Hat Hair: Ranking the 25 Greatest MLB Caps of All Time

Ask yourself this question: Does the cap make the team? In some cases, teams have won the World Series after changing their cap. In other cases, they have gone through a playoff drought. You decide.

I love baseball caps. I have been wearing and buying baseball caps for years. I even have some that I have owned for over 10 years. With that said, I decided that it would be fun to make a list of my favorite Major League Baseball caps of all-time. 

I had fun finding the pictures of these caps and writing the articles with them. It brought back many memories of my favorite players wearing these caps and I hope it will for you as well. 

Since I do not own all the caps from this list, I had to surf the web to find some pictures of them. I have listed my sources for these pictures right underneath the picture itself in the caption box.

25. Los Angeles Angels, 2002-Present

What better way is there to break in a new cap style than winning a World Series with it?

The Angels did just that.

I loved this cap as soon as I saw it debut in 2002. In a throwback to their original styles, the Angels ditched the wings and put the halo back on the "A". The "A" obviously stands for Angels, but back then, when the team was called Anaheim, it was hard to tell what it stood for. The cap is clean, colorful and noticeable.

24. Detroit Tigers (Home), 1904-Present

There are not too many things that still exist from 1904. Most people born in 1904 are dead now. Many buildings built in 1904 have been demolished. But the Detroit Tigers home cap is still alive and very much kicking.

Like the Yankees, the Tigers' cap is easily recognizable. Even those who are not Detroit baseball fans will wear this cap because it looks good. If chain-smoking Jim Leyland can look good in this cap, then anyone can.

23. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1958-Present

This hat is a classic. It is simple; it is elegant; it is charming; and it seems like every celebrity wears one, regardless of their baseball knowledge.

This cap is an icon; a relic of an era that featured pitchers such as Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax. It was worn by managers like Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda. Yes, no list of baseball caps would be complete without mentioning the royal blue cap of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

22. Washington Nationals (Home), 2005-Present

In a throwback to the original Washington Senators, the Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos) look classy and stylish in this cap. Immediately after moving to Washington in 2005, the Nationals had their best season to date (81 wins).

Since then, one could say the Washington franchise has been a disaster, with low attendance and injuries to their best players. However, when flame-throwing lefty Stephen Strasbourg broke into the majors in 2010, this cap became much more marketable. The team is now currently in first place in the National League East and this cap will soon get much more exposure.

21. Cleveland Indians (Alternate), 2002-2010

The Cleveland Indians: A team of many caps. Although the Indians have had a plethora of caps in the last decade, it is this one that sticks out in my mind as one of the greatest. The navy cap features a red cursive "I", outlined in white. It was a welcome change to that horrid cap with the smiling Indian head. 

20. Minnesota Twins, 1961-Present

From Harmon Killebrew to Joe Mauer, this cap has endured the test of time. With such a simple design, it is hard to imagine this cap being popular, but it very much is.

Twins fans love this retro-style cap. The cap features the "TC" logo, which of course stands for the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Perhaps that is why this cap is popular. The Minnesota Twins, unlike most teams, are named for the state, instead of just the biggest city. The Twins represent all of Minnesota, and the cap shows that pride.

19. Houston Astros, 1980-1993

Pay no attention to Houston's uniforms. We'll save that discussion for another day. Right now, focus on the cap.

While the uniform was obviously ridiculous, the caps were ridiculously cool. The cap was navy and featured a white "H" inside of an orange star. You may not think this cap is a big deal, but continue reading.

If I played on the Astros and I wore this cap, I would feel like Marshal Dillon with a bright orange badge on my cap. If Marshall Dillon had been wearing this cap, all the criminals in Dodge City would have just surrendered without putting up a fight.

18. Philadelphia Phillies (Alternate), 1997-2007

After having worn their standard red and white cap style for the previous six seasons, the Phillies needed a change of pace. So in 1997, some bright young marketing executive no doubt decided that the Phils should have a different cap to wear during the recently introduced interleague play.

They decided to add blue as a third color. They put a blue star inside the "P", and also changed the bill to blue. After doing this for 10 years, with really no success as a team, they abandoned their interleague cap idea. Ironically, the Phils won the World Series the next year.

