A Prehistoric Bird Brings New Hope

     Yes, New Orleans, Louisiana has had an NBA franchise to call its own for the last ten plus seasons, but it never felt quite right. An old team name, old team colors, and a temporary, yet neccessary, relocation to Oklahoma City for 2 seasons, left a feeling of wanting "more" for the franchise and fanbase; well, "more" just knocked on the door of "The Big Easy".

     "The New Orleans Pelicans" was officially revealed as the re-brand name for the Louisiana-based NBA franchise, on January 24th of this year. Albeit a wordy and lackluster name for a professional sports team, it does at least carry a sense of tradition with its direct link to local culture. The pelican, more specifically the Brown Pelican, is the official state bird of Louisiana. The bird is included on the state seal and state flag of the state officially known as "The Pelican State". So yeah, the bird is kind of a big deal; We get it.

     Although naming them the "Louisiana Pelicans" would have been more suitable, may have looked "cleaner", and would have had a better ring to it, we should be grateful for what we ended up with. After all, it could have been one of the other proposed nicknames; those of course being: he "Mosquitoes", the "Rougarou", the "Swamp Dogs", and the "Bull Dogs". Yeah, you read those correctly; no need to adjust your monitors. 

     Along with the name change, new colors (red, white, navy blue, and gold), new logos, and new wordmarks are here. Sure, the America colorway always works and looks pretty, but why not keep with the state-homage motif? Just one mans opinion, here, but I feel these colors would have worked just fine (maybe even better).

     The logos in their entirety, I have no problems with whatsoever; they're all very professional, timeless, and fitting of the teams location. Those can all be seen HERE. The fleur-de-lis and the "Crecent-City" alternate logos are really nice. Hopefully they use them either on the jersey or home court design when the time comes for all of that. 

     The Hornets will finish in New Orleans with what most would call mild success. In their ten-plus years in Louisiana, the franchise has only made 5 playoff appearances, at best losing in the Western Conference Semifinals in the 07-08 season. The one bright spot in the franchises history was the drafting and development of star point guard Chris Paul. In his Hornets career, Paul won the rookie of the year for the bugs in 2006, captured multiple steal and assist titles, was named to 3 all-star teams, and was even named all NBA first team once. He was truly a reason to go to the games, tune in on T.V., and likely even claim the Hornets. Once Paul decided to move on to bigger and better opportunities, it was clear a re-building was on the then current ownerships hands. In April of 2012, the team was sold to car dealership mogul, and New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson. This would be the beginning of what is now a recurring theme of "out with the old, and in with the new". 

     The new hope for success came in the form of the number one overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Hornets selected Collegiate National Player of the Year Anthony Davis, out of Kentucky. Davis certainly provides a foundation for success. The talented big man, along with multiple trade pieces for the now Los Angeles Clipper, Chris Paul, and key free agent signings certainly puts the club in a decent position to grow quickly. Being in the Western Conference, let alone a division with Dallas, Houston, Memphis, and San Antonio, is no easy feat, but the way things look this year, 10-15 games over .500 should get you into the playoffs. Is it impossible to picture the team in the eighth spot in the West next year? No, but for a franchise that's currently owners of a 19-35 record through the all-star break, the road seems to be uphill. 

     The cap shown in today's post was purchased at Cap City, in West New York, New Jersey. The cap, along with other Pelicans 59/50's can be found HERE. It features a navy crown and bull, with the primary pelicans logo across the front. On the left side, the New Era logo is located in white. On the back, the alternate Pelicans logo is located low and center. A great cap for a budding franchise in the ashes of the old.  

     Maybe with the vacating of the Hornets name, the rights can be sold back to the Charlotte franchise. C'mon, M.J.! Call it a belated 50th birthday present! Bobcats sounds like a minor league team name, anyway. 

     

     

World Baseball Classic Preview: Puerto Rican National Team

     It's hard to believe a team with names such as Carlos Delgado, Jorge Posada, and  Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez in its lineage has yet to win the World Baseball Classic, let alone place in the top three. With a fifth place finish in each of the past two WBC tournaments, improvement is certainly the mission.

     As mentioned earlier on The Fitted Diaires, The World Baseball Classic will begin in early March. Pools A and B will begin play on the second, while teams in pools C and D, such as Puerto Rico will start on the seventh. Along with Puerto Rico, Pool C consists of the fore mentioned Dominican Republic team, Venezuela, and newcomers Spain. All things accounted for, Puerto Rico should be able to advance to the second round of the tournament, but as the old adage goes, don't count your chickens before they've hatched.

     It has been a star-studded affair for the P.R. team, but as this Yankees fan will tell you, that doesn't always result in championships. This year, the other-other red, white, and blue team enters play in the 12 spot of the IBAF rankings; not exactly ideal in a field of 16, but results may vary (Official Rankings).

    Although, the days of Roberto Clemente and Bernie Williams are long gone, there are still some names in the program you're likely familiar with:

 Pitchers: 

Nelson Figueroa of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Javier Lopez of the Giants, J.C. Romero formerly of the Phillies, and well traveled starter Javier Vasquez.

Catchers:

Jose Molina of the Tampa Bay Rays, Yadier Molina of the St Louis Cardinals, and Martin Maldonado of the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Innfield:

Mike Aviles of the Cleveland Indians.

Outfield:

Carlos Beltran of the St. Louis Cardinals, Angel Pagan of the San Francisco Giants, and Alex Rios of Chicago White Sox. 

     Puerto Rico will play its first game of the tournament against Spain on Mar. 8th, followed by a contest against Venezuela on the 9th, and concluding Pool C play on the 10th against the always difficult Dominican Republic team. The one thing going for Puerto Rico, is that all games are essentially home games, despite the necessary designation; this is of course becuse San Juan, Puerto Rico is one of the 4 hubs of pool play this year. All games will be played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium; a modest 18,000 seat park, named after the first Puerto Rican born player to reach the Major Leagues. If the humble island-commonwealth can pack the local setting for 3 games, Puerto Rico should have all the support they need to compete and advance. 

     The cap features a red crown and brim, with a white overlapping "P" and "R" outlined faintly in blue located across the front panels. On the left side of the cap, the Puerto Rican flag is featured. On the back, the WBC logo is centered across the 2 back panels. This is a really clean looking cap, which I originally added to my collection during the first Wolrd Baseball classic in 2006, in its alternate blue colorway, no longer being used. The cap can be found HERE at the official site of the WBC shop. 

     Next, we will feature a recently debuted cap representing a rebranded NBA franchise for the 2013-2014 season. Stay tuned.

  

     

World Baseball Classic Preview: Italian National Team

     Italy! A nation known for great food, beautiful landmarks, fantastic culture, and baseball? Yes, baseball. This spring, Italy will compete in the third installment of the World Baseball Classic; Once again, with high hopes of making it out of the first round of pool play.

     That was, perhaps, a little bit cruel to a nation which prides itself in other athletic areas than the baseball diamond. However, the rude awakening might as well happen now, before dreams are shattered against the likes of the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

     Yes, Italy is currently ranked 9th in the world for all nations fielding baseball programs. That being said, they are, what most would considder, generously ranked 2 spots ahead of Mexico, and 5 ahead of the Dominican Republic. Do the rankings need a facelift? Perhaps past #3. (Rankings)

     Regardless, let us take the optimistic outlook on their forthcoming Pool D. performance, and review the high points of the green, white, and red roster. The most notable pithers on Italy's roster are that of Pittsburgh Pirate Jason Grilli, and former major leaguer Brian Sweeney. Behind the plate, some may recognize the name Francisco Cervelli; a Yankees minor leaguer with major league experience. In the field: Alex Liddi of the Mariners, Nick Punto of the Dