Caps made for the film "Moneyball"

For those that didn't see the movie, the film came out last year and is about Oakland A's GM Billy Beane and the 2002 Oakland Athletics season. There are many scenes depicting games and even flashback scenes.

The first thing that crossed my mind was that perhaps the caps (particularly the A's caps) were just "deadstock", just leftovers sitting in storage. However, all the caps were made specially for the movie with the exception of the A's Spring Training/Batting Practice caps, which were a mix of deadstock and reproductions. New Era provided all of the MLB caps. They were made in USA and most are 100% wool or wool combined with acrylic. Aside from the A's (Home, Road, and BP/Spring Training), there were caps made for the Dodgers, Twins, Royals, Yankees, Angels, Tigers, and Mets. Some were made for A's game scenes and some for Billy Beane flashback scenes.

The A's Spring/BP and Home caps were all "weathered" by the props department. They look heavily soiled and stained like real gamers. This includes sweat marks and thumb prints on the undervisors. Another extra detail is that they all have player numbers written on the undervisor (and some on the buckram).

There were also minor league scenes. In one scene, Billy and Peter are watching minor league footage, showing the Visalia Oaks vs. the San Jose Giants. New Era did the caps for that scene as well, although the San Jose Giants caps have the "G" logo from their BP caps instead of the normal "SJ" logo. The older minor league caps from the Billy Beane flashback scenes were provided by AIS/Sports Studio (made under private label by California Custom Caps), who provides all non-MLB caps and uniforms for film and tv. The caps they made were the Portland Beavers, Rochester Red Wings, Syracuse Chiefs, Toledo Mud Hens, and Tidewater Tides "pillbox" caps. There were also little league caps with a "C" logo made for a scene where the players took the field with little leaguers. They were made by Pacific Headwear. The AIS and Pacific Headwear caps were not made in fitted sizes, they are all flex-fit.

Most of the scenes and footage showing these uniforms and caps ended up on the cutting room floor. However, many can be seen in footage on the DVD & Blu Ray special features. Recently, much of the film wardrobe including the caps and uniforms were auctioned off at a Hollywood wardrobe auction. I was fortunate enough to make contact with someone who purchased a large amount of caps from the film at the auction. Here's what I ended up with.

Oakland A's Spring Training/Batting Practice Cap

The "deadstock" cap that I received had tags dating it to between 1999 and 2001. It appears to have been slightly worn, perhaps by and extra in the film.

 The reproduction uses the exact same material, which is 100% polyester mesh. However, the back of the tag says "70% acrylic 30% wool". Obviously mislabeled. The cap was worn by an extra actor playing Jim Mecir.

There are some slight differences between the original and reproduction Spring/BP caps. There's the color, the way the eyelets are swen, and in the embroidery. The logo on the reproduction is close to the original but just slightly different. I am shocked that the embroidery pattern for the original logo isn't still around.

Oakland A's Home

The particular A's home cap that I purchased was worn by the uncredited actor that played (and was a dead-ringer for) Barry Zito. The cap is 70% acryllic and 30% wool. Some amazing detail work was done making this cap look soiled and broken-in.

Oakland A's Road

With "23" written on the undervisor this cap was worn by actor Stephen Bishop, who played David Justice. Unfortunately, there are no road game scenes in the film with Bishop/Justice, but he may be in the dugout during some parts. The cap is 100% wool. There is also a slight difference in the color of the green fabric compared to the home cap.

 Detroit Tigers

The only other MLB cap I was able to get. The cap is 100% wool. It appears to have been worn by an extra actor in the filming and has dirt on the crown.

Visalia Oaks

The Visalia Oaks were the A-Advanced affiliate of the A's in 2002 and are featured in a prominent scene in the movie, where Billy and Peter watch a video of the Oaks vs. the San Jose Giants. An obese Oaks catcher attempts to run to second for a double but falls over, crawls to back to first, and then is told that he actually hit a home run. Because the Oaks existed until 2008, it was easy for New Era to make an exact reproduction. The cap is 100% polyester like today's caps, with a gray undervisor and black present-day style sweatband. One difference compared to the original is that the batterman logo on the back originally had a gold outline, this one is white. The Oaks have since become Affiliates of the Diamondbacks and have been renamed the "Rawhide". The A's current A-Advanced affiliates are the Stockton Ports. The cap itself It appears to have been worn by an extra actor in the filming and has dirt on the right side of the crown.

San Jose Giants

It was neat to see the San Jose Giants in the film because I actually live in San Jose and have been going to SJ Giants games since childhood. Like the Oaks cap, it's 100% polyester like today's caps, with a gray undervisor and black present-day style sweatband. It was odd that the "G" logo was selected when the San Jose Giants have always used the overlapped "SJ" logo on standard on-field caps. I don't ever recall seeing the G logo on on-field SJ Giants caps other than batting practice caps. However, this cap apparently did exist. They can be found on the "Fan Edge" website as "San Jose Giants Alt 2", but they are out of stock. I personally don't remember seeing them. This particular cap was a leftover and not worn in the filming. Visor stickers are still attached.

Tidewater Tides

Young Billy Beane is shown in a 1980s Tides uniform in a "flashback" scene. The material is not mentioned anywhere and the cap is a flex-fit, although it's not really stretchy. The Tides were affiliates of the Mets from 1969 to 2006, moving to Norfolk in 1992. The Tides are currently affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles.

Portland Beavers

There was a planned scene to feature young Billy Beane in a Beavers uniform in a "flashback" scene but it ended up on the cutting room floor. Again, this material is not mentioned anywhere and the cap is a flex-fit. This material is more flexible and can stretch. The Beavers were affiliates of the Twins from 1987 to 1993, which is the era this cap is representing. After the 1993 season, Beavers owner Joe Buzas moved the team to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they became the Salt Lake Buzz, and later the Stingers. They are now known as the Bees. A second Portland Beavers existed from 2001 to 2010 and then became the Tucson Padres.

 

The person that sold me the caps has now started to list them on eBay under the name "beachwoodcollectibles".

2013 Padres Taco Bell Caps

So I said that my next post would be about the caps from Moneyball, but there has been an unforeseen delay. I should have it done in the next week or so.

This past Friday (May 17th), the Padres had a 1984 "Turn Back The Clock" game vs. the Nationals. The Nationals did not participate, which is unfortunate. I would have loved to see them wear 1984 Expos uniforms.

 The taco bell caps were identical to the 2011 1983/1984 TBTC caps. The good news is that THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE IN RETAIL. The bad news is that they will be made in China like the 2011 taco bells. MLB shop is already taking orders HERE. Oddly, if you look at the photo of the cap at MLB shop there is one missing detail: There are no eyelets on the front panels! This has been a recent issue with reproduction taco bell caps that I mentioned before. However, the caps that the players wore in the game DID have eyelets. Either the photo at MLB shop is a prototype that didn't have eyelets, or someone that works in the Padres clubhouse put eyelets on all the player's caps. I won't know until I actually get one of these in my hands. Another mystery is the material. The 2011 caps were a combination of wool and polyester. I don't know yet if these are 100% polyester or not. Hatclub.com will also be receiving some by the end of the month, but I was informed that theirs will be different (a more accurate bell shape).

In other news, the Tampa Bay Rays will be wearing their "fauxback" Padres knock-off uniforms again this season. Their version of the Taco Bell caps will also be available in retail with the correct panel instead of a full panel like last season. Like the Padres caps, they will also be made in China.

MLB Caps Made For The Film "42"

 This is the first of two posts focusing on caps made for recent films. The next post will be on caps made for "Moneyball".

The MLB caps made for the Jackie Robinson film "42" were provided by "Sports Studio" and were manufactured under private label by California Custom Caps. Ebbets Field Flannels provided the Minor League and Negro League caps.

Despite the fact that most (if not all) of the logos back then were embroidered, many of the film's cap logos were felt. This was because the film's producers decided that they looked best on camera. Despite the felt logos, the caps were very well made and are historically accurate in other respects. The wool fabric looks correct for the era, and satin taping and leather sweatbands were used. The caps are extremely similar in look and construction to Ebbets Field Flannels caps. I believe that if EFF was ever allowed to make MLB caps, this is exactly what they would look like, only with the satin undervisors that EFF is known for. It's a damn shame that historically accurate MLB caps such as these have not been available in retail in quite some time. The caps may become available in the not-too-distant future if they are sold at a Hollywood wardrobe auction. I'll definitley be on the lookout for them.

