tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35317329604552636652024-03-18T00:43:34.256-07:00The Ballcap BlogIn-depth analysis, reviews, and comparisons of official Major League Baseball caps, the kind used on the field of play, old time to present day.Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-19760283254272411162023-06-12T11:25:00.002-07:002023-06-12T14:42:45.062-07:00New Era's MLB Team Issued Caps: Inconsistency is The Only Consistency<p>Sorry for the lack of posts over the last year, I've been incredibly busy. I've been working on this article off and on since the last post. Please enjoy this analysis of the MLB team issued caps coming out of Florida.</p><p>After buying multiple team issued caps over the last few seasons, I have determined that there are multiple types of caps that New Era is producing from their Florida facility and sending out to the MLB teams. Below is the list of types that I've encountered.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Usual</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJrqYcmhZ17Af4VxVLA6krrlSlrcSE6eZcCrJ_cF6WMRWvP89Ah2aMg_ev768WnSELDy9qNpp3Lf1ALGF97UfgtchYwuIsI-9TYEflCrVFIPRZ8ztaq9OUQOxxR28nVcFdhWlxyK_VbjSOuRn97G-URy2c51YaQFnJggp8LZMbuK_mmOrbaKDhCEUAIA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJrqYcmhZ17Af4VxVLA6krrlSlrcSE6eZcCrJ_cF6WMRWvP89Ah2aMg_ev768WnSELDy9qNpp3Lf1ALGF97UfgtchYwuIsI-9TYEflCrVFIPRZ8ztaq9OUQOxxR28nVcFdhWlxyK_VbjSOuRn97G-URy2c51YaQFnJggp8LZMbuK_mmOrbaKDhCEUAIA" width="320" /></a></div><br />This cap is made exactly like typical overseas-made New Era caps. These caps have a slightly-shorter visor and a very tall crown. They are the most common type of cap "assembled" in Florida.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDzeLNid-5HIqkPOdWiFe2q2aTvvq1Pnek_9RXPcR3fCP0dij8NeZzAhYdewr02BKQe4zMmjlaDW8R0mCKNxQvmPSK2y-1jJfC1keAhbb-YvPKqTbRadDERcEJ79xH5zJu7Z9llk4yuGt0t_eDIHEaMyIozFFqaTvtWqr_fPSYyhog1pREfYUUQgz2dg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="740" height="16" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDzeLNid-5HIqkPOdWiFe2q2aTvvq1Pnek_9RXPcR3fCP0dij8NeZzAhYdewr02BKQe4zMmjlaDW8R0mCKNxQvmPSK2y-1jJfC1keAhbb-YvPKqTbRadDERcEJ79xH5zJu7Z9llk4yuGt0t_eDIHEaMyIozFFqaTvtWqr_fPSYyhog1pREfYUUQgz2dg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Inner size band: White perforated band with brown ink</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Bangladeshi-American</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_xY32Uw6V8JNYcPbvzc3G6El_npacZMEHCJc7KlUwNyQi8YsySBdsjO1E-R831QwVupEqIpkEsT6Cwm49toJb5Q0oRukgd9LP8SbJKosx4KGnjuLovN8sEL9LWHmpn7IuCzNpn0cxitSkTZMAfYMXB4q3i88q1CrNexqisWNKwwDBJJTpgCeY35U-_A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_xY32Uw6V8JNYcPbvzc3G6El_npacZMEHCJc7KlUwNyQi8YsySBdsjO1E-R831QwVupEqIpkEsT6Cwm49toJb5Q0oRukgd9LP8SbJKosx4KGnjuLovN8sEL9LWHmpn7IuCzNpn0cxitSkTZMAfYMXB4q3i88q1CrNexqisWNKwwDBJJTpgCeY35U-_A" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8TUCA2H-KF_maCrlPj1ykCa91oFNsFxjyJwYd9CZeV3Qwzn7wdxVHZGcvEh5XKUBGaumlYHZ3gzgFa1QIjFr8sUpG2HHvrAn4tC83Fca3MFQgryH4uRiWGmpjznL0JSjidapOjg0FQKjHhH7hpCcdgeT0h_6upzHtIkrqj2P1jkbKzfl4BJ3Bz_X7_w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8TUCA2H-KF_maCrlPj1ykCa91oFNsFxjyJwYd9CZeV3Qwzn7wdxVHZGcvEh5XKUBGaumlYHZ3gzgFa1QIjFr8sUpG2HHvrAn4tC83Fca3MFQgryH4uRiWGmpjznL0JSjidapOjg0FQKjHhH7hpCcdgeT0h_6upzHtIkrqj2P1jkbKzfl4BJ3Bz_X7_w" width="320" /></a></div><br />This cap is made from components from Bangladesh. The dead giveaway is the visor stitching, which is much closer together on caps made in Bangladesh (observe the second photo). Rock-solid front panels and a squat, round crown are also signs of a cap made in Bangladesh.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisRzudMW6_kSHEUlPmzu5OXUnhTtq8hYkP5TQ0gGRJ3fnsBurGNkCnNK2i3VgoIYm4BRF9J3NC1Y9QHnz4Y53Ng0Qb4ss3m521xy4YDqxyx3F01ur2Jhlh2__7EDE81XfTsaPZCKMF5Cyl3XlNYqrhLLn5FndZ_8D0TsC_PN5vScE3ZfnkAmnic1HzgA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="740" height="16" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisRzudMW6_kSHEUlPmzu5OXUnhTtq8hYkP5TQ0gGRJ3fnsBurGNkCnNK2i3VgoIYm4BRF9J3NC1Y9QHnz4Y53Ng0Qb4ss3m521xy4YDqxyx3F01ur2Jhlh2__7EDE81XfTsaPZCKMF5Cyl3XlNYqrhLLn5FndZ_8D0TsC_PN5vScE3ZfnkAmnic1HzgA" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inner size band: White perforated band with brown ink</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Onion Dome</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjhziJ_fMczE4dZAFLJbeOgxCei8ovtna9JATj2IiFu-8vlStMEokAYer1kGj2n1QtIEQqj72bL8JeQHyCSZbefQs31usMuKa4MHSjIvtxMmnkEQjfpaHwhUr5satfrLPxW1TbQsHFpQw5GW6WZS1epDG6auDvG7muNIePzmF5zDflkUV0iyuo5fctGQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjhziJ_fMczE4dZAFLJbeOgxCei8ovtna9JATj2IiFu-8vlStMEokAYer1kGj2n1QtIEQqj72bL8JeQHyCSZbefQs31usMuKa4MHSjIvtxMmnkEQjfpaHwhUr5satfrLPxW1TbQsHFpQw5GW6WZS1epDG6auDvG7muNIePzmF5zDflkUV0iyuo5fctGQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />When we think of the worst features of New Era caps made in China, these take the cake. These feature bulbous, onion-shaped crowns and smaller than usual visors. Fortunately, the 2019 Player's Weekend caps appear to be the only US-assembled caps with this shape.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqQqcsI6h9ssNE4QXA5THwhac2TlB5h4tAO9C3vkgg0pF6OPD4m8rMZW9j_BFlrg1bMl4YXl-Bbb7hplvtRliwfGEKoCwxjb4dtw8Ocsi3J-vqpuwVxSnfe0VJs9D9REFLTeuM1Rv4P8s7_OKEerEuuDQ7XCb4QZDd-4pY3mFm84gGvxXKZxYigN_PSQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="740" height="16" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqQqcsI6h9ssNE4QXA5THwhac2TlB5h4tAO9C3vkgg0pF6OPD4m8rMZW9j_BFlrg1bMl4YXl-Bbb7hplvtRliwfGEKoCwxjb4dtw8Ocsi3J-vqpuwVxSnfe0VJs9D9REFLTeuM1Rv4P8s7_OKEerEuuDQ7XCb4QZDd-4pY3mFm84gGvxXKZxYigN_PSQ" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inner size band: White perforated band with brown ink</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Laotian-American</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnEGuLF89W2Ce7hJ4cPDBs0lU00Gc-jhxNyF2irnmqu07D6MfyN8FBEjw2Wd25I_gDtIzcvzcLtCEUEGiW3gM1wMvFDqFwY83DtciJvFBh7sQp-ejwGkUxg_Pjczh3VpfhkCmqxfdiLKdZBoQ00jeEbEwZ5OXAqb2f7T-AWOFuJzMCLOfjpfZTu8CiwA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnEGuLF89W2Ce7hJ4cPDBs0lU00Gc-jhxNyF2irnmqu07D6MfyN8FBEjw2Wd25I_gDtIzcvzcLtCEUEGiW3gM1wMvFDqFwY83DtciJvFBh7sQp-ejwGkUxg_Pjczh3VpfhkCmqxfdiLKdZBoQ00jeEbEwZ5OXAqb2f7T-AWOFuJzMCLOfjpfZTu8CiwA" width="320" /></a></div><br />With the spring training/batting practice and 4th of July retail caps being made in Laos, many noticed that the Laotian caps have a distinctly tall crown with a rounded top. Here they can be seen on these assembled-in-Florida team issued caps 4th of July using the Laotian components.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie8G8ZLQhzAMP3b4K-gESClXCFpxPeUowegOM7tYhTn9xeIPEmtwQCGCwo0fXUOGHK3_BHJNyUP_STlPcQZQc-tttZ357PmzG_kZ18dhMWG0lw72someQ9Al3gMEw9o7s4ILMQhCupdklYKvW2bKsDCV3xAw6ww0HQb-PsimbDJrP-a1HZWIJi9xptOw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="740" height="16" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie8G8ZLQhzAMP3b4K-gESClXCFpxPeUowegOM7tYhTn9xeIPEmtwQCGCwo0fXUOGHK3_BHJNyUP_STlPcQZQc-tttZ357PmzG_kZ18dhMWG0lw72someQ9Al3gMEw9o7s4ILMQhCupdklYKvW2bKsDCV3xAw6ww0HQb-PsimbDJrP-a1HZWIJi9xptOw" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inner size band: White perforated band with brown ink</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Hybrid</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD-PYuXdoR7XiS40xy30ay6Y1jDZ2jMjSFLgyqGAHOVrnAzbQqzWf0QzpTDpvri9Q0U2VeqqTXrHSBX25UfDfc28jLR4MtYw20zlXsK_OtO3OVnTOdTDe6O7htoimoiNdyWKFzjWQFy2ZBWO4DTuz7i8y8a4oBeAPc5s1WLRzm4XffaaKEsCfHR75gqw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD-PYuXdoR7XiS40xy30ay6Y1jDZ2jMjSFLgyqGAHOVrnAzbQqzWf0QzpTDpvri9Q0U2VeqqTXrHSBX25UfDfc28jLR4MtYw20zlXsK_OtO3OVnTOdTDe6O7htoimoiNdyWKFzjWQFy2ZBWO4DTuz7i8y8a4oBeAPc5s1WLRzm4XffaaKEsCfHR75gqw" width="320" /></a></div><br />This cap is made similar to overseas caps but may have had more USA assembly than just the three components being stitched together. These have the same visor size and shape as caps that were made in Derby. However, I have only seen these with the 2020 team issued San Diego Padres standard cap, Sunday home alternate, and the never-worn 2020 St. Patrick's Day caps.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEublKusakOqmD2GVFP4I1j_9A5fIjsaGXI8ALRXNOFBcyqMjLn1G8LH7yLrkNx8XUEBz-gZyevVfOiBZcMgQ-ymRNrpk-tD9sn3AD8Vqf1xX9kR7XRZNuhINd6DUVsslxscMKmW2l6lkWbvbmHVGEKwutid_frJ2s1fC-9bBfzY8nDs-x2d3iOXz48g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="743" height="16" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEublKusakOqmD2GVFP4I1j_9A5fIjsaGXI8ALRXNOFBcyqMjLn1G8LH7yLrkNx8XUEBz-gZyevVfOiBZcMgQ-ymRNrpk-tD9sn3AD8Vqf1xX9kR7XRZNuhINd6DUVsslxscMKmW2l6lkWbvbmHVGEKwutid_frJ2s1fC-9bBfzY8nDs-x2d3iOXz48g" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">Inner size band: White solid band with blue ink</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Derby Clone</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU5hcIkoBnae59WFtU6UzTvQkF7k7SvRNpnyJzRF2Q0wFY8T88RTj7gaXnq1MA_gBDRymTqv6iqkajzcogunng5i42nhoedK0BbVN6O-t_cb6FyRw9FdIYd6o3j3QcYP6aXLXnZz3G5UQHe2N0PeP4XrS5rN5yQBLHWYy-XTY7W4E7LCJe9jhdhZoHQA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU5hcIkoBnae59WFtU6UzTvQkF7k7SvRNpnyJzRF2Q0wFY8T88RTj7gaXnq1MA_gBDRymTqv6iqkajzcogunng5i42nhoedK0BbVN6O-t_cb6FyRw9FdIYd6o3j3QcYP6aXLXnZz3G5UQHe2N0PeP4XrS5rN5yQBLHWYy-XTY7W4E7LCJe9jhdhZoHQA" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="text-align: left;">The Florida plant apparently does have the capability to cut & sew from scratch. These caps are made exactly like the caps made at New Era's former Derby, NY. plant. As you may recall, the Derby plant's cutting and sewing equipment was sold at auction a while ago. It's possible that the company New Era contracts with to assemble team issued caps in Florida purchased this equipment and is now using it, or New Era simply held on to some of the machinery. I'd be willing to bet that the Covid-19 pandemic and supply chain issues have made a US-based cutting and sewing operation a necessity. Fortunately, these are becoming more and more common.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBxYRYttGt32440fUeQNOPN1uYhieg0stbuKJx6A3F5xGZUrKOZN-N_DMI1vnehx5J48JKtPPv8S1kKJk6CfQJxVi5AE4yzhPDHIVWn9lia27Z-9Z4cKaxMffPz9aDJif-hKI6xOhjt9wKX5JPkOZu4yf43ko373L5X-Vhy4r05f446zh_N86IEG2JbQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="743" height="16" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBxYRYttGt32440fUeQNOPN1uYhieg0stbuKJx6A3F5xGZUrKOZN-N_DMI1vnehx5J48JKtPPv8S1kKJk6CfQJxVi5AE4yzhPDHIVWn9lia27Z-9Z4cKaxMffPz9aDJif-hKI6xOhjt9wKX5JPkOZu4yf43ko373L5X-Vhy4r05f446zh_N86IEG2JbQ" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inner size band: White solid band with blue ink</div><p></p><div><a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div><div><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-42631948280458354342022-02-23T20:00:00.002-08:002022-02-24T08:19:17.569-08:00All That is Old is New Again: "Trucker" Mesh Caps Return for Spring Training, Lost 2020 Padres St. Patrick's Day Cap Surfaces<p> Despite the MLB lockout, the new MLB Spring Training caps are finding their way to stores. Much to everyone's surprise, the new caps are "trucker" style mesh caps, the likes of which have not been seen on a professional baseball field for decades. Commonly worn in snapback form from the 70s through the early 90s during spring training, mesh was the last thing I expected to see with all of the fancy high-tech moisture-wicking fabric we have available today. New Era has used "basketball shorts" mesh in the past before experimenting with fancy materials for the past decade such as "Diamond Era", "Prolight", honeycomb-patterned "Hex Tech" and finally "Dash", a material similar to the kind used on jerseys which was used for the past two seasons and will likely continue to see use in the minor leagues.</p><p>I can't say I wasn't completely surprised though, as the cancelled 2020 All-Star Game caps were to be made with mesh and the NY Mets had been seen testing out what were likely the prototypes for this spring's caps during last years' spring training.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0NZlB5Ivsxu7HeTmmbdzvvyqzzZk4JQdMkjOWdJHEWXLFKrf4rcA3LW0SGP9fYckLu02Y5EvCVIte-OWSa9zJboglpkSa8QLvoKsAt-MP6F8gceEhYSHPz6abDlWPJ--tGDl1lGcHw23U9Ek2xswPi4TBbsMSYKSOVaMweCgpVm1tc9FT0epghW2dsA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="736" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0NZlB5Ivsxu7HeTmmbdzvvyqzzZk4JQdMkjOWdJHEWXLFKrf4rcA3LW0SGP9fYckLu02Y5EvCVIte-OWSa9zJboglpkSa8QLvoKsAt-MP6F8gceEhYSHPz6abDlWPJ--tGDl1lGcHw23U9Ek2xswPi4TBbsMSYKSOVaMweCgpVm1tc9FT0epghW2dsA" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I purchased the San Diego Padres version as well as the St. Patrick's Day cap. The Cactus League logo is a cloth patch attached to the cap by an embroidered outline. And yes, the mesh is exactly like the caps of old but now fitted and not snapback.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYtOQNgh5NmO5lV4unKxuQ7_b7x26vASKsAPGvOAv5Bbbf3otkzC_8Ay5M6xokHOfvOfyKcLSs04tufptWMrOuH4iIvF38pPumFHzGRAHd3wRyjEbl9mjt4MIGedNHt44n2jywbNWBf8B4Y1RZHT4fv9npui_aYE1F0zKkSk8-yXxvATlSXlTlHFr8mw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYtOQNgh5NmO5lV4unKxuQ7_b7x26vASKsAPGvOAv5Bbbf3otkzC_8Ay5M6xokHOfvOfyKcLSs04tufptWMrOuH4iIvF38pPumFHzGRAHd3wRyjEbl9mjt4MIGedNHt44n2jywbNWBf8B4Y1RZHT4fv9npui_aYE1F0zKkSk8-yXxvATlSXlTlHFr8mw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii3em7XrI9f-EyMHwQLlzmZiA-tlCcdIREFIGFgtVnjBLi2IYjuAVIqqiv7jxnyO-CkXVdxY1lrqbwmnTRHlUpHQI9rMpvLlRSAZyNVECvWWsCP3KrNKN8Y93FYGe10f2MK1OpNMdmJPwfD04EgZZtI6oJZfk7QdSQsSsoUt8026JHEhpYpQz2Jz4TXg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii3em7XrI9f-EyMHwQLlzmZiA-tlCcdIREFIGFgtVnjBLi2IYjuAVIqqiv7jxnyO-CkXVdxY1lrqbwmnTRHlUpHQI9rMpvLlRSAZyNVECvWWsCP3KrNKN8Y93FYGe10f2MK1OpNMdmJPwfD04EgZZtI6oJZfk7QdSQsSsoUt8026JHEhpYpQz2Jz4TXg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX11vi0xSMwN0MeduI6TKpahFSkBrfI76PihHdTm2pbO_EICR0MMkQ_QjqxIiDZZByU9cBn3-lnEr53AenC_XOo7jQaZWBb3EtLRgoVHPDIsK7jZ8X9lXZhxSH5LuxIGbU7y-W7tjA1GZPmZ-vgrKRaQ2Q3wH_8GFVmpPhoTVNRN097llrX2INYo0b5A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX11vi0xSMwN0MeduI6TKpahFSkBrfI76PihHdTm2pbO_EICR0MMkQ_QjqxIiDZZByU9cBn3-lnEr53AenC_XOo7jQaZWBb3EtLRgoVHPDIsK7jZ8X9lXZhxSH5LuxIGbU7y-W7tjA1GZPmZ-vgrKRaQ2Q3wH_8GFVmpPhoTVNRN097llrX2INYo0b5A" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>Spring training caps haven't been made in the USA for nearly twenty years (with the exception of St. Patrick's Day during certain seasons) and this year is no different. China has been the country of choice the entire time, so I was shocked to see Laos as the country of origin. Kahn Souphanousinphone would be proud.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCJFQkorO4NerNl-NmHZxIeh-Y83QYfH4XatJ5NsbAIgKKToiddS2KMCEDMRZCymsegdpw9-33KyUhzcR38mQ4ZGOk64xiDBaGIAZ8yhgP-cHKMfEbjB8QiNC8JfTuy7rTJHS1ruAFQ2RO5cD_WQ_W1jlDvBZ9X5mtk5_nVL9bueK53HdjR3FFWo-UQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCJFQkorO4NerNl-NmHZxIeh-Y83QYfH4XatJ5NsbAIgKKToiddS2KMCEDMRZCymsegdpw9-33KyUhzcR38mQ4ZGOk64xiDBaGIAZ8yhgP-cHKMfEbjB8QiNC8JfTuy7rTJHS1ruAFQ2RO5cD_WQ_W1jlDvBZ9X5mtk5_nVL9bueK53HdjR3FFWo-UQw" width="320" /></a></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAnVoXR2QQ_re3hw4QQe4EGYIe-FyBBlBqZB26M9MZOIYyKPhmLEQ2hJ3ExkrJPF7nWWtY6x1Cdco_y6Ie4I_e4JrdDDkrILPUSc3tqU_oqvxQBSANvzR6dmzMyHoW-ZFyM98J2RwSJauSOj_iTfbmZl2eIdDUzF6f8i1y07I3QRk4PZTVf8ZPvpzG4A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="260" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAnVoXR2QQ_re3hw4QQe4EGYIe-FyBBlBqZB26M9MZOIYyKPhmLEQ2hJ3ExkrJPF7nWWtY6x1Cdco_y6Ie4I_e4JrdDDkrILPUSc3tqU_oqvxQBSANvzR6dmzMyHoW-ZFyM98J2RwSJauSOj_iTfbmZl2eIdDUzF6f8i1y07I3QRk4PZTVf8ZPvpzG4A" width="320" /></a></div><br />The St. Patrick's Day cap was also made in Laos. No patch or shamrock design on them this season.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfcsxFifH_5oFIURfxNF-QVLpf-6EuYtqS7z7RpWMq4OGf5oqJjAApaEHDqDvC1WPAyFsh5VCUvk7RIqnxTSfifBMlcI80qtGpolbRMVKy7PQyZa3HCZc4wy9Gt22LDmjgVzwyOayMWeEhobB0RR6MtOO4wUh33yUjgOm2veGejj2TTjB8xGP2EQlmAg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfcsxFifH_5oFIURfxNF-QVLpf-6EuYtqS7z7RpWMq4OGf5oqJjAApaEHDqDvC1WPAyFsh5VCUvk7RIqnxTSfifBMlcI80qtGpolbRMVKy7PQyZa3HCZc4wy9Gt22LDmjgVzwyOayMWeEhobB0RR6MtOO4wUh33yUjgOm2veGejj2TTjB8xGP2EQlmAg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgREbaNrLbHd1PVdtoBx_e3yi8wjLws7mywmVE-21YEGyrt3_pmVSi2sp84e11HCwBhRN_OzACCUo96xHmlaVAy-2g66TL09KQXaN1-5qSbKEW_kCs_qo51FubGNmxwgQkmPpDRCVUVS3lYUxfgFFsKYMdOL4hxcNdVzSJzf2pdgPGT44244yQmCjiffQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgREbaNrLbHd1PVdtoBx_e3yi8wjLws7mywmVE-21YEGyrt3_pmVSi2sp84e11HCwBhRN_OzACCUo96xHmlaVAy-2g66TL09KQXaN1-5qSbKEW_kCs_qo51FubGNmxwgQkmPpDRCVUVS3lYUxfgFFsKYMdOL4hxcNdVzSJzf2pdgPGT44244yQmCjiffQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRcx5r2W1l3VrNZ0dtA6MLaigxS5Q_yh73YfFI-J6FehHdYGHagSW17C1GQHxCEwxMTK6E0EovGSten3bAr1Hh81egUisb47MtnWAUINPAX23X0aNbuyp90kBTsDHo_sadMCP_OejFT1sD8IxGEvAvbUKOkTbg5YOOY4mjUkdmrBCYVKv-jB8ZalKj-w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRcx5r2W1l3VrNZ0dtA6MLaigxS5Q_yh73YfFI-J6FehHdYGHagSW17C1GQHxCEwxMTK6E0EovGSten3bAr1Hh81egUisb47MtnWAUINPAX23X0aNbuyp90kBTsDHo_sadMCP_OejFT1sD8IxGEvAvbUKOkTbg5YOOY4mjUkdmrBCYVKv-jB8ZalKj-w" width="320" /></a></div><p>Speaking of Padres St. Patrick's Day caps, a source connected with the team sent me some green Padres caps that had been stashed away at the team facility in Peoria, AZ. I initially thought these were leftover 2015 St. Patrick's Day caps, but I quickly saw that they were newer and made at New Era's Florida assembly plant. After speaking with a number of people, the consensus is that these were last-minute replacements for the 2020 St. Patrick's Day cap, which would have featured a controversial logo that made headlines at the time. Since spring training was cancelled before St. Patrick's Day, these caps never saw the light of day.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoSNpw1rb47XtY8ui_h35wIsRo9qYnK-J9SDKUAXiEFwQHa_OzfXWKUjlhXzl4vV-ymsYILw2zcuPmHtm-0K_aNVJyWNZUQMJ7Z76ym6d6L8DxAT12HEncqIPVgdLF0YQ0MouinhuiMv4Ilbe9z-pO7onBUMG0qcCyF-NL64HHTHskQxcI45yBrl0rIg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoSNpw1rb47XtY8ui_h35wIsRo9qYnK-J9SDKUAXiEFwQHa_OzfXWKUjlhXzl4vV-ymsYILw2zcuPmHtm-0K_aNVJyWNZUQMJ7Z76ym6d6L8DxAT12HEncqIPVgdLF0YQ0MouinhuiMv4Ilbe9z-pO7onBUMG0qcCyF-NL64HHTHskQxcI45yBrl0rIg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisLgxxD_1pwByUoyCeBu7GTuHRpdnuk-_2Fey0Y1cznJQGBKOM46geIxZlyyS0q9x3tek2GD7ykHmZYa5vXtZTG4_H9CInb8jgk72EnSgBRMr95D8jue8EnBqdaQSWQwCCqXW2j-XWfwc78bA4lzX8-gen2WahpTE2jx7dndQZ4IaU1QeAygp99yifog" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisLgxxD_1pwByUoyCeBu7GTuHRpdnuk-_2Fey0Y1cznJQGBKOM46geIxZlyyS0q9x3tek2GD7ykHmZYa5vXtZTG4_H9CInb8jgk72EnSgBRMr95D8jue8EnBqdaQSWQwCCqXW2j-XWfwc78bA4lzX8-gen2WahpTE2jx7dndQZ4IaU1QeAygp99yifog" width="320" /></a></div><p></p></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-lJp7TV7uu3_in_H5uVvn9SOVLEtYTYH9xUhRDfhWXOdRsBgo_A4_vmW50GSFxoS5UTY_MM3sG_uAoZk722GUpBUS8x_Ni0McYEsAd0gh8A3dNZTvUEg5gYN6nsP_j-IhVgbgp2eHyQsC0dtt28SPJlPUNzCk_GWFgGZz7-SXDGfWDJA0TECNfegTaw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-lJp7TV7uu3_in_H5uVvn9SOVLEtYTYH9xUhRDfhWXOdRsBgo_A4_vmW50GSFxoS5UTY_MM3sG_uAoZk722GUpBUS8x_Ni0McYEsAd0gh8A3dNZTvUEg5gYN6nsP_j-IhVgbgp2eHyQsC0dtt28SPJlPUNzCk_GWFgGZz7-SXDGfWDJA0TECNfegTaw" width="320" /></a></div><br />The black stitches on top of the backs of the tags indicate these were assembled at New Era's Florida facility.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG5isid8fLwb5zyZTn6rNEX18vNSxRENzhG-DKxAMFkgq1qJVhA_k-1nzy9hNbwx4l2VQKKjvV7NT_NZP6Oyn50mUmvF3mpyD5FrEb7pILTo8G4RgtacgWoj9gMe1Ee_npvOuvkKZEiAVmXTK2tNjRRMRpCEy_cu89ow5x2NCcozONnnYUijbzcJ5sCQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG5isid8fLwb5zyZTn6rNEX18vNSxRENzhG-DKxAMFkgq1qJVhA_k-1nzy9hNbwx4l2VQKKjvV7NT_NZP6Oyn50mUmvF3mpyD5FrEb7pILTo8G4RgtacgWoj9gMe1Ee_npvOuvkKZEiAVmXTK2tNjRRMRpCEy_cu89ow5x2NCcozONnnYUijbzcJ5sCQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoS8p2w3Lx4w-tX0d1FhKCC30vRaD7ijK5nPRdyooZ_5_CStajUBJ2a80Px7gkAywFCUx_nnsXglB-Z4Y-IkXXVTuCp4JFKrJLqJnBblbSPFhwwVU5QtFMdB6nSh6qoUu7SDJKH9D5YfV7K1m_wE8mcroV1hlWwMH5o1v6ILznSs5pCik4AwFJq44nvg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoS8p2w3Lx4w-tX0d1FhKCC30vRaD7ijK5nPRdyooZ_5_CStajUBJ2a80Px7gkAywFCUx_nnsXglB-Z4Y-IkXXVTuCp4JFKrJLqJnBblbSPFhwwVU5QtFMdB6nSh6qoUu7SDJKH9D5YfV7K1m_wE8mcroV1hlWwMH5o1v6ILznSs5pCik4AwFJq44nvg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The 2015 version, which has a "Fly Your Own Flag" tag and is made with 100% wool.</div>Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-1305447221659383592021-03-06T09:45:00.016-08:002021-03-19T08:56:52.134-07:00Differences Between Derby, NY-made and Miami, FL-made New Era Caps - Old vs. New "Made In USA"<p>New Era shut down their long-time US factory in Derby, NY in June of 2019. Since MLB requires the actual caps that the players wear on the field to be at least "assembled" in the US, New Era now hires contractors in the Miami, FL area (Hialeah) to assemble MLB team issued caps. These caps are not made for retail, but it's possible to acquire MLB team issued caps directly from teams via "Authentics" programs, MLB Auctions, and fan fest sales. It also appears that occasionally, some actually do make it out to retail.</p><p>In this post we will examine the differences between New Era caps made at the now-closed Derby, NY plant vs. the caps "assembled" in Hialeah, FL. Team-issued 2020 San Diego Padres caps will be used for most of the comparison photos (yes, the Derby plant was able to make some before it closed). They quite possibly may have been the very last caps ever made there.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BYD3UL8EiZwNSR4-GcFXv8nFv1nqKLUyZHPkbzRHnVy6UNxHN2cjyuSjzAJGsfIVC1CIMuPBga0rYUrc8kjpA-VMKWBLVG-xDNQ6UrUtZhcvksV9veUpwPVHXO8h-zaVmsqTGVHNiRh_/s2048/20210305_182655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BYD3UL8EiZwNSR4-GcFXv8nFv1nqKLUyZHPkbzRHnVy6UNxHN2cjyuSjzAJGsfIVC1CIMuPBga0rYUrc8kjpA-VMKWBLVG-xDNQ6UrUtZhcvksV9veUpwPVHXO8h-zaVmsqTGVHNiRh_/w400-h300/20210305_182655.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJpnd4oCzhVBrYtgqcA1tS5RVkftym3wNodmiVApDehqVLRip7ZocJ-p8yrUvMm7YrqH1Aniyh2QOMxp4JWEvj3-jNaPNCni4-mh5skzuJSJigyxCy6-o6GPtsUD9SGhO8gH3NTAPH_xP/s2048/20210305_182856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJpnd4oCzhVBrYtgqcA1tS5RVkftym3wNodmiVApDehqVLRip7ZocJ-p8yrUvMm7YrqH1Aniyh2QOMxp4JWEvj3-jNaPNCni4-mh5skzuJSJigyxCy6-o6GPtsUD9SGhO8gH3NTAPH_xP/w400-h300/20210305_182856.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"> <i style="text-align: center;">A 2020 San Diego Padres cap made in Derby, NY.</i></p><p>Many were disappointed to learn that the caps assembled in Hialeah do not resemble the ones made in Derby. Most of Derby's cap-making equipment was sold off in auctions (see <a href="https://www.blackbirdauctions.com/auction/new-era-cap-derby-ny/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="https://www.blackbirdauctions.com/auction/new-era-cap-2-derby-ny/" target="_blank">HERE</a>). Why? They simply didn't need it. Almost all of the cap components are constructed overseas and then sent to Hialeah. This includes the visors and crowns. The sweatbands and tags are most likely made and prepared overseas as well. Once the parts arrive in Hialeah, the contractors simply stitch the crown, visor, and sweatband together to make a whole cap. This is the bare minimum to be able to label the finished product as "Made in USA". How this actually qualifies as "Made in USA" is a mystery to me, but it has been sanctioned by Major League Baseball.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriBt_bm3ijT10YEXzdK0_bbjXfkoYYh87baGHreA98g4tcL1DZNuHBPCVh-khBEqdiE7kKaULmC_hhOcnqcSTnFsmD7uJhdCY52Bz708EuR2aSTS3r7WxvcBG5cVkoZx3Uhc_f75prTNF/s2048/20210305_183123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriBt_bm3ijT10YEXzdK0_bbjXfkoYYh87baGHreA98g4tcL1DZNuHBPCVh-khBEqdiE7kKaULmC_hhOcnqcSTnFsmD7uJhdCY52Bz708EuR2aSTS3r7WxvcBG5cVkoZx3Uhc_f75prTNF/w400-h300/20210305_183123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYRm5906e9E88rYjUVrwO3YEBumP1suJGZSq-rNj1JfiVhbxDF0ttTwZQ47HA14QJZ32knGxJFgPBltmHAC3DaYC8DJ3GRPxZGUy1snKai6Djwp0gbZ6zLvFRNkkE0zJAYsT7OTA7UrT3/s2048/20210305_183231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYRm5906e9E88rYjUVrwO3YEBumP1suJGZSq-rNj1JfiVhbxDF0ttTwZQ47HA14QJZ32knGxJFgPBltmHAC3DaYC8DJ3GRPxZGUy1snKai6Djwp0gbZ6zLvFRNkkE0zJAYsT7OTA7UrT3/w400-h300/20210305_183231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A 2020 San Diego Padres cap "assembled" in Hialeah, FL</i></div><p>In the photo below, you can see the difference in crown shape. The Derby-made caps are taller and narrow, while the Hialeah-made caps are more squat, being shorter and wider. The front panels of a Derby-made cap are soft, while Florida-made caps are more stiff like the caps made overseas. Caps made in Hialeah, FL also tend to fit slightly smaller.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwak7ZQDVlhDMjuudo5H63nRS2SSC8ynfvdhglvzCtBENenEUQABhO9h_dCucPJ5VzUhZprS7rF87xd3WtFBiLFXLeHWULqwVQEFddkjoSoBxQhfsy4ksTJgCV8umFA7UBJA6l1vTIdrV/s2048/20210305_183445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwak7ZQDVlhDMjuudo5H63nRS2SSC8ynfvdhglvzCtBENenEUQABhO9h_dCucPJ5VzUhZprS7rF87xd3WtFBiLFXLeHWULqwVQEFddkjoSoBxQhfsy4ksTJgCV8umFA7UBJA6l1vTIdrV/w400-h300/20210305_183445.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>You can also see the difference between the embroidery on the 2020 San Diego Padres caps made at Derby vs. Hialeah in the photos below. The Derby-made caps have rounded embroidery, whereas the Hialeah-made embroidery pops straight out much further than the Derby-made cap, just like the ones made overseas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEamoYm5gylYb-wNk8DAiFgjON00smOA695OOoxsyavcKSiTv1Bu9L2pLjGkNvwtG1iPqMG9D3Ih6qfCMXF2OtRp1JWsVyYW_eBF2cYc72oaEGLIm7gwFTavysMxEwSWQxlW6TEVBeK2q/s2048/20210305_182836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEamoYm5gylYb-wNk8DAiFgjON00smOA695OOoxsyavcKSiTv1Bu9L2pLjGkNvwtG1iPqMG9D3Ih6qfCMXF2OtRp1JWsVyYW_eBF2cYc72oaEGLIm7gwFTavysMxEwSWQxlW6TEVBeK2q/w400-h300/20210305_182836.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEn1kDGSOxqolRHrj8OSZyhDtqBee0Pn9euhVTyfJ7wWyT6HH7-YHFkf39xIK4H52OPAKh8sEsL3LvVITK2KvxanI3wRnhywwQH_md0XFii4MsoB3K5xGN07AdL7UzXZ31r15CaGDCxrC/s2048/20210305_183133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEn1kDGSOxqolRHrj8OSZyhDtqBee0Pn9euhVTyfJ7wWyT6HH7-YHFkf39xIK4H52OPAKh8sEsL3LvVITK2KvxanI3wRnhywwQH_md0XFii4MsoB3K5xGN07AdL7UzXZ31r15CaGDCxrC/w400-h300/20210305_183133.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The dead giveaway that the visors are not assembled in Hialeah is due to some caps being made with parts from Bangladesh. How do I know they're from Bangladesh? Bangladesh-made caps have become known to New Era cap collectors as the lowest-quality caps that New Era manufactures. They feature even more bulbous, rock-hard crowns compared to those made in China. The other sign of a made in Bangladesh cap is the visor; the eight rows of visor stitching are much closer together than New Era caps made elsewhere. It's very easy to see how drastic the difference is. These have shown up on caps made in Hialeah. Do you really believe that New Era would have both types of visor stitching machines at their plant?