Up for auction: 1992 Gary Sheffield Padres Cap

While at the Padres Fan Fest last weekend, I rummaged through the garage sale and then went back for a second look. That was when I discovered this gem: A cap worn by Gary Sheffield! How was this still around after all these years?

It's a Sports Specialties cap that shows great use, and Sheffield's number 10 written on the buckram.

This is most likely Sheffield's cap from 1992, since he was traded mid-season in 1993, therefore his cap wouldn't have shown as much use. In 1992 and 1993, Sports Specialties were still supplying caps to MLB. 1992 was also the first year of the MLB "batterman" logo on the back which this cap has, ruling out the possibility of a 1991 cap. Also, from what I have seen, Sports Specialties MLB on-field caps were made in the USA in 1993, while this one is made in Korea.

1992 was one of Sheffield's best seasons. He was an all star, won the NL batting title with a batting average of .330, won the "NL Comeback Player of the Year Award", and a Silver Slugger Award!

While I had originally planned to keep this gem, my car had some trouble on the drive back to the Bay Area from San Diego. To help offset the cost for repairs, I've put this cap up for auction on eBay. (Link Below). Bid on this cap for a great price, and check out my other items!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260962704180 (The cap has sold)

The 2011 Padres Taco Bell Cap

Another elusive cap this past season was the Padres Taco Bell caps worn for the 1983 & 1984 Turn Back The Clock games. These were not available in retail, including the team store. In fact, you could not buy any newly made New Era taco bell caps ANYWHERE in 2011. Why? I have heard two things from a few different sources. One is that New Era's seamstresses dislike making them, which is likely why they were team store exclusives in 2010. I heard that last year there were "production issues". Whatever the case may be, only the players and coaches got them in 2011. I went to the Padres fan fest on Saturday, February 11th and by the time I got to the Padres garage sale, the 2011 taco bell caps were gone. Luckily, an acquaintance of mine that got in early grabbed me ONE team issued cap. So without further adieu, here is an up-close look at the 2011 Taco Bell cap.

The front looks the same as the 2010 version, only now the outline is done differently. Instead of the orange "piping" it's an orange fabric sewn in between the brown and yellow.


The interior looks like normal modern polyester caps.


Look under the tags and surprise! Made in China AND 85% wool %15 polyester. WTF?


The good news is that this season, taco bell caps should be in ample supply. The Padres will be doing 70s, 80s, and 90s Turn Back The Clock games every Friday. Hatclub.com also informed me that they will be receiving taco bell caps next month.

I am selling game worn Padres caps from Orlando Hudson and Gary Sheffield on eBay right now. If you are interested, find the seller name "insomniaccaps186".

Non-Retail Caps Show Up For Sale at the "Cubs Convention"

It's that time of year for MLB "fan fests", events where teams open their ball parks to the fans, players sign autographs, and game used items (for most teams) are sold off for pennies on the dollar. The Chicago Cubs held their event called the "Cubs Convention". During the 2011 season, the Cubs wore two caps that were not sold in retail. They were for sale at the Cubs Convention.

The first cap is the 1947 style worn on May 4th against the Dodgers. The caps were provided by Bobcat Athletic (who made the uniforms), but it is most likely that the cap was actually made by California Custom Caps since the construction is identical to their caps, which is also the same as Ebbets Field Flannels. Strangely, they went with gray under the visor, and the cap is "unstructured", as in there is no buckram behind the front panels. Luckily, someone sold me one that was worn by Blake Dewitt.



The second cap, made by New Era, was worn on May 21st against the Boston Red Sox. This is one of only a few New Era "Turn Back The Clock" game caps that were not made available in retail this past season. Like the other New Era TBTC caps made in 2011, it is 100% polyester with black under the visor. Oddly, the caps the Red Sox wore (and also weren't available in retail) had green undersides. Unfortunately, I still have not been able to get a hold of one of these. If you or anyone you know has one in size 7 3/8 or near it, please contact me, I'd love to have one! These photos come from an eBay auction for a size 7 7/8 cap.




I am going/have been to three MLB fan fests this year; I attended the Oakland A's fan fest and I will attend the San Francisco Giants this coming Saturday and then the San Diego Padres fan fest on the 11th. I will post my findings the weekend after.