1983 to 2009 New Era Hat Tagging Primer

[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?

[Roady]

I should have stated that New Era's 59fifty hats anniversary was in 1994, not the company itself.

[Roady]

I meant in 2004 not 1994.

[joelsabi]

I meant in 2004 not 1994.

Not sure what to say but that this is a retail hat. there the main difference between a retail and on field caps is that the tag says "genuine merchandise" while the other says Authentic. The MLB authentication is for the signature not the game usage.

[Roady]

Not sure what to say but that this is a retail hat. there the main difference between a retail and on field caps is that the tag says "genuine merchandise" while the other says Authentic. The MLB authentication is for the signature not the game usage.

Yeah I know.
The way you see it is the way it came from MLB auctions.
The 23 inside was already there as well as the sweat stains.
A very strange hat indeed.