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_EQ5tAghIkqTyMhHDV85lA2NYqNvoQim1B7L2HBr1OXR_rFTrpoVpurVcHCGnpj_lJldQHeMtH9Kv6y7wMII9MsTPDBHsF3dEYtxvodQ_k5SXouXfhA3jXao0PuYZB1_5WPtl2P-ElnA/s2048/20210306_080838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_EQ5tAghIkqTyMhHDV85lA2NYqNvoQim1B7L2HBr1OXR_rFTrpoVpurVcHCGnpj_lJldQHeMtH9Kv6y7wMII9MsTPDBHsF3dEYtxvodQ_k5SXouXfhA3jXao0PuYZB1_5WPtl2P-ElnA/w400-h300/20210306_080838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Click on the photo for a lager view. </i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Notice the eight rows of visor stitching are much closer together on this Hialeah-made Kansas City Monarchs cap compared to the San Francisco Giants cap on the right.</i></span></div><p>Another difference regarding visors is the size. Though the difference is only slight, the visors showing up on Hialeah-made caps are slightly smaller, just like the ones made overseas. In the photo below, I evenly placed the bottoms of the two caps together and you can see the slight extra length of the Derby-made cap under the Hialeah-made cap. According to measurements I took, a Derby-made visor is 7 1/2" across, whereas Bangladesh/Hialeah is 7 3/8", and China (most likely)/Hialeah is 7 1/4".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-GrI1apXeITqcrx7JNwrtd8ShjtDC0DIsOia9E-Nt7u1VHAKGBN3YlldVImqdeVIDYV3KJpR9wQEmM9U5363-2NXkCQZQYa5dYU31QbUsKdJBneBPXlP8bK7NOgXj6kt0CXnXCiO-pbn/s2048/20210305_183548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-GrI1apXeITqcrx7JNwrtd8ShjtDC0DIsOia9E-Nt7u1VHAKGBN3YlldVImqdeVIDYV3KJpR9wQEmM9U5363-2NXkCQZQYa5dYU31QbUsKdJBneBPXlP8bK7NOgXj6kt0CXnXCiO-pbn/w400-h300/20210305_183548.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The fabric of the caps are also different. If you look in the photo below, you can see that the lines of the polyester frabric are larger on the Florida-made cap to the right. Both fabrics also have a different texture. Look at the cheap caps available at your local gas station. Are the kitted lines larger or smaller?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIveibThoxC08n85A318zpixEd7efymPIPSgVJAur4Pc8S9XUrEjsvgDBk2drIkF42yLeSLQbPzzGK49Vl0IJsaEbGXuDDDjOyVLdT3qwG2sBTtzPBf1phFrHcGLb5VHUiFhRAFyZ3Dcx/s2048/20210305_183456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIveibThoxC08n85A318zpixEd7efymPIPSgVJAur4Pc8S9XUrEjsvgDBk2drIkF42yLeSLQbPzzGK49Vl0IJsaEbGXuDDDjOyVLdT3qwG2sBTtzPBf1phFrHcGLb5VHUiFhRAFyZ3Dcx/w400-h300/20210305_183456.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>If you can't tell a Derby-made cap and Hialeah-made cap apart from the outside, they can simply be identified by checking behind the sweatband. There is a while strip around the inside with sizes stamped on it. This strip helps measure the size when the cap is being assembled. Derby-made caps have a solid white band with blue ink from 2007 until the 2019 closure. All Hialeah-made caps that I have handled have a crosshatching white band with brown ink.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL7E2MvoO2yRYBld8lmPmG4TtVhh5v0TJ2wSzRlAYzxZkdkiabyk_65w2JUxOAQDQqCi8ozunC7Mwj8SmLBSfOFF8gYShA34dM1SLzLhZkZul_yZLtbaW87FUlpE1QLd4pAKkMISJ0Qw8/s2048/20210305_183002%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL7E2MvoO2yRYBld8lmPmG4TtVhh5v0TJ2wSzRlAYzxZkdkiabyk_65w2JUxOAQDQqCi8ozunC7Mwj8SmLBSfOFF8gYShA34dM1SLzLhZkZul_yZLtbaW87FUlpE1QLd4pAKkMISJ0Qw8/w400-h300/20210305_183002%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLOILfQYgwkVJgwAug_9hRnUKQ3m1h_vrK5ffgmvmAn8LduUqahg459a9l8w_jM93Gcgzn6vV5B0MELH0aIFxRxvfMzC82VL4dTduyhcRkqKKq_VDQZleledxCWHcUkyENNGtqGUJR7Gb/s2048/20210305_183306%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLOILfQYgwkVJgwAug_9hRnUKQ3m1h_vrK5ffgmvmAn8LduUqahg459a9l8w_jM93Gcgzn6vV5B0MELH0aIFxRxvfMzC82VL4dTduyhcRkqKKq_VDQZleledxCWHcUkyENNGtqGUJR7Gb/w400-h300/20210305_183306%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Derby-made (top), Hialeah-made (bottom)</i></div><p>In conclusion; the sad fact is that there really isn't a whole lot of "Made in USA" going on at New Era's Hialeah, FL plant. This was all done so that New Era could save a few bucks by no longer owning their own plant and hiring contractors to do the bare minimum for them. According to articles I've read, this was done so that New Era can move away from being a cap manufacturer and become a "brand" and hire others to make their products for them.</p><div><a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div><div><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div><div><a href="http://procaprepair.com">Pro Cap Repair</a></div>Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-78068226606727958632021-01-30T11:14:00.004-08:002021-01-30T20:12:28.698-08:00Caps of 2020, Where Art Thou? The Year in Review <p>2020 has been an interesting year to say the least. For those of us that still prefer to buy made in USA MLB on-field player's caps, the pandemic has made buying them a bit more complicated. With the closure of New Era's plant in Derby, NY in June of 2019, you can no longer purchase "what the pros wear" in stores other than what was remaining in stock. My plan from here on out is to purchase team issued caps directly from the teams.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3mQUNpu-kSzWl0wOqSIkYbrYWElvnND9F5I3qR5KSyteYX1ZO7hQ-DimRUcoc73Fef98gU-J2I-ilKhUnS3bPcCGjJ3idL8kgEPGz2R01s3EiQigVW4Qz1pH_rxtcSimKWLPcV7mGndh/s2048/20200911_151006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3mQUNpu-kSzWl0wOqSIkYbrYWElvnND9F5I3qR5KSyteYX1ZO7hQ-DimRUcoc73Fef98gU-J2I-ilKhUnS3bPcCGjJ3idL8kgEPGz2R01s3EiQigVW4Qz1pH_rxtcSimKWLPcV7mGndh/s320/20200911_151006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A made in USA Giants cap I purchased at the team store at Oracle Park. Any nook and cranny you could peek through to see inside the ballpark was tarped off. The sky was gray and full of floating ashes from California's horrendous summer fires. 2020 was as surreal as it gets.</i></div><p>From what I have been told, the last caps that the Derby plant made were for special event games in 2019 (Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July, the All-Star Game Workout/Home Run Derby caps, and certain "turn back the clock" caps. The Hialeah, Florida plant was up and running before the Derby closure, and they made the main All-Star on-field caps, Player's Weekend caps, and certain turn back the clock caps as well. Many teams began receiving standard on-field caps from Florida, such as a Diamondbacks "gradient" cap that I purchased from the team. If you cannot tell by the look and fit, Florida caps can be ID'd by brown text on the white "size band" between the back of the sweatband and crown. None of them are meant to be sold in retail; they are for MLB team issue only. However, I have learned that there are exceptions...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3ND6jVRfT_uln_Ehki0sk8KkvOabVP3U1bq9xIeDUFa3-gl6NIrjX-GEDC0muWyBlU_R2rZdQW0cg8aU5exqjkgGZ_KMTdRPZZwlNxbTIbRKll3E9ZH_iESztzxp2IKcBnAVkKWqdZVb/s2048/20190723_183031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3ND6jVRfT_uln_Ehki0sk8KkvOabVP3U1bq9xIeDUFa3-gl6NIrjX-GEDC0muWyBlU_R2rZdQW0cg8aU5exqjkgGZ_KMTdRPZZwlNxbTIbRKll3E9ZH_iESztzxp2IKcBnAVkKWqdZVb/s320/20190723_183031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Game used 1969 Orioles and Pilots "turn back the clock caps" I purchased from the Mariners in 2019. The Orioles cap was made in Florida, Pilots in Derby, NY.</i></div><p>Many collectors were delighted in 2020 when many special events caps from 2019 began to surface at "Ross Dress For Less" discount clothing stores. They were from Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July, the All-Star Game Workout/Home Run Derby caps, All-Star on-field caps, and Player's Weekend caps. There were a mix of made overseas and made in USA stock. The made in USA caps were easy to identify because they lacked New Era's trademark visor stickers. This was the retail debut for the made in Hialeah caps and most likely this will be the most common way they will ever show up. Since the made in USA caps were not made for retail, I wonder where they came from. Were these leftovers from the factory? Were these leftovers from the teams and they were sent back to New Era? Quite frankly I have no idea, but it was interesting to find these surplus team issued caps at a discount price, even tough the selection was random and each store was hit or miss.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6szkK5U7-Nzhc-lI_HadCl6iC_bJzePNL4x_4S6yGvqCD4Gfmc8KdgMYW6cNXMtK4GGqI64g95QLy0iR_LX7ZR7J77xzy-O46BibP8uZudMEjQCsGhKx9AhGxjbESmiDUclQHgz7pE5ka/s2048/20200926_163608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6szkK5U7-Nzhc-lI_HadCl6iC_bJzePNL4x_4S6yGvqCD4Gfmc8KdgMYW6cNXMtK4GGqI64g95QLy0iR_LX7ZR7J77xzy-O46BibP8uZudMEjQCsGhKx9AhGxjbESmiDUclQHgz7pE5ka/s320/20200926_163608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Made in USA Tigers, Marlins, and Cardinals caps that I found at Ross stores in 2020.</i></div><p>Another way that they can show up is when a certain cap is phased out. The Pirates phased out their "pillbox" caps in 2020. eBay seller "Bootonclub" is currently selling made in USA pillbox caps. The one that I received was made in Hialeah. I inquired about their stock and they informed me that their 7 1/4 and 7 3/8 stock were made in Hialeah and the rest were made in Derby. What most likely happened was this was New Era's leftover team stock that never made it to the team and was sent out to retail after the Pirates made the call to no longer wear them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTE8i4CsVaedXj8_kyB4tRwqWnrB9YbV3R2aMRXc6cZQiq7DEGbKWy2Xy1338Rxr-kya1tKfgEoOwMSC-GJwJf2KRV2fo8F8zLwvn-m1opYiJR4fkureE6Dh8ggrsQFgpVVP9I2vd0VJx/s2048/20201211_172740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTE8i4CsVaedXj8_kyB4tRwqWnrB9YbV3R2aMRXc6cZQiq7DEGbKWy2Xy1338Rxr-kya1tKfgEoOwMSC-GJwJf2KRV2fo8F8zLwvn-m1opYiJR4fkureE6Dh8ggrsQFgpVVP9I2vd0VJx/s320/20201211_172740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LxTekFJ2LhcjvF9RuyWftteid9SXUAtfJy46Vdqo2pMtuXip3S-2g4mG-KR2f7SaZgqi7tnfUeFjIrXHiFQaA6AnXJ9xXHta7ViD2W7f17j1vTwcVI3ry31BVFdAvuRaw1abgM0yfYaS/s2048/20201227_105456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LxTekFJ2LhcjvF9RuyWftteid9SXUAtfJy46Vdqo2pMtuXip3S-2g4mG-KR2f7SaZgqi7tnfUeFjIrXHiFQaA6AnXJ9xXHta7ViD2W7f17j1vTwcVI3ry31BVFdAvuRaw1abgM0yfYaS/s320/20201227_105456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A Pirates "pillbox" cap made in Florida. Notice it has a "5950" sticker instead of a pillbox sticker.</i></div></i><p>As for buying team issued caps directly from teams, that was another story. The pandemic hit in the spring and all teams shut down operations. Once the season started back up, very few teams were selling game used and team issued gear. Some teams were operating game used sales with only one person in charge. Teams that have third-party companies handle their game used gear were not selling anything at all as the third-party employees could not be at the stadium.</p><p>When game used caps showed up in 2020, it was the spring training caps at first. The 2020 spring training caps were highly publicized for being complete abominations. I had zero interest in buying any. When Jackie Robinson weekend passed, the first real game used caps of 2020 began to become available. I purchased a San Francisco Giants cap worn by Alex Dickerson, who made headlines this past season for receiving a false-positive Covid-19 test. The cap was made at Derby. Ironically, the Giants were also one of the first teams to offer the most game used equipment from the 2020 season despite California (especially the San Francisco Bay Area) having some of the most strict Covid-19 policies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJkZye5bZturcInlCzpV1zUpNUndpW_NMyinU_LBK2zUn8wlHNg-2JX4uaW9Ycm-m_uCHtB60lGhzFkKKkV-DqH-vdCtmWC9VqWbtHM9jmJvsT3YlGTKAkVj-qmDw3USEtLahwrcO9kM6/s2048/20200916_173905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJkZye5bZturcInlCzpV1zUpNUndpW_NMyinU_LBK2zUn8wlHNg-2JX4uaW9Ycm-m_uCHtB60lGhzFkKKkV-DqH-vdCtmWC9VqWbtHM9jmJvsT3YlGTKAkVj-qmDw3USEtLahwrcO9kM6/s320/20200916_173905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf1nwTNRBSfslOSJhXcT8oy7FEs9G3ZsUTTvO0D7fRfDAqU6nYiXSbBhH_s0JtwAZcLy8LxUgJ_raNq6WCH1RNT580GEin_YP94s0mJBA6GhYQNWV4OKRyqoecRoDmqMboHuVzQ7i_u0f/s2048/20200916_173928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf1nwTNRBSfslOSJhXcT8oy7FEs9G3ZsUTTvO0D7fRfDAqU6nYiXSbBhH_s0JtwAZcLy8LxUgJ_raNq6WCH1RNT580GEin_YP94s0mJBA6GhYQNWV4OKRyqoecRoDmqMboHuVzQ7i_u0f/s320/20200916_173928.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Alex Dickerson's Jackie Robinson Weekend cap.</i></div></i><p>Made in USA postseason patch and 2020 World Series patch caps surfaced in retail, likely due to the fact that teams in the post season had been wearing the same styles for a long time and thus New Era still had caps made at Derby in their stock. I found this out through Hat Club, which had received some made in USA Rays World Series caps. By the time I got to the website, they were all sold out. I called the Rays team store, which still had the alternate Devil Rays caps with World Series patches in my size.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHOfo_TpTstxfCGkrajteWMdJsmzh7mVBRXiSSK7ydJIpew-5cjlM4KJv1D2MEflWzc-ELtd3wv6n_xPh4Y1WwsJDdsEgY7Gw5B_WoovZloIdjRIzBfpYadipdYsrnvpVrGe794LR-8OO/s2048/20201119_162024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHOfo_TpTstxfCGkrajteWMdJsmzh7mVBRXiSSK7ydJIpew-5cjlM4KJv1D2MEflWzc-ELtd3wv6n_xPh4Y1WwsJDdsEgY7Gw5B_WoovZloIdjRIzBfpYadipdYsrnvpVrGe794LR-8OO/s320/20201119_162024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDVPlWOUN2_0WZclq3m9A716Cgnt9_XO6Mn_wZ1AoZHxluL7tjkJTqKOTDLMe7X3VE15JAL6T3BJ0IS6-rTSFj0EBrsga3hqdESOeRXEaWbp-pOq-SYfQBawEZaGWRc3HH6k_yDH02AOE/s2048/20201119_162047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDVPlWOUN2_0WZclq3m9A716Cgnt9_XO6Mn_wZ1AoZHxluL7tjkJTqKOTDLMe7X3VE15JAL6T3BJ0IS6-rTSFj0EBrsga3hqdESOeRXEaWbp-pOq-SYfQBawEZaGWRc3HH6k_yDH02AOE/s320/20201119_162047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>My Rays World Series cap purchased from the team.</i></div></i><p>When the season ended, I reached out to every team that had new on-field caps for 2020 to inquire about game used caps (Padres, Rangers, Brewers, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Nationals). Unfortunately, I hit a brick wall. Some teams didn't reply, some responded with somewhat sarcastic one-sentence responses saying that they didn't have any for sale, and some offered to put me on a "list" to be notified if/when they become available. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. However, it was 2020, what can you do? With fanfests appearing to be canceled, I'll just have to keep waiting until the other caps become available. Some game worn 2020 cap are slowly trickling onto MLB Auctions, so maybe more will eventually show up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSAykVfGlzZlpEJ8NsB_Ol5cPfw5YRFYuxkQdkua38Enc4ERV1tFSLWYL0NBjuLJG7iDg8B36x3Ge0L81VAhL1Ow3VIiyD-il8ijwDqHkKcKRyuFm0ReO0GV20OIXHdCnIx6LParN2g0Y/s2048/20201218_175756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSAykVfGlzZlpEJ8NsB_Ol5cPfw5YRFYuxkQdkua38Enc4ERV1tFSLWYL0NBjuLJG7iDg8B36x3Ge0L81VAhL1Ow3VIiyD-il8ijwDqHkKcKRyuFm0ReO0GV20OIXHdCnIx6LParN2g0Y/s320/20201218_175756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZYz0uSzfOD2MKhHeN16iBsDlvoc14ZQwSA_cU1I6ZGK1goaRzSKmkdYFqmCP9LRDT86hm9_xagzifPPO1p9HZ6xUxk55z1MT4iclbibLXQL34gscBesSL2KZL1yhpWWc3MSd7USAI8P-/s2048/20201218_175830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZYz0uSzfOD2MKhHeN16iBsDlvoc14ZQwSA_cU1I6ZGK1goaRzSKmkdYFqmCP9LRDT86hm9_xagzifPPO1p9HZ6xUxk55z1MT4iclbibLXQL34gscBesSL2KZL1yhpWWc3MSd7USAI8P-/s320/20201218_175830.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Game used 2020 Cardinals and Royals caps. The Royals cap that was worn by Mike Montgomery showed up on MLB Auctions.</i></div><p>I did have some luck. I was able to acquire regular season non-special event new-for-2020 team issued caps from the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals slightly modified their classic cap logo for 2020. However, the transaction with the Cardinals was slightly challenging because they did not sell the 2020 caps by size; they sold them by player. I basically chose players at random but luckily I was satisfied with what I received.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpenijvgY9TJucu_W8TybfivkcVggRAb9El-8mz0tD_vTdu0U3T_-5TLyzFRfkt1tnwysa3X1S6SQCv5UZQz5jeUMmFxSd1LbGHW8oHgjGHfvG002V9vSAbgSiRDZR29h50v29uCmsVPER/s2048/20201128_173838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpenijvgY9TJucu_W8TybfivkcVggRAb9El-8mz0tD_vTdu0U3T_-5TLyzFRfkt1tnwysa3X1S6SQCv5UZQz5jeUMmFxSd1LbGHW8oHgjGHfvG002V9vSAbgSiRDZR29h50v29uCmsVPER/s320/20201128_173838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhE1sSkKRo6z-LDbPk4xns0f8oU-pfM04Xqx9XgxGHPuNxPCD-ebzfK1bZd5qj7SeFmyu_7ozuQPLqW1D-HJ0IOOfb1J2gw9OW5pmUG0ioePToo48l8whue3qiTK41LttEQwn4imDI101/s2048/20201128_173854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhE1sSkKRo6z-LDbPk4xns0f8oU-pfM04Xqx9XgxGHPuNxPCD-ebzfK1bZd5qj7SeFmyu_7ozuQPLqW1D-HJ0IOOfb1J2gw9OW5pmUG0ioePToo48l8whue3qiTK41LttEQwn4imDI101/s320/20201128_173854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Game used 2020 Cardinals road cap.</i></div></i><p>The only other new style I was able to acquire were some gamers from the San Diego Padres, but they were from the Jackie Robinson weekend celebration and included the "42" patch on the side. The 42 patch caps have been the most widely-available game used caps of 2020, with a large number of teams making them available during the season or following its conclusion. Aside from the Padres, I was able to acquire game used 42 patch caps from the aforementioned Giants and Cubs as well, but I had seen several other teams make them available.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ItyQY_YKfI37CY59eiYBxYNy73oIDa781480cCDnMhir39N8kkQIXLy2ONlJtpHSi3JDFXkrPTPu9sx2kWb_fOmwNh4cMOr6aDCbTqWPIicUymbkaWeaLOqeMPrSl6-gCEqG7LCnK4TH/s2048/20201205_105707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ItyQY_YKfI37CY59eiYBxYNy73oIDa781480cCDnMhir39N8kkQIXLy2ONlJtpHSi3JDFXkrPTPu9sx2kWb_fOmwNh4cMOr6aDCbTqWPIicUymbkaWeaLOqeMPrSl6-gCEqG7LCnK4TH/s320/20201205_105707.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijijtbR_AEd3U4GmqBJEkAfkYiCRVzb4EE042qcm2QYwNzcGmd_axFXOOS_sIXVkwOpVhFN7F6xHiurenj_ruHsf0Z0meyeTnYuVz-LkTEiSXKp7DHZ7dLGYQ4IMVhNd6ojWSQBrWNWwqD/s2048/20201205_105743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijijtbR_AEd3U4GmqBJEkAfkYiCRVzb4EE042qcm2QYwNzcGmd_axFXOOS_sIXVkwOpVhFN7F6xHiurenj_ruHsf0Z0meyeTnYuVz-LkTEiSXKp7DHZ7dLGYQ4IMVhNd6ojWSQBrWNWwqD/s320/20201205_105743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dan Wikler's 2020 Jackie Robinson Weekend cap. Made in Florida.</i></div></i><p>Much to my shock, upon receiving the Padres caps I noticed that they were made at the Derby plant. The Padres did not unveil their new caps and uniforms until five months after the plant closure. New Era must have had at least roughly six months notice of the new cap designs in order to have these made before the plant closure. The Cardinals caps that I received were made in Florida. Whenever the other team issued new 2020 styles become available I will have to investigate and see if they were made at Derby or not.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOwIUtEB52Bt5uRRuAeD3UbiVrMdCbFcqyDpAJNpzv2tJBU9q88If-blpeOMceC_cM90VYLXC-ooga6000C9GOlzVwJstFnx06KPC4O1RpBoijZOKlVRK_8OksGKok3iUduMc0uFmA1D0/s2048/20201207_174924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOwIUtEB52Bt5uRRuAeD3UbiVrMdCbFcqyDpAJNpzv2tJBU9q88If-blpeOMceC_cM90VYLXC-ooga6000C9GOlzVwJstFnx06KPC4O1RpBoijZOKlVRK_8OksGKok3iUduMc0uFmA1D0/s320/20201207_174924.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANpskvvQ0SONL4a_y6i0Ja7ph9GYfVmrn7W7r9wurh8rL_u8mV8APQXcMjfW77HLvsj-60872rF-CJXMbKtfjSgZEB4yNORN1OFMZ1Dlq4IoovLlV-SGNlJWQuy5n7UzCBsay_UGznqPL/s2048/20201207_175354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANpskvvQ0SONL4a_y6i0Ja7ph9GYfVmrn7W7r9wurh8rL_u8mV8APQXcMjfW77HLvsj-60872rF-CJXMbKtfjSgZEB4yNORN1OFMZ1Dlq4IoovLlV-SGNlJWQuy5n7UzCBsay_UGznqPL/s320/20201207_175354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A 2020 Padres Jackie Robinson Weekend cap made in Derby, NY that was worn by Ryan Weathers.</i></div></i><p>In the meantime, I've been raiding eBay and my local malls for remaining made in USA caps in my size that I never got around to buying. So far I've managed to buy most of what I wanted but the selection is drying up. There are still a few that I need. Hopefully I'll find them before they're too hard to find.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzktp_2OrERj11yb4qpLGNZEhhvahzSVdPwIXZ0XdEHxFvZcZV2pbYMK5UTTqo6bxrTwqisX4ycbGML-l9eFp9hyYKAyM4jPU61_p1fCXwMHOgstteIkB5NwxMFIpoQoYbAONBPM_n6AT/s2048/20201111_165745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzktp_2OrERj11yb4qpLGNZEhhvahzSVdPwIXZ0XdEHxFvZcZV2pbYMK5UTTqo6bxrTwqisX4ycbGML-l9eFp9hyYKAyM4jPU61_p1fCXwMHOgstteIkB5NwxMFIpoQoYbAONBPM_n6AT/s320/20201111_165745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuXdNUHD4Gak3RtSAqPip5zK2UmZE9y0dBZOSvhglcHxxDUE5kfYa-JwCPaKXvSe3eZqN-wCpd3_qVwo612BU7Y-tyUaLcXEPtNTSt3UF1qFIDRrE0GXneKIhlNgDBynfs7syTVXQiWUd/s2048/20201107_171851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuXdNUHD4Gak3RtSAqPip5zK2UmZE9y0dBZOSvhglcHxxDUE5kfYa-JwCPaKXvSe3eZqN-wCpd3_qVwo612BU7Y-tyUaLcXEPtNTSt3UF1qFIDRrE0GXneKIhlNgDBynfs7syTVXQiWUd/s320/20201107_171851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Made in USA caps that I purchased recently at malls in my area.</i></div><p>In other brand news, Ebbets Field Flannels put out many stellar caps this year, but among them was my favorite, the 1964 San Jose Bees. Their version was based off of an original that I own that was worn by Tom Burgmier in 1964. I was beyond ecstatic when I saw that they had been released and immediately bought several.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggny313SWBtNL7QeszWQGqXtLqT4FjpLaVUWxYfPHMd0QVF4jPeBtsql-zHpN-KPn98T9vWN4HJV4hol3zvWEh67uHIndoOxiIQmXiXHaXfkqqRoQ2znzpoZSgje8xWb4dbltWwQigh656/s2048/20200928_201000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggny313SWBtNL7QeszWQGqXtLqT4FjpLaVUWxYfPHMd0QVF4jPeBtsql-zHpN-KPn98T9vWN4HJV4hol3zvWEh67uHIndoOxiIQmXiXHaXfkqqRoQ2znzpoZSgje8xWb4dbltWwQigh656/s320/20200928_201000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A 1964 original (left) vs. the Ebbets Field Flannels reproduction (right).</i></div><br /><p>Let's hope for better selection and success in 2021!</p><div><a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div><div><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div><div><a href="http://procaprepair.com">Pro Cap Repair</a><br /></div>Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-26859212882073047812020-07-07T10:49:00.002-07:002020-07-12T10:31:57.932-07:00KBO Baseball CapsThe Korean Baseball Organization has been thrust into the spotlight recently as for a period of time it was the only professional baseball league playing a regular season in 2020. MLB is now scheduled to start in late July.<br />
<br />
When the KBO season first started, I had searched eBay to look for on-field caps but there weren't any. However, it appears that on-field caps for most teams have now become available. The KBO is a wide-open market for cap and uniform providers. Like the NPB, it's a mix of national and international brands.<br />
<br />
KBO on-field caps typically come in both Velcro-back and fitted stretch-fit styles. What I mean by "fitted stretch-fit" is despite being stretch-fit caps, they still come in fitted sizes. They have a bit of give to them so if you are just above or below the fitted size, the cap will be able to accommodate that. Very clever, I think. The Samsung Lions are the only team that appears to wear snapback caps.<br />
<br />
The two major brands (Nike, worn by the Kiwoom Heroes and Under Armour, worn by the Samsung Lions) appear to not be available in retail. However, high-quality "generic" brand-less versions are available. It's likely the teams have contracts to provide team-issue only and not retail. If Nike and Under Armor contract with a Korean manufacturer for the caps, then it may be possible that the generic versions made for retail are made by the same Korean manufacturer minus the brand names.<br />
<br />
The KBO does allow logo creeps. However, they are placed on the back of the cap as opposed to the sides. Many teams use the sides of the caps for sponsor patches.<br />
<br />
Below is the list of teams and their respective cap providers:<br />
<br />
<b>LG Twins & KT Wiz - YuPoong Flexfit</b>: "Flexfit" caps are widely available in the US. The ones with the actual brand name of "Flexfit" on the label are made by Korean company YuPoong. The on-field caps for the Twins and Wiz are made with high-quality synthetic materials. The LG Twins also have a secondary model with "trucker cap" mesh on the back panels. They appear to be in a partnership with "Interpark", a large Korean e-commerce company.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX78vr1gRKEwwg3YtJFljBmqhDKLew4qj8EtF3wLyF8yuVTYQ93CuZFKZAumvGsiC7Nu60HhkzN-On04bV4feFVWCzqOvAXQzGDh58sW9XguTt2jJPn7XFuyszqy3GvZJHDNwmEjFNnbs/s1600/twins1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX78vr1gRKEwwg3YtJFljBmqhDKLew4qj8EtF3wLyF8yuVTYQ93CuZFKZAumvGsiC7Nu60HhkzN-On04bV4feFVWCzqOvAXQzGDh58sW9XguTt2jJPn7XFuyszqy3GvZJHDNwmEjFNnbs/s320/twins1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LA25XUGPXww60mzU0EhIofJHe9_HabCeaO8m2gieM5dSW2L4kgkhB0pqE8BguI-hWEG5Nehn0B4JiWZ08bp7iYPQoYBulyoFTGg0nWqz2jtXqkFcaShd8CFzvWnPEOc3PnRoCIB9Dg6Z/s1600/twins2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LA25XUGPXww60mzU0EhIofJHe9_HabCeaO8m2gieM5dSW2L4kgkhB0pqE8BguI-hWEG5Nehn0B4JiWZ08bp7iYPQoYBulyoFTGg0nWqz2jtXqkFcaShd8CFzvWnPEOc3PnRoCIB9Dg6Z/s320/twins2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNEPQKr_UjXeHmaQ97cm5-fgjqz9w5TMXKVZ7kCsxZWZnRFsNLvAt6bvMCp58oNfHzO2wuKi0ZoBUhwgrzHx5ggcbkiiVnN7eTTiqolCkHvfyIC5btRlGOAya2yEiEzcdFk6S-eboocx_/s1600/twins3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNEPQKr_UjXeHmaQ97cm5-fgjqz9w5TMXKVZ7kCsxZWZnRFsNLvAt6bvMCp58oNfHzO2wuKi0ZoBUhwgrzHx5ggcbkiiVnN7eTTiqolCkHvfyIC5btRlGOAya2yEiEzcdFk6S-eboocx_/s320/twins3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXufPrD1B6JOz3Tp5qL62SLpmbkNcUbzmcui8dKZvb4QGrbpSRnxv7Hv3k_pE-wSXMKRrHU-c6qFmDTS-XaK4aY7KH8zIEkd8fVRBBXXOU8Ul6i9zeiV4pDbu_dcafyagMP7KMTiNTU9T/s1600/twins4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXufPrD1B6JOz3Tp5qL62SLpmbkNcUbzmcui8dKZvb4QGrbpSRnxv7Hv3k_pE-wSXMKRrHU-c6qFmDTS-XaK4aY7KH8zIEkd8fVRBBXXOU8Ul6i9zeiV4pDbu_dcafyagMP7KMTiNTU9T/s320/twins4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The LG Twins cap that I purchased was definitely higher-quality than the "Flexfit" brand caps you can purchase stateside. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE2R7GZTm3Zjd4gFT9QWrq7GZ3OZLHpcbi9Xc_7K03PX2O_3b53dQ5KRsfFY8udM7SlN7nVrJ1wyaFsKNOgn3n0lRpDQ7rjNQkZU4ot0lG7uFSpfvapSiufKgIJgIaDQtAmDAYp7-T4qd/s1600/s-l1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="842" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE2R7GZTm3Zjd4gFT9QWrq7GZ3OZLHpcbi9Xc_7K03PX2O_3b53dQ5KRsfFY8udM7SlN7nVrJ1wyaFsKNOgn3n0lRpDQ7rjNQkZU4ot0lG7uFSpfvapSiufKgIJgIaDQtAmDAYp7-T4qd/s320/s-l1600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Samsung Lions - Under Armour</b>: The Lions appear to be the only team that exclusively wears snapback caps. The on-field caps as well as the generic retail versions feature tonal undervisors while most teams use gray or black. The Samsung Lions cap that I purchased is very high-quality with the front panel and visor fabric being wool.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTiTUiEG5-FGcMJbv6dks0Xk1KcLgTMlSb8M_ZWwUtVq0D0GRmS1wazGDCSz5-ZwIFUqohPDMQr7vmp4OoTdptRRhSYvErZt48tieGwtiAYKnZGl5tr-Q5byObNo97-7D5iAlxHO3WnC_/s1600/lions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTiTUiEG5-FGcMJbv6dks0Xk1KcLgTMlSb8M_ZWwUtVq0D0GRmS1wazGDCSz5-ZwIFUqohPDMQr7vmp4OoTdptRRhSYvErZt48tieGwtiAYKnZGl5tr-Q5byObNo97-7D5iAlxHO3WnC_/s320/lions1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbybE_EMopWM12fm8r7haB3z1Shied0Me_lntzdxAX3-BhWy5zFFOb5iJJnnqwsm1s-7vTnpN7ApLa8KxEk9np0OSE-TCw7KyAirjBVKVY101bplS2TPiL0UMm2Tl1JJAw15ZsQfxI2vH/s1600/lions2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbybE_EMopWM12fm8r7haB3z1Shied0Me_lntzdxAX3-BhWy5zFFOb5iJJnnqwsm1s-7vTnpN7ApLa8KxEk9np0OSE-TCw7KyAirjBVKVY101bplS2TPiL0UMm2Tl1JJAw15ZsQfxI2vH/s320/lions2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSZ-z2FxzrlQYHh187LCOF3Gr-ik2FrBq_-7XJxpqtioMZGCVfbcqmE6NDgC-oHIAPae94pDQKflf27ZrcQ4NSbT5ytghbn37hPC04VPErol-KYgkODoFeNP42D6Ikw4o9yLyzXzpa4m2/s1600/lions3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSZ-z2FxzrlQYHh187LCOF3Gr-ik2FrBq_-7XJxpqtioMZGCVfbcqmE6NDgC-oHIAPae94pDQKflf27ZrcQ4NSbT5ytghbn37hPC04VPErol-KYgkODoFeNP42D6Ikw4o9yLyzXzpa4m2/s320/lions3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLl1Q6ftAQiMVqPbucx_rumjeDYJtrykkOSzYQYqAoVSQWnIt-BK8OOPxhvHcrPlr4d-cmhjiYW1gxoc6jQIqESFVwBFy4t69yCGifNeeIzSFNKFae4VjhzqfGsHUOXUlIUO2bga2ry0f/s1600/lionsback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="961" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLl1Q6ftAQiMVqPbucx_rumjeDYJtrykkOSzYQYqAoVSQWnIt-BK8OOPxhvHcrPlr4d-cmhjiYW1gxoc6jQIqESFVwBFy4t69yCGifNeeIzSFNKFae4VjhzqfGsHUOXUlIUO2bga2ry0f/s320/lionsback.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Kiwoom Heroes - Nike:</b> Like the Samsung Lions, the brand-name versions are not available in retail. It's unknown if the Nike on-field caps are made to KBO specs or if they are like Nike's normal baseball caps that they offer to collegiate teams. Judging by the game footage I viewed, they appear to be made to KBO specs. Also similar to the Lions, the Heroes caps have tonal undervisors. However, they do not wear snapbacks like the Lions. They use both Velcro-back and fitted like the rest of the KBO teams. However, it appears that only Velcro-back models are available in retail. The Velcro-back and fitted Nike on-field versions can be seen in the screen-grabs below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQi5lMx2BbgqRf2H22MRA44SbqXMUPORQiTPQy0sMnbNXvu-Piq7r4ReGIxHKpYE2KNUu30SlNFmFIGBFdkYmUCDLKDkgi9KaxVtEMbQL5kK4YEF9ssaFiIvjZhMBkN5EEJlxYl5O8lIt/s1600/heroes5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="816" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQi5lMx2BbgqRf2H22MRA44SbqXMUPORQiTPQy0sMnbNXvu-Piq7r4ReGIxHKpYE2KNUu30SlNFmFIGBFdkYmUCDLKDkgi9KaxVtEMbQL5kK4YEF9ssaFiIvjZhMBkN5EEJlxYl5O8lIt/s320/heroes5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8eNqVfBosH9crS2o49hTZN2Ecqo5NXySysNh3Jiy-4Yg6IOOD4NB75is3QL8NQ5MUHrxAGshAbdke55xGYCY8kpYp09lCT1Bv8eSVvLwei-isfJ1l6-Pzmugbfg5F2la3P009Biu8rWY/s1600/heroes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="908" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8eNqVfBosH9crS2o49hTZN2Ecqo5NXySysNh3Jiy-4Yg6IOOD4NB75is3QL8NQ5MUHrxAGshAbdke55xGYCY8kpYp09lCT1Bv8eSVvLwei-isfJ1l6-Pzmugbfg5F2la3P009Biu8rWY/s320/heroes2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE1mRRhUid2u6Z7p84vec1z5vdJuGDBSoqyeb0N33Fz_cn5y3FR8SnsEn95n66VeBCkkN0XuTCl6tGqQ4axGtUqHjJgRaEO52ENq-YyoNZKANG_0ZMzQZqjbesqpd31Mhrwqn2Z1byeUF/s1600/heroes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="1046" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE1mRRhUid2u6Z7p84vec1z5vdJuGDBSoqyeb0N33Fz_cn5y3FR8SnsEn95n66VeBCkkN0XuTCl6tGqQ4axGtUqHjJgRaEO52ENq-YyoNZKANG_0ZMzQZqjbesqpd31Mhrwqn2Z1byeUF/s320/heroes3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Lotte Giants - ATC</b>: I could not find much on this brand, but I assume that they are a Korean fitness/lifestyle brand. However, Google searches have been fruitless and ATC's instagram page is all KBO-apparel related. Their slogan is "Enjoy Your Wear."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJf6ghIWuSB_I2vdwr3jUHbcpYIzQoCJ8NSoijFkIkU5eISozwqyx9CJBJfv5xRgrf8To0qZK2gsybyJ9yELaOIazYrrUDrQrzRsS3EWjhaPV-Vr4yP1IO75olj_arqyzI6gR5y1T8PBG/s1600/gaints1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJf6ghIWuSB_I2vdwr3jUHbcpYIzQoCJ8NSoijFkIkU5eISozwqyx9CJBJfv5xRgrf8To0qZK2gsybyJ9yELaOIazYrrUDrQrzRsS3EWjhaPV-Vr4yP1IO75olj_arqyzI6gR5y1T8PBG/s320/gaints1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwGxOZyHWo5u2EEKF4-0tLaR5H3lGWKbCWVPuSbHJYLgi2ij4ZLSp8q8MA2gvsGdY8vAjdPhr6t_AKXASy5mLfBXbscV62P7dyc-tARWCo-TBpt2vYayFc3MZiFXvVNqb8HKXYI7kgctz/s1600/gaints5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwGxOZyHWo5u2EEKF4-0tLaR5H3lGWKbCWVPuSbHJYLgi2ij4ZLSp8q8MA2gvsGdY8vAjdPhr6t_AKXASy5mLfBXbscV62P7dyc-tARWCo-TBpt2vYayFc3MZiFXvVNqb8HKXYI7kgctz/s320/gaints5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMFFqGlhO_609-jZToCIh2jiLcwoL5_9FUnyOsR_dugVtAx3pZN3WNauJbhlPMwuBNj5NPep4ooLz8jGj0w-YgTu2gfQMglcWt_x5iV5i6xkrcMbK8sHAq1exownz7UbSN25hC2Gu6dGU/s1600/giants2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMFFqGlhO_609-jZToCIh2jiLcwoL5_9FUnyOsR_dugVtAx3pZN3WNauJbhlPMwuBNj5NPep4ooLz8jGj0w-YgTu2gfQMglcWt_x5iV5i6xkrcMbK8sHAq1exownz7UbSN25hC2Gu6dGU/s320/giants2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhuVF6bpWV60qAEWxLnMTFzFZcW1WkIYFpYCch4iha2stu0chCUETp12RKXVendxalu4g1tlxIgS_-v4QpT1vaT13PqtXCon26P63ySs3gstnzs5xNvTCFSsoT2aS_6nli35EZmwScD_G/s1600/giants4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhuVF6bpWV60qAEWxLnMTFzFZcW1WkIYFpYCch4iha2stu0chCUETp12RKXVendxalu4g1tlxIgS_-v4QpT1vaT13PqtXCon26P63ySs3gstnzs5xNvTCFSsoT2aS_6nli35EZmwScD_G/s320/giants4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfAW9_8i1AHJ77mHR0anVIs7s1X24IeAHdkJIF4wcoGW3kI78XHBcZePkIyuiiFFb4GjiWTDm2QX26LfKBExc9hKAL9zjt2qpDp5p_nHQEfwgBb9PPml5Zo1Tp-avvY1KbO8BrFbL8IPs/s1600/giants3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfAW9_8i1AHJ77mHR0anVIs7s1X24IeAHdkJIF4wcoGW3kI78XHBcZePkIyuiiFFb4GjiWTDm2QX26LfKBExc9hKAL9zjt2qpDp5p_nHQEfwgBb9PPml5Zo1Tp-avvY1KbO8BrFbL8IPs/s320/giants3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Lotte Giants cap that I purchased lacked the sponsor patches. This cap is primo quality and is quite impressive. A very high-quality product. Kudos to ATC.</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>SK Wyverns - Dynafit</b>: Now this is an odd one. Dynafit is a manufacturer of skiing and snowboarding equipment and apparel, at least here in the USA. They are based out of Europe (Italian ownership, headquarters in Germany). However, I learned that Dynafit is more of a lifestyle & fitness brand in Korea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVquXiuPSSBcMzGOyOk1eRGLc9FuWFXO8N5MfpNy8IbXWHeHKSN2a7kQAzDzBzS8FlVlYHLTRH4SHn-1h012U8p7LvgFb5K5Ta98aya7kzFKDzMY6E0sPwaGXrd_nqs1M9-NHga8B61NLr/s1600/wyverns1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="856" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVquXiuPSSBcMzGOyOk1eRGLc9FuWFXO8N5MfpNy8IbXWHeHKSN2a7kQAzDzBzS8FlVlYHLTRH4SHn-1h012U8p7LvgFb5K5Ta98aya7kzFKDzMY6E0sPwaGXrd_nqs1M9-NHga8B61NLr/s320/wyverns1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGi8HL91Dqq-csM5p7tewH4WZC2z-2Yg8exXfEhOAD7UgUNq1LzRpnjvDFmcMP9dkvwAjZ3pUrbxDcOZEJ9DOjOIYrJOGN_m-xL18xKgcdFNrrJlZuZuuQ4-jpbUQqLX74UHY6PAOlMGQ/s1600/wyverns2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGi8HL91Dqq-csM5p7tewH4WZC2z-2Yg8exXfEhOAD7UgUNq1LzRpnjvDFmcMP9dkvwAjZ3pUrbxDcOZEJ9DOjOIYrJOGN_m-xL18xKgcdFNrrJlZuZuuQ4-jpbUQqLX74UHY6PAOlMGQ/s320/wyverns2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Hanwha Eagles & Kia Tigers - Lockerdium</b>: <u>Via "hubwub" on Reddit:</u><i>"<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.8); color: #1a1a1b; font-family: "noto sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Lockerdium is like a subsidiary of Keien and they are a brand as well as a online sporting goods (mostly baseball). The parent company Keien is heavily involved in Korean baseball. They hold official licenses for non-Korean sports manufacturers to be their distributor and sell it through Lockerdium. Keien also handles the commercial sales of multiple KBO teams which are KIA Tigers, Hanhwa Eagles, NC Dinos, and LG Twins. They are also a uniform manufacturer. As of this year, they manufacture half of the KBO team uniforms."</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.8); color: #1a1a1b; font-family: "noto sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo88rHL91jLapBEm87yrWt9LzoecdeR9dw-sNMZAvQxdsjqnYbpi0jFGI1ykTDhEndBd7ZPDupb6TmAux-rbAgDjxqdYs2rl0lcf1jb8QGlckA-YYBE4u5LYXfNmcLm0RYMLCBwLMXcPi/s1600/eagles1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo88rHL91jLapBEm87yrWt9LzoecdeR9dw-sNMZAvQxdsjqnYbpi0jFGI1ykTDhEndBd7ZPDupb6TmAux-rbAgDjxqdYs2rl0lcf1jb8QGlckA-YYBE4u5LYXfNmcLm0RYMLCBwLMXcPi/s320/eagles1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VEM8X3xkb1t5ISRI3OdoMQtQqojjyZtABlBLB4H4Z2Utqe4p4IFZRJ01TwdJicpr6H-BHxtQl6fZQqT4NZIGnxAn0GbweP7BVwTISt4vvhxnUiiauWNJsW0sUq8qmbYslqjc3QFfOaoq/s1600/kiatigers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VEM8X3xkb1t5ISRI3OdoMQtQqojjyZtABlBLB4H4Z2Utqe4p4IFZRJ01TwdJicpr6H-BHxtQl6fZQqT4NZIGnxAn0GbweP7BVwTISt4vvhxnUiiauWNJsW0sUq8qmbYslqjc3QFfOaoq/s320/kiatigers1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Doosan Bears: WeFAN</b>: I also could not find much on this brand, but they appear to run KBO merch stores at stadiums.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucYOJfDPj-vOi4M-W_tfEd0agCTShz4c9fsp0bOMaOfivb0YVIP9aedG6iQHzEkzJ9QxJPGqKo_-9QuqM7viY6zoVvri0kMhumWJ0r73Y3oftVIXhuU7GRgYte0Xb0TrE744jv4c8E3eG/s1600/doosanbears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="500" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucYOJfDPj-vOi4M-W_tfEd0agCTShz4c9fsp0bOMaOfivb0YVIP9aedG6iQHzEkzJ9QxJPGqKo_-9QuqM7viY6zoVvri0kMhumWJ0r73Y3oftVIXhuU7GRgYte0Xb0TrE744jv4c8E3eG/s320/doosanbears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>NC Dinos: V-Exx</b>: Another brand I could not find much on but according to KBO Reddit, they are a uniform provide, also providing uniforms for a Korean soccer team. Their parent company is the marketing arm of Samsung.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcXHeyu_nJ13oC2Vc_wb1NmCipKLuwYACESsDz2sgnyaqnOwcFRhHzcFV4CdZ89myboV8pQP8GmXVbHhc02S1BJcIITu0HaGL5aWA4mhSMNRw9MNvzpu3DqwtNC16wJe_YTn-FjQ328T3/s1600/dinos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcXHeyu_nJ13oC2Vc_wb1NmCipKLuwYACESsDz2sgnyaqnOwcFRhHzcFV4CdZ89myboV8pQP8GmXVbHhc02S1BJcIITu0HaGL5aWA4mhSMNRw9MNvzpu3DqwtNC16wJe_YTn-FjQ328T3/s320/dinos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What brand is missing? New Era of course! Their absence from a professional baseball league these days is almost inconceivable. I have seen a Samsung Lions cap made by New Era, but I'm not sure if they were ever worn in games. Majestic also appears to have been a major player in providing KBO caps and uniforms as recently as last season, but for 2020 they are nowhere to be found. I have a 2016 Lotte Giants spring camp cap made by them and they apparently have provided caps for All-Star games and the Kia Tigers last season.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoyed this view into the interesting world of on-field caps of the KBO.<br />
<br />
<i>A special thanks to members of the KBO Reddit board for helping me with much of this information.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
<br />Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-7581868736324852342020-04-11T21:36:00.003-07:002020-08-23T18:14:27.989-07:00New Era Tag Chronology Guide UpdatedI have revised my New Era cap MLB on-field cap tag guide. It is now much more thorough and comprehensive guide, and I'm proud to say that this will be the be-all and end-all ultimate authority on New Era's MLB 0n-field cap tag history.<br />
<br />
Please check <a href="https://ballcapblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/chronology-of-new-era-cap-tags.html">HERE</a> to view and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-53637008675655753702020-03-18T12:06:00.000-07:002020-03-18T14:49:33.636-07:00'47 Brand Becomes a Serious Competitor in the On-Field Cap Market"'47 Brand" is the only surviving ancestor of the great "KM Pro" baseball cap empire. When KM Pro shuttered in 1976, Devon Professional Cap kept its legacy going until the end of the 80s. They were subsequently bought out by Twins Enterprises, now known as '47 Brand. They have since become the leading supplier of "Dad Hats" (under their "Franchise" line), a far cry from the ones that KM Pro once provided for player use in professional baseball. The last time a '47 Brand-related cap was worn by an MLB team it was the 1987 Boston Red Sox wearing caps made by Devon, which until then had exclusively been supplying the Red Sox caps since about 1979.<br />
<br />
Despite being known for Dad Hats, '47 Brand has still provided pro model caps for organized baseball. One loyal customer has been the Cape Cod League, which makes sense as '47 Brand is based in Massachusetts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64IsJkFnv181g1xN1qs3b9XOYYNnDrMasdwev145-amajcWr3FUKME2mUnNCnwI9OD-qJaEQQLCDbeSSaee05ab1Y_CTCYHSPTbs86f6-cKxvWi-goyWKA25kMAvmwYse9jvx7INCBgMZ/s1600/47brandhorwhich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64IsJkFnv181g1xN1qs3b9XOYYNnDrMasdwev145-amajcWr3FUKME2mUnNCnwI9OD-qJaEQQLCDbeSSaee05ab1Y_CTCYHSPTbs86f6-cKxvWi-goyWKA25kMAvmwYse9jvx7INCBgMZ/s320/47brandhorwhich.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The official 2020 on-field cap of the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League.</div>
<br />
'47 Brand pro model fitted caps do not resemble those of their predecessors. They more closely resemble the style of caps made by the old Sport Specialties brand. They feature a high, boxy crown with a narrow, rectangular visor.<br />
<br />
With Baseball returning to the Olympics in 2020 (if it's not canceled because of the current pandemic), '47 Brand will be providing the on field caps of the Mexican National Team.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v-Z_UVh_nP_odkk2ReSOlyaRBFKb8iAzmhx6_-rcOQGN2GHX92wp5nFspt5MDBqiF2IfKHOINEuZp51_wpMNcLCdz4LSgJaa5O-tlDGMdOD6NilVHrvLQR0aJXjoy1A337ueTf-070Th/s1600/47mex1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v-Z_UVh_nP_odkk2ReSOlyaRBFKb8iAzmhx6_-rcOQGN2GHX92wp5nFspt5MDBqiF2IfKHOINEuZp51_wpMNcLCdz4LSgJaa5O-tlDGMdOD6NilVHrvLQR0aJXjoy1A337ueTf-070Th/s320/47mex1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfryc7EMny1M8DdhOiZlEK5s34w0-3yrD4DJKBn1ZJ7wSriyA7oKZbLw7I1-tP2P82Nhd6-mO71RB5H8dL-nVSZN-r4AieTMYQoIU5VTWXxwwpTX8VXCVX2Z5NEYwfjY6UVvoBV0JnaEM/s1600/47mex2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfryc7EMny1M8DdhOiZlEK5s34w0-3yrD4DJKBn1ZJ7wSriyA7oKZbLw7I1-tP2P82Nhd6-mO71RB5H8dL-nVSZN-r4AieTMYQoIU5VTWXxwwpTX8VXCVX2Z5NEYwfjY6UVvoBV0JnaEM/s320/47mex2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDQFnv0KLcjQkpD-3nz5_4T73buhlWe_wUN9MsgnCnM56zBXa7DDvg0_iJBHrYe5u5L8S1Bb9XNPkIIRxZIn5mIFiu6WK-Vb0dAQtDzXlcU8xFG7wxArmJjmLCdT5c5q_ETXdPH6moev8/s1600/47mex3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDQFnv0KLcjQkpD-3nz5_4T73buhlWe_wUN9MsgnCnM56zBXa7DDvg0_iJBHrYe5u5L8S1Bb9XNPkIIRxZIn5mIFiu6WK-Vb0dAQtDzXlcU8xFG7wxArmJjmLCdT5c5q_ETXdPH6moev8/s320/47mex3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
$41.99 for this cap. Yikes!</div>
<br />
'47 Brand is also now making inroads with Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. For the 2020 season, they will be providing the on-field caps for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxm3Bpt9NTqQjMgzhVayAArfDZaEfGIq5PvwDjGU70g9WH_zFzY_rRqkuRYgAyCjkj_Px25_aSeteM1xLnl9iYUM49bT-LpyJ54KdHM5PJnyDRp2ztSkadHWa-uDrUrcS5yOSYEi-dU69/s1600/rakuten-golden-eagles-pro-cap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxm3Bpt9NTqQjMgzhVayAArfDZaEfGIq5PvwDjGU70g9WH_zFzY_rRqkuRYgAyCjkj_Px25_aSeteM1xLnl9iYUM49bT-LpyJ54KdHM5PJnyDRp2ztSkadHWa-uDrUrcS5yOSYEi-dU69/s320/rakuten-golden-eagles-pro-cap1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The 2020 Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles cap provided by '47 Brand.</div>
<br />
'47 Brand also offers "Cooperstown" caps with the same fitted pro model design. To see all pro model caps they have for sale on their website, click <a href="https://www.47brand.com/collections/headwear-1?q=&hPP=24&idx=shopify_ics_products&p=0&fR%5Boptions.size%5D%5B0%5D=738&is_v=1&fbclid=IwAR1P2jVnomplxXvfKrjAmlq_mT6ffHEDQ6hgRR0fEmU7clkL4tTpXibypOw">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBw7jy9auuA_kAFhG3fr9SZG9wuUVpO1oRp8-4fSw37fJqu9S6CrNSyOPN4Vlh8kxpggpGVb1xuV6hHktUSUH0bakgtF6i9hAhmAq4PbwQMg3c6RTtGGFVcGaefzz71juQPJ4OR90_S8S/s1600/47mlb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBw7jy9auuA_kAFhG3fr9SZG9wuUVpO1oRp8-4fSw37fJqu9S6CrNSyOPN4Vlh8kxpggpGVb1xuV6hHktUSUH0bakgtF6i9hAhmAq4PbwQMg3c6RTtGGFVcGaefzz71juQPJ4OR90_S8S/s320/47mlb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofRYqo7sGtaZjXHGt8l09Fiv-mzRw-R3gtLMAsI12kG1Drx-mCL3YGk6erLoGPQaa_etAlOoBM5ctd55PAuCgAfSM9if-s-VHg8yYHzhl6IkLOLVBWQXcbWBVQOvPdtl8a16Jcrh0jV3H/s1600/47mlb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofRYqo7sGtaZjXHGt8l09Fiv-mzRw-R3gtLMAsI12kG1Drx-mCL3YGk6erLoGPQaa_etAlOoBM5ctd55PAuCgAfSM9if-s-VHg8yYHzhl6IkLOLVBWQXcbWBVQOvPdtl8a16Jcrh0jV3H/s320/47mlb2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
By providing the Mexican National Team and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagle's on-field caps for 2020, '47 Brand has now suddenly emerged as a serious on-field cap competitor. How well can the king of "Dad Hats" be able to compete in this market?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-65773610830175797942020-03-14T17:45:00.002-07:002020-11-09T18:09:39.491-08:00NPB Baseball CapsUpdated 3/16/20<br />
<br />
The baseball uniform market for Japan's major league - Nippon Professional Baseball - is wide open. Typically, the uniform supplier also provides the caps. However, some teams have chosen New Era at one time or another for caps and gone with a separate uniform supplier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4HllC6LcDAs5q_r8HBtvPCdUhEw2XWACAPSZQytTKvjcTHDPkieNme01IFVjL7QrDJDzX_iNIx1F-aT5jAS01yFJwuA86Dic7SBSKaAQGGVE4eLRwhZ1qL1iyXntR2fL8TzXf0Un_8C4/s1600/japcap2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="648" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4HllC6LcDAs5q_r8HBtvPCdUhEw2XWACAPSZQytTKvjcTHDPkieNme01IFVjL7QrDJDzX_iNIx1F-aT5jAS01yFJwuA86Dic7SBSKaAQGGVE4eLRwhZ1qL1iyXntR2fL8TzXf0Un_8C4/s320/japcap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGc3TVK0pKeSQIqnIX1SACo71vNsbI2pbqeSjuTOSplU3SK4dz5BNVbkA3O8IePIPYgpEMR7h5dHwj7w5fivzkU-BNDLzsDB4tWiKyaZEghMym_NAzhWuyURciD0Ojp8TKA1dU-OeZCFO4/s1600/japcap3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGc3TVK0pKeSQIqnIX1SACo71vNsbI2pbqeSjuTOSplU3SK4dz5BNVbkA3O8IePIPYgpEMR7h5dHwj7w5fivzkU-BNDLzsDB4tWiKyaZEghMym_NAzhWuyURciD0Ojp8TKA1dU-OeZCFO4/s320/japcap3.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6WFncHaKiRYw76ZKD1R5J-d7EStzkG4uz8lkvyDdAgqlKXEwFaGxOMS2vR8qe_FAlKojhaw5uWGY_xXYE75vM-eCJqp4IewJl9LmK1McT3HzoEFrZ_UNQLbu2FMZ3BDYDM42k0ZhYT2Y/s1600/japcap1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6WFncHaKiRYw76ZKD1R5J-d7EStzkG4uz8lkvyDdAgqlKXEwFaGxOMS2vR8qe_FAlKojhaw5uWGY_xXYE75vM-eCJqp4IewJl9LmK1McT3HzoEFrZ_UNQLbu2FMZ3BDYDM42k0ZhYT2Y/s320/japcap1.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A cap worn by Sadaharu Oh in the 1970s.</div>
<br />
There are several major sports and athletic apparel brands that have provided NPB uniforms and caps, such as Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas. Former MLB uniform supplier Majestic also supplies uniforms and caps. '47 Brand just recently began supplying caps for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles franchise. Rawlings was also a uniform supplier in the past. Then there are Japanese brands such as Mizuno and Descente that remain popular. Asics has supplied caps and uniforms at one time. Japanese brand Tamazawa was also once a popular uniform and cap supplier but it appears that they mostly supply fielding gloves nowadays. Descente is a major player in the NPB cap and uniform game. They are best known for making pro bicycling outfits and unitards for the Olympics. Descente never broke through in the US, but the brand has been around for a long time and they once provided the Pittsburgh Pirates "bumblebee" uniforms in the 1970s. According to a representative of Japan-Zone.com, a website that sells most contemporary NPB on-field caps <i>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 13px;">Most teams used Majestic last season, while a few of them have switched to ’47 or New Era this year and the Yomiuri Giants still use Under Armour...</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 13px;"> <i>There isn’t huge demand for them outside Japan, and designs tend to change every one or two seasons, so we don’t keep many in stock other than the more popular models. Caps will often sell out in the latter half of the season, particularly if a team is doing well." </i></span>The representative also stated that not all teams even offer their on-field caps for sale.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP-nLFJEGb4M1aMP7f_lVRHyNr6vTRD0ZEkvLiusZj_YD3xjSn3pC_xlHqFhmKr21i7SYvsUfJ2X86pzG1osxVmg15mb9wXO6ML8ozJ_CVQ944QAOODR1ZcZ09IdRUnanuci3zdn40KKj/s1600/japcap11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP-nLFJEGb4M1aMP7f_lVRHyNr6vTRD0ZEkvLiusZj_YD3xjSn3pC_xlHqFhmKr21i7SYvsUfJ2X86pzG1osxVmg15mb9wXO6ML8ozJ_CVQ944QAOODR1ZcZ09IdRUnanuci3zdn40KKj/s320/japcap11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHJso_Z6ZDiYhW8yoRzDOoW_xiwuv3J1va4XqqPa8iNm9t0ieClWBPf5V3kMqyFKUOIO34nLis0L2IDYaWa7d9wEpAWKoCVKhiaHjWB3cXxyhDX4Vlk9IfkasP69ok_6YqlzwHMVfr2NX/s1600/japcap12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHJso_Z6ZDiYhW8yoRzDOoW_xiwuv3J1va4XqqPa8iNm9t0ieClWBPf5V3kMqyFKUOIO34nLis0L2IDYaWa7d9wEpAWKoCVKhiaHjWB3cXxyhDX4Vlk9IfkasP69ok_6YqlzwHMVfr2NX/s320/japcap12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Tokyo Fighters cap most likely from the 80s. This cap has no buckram behind the front panels and uses a piece of plastic mesh to keep it propped up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMA97O8cptjeqgtRBZB6rtStw73rOTvXcyLJTbmQsLTJUJsFAWaQ_qyaMCFguPuVBOt1RyOkl33LG2Fls6TeqjaVLUYIo4nYWLhkKxOQLqbzkutqG8WaBbVPnP1oeFaniro8Rlr6HzoCL/s1600/japcap4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1136" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMA97O8cptjeqgtRBZB6rtStw73rOTvXcyLJTbmQsLTJUJsFAWaQ_qyaMCFguPuVBOt1RyOkl33LG2Fls6TeqjaVLUYIo4nYWLhkKxOQLqbzkutqG8WaBbVPnP1oeFaniro8Rlr6HzoCL/s320/japcap4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Interior shot of a Descente-labeled cap from the late 80s or early 90s. It clearly was made at the same factory that made the Tamazawa-labeled caps.</div>
<br />
NPB caps traditionally had a low, round crown with a peak at the top of the front. Nowadays, they look for modern although the crowns are still more shallow. Caps provided by Japanese brands have pre-curved visors. All non-New Era brands supposedly have their caps made at the same factory in Japan, though the representative of Japan-Zone.com disputes that. <i>"</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 13px;"><i>Caps and other merchandise are handled by each team independently. So there is no single manufacturer for all teams and, as far as I know, items such as caps are not all made in the same factory."</i> </span>The caps are made in Tokyo, so NPB must require them to be made domestically just as MLB requires their player-issued caps to be made domestically. The caps use either reinforced mesh or wool, and leather sweatbands appear to have been still in use until recent years and may still be available. The cloth sweatbands come in two different varieties; one-ply black cotton, and a gray and black checker-patterned absorbent band. Most Japanese on-field caps have a small square of white fabric sewn inside the cap, usually covering or near the bottom side of the button. This is for players to write their number. However, I have seen cases where it has not been used and the number was written on the undervisor, a common practice everywhere else. Tagging is also at a bare minimum inside the cap. There is usually no brand label covering the part of the sweatband where it it joined together. The brand label is sometimes sewn into the top of the cap, on the side of the sweatband, or on the fabric tape instead. Sometimes the fabric tape is blank or has the team name as well. Gray undervisors are the norm but some have used black. The undervisor fabric till this day is made of felt. All Japanese on-field caps I own have felt undervisors regardless of when they were made. Traditionally, the NPB caps featured nineteen(!) rows of stitching on the visor. These days it's a bit less. The newest one I own (a 2019 Orix Buffaloes) has ten rows of stitching. Although "logo creeps" on the side of the cap from the suppliers have not shown up yet (incliding New Era) but in recent years, corporate sponsor logos have recently been added to the sides of the cap for certain teams and are actually quite large. The sponsor logos are patches sewn on to the cap.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAO_ijgxyOpKlX_amOMZGDs66hyphenhyphenOypkgAclmd48bT_EgWEqbWVVHR4BEvQKfUEW5YJTqueVqF0KmALDAEWP4jO0DtEiQi4m4ENskM73xCJeNVL-kzL7xS-pvDccyq5SXTui1d1nEq1rMrR/s1600/japcap13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAO_ijgxyOpKlX_amOMZGDs66hyphenhyphenOypkgAclmd48bT_EgWEqbWVVHR4BEvQKfUEW5YJTqueVqF0KmALDAEWP4jO0DtEiQi4m4ENskM73xCJeNVL-kzL7xS-pvDccyq5SXTui1d1nEq1rMrR/s320/japcap13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49sx0eRXT_yR77mfRFkl2KW4oP6f1N-MFe396fD5MTzrxOyp99FPYFZyBWFfANAy4S_Lx6rkaITdLmJ-Q78mcjmnq3ADLBhh0-66CSpImhVqwd-MYLwM3O-kORTI-2-WFymrcdW_Vt3t5/s1600/japcap14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49sx0eRXT_yR77mfRFkl2KW4oP6f1N-MFe396fD5MTzrxOyp99FPYFZyBWFfANAy4S_Lx6rkaITdLmJ-Q78mcjmnq3ADLBhh0-66CSpImhVqwd-MYLwM3O-kORTI-2-WFymrcdW_Vt3t5/s320/japcap14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aSXhv1Gt4PmvnDuv1BwJA3j3M8IxKL_b6gKDMOURK41rFeP-ApwJcMzXp4CbkxWI2G-RiNuXGtLI9rTzxpX8Cwc4PduUAIkekRFBO4QIPYrkI9CkVOdaKhArxtiZBZosgO9CmiapQ4vl/s1600/japcap17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aSXhv1Gt4PmvnDuv1BwJA3j3M8IxKL_b6gKDMOURK41rFeP-ApwJcMzXp4CbkxWI2G-RiNuXGtLI9rTzxpX8Cwc4PduUAIkekRFBO4QIPYrkI9CkVOdaKhArxtiZBZosgO9CmiapQ4vl/s320/japcap17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMB1HNhb4XbipS0-ql8pXudDOH4l-VyTWHU6HZPZPHM4bFsJrKBtmgQrTRhJpnJPkUVI8EPIGlyZ-TJrG6V0UYkIk0zWNF0dGTE3QxA2rSxlU8qzG5uDV_Jw3sWjhzlDWj35qH44TVmXt/s1600/japcap15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMB1HNhb4XbipS0-ql8pXudDOH4l-VyTWHU6HZPZPHM4bFsJrKBtmgQrTRhJpnJPkUVI8EPIGlyZ-TJrG6V0UYkIk0zWNF0dGTE3QxA2rSxlU8qzG5uDV_Jw3sWjhzlDWj35qH44TVmXt/s320/japcap15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd5sDrxyvmViICm4ubZfOo7s70rHH-uRV4Afp7wmS-6F4De4r5SMvibnXLgwP8psNdiLa4-jbAmPvPcdPsfxULZPddaIaXkAGBI65UG2Tidt13kn3_ulhjb8QXB15kgVIvW8E0WFwpZSu/s1600/japcap16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd5sDrxyvmViICm4ubZfOo7s70rHH-uRV4Afp7wmS-6F4De4r5SMvibnXLgwP8psNdiLa4-jbAmPvPcdPsfxULZPddaIaXkAGBI65UG2Tidt13kn3_ulhjb8QXB15kgVIvW8E0WFwpZSu/s320/japcap16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers caps made roughly ten years ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D-Nfmli_CQGrvtPDeYhVgcEiomw1yEK_0yR9VeIl9kgawr8grl3_InDzuR_TXHQDyjv5JI66epqiL2uiCQ1DksM5FtLe8wMkQj7iJ9Ar-prdQuBLaogLMjINKvGLky-9H5kASjbq8xFO/s1600/jap1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D-Nfmli_CQGrvtPDeYhVgcEiomw1yEK_0yR9VeIl9kgawr8grl3_InDzuR_TXHQDyjv5JI66epqiL2uiCQ1DksM5FtLe8wMkQj7iJ9Ar-prdQuBLaogLMjINKvGLky-9H5kASjbq8xFO/s320/jap1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A Yokohama DeNA Baystars New Era on-field cap. Notice no flag logo. New Era is the only NPB cap provider that has their caps made outside of Japan (China). The Baystars caps have been made in China since at least 2008. Not sure why New Era gets away with it and the other brands don't.</div>
