Photograph by Phil Bath / Los Angeles Times WELL, FANCY THIS! – Portland Beaver Manager Bill Sweeney’s reaction to Hollywood’s Fred Haney’s “new look” was expressed with sweet peas and a curtsey.

April 2, 1950: How could The Times write such a long story about short pants?

The Hollywood Stars unveiled new uniforms that unveiled their knees
and it was big news. Manager Fred Haney said it was his idea so players
would be quicker although he admitted "a little sex appeal might be just
what baseball needs."

This team was based in Hollywood,
after all.

The Stars insisted their new uniforms were
not an elaborate April Fools' Day joke. There was some concern that the
shorts were illegal but The Times' Al Wolf said league president Pants
Rowland had approved.

Who else but a man named Pants, after
all, would be qualified to make such a decision.

–Keith
Thursby