Procaprepair.com is up and running!

Folks, the day has finally come! We can now get caps of all years and makers repaired. Longtime cap collector Clint Farrell has founded a new company: Procaprepair.com! They can make various repairs to caps, mostly focusing on replacing cracked and broken visor boards.

BCB: First and foremost, you are a cap collector yourself. How long have you been collecting and what are some of the highlights of your collection?

CF: I was a kid in Toronto before MLB came to Canada. I always wore a Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) cap. By the 1980’s I had a nice little collection of Expos, Blue Jays and Orioles caps. All long gone now. When the Expos announced their move in 2004, I made sure to grab some caps from their final season, and that got me started again. I bought some Cooperstown caps, but was disappointed to find that they didn’t match the original caps all that well. So my search was on for vintage caps!

I have close to 200 vintage caps in my collection now. My favorite is the first Orioles white panel cap from 1975, nylon, made by AJD. A close second is their orange panel AJD cap from the same year. Other highlights include a 1969 Expos KM Pro, 1977 Blue Jays New Era,  1962 Houston Colt .45’s McAuliffe, 1961 LA Angels McAuliffe, KC Athletics Wilson caps from 1958, 1961 and 1962, 1969 Seattle Pilots Wilson, and an Oakland A’s 1970 KM Pro that had the “’s” embroidered on after the cap was made. I’ve fixed the visors on most of those. Oh, and Ebbets Field Flannels made me an awesome replica of a 1963 Toronto Maple Leafs cap.

BCB: What made you decide to figure out how to repair caps?

CF: I bought a 1976 Red Sox KM Pro several years ago. It had been in storage. I put it on and the visor disintegrated. I tried milliners, tailors, shoe repairs, seamstresses - no one would fix it. By now, I had more caps with broken visors. Thanks to your help, I sent some to New Era. They fixed a few (and I’m grateful) but sent the rest back (including the KM Pro) with a letter advising they would no longer fix caps. My dad offered to try, and he did an OK job, even though I didn’t have the right materials at that time. At that point I knew it could be done, so I decided to try it myself.

BCB: How long did the learning process take?

CF: It took about 5 caps to get it right.

BCB: How did you acquire the machinery to repair caps?

CF: Just rigged up a regular sewing machine. 

BCB: How did you find the right materials for the repairs and was there much research involved?

CF: It took awhile but I found a cap materials supplier here in the U.S. They sell in bulk, and I’m not a high volume manufacturer, so it took some work to get what I needed.

BCB: Is there any other interesting info you would like to share?

CF: Being a collector, I pay attention to detail and stay true to the original look as much as possible. I was surprised to find such a variety in visor board shapes, meaning they cannot be bought pre-cut. And replacing the undervisor fabric is tricky.

Before Mr. Farrell went public with his repairs, he worked on a few for me and they turned out amazing! There are some photos on his website to show how they turned out. Just be aware that the repairs won't always look like they way they were made originally (although in some cases they did). Clint's work is fantastic and second-to-none. As far as I know, he's the only person doing this kind of work on the entire planet. In the cap collecting community, he's a hero. Go and check out ProCapRepair.com!

In other news, I have more caps up for sale on eBay. Check it out!

Padres Fan Fest

This year, a friend was able to get me an early entry pass into Padres Fan Fest. Unfortunately, there was an extreme lack in the amount of caps this time. Despite the fact that I got in early and was in the front of the line, there were only about four or five team-issued 1978 Turn Back The Clock game caps. There were no 1989 or 1997 Turn Back The Clock game caps. There were some older 1980-84 team issued caps that appeared to be from around 2006, but they were in small sizes and were growing mold.

As I've said before, the 1978 Turn Back The Clock game caps were not sold to retail. They were basically identical to the 2007 versions, but with the batterman logo on the back and a black sweatband. While the 1983/84 Turn Back The Clock game caps last season were made in China, the 1978 caps were actually made in the USA. Instead of the "Authentic Collection" tag, the cap has a "Cooperstown Collection" tag. On the back of the New Era tag, it says that the cap is made of 100% polyester. However, the brown material feels more like acrylic or cotton material. I'm guessing that these caps were made out of the same recycled cotton material that the 1989 Turn Back The Clock game caps were supposedly made out of. As I've learned in the past, non-retail caps don't always have correct tags.

