Today's Featured Caps: Jacksonville Suns

Today I'm going to talk about the most unique collection of minor league baseball caps I own from the same team: The Jacksonville Suns of the Double-A Southern League, currently affiliated with the Miami Marlins. But first, a few words about what the hell happened to me (aside from having two children)

So it's been more than 18 months since I last posted anything on this blog, but two fellow Twitter-using cap collectors have inspired me to start up again. I'll try to keep the posts more frequent than posting only in years ending with an odd number.

So in my attempts to spread the good word about how awesome it is collecting caps, I attempted a Facebook Page which I update with photos of the new caps that I acquire. I received a decent amount of attention last summer when I won a Lids contest where they gave a $75 gift card to the person who could prove they had the largest cap collection. So in order to prove it I had to pose in front of my caps. Lids posted the picture to their Facebook page and for the duration of that day I had to read comments from people saying I was old, fat, a virgin, living in my mom's basement, had no life, had no money, etc... Also, some who felt the picture wasn't real and was from inside of a store. The fact that I wasn't wearing shoes was a tip to some that it was indeed my place. (I honestly did not expect them to post the photo with me in it) I was also wearing my neon green Seahawks jersey which also garnered some criticism. People criticized the caps I owned, the teams I liked, the teams I didn't own and more. Annoyingly, some said I sucked because I didn't have "snapbacks." Really? Mostly, it was people who just said they were jealous of my collection. In the end it was the most entertaining few hours I'd spent on Facebook probably ever. Absolutely had a great time reading those. I'm sure you could track it down if you had the patience to look. It's worth it. Anyway, I tried to deflect those who were interested to said Facebook page. I currently stand at 73 likes.

I attempted a Twitter Page which I honestly get the most enjoyment out of. I've met some really cool people, and it's a lot easier to interact than Facebook. So that's where you'll see most of what I'm doing with my caps and sports stuff. And occasionally some other musings. As of tonight I stand at 70 followers, and I'm pretty sure only a handful are fake or porn accounts.

So now on with the collection!

Okay, another disclaimer: For 2013 I'm going to try to take a few days a week and wear a cap that I ordinarily neglect. What I mean, is that during the course of any given season I will wear a particular cap every day, particularly if I'm feeling it's going to bring luck or good vibes or whatever. (if it worked, my blog wouldn't imply futility, right?) I'm going to try and buck that trend. I have some very cool pieces in my collection and I want to try them out again. So let's begin...

I have four Jacksonville caps and each of them have nothing in common with each other aside from the team name. Well, except for this first one. I acquired this one via eBay maybe five or six years ago. It's an adjustable* New Era cap that is typical of caps I have from the mid-1980s. With a high and wide crown and a strange mesh-like material. It's really more of a collector's piece than something I'd actually wear. 

Jacksonville Expos (1970, 1984-1990)

Jacksonville Expos. Now, nothing excites me more in a minor league cap than when a team incorporates the parent team logo into its own. Holy crap, is that the style of Montreal 'M' but a 'J'? Brilliant. If I could have a fitted New Era version of this one I'd have to own three because eventually I'd wear them out. Awesome. But in case you're wondering what this would look like being worn, check this out:

Recognize this dude?

So next we move on the Suns caps. This one is from when the Suns were affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. About the Dodgers, love 'em or hate 'em you can not deny they have one of the classiest logos in all of baseball. So for a time it was a thing for their minor league affiliates to have a cap which incorporated their logo. (I should do a blog featuring those caps) Behold...

Jacksonville Suns Sunday cap worn during their Dodgers affiliation (2001-2008)

This next one, I recently was told, is a throwback to the era of NY Mets affilation in the 60s. From when Nolan Ryan was on the team. I initially believed it to be some sort of Mets look, but was told it was a nod to the University of Florida, which has the same colors. Alas, it was the team itself who tweeted me to tell me it was actually a throwback. Either way, a solid color cap with a letter insignia. Yes, please.

Affiliated with the Mets (1966-1968)

And finally, the mystery cap. To me it looks like it wants to be a Pittsburgh Pirates cap. I can find no history of affiliation with the Pirates. I think I will ask the team what say they about it. Yellow crown, black visor, 'J' stylized in Pirates fashion. If I'm wrong, let me know. You can still find it on the Suns website listed as Fitted Alternate Cap.

Nice look.

For a period this cap was the default choice of my then one-year old son who would go into my office and want me to wear this cap. That reason alone makes this a special cap.

So on New Year's Day I decided to wear the throwback Mets cap for no reason other than it's a great looking cap that I don't wear very often. I will be selecting other caps throughout the year for this same reason. My hope is that I will be able to chronicle my choice, and other caps as well, because I love collecting them, and I know there are other freaks....errrr.... collectors like me who like to see what what's in other collectors' collections.

So until next time... follow me on Twitter and let me know what you think.

*Back in the day we didn't call them "snapbacks." We called them "adjustables" and they suck as much now as they did then. No offense to anyone who thinks they are superior to fitteds. Then again, yeah, offense.