Some Ugly New Hats
SPORTS TALK
Some Ugly New Hats by Joe Brackets:
I first saw on ESPN.com in late December that MLB was going to roll out new batting practice hats for all 30 teams this season, but I decided to reserve judgment on them until I actually saw them on real-life baseball players. Well, the first fews days of Spring Training have confirmed my original suspicions. With a few exceptions, the new hats are, for the most part, extremely ugly.
There are some that I like and some that I’m just indifferent towards, but there are way too many where I’m left wondering “What were they thinking?” (All of the pictures are from ESPN.com)
The What Were They Thinkings
Astros: Houston overhauled its entire uniform set to coincide with its move to the American League this year. As a result, the Astros’ orange and blue from the 70s made its return. I think it’s the orange hat, but what they came up with doesn’t work for me.
Blue Jays: You play in Canada. I get it. So does everybody else. You don’t need a giant maple leaf on your hat to remind us all. Especially since the “Maple Leafs” are the hockey team in your city.
Brewers: This might be because I don’t really remember the 80s, but I don’t like the white front panel. The white panel might work a little better if they were using the old logo (which they are on alternate BP hats). Not on these, though.
Cardinals: I think this is simply because of the lack of an outline around the “STL.” But the Cardinals’ red hat is one of baseball’s classics and they should wear it all the time.
Cubs: Ditto with the Cubs. The red bill isn’t the problem. It’s the white “C.” Cubs hats are blue with a red “C.” Period.
Dodgers: Remember a few years ago (I think it was sometime in the mid- to late-90s) when a number of different teams experimented with gray hats on the road before realizing it was a bad idea? It’s not a good idea now, either.
Indians: I know a vast majority of people hate Chief Wahoo and think the logo is racist, but I’m not one of them. I hate that generic block “C” they went to instead. The red version of the hat doesn’t make it any better.
Marlins: So many problems with the Marlins’ new logo/uniforms/hats. The logo is still ridiculously too big, and I already made my point about the white fronts. It looks like a minor league team (although, this is the Marlins, so that’s not much of a reach).
Mets: I have no problem with Mr. Met. In fact, I think he’s adorable. One of the best mascots in sports. But he doesn’t belong on a hat. Unless it’s one that you bought for your five-year-old to wear to his first Mets game.
Nationals: This one isn’t all bad. They’re the only team that can pull off the red, white and blue thing, and I really like it how it harkens back to the old Expos hats. But, again, the white front panel is too ugly to ignore.
Orioles: The good: the return of the cartoon bird. He made his way back to the game hats last year and we all saw what happened. The bad: the orange front. It’s just as bad as the white. All one color, guys. All one color.
Rays: There are so many good things about Tampa Bay’s uniforms/hats. The powder blue jerseys for example. I give them credit for trying on their BP hats, but the sunburst logo (or whatever that thing is) doesn’t work.
Royals: Kansas City’s one of those teams that doesn’t understand its hats are completely fine the way they are and they don’t need to tinker. They tried gray. They tried black (which, admittedly, wasn’t horrible). Now they’re trying white. They should stick with blue.
Tigers: This monstrosity is simply blasphemous. Tigers hats should not be touched. The road ones with the orange “D” are fine, but this is an absolute travesty. Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander should not be subjected to these.
Twins: Joe Mauer’s catching helmet is kind of cool. That might’ve been the inspiration for these hats. But, again, the 80s are over.
Yankees: I’m willing to guarantee this is a surprise to most of you. But there are certain things in this world that are sacred. One is the New York Yankees hat. The previous incarnation of Yankees BP hats had a gray bill. That was acceptable. White, however, is not.
The rest of them are all fine. I like some more than others, but, for the most part, don’t have a problem with any of them. But 16 teams (more than half of MLB!) have ugly BP hats. Fortunately, with the World Baseball Classic and March Madness, I won’t be watching too many Spring Training games this year. Then, hopefully, MLB will change them again next year.