<br />
The factory in Japan which I have yet to identify has allegedly been approached by various major brands to make caps for them and the factory refuses. The only non-NPB caps they have ever made was for a men's boutique brand called "Poten" which uses vintage NPB cap construction patterns (complete with 19-stitch visors) and are made with non-baseball materials such as corduroy. I reached out to the owner of Poten, Hironobu Iguchi. Aside from Poten, he runs a small number of other high-end boutique clothing brands such as "Roster Sox," a line of high-quality baseball-themed socks made in Japan. His parent company in Japan is called "Gwynn Co. Ltd.," named after Tony Gwynn. "Hiro" is an avid baseball fan and according to a short bio I found online, he convinced the NPB cap factory to make caps for Poten by being persistent and proving what a huge baseball fan he was. <a href="https://visitorsfile.com/blog/hiro/" target="_blank">According to a blog I found</a>, Hiro has traveled to the United States and even attended World Series games. Hiro was very friendly in his reply and offered me a free Poten cap. Unfortunately it appears some things got lost in translation and he did not reply to any questions about how and where the NPB caps were manufactured. He also did not reply to any further emails. You can find Poten's official US sales page <a href="https://www.selfedge.com/poten" target="_blank">HERE.</a> The NPB cap factory makes caps for at least one other brand, <a href="https://papanuicapco.com/collections/hats-caps">Papa Nui</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH-sjG_8KKfSbvTy_FRmaAIs7orfOPSM75QlEmY4IB2n7ipZKTuN0CmmqDZ7xj7aTvHsKoSI452VQxz2ERd6vCP____dalfBkdOdaEFBMHd9u5Rvvzqh_P8XLdw4npCJgcp3j9aksHff4/s1600/jap2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="681" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH-sjG_8KKfSbvTy_FRmaAIs7orfOPSM75QlEmY4IB2n7ipZKTuN0CmmqDZ7xj7aTvHsKoSI452VQxz2ERd6vCP____dalfBkdOdaEFBMHd9u5Rvvzqh_P8XLdw4npCJgcp3j9aksHff4/s320/jap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpuUJeJVzm3AJoQD-SX-N5hulNZos4Lc29jf09dTbgWMYS6zUphducOb0tIMJDHvqjQMPI3_8BYna2nQhI0FrSYj23bi3qCFCFJa0gb8BjVSQqLjocIZmM8PfhHIMCcx_mx8BUznRUYKj/s1600/jap3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1025" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpuUJeJVzm3AJoQD-SX-N5hulNZos4Lc29jf09dTbgWMYS6zUphducOb0tIMJDHvqjQMPI3_8BYna2nQhI0FrSYj23bi3qCFCFJa0gb8BjVSQqLjocIZmM8PfhHIMCcx_mx8BUznRUYKj/s320/jap3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JNn3hNski8QO1Dh9iLq5nBYDEPQOvp5h7Vpc0yYQEIajPorEnRPtUPn5oVH7sv_7hJIxCQzuto6wcBqWywzrrNKWD91LdNyZ_0nHYCyXRhM0-SnEQhrK5jjfrGR_qVXsKGxovxY4VryE/s1600/jap4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1025" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JNn3hNski8QO1Dh9iLq5nBYDEPQOvp5h7Vpc0yYQEIajPorEnRPtUPn5oVH7sv_7hJIxCQzuto6wcBqWywzrrNKWD91LdNyZ_0nHYCyXRhM0-SnEQhrK5jjfrGR_qVXsKGxovxY4VryE/s320/jap4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJvQHFID4yd-cJR3Ages_pm6QKZM_fRzZr960u2IuZW0ZsH-A3bLdjlRPfqyGUFe5ucsKCDkvOtjGkNfFfMPFQdSsnIT4e7qgNL721fEPQkU58mdBoWSbXYvlp6uMugTKInbLYdDTJYRs/s1600/jap5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1025" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJvQHFID4yd-cJR3Ages_pm6QKZM_fRzZr960u2IuZW0ZsH-A3bLdjlRPfqyGUFe5ucsKCDkvOtjGkNfFfMPFQdSsnIT4e7qgNL721fEPQkU58mdBoWSbXYvlp6uMugTKInbLYdDTJYRs/s320/jap5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Poten cap that I received was incredible and the quality was top-notch. A big thank you to Mr. Iguchi.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwdXdhbc60Pm9ctO-KJZy3pa2ScbNYBlLlF4LxZICEtsyX3zuiCVk2PAAod9KSTG-5so4nvHSlzbkSo_4wUlKfPeu56OkUvhPzA9O_ebWOu3Mt1iJVqNxGNS3LjTF5OtFq9SjNSQfANKM/s1600/japcap6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwdXdhbc60Pm9ctO-KJZy3pa2ScbNYBlLlF4LxZICEtsyX3zuiCVk2PAAod9KSTG-5so4nvHSlzbkSo_4wUlKfPeu56OkUvhPzA9O_ebWOu3Mt1iJVqNxGNS3LjTF5OtFq9SjNSQfANKM/s320/japcap6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIfyyF-aVYkbW-TtED3ZEy-y9fMsXwRlN8jo7JVoUYUxlZBs1zuD-Q7UPR5TFAG_-wpnSf46cVkqqZ-vMU8Bo2hdFkw6YXc9HE5aMEcG8B5M2EmMDoGr7I2uGOXk4lvat8y16kl3iI45h/s1600/japcap5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIfyyF-aVYkbW-TtED3ZEy-y9fMsXwRlN8jo7JVoUYUxlZBs1zuD-Q7UPR5TFAG_-wpnSf46cVkqqZ-vMU8Bo2hdFkw6YXc9HE5aMEcG8B5M2EmMDoGr7I2uGOXk4lvat8y16kl3iI45h/s320/japcap5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelV78y-BCqTp6Dz0vVmqd-QC_VidGULkBYjhrusn-Lzh58Qt0pJ81hStyJlLtg7-IZ09OKssUb1toihksqWDU_6B8MhE8r5BWO_0OUw4qKbJT1bXSWJ8461_MCw_lQxPMv6MANYBegVgv/s1600/japcap7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelV78y-BCqTp6Dz0vVmqd-QC_VidGULkBYjhrusn-Lzh58Qt0pJ81hStyJlLtg7-IZ09OKssUb1toihksqWDU_6B8MhE8r5BWO_0OUw4qKbJT1bXSWJ8461_MCw_lQxPMv6MANYBegVgv/s320/japcap7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TtFx1tDRJIV2sPIPUqCqs8tmdSqeXbujIQGZgLocI3CF_1HLOgY7f5kC2utVAoWzDOXFaWwaIuzR2j70ESXlLkf-wePI90OxXmdb2-QENz69FvFbNvwQllLlierLJ8ZJPrbQ26-F8w54/s1600/japcap8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TtFx1tDRJIV2sPIPUqCqs8tmdSqeXbujIQGZgLocI3CF_1HLOgY7f5kC2utVAoWzDOXFaWwaIuzR2j70ESXlLkf-wePI90OxXmdb2-QENz69FvFbNvwQllLlierLJ8ZJPrbQ26-F8w54/s320/japcap8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Detail photos of a 2019 Orix Buffaloes cap showing the NPB logo on the back of the cap, the corporate sponsor patch, and tagging.</div>
<br />
If you would like to purchase a contemporary NPB on-field cap, the main place to buy them is at <a href="https://www.japan-zone.com/store/official-baseball-gear-c-1_2.html" target="_blank">Japan-Zone.com.</a> They offer caps from most of the teams. <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/sportswear-baseball-caps-c-247_257_88.html" target="_blank">Goods From Japan</a> and <a href="https://global.rakuten.com/en/category/506053/?tag=1008775" target="_blank">Rakuten</a> also offer Japanese caps, mostly New Era versions. For vintage styles, <a href="http://www.ebbets.com/" target="_blank">Ebbets Field Flannels</a> offers various styles at different times and <a href="http://idealcapco.com/20WWYOMJ54.html" target="_blank">Ideal Cap Co.</a> offers a pretty faithful Yomiuri Giants reproduction.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoBKWvuxsTelkuz_MZWtiMKxhSc5vGyY2_QIm33-BwlWBCV0q48N6ZJACLm7QbQfViV6nf3Y9z214CpSSlUip4o1UZ1rk_3wxocufDP7rTOyk9bQOp7baC33NUavAw-u1XJyOiCxB2yPL/s1600/japcap9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoBKWvuxsTelkuz_MZWtiMKxhSc5vGyY2_QIm33-BwlWBCV0q48N6ZJACLm7QbQfViV6nf3Y9z214CpSSlUip4o1UZ1rk_3wxocufDP7rTOyk9bQOp7baC33NUavAw-u1XJyOiCxB2yPL/s320/japcap9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6llKwMW2fjfN5bxjpiJmq9Sfi5AWwAaK5ubNz9tvdSCe0MUFGuAP9BzZPtNKvJHNMJVubSMurdBs4vpgtF0UeHegfkTQVt5USeR6wHZFoNgAatEhOapergh4hZGPHZ50fOp5e73tBYDxn/s1600/japcap10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6llKwMW2fjfN5bxjpiJmq9Sfi5AWwAaK5ubNz9tvdSCe0MUFGuAP9BzZPtNKvJHNMJVubSMurdBs4vpgtF0UeHegfkTQVt5USeR6wHZFoNgAatEhOapergh4hZGPHZ50fOp5e73tBYDxn/s320/japcap10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A game used Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles cap from NPB's championship series. The Golden Eagles won the title that season.</div>
<br />
Though I am not 100% satisfied with my Japanese baseball cap research, it has been a lot of fun and I have learned a lot. I definitely still have a lot to learn. I will update this post as new research comes in. If you have any useful information or knowledge about NPB on-field caps, please email me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-89541258397119605192020-02-10T20:28:00.002-08:002020-02-11T10:18:52.533-08:00San Francisco Giants Memorabilia Sale and Fanfest FindsThe San Francisco Giants offer two different opportunities to purchase game used caps during the offseason; an annual memorabilia sale held in mid-December and Giants Fanfest.<br />
<br />
The December sale is usually held within a different area in the ballpark each year. It's been near the front entrance, in a cleared-out section of the team store, and this year it was held inside the actual player's clubhouse. Some years, a player (past or present) is there to sign autographs. One I can remember from a previous year was J.T. Snow. This year it was Joey Bart, one of the Giants top prospects.<br />
<br />
Giants game used prices have been astronomical for years given the success of the franchise in the early half of the last decade, but prices have come down quite substantially in the last couple of years. The 2018 memorabilia sale was quite something as prices were the lowest I'd ever seen. They sold worn "Prolight" batting practice caps for $15. There was a massive amount of them and I ended up finding caps worn by some of the more well-known players such as Brandon Belt, Pablo Sandoval, and Hunter Pence.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_n_WJ0Ov8ukiA11kM3FMFUW02gtRTths7XyLNP3NN_z6Gl4aS33BJnOTMnddCYxJNlGPzsBnH8RSdYhS9OzET-WS3xCjjSQ47NyziVszb_pXi3TcdDTQW_aaHUhRVXorVlA05fHEq-4L/s1600/giants18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_n_WJ0Ov8ukiA11kM3FMFUW02gtRTths7XyLNP3NN_z6Gl4aS33BJnOTMnddCYxJNlGPzsBnH8RSdYhS9OzET-WS3xCjjSQ47NyziVszb_pXi3TcdDTQW_aaHUhRVXorVlA05fHEq-4L/s320/giants18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The caps I brought home with me in 2018.</div>
<br />
The 2019 sale wasn't as good, but prices have remained somewhat reasonable. 2019 batting practice caps were $25, and regular game caps were $35. Unfortunately, no caps with recognizable names were to be found among the cheap ones. Any cap worn by a player with a recognizable name was $75 and up. I ended up getting caps from prospects Austin Slater and Chris Shaw. Other interesting items for sale included removed "AT&T" signage from the ballpark as the naming rights now belong to Oracle. I also spotted Madison Bumgarner's heavily worn and faded hoodie for $600. Aside from the caps I bought, I took home a metal sign removed from a wall of the ballpark that said "AT&T Park is a smoke free facility" for $25.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskJf1AW7pVivgVQinM9sNAdbEgl0wiStfajDBhpfOb_6XXNZoqRH45QLAmu-nwvMbDHQt7l6bjgMx3iRO-z75oSLuxo1ME7mUxjmqpvHCQEV8SMuWta4i7zwJ5jHBQkUzutJn7DyN5Rvt/s1600/giants19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskJf1AW7pVivgVQinM9sNAdbEgl0wiStfajDBhpfOb_6XXNZoqRH45QLAmu-nwvMbDHQt7l6bjgMx3iRO-z75oSLuxo1ME7mUxjmqpvHCQEV8SMuWta4i7zwJ5jHBQkUzutJn7DyN5Rvt/s320/giants19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
At Giants Fanfest, the selection of caps had somewhat dwindled. Still lots of 2019 BP caps for $25. There were many regular gamers as well, some even going back to 2016. However, almost all of the regular gamer caps came from coaches and pitchers. The 2019 gamer caps were still $35, but previous season caps were $30. The only position player cap I found was a St. Patrick's Day cap worn Steven Duggar. I ended up settling on a 2016 orange visor cap worn by pitcher Derek Law. The cap had been marked down three times since 2016, originally priced at $100. Caps worn by recognizable players were kept behind glass display cases, again marked at $75 and up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ60d0DIRwnOGwa8Y-rjD3_UG-FFlfF-pHgIXiQGT1gy9yuTGy9Jdi1fYtqjgV7ijp6gtgo9QQBBdpvTzAF50_NibNW0jRTpf1TptEMDHk-IlQg2EKSdXHV-TIcXsmsLCDwOvCae0SuqaC/s1600/giants192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ60d0DIRwnOGwa8Y-rjD3_UG-FFlfF-pHgIXiQGT1gy9yuTGy9Jdi1fYtqjgV7ijp6gtgo9QQBBdpvTzAF50_NibNW0jRTpf1TptEMDHk-IlQg2EKSdXHV-TIcXsmsLCDwOvCae0SuqaC/s320/giants192.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I am glad that Giants game used caps are finally going down (and staying down) in price. However, I have yet to see any unworn "team issued" caps offered for sale, and I've been checking regularly since 2012. With made in USA caps only being team issued from now on, I hope the Giants will offer some up for sale in the future.<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-41129821618639651872020-01-25T23:05:00.001-08:002020-01-26T09:16:40.566-08:002020 Oakland Athletics Fanfest FindsThis was the first time in about three years that I had been able to attend A's Fanfest. My brother and I had been attending the NAMM expo in Anaheim in that time, which usually takes place the same weekend.<br />
<br />
The last A's Fanfest I attended was the first time they had it outdoors at "Jack London Square" in Oakland, where they continue to have it to this day. Jack London Square is Oakland's waterfront area, which is a decent area to visit. In the past, A's fanfest was held at the Oakland Coliseum or the neighboring arena.<br />
<br />
The A's fanfest website did not mention a game used memorabilia sale, as they had in the past. I emailed the guy in charge of the A's game used sales. He told me there would be a tent sale with some "equipment" available for purchase but was not specific on exactly what this "equipment" was.<br />
<br />
When I got in line for the tent sale, my expectations were very low as I could not see any caps. The line was near a bench that had what appeared to be human feces on it (it got hosed off before fanfest officially started). Homeless people asked those in line for change. When I got in, the caps endeded up being all the way at the back. Much to my surprise, there was a very large selection of caps organized by size. They were mostly leftover unworn team stock with a few game used mixed in. They had the normal on-field caps, plus patched caps and special events.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvyAjAQFAZCxSvdGrMJEC4tdg9ntwMAP0AkNPCwG05wTPRqsjNfrJJ3tlEiOJ2rgDgNu5wiwX57VijB05eTAYs2hm_Qca0PqVdVf6rtcmrnuPeae6ssj6b6bZKPUJaFhWWAWhfKwjbidO/s1600/20200125_215927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvyAjAQFAZCxSvdGrMJEC4tdg9ntwMAP0AkNPCwG05wTPRqsjNfrJJ3tlEiOJ2rgDgNu5wiwX57VijB05eTAYs2hm_Qca0PqVdVf6rtcmrnuPeae6ssj6b6bZKPUJaFhWWAWhfKwjbidO/s320/20200125_215927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A team issused "Hex Tech" batting practice cap.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDrAej3drjXl3NH7oKHIDfG-ir2sXI34PGMgVR0MLBRVDEvBxK2Sy1mFwZOsesoznfO0saa1OrDb8S79hbSPeULRKzD3caMgMf_QKyjkBCFkzgkLw2j6_dSpParCSFdoJwRRGx_oKBLzK/s1600/20200125_215950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDrAej3drjXl3NH7oKHIDfG-ir2sXI34PGMgVR0MLBRVDEvBxK2Sy1mFwZOsesoznfO0saa1OrDb8S79hbSPeULRKzD3caMgMf_QKyjkBCFkzgkLw2j6_dSpParCSFdoJwRRGx_oKBLzK/s320/20200125_215950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A standard home cap that had some mild game use but no player number.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhF4p14qHClr4Up-WU0OblHwPZOHOWwXBVTdq7c3mp0llyQANDfILGTfU4II7cg4g-qb2Rsu3yf3bXeOoOaZ5xnfqSv5EOemCl8eqJND80gTGE2OqORN4a3CZYvkCC9OChYVxko9ymD4f/s1600/20200125_220018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhF4p14qHClr4Up-WU0OblHwPZOHOWwXBVTdq7c3mp0llyQANDfILGTfU4II7cg4g-qb2Rsu3yf3bXeOoOaZ5xnfqSv5EOemCl8eqJND80gTGE2OqORN4a3CZYvkCC9OChYVxko9ymD4f/s320/20200125_220018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A 50th Anniversary patch cap from 2018 that was unused.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA99K2U9zzCoVj1Y1jvHwWlEvGy9HlBCzfDePK-X7vRfDU34tjkxdqeCd1IRuu1z4KuURiYPK2WIPyvHpT9adEa-dZm-KkQqw5T8CETSllbse0o-FvUPgj3v6cPbmeeLKSmTYuhv5e444W/s1600/20200125_220040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA99K2U9zzCoVj1Y1jvHwWlEvGy9HlBCzfDePK-X7vRfDU34tjkxdqeCd1IRuu1z4KuURiYPK2WIPyvHpT9adEa-dZm-KkQqw5T8CETSllbse0o-FvUPgj3v6cPbmeeLKSmTYuhv5e444W/s320/20200125_220040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
An unused away cap with the 9/11 patch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I have mentioned before, the 2019 special events caps were made in USA, unlike the retail versions which were made overseas. All execept the Player's Weekend caps were among the last caps made at the Derby, NY plant before it closed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS_HgRHVAbxu3xSShsWTOjHE3cHPUmZtJVnvNcK1TGTdI_JUpJ6QqS38c_aUs58LKrRvZSDwJRLzoRSYJdkc0-Iv3qV_xHXAklFdWdXgwa5t5lliPOoeT5uyxUlcMhM44kWOn86OTYj0K/s1600/20200125_220129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS_HgRHVAbxu3xSShsWTOjHE3cHPUmZtJVnvNcK1TGTdI_JUpJ6QqS38c_aUs58LKrRvZSDwJRLzoRSYJdkc0-Iv3qV_xHXAklFdWdXgwa5t5lliPOoeT5uyxUlcMhM44kWOn86OTYj0K/s320/20200125_220129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo30uIagqYGhrZZyJQbIZFPHYNaNBdmcrbHhymy0Qbdprg2QuZiUtwcs98jPfJ_kLZAkN1F-ZdJJCzBH5WCnDY72z4SlHewjYr881u498m8faIQuQCmfYFdCcK9ls-AddzZXkBnZBRSDI/s1600/20200125_220147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo30uIagqYGhrZZyJQbIZFPHYNaNBdmcrbHhymy0Qbdprg2QuZiUtwcs98jPfJ_kLZAkN1F-ZdJJCzBH5WCnDY72z4SlHewjYr881u498m8faIQuQCmfYFdCcK9ls-AddzZXkBnZBRSDI/s320/20200125_220147.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A 4th of July cap. It appears to have some use, but I cannot find what player wore the number 45 last season.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllXDZk2jtrmr06VIts_p0jaHbuOnGATkIIdxnZe73WCfBbh6ANEkYEuLtRkJjl8ijiYwqVt13NjeVHKVytUOBNATtX3NVYGqsCKP3kK8rK_zr5SBuU6pKajyVEPOvZOPtrTN5X_AzzQ8P/s1600/20200125_220222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllXDZk2jtrmr06VIts_p0jaHbuOnGATkIIdxnZe73WCfBbh6ANEkYEuLtRkJjl8ijiYwqVt13NjeVHKVytUOBNATtX3NVYGqsCKP3kK8rK_zr5SBuU6pKajyVEPOvZOPtrTN5X_AzzQ8P/s320/20200125_220222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkcRQKlUofzw-bJbPewgX09TGJWrP_6jZN8Fv0nUYiXipimtC_3X9n_o-OxmK70GTWxMau-zvyY6LKjEA_gj4YH6RL8YsCEDRkiE1mZTZVI39fEUiL_S4BZoKaQUKJMWRrFeSpdGNl0Pf/s1600/20200125_220241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkcRQKlUofzw-bJbPewgX09TGJWrP_6jZN8Fv0nUYiXipimtC_3X9n_o-OxmK70GTWxMau-zvyY6LKjEA_gj4YH6RL8YsCEDRkiE1mZTZVI39fEUiL_S4BZoKaQUKJMWRrFeSpdGNl0Pf/s320/20200125_220241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
An unused Player's Weekend cap. These were some of the first caps made in the Hialeah, Florida facility by contractors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were a few surprises. In the size 7 1/2 section, they had late 80s vintage Sports Specialties caps. They were made in USA and still had tags. I had seen these for sale a few years ago so I was very surprised they had any left.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPS9g3OctNm4wk7QARtNgBYlD0a8iZBukteTMtKcpkXx3OlbePbVT9mbJXKCJnPK_f9j8ZtmCfSZx54JFYyDxBysngLKIuZm5UWm3MSl6gaRMWwhKfwN65aiMjDxtEl2NPZqWrfsy9PtW/s1600/20200125_220326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPS9g3OctNm4wk7QARtNgBYlD0a8iZBukteTMtKcpkXx3OlbePbVT9mbJXKCJnPK_f9j8ZtmCfSZx54JFYyDxBysngLKIuZm5UWm3MSl6gaRMWwhKfwN65aiMjDxtEl2NPZqWrfsy9PtW/s320/20200125_220326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqLYMezpq8RLSCsp0uBsChD12YaL98KbuH5AafSTb8FpzWFnUMmJ9Z6VhxOqLWHci-jCA8hIB00toz6fMEOGygDPZbFnG_Go-r9Z4jXyPGyKoZbhVp8LgKZV-xr_En2EaZ72M2vfFkZGR/s1600/20200125_220343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqLYMezpq8RLSCsp0uBsChD12YaL98KbuH5AafSTb8FpzWFnUMmJ9Z6VhxOqLWHci-jCA8hIB00toz6fMEOGygDPZbFnG_Go-r9Z4jXyPGyKoZbhVp8LgKZV-xr_En2EaZ72M2vfFkZGR/s320/20200125_220343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The biggest surprise was finding Japanese NPB caps for sale. There were two teams; the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers. There were two styles of Giants caps; one was a wool cap, the other was made with reinforced mesh. Both were made by Adidas. The Tigers were made by Mizuno and were also made with reinforced mesh fabric. I am unsure of what year the caps are from, but the Giants used Adidas as a cap supplier from 2006 to 2014. The Tigers apparently still use Mizuno. The A's have played against both teams in Japan in exhibition games, but I assume at some time in the recent past both teams must have come to Oakland and left these behind. NPB on-field caps are very hard to acquire. To this day, there is not really a retail market for NPB on-field caps in Japan. They are very expensive, up to an equivalent of $200 and sometimes require a two-month wait as they are made-to-order. I really lucked out!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2Bw22ifxh5qgVSaJNjkq6P0lYf3-tzNGKepEQ7nW9G-ILjRQ3u5Tk4k99_hwAMSREVHCQU97-xadOrvwgr4bYa5em4mi43ZQeu8QAe7_uLw0yPIg0Zw7UqE59_pmG_cCCpmy4Z92LqVr/s1600/20200125_220445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2Bw22ifxh5qgVSaJNjkq6P0lYf3-tzNGKepEQ7nW9G-ILjRQ3u5Tk4k99_hwAMSREVHCQU97-xadOrvwgr4bYa5em4mi43ZQeu8QAe7_uLw0yPIg0Zw7UqE59_pmG_cCCpmy4Z92LqVr/s320/20200125_220445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB9HVuAwIPXSFdnmlW8FXVlv6cmxBlAsIPICbzqbL7BPAJJv06Hgp6bMxDvzpLS5WvF4hg7M0y6s5mCIUMsfbAOOOwQbHLsbZFW_zoH6GzoNvXu54YgfFNA6jMpsxUnp4LpgngpznWhzM/s1600/20200125_220513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB9HVuAwIPXSFdnmlW8FXVlv6cmxBlAsIPICbzqbL7BPAJJv06Hgp6bMxDvzpLS5WvF4hg7M0y6s5mCIUMsfbAOOOwQbHLsbZFW_zoH6GzoNvXu54YgfFNA6jMpsxUnp4LpgngpznWhzM/s320/20200125_220513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Wool version of the Yomiuri Giants cap.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSntAIXXRjGbnrwlVGKqsR_BwlT4KkJ7E7j3xoxkaKNO1wjomdwQkZNFm7adAOHg5fojwEd3y95FWqXvMYSEt4BEFMOIKgbgRKt85kMYrkBds160CCbMdL4D-zrniQ_DZr_DLhJXTxgM_u/s1600/20200125_220529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSntAIXXRjGbnrwlVGKqsR_BwlT4KkJ7E7j3xoxkaKNO1wjomdwQkZNFm7adAOHg5fojwEd3y95FWqXvMYSEt4BEFMOIKgbgRKt85kMYrkBds160CCbMdL4D-zrniQ_DZr_DLhJXTxgM_u/s320/20200125_220529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISWmEKCal6V2ybW46LRO4iIkCmHqDUp6jsvu42bMc4tNcHk7Brt8N3LYCDvkPxF6MXwR5BH1fhlfAK17BvIv3kvtLWdno6lJBaJX91XVGbNWEQiU74Smr5mugnc9a0s0jGArjIN7qqR8q/s1600/20200125_220603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISWmEKCal6V2ybW46LRO4iIkCmHqDUp6jsvu42bMc4tNcHk7Brt8N3LYCDvkPxF6MXwR5BH1fhlfAK17BvIv3kvtLWdno6lJBaJX91XVGbNWEQiU74Smr5mugnc9a0s0jGArjIN7qqR8q/s320/20200125_220603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The mesh version.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EE-pE6uWYTFKGBrlUiJxR4ZJJxOagLRtds5b8QbaSCZAvLEPSlAeA1sO2-0Avp3xTCwANB6dxo-NS4FqgcitiY1Yl3onPeejPukUpBNYmvCGfWwM00h2_MqpqhI4Hhpxr04_AzK1dK2I/s1600/20200125_220624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EE-pE6uWYTFKGBrlUiJxR4ZJJxOagLRtds5b8QbaSCZAvLEPSlAeA1sO2-0Avp3xTCwANB6dxo-NS4FqgcitiY1Yl3onPeejPukUpBNYmvCGfWwM00h2_MqpqhI4Hhpxr04_AzK1dK2I/s320/20200125_220624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v1nIrdXHUbljG5z2ox6TO9GZ2psR46oy0dBN_u-VDMuk6kRixI7yrOzLlcewrYgD9wsX4dYcpUSDQo-_J9sE-EVa5_VifdUNmohsQoaAP_I4iidUP-_Ze4rk8wGtQYVdz0WTkQnZ2iUW/s1600/20200125_220654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v1nIrdXHUbljG5z2ox6TO9GZ2psR46oy0dBN_u-VDMuk6kRixI7yrOzLlcewrYgD9wsX4dYcpUSDQo-_J9sE-EVa5_VifdUNmohsQoaAP_I4iidUP-_Ze4rk8wGtQYVdz0WTkQnZ2iUW/s320/20200125_220654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Hanshin Tigers cap.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The A's Fanfest ended up being great this year and I look forward to next year!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
</div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-51652675984989749632020-01-14T20:38:00.000-08:002020-01-20T17:46:33.315-08:002020 San Diego Padres Fanfest FindsThis year's Padres Fanfest was quite something. Upon entering the Padres garage sale, I was greeted by tables and tables covered in caps. It appeared that the team was getting rid of all of its team-issue stock since the Padres will have new uniforms next season.<br />
<br />
They had all the varieties; spring training with the Cactus League patch, batting practice, primary home blue, Friday brown alternate, and camouflage alternate (the later three had 50th anniversary patches).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZajY7BPzerbcPyLMcE3VSO9k6gIthQYoxewr5EHMyaIG0DqIWoRCuh8BJMt6hkyAosoBeAvp-WR9XbaPRfDD94iof1FVt2BS-6Ocgntus7PYJPtJda6soDkFsm-XN6d2b8OKurlJxsKp/s1600/20200114_200353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZajY7BPzerbcPyLMcE3VSO9k6gIthQYoxewr5EHMyaIG0DqIWoRCuh8BJMt6hkyAosoBeAvp-WR9XbaPRfDD94iof1FVt2BS-6Ocgntus7PYJPtJda6soDkFsm-XN6d2b8OKurlJxsKp/s320/20200114_200353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring Training "Hex Tech" bell panel cap with Cactus League Patch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VsOJuyG7OiF6_H52wetymH5LaOBJHMvdU6RdU71kogiA_FLIVYDBAHnXDV8wZgRiWZ5w8Y70d88UV5KJUOdRZ8rNMputoxcQy36y-fexfsdAzcy-441CPzzrmAM3u8HFpESSD-lq3ND9/s1600/20200114_200256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VsOJuyG7OiF6_H52wetymH5LaOBJHMvdU6RdU71kogiA_FLIVYDBAHnXDV8wZgRiWZ5w8Y70d88UV5KJUOdRZ8rNMputoxcQy36y-fexfsdAzcy-441CPzzrmAM3u8HFpESSD-lq3ND9/s320/20200114_200256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Standard blue cap with 50th Anniversary patch. Good bye and Good riddance, blue!</div>
<br />
The caps were definitely team issued, as they lacked New Era's stickers. The boxes they were in were labeled clearly for the clubhouse manager to easily find what he needed. I grabbed a few of the boxes when they became empty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IG6Ui6kYVqp-Ms0u2FNqu61V6FXeqTF9q2jJGJutKeA8WL3SHZJDkjL1f0OrLoK_9b5HjDlVzXHnE20q8bGipwridBTGNmbe31ArsyUGvNNbPBdXmqSQhaxDsXyp98rDR8TjKURl1py8/s1600/20200112_194344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IG6Ui6kYVqp-Ms0u2FNqu61V6FXeqTF9q2jJGJutKeA8WL3SHZJDkjL1f0OrLoK_9b5HjDlVzXHnE20q8bGipwridBTGNmbe31ArsyUGvNNbPBdXmqSQhaxDsXyp98rDR8TjKURl1py8/s320/20200112_194344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In retail, the Friday brown Taco Bell caps were only made in USA for the first batch sold in the Padres team store at the unveiling of the Friday brown alternate uniform in 2016. The rest were made overseas from then on. The team's stock was almost all made in USA. Only the "low crown" caps were made overseas. I assume New Era's Derby, NY plant didn't have the equipment to make low crown bell panels. The 7 1/4 Taco Bell caps appeared to have been made in 2016 given by the lack of the flag logo. The other sizes appeared to be newer as the flag logo was directly sewn on. The Derby plant must have made more to supplement the team's stock before closing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwShqBDAWGWJESGlCEkiowoQoFVU9eUfq6Idjc26jryKBVa0yJ4QmqRpD0dMbG4hfElLP26Y_rXvduZCfylbPxm4tJcfGW04BL3x1AQmSsPU7ur-iS_dQRIsq1HjNady6_8fySxgfPEkMz/s1600/20200114_200209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwShqBDAWGWJESGlCEkiowoQoFVU9eUfq6Idjc26jryKBVa0yJ4QmqRpD0dMbG4hfElLP26Y_rXvduZCfylbPxm4tJcfGW04BL3x1AQmSsPU7ur-iS_dQRIsq1HjNady6_8fySxgfPEkMz/s320/20200114_200209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Made in USA bell panel cap with the 50th Anniversary patch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SW9hSzkShxCERstZ9nozkxB1HeKCtZn8ef0MbG_6vQ8mGyRIobkDYdjSJFglbPzfYjT3e76zs6v3FulqQyEalEYAYfC5PKWah1RlHKFeUr5mDl4rghy5ltT-Vl67kwlXOMlhy5DQzV3h/s1600/20200114_200556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SW9hSzkShxCERstZ9nozkxB1HeKCtZn8ef0MbG_6vQ8mGyRIobkDYdjSJFglbPzfYjT3e76zs6v3FulqQyEalEYAYfC5PKWah1RlHKFeUr5mDl4rghy5ltT-Vl67kwlXOMlhy5DQzV3h/s320/20200114_200556.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A made in USA version with a sewn-on flag logo. This variation was never available in retail.</div>
<br />