Despite the lack of caps, prices were lower on everything else this year so I purchased a number of other items. I'm looking forward to next year. Hopefully, they will have more caps!

Oakland A's Fan Fest Finds + A's eBay Oddballs

This years Oakland A's Fan Fest turned out to be much different from last year. This is due to the fact that the A's had a very successful season in 2012 compared to 2011. This year it was sold out. My brother (the A's are his favorite team) and I arrived as the doors were opening. The A's fan fest is held in the Oracle Arena, which for those of you that don't know, is right next door the Oakland Coliseum. Of course, we made a B-line for the memorabilia sale. Last year, the memorabilia sale was held in the "Bud Club" lounge downstairs at the Oracle Arena. There was no line, we just walked in. Plenty of caps, but jerseys and pants had been picked clean. This year, it was along the main walkway. My brother and I quickly realized that we might not be lucky enough to just walk in. We were right; there was a huge line waiting to get in! After what seemed like an eternity, we were ushered in to the sale. Luckily, there was an abundance of items; still plenty of caps along with jerseys, pants, game used balls, helmets, jackets, bats, and wine bottles from their wild card celebration.

My brother and I began digging through the caps, hoping to find some from the 1955 Oakland Oaks Pacific Coast League turn back the clock game held last July. Those caps were not released to retail. Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found. I found a Jemile Weeks team-issued cap from the 1936 Philly A's turn back the clock game vs. Boston. That was the only cap from that game that I found. Most were from opening day, camo logo caps from Memorial Day and the 4th of July, and also several Postseason caps, although they were all road versions.

The Jemile Weeks 1936 Philladelphia A's turn back the clock cap



I ended up with a game used Jerry Blevins camo logo cap from the 4th of July game, the aforementioned Jemile Weeks team-issued 1936 TBTC game cap, a Stephen Drew team issued Postseason road cap, and bench coach Chip Hale team issued Postseason road cap. The Weeks cap has since been traded and the Hale cap sold.

Jerry Blevins 4th of July camo logo cap




Outside of the Stephen Drew team issued Postseason road cap
 

My brother ended up with Stephen Drew's game used Postseason road cap as well as one used by George Kottaras. His best find game with a bit of luck; underneath the pile of jackets, he found a game used Grant Balfour cap from the Memorial Day game.

Grand Balfour's Memorial Day camo logo cap. Balfour altered his cap in many ways, including cutting out some of the buckram and removing some of the sweatband material.




Interior of Stephen Drew's game used Postseason road cap


Interior of George Kottara's game used Postseason road cap


While we are on the subject of the A's, a couple of bizarre vintage A's caps have shown up on eBay being sold by the Lelands sports memorabilia auction house. First, we have a circa 1968 and 1969 cap, which at first glance appears to be made by KM Pro (the profile, embroidery, 7-stitch visor). Now, look at the underside (#30 in both of those years belonged to pitcher Jim Nash). There appears to by a New Era tag on the sweatband! What in the world?





Second; we have a mid 70s A's cap made by New Era. Turn it around, and there is a strange tag that says "Pro McAuliffe". What? Wait a second - wasn't the McAuliffe name gone from caps by 1968?



I have a couple of theories...

Under Charlie Finley's ownership, the A's were extremely thrifty. I have read that instead of ordering new caps and jersyes, they would just have the old ones repaired. Which means, McAuliffe & KM Pros may have been repaired by New Era and vice-versa. The sweatbands would definitley be the main thing replaced. Look at the 68/69 cap. The sweatband looks brand new! I have seen some caps before with the "Pro McAuliffe" label. They might have been made for New Era repairs on KM caps. Since it probably didn't happen often, there may have been leftovers from after the McAuliffe label was gone. My second theory is that the repairs were contracted by Stall & Dean, who made McAuliffe jerseys for years after the name was gone from caps. Stall & Dean would repair the jerseys, and may have had New Era repair the caps for them under private label under the McAuliffe name. Does any of that make sense? That's all I've got...