New Era Alphabet Challenge - Q

So there was a bit of speculation about what cap I would choose to represent Q. It's pretty much a no-brainer, yeah. But the tough part was deciding which version I would choose. So I'll just kill the speculation:

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The first Super Cap.

I opted to go with this, the original version of the California League's very own Rancho Cucamonga Quakes cap. For the sake of comparison, here is a picture of all three Quakes Q caps.

All Q. All the time.

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes began play in 1993 after the San Bernardino Spirit relocated there. They built a fancy new stadium called the Epicenter (see what they did there, earthquake fans?) and with an outfield view of the gorgeous San Gabriel Mountains, it remains one of my very favorite stadiums to watch a game.

The Epicenter in 2003

I had three choices. The current cap which has been in use now for several years now is the first cap to actually incorporate a design on the visor. The little blue "faultline" is unique to minor league baseball caps. The Q, which is consistent with how it has been stylized over the years, has "moovles" (as I call them) around it to give the impression that it is shaking.

The original Quakes cap, teal crown with black visor, was somewhat of a phenomenon. As I recall, it was claimed to be so popular that people were seen wearing the cap in places as far away as Southeast Asia. It just seemed that around that time everyone was wearing a Quakes cap. I can remember attending games in the early to mid 90s and having to sit in the bleachers all the way down in the lines. 6000+ per night. Those were fun to attend. The team was that popular. The cap was an icon of sorts, and I think an argument could be made that the popularity of that logo ushered in the era of the well designed minor league cap logo. Everyone wanted to have something unique.

Then for some inexplicable reason, the team decided to ruin the cap by dropping their mascot right into the logo. Bad idea then. Bad idea now.

Due to its uniqueness, awesome 90s teal power, and historical impact, I have chosen the original Rancho Cucamonga Quakes cap to represent the Letter Q.