“Sleeves” is what we called them. They were plain and ordinary, nothing to think about twice. (Or so I thought.) But now I realize they were unduplicatable.

I still have mine, and a few emotions, dating from my days in professional baseball.

When we wore our sleeves, it was always the best time of the year. We were beginning to feel up.

I laugh at the imitations today. They have pseudo names like “river shirts,” “punting jerseys,” “Henley pullovers.”

Sleeves are, were, and always will be comfortable and engaging to wear; lightweight; warm, not hot; not itchy, not sticky, not fussy. Sleeves are good-looking in the way things are when they aren’t trying to be good-looking.

And you still don’t have to play professional baseball to get one.

American Baseball Sleeves (No. 1949). Two-button placket. Made of two layers of good cotton to wick away moisture; outer fabric has minute pores, like pigskin. A little sleeker. Imported.

• Fabric Content: 100% Cotton
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low. Cool iron if needed.