There were also a few surprises. At a table next to the standard caps, some unused Memorial Day caps were there as well as some moldy oldies; some brown caps from a Turn Back The Clock game in 2003 and brown and yellow caps from a late 90s Turn Back The Clock game.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSb0yitf_v_k1gCEXjRXe6acGETJSUd99WqrC1zFNXIzqnPsgfq3Ux7chgjtMn47V7GbNjkg2WGplDVztYIHzVwohZlMBaR5-aroiUsXbrjuro9DPvit-e7dhTDtmrUpsxJbKTsnkAq5I/s1600/20200114_200323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSb0yitf_v_k1gCEXjRXe6acGETJSUd99WqrC1zFNXIzqnPsgfq3Ux7chgjtMn47V7GbNjkg2WGplDVztYIHzVwohZlMBaR5-aroiUsXbrjuro9DPvit-e7dhTDtmrUpsxJbKTsnkAq5I/s320/20200114_200323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The 1969 Turn Back The Clock caps from 2003 are interesting. In typical New Era fashion, they feature the wrong logo. New Era has always heavily favored the variation of the logo that was ONLY used during spring training 1972 instead of the right one. The undervisor is also gray instead of green. I am not sure if this was a New Era oversight or a team request. This is probably why they feature "Genuine Merchandise" labels instead of "Cooperstown Collection."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsPj9cwV-5Kyc0uIFmnRM0wj_XINnOfiiulXgf00C-Hmow7Hhq-zYzExgXEgmnvKJKKUwuSjkW79mgfAz3bEYO25lsUuCWX3t455eEfR1MX0sKMdatr9E5-qD5eVYpi1tD5BLiNxuF38z/s1600/20200114_200418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsPj9cwV-5Kyc0uIFmnRM0wj_XINnOfiiulXgf00C-Hmow7Hhq-zYzExgXEgmnvKJKKUwuSjkW79mgfAz3bEYO25lsUuCWX3t455eEfR1MX0sKMdatr9E5-qD5eVYpi1tD5BLiNxuF38z/s320/20200114_200418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGgXDkEn5gTCQHdyioARtIScvgb8PxPTsOxepBc3zH67v3vCiplbouM0qGcI_BhyphenhyphenonH4w8YZ5ckEosPSnnMEGFWT75bP-56H6MQ97EaoGd2sRqiRr9qK2z8mVVdF2vA8m_xYSpumMuiYN/s1600/20200114_200442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGgXDkEn5gTCQHdyioARtIScvgb8PxPTsOxepBc3zH67v3vCiplbouM0qGcI_BhyphenhyphenonH4w8YZ5ckEosPSnnMEGFWT75bP-56H6MQ97EaoGd2sRqiRr9qK2z8mVVdF2vA8m_xYSpumMuiYN/s320/20200114_200442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The 1978 Turn Back The Clock caps from the late 90s (97 or 98) are also a curiosity. I recall reading about these caps before; Mitchell & Ness couldn't get bell panel caps done in time so they sent these. The caps were actually made by Roman Pro Cap Company but feature the M&N label. The caps fit smaller than normal; a 7 1/2 I bought fits like New Era's 7 1/4. Some had price tags attached. I am surprised that older caps like these are still being found. Who knows what other caps lie in the Padres storage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRtmJO7iuK2P1OAtTlazDPybP8g-oGcjaMYEG6fm3Z-8IkUwyoLmJDohy_2iGWm28t9X011mwYWNoXI8BTkmBRbcTu-wB-VyQTd9JUEVZBuxyjXb3DHMSRHJk1o1uZ19bJDQNRt0FJbOm/s1600/20200114_200459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRtmJO7iuK2P1OAtTlazDPybP8g-oGcjaMYEG6fm3Z-8IkUwyoLmJDohy_2iGWm28t9X011mwYWNoXI8BTkmBRbcTu-wB-VyQTd9JUEVZBuxyjXb3DHMSRHJk1o1uZ19bJDQNRt0FJbOm/s320/20200114_200459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrI_TSH3U8hkstmlkxXdAUmWqziOOSiXLDCqbb9EUeeqLZEGf2WPi-HLiWc3xdpfLDYTJASF3WN9F7sj_F-F27rkX482cLaY1sb4sx_cBl8L3ImERmVRf89d5vCVwB-mDbM9on4OAvKY4/s1600/20200114_200514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrI_TSH3U8hkstmlkxXdAUmWqziOOSiXLDCqbb9EUeeqLZEGf2WPi-HLiWc3xdpfLDYTJASF3WN9F7sj_F-F27rkX482cLaY1sb4sx_cBl8L3ImERmVRf89d5vCVwB-mDbM9on4OAvKY4/s320/20200114_200514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60R3Y33xnXc6-lL2XxpqUZSGmx6JW0ln1NUaEUETUlGqz0DWsZMKXbsjdn8Uz1kDXVE1wsbASjREolL22NX8sJrofl0dl-h0aKiYbXenjCxe1-E_RX8ckhMbwRssNC0imsl0pHhhmuLo3/s1600/20200114_200533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60R3Y33xnXc6-lL2XxpqUZSGmx6JW0ln1NUaEUETUlGqz0DWsZMKXbsjdn8Uz1kDXVE1wsbASjREolL22NX8sJrofl0dl-h0aKiYbXenjCxe1-E_RX8ckhMbwRssNC0imsl0pHhhmuLo3/s320/20200114_200533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And to think nowadays we pay $45 for caps made in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Hati!</div>
<br />
I ended up with a lot of caps to buy. When my wife and I stopped and tried to add all of my purchases up, we were harassed multiple times by security and told we needed to get in line immediately or leave. We packed up and continued to browse but security still continued to tell us to get in line and leave. This is par for the course at the Padres garage sale and I get harassed by security every-other year. I have even been accused of theft. Upon checking out, I complained face-to-face to the person in charge of the garage sale. She apologized and said it's because some people "hoard" items. My question is; how is it hoarding if you're planning on buying everything? You're not allowed to make a large purchase and take your time? After a nine-hour drive, four hours of sleep, and two hours waiting in line I did not appreciate the hostile treatment. Oh, the things I do for baseball caps...<br />
<br />
Who knows what next year will be like.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-15996330498108709242020-01-08T21:21:00.000-08:002020-01-20T17:45:56.026-08:00A Tribute to Will ArltI recently find out Will Arlt passed away. He was the owner of Cooperstown Ballcap Co., later Ideal Cap Co. It appears he may have passed sometime in early November of 2019. I had noticed that Ideal Cap Co. had stopped releasing new caps on a monthly basis, so perhaps Mr. Arlt had been ill for a little while before passing. Will was one of the last people that believed in making a fine-quality ballcap and actually did so.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-XtzKPayV88L0U2AuDT74YvABizxvbewIa5G5WKqNsn9XPKL8eeRPIxepTPvDBrrn4KeGBbgL8thvKM4ykt9ynypDOvn9j2XXv8cd9WRCoxNSl6XfLtjT_v9pEd2a5n8dMDzEJDCbYWS/s1600/willarlt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-XtzKPayV88L0U2AuDT74YvABizxvbewIa5G5WKqNsn9XPKL8eeRPIxepTPvDBrrn4KeGBbgL8thvKM4ykt9ynypDOvn9j2XXv8cd9WRCoxNSl6XfLtjT_v9pEd2a5n8dMDzEJDCbYWS/s320/willarlt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I never had the chance to meet Will Arlt in person. In the summer of 2018, I visited Cooperstown, NY just before the Hall of Fame induction ceremony that year. It was busy on the downtown strip. Ideal Cap Co. had been (and still does, as of the time this is being written) selling caps at the store of the "Where It All Began" bat company. I went in the store and bought probably half a dozen caps. There were more that I wanted, but they were sold out. They told me they would be restocked in a short time that same day. Wouldn't you know, a short time later, I was across the street when through the crowd I saw Mr. Arlt emerge, his arms full of boxes of caps. His face was covered in sweat (is was a humid day). He was wearing a blank, navy blue short-visor cap (probably the same one in the picture above). I assume it was one of his own. I recall seeing him go in and out of the store very quickly. I may have considered running through the crowd to catch him and talk to him, but I figured he must have been busy and I didn't want to bother him. However, I did chat with him a few times via email. Per my suggestion, Ideal Cap Co. produced a 1986 San Jose "Bad News" Bees cap. However, the only similarity between the original cap and Ideal's version was the logo. Mr. Arlt opted to use the old-school materials and change the colors of the cap from solid navy to black and yellow.<br />
<br />
Mr. Arlt apparently was a recording engineer in the music business earlier in his life. His most notable work was being at the recording console controls for Roberta Flack's "First Take" album. After working in vintage clothing sales, he later founded Cooperstown Ballcap Co. in the 1980s. They offered reproduction baseball caps from every era, and they were constructed in a very old-timely fashion. Unfortunately, they lost their agreement with MLB in 2010. A short time later, they returned as Ideal Cap Co. The caps were made similar to Ebbets Field Flannels, but they had a slightly different look and feel in terms of material and construction.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I never learned about Cooperstown Ballcap Co.'s existence until a few years before they shut down. I was only able to order from them twice. I must admit that I was less than satisfied with the results. The caps were poorly made and featured massive, bulbous crowns. They fit two sizes too small. The cloth sweatbands were paper thin. Perhaps I missed out on the halcyon days of the company. However, I enjoyed Ideal Cap Co. and wore their caps on a regular basis. I wear a green-colored waxed cotton cap made by Ideal every time it rains.<br />
<br />
Recently, I've been helping longtime cap collector Marty Kane sell his collection. He is an elderly gentlemen and unfortunately his children and grandchildren aren't interested in inheriting his collection. He has a major amount of Cooperstown Ballcap Co. caps. I took a few dozen home in November to sell to fellow collectors. Among them were a trio of New York Giants caps. Since CBC's size tags were made of paper and meant to be torn out, they were long gone. My best bet is to try them on to gauge the size. When I tried on a black and orange New York Giants cap, it fit perfectly. Not only that, it was extremely comfortable. One of the best-fitting caps I have ever worn. I had to keep it. I like to think that since Mr. Arlt had just recently passed away at that time, he was with me in spirit in some sort of way and lead me to finding that perfect cap. I've been wearing it nearly every day since I got it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa-hG0sQoqNPfK1jiKkW3RCK2mgud8UXlh0csjcj3_VLSl0xtrIeSwV27vlmLWVbQvVAujhPNidjWPcvEy5NTT1hYNecsJAPCIhgfaUA07SYSnC9mvatOghvUkg27NCovz3mAfl56Ign_/s1600/giantscoop1.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa-hG0sQoqNPfK1jiKkW3RCK2mgud8UXlh0csjcj3_VLSl0xtrIeSwV27vlmLWVbQvVAujhPNidjWPcvEy5NTT1hYNecsJAPCIhgfaUA07SYSnC9mvatOghvUkg27NCovz3mAfl56Ign_/s320/giantscoop1.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mejynv6bSD5YqKvD6mPpig3DvmgxkUpx1aHBUflbB9mW3-M9NRzNUk9RLETViui1ENGm-d_hcW7nilj0D2nZ5ULDpf5oHz2pPt2v4YcYgqCNRX0RBqt_QTpi4mPzen42qkwcsqphy2Fl/s1600/giantscoop2.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mejynv6bSD5YqKvD6mPpig3DvmgxkUpx1aHBUflbB9mW3-M9NRzNUk9RLETViui1ENGm-d_hcW7nilj0D2nZ5ULDpf5oHz2pPt2v4YcYgqCNRX0RBqt_QTpi4mPzen42qkwcsqphy2Fl/s320/giantscoop2.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As for the fate of Ideal Cap Co., I reached out to Where It All Began Bat Co. since they are listed as the contact on Ideal Cap Co.'s website. They're response was: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We do plan on carrying on the Ideal Cap Co brand. The company is in a transition phase now and we are only fulfilling orders but once the transition is complete we will be back to releasing a cap of the month and updating the offerings."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;">"There are three or four thousand people who would be deeply depressed if I stopped doing what I'm doing. They tell other people. We've never advertised, so it's word of mouth." - Will Arlt</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #22222c; font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
I couldn't agree more, as I am indeed deeply depressed by his passing. Here's to one of the great ones in our hobby. May he rest in peace.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-24499172827807873842019-12-15T16:43:00.003-08:002019-12-15T16:56:52.098-08:00Exclusive: Where New Era will be "assembling" MLB Team-Issued CapsAccording to multiple news outlets, upon the closure of New Era's manufacturing plant in Derby, NY, production of New Era's on-field caps for MLB team-issue only would be transferred to a facility in Hialeah, Florida. The facility has already been in use for several years by 5th & Ocean, a clothing company purchased by New Era in 2009. At his facility, 5th & Ocean "decorates" (i.e. screen-printing) already made clothing such as shirts.<br />
<br />
With a bit of sleuthing, I was able to find exactly where the facility is in Hialeah, as well as some photos of the interior of the facility during a mayoral visit in 2011. Keep in mind that the facility may be completely different on the inside now. While it wasn't hard to get photos and footage of New Era's Derby, NY plant, it seems highly unlikely that we'll likely ever get to see any footage or images of workers "assembling" the caps that MLB players wear from this point on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-SI0AG44Vcl9C3gYqAdGC6R6o5RQjUTRnhWG0te6wdtNmYitC1OiT3ejJXQVFkry1oRC5mDjxhMzlQLO_SIVGNqsX_tTMCq2gIvCjTroQNIxvdKWoF5Rjp3MPxr4AcTQmCPOhmK4tM8O/s1600/5thocean1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="672" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-SI0AG44Vcl9C3gYqAdGC6R6o5RQjUTRnhWG0te6wdtNmYitC1OiT3ejJXQVFkry1oRC5mDjxhMzlQLO_SIVGNqsX_tTMCq2gIvCjTroQNIxvdKWoF5Rjp3MPxr4AcTQmCPOhmK4tM8O/s320/5thocean1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5th & Ocean seen from above on Google Maps. Don't be fooled by the size; the building is shared with other businesses and 5th & Ocean only uses a small portion of the building.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA1viWXY4e5v-1bTQjIGXSO7N2-lhmEfROvP4uTf7xaXjGng711wlRiXBA4Xnd0WAW0wOOAgdbIzIQFiKbp0SI94vB53ryf4Bk4-mBKQfwJVo6kNjBC_vy3rGdWecbPBVheAWVPjT3MuP/s1600/5thocean2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1428" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA1viWXY4e5v-1bTQjIGXSO7N2-lhmEfROvP4uTf7xaXjGng711wlRiXBA4Xnd0WAW0wOOAgdbIzIQFiKbp0SI94vB53ryf4Bk4-mBKQfwJVo6kNjBC_vy3rGdWecbPBVheAWVPjT3MuP/s320/5thocean2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The 5th & Ocean side of the building. Notice no signs anywhere. I assume the employees enter through the opening seen to the left of the truck.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ4jlAUhlMKtOCqZY4TaWVYPec9BymNuEpyExQi5Qq5x8aC9yyrIocb92FmPlcXwNbWjs6BBI4jLmVScx_6q_-wUx9KALKtkEB9wN_Eej554qVq_97YjWymxO_bodXaD5Ng9vzApYUMOu/s1600/5thocean3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ4jlAUhlMKtOCqZY4TaWVYPec9BymNuEpyExQi5Qq5x8aC9yyrIocb92FmPlcXwNbWjs6BBI4jLmVScx_6q_-wUx9KALKtkEB9wN_Eej554qVq_97YjWymxO_bodXaD5Ng9vzApYUMOu/s320/5thocean3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then-Hialeah mayor Julio Robaina (left) with other elected officials. The manager of 5th & Ocean is the older gentleman. I wonder if he is still around. Notice the sign behind the mayor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq6U_o7Jf6ADhVnb8w_GxyNzkW36dnKC1Xryo4ywNR5MIT4PWyOkdqNp9_4Cz1WiLxWsc9oKMbAkCnvHPb0XOVgI_4orO55eJPDBg383Gay69wuPedA1qu0bSnGy6U2Bvkh-8H1zjyY4T/s1600/5thocean5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq6U_o7Jf6ADhVnb8w_GxyNzkW36dnKC1Xryo4ywNR5MIT4PWyOkdqNp9_4Cz1WiLxWsc9oKMbAkCnvHPb0XOVgI_4orO55eJPDBg383Gay69wuPedA1qu0bSnGy6U2Bvkh-8H1zjyY4T/s320/5thocean5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Elected officials meeting employees in the 5th & Ocean office area.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSaMomNEU0ynVVitN89z3iBeF5yvoOQ5E8sX_-kZNx9FWUti_KILnd0nGrm3HoqQBtrabBaPH8A7PQ6srru-GxHDiMZ_9-FZVQNzfZH4x8RODN-p5UQhOJ3Tl24op_eE02rPSY1WEX9bj/s1600/5thocean7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSaMomNEU0ynVVitN89z3iBeF5yvoOQ5E8sX_-kZNx9FWUti_KILnd0nGrm3HoqQBtrabBaPH8A7PQ6srru-GxHDiMZ_9-FZVQNzfZH4x8RODN-p5UQhOJ3Tl24op_eE02rPSY1WEX9bj/s320/5thocean7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcegRSljA0TXEK59DCsNfEqkJIoDiV4TcIVM6W4JGIFqtpDeRiYs5zaf2N7Db4ivajBUsYlJzCWiPRfKgIr3qexctzzazmwJKpEoB17fwjxzY399A-Ot1RoD-LwE03C4ILqyayFVNw6Jx/s1600/5thocean6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcegRSljA0TXEK59DCsNfEqkJIoDiV4TcIVM6W4JGIFqtpDeRiYs5zaf2N7Db4ivajBUsYlJzCWiPRfKgIr3qexctzzazmwJKpEoB17fwjxzY399A-Ot1RoD-LwE03C4ILqyayFVNw6Jx/s320/5thocean6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx-W-h4QCCiFmE4VwZKmwvkz2xbQkFEnUncjPbwPKwr6K93ULzJKPTsohlFUVkvTDtIj86rqMXVBnrXkPQ3t1_XvLZ-uayTQ_hM4e395_nypyYetNPk_lfdf6QVhqsQ2IN1uiYUJPiTYL/s1600/5thocean4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx-W-h4QCCiFmE4VwZKmwvkz2xbQkFEnUncjPbwPKwr6K93ULzJKPTsohlFUVkvTDtIj86rqMXVBnrXkPQ3t1_XvLZ-uayTQ_hM4e395_nypyYetNPk_lfdf6QVhqsQ2IN1uiYUJPiTYL/s320/5thocean4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7rgQPP8Iy-h-Tyrxf9oCyD_PNIUz2u-NbQNDGcN01i7Nxkh9qSbcYhUr7l9bkfIEDpYmZGDBib6mlt1LH6gDTYovZzORLq0MRW1feN15VJpPi_yJ4NafhA2H8PuC_9ATSoFYxGyjoo3s/s1600/5thocean8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7rgQPP8Iy-h-Tyrxf9oCyD_PNIUz2u-NbQNDGcN01i7Nxkh9qSbcYhUr7l9bkfIEDpYmZGDBib6mlt1LH6gDTYovZzORLq0MRW1feN15VJpPi_yJ4NafhA2H8PuC_9ATSoFYxGyjoo3s/s320/5thocean8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEvWIRNDNg9HWru3AWeMfrUYDPzN3cmr9VZVtSucjIXAt1X73utlWxyE5wq-MxNT5AnaiKL5aOo5NJBtb7ooEd-mWQ3p_UDHD6ZhslpmPPpSokpHFsGBIISLIf7EgmtQlVL1no1Cdpzeb/s1600/5thocean9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEvWIRNDNg9HWru3AWeMfrUYDPzN3cmr9VZVtSucjIXAt1X73utlWxyE5wq-MxNT5AnaiKL5aOo5NJBtb7ooEd-mWQ3p_UDHD6ZhslpmPPpSokpHFsGBIISLIf7EgmtQlVL1no1Cdpzeb/s320/5thocean9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Elected officials during a tour of the facility. Some Cincinnati Reds t-shirts are being worked on.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt8ugDYJfbvSWTVjqKeT7DuDAZgvbUY9IuhVW_8emzlngJdYxg_csy0g_Gf6xa5x6E5ECrqngqAxKGgq2RBgXucyP2ShICkTRr8u8BikPDo1VUOE__GX14P2gxvn1Kjapxf4e9X9jf3Us/s1600/5thocean10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1045" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt8ugDYJfbvSWTVjqKeT7DuDAZgvbUY9IuhVW_8emzlngJdYxg_csy0g_Gf6xa5x6E5ECrqngqAxKGgq2RBgXucyP2ShICkTRr8u8BikPDo1VUOE__GX14P2gxvn1Kjapxf4e9X9jf3Us/s320/5thocean10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Elected officials posing with 5th & Ocean employees. As you can see, several employees are wearing MLB shirts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There you have it; an exclusive look into where MLB's team-issue only caps will be assembled. New Era's current contract with providing on-field caps for MLB runs though 2030.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-63536968521897638752019-11-11T17:33:00.002-08:002019-11-12T07:25:13.493-08:00The Padres: Back In Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBpX-KRQbaxA2CHu-wmIK35CMwjivlsTEnbAmi7Ll-9IOR8W2Ca64hnJU2m-nb2ljWp51LrEN249WvwhBbDfoxZBo8WJd1dzQRjb0xn1J-a0p0_kqES6k7HfZtkWLVHsnuLM6inuviVSi/s1600/padres-new-uniforms.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBpX-KRQbaxA2CHu-wmIK35CMwjivlsTEnbAmi7Ll-9IOR8W2Ca64hnJU2m-nb2ljWp51LrEN249WvwhBbDfoxZBo8WJd1dzQRjb0xn1J-a0p0_kqES6k7HfZtkWLVHsnuLM6inuviVSi/s320/padres-new-uniforms.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The San Diego Padres have brought back the brown! This past Saturday, the Padres unveiled the team's new brown uniforms. It's a major moment for those of us that have tried to make our voices heard to the Padres organization. I have been a supporter of the "bring back the brown" movement since childhood. Let's talk about the new caps...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Padres new primary cap resembles the original 1969 cap but with an updated version of the logo they've been using for over fifteen years. They've also updated the cap they wear with the camo jerseys and made it the same shade of dark brown.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOOHUQbBOIO1i0LcznJLVpGbgnRRnxOC4qHtrizfaFhE-Cxo6KjMHmVL-cRuTl0gJofB574p6V8W8O_LoorR1q1N0jgqH9S3L4WbKqy2dCAm3z9biIBVf3BRmcOTKKM_vMj1ALpFrMOPC/s1600/FB_IMG_1572553743660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="753" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOOHUQbBOIO1i0LcznJLVpGbgnRRnxOC4qHtrizfaFhE-Cxo6KjMHmVL-cRuTl0gJofB574p6V8W8O_LoorR1q1N0jgqH9S3L4WbKqy2dCAm3z9biIBVf3BRmcOTKKM_vMj1ALpFrMOPC/s320/FB_IMG_1572553743660.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The cap worn by new Padres manager Jayce Tingler at his introductory press conference. Notice how warped and out of shape the crown and visor are. It is unknown if the cap was 100% made overseas or if it was "assembled" in Miami. New Era's quality is going downhill like a runaway train.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcxVWq0hJ1ORQwZVOMEKQ4tbhGH3DvGDEs2CnCieL69I9ADM-0EQJpGJTT_jku6uZow3PcLIeCQBEAu9YH0SdaG_gKh_UgLsG5oRxLis5LSHvc-X0ofMeD1nJyWCSctDYarCAqfQ5p-K4/s1600/595043879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcxVWq0hJ1ORQwZVOMEKQ4tbhGH3DvGDEs2CnCieL69I9ADM-0EQJpGJTT_jku6uZow3PcLIeCQBEAu9YH0SdaG_gKh_UgLsG5oRxLis5LSHvc-X0ofMeD1nJyWCSctDYarCAqfQ5p-K4/s320/595043879.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The new darker-brown camo cap.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There appears to be no other caps. The primary cap will be worn with all uniform combinations. That means the death of the bell panel brown cap they debuted in 2016. R.I.P. to the taco bell cap once again, which makes the full-time return of the brown and gold bittersweet for me. However, we have yet to see what the spring training cap will be. Cross your fingers and hope that we'll see a bell panel brown and gold cap with that funky honeycomb-patterned fabric.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One thing that marred the uniform unveiling (for us cap nerds, anyway) was the fact that the new caps featured the trademark "Elmer Fudd" crown (as many cap collectors call it), a trademark of New Era's caps made overseas. I personally call them "onion domes" because they look more like the piece of Russian architecture in my opinion. Unfortunately, this is the new normal. From what we saw with the Player's Weekend caps, the onion dome caps will be the new normal as the Miami-made caps are being made this way and not retaining the construction profile of the caps made at the now-closed New Era plant in Derby, NY. I weep for the fact that we'll never get to have one of the new Padres caps made at Derby. The caps that were for sale at the Padres team store during the uniform unveiling were made in Bangladesh. A sad time indeed. Here's to hoping I can clean up at the next Padres fan fest and get as many bell panel caps as I can get, hopefully team issued and USA made.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-77477946145807488082019-10-26T18:19:00.003-07:002019-10-27T00:30:14.216-07:00Made in USA 2019 World Series CapsWith the Washington Nationals reaching their first World Series in franchise history, I was curious to see if any made in USA World Series caps made it onto retail shelves.<br />
<br />
I put it out there on my social media that I would pay anyone that could find me a made in USA Nationals cap with the World Series patch. On Twitter, someone reached out to me and was kind enough to look for some when they went to the Nationals team store. He replied and said there were two red caps in my size (7 1/4) so he got one for me. Thanks @Chip_corp!<br />
<br />
When I received it, it was very interesting to say the least.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsmQT2BUptAboA5QbVjSmhCPQWJYDmexpPJeEJz2A1VkPWZAs7NTTpFtlqpcmCrKXN6yroKgTQjJYlgRDIXrcL_tyL_0nkv9gwQP3cU5jphPJYKJ0LHD96G83IES31bHbSqiObw3Oz1M5/s1600/natsws1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsmQT2BUptAboA5QbVjSmhCPQWJYDmexpPJeEJz2A1VkPWZAs7NTTpFtlqpcmCrKXN6yroKgTQjJYlgRDIXrcL_tyL_0nkv9gwQP3cU5jphPJYKJ0LHD96G83IES31bHbSqiObw3Oz1M5/s320/natsws1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFoR85aMnFpOj4XS0AEXmeSJp-fMB997COpfwnyXhz3CHVmrm9HwTleqE-cu8sscf98AhSMevTjxcxLC7xvs5fZuRqvN_J73CY1G72Zv7rwDRPxSdiMPoCuQMvXn6Ay0d9_jxG3GTMv-N/s1600/natsws2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFoR85aMnFpOj4XS0AEXmeSJp-fMB997COpfwnyXhz3CHVmrm9HwTleqE-cu8sscf98AhSMevTjxcxLC7xvs5fZuRqvN_J73CY1G72Zv7rwDRPxSdiMPoCuQMvXn6Ay0d9_jxG3GTMv-N/s320/natsws2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLy0KnUxg4F-AL7Tw13orQArVWtv3MueM_HQmEInrW274RHp8K9rZ8IB_xBbzs-MsIUo_0YRudtyCtjFAOKAOsfqcPa5KR0nIj56EfNJrDE1DoxpMrhKo8QW_NSGAigVyVa65_MQMUXjij/s1600/natsws3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLy0KnUxg4F-AL7Tw13orQArVWtv3MueM_HQmEInrW274RHp8K9rZ8IB_xBbzs-MsIUo_0YRudtyCtjFAOKAOsfqcPa5KR0nIj56EfNJrDE1DoxpMrhKo8QW_NSGAigVyVa65_MQMUXjij/s320/natsws3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNezxhMTDKKZYFKD1OvAJ8hb2ghvuv75xrxYvaSthbCFFYTtVY-jeGoUi-UIlMf4vZp_Lls1ay3H47gxxw85cmz1DciP34Wwr6lQQYFmzmeoDdiDFFqPutL6iFtOAsMps1-8bwOFHzJ3L7/s1600/natsws4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNezxhMTDKKZYFKD1OvAJ8hb2ghvuv75xrxYvaSthbCFFYTtVY-jeGoUi-UIlMf4vZp_Lls1ay3H47gxxw85cmz1DciP34Wwr6lQQYFmzmeoDdiDFFqPutL6iFtOAsMps1-8bwOFHzJ3L7/s320/natsws4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The New Era flag patch indicated that this cap was manufactured at least three years ago. Also, the sweatband was stuck in a permanently squashed-down position on one side (see 3rd photo, it looks worse in person). The red polyester fabric was also identical to the overseas-made caps. Despite its flaws, I am happy I got it and I'm glad I can say I have one.<br />
<br />
I have so many questions. Exactly how many made in USA caps does New Era have lying around in their inventory? Not much apparently, but enough for some be put out into retail. I assume the caps the players are wearing are leftovers that had been made at the Derby, NY plant. I suppose we'll find out for sure eventually. Also, where was the World Series patch applied to this cap? Was the cap sent to China to have it applied, or did they do it at the Miami facility?<br />
<br />
As for the navy visor cap the team has been wearing most often, a made in USA version with the World Series patch has yet to surface. Thanks New Era's low inventory of Nats caps, this season's World Series caps are in short supply. Some stores were not allowed to order Nats World Series caps because New Era just didn't have enough to go around. It appears they are exclusive to the Nats team store, "MLBshop" and possibly Dick's Sporting Goods in the DC area.<br />
<br />
Upon realizing I don't own a navy crown Nats cap, I decided to go to the local mall (which has four stores that sell MLB on-field caps) and go purchase one before the made in USA versions are gone for good. Three of the four stores were all sold out of them. One store only had 7 1/8 made in USA (tight fit, unfortunately) and 7 1/2 made in China. I then tried a sports apparel store in a nearby shopping center. They had one navy crown cap left, a size 7 3/8. Luckily, it wasn't too loose. It was also a "flag-less" version, so it had probably been sitting there for three years or so. The price tag on the underside of the visor had faded. They still honored the barely-legible $34.99 price.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEUQS7cib82BmUBa8DBQRRi0KRHpLVEzPNS29wHcXqu5il0VHw1aaaohLA17Yytfd0k9atwzNWMEkzxPLpMDEZ1jeMtXu_I76gDd5zN7iKDd89YMb-JyAXAqDEpIKm5aYC7jhMewVmiLl/s1600/natsws5.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEUQS7cib82BmUBa8DBQRRi0KRHpLVEzPNS29wHcXqu5il0VHw1aaaohLA17Yytfd0k9atwzNWMEkzxPLpMDEZ1jeMtXu_I76gDd5zN7iKDd89YMb-JyAXAqDEpIKm5aYC7jhMewVmiLl/s320/natsws5.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVyAKymnWTsmQhdCiHtY98WVcU5nLboqJ7JuKM4gSR9ATed2HFgTA7iYkSH4lUU1DUJxyNvCRj58Fo0tnBKV0hUAB34vPCXahjG-wqWzU3O2C87kwILabex4F64RnJt2sYftiA2SNoSsn/s1600/natsws6.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVyAKymnWTsmQhdCiHtY98WVcU5nLboqJ7JuKM4gSR9ATed2HFgTA7iYkSH4lUU1DUJxyNvCRj58Fo0tnBKV0hUAB34vPCXahjG-wqWzU3O2C87kwILabex4F64RnJt2sYftiA2SNoSsn/s320/natsws6.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I found it fascinating that in the Silicon Valley of all places, Nats caps were in enough demand to disappear from store shelves. New Era really missed out on sales by not having enough inventory to make World Series caps widely available. They probably wouldn't have had this problem if they had kept the Derby, NY plant open.<br />
