I’ve been spoiled with all of the baseball games I’ve been to lately and it continues this weekend as I’m seeing the Oakland Athletics — who are, of course the natural geographic rival to my San Francisco Giants — on their annual visit to Yankee Stadium.
I’m the furthest thing from an A’s fan but it’s the perfect opportunity to wear this vintage Nashville Sounds cap to the game as Nashville has been Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League since 2015 and were also the Yankees Double-A affiliate from 1980 through 1984.
I’ve written about a Sounds hat before but this one is from 1994 through 1998 (but is mostly not from after 1996 because of the lack of New Era flag anywhere) and most of that time was spent as the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in the American Association. Oakland's current player development contract with Nashville runs through the end of this season as do the contracts of the Washington Nationals and New York Mets with their respective Triple-A affiliates, the Syracuse Chiefs and Las Vegas 51s.
The Mets are setting up shop in Syracuse in 2019 which leaves Las Vegas as the likely spot for the Nationals to land, even though it makes more sense for Oakland to have a team there and for Nashville be the home of Washington’s Triple-A affiliate. Alas, Oakland and Nashville currently have a great thing going so it’s doubtful that will happen!
I’m the furthest thing from an A’s fan but it’s the perfect opportunity to wear this vintage Nashville Sounds cap to the game as Nashville has been Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League since 2015 and were also the Yankees Double-A affiliate from 1980 through 1984.
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| I love the honky tonk guy swinging his gee-tar at a baseball in front of the fattened version of the note-shaped letter “N” which had been the team’s cap logo since its inaugural season in 1978. |
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| The sweatband tags here are what you’d typically find on caps from before 1994 so that's really the earliest year this cap could be from because this logo wasn't worn until that year. |
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| Red, white and blue batterman here is perfect for a ballgame at Yankee Stadium. |
The Mets are setting up shop in Syracuse in 2019 which leaves Las Vegas as the likely spot for the Nationals to land, even though it makes more sense for Oakland to have a team there and for Nashville be the home of Washington’s Triple-A affiliate. Alas, Oakland and Nashville currently have a great thing going so it’s doubtful that will happen!
Like last week, this cap holds some sentimental value to me so it isn't for sale or trade however don't hesitate to reach out if if there's something you like on the Trading Block and you are willing to part with any of the hats on my Wish List.
As always, thanks for coming back to read about baseball hat geekery. I've got comments disabled here so if you'd like to discuss a trade or simply just chat about hats, please feel free to connect via the following social sites:
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Twitter: @FittedFriday
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