Five things that have all but disappeared from Major League Baseball

Times change. Fashion trends, politics, or the simple ticking of the clock have virtually eliminated these five things that were prevalent in Major League Baseball as recently as the early 1990's. Take a look at five things that have disappeared from the game without much notice.

1. The Bullpen Car

Hard to believe, but relievers used to be driven from the bullpen to the mound. In some cases, such as the Yankees Datsun, in an actual car! There was no "Hells Bells" or "Enter Sandman" theme music. There was simply an announcement that "Dave Righetti is entering the game, driven in the brand new 1984 Datsun, the official bullpen car of the New York Yankees"

Some bullpen cars were simply golf carts, often with the home teams giant cap on top. Who can forget the Indians bullpen car being used to chase down Rene Russo  in Major League?

2. Stirrups

There was a time when baseball players wore their pants skin tight and short, exposing their stirrups. Nowadays, pants so baggy and long that players look like athletic homeless men.

Sadly, the stirrup seems to be going the way of the appendix: something that is still there, really has no use, and that will eventually be phased out completely by simple evolution.

3. Blatant, open chewing of tobacco

There was a time when it seemed every player had a wad of chew in their mouth and a tin of it in their back pockets while on the field.

In this more politically correct climate, players are forced to either hide their use or in some cases stop altogether.

4. The helmet with no ear guard

This is probably a good thing. Mandating that players wear a helmet with an ear guard may have saved a few careers (or even lives). However, nothing says "old school" like the ear guard-less helmet.

5. The pullover uniform shirt

At one time, almost every team's uniform shirts were of the pullover variety. Apparently, that fashion trend died out at the end of the 1980's and today every team in the Major Leagues uses the button-up jersey.