<br />
When it comes to the Astros caps, collector Brandon Bartholomew told me of his search and what his findings were. Apparently, Astros caps with World Series patches are available at Lids stores in Texas. I haven't seen any in my area.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"...it looks like they just took whatever leftover stock they had left good or bad quality and stuck a patch on it. On the bigger sizes 8, 7 3/4 they still had hats will the full brim sticker, the fly your </span></span><span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">own flag tagging, and the patched New Era Hat logo.</span><br /><br style="content: ""; display: block; margin-top: 10px;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">On home hat Most were Bangladesh, China mixed in and surprisingly a lot of Hati hats. Minus the big sizes the only US hats I saw were 7 1/2 and they were the from the last US made batches with good poly and decent crowns.</span><br /><br style="content: ""; display: block; margin-top: 10px;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The road hats were all foreign made minus some of the big sizes. All were pretty terrible. Still holding out I find a US made in 7 1/2. Funny thing is at Lids I saw some Chino made with hats with poly that had some fuzz but rock hard crowns.</span><br /><br style="content: ""; display: block; margin-top: 10px;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Alt hat is I guess somewhat rare. They didn’t wear them this season and only saw them at Lids. Team store did not sell this hat. Only US made hats I saw were 7 3/8 and they had the tagging like your hat. Of the 6-7 I saw 4 had the MLB logo sewn on horribly crooked and all had loose threads galore. I got mine and the threads in one place is loose and coming apart but the poly is excellent and the crown is soft. MLB logo on mine luckily is straight."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuFx8R49MAzSKP7IHIwkDgHuiYeah0B7GdefnQ8zcnt2cCpemhmrnG_LbD9n_jqoaeuQGxJAVRh5_Zka_4fJ7xkVeLbPoQ8eGyeWsVdVvUnpuerIgI5VCYUHHKkKz3285L711hT3fY-mc/s1600/astrosws1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuFx8R49MAzSKP7IHIwkDgHuiYeah0B7GdefnQ8zcnt2cCpemhmrnG_LbD9n_jqoaeuQGxJAVRh5_Zka_4fJ7xkVeLbPoQ8eGyeWsVdVvUnpuerIgI5VCYUHHKkKz3285L711hT3fY-mc/s320/astrosws1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvw7L2a_TWODEQCWhYg-9MeCzg3RAeTLOP9DYURskZCaPAzrEIBlJkIuGmeS4rUmw8JY1pMHkdwbuVqw7B2dm3bwBb7HEkNqGNS9ru1WWVObcJAiexGJ9_x7jv9SlRG6soGb71JEuA2yV/s1600/astrosws2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvw7L2a_TWODEQCWhYg-9MeCzg3RAeTLOP9DYURskZCaPAzrEIBlJkIuGmeS4rUmw8JY1pMHkdwbuVqw7B2dm3bwBb7HEkNqGNS9ru1WWVObcJAiexGJ9_x7jv9SlRG6soGb71JEuA2yV/s320/astrosws2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8yaOTU3_4ySCgPXB89osiu5mC7rJoaxjGJ1kKh_71_YCu9snOzM2r5vcFp-scmhIyj58edK4lNof4A8DogMbXquqRdCK3NohzXoNbaUx2eysS1g-NETXZfR3ztMwfwesJEp_BXkfZti4/s1600/astrosws3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8yaOTU3_4ySCgPXB89osiu5mC7rJoaxjGJ1kKh_71_YCu9snOzM2r5vcFp-scmhIyj58edK4lNof4A8DogMbXquqRdCK3NohzXoNbaUx2eysS1g-NETXZfR3ztMwfwesJEp_BXkfZti4/s320/astrosws3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGKAc1WkQyIa683zUD96EufgK3niGAuTxPD2_-liOFX1vrnky1DN098WiD64KaGiCwcuHhM7mLCCjj_tcLdXKcwe6UzbkJfXfUa3z1EMC7Q3iBQm90OmI7RDlN-MoobeQnKEG3VVbBq9M/s1600/astrosws4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGKAc1WkQyIa683zUD96EufgK3niGAuTxPD2_-liOFX1vrnky1DN098WiD64KaGiCwcuHhM7mLCCjj_tcLdXKcwe6UzbkJfXfUa3z1EMC7Q3iBQm90OmI7RDlN-MoobeQnKEG3VVbBq9M/s320/astrosws4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photos courtesy of Brandon Bartholomew.</i></div>
<br />
If you are out there looking for any made in USA World Series caps, good luck! You're gonna need it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-15756142522041638032019-10-14T21:23:00.003-07:002019-10-15T10:46:07.579-07:00In Search of: The Last Caps of Derby<div style="text-align: left;">
After New Era announced last year that their Derby, NY plant would shut down in June of this year, I made it my mission to visit as many ballparks as I could to search for New Era's USA made caps before they were gone. I made it to nearly twenty professional ballparks. Unfortunately, the plague of imported caps replacing the USA-made caps was well underway. However, I did have some success. Please follow along to the story of my journey.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After attending MLB "fan fests" and memorabilia sales at the start of the year, I began the start of the 2019 season in Sacramento at the River Cats annual "Pre-Season Party" on March 3rd. I purchased their two new styles, both made in USA. The River Cats went on to become the Triple-A National Champions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08aG1VE0PAKPQBmP7KRTkH7Qr419_rcTBMTQ25ehSIZAz8su50dO4fq8yO9SwiEOafRvc3enrj3gEXOg1fqyUmesSDbhf2iNJpZIe5Gx5mx0ShlkqG_3TCVO_7zdr4bBI9iySoAU0L2Fe/s1600/rivercats.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08aG1VE0PAKPQBmP7KRTkH7Qr419_rcTBMTQ25ehSIZAz8su50dO4fq8yO9SwiEOafRvc3enrj3gEXOg1fqyUmesSDbhf2iNJpZIe5Gx5mx0ShlkqG_3TCVO_7zdr4bBI9iySoAU0L2Fe/s320/rivercats.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My first MLB game was with the Oakland Athletics. I found "Kelley Green" caps with the MLB 150 patch made in the USA, but in all other styles with the patch they were imported.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4iPl-3RITMvqwEXRKp0nqYGsMTKVSMkp0Iyptfl0YhWgCFxVHGP5ty9ftbIo0ZLcEQ9svgt6diLyLBe36Z-b7r4SwMTDGQBn9JykUkrVte4IOyFWgifCXyOYonOYWj303lFgREEDEZM-/s1600/athletics.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4iPl-3RITMvqwEXRKp0nqYGsMTKVSMkp0Iyptfl0YhWgCFxVHGP5ty9ftbIo0ZLcEQ9svgt6diLyLBe36Z-b7r4SwMTDGQBn9JykUkrVte4IOyFWgifCXyOYonOYWj303lFgREEDEZM-/s320/athletics.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On April 7th, I made a trip to Orange County to visit my uncle and I attended my first Angels game. The Angels had plenty of made in USA on-field caps, with the MLB 150 Patch caps being the only exception.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For my first official minor league game, my local San Jose Giants had plenty of "Churros" caps made in USA, but they were replaced by imported stock throughout the season. The SJ Giants also had special caps made for their "Santa Clara County Sheriff's Night" that were made in USA.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffvvICuMAPKEhp9kn17yxKGy8eAQpN5TVfXB9QupNWJnAy2a9jFj7WXecn52lK4DTU9r-UQtjV2bdd-PMZvhRvGynYJMA0cGOdzEZCWhu0JAhQwBpQgJ-1YvksZ3hDoLT9CvlEpezE4Wf/s1600/giantssherrif.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffvvICuMAPKEhp9kn17yxKGy8eAQpN5TVfXB9QupNWJnAy2a9jFj7WXecn52lK4DTU9r-UQtjV2bdd-PMZvhRvGynYJMA0cGOdzEZCWhu0JAhQwBpQgJ-1YvksZ3hDoLT9CvlEpezE4Wf/s320/giantssherrif.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also visited the next-closest California League team, the Stockton Ports. Not a single made in USA cap except for the 2018 "Copa" caps.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The wife and I headed to Frenso and Visalia for Memorial Day weekend. Fresno had just re-branded and still had many USA-made caps. I bought two. We were there a couple of days before the AOC video fiasco. In Visalia, the Rawhide had all imported stock for their current caps but had a small amount of "Mudville Nine" caps that were probably close to ten years old, all made in USA. I had a good chat with the team store manager and he informed me that they still had Oaks caps from about ten years ago but he doesn't put them out on shevles, you have to ask. He also sells them for $50 each, they were 100% polyester and he even had a few mesh batting practice caps left. I also picked up a batting helmet while I was there, they were only $25.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVzuIXje-fHDEm34jSgNtj3ciIelEdoGf3TAHCr839XiNqyvv8rBuZeGOUvh3a_XuNXfI3LppF3sIFELXHNYu7ntAMTUJXS4JdetgZaqGFUaWXZxYqAM7xlyRi-GJ8GkL0ofvHAT6bamd/s1600/fresno.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVzuIXje-fHDEm34jSgNtj3ciIelEdoGf3TAHCr839XiNqyvv8rBuZeGOUvh3a_XuNXfI3LppF3sIFELXHNYu7ntAMTUJXS4JdetgZaqGFUaWXZxYqAM7xlyRi-GJ8GkL0ofvHAT6bamd/s320/fresno.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6J3TO14taUln2j24KpqFbuRAbdf8Db8NNMwUfCnSHhlVW36p_S5320lkQnNT8rwPt2hyr5NBtVPRj1hXcs8SRSBvKNbwwdPSlIfxMwK1BMgSG0qaInzsYuDr2i54X5CINoH-7FUYqI8oO/s1600/visalia.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6J3TO14taUln2j24KpqFbuRAbdf8Db8NNMwUfCnSHhlVW36p_S5320lkQnNT8rwPt2hyr5NBtVPRj1hXcs8SRSBvKNbwwdPSlIfxMwK1BMgSG0qaInzsYuDr2i54X5CINoH-7FUYqI8oO/s320/visalia.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On June 18th I went to Chicago to achieve my dream of visiting Wrigley Field. The various team stores had standard Cubs caps made in USA but all the rest were imported. However, it's worth visiting the store "The Grandstand" near the Chicago White Sox ballpark. It has to be one of the best cap stores in the country. Lots of USA made caps, and lots of 2016 Cubs World Series-related caps are still available.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdA4NoQokZ9dtFgCn1CGpezo4sCaFi1SGjNX6gI48IrUSBz3NnqMacaatG8PFXK8ZcmefpRT6f58gxhcfU75T1bovGzhjtHLfUZxSAyUWIUzJr82hDwT1phMpKaPvCrTtLkrXKO6dSYIy/s1600/chicago.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdA4NoQokZ9dtFgCn1CGpezo4sCaFi1SGjNX6gI48IrUSBz3NnqMacaatG8PFXK8ZcmefpRT6f58gxhcfU75T1bovGzhjtHLfUZxSAyUWIUzJr82hDwT1phMpKaPvCrTtLkrXKO6dSYIy/s320/chicago.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From there, I traveled to North Carolina to visit my mom, who retired there. I was only there for a short visit, but we drove down to South Carolina for a Myrtle Beach Pelicans game on the 22nd. All of the standard Pelicans on-field caps were imported, but their American Sign Language caps were made at Derby. The Pelicans also had a small selection of caps available from the rest of the Cubs minor league affiliates, most of which were made in USA but in very small amounts. I purchased a Eugene Emeralds cap that was made in USA.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmW-8i4wmebxJ0NcI2Mku1nXEJTTS-DsTH41WQaeLVU6wST9zJBl3aC4dVl1sx-D2N65wQ_JnmCjgzBpv13QFijHVMXDSUGh1ZarYLIXZ9e0SGEdWRepBPELFeazjJB3yGgE2OTGngNxU6/s1600/myrtle.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmW-8i4wmebxJ0NcI2Mku1nXEJTTS-DsTH41WQaeLVU6wST9zJBl3aC4dVl1sx-D2N65wQ_JnmCjgzBpv13QFijHVMXDSUGh1ZarYLIXZ9e0SGEdWRepBPELFeazjJB3yGgE2OTGngNxU6/s320/myrtle.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On July 5th I made my first visit to Dodger Stadium, and I can certainly say that the Dodgers still have tons of USA made caps in stock at their store. Out of all of the MLB teams, their store had the most available. The biggest highlight of that trip was when an earthquake struck in the middle of the game. Now THAT was interesting. <i>For what it's worth, I was in the Bay Area when the big 1989 Loma Prieta quake hit. I was three years of age and slept through the entire ordeal on my grandmother's lap.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The next day, I returned to Petco Park in San Diego for the second time this year for a team store visit as the Padres were still in LA. Typically, I spend all day at the Padres fan fest "garage sale" until it closes so I don't get to visit the team store. The Padres had plenty of USA made caps left. However, sizes such as 7 1/4 and 7 3/8 (the most popular sizes) were all imported. The only brown and yellow bell panel caps left that were made in USA were 7 5/8.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ESfXD-iG5bCu0YcaXm3UzaD7WX4-ELhwLMKZK_asm_5Hjr-rVbYrcO8CZSVTwkfZ83d5h_qFm9QiC4M5nBEDOJH_p0hFbFzkc8B8oERZxXB3jr1fPGOuDO9NtcKtdFXu99voJ6rFCPlB/s1600/sandiego.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ESfXD-iG5bCu0YcaXm3UzaD7WX4-ELhwLMKZK_asm_5Hjr-rVbYrcO8CZSVTwkfZ83d5h_qFm9QiC4M5nBEDOJH_p0hFbFzkc8B8oERZxXB3jr1fPGOuDO9NtcKtdFXu99voJ6rFCPlB/s320/sandiego.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN1zPe38BBKG8vrYznx4bwVB24KcfWYlk8T9ZI8IPatRPQSxQTF4o6sgFeQowjGoqV95B_iutYE9f17f3_1GYtMJVTXa1BkkH8NGUQEHXPuy8Lhh8NHUYdLIybAyjQWjKsEJdRCCo2qDX/s1600/sandiego2.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN1zPe38BBKG8vrYznx4bwVB24KcfWYlk8T9ZI8IPatRPQSxQTF4o6sgFeQowjGoqV95B_iutYE9f17f3_1GYtMJVTXa1BkkH8NGUQEHXPuy8Lhh8NHUYdLIybAyjQWjKsEJdRCCo2qDX/s320/sandiego2.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Certain retro styles were USA made in certain sizes. Unfortunately, they have flag logos and Cooperstown-version "Batterman" logos.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once I found out that the Seattle Mariners would be doing a 1969 "Turn Back The Clock" game as the Seattle Pilots, I became very excited. I had been looking forward to the next time Seattle Pilots uniforms would be worn and hoping I could get a USA made Pilots cap. The game was on June 22nd. I was disappointed when I found out that the retail versions of the caps would be made overseas. Since the last caps made at New Era's Derby, NY plant were for "special events" I held out hope that the team issued Pilots caps were made there. The day after the game, I messaged the Mariners game used sales department. Game used sales manager Shawn Wert responded and told me the game used caps would be for sale, and that they were indeed made in USA. The caps were not available right away, as many of the game used caps would be put up for auction on the MLB Auctions website together with the matching uniforms. After emailing Shawn back and forth for a few weeks and waiting for the auctions to end, Shawn agreed to sell me some of the remaining game used and team issued Pilots caps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I planned a trip to the Pacific Northwest and drove up to Seattle to pick up the caps at a Mariners game on July 23rd. When I arrived, Shawn and his associates at the game used booth were extremely friendly and helpful. They also had the Orioles caps available, but something seemed not quite right. Despite the "Made in USA" tag, the Orioles caps didn't look or feel like a Derby-made cap. I suspect these caps were assembled at the Miami facility with some of the remaining materials from the Derby plant.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIkuKzc77-ntkKvUm8NmPGRbhxF1o_yy1AwGrBtPrukEibAO38tQGlAYxnstu4hYE-cwSbIa1BAQniXkjhtbg9QaJc93QuYPgUIK9bj8ZGz62HP7luFmHEgF48lveibDidm1r3dyuhJaY/s1600/69tbtc.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIkuKzc77-ntkKvUm8NmPGRbhxF1o_yy1AwGrBtPrukEibAO38tQGlAYxnstu4hYE-cwSbIa1BAQniXkjhtbg9QaJc93QuYPgUIK9bj8ZGz62HP7luFmHEgF48lveibDidm1r3dyuhJaY/s320/69tbtc.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf91udhx5adMaWKAXybVXhHxKxuti_QE6eRNpZ9SJP8yd-6PH_TLfPUknryQlgEHpZTwM5Ne2ihzuiDNPeIat1WX64VnvFpZRdsNUSLgOlLdp5lMnwX582_uKcHAaS-jEf-d4WkbLnTzW/s1600/pilots1.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf91udhx5adMaWKAXybVXhHxKxuti_QE6eRNpZ9SJP8yd-6PH_TLfPUknryQlgEHpZTwM5Ne2ihzuiDNPeIat1WX64VnvFpZRdsNUSLgOlLdp5lMnwX582_uKcHAaS-jEf-d4WkbLnTzW/s320/pilots1.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuWVPYe5MFk8JLLJaWGpG2PO8U03MY3CDnW48RdyabK9mwYe47LmXLeae6cSAqaBPAuJBxI8wR2a847Sf0j-HFs4OTBX6mZZp-lZ0GqYxjVUXV_lg9HsBInuzkl_uzethSryDCWmGJBc_/s1600/pilots2.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuWVPYe5MFk8JLLJaWGpG2PO8U03MY3CDnW48RdyabK9mwYe47LmXLeae6cSAqaBPAuJBxI8wR2a847Sf0j-HFs4OTBX6mZZp-lZ0GqYxjVUXV_lg9HsBInuzkl_uzethSryDCWmGJBc_/s320/pilots2.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Another big thanks to Shawn Wert for being patient with me and helping me acquire these caps.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the team store, there was an even mix of made in USA and imported caps. I was able to acquire a made in USA cap with the MLB 150 patch AND a "59Fifty at Fifty" visor sticker for a fellow collector.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbEYGT_Jnx1iHiMGDS39EiuKKbsbfF4Y3JhAJmaBnhmwkxI-RAuWGOCk9wlFTeEDW3VLx-dPxv6XEjPKEbP9levUUUUaYSu-hZ_HeMydqsA61SFwFhdDpjLiDzb6dIYIf9AMqLAfy96Sa/s1600/mariners.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbEYGT_Jnx1iHiMGDS39EiuKKbsbfF4Y3JhAJmaBnhmwkxI-RAuWGOCk9wlFTeEDW3VLx-dPxv6XEjPKEbP9levUUUUaYSu-hZ_HeMydqsA61SFwFhdDpjLiDzb6dIYIf9AMqLAfy96Sa/s320/mariners.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Other ballparks I visited on my PNW trip included Salem-Keizer, Hillsboro, Tacoma, and Everett. The only team store that had any substantial amount of USA made caps was Hillsboro. The intern that rang me up at the team store seemed to be very interested when I explained the differences between the imported and USA made caps. Despite Tacoma having an absolutely massive amount of different caps in their store, the only standard on-field caps they had left that were made in USA was a small selection of "low profile" caps.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In mid-August, the wife and I visited Reno. While the Aces weren't in town, I stopped at the team store but they were in the midst of setting up for an MLS game. I browsed the Aces caps that were out, and they were all imported. Oddly, the Reno MLS caps in the store were almost all USA made.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On August 18th, I visited the last Minor League ballpark within driving distance that I hadn't yet visited, John Thurman Field in Modesto. There, I met up with a friend and fellow collector. I have been to at least one Modesto Nuts game every year since 2012, and the only time I ever found USA made caps at their team store was in 2018. Unfortunately, their USA made stock was all gone in every size when I got there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In early September after "Player's Weekend" had come and gone, I received the list of available game used caps from the San Francisco Giants and inquired about the Player's Weekend caps. Now I know those were some of the worst-looking uniforms ever to be worn on a professional baseball field, but I felt that that only team that actually pulled it off was the San Francisco Giants. The Giants game used folks responded and told me that they were indeed USA made, however, they were most likely made in Miami. I previously covered this in a recent post. When I attended a Giants game on September 15th, I found that the Giants team store had very few made in USA caps left. However, I visited the game used store and found various special events caps made at Derby, including the 4th of July caps. I examined at least one of every different type of special event caps, and they were all made in USA.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2lNGlOtuEEEIaz4j98LuPFY8T-NKHBm2IYOspKaSBfThJrNaO5MdGNOIFWl3GvSYX_3LSu_nyQKu97uwtE30CVnfJQX1icttLolL0TQVmCZRkmktNWq9LeJC3dkBT7dI5DZXzVK31KYn/s1600/giants4thjuly.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2lNGlOtuEEEIaz4j98LuPFY8T-NKHBm2IYOspKaSBfThJrNaO5MdGNOIFWl3GvSYX_3LSu_nyQKu97uwtE30CVnfJQX1icttLolL0TQVmCZRkmktNWq9LeJC3dkBT7dI5DZXzVK31KYn/s320/giants4thjuly.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Will Smith's game used 4th of July cap, made at Derby.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxZc0eGumuvTGxaUVP0e6XljzykRpv_W8HlNH1s2ZrmcF75zaR3ewFkSuwtKHrdoBWH4fOUXbCflCqGg1OGoFK67g-GjOrUHh3V54hUHr6KkXcyMgx4ZbkGzpSfjgPVXWFAhlbuby1eZ4/s1600/giantsgot.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxZc0eGumuvTGxaUVP0e6XljzykRpv_W8HlNH1s2ZrmcF75zaR3ewFkSuwtKHrdoBWH4fOUXbCflCqGg1OGoFK67g-GjOrUHh3V54hUHr6KkXcyMgx4ZbkGzpSfjgPVXWFAhlbuby1eZ4/s320/giantsgot.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Oddly enough, the Giants team store had "Game of Thrones" patch caps made in USA.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the end, I was very burnt out from traveling and exhausted. I had never worked to hard to buy baseball caps in my life. My finances were drained as well and my wallet is <b>still</b> recovering. However, I know that if I didn't do this, I'd regret it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now for the memorabilia sales and fan fests that are on the horizon and I will try to scoop up as many game used and team issued USA made caps as I can. From here on out, New Era will no longer get my money <i>directly</i> on a regular basis. I may make an exception on occasion, but for the most part I will only be buying team issued caps directly from the teams.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Below is the list of the ballparks I visited and the status of made in USA caps at their respective team stores.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
MLB:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A's - A mix of both USA and imported.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Angels - A mix of both USA and imported. The 1970s TBTC caps were all made in USA.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cubs - Mostly imported with a handful of made in USA.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dodgers - Plenty of made in USA.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Giants - Mostly imported with a handful made in USA.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mariners - An even mix.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Padres - All imported in 7 1/4 and 7 3/8. All of the bell panel caps were imported except 7 5/8.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
MiLB:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Everett - All imported except remaining 2018 "Copa" caps.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fresno - Certain styles were all made in USA, others were import-only.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Modesto - All imported.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Myrtle Beach - All imported except "ASL" caps.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Reno - All imported.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
San Jose - Mostly imported with a handful of made in USA. "Churros" caps were all made in USA early in the season, replaced with imported. There are some left in certain sizes.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sacramento - New styles were made in USA, older ones were all imported.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Salem-Keizer - All imported.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stockton - All imported except remaining 2018 "Copa" caps.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hillsboro - Mostly made in USA with a handful of imported caps.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tacoma - Mostly imported with a handful of made in USA.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Visalia - All imported except remaining "Oaks" caps that were the remaining stock before the re-brand as the "Rawhide." They are not on shelves, you must ask to see them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://paypal.me/paulcarr186?locale.x=en_US" target="_blank">Help support the blog!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/insomniaccaps186/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Ballcap Blog eBay Sales</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794234450674576/" target="_blank">Pro Cap Collectors Facebook Group</a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-38504510095257401352019-10-01T11:01:00.000-07:002019-10-01T11:01:31.017-07:00Ballcaps of Interstate 5: The Ultimate Baseball Road TripDo you live on the West Coast of the United States and want to plan the ultimate baseball road trip? What If I told you that you could visit TEN different ballparks in the United States just by staying on one route the entire time? It's simple and easy. This article will focus on the ballparks that are located along Interstate 5.<br />
<br />
Visiting all ten ballparks on one road trip could be quite a daunting task. You would also have to count on all teams being home, which probably won't happen. Since I live in the SF Bay Area, I broke the road trip into several trips.<br />
<br />
Interstate 5 begins its long journey northward at the US/Mexico border in California not far south of San Diego. The first professional ballpark you will encounter is Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. The ballpark is roughly a mile from Interstate 5.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm15m0nwwe7Tr2dj-hhoaDmdU4KuIv77Fgy-sD00u_IXKxR-lD4vRdyVpqjrcOTix_8qygVuvOwM2QMWr5fm5ELKiDE-gLZ2VcfFvtQJbZE72tUNJAxvlyqUV7UkH3Wk5rSnQiMw6-pIXU/s1600/padres.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm15m0nwwe7Tr2dj-hhoaDmdU4KuIv77Fgy-sD00u_IXKxR-lD4vRdyVpqjrcOTix_8qygVuvOwM2QMWr5fm5ELKiDE-gLZ2VcfFvtQJbZE72tUNJAxvlyqUV7UkH3Wk5rSnQiMw6-pIXU/s320/padres.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
About one hundred miles up Interstate 5 north of San Diego, you'll reach Anaheim. Angel Stadium is less than a mile from I-5.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoh13N5MsackrSKzeMgKU_z5gou4MfZvwp3myS30lZ3ImscTxGdwpZ06SNFMIItg6CR3YSE2ySHNll_l9hc-tP_4prpaMac0nY-JDUheUUmEd0bXCUPh52EYlRurcTwnC0eclwFN13bFx/s1600/angels.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoh13N5MsackrSKzeMgKU_z5gou4MfZvwp3myS30lZ3ImscTxGdwpZ06SNFMIItg6CR3YSE2ySHNll_l9hc-tP_4prpaMac0nY-JDUheUUmEd0bXCUPh52EYlRurcTwnC0eclwFN13bFx/s320/angels.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
Just over thirty miles north of Anaheim, you'll reach Dodger Stadium. Dodger Stadium is about two miles from I-5.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3scPXBKJgi0IfVPnxOOZfcI__inWlzsdG-P_0RuuIDcQQ_uJyH3Dv7cuezH7x3PEff8QShc1g6rEQkA61zTRaXjz9AgyUlY_TRjkm0vxoFTDspGY8bK_Sm6406Y4dwxR4ZU0hyphenhyphensHCcDhM/s1600/dodgers.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3scPXBKJgi0IfVPnxOOZfcI__inWlzsdG-P_0RuuIDcQQ_uJyH3Dv7cuezH7x3PEff8QShc1g6rEQkA61zTRaXjz9AgyUlY_TRjkm0vxoFTDspGY8bK_Sm6406Y4dwxR4ZU0hyphenhyphensHCcDhM/s320/dodgers.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
North of LA, Interstate 5 continues on its straight path north through the middle of California through the San Joaquin Valley. I-5 then bypasses the San Francisco Bay Area and doesn't reach a city with a professional baseball team until it reaches Stockton, California at the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley. This is where you will find the first minor league team on your journey. Nearly three-hundred and forty miles north of Dodger Stadium, Stockton has a nice ballpark with a great atmosphere despite the bad reputation of the city. Banner Island Ballpark is home of the Stockton Ports. They are currently affiliated with the Oakland A's. The ballpark is two miles from I-5.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTJ2TxXUZhKcD358sp55jJkjQuNK_K9ya7OJiU9tBgYKXaLyzL1Von0o4E4UVPZlnS4JGLvzG5sF8f3UlytHAQ6LlHG2FyEokUUQismN5UTgcqFnbQDsK7-_lqPE7sNM9aYft-EysgApj/s1600/ports.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTJ2TxXUZhKcD358sp55jJkjQuNK_K9ya7OJiU9tBgYKXaLyzL1Von0o4E4UVPZlnS4JGLvzG5sF8f3UlytHAQ6LlHG2FyEokUUQismN5UTgcqFnbQDsK7-_lqPE7sNM9aYft-EysgApj/s320/ports.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
*<i>It is possible to take Highway 99 and visit minor league teams in Visalia, Modesto, and Fresno. </i><i>However, I am only covering teams located along Interstate 5. </i><i>Highway 99 splits from I-5 just north of the Grapevine and parallels Interstate 5 to the east through the San Joaquin Valley. You can reconnect with I-5 in Stockton as both routes pass through it.</i><br />
<br />
Hop back on Interstate 5 for less than fifty miles and you'll be in Sacramento. Less than a mile from I-5 is Raley Field (soon to be renamed "Sutter Health Field"), home of the 2019 Triple-A Champions, the Sacramento River Cats. Once longtime affiliates of the Oakland A's, they are now affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. Raley Field is the northernmost professional ballpark in California.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKw6PlX951_SrbbDOG_xgGlNCjRAOS0doRtJYq8XILwXMZtEnWJc0Jr_DLijPOWLEt3If0KcpGM8k__lzkqEBqo_51Ljz5kteWceAIelElD3GfWIDV3U9mk_PKzRtlrFSCfN6S46rYTW6/s1600/rivercats.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKw6PlX951_SrbbDOG_xgGlNCjRAOS0doRtJYq8XILwXMZtEnWJc0Jr_DLijPOWLEt3If0KcpGM8k__lzkqEBqo_51Ljz5kteWceAIelElD3GfWIDV3U9mk_PKzRtlrFSCfN6S46rYTW6/s320/rivercats.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
From there, it's a long and nearly five-hundred mile drive to the next ballpark, located in Eugene, Oregon. PK Park is located on the campus of the University of Oregon and is used by both the college baseball team and the short-season affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, the Eugene Emeralds. PK Park is less than one mile from Interstate 5.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-yBXGClXz2XDNvplkaOe6JCNDt_xJ3MRRositi64T5oC3VXm7QEWPBhWi-jnSxIeMjbrirbXaEY4Om6C4A_shqwLVIg5-GNlpCZAWnpNF97GLxFjJ_wTnlJYc8GIsWuW6Jbl-iCXd6dF/s1600/emeralds.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-yBXGClXz2XDNvplkaOe6JCNDt_xJ3MRRositi64T5oC3VXm7QEWPBhWi-jnSxIeMjbrirbXaEY4Om6C4A_shqwLVIg5-GNlpCZAWnpNF97GLxFjJ_wTnlJYc8GIsWuW6Jbl-iCXd6dF/s320/emeralds.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
Seventy miles from Eugene you will find yourself in Keizer where you will see the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes stadium right next to the interstate. Volcanoes Stadium is the only stadium that is immediately next to Interstate 5. The short-season Volcanoes have been affiliated with the San Francisco Giants since their first season.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaHiXmiuqaOcxzKROPJ2qJp7MNU0knhTbTahDg9LZRm0mmBn4EkvpBvq0aW6dc0TiUoFJYpGaBntCElb0J5ThuUCCQ_B4TQSOViFANACBJXvqZu67X4y0t9psI5G0KwnAc9VzKnNn0Dlp/s1600/volcanoes.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaHiXmiuqaOcxzKROPJ2qJp7MNU0knhTbTahDg9LZRm0mmBn4EkvpBvq0aW6dc0TiUoFJYpGaBntCElb0J5ThuUCCQ_B4TQSOViFANACBJXvqZu67X4y0t9psI5G0KwnAc9VzKnNn0Dlp/s320/volcanoes.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
*<i>It is possible to visit Ron Tonkin Field and the Arizona Diamondbacks short-season affiliate, the Hillsboro Hops, on your road trip, however it will be a half hour out of your way. Because I'm only covering ballparks that are only within a few miles of I-5 I am not including them. However, it can be done.</i><br />
<br />
The next ballpark is one-hundred eighty-five miles to the north in the state of Washington. The Seattle Mariners Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Raniers, are located 2.5 miles from Interstate 5 at Cheney Stadium, one of the older Pacific Coast League stadiums.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkElVdj4kUtbIpuDXo4pmCQKM0A-sviImTpXE8T6O2wswEM1X3YaQf1MCQvrbgoTgNPx1p4jaeNZH7bQ3cyZXmHav0CQjKJo5OxUMnYFvnMXzxXa3mldl-grr-EeW2n3O5tShjzq_kEmT6/s1600/raniers.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkElVdj4kUtbIpuDXo4pmCQKM0A-sviImTpXE8T6O2wswEM1X3YaQf1MCQvrbgoTgNPx1p4jaeNZH7bQ3cyZXmHav0CQjKJo5OxUMnYFvnMXzxXa3mldl-grr-EeW2n3O5tShjzq_kEmT6/s320/raniers.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
Just about thirty-five miles north of Tacoma we reach T-Mobile Park and the Seattle Mariners, about a mile from the interstate. This is the northernmost MLB team on the West Coast.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFduR-_-qj4pePNY32B2m4hGHmhn3AacClxB1gfHyYkfMmzIpGxCvsvTdsJl31bIDojJwURqgm7y86ZaPfC95vnj3AX16C8Hr2RGxoLuUBRK2SiguYqtI1MlaE-dVrNMlJpDpJQUouw43x/s1600/mariners.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFduR-_-qj4pePNY32B2m4hGHmhn3AacClxB1gfHyYkfMmzIpGxCvsvTdsJl31bIDojJwURqgm7y86ZaPfC95vnj3AX16C8Hr2RGxoLuUBRK2SiguYqtI1MlaE-dVrNMlJpDpJQUouw43x/s320/mariners.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
Get back on I-5 for thirty miles and you will reach the Mariners short-season team, the Everett AquaSox, located just off the interstate. Owned by the same group that owns the Stockton Ports, the AquaSox play at "Funko Field," formerly Everett Memorial Stadium. The stadium is the site where MLB Hall of Fame'r Ken Griffey Jr. hit his first professional home run.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVpFOK7nD-MnDpPkP3epdlJ3p5hk0PVDlOsg1FWhNgce2FYkbYLu8hGWPyfMQtDXyEPD8MFAyKdI_HdqQGNGG14-BAuaqeladB7sR8P-PqAkzEErw68LBDGgQmD05EORMPl3bR08nQ0jU/s1600/aquasox.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVpFOK7nD-MnDpPkP3epdlJ3p5hk0PVDlOsg1FWhNgce2FYkbYLu8hGWPyfMQtDXyEPD8MFAyKdI_HdqQGNGG14-BAuaqeladB7sR8P-PqAkzEErw68LBDGgQmD05EORMPl3bR08nQ0jU/s320/aquasox.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
IF YOU HAVE THE TIME, MONEY, AND A PASSPORT...<br />
<br />
Continue north on Interstate 5 four about two hours, and you'll find yourself in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Interstate 5 will become British Columbia Route 99 once you pass the border. Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium (aka "The Nat") is a short drive from BC-99. Home to the Vancouver Canadians, they are short-season affiliates of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Nat is one of the few surviving ballparks from the old days of the Pacific Coast League. The PCL incarnation of the Canadians moved south after the 1999 season and became the Sacramento River Cats. Try the poutine!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMWH90IrfcK4CSimWECxWexDjhljef0zKxqr7sHHQ0dUjd7fms8_GLMxhuGL__1nmwbSlKO0KddzjCRhgA7uoSr-axym6sYdEojeXl-HZes5i6jYM0R04Xt1z9OZcENMMa5id1QZ_0ixk/s1600/canadians.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMWH90IrfcK4CSimWECxWexDjhljef0zKxqr7sHHQ0dUjd7fms8_GLMxhuGL__1nmwbSlKO0KddzjCRhgA7uoSr-axym6sYdEojeXl-HZes5i6jYM0R04Xt1z9OZcENMMa5id1QZ_0ixk/s320/canadians.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-84382722917817398892019-09-21T22:58:00.000-07:002019-09-22T00:58:29.247-07:00Change Isn't Always a Good ThingThe Ballcap Blog is back!<br />
<br />
I'd like to discuss the events that took place over the past year with New Era closing their plant in Derby, NY.<br />
<br />
In November of 2018 it was announced that New Era would be closing their manufacturing plant in Derby, NY, their last US manufacturing plant. The plan was to close the plant in March of this year, but some workers stayed to do some additional work until June. The last caps made in Derby were MLB player issue caps for special events (4th of July, etc). Many looked for answers. New Era's official statement was that they no longer wanted to manufacture their own product and wanted to be more of a "brand" than a manufacturer. The MLBPA spoke out and asked New Era to keep the plant open but it was to no avail. Some blamed politics as New Era's real reason for the closure. New York state's tax incentives for the plant were expiring. Others blamed Trump's tariffs, which hit the headwear industry hard and New Era spoke out about them not long before they announced the closure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID6L63lTzbn2wyG3YkxztU2ASlGNjyafWfT5OwB5aZFbJtL0EO3XwyAgh-UQgsGZ29xs1p6X230T2fdfuHu3luwVOHtOq_30Xcma3YJBpKjB6vJBjl14JFvHSxzfA2uI3zofNT4CBgenC/s1600/sp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID6L63lTzbn2wyG3YkxztU2ASlGNjyafWfT5OwB5aZFbJtL0EO3XwyAgh-UQgsGZ29xs1p6X230T2fdfuHu3luwVOHtOq_30Xcma3YJBpKjB6vJBjl14JFvHSxzfA2uI3zofNT4CBgenC/s320/sp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A team issued 1969 Seattle Pilots cap, worn by the Seattle Mariners in June for a "Turn Back The Cock" game. These were among the last caps made at the Derby plant. The retail versions were made overseas.</i></div>
<br />
It was interesting to see lots of folks from around the country weigh in on social media. Of course I said my part. I had a stranger contact me and tell me that New Era's caps made in Derby were <b><u>never</u></b> available in retail and that saying they were was "liberal propaganda." Lots of pro-capitalism folks praised New Era for doing what they needed to do for the sake of the company. It was absolutely fascinating seeing all of the opinions being said. No one except us enthusiasts said anything about product quality.<br />
<br />
Since MLB requires the on-field caps to be made in USA, the caps for MLB team issue are being assembled by contractors in the Miami, FL area at the warehouse of the clothing brand New Era owns, 5th & Ocean. There is very little manufacturing going on; the components are sent from overseas already cut and prepared and the Miami workers just sew it all together. None of these will be available in retail, again they are for team-issue only. The Player's Weekend caps were some of the first Miami-made caps to be worn on the field. The caps no longer resemble what was made in Derby; they are identical to the made overseas caps in shape and materials. New Era doesn't care that they now offer a shoddy, inferior product. Shame on you, New Era.<br />
<br />
Only us hardcore enthusiasts can tell the difference. Only our trained eyes will notice the players on the field will look like they are wearing "Elmer Fudd" caps. Maybe some of the players will notice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRlrvPX7mditIDyhMnMp27YarFyD5Y_C4YNpexsFuGfuiIAW4AOZnBIB7TH0veVQ3vD9jh0v067AcCeI31O0lZU7kfxQM299g-fS4Vuya_8KRWVWXIETKo6UrcDQXpPJtfQ2Bmdc3naJJ/s1600/sfpw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRlrvPX7mditIDyhMnMp27YarFyD5Y_C4YNpexsFuGfuiIAW4AOZnBIB7TH0veVQ3vD9jh0v067AcCeI31O0lZU7kfxQM299g-fS4Vuya_8KRWVWXIETKo6UrcDQXpPJtfQ2Bmdc3naJJ/s320/sfpw1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A team issued San Francisco Giants "Player's Weekend" cap. Note the onion-shaped crown, the trademark of the caps made overseas. The caps also featured slightly smaller visors.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ79u6zedmQTfLX5HYTXgqzWF-HJjE9NJ7ggzHVY0q1FOwTN1mY4nyQFRYtjhJtWvQZ5kteMZilKJaei_v6mOnrMu-SXUNC2EaG00Xzyyz983BwxQ9UvV8dlOWLcPqFdgaH4-ox8qZmVwt/s1600/sfpw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ79u6zedmQTfLX5HYTXgqzWF-HJjE9NJ7ggzHVY0q1FOwTN1mY4nyQFRYtjhJtWvQZ5kteMZilKJaei_v6mOnrMu-SXUNC2EaG00Xzyyz983BwxQ9UvV8dlOWLcPqFdgaH4-ox8qZmVwt/s320/sfpw2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Despite the made in USA label, the cap was identical in construction to the caps made overseas. Note even the white size band is the same as an overseas cap. The made in USA size band was solid.</i></div>
<br />
As a side note, this now means Minor League Baseball will no longer have contemporary caps made in USA. Ebbets Field Flannels, which offers pro model non-contemporary caps for MiLB, has assured me that EFF remains committed American manufacturing for baseball caps. This now makes Ebbets Field Flannels the largest retailer of American-made pro model baseball caps.Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-78035548488795015552016-10-06T20:27:00.001-07:002020-05-06T20:33:11.615-07:00Minoring in Taco BellUPDATED 5/6/20<br />
<br />
Not to toot my own horn, but I do consider myself to be the foremost expert on the history of the "bell panel" baseball cap started by the San Diego Padres, typically known as the "Taco Bell" cap. If you read my previous blogs you will notice that the shape of the front panel of the cap resembles a bell when looked at straight-on. The reason for that is because the Padres celebrate the California missions. The missions all had bells at the top of the buildings and well, so did the Padres players by donning these caps. It all makes sense.<br />
<br />
I noticed that several minor league teams in the 70s and 80s also wore bell panel caps. Only two of them were actual Padres affiliates. Why use a bell panel when you're not a Padres affiliate? It makes no sense to me. Many have never noticed that the shape is a bell, they probably just liked the look. That's why when the Rays wear their 70s "Fauxback" uniforms that are 70s Padres rip-offs, it bothers me.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here are the minor league teams that have worn these caps at one time or another. From what I can tell, most wore these for only one or two seasons. Unfortunately, finding minor league photos is a challenge, especially in color...<br />
<br />
First, we will start with the Padres affiliates...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
1978 Reno Silver Sox</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWnixV-B7JdBQHQ2r0UxVFDSx-LJI2VC5c8YQ0QmQlWFKIcZOoU2ZW4QyS5z2l5kRSInMMfmfXE6AzRG-U60GyEsmLihCQZvhFi-y_FMGMIwPsDdhBFKzDswCwBSRYrJkdT91_lkPetac/s1600/renotb1.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWnixV-B7JdBQHQ2r0UxVFDSx-LJI2VC5c8YQ0QmQlWFKIcZOoU2ZW4QyS5z2l5kRSInMMfmfXE6AzRG-U60GyEsmLihCQZvhFi-y_FMGMIwPsDdhBFKzDswCwBSRYrJkdT91_lkPetac/s320/renotb1.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Reno franchise wore Taco Bells the longest, starting in 1978. The team was the Silver Sox despire being brown and gold because 1. Silver Sox was already a long-time name for Reno teams and 2. San Diego had the Amarillo Gold Sox as their Double-A affiliate.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1983 Reno Padres</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyp-HGIhCGdJauiOluyr5zWE89hpcJvd0A_evnJ2MlkfowBnG3rToxk7oqR7AWWN7Fmb5QURY-8CIH7owcrzGxH1P96M0xa0h4txWnp1eIJ_jUG8HHdgeZKUe9AvBw441wT9K0xiKxjRO/s1600/renotb2.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="798" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyp-HGIhCGdJauiOluyr5zWE89hpcJvd0A_evnJ2MlkfowBnG3rToxk7oqR7AWWN7Fmb5QURY-8CIH7owcrzGxH1P96M0xa0h4txWnp1eIJ_jUG8HHdgeZKUe9AvBw441wT9K0xiKxjRO/s320/renotb2.jpe" width="285" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By the early 80s, the Reno franchise had changed its name to that of the parent club. I can confirm they were worn in 1983 but I am unsure if they continued to wear this cap the following season. By 1985 they had switched to a brown cap with an orange logo. They continued to wear recycled early 80s Padres pullover jerseys through the 1986 season.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1983 Las Vegas Stars</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkelWPZE9D8X0F3gvGfoL09ArlZQwzpIIoPAARUg742XW6JxjgoIYfGtXrD1T-9x7naGZeKmF8qYS8XQzakRGBo61H1qns5vBuHoV6cONG7Un5_vHmlxNCqVyCcaZk3NCGnMlGeuND6Gxy/s1600/fUSjveuN.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkelWPZE9D8X0F3gvGfoL09ArlZQwzpIIoPAARUg742XW6JxjgoIYfGtXrD1T-9x7naGZeKmF8qYS8XQzakRGBo61H1qns5vBuHoV6cONG7Un5_vHmlxNCqVyCcaZk3NCGnMlGeuND6Gxy/s320/fUSjveuN.gif" width="241" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1983 was the inaugural season for the Las Vegas Franchise. They wore the Taco Bell cap only that season. In 1984 they switched to a solid orange cap. Ebbets Field Flannels made reproductions of these a few years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2016 El Paso Chihuahuas</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sSNJABsmoi59LYSBACLHF5ffnRJ00SoTI_v8ENqt3UnP18GXquip5Oqg2ZsWV-9heO73eP7B1mAClb7zggBTvONYo1YQcskUXOcXiwF0AeubynHBdCTAbSDTDb3YqmA5zbs0l-hDUqeg/s1600/elpaso16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sSNJABsmoi59LYSBACLHF5ffnRJ00SoTI_v8ENqt3UnP18GXquip5Oqg2ZsWV-9heO73eP7B1mAClb7zggBTvONYo1YQcskUXOcXiwF0AeubynHBdCTAbSDTDb3YqmA5zbs0l-hDUqeg/s320/elpaso16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The current Padres triple-A team did a 70s "Fauxback" game.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2019 El Paso Chihuahuas</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmLt1BHtCVnaL8daQReFB7WWyiHlhLVxgjbdic7REHLcCpLuk83K_AzJCVeOBDauJTnc0gS7s4RnCPw3YKg1Wku-qIlt2LAnvEDRc1keRrksl8SbJaoiiyys-6Y0oJlLETJv3LKQEkHM6/s1600/howlingep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmLt1BHtCVnaL8daQReFB7WWyiHlhLVxgjbdic7REHLcCpLuk83K_AzJCVeOBDauJTnc0gS7s4RnCPw3YKg1Wku-qIlt2LAnvEDRc1keRrksl8SbJaoiiyys-6Y0oJlLETJv3LKQEkHM6/s320/howlingep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Chihuahuas added a bell panel cap into their rotation of game caps in 2019. They may have only been worn in a handful of games. They sold out quickly in the team store and are currently unavailable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now the non-Padres affiliates...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1978/79 Spokane Indians (Mariners affiliate)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNKb36lNmKovhJqbVe4lj7Pw74CtVtNDrxfsbvPkKXfN20NeXKRFWfz8RuXMRYBx5R8fvLOfBmFxl2PBj3U2Se0pJMy9QDQSoeaEBpQV5i4oww1CcC7FCLzJWVYb6nCCJ9K3mzAo-JYAu/s1600/indians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNKb36lNmKovhJqbVe4lj7Pw74CtVtNDrxfsbvPkKXfN20NeXKRFWfz8RuXMRYBx5R8fvLOfBmFxl2PBj3U2Se0pJMy9QDQSoeaEBpQV5i4oww1CcC7FCLzJWVYb6nCCJ9K3mzAo-JYAu/s320/indians.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of these popped up for sale on eBay a couple of years ago. Unfortunately I was outbid. Ebbets Field Flannels has made a reproduction.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1982 Tucson Toros (Astros affiliate)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5z6Py27SVI2Tc_lX872_s1KFsqxAPOiVpG-bNyQYZ2A-VWfFHhAlk6LTQbtSlDqu__kNmEH6W1ecMmpx7F-kl_qt5c-Tc6og7bgsoF_MqziPL2pItnyEiEi5Ukxn8OFvtod2J9e64Yxn/s1600/tucsontb.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5z6Py27SVI2Tc_lX872_s1KFsqxAPOiVpG-bNyQYZ2A-VWfFHhAlk6LTQbtSlDqu__kNmEH6W1ecMmpx7F-kl_qt5c-Tc6og7bgsoF_MqziPL2pItnyEiEi5Ukxn8OFvtod2J9e64Yxn/s320/tucsontb.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1982 Buffalo Bisons (Pirates affiliate)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vg4TBTVKZJR4hC9XYKlIW86zVlrevu6meolcLzBKrekjLUd38HcDUp6Z6jHgdaukgFKJvc29SRWsUx2R6i2_zW3O1Z9yKUU2ro9W-rFX_rnomE0N9fuKq0OOTdY2GsWVqZTVcINCkLvw/s1600/bisons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vg4TBTVKZJR4hC9XYKlIW86zVlrevu6meolcLzBKrekjLUd38HcDUp6Z6jHgdaukgFKJvc29SRWsUx2R6i2_zW3O1Z9yKUU2ro9W-rFX_rnomE0N9fuKq0OOTdY2GsWVqZTVcINCkLvw/s320/bisons.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The logo is identical to the Pirates "P" only with the added segments to make a "B".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1984 Salinas Spurs (Mariners affiliate)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The second California League team and second Mariners affiliate to wear this type of cap.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMPsZPFvU-6sF7Q_1jaGT6IiVBTPTFtkfXoAeC1lstxuEAIhahITWaB6NH0pXN8b63yMNUZHbbmiYf0J5ZwvTGizbNJlLrSqQlpkeKweBXc4VBVAz09P-iOn7YdjsIfCIjojeeb7-KueI/s1600/salinastb.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMPsZPFvU-6sF7Q_1jaGT6IiVBTPTFtkfXoAeC1lstxuEAIhahITWaB6NH0pXN8b63yMNUZHbbmiYf0J5ZwvTGizbNJlLrSqQlpkeKweBXc4VBVAz09P-iOn7YdjsIfCIjojeeb7-KueI/s320/salinastb.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The logo is nicknamed the "Exploding Coat Hanger."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">2017 Bowling Green Hot Rods</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7oNw7cr2L7PotsbEAV5I03t7-0fLdUuMM2f8rVFBFWJalmY6RR6REl6AkTQXApBy3SxWIZAAw-b8JQjEclThgpm6B79xCb2_965Tb5XX6jRPtZ9-620ZjHDx3f1-XP5MhCLHlgUF1J2a/s1600/fauxback_cap_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7oNw7cr2L7PotsbEAV5I03t7-0fLdUuMM2f8rVFBFWJalmY6RR6REl6AkTQXApBy3SxWIZAAw-b8JQjEclThgpm6B79xCb2_965Tb5XX6jRPtZ9-620ZjHDx3f1-XP5MhCLHlgUF1J2a/s320/fauxback_cap_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Taking a cue from their parent team, The Tampa Bay Rays, the Hot Rods wore a "Fauxback" cap in 2017.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2018 Ft. Myers Miracle</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUAadePGKB2UuW12iYPR-qXu4BCQWLsHGQRAW4wGFJHTKL9p57heQjVCc2U00d0eSyi7TAHeS87bkwfx34U99xhfZDtVvAhB0-ZC6EL_wYcpG4z1bI9H9yMjRiAxqHsURHbJsTJIMjfUv/s1600/fmmfaux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUAadePGKB2UuW12iYPR-qXu4BCQWLsHGQRAW4wGFJHTKL9p57heQjVCc2U00d0eSyi7TAHeS87bkwfx34U99xhfZDtVvAhB0-ZC6EL_wYcpG4z1bI9H9yMjRiAxqHsURHbJsTJIMjfUv/s320/fmmfaux.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In 2018, the Ft. Myers Mircale also jumped on the "fauxback" bandwagon with these. Unfortunately, they are flexfit caps and not fitted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2019 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErrbD4kqNhQT_JuYGJ_7y3SED7J4UEJIKYW-cRcZIAsJ87I2h-_C2bOkCaA4Wn8WkYpJby_s7znAKcIzSkh-iRUOLpekxcV-mUjkEL_Jl85OkG14CjDTW1Cja-j7Tq8KX5F_KgyAWQ4sj/s1600/swbvtb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErrbD4kqNhQT_JuYGJ_7y3SED7J4UEJIKYW-cRcZIAsJ87I2h-_C2bOkCaA4Wn8WkYpJby_s7znAKcIzSkh-iRUOLpekxcV-mUjkEL_Jl85OkG14CjDTW1Cja-j7Tq8KX5F_KgyAWQ4sj/s320/swbvtb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Railriders wore these as part of the "Copa de la Diversion" program.<br />
<br />
2020 Harrisburg Senators<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsbvb4AHyW_4kqWh2VCfhuftrZDZwc8Q1v3E5pKvXGRD-3AbQnUNgK7Y8JOwH5SAU2Djp_CaJw-FzYPAhw59HjWuoBUwvigIfrKoxUpj_1rOeHzpWwLRJzluwiIgChKUBAc3zjrRGzrN6/s1600/payeros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="742" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsbvb4AHyW_4kqWh2VCfhuftrZDZwc8Q1v3E5pKvXGRD-3AbQnUNgK7Y8JOwH5SAU2Djp_CaJw-FzYPAhw59HjWuoBUwvigIfrKoxUpj_1rOeHzpWwLRJzluwiIgChKUBAc3zjrRGzrN6/s320/payeros.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Senators are wearing these as part of the "Copa de la Diversion" program.</div>
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif;">
Are there any I missed? If so please email me.</div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif;">
-Thanks to Andy Sorber for additional info.</div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-84382180198567218062016-09-21T11:19:00.001-07:002016-09-21T12:09:26.558-07:00An Open Letter to New EraDear New Era Cap Company,<br />
<br />
I first fell in love with New Era on-field baseball caps in 1995. I was nine years-old and had recently learned how to play baseball. My parents were not into sports to say the least, so my younger brother and I learned about sports from the kids down the street and to us, baseball was our favorite. I can't remember exactly where, and what adult in my life purchased it for me, but I remember picking out my first authentic "Diamond Collection" on-field cap. It was a Chicago Cubs "Road" cap, the one with the red visor. Size 6 7/8. I remember being absolutely thrilled that I now owned one of the exact same caps that MLB stars wore on the field of play. I wore it for years until I could no longer squeeze it onto my head.<br />
<br />
Over the course of the rest of my childhood and into my twenties I continued to collect New Era on-field caps. New caps, vintage caps, actual game used players' caps and everything in between. Now, at thirty years of age, I have amassed a collection of roughly five-hundred New Era on-field caps ranging from the 1950s to the present.<br />
<br />
My warm feelings for New Era reached a peak in 2010, when New Era kindly fixed some vintage caps for me. I was told it wasn't a big deal and they were happy to help. Suddenly, a New Era exec that I had befriended called me. In a condescending tone, he told me that they can't repair caps anymore and they were apparently upset that I blogged about it (I was NOT the first one). When people that read my blog and contacted New Era to ask about repairs, they were told not to listen to "some guy from California that blogged about it." That same exec then followed up with a personal letter to me, repeating what he said in our phone conversation. I had his personal direct phone number and I tried to talk to him about it and to apologize if I did something that got him in trouble. He never answered my calls again. Although my feelings were hurt, I continued to support New Era and their product.<br />
<br />
By this time it was 2011, and New Era began to make some changes that bothered me. Being a long-time fan of minor league baseball, I purchased a cap at a minor league game and noticed the texture of the polyester fabric was odd, and that the cap was rigid and did not fit like normal. It even smelled different. Every cap in the team store was just like it. I didn't think much of it until a short time later. I decided to flip back the tags that are attached to the sweatbands. It said "Made in China". I was shocked that New Era was now making on-field caps in China, when "Made In USA" had been one of New Era's favorite things to advertise. I learned that New Era had shuttered two of their three USA manufacturing plants. I was disappointed, but I later came to learn that there were ways to get minor league caps USA made through certain sources. I continued to support New Era and their product.<br />
<br />
Over the next couple of years, I noticed that Chinese-made MLB on-field caps in retail stores alongside USA made ones, with both being sold as the exact same product and at the exact same price. This was especially prominent during the 2014 World Series. As long as USA made caps were available, I continued to support New Era and their product.<br />
<br />
Last year, I noticed that Vietnamese, Bangladeshi, and Chinese-made MLB on-field caps in retail stores alongside USA made ones, with all being sold as the exact same product and at the exact same price. As long as USA made caps were available, I continued to support New Era and their product.<br />
<br />
This year, USA made caps began to say they were made "with imported materials" on the label. As long as they were USA made, I continued to support New Era and their product.<br />
<br />
Now, New Era has decided to include their "flag" logo on the side of MLB on-field caps, starting with the 2016 postseason. This has now broken down the wall between MLB on-field caps, custom "hip hop/rap" caps, college caps, and minor league caps. They are now all on the same level. To me, MLB on-field caps are no longer on a higher pedestal. There are also reports of New Era deleting comments and banning anyone that has made negative comments about the flag logo on MLB on-field caps on social media. I will NOT continue to support New Era and their product. I'm done. This is the straw that broke the camels' back.<br />
<br />
The other big factor for me is the "imported materials". I have long been a strong supporter of USA manufacturing. You see, companies prefer to have fabric made overseas not just because it's cheaper, but because regulations are looser. In many countries, companies are allowed to get away with workers being exposed to toxic dyes, not to mention polyester is a petroleum product so I'm sure many workers are exposed to oil and other pollutants while making the fabric. Polluted water used to make various fabrics is then dumped into water systems that pollute the environment. Call me a hippie, but this is not something that I personally can't support. You need to consider the human toll it takes to make the cap you are buying. The only positive is that an American worker stitched it together,<br />
<br />
New Era, a family run business, has now officially chosen profit over people. They used to be different. They were personable, and they cared deeply for their loyal customers. Not anymore. After more than twenty years of being a loyal customer, I will not longer be buying any new New Era products,<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Paul Carr<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-55078351701166758542016-08-14T20:34:00.003-07:002016-08-14T20:37:14.592-07:00Mysterious Padres Taco Bell Cap SurfacesA couple of weeks ago, I got a message from a friend and fellow collector saying that he had found an odd Padres cap that he had never seen before. This is the cap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hs6CBS4uX70ThNwd6xCYjfqJ_bVHUt5kutoONBwClQ0oenax6GQ14O9S1L14JPtmheDugEWaiwpebtqpaLLdu4PYehWYnJ8thOU8HadoMdpyvmbaPU9N88ysRRvNOmLMLEZGSiWVvczr/s1600/padspt1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hs6CBS4uX70ThNwd6xCYjfqJ_bVHUt5kutoONBwClQ0oenax6GQ14O9S1L14JPtmheDugEWaiwpebtqpaLLdu4PYehWYnJ8thOU8HadoMdpyvmbaPU9N88ysRRvNOmLMLEZGSiWVvczr/s320/padspt1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0JNQZdKkpEogHR97D2wSfDqe3_3eeUj8seoZzi5fLWsVBRFnRaAgPN6XoNpPB27-bZIt3NFQC9SqEGkNHyLMRTn4CUgrTBSRuU6DCHoqah3h0EnOw-UOynfY4eH_Z7GPJD8S6DMZLGUf/s1600/padspt2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0JNQZdKkpEogHR97D2wSfDqe3_3eeUj8seoZzi5fLWsVBRFnRaAgPN6XoNpPB27-bZIt3NFQC9SqEGkNHyLMRTn4CUgrTBSRuU6DCHoqah3h0EnOw-UOynfY4eH_Z7GPJD8S6DMZLGUf/s320/padspt2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The caps with this style had come from a long-gone sporting goods store in Buffalo, NY (coincidentally, the home of New Era) and the elderly woman that co-owned the store sold off the deadstock that had been sitting around to someone else, who then sold some of it to my friend. Immediately we believed that this cap was made to go with the recently unveiled 1985 Padres prototype jersey, which is owned by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and was displayed at the 2016 MLB All-Star Game FanFest in San Diego.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyNOROdgFk7CMAi4TjkbkwXCT0NZOpoHw7K16oSc7lVRa4gkZ-ROo6qkZK3PJv65Beki9OTepOhIpABBRnn4MKRKebS-vBhx4hPNWQ59BYyhXteOYnGH5OHSHxpBeF7B5Uax06cY5xzv5/s1600/padres85proto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyNOROdgFk7CMAi4TjkbkwXCT0NZOpoHw7K16oSc7lVRa4gkZ-ROo6qkZK3PJv65Beki9OTepOhIpABBRnn4MKRKebS-vBhx4hPNWQ59BYyhXteOYnGH5OHSHxpBeF7B5Uax06cY5xzv5/s320/padres85proto.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
<br />
Looks like a match, right? Turns out to be not so. I reached out to some folks in the know via Twitter, and one person that had seen the original 1985 prototype designs said "<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Totally different-cap that went with the Fanfest jersey was brown with a yellow interlocking italic "SD".</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
So there you have it. A rep at New Era could not find anything in their records about it (big surprise). Another knowledgeable person that was contacted about this cap said "It was made for a reason." This leads me to a theory...<br />
<br />
The Padres made a few minor changes to their uniforms in 1984. They changed from pullover to button-up jerseys, slimmed down their cap logo, and then changed from sans-a-belt to belts on their pants in the postseason. Could they have been planning a more drastic change? The colors of this cap do match the lettering of the 1984 home jersey. Perhaps it was an idea for a new home or road cap and they had some examples made? The interior tags on this cap date it to 1982-1984 (with the slim logo putting it at 1984). Also, remember that another odd Padres cap from this time also has surfaced; the cap with the yellow visor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7IyRtq-C39aCI3QlIddanAzO0sECiN_tPYFPrTs1x2qc3STEqZjsp7CUBsLizUS1qiyJTXYNL9c7jFT9SYKm5ILkucZMr_ZNjamhzNVXsloUTkkslQLAb8zR-48jBd01EN4k-Rkn8Wah/s1600/padres_test+1983+spring+training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7IyRtq-C39aCI3QlIddanAzO0sECiN_tPYFPrTs1x2qc3STEqZjsp7CUBsLizUS1qiyJTXYNL9c7jFT9SYKm5ILkucZMr_ZNjamhzNVXsloUTkkslQLAb8zR-48jBd01EN4k-Rkn8Wah/s320/padres_test+1983+spring+training.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
This cap also has the slim logo that started being used in 1984. It's pretty clear that the Padres were up to something. But hey, they could just be genuine F-ups that New Era offered to nearby sporting goods stores for a discount price. I guess we'll never know...Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-40709596407788761672016-05-12T16:29:00.002-07:002020-11-09T18:03:54.568-08:00Hell Bent For Leather<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span><span><span>A</span><span>h, the leather sweatband. A controversial topic for us baseball cap enthusiasts. Preferred by the traditionalist but derided by the casual wearer. Over the course of the last twenty-five years, leather sweatbands in baseball caps have become a rarity and have all but disappeared. However, there are still a few places were leather sweatbands can be found today.</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
<span>One place where leather sweatbands can still be found is on the field of Major League Baseball. No way! Really? Yes, it's true. MLB umpires can still get leather sweatbands on their caps.</span></span><br />
<span><span><span><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKURNz1TQCUCkBLEu7EBL_nqs13ivUXeDWMrhq7GDMC1Q26PBQrdrnYCpc6BH6wiAhXYPLNGUDfxt57aPfXeYr4g6Fyc5SwhLyGswIcEjVHutYrgTsD3UqyNHgro_3c2c1VfhkZjUdJRCn/s1600/IMG_5077.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKURNz1TQCUCkBLEu7EBL_nqs13ivUXeDWMrhq7GDMC1Q26PBQrdrnYCpc6BH6wiAhXYPLNGUDfxt57aPfXeYr4g6Fyc5SwhLyGswIcEjVHutYrgTsD3UqyNHgro_3c2c1VfhkZjUdJRCn/s320/IMG_5077.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><br /></span>
<span><span><br /></span>
<span>Although leather sweatbands on MLB and MiLB players caps were last seen in 1988 (with some caps possibly lingering into 1989), they have continued to be seen inside non-retail versions of umpire caps.</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
<span>The leather style has also changed. The sweatbands had been the exact same kind seen inside of on-field caps since the 70s, but by the early 2000s the leather began being covered by some sort of paint or stain. At some point between 2001 and 2005 it changed to what it is today; a black-colored thicker cut of leather with no vinyl "reed" on it, as those older types of sweatbands with reeds are simply no longer being manufactured other than for high-end menswear hats. A 2006 umpire cap I have worn by umpire Tim Timmons features the newer black leather, so the change must have happened around that time. This leather also has a much stronger leather smell. Another peculiar trait of these umpire caps is that they lack the "Authentic Collection" tag and the "Batterman" logo on the back is embroidered flat like pre-2007 on-field caps. This may be to indicate that they are not for retail.</span></span><br />
<span><span><span><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru50IT3t-PhxN56Is2oWIJgB3uDxFNyd70OCTJhg3bCvtURhE9HRn2eot62RfS3hqP9Pujd3_jcetu2D4sy5ywKS1ar3VgECocbtllLMmsOv-KYATP-DhBYcpkjKBBr_kJErRtgqxh7sg/s1600/IMG_5079.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru50IT3t-PhxN56Is2oWIJgB3uDxFNyd70OCTJhg3bCvtURhE9HRn2eot62RfS3hqP9Pujd3_jcetu2D4sy5ywKS1ar3VgECocbtllLMmsOv-KYATP-DhBYcpkjKBBr_kJErRtgqxh7sg/s320/IMG_5079.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><br /></span>
<span>I was able to personally contact a highly-respected veteran major league umpire and I asked him about why umpires still use leather sweatbands. I will not reveal their name out of respect for their privacy. He said:</span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
<i><span>"<span>When a home plate umpire takes his mask off, the (leather) hat band helps keep the hat on without moving it or falling over the face (where the umpire couldn't see)."</span><span><span> </span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span><span><span><br /></span></span>
<span><span>He also had something else interesting to say. Basically, when New Era took over the MLB contract in 1994, they tried to do away with leather once and for all.</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><br /></span></span>
<i><span><span><span>"Out first hats delivered by New Era were sent back with a letter explaining this (that they preferred leather). </span></span><span>New Era sent a letter back saying that "no one in the Commissioner's Office wears hats with leather bands." </span><span>I sent a return letter saying,"the last time I checked, no one in the Commissioner's Office wears a hat.""</span></span></i></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
<span><span>New Era may have attempted to do away with leather bands again in more recent years. I have been unable to find an MLB umpire cap with a leather sweatband from between 2009 and 2011. I am unsure of when exactly they came back, but it must have been sometime between 2012 and 2014, because the one that I own has the current tags but a holographic MLB undervisor sticker with Commissioner Bud Selig's signature on it.</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><br /></span></span>
<span><span>A source at New Era (that will also remain anonymous) had this to say:</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><span><i>We have done and still do leather sweats </i>(sic)<i> on Umpire caps for the MLB on a </i></span><span style="font-style: italic;">limited and special order basis. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">The sweat </span><span>(sic)</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> has changed a bit but we still offer it for Umpires only."</span></span><br />
<span><span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span>The evolution of MLB Umpire caps with leather sweatbands over the past 25 years:</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
</span><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXViqpq4fn6IG5CtzkqkYKpWWEXNaEsYvQ3AfxnFRzxdvISFelTtTsobzLmw0pKkRIMSKLLDEdhRQ2w3kVFcuIFij_niuV2gXZY3nTFaKltNOeeZQPUNR9ZbBO2zVcUHzSfv7a-Z3QBXpW/s1600/science+012.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXViqpq4fn6IG5CtzkqkYKpWWEXNaEsYvQ3AfxnFRzxdvISFelTtTsobzLmw0pKkRIMSKLLDEdhRQ2w3kVFcuIFij_niuV2gXZY3nTFaKltNOeeZQPUNR9ZbBO2zVcUHzSfv7a-Z3QBXpW/s320/science+012.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosfa7zPNoLVsQUY7z70t1id4Ct4FtKVohqt2pogtvqsBIlIWaIhVNEgpN-aieCF7autQUNqda_CEAkn6LwkAhjYTVelq4hE9ihQGlvQt74Zbb65g6cq3seFCDtWXUUylj0xQhOrAMt_Mt/s1600/IMG_5073.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosfa7zPNoLVsQUY7z70t1id4Ct4FtKVohqt2pogtvqsBIlIWaIhVNEgpN-aieCF7autQUNqda_CEAkn6LwkAhjYTVelq4hE9ihQGlvQt74Zbb65g6cq3seFCDtWXUUylj0xQhOrAMt_Mt/s320/IMG_5073.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><br /></span>
<span><br /></span>
</span><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJFuPfMJ9o3A7IEy9pLUsB3K6YzroA0fw8qiG44vnbGPFW_nbaJLRY9U_MsMqgzsN-JJ1-RPlZ92ZT3hyphenhyphenqsLVdfnSm7klAcqi09eUBWkzNOqEa4W0kivPmFz9VeiN0rcv_WqxM8GsCx0I/s1600/IMG_5072.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJFuPfMJ9o3A7IEy9pLUsB3K6YzroA0fw8qiG44vnbGPFW_nbaJLRY9U_MsMqgzsN-JJ1-RPlZ92ZT3hyphenhyphenqsLVdfnSm7klAcqi09eUBWkzNOqEa4W0kivPmFz9VeiN0rcv_WqxM8GsCx0I/s320/IMG_5072.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<span><span><span><b>New Era Heritage Series</b></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnyvX8BDdVpATF6Wz2blITWcrPFzqq82b3v1X-0sLSBBCmf9dorhgjEp2FeleZ5JbZVkxoevzlkShDynR1irmbiP1gFusn6KCCgDFpcYBe6Pa9ntM_I1J7l7nyiesISAKcKkzgGGEeetf/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnyvX8BDdVpATF6Wz2blITWcrPFzqq82b3v1X-0sLSBBCmf9dorhgjEp2FeleZ5JbZVkxoevzlkShDynR1irmbiP1gFusn6KCCgDFpcYBe6Pa9ntM_I1J7l7nyiesISAKcKkzgGGEeetf/s320/IMG_5074.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><br /></span>
<span><span>New Era's recent "1934 Heritage Series" also uses leather sweatbands as well as on some of their "19Twenty" line more commonly seen in Japan. This leather is different from the umpire caps, however. It looks more like the pre-WWII era leather but it is actually a hybrid of a leather and cloth band. The thin leather is backed with foam and gauze like a cloth band.</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvFekAjypxjcOw0I160djW22xmxOc_1Q0qGjYpU3GOTunAnU6DPy22VZGTNyqYGm3rL1t7M73OPLC16Fdxzy-FKFrSLPOWuZd_fxUwEHsLo6R07phz0f_ojKmFKeYS0Yt6CkxlbaDTbQo/s1600/IMG_5076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvFekAjypxjcOw0I160djW22xmxOc_1Q0qGjYpU3GOTunAnU6DPy22VZGTNyqYGm3rL1t7M73OPLC16Fdxzy-FKFrSLPOWuZd_fxUwEHsLo6R07phz0f_ojKmFKeYS0Yt6CkxlbaDTbQo/s320/IMG_5076.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span>
<span><b>
<span>Ebbets Field Flannels</span></b></span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
<span><span>EFF used leather sweatbands regularly until fifteen years or so ago when they changed over to cloth bands full-time. However, they brought back leather a couple of years ago for their 8-Panel Ballcap line. These caps use a thin cut of black leather with the Ebbets Field Flannels logo embossed on it. If interested, check out <a href="http://www.ebbets.com/" target="_blank">www.ebbets.com</a> to check out their current selection of 8-Panel caps. Be sure to read the descritions because not all of them have leather sweatbands.</span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyqOAhl_85uFmeF2MblDd4wWfLDZ8QBm8nUMPiGU5eVHIoKuJZ4qsRnVM1sYcqBn1Dqur8k8BIncHm_NeDyKiStHlSzUh9pSuKE3cQMc08NSAwB5O2DhOSPYodCAyqQky5ueoRLgJdAoB/s1600/8panel6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyqOAhl_85uFmeF2MblDd4wWfLDZ8QBm8nUMPiGU5eVHIoKuJZ4qsRnVM1sYcqBn1Dqur8k8BIncHm_NeDyKiStHlSzUh9pSuKE3cQMc08NSAwB5O2DhOSPYodCAyqQky5ueoRLgJdAoB/s320/8panel6.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span>
<span><span><b>Ideal Cap Co.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
<span>Ideal Cap Co. and it's predecessor Cooperstown Ballcap Co. have always and still continue to carry the torch for leather sweatbands. Owner Willy Arlt told me:</span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
<span><i>"(We use) 2 different forms: unfinished, cut directly from hides and finished with a rolled bead around the bottom like the ones found in men's wear. We used to use a soft finish on them at CBC, but they wore pretty quickly so now they are more glazed for better wear at the expense of the sensuality."</i></span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
</span><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Mu-hXHu54Xkba4_Zw-E4IvJqhi8-5Oxd45FgbqX86kyxHdIWWR_r41pbeKtwH5pgMLCjTjFCCka5fDMaUIj8q3zGrl3Mpx77UYIivElpuD69OjhfEXtuL4B4ow7-3Qv8FGBMNO5p3JF7/s1600/idealcap1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Mu-hXHu54Xkba4_Zw-E4IvJqhi8-5Oxd45FgbqX86kyxHdIWWR_r41pbeKtwH5pgMLCjTjFCCka5fDMaUIj8q3zGrl3Mpx77UYIivElpuD69OjhfEXtuL4B4ow7-3Qv8FGBMNO5p3JF7/s320/idealcap1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">This Ideal Cap Co. cap shows the export-only Cooperstown Ballcap Co. label.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Photo courtesy of Louis Griffel.</span></i></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><i><br /></i></span>
<span><span>You can check out Ideal Cap Co.'s selection at <a href="http://www.idealcapco.com/" target="_blank">www.idealcapco.com</a></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><br /></span>
<span>So there you have it. Long live leather!!!</span></span><br />
</span><div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">My thanks to Andy Sorber for all his help and assistance with gathering info for this post.</span></i>Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-31192297193365686792016-03-05T16:02:00.002-08:002016-03-05T16:06:45.859-08:00Mystery of the San Francisco Giants PillboxIt has been well documented that many teams wore "pillbox caps" at some point during the 1976 season and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended up wearing them for ten seasons after that point.<br />
<br />
Aside from the teams we know that wore them for sure (Pirates, Mets, Cardinals, & Phillies, then possibly Expos and Yankees) there were other teams that no one knows for sure if the team wore them or not: White Sox, Red Sox, Cubs, Padres, & Giants. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the cap is game worn or team issued when they show up online somewhere. Sports Specialties made pillbox snapback fan caps available for all teams during the 80s, so you could imagine what it would have been like if your favorite team opted to wear them. New Era even made fitted cap versions of all teams as well (from what I can tell). Now, the Giants pillbox that I had seen in an eBay auction a few years back used the 1977 to 1982 logo. However, I had heard that the Giants had supposedly worn them in 1976, but the logo doesn't match the logo they used that year. Upon further research, I came across this photo of Jack Clark.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHVBeL8aeKKiiSXmmJpdJtct-J1iTfhVqWou0DyelWHRyInSaPks3sckW2t_qCMBSdqFFFOfis9bTD8_MfolTkVA1UPgyo7byf_YKjdZGPl7r3UHseux2VnsBsNAEz7Bn5FqiBZeAN9qT/s1600/jc1980sf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHVBeL8aeKKiiSXmmJpdJtct-J1iTfhVqWou0DyelWHRyInSaPks3sckW2t_qCMBSdqFFFOfis9bTD8_MfolTkVA1UPgyo7byf_YKjdZGPl7r3UHseux2VnsBsNAEz7Bn5FqiBZeAN9qT/s320/jc1980sf.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
This was a publicity photo, and the year on the back of this print says 1980. I still can't find any evidence that the Giants actually wore these in a game, BUT Jack is in full uniform and that is definitely Candlestick Park and it looks like folks are starting to arrive to a game. This is the ONLY picture I can find of a Giants pillbox right now. Any thoughts?Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-23709892082511196242016-02-25T18:07:00.002-08:002016-04-25T12:08:55.230-07:001986 San Jose "Bad News" Bees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The coming 2016 baseball season marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most notorious teams in all of professional baseball, not to mention my hometown team the year of my birth; the 1986 San Jose "Bad News" Bees. The Bees were one of the last independent teams in minor league baseball, but did have a partnership with the Seibu Lions of Japan. As the second incarnation of the Bees (the original Bees existed from 1962 to 1976), the team existed from 1983 to 1987. The franchise failed to be profitable and op</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">erated on a shoe-string budget. Aside from several young Japanese players, the rest of the players were disgraced former major leaguers, the majority of which were blacklisted from the big leagues for substance abuse. During the season, many players lived in nearby flophouses and even on mattresses inside stadium's clubhouse. Known as the "Rebels Cave", it featured a refrigerator, beer signs, broken bleacher seats for guests, and a painting made by one of the players of a green-faced Charles Manson as a "conversation piece". The team went 65-77 in the California League during the season under General Manager Harry Steve, who managed the team simply because no one else would. The 1986 team was immortalized by a sensational multi-page write-up in an issue of Rolling Stone Magazine. In it, the team was portrayed in a less-than-flattering manner, described as lowlifes that spent their meager paychecks on drugs, booze, and prostitutes. Author Neal Karlen later regretted vilifying them. The 1986 Bees were also covered by several major newspapers across the country and internationally in newspapers such as the London Times.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYUFukx-H468Rg11j_TWkguAZmucfIjNqgH9SSafC6YJnJ0zMx6vH7UjIGROXUp8lfb6nUdORZwNiIH5MpCO4KH-Y5X7Mis3nBJN0bIHVpBrBcg7F8aXyR6tSUmVPIzeE1MGS-Aw175YV/s1600/86bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYUFukx-H468Rg11j_TWkguAZmucfIjNqgH9SSafC6YJnJ0zMx6vH7UjIGROXUp8lfb6nUdORZwNiIH5MpCO4KH-Y5X7Mis3nBJN0bIHVpBrBcg7F8aXyR6tSUmVPIzeE1MGS-Aw175YV/s320/86bees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The 1986 San Jose Bees cap. 1986 was the only season their cap had gold eyelets.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">If you look closely at San Jose Municipal Stadium today, you'll find a few reminders of the Bees, including one of the 1986 "Bad News" Bees. On the back of a door on the stadium bowl is a painted "Bad News Bees" sign, autographed by the team. Unfortunately, this side of the door is usually not visible and the signatures have faded away. The tale of the Bad News is also fading away, but that's not surprising given the family-friendly atmosphere of San Jose Giants games (the Giants franchise moved to San Jose from Freasonin 1988).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKByl31Q96k_xnFnZoxllVaqEUbTPrscAfIlx8paQ8CgKHD0YlZnY8AqY1STvkmaH4FtjyignsYyI14LIBOroEm_lnHgoEw1bC5osE7K2a_Qobqwn1cVj2uLJhFOsVrPrUMDfDSug5G8O/s1600/86bees2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKByl31Q96k_xnFnZoxllVaqEUbTPrscAfIlx8paQ8CgKHD0YlZnY8AqY1STvkmaH4FtjyignsYyI14LIBOroEm_lnHgoEw1bC5osE7K2a_Qobqwn1cVj2uLJhFOsVrPrUMDfDSug5G8O/s320/86bees2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QCFzs9iq2GJRVHyQG0mMcU3ff_MgzTHKeUadypMNsvSth5EBBG2CGNC5IzfoF86ODE6LVI2qWcKZrs11eKeCXcti4eSfguNa6wbx9iyKZLse6GBiaFn9DL5_4foB99pVLf3_8JmHUqzd/s1600/1986bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QCFzs9iq2GJRVHyQG0mMcU3ff_MgzTHKeUadypMNsvSth5EBBG2CGNC5IzfoF86ODE6LVI2qWcKZrs11eKeCXcti4eSfguNa6wbx9iyKZLse6GBiaFn9DL5_4foB99pVLf3_8JmHUqzd/s320/1986bees.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
General Manage Harry Steve had to manage the team because no one else would.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Perhaps the team's most notable player was the tragic Steve Howe. A great pitcher, Howe had been the National League Rookie of the Year in 1980, a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">World Series Champion with Los Angeles</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> 1981, and an All-Star in 1982. After being suspended multiple times for alcohol and cocaine abuse, Howe ended up with the Bees in 1986, going 3-2 with a 1.47 ERA. By the following year Howe would find himself back in the big leagues and seemed to have his life together. He became a Born-Again Christian and published an autobiography in 1989. Howe played in the majors until 1996 and retired in 1997 after a stint in independent ball. Howe lived in Arizona after baseball and worked as a self-employed framing contractor. Howe died in 2006 after rolling his pickup truck in the Coachella desert. An autopsy revealed that he had methamphetamine in his system.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqckYZhyphenhyphensj1SF_uuvWsSN2J0lmrB6I7GMQQxZTHAPggAOaKpyjD0kDTqXXJoKG9_bkjuU7uPQgHC62DNqLvy2K7SkcMXkXogM8Br73te50OJUuIknVsLmkDnsS7-8gA7c4g325k-Wqbmk5/s1600/86bees3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqckYZhyphenhyphensj1SF_uuvWsSN2J0lmrB6I7GMQQxZTHAPggAOaKpyjD0kDTqXXJoKG9_bkjuU7uPQgHC62DNqLvy2K7SkcMXkXogM8Br73te50OJUuIknVsLmkDnsS7-8gA7c4g325k-Wqbmk5/s320/86bees3.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The San Jose Giants have announced that they will do one Bees-themed game this upcoming season, but the only detail revealed is that they're honoring George Brett (the only hall of famer to play in San Jose thus far) rather than the 1986 team.</span></div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531732960455263665.post-27295024859917639692015-10-08T20:12:00.000-07:002015-10-08T20:16:20.821-07:00How Many Is Too Many?For the vast majority of the history of baseball, most teams wore just one type of cap per season. In the mid-19th century, "Road/Away" game caps began to appear. Then "alternate' caps and "spring training/batting practice" caps. In the 90s came patches on the caps of players in the All-Star game and on the caps of teams in the World Series, which gave birth to patches on caps for the post-season in general. Since then, we've seen patches on caps for multiple reasons, most notably retiring Yankees players and an American flag patch on 9/11.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5WMg6n_v2fk932oXkuI9wf6gf-7ZvtSdy3PsAz0gKzaQi5Zuf3YXBiu5eRD7NB-FGqzWTPCAvqvix3vLr8KDbl9xpHBBTfKKymC3YWo87Odzkk00yHBzaEHDxhJyG56YSYcgKMiJmcWV/s1600/95braves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5WMg6n_v2fk932oXkuI9wf6gf-7ZvtSdy3PsAz0gKzaQi5Zuf3YXBiu5eRD7NB-FGqzWTPCAvqvix3vLr8KDbl9xpHBBTfKKymC3YWo87Odzkk00yHBzaEHDxhJyG56YSYcgKMiJmcWV/s320/95braves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1995 Atlanta Braves cap with World Series patch.</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
In the last decade we've begun to see "theme" caps. Caps that may differ in design and/or color from the regular on-field cap for a specific team. Most prominently is the "Stars and Stripes" collection worn on the 4th of July and camouflage caps worn on Memorial Day. Teams have also done green caps environmental causes and pink caps for Mother's Day and breast cancer awareness. "Turn Back The Clock Caps" are another story...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv9JLO2VrSGTVzRIbgYZvloe-qARHAhaQeZWi_hVJUr2zUrJqeBlviPII6klVBEiMxL1jtOi-TBadKBd498A_HWVUm1pEoAx3kjiGB8Bt3ZOfpTLRpwC1m6AzDUMf0uSTONpLWvvgU6yY/s1600/wsmd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv9JLO2VrSGTVzRIbgYZvloe-qARHAhaQeZWi_hVJUr2zUrJqeBlviPII6klVBEiMxL1jtOi-TBadKBd498A_HWVUm1pEoAx3kjiGB8Bt3ZOfpTLRpwC1m6AzDUMf0uSTONpLWvvgU6yY/s1600/wsmd.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2014 Chicago White Sox Mothers Day Cap</div>
<br />
Minor league teams have just begun to catch on to this trend. Minor league teams have never done patches on caps very often. Usually they're done if a team is hosting an All-Star game that season or if the team had won a championship the previous season. Minor League teams have been doing theme jerseys for a while now, but some teams have decided to go all-out with matching caps. In fact, my local San Jose Giants wore a total of FIVE different theme caps this past season (they already have four different on-field caps) to go along with corresponding jerseys. They have been doing this for the past three seasons. They wore even more special jerseys but paired them with one of the four on-field caps the team regularly uses. Some teams may just do one, and some teams don't do any at all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiugtHdCcerWEYuiMfen_RSal3fZrqV1ERZVegNNLBqy7LsqOGfnSVy2tiUtQ9KMt5dlhfHRxrPQqF_h9UkDhG91JWOUc0LByt2oVT-Rkzg3SRfDQTycPZk8cyX9K-CY1qkfmQiitfZQr/s1600/IMG_4945+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiugtHdCcerWEYuiMfen_RSal3fZrqV1ERZVegNNLBqy7LsqOGfnSVy2tiUtQ9KMt5dlhfHRxrPQqF_h9UkDhG91JWOUc0LByt2oVT-Rkzg3SRfDQTycPZk8cyX9K-CY1qkfmQiitfZQr/s320/IMG_4945+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2015 San Jose Giants Caps (on-field bottom row, theme caps top row): Batting practice/alternate, home, road/alternate, alternate. Memorial Day, "Relay For Life" Cancer Charity, 4th of July, Breast Cancer Awareness, Italian Heritage Night)</div>
<br />
Common Minor League Theme Caps:<br />
<br />
"Turn Back The Clock" - Common in MLB but not MiLB, However, some teams still do it.<br />
"What Could Have Been" - Team wears a prototype uniform or a different name that was being considered before the team's first season<br />
"Memorial Day Camo" - Identical to MLB<br />
"4th of July Stars And Stripes" - Identical to MLB<br />
"Cancer Charity/Awareness" - Typically a purple cap<br />
"Breast Cancer Awareness" - Typically a pink cap<br />
"Heritage Night" - celebrates an ethnic group, usually Irish or Italian<br />
<br />
The questions now are... How much is too much? Should every cause or celebration get its own cap? Should teams stick with a couple of regular caps, or the more the merrier? Personally I enjoy many of these caps, much to the dismay of my bank account...</div>
Paul Carrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997539886586271935noreply@blogger.com10