17. Houston Astros (Alternate), 2000-Present

When the Houston Astros moved from the Astrodome to Minute Maid Park, they decided that not only was a new uniform in order, a color scheme change was in the works as well. They changed the team's colors from navy and gold to black, crimson and gold. They also added pinstripes for the first time.

This cap stands out among the crowd. Keeping with the space and star theme, the cap features a gold shooting star, outlined in red and black.

16. Milwaukee Brewers, 1978-1993

I always thought this was a dumb logo to put on a cap. Why would anyone want to wear a baseball mitt on their cap? It's kind of like wearing a cap with just a baseball or baseball bat on it. But after closer examination, I realized that this was no ordinary baseball mitt.

This baseball mitt was made from two letters: "M" and "B". Of course those letters stand for Milwaukee Brewers. With that realization, I came to the conclusion that this was a very unique and relevant cap. Plus, this cap was worn by the Brewers during the 16 most successful years in club history. Players such as Robin Yount, Rob Deer, Paul Molitor and Gary Sheffield wore this cap proudly. I am proud to include it in my list, and I am proud to own this cap.

15. Atlanta Braves (Alternate), 2003-Present

By 2003, the Atlanta Braves of the 1990's were no more. Gone were the likes of Fred McGriff, Ryan Klesko, David Justice, Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers. Although the Braves still had a solid team in 2003 (they won 101 games), I guess they thought they needed a slight change in the caps, adding a tomahawk.

14. Tampa Bay Rays, 2008-Present

This is by far the best hat that Tampa Bay has ever produced. After shortening their name from Devil Rays, the team decided to change the colors and logos as well. With the improved looks, the team's play on the field improved too. In their first year with the new digs, the Rays won the American League Pennant. Not bad for a team who had previously never had a winning season.

13. Baltimore Orioles, 1966-1989

Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Boog Powell, Jim Palmer and Cal Ripken Jr. These are just a few of the names who have worn this cap proudly. Not only is the Oriole the most beautiful bird I have ever personally seen, this cap is also one of the coolest.

It features a bi-panel of white in the front and black in the back. The bill is bright orange, just like the bird itself. The cap features the likeness of the famous "Cartoon Oriole", which is much better than the lifelike bird that has been featured on the team's caps during the last two decades.

12. Toronto Blue Jays, 2004-2011

In 2004, the Blue Jays went with a most magnificent color scheme. They dropped the red, white, and blue that had been associated with the team for the previous 26 years, and added a black, blue, and graphite look. The look seeks to resemble the look of a natural blue jay bird.

The black cap featured a fierce looking blue jay poking his head out from behind a white and graphite "J". Unfortunately for the team, the Jays never made the playoffs in this look. They ditched it at the end of the 2011 season. They now wear their original red, white, and blue. 

11. Anaheim Angels, 1997-2001

After changing their name from California to Anaheim, the Angels decided that a uniform change was in order. The Angels kept their primary colors of navy and red, but they also added sky blue. I guess they thought sky blue was representative of angels in the sky.

Although some believe these caps were poor in aesthetic quality, I think these caps were very cool. The navy cap features a capital A with wings attached to the side. It looks like the "A" is in mid-flight, progressing from one end of the cap toward the other. You have to look carefully to catch a glimpse of those flying A's. The logo is outlined in a delightful shade of sky blue.

10. St. Louis Cardinals (Home), 1940-Present

The St. Louis Cardinals' home cap is a classic masterpiece of craftsmanship and art, worn by the likes of Ozzie Smith, Stan Musial, Albert Pujols, Lou Brock, Mark McGwire and Bob Gibson. Even after all these years, this cap is still stylish.

9. New York Mets (Alternate), 1998-Present

In 1998, the Mets added black to their color scheme. Although they mostly wear the blue caps now, they still wear the black caps occasionally. This cap is bold. Who would have thought that black, blue and orange would look so good together?

I first remember seeing this cap in 1999. I knew I had to have one, and I got one that very day. Although that cap is now too small for me, I wore it proudly for many years, and I especially wore it proudly when the Mets participated in the "Subway Series" with the Yankees in 2000.

8. St. Louis Cardinals (Home Alternate), 1998-Present

I remember the first time I saw this cap. It was in the Summer of 1998. That was the season that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were competing in the race to break Roger Maris' single-season home run record of 61. Every baseball fan in America was cheering for either McGwire or Sosa. I chose to cheer for McGwire and so I decided to buy a Cards cap. When I saw this cap in a store at the mall, I knew I had to have it.

The cap features a lifelike cardinal sitting atop a baseball bat. Now I normally do not care for caps with animals on them, but this one is way different. This cardinal has a look of determination and poise. He is sitting on that bat like he owns it. When Cardinals sluggers such as McGwire and Albert Pujols wore this cap, they owned anything they wanted. Fourteen years later, I'm proud to still own this cap.

7. New York Yankees, 1913-Present

This is perhaps the most recognizable logo in all of sports or anywhere in the world. The reason for this is that the New York Yankees have 27 World Championships. Some of the greatest players in history have worn this cap—Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle; I could go on and on.

Although this may not be the flashiest cap, this one is still one the best-selling. You will look professional wearing this cap.

6. Houston Astros (Alternate), 1999

What can I say? I just love Houston's cap choices. This cap is so simple, but yet so cool. It features a gold star on a blue cap with a gold bill and gold button. The color scheme is excellent. No wonder the Astros were so good in 1999. Looking like a million bucks must have made them play like it too.

5. Toronto Blue Jays, 1977-1993

Designed in the same vein as the bi-paneled Baltimore Orioles' and tri-paneled Montreal Expos' caps, the Toronto Blue Jays' cap from 1977-1993 was very cool. The bi-paneled cap is royal blue in the back and bill and white in the front. It features a blue jay head sitting on a baseball. The blue jay has the Canadian maple leaf to the right of it.

The team wore this cap through the end of the 1993 season—right after winning consecutive World Series titles. They then changed their cap and have not made the playoffs since. Was it the cap that made the team win? Who knows? What we do know is that this cap remained very popular and would make appearances during throwback games. It was also a bestseller for fans.

The team must have received the message. After 18 seasons, the Blue Jays have returned back to their roots. The team now wears this cap regularly for the 2012 season. Is a World Series in order?

4. Seattle Mariners (Home Alternate), 1997

If you ever tried describing to someone how awesome this cap is, without a picture, they would probably think you were being ridiculous. This cap cannot be described in words. You must look at it to appreciate it.

Turquoise and blue are the proper colors for a great mariner. The logo in and of itself is an excellent reason to buy this cap. But then they add a turquoise bill. It is hard to stop looking at this cap. Wear it, and you will get noticed in good ways. Plus, think of all the greats who have donned this cap: Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Edgar Martinez, and Randy Johnson. Wear this cap and you will feel like a Hall of Famer. But just make sure you wear clothes that match it.

3. Cincinnati Reds (Alternate), 1999-Present

After changing their color scheme after the 1998 season from red and white to red, black and white, the Reds decided to replace their white pin-striped hat with something more progressive. They adopted this as their road cap. The cap mirrors what was worn by the Reds during the Frank Robinson era in Cincinnati. It is a sharp contrast to the uniform and cap styles the team had worn for the past 25 years.

The Reds changed their uniform style again for the start of the 2007 season, but they kept the black cap. Although the team only wears this cap as an alternate (only once per year), it is still a hot seller and can be seen worn proudly by many Reds fans at games.

2. Montreal Expos, 1969-1991

I don't know what that logo means, but the cap is cool at least. The cap features a white front, red sides and back, and a blue bill. The only question I have about the style of this cap is: Why is it so American? Red, white and blue? Those are our colors Montreal! If you continue to use our colors, than we will have no choice than to remove your baseball team and move it to our nation's capital. Oh yeah, by the way, no one comes to your games either.

1. Kansas City Royals (Alternate), 2010-2011

This is my favorite MLB cap of all-time. It was only around for a limited time, but it was hot. The Royals wore this cap with their baby blue alternate uniforms. The two-toned cap brought flare to an otherwise ordinary cap and color scheme.

Unfortunately, the team was so bad that no one even noticed how cool their caps were. Look for it to be resurrected somewhere around 2025 when the team finally realizes what a mistake they made.