1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

[sox83cubs84]

Hey folks, here is the set of tags for 2012 for those that didn't know. Rather drastic changes to the New Era tag and size tag compared to years past. However, Dave (sox83cubs84) and I discussed that we have seen some caps with the 2010/2011 tags that were used this season, so some teams likely used leftover stock for those years.

The "Fly Your Own Flag" slogan is new to 2012 tagging.

Dave Miedema

[Insomniac186]

The "Fly Your Own Flag" slogan is new to 2012 tagging.

Dave Miedema

I meant to say that, hahaha. Wish we could edit posts! Thanks for posting that Dave.

New Era has dropped "Cool Base" completely. I bleieve it is just a Majestic thing now. New Era is now going with "NE Tech" "CoolEra" & "SolarEra", but they are only mentioned on the visor stickers when purchased new in retail.

[suave1477]

One thing im surprised no one here mentioned unless I missed it somewhere but one thing that especially dates the caps of when the colors changed under the brim.

I believe in the 80's to the early 90's the under brim was Gray - early 90's they switched it to green and then in recent years it was switched to black.

If someone can pinpoint when the color of the under brims were changed that can help date the caps.

[Insomniac186]

One thing im surprised no one here mentioned unless I missed it somewhere but one thing that especially dates the caps of when the colors changed under the brim.

I believe in the 80's to the early 90's the under brim was Gray - early 90's they switched it to green and then in recent years it was switched to black.

If someone can pinpoint when the color of the under brims were changed that can help date the caps.

The first team to switch to gray undersides were the Reds in the 1960s. The Giants were one of the next teams to switch, and then the White Sox and a few others. The last NL hold-out (I believe) was the Cubs, going gray in 1994. The Blue Jays, Twins, and Yankees held out until the 1995 season. The switch for all remaining teams with green to switch to gray in 1995 was insisted by New Era.

The Angels were the first team to change to black, around the late 90s. 2007 was when all teams changed to black.

[joelsabi]

The first team to switch to gray undersides were the Reds in the 1960s. The Giants were one of the next teams to switch, and then the White Sox and a few others. The last NL hold-out (I believe) was the Cubs, going gray in 1994. The Blue Jays, Twins, and Yankees held out until the 1995 season. The switch for all remaining teams with green to switch to gray in 1995 was insisted by New Era.

The Angels were the first team to change to black, around the late 90s. 2007 was when all teams changed to black.

underbills is another factor. To add to this, the Pirates were the first to use red in 2001.

[Insomniac186]

underbills is another factor. To add to this, the Pirates were the first to use red in 2001.

Yes indeed, it was for a short-lived alternate cap. I believe there were different colored undervisors for the "Turn Ahead The Clock" promotion back in 1999 as well. Minor League teams also had different colored undervisors, I have a Bakersfield Blaze cap from 2006 with orange.

All teams are now strictly using only black since 2007 for non-BP caps, with the exception of a few Minor League teams using leftover stock with gray undervisors in 2007. I also believe there are one or two players, one of which played (or still plays) for the Rangers that demands on using caps with gray undervisors. Also, most official team player photos have the players wearing caps with gray undervisors, even as recently as this year (Giants and A's, for example).

All of these changes are "innovations" by New Era. One wonders how much on-field caps would be different today if New Era had some competition.

[Roady]

What about this Mark Teixeira signed hat?
The MLB hologram # is BB063593 and is listed as a signed cap from Texas Rangers signing on May 29, 2006.
The hat clearly looks game worn. It is 100% wool.

New Era 50th anniversary was in 2004.

I figured it could be a 2005 hat and New Era sent some old stock to Texas in 2005. I would not think it would be sent 2 years later in 2006 but who knows.

Or could this be a hat from 2004 and Teixeira just cleaned out his locker for the signing?

Any ideas?