a result, every Stradivarius violin was said to be cursed, bringing misfortune and tragedy to its owners. The stories of accidents, illnesses, and even death surrounding these instruments have only added to their mystique and allure. One of the most famous accounts of the curse involves a violinist named Niccolò Paganini, who owned several Stradivarius violins.
It is said that Paganini made a bargain with the devil, trading his soul in exchange for mastery of the violin. Throughout his career, he experienced numerous setbacks and personal tragedies. Some attributed these misfortunes to the curse of his beloved Stradivarius instruments. Another notable story is that of the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius, which is said to have caused a series of tragedies for its owners. Its first owner, violinist Joseph Joachim, reportedly died shortly after acquiring the instrument. Subsequent owners also met untimely deaths or faced other calamities, leading to speculation that the violin was indeed cursed. Despite these tales, many violinists and collectors have dismissed the curse as mere superstition. They point out that the misfortunes associated with Stradivarius violins can be explained by the normal hazards of life rather than a supernatural curse. Moreover, the exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship of these instruments have made them highly sought after, regardless of any supposed curse. Nevertheless, the curse of Stradivarius continues to fascinate and captivate the imaginations of musicians and enthusiasts alike. The allure of owning an instrument with such a storied history and reputation, curse or not, remains irresistible to many. Ultimately, whether one believes in the curse or not, the legacy of Stradivarius violins as masterpieces of musical artistry and craftsmanship remains undisputed..
Reviews for "The Stradivarius Curse: Tales of Broken Dreams and Lost Opportunities"
1. Emma - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "The Curse of Stradivarius" as I'm a big fan of mystery novels. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot was slow and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The supposed curse was barely explored, and the resolution at the end felt rushed and unconvincing. Overall, it was a lackluster read that failed to live up to its potential.
2. John - 1 star
"The Curse of Stradivarius" was a complete waste of time. The writing was amateurish, filled with clichés and inconsistencies. The characters were poorly developed, and their actions didn't make sense half of the time. The supposed curse was nothing more than a gimmick to attract readers, and it added no depth or intrigue to the story. I regret picking up this novel and would highly recommend avoiding it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Curse of Stradivarius," but it fell flat in many aspects. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the author spent too much time describing irrelevant details instead of advancing the plot. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fate. The curse aspect was interesting in theory, but it wasn't explored enough to create a truly engaging or suspenseful story. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Alex - 1 star
"The Curse of Stradivarius" was a disappointing read. The writing was mediocre at best, with clunky phrasing and repetitive descriptions. The characters were unlikable and unrealistic, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The curse aspect of the story felt forced and underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more substance. The plot lacked originality and failed to hold my interest. I regret wasting my time on this poorly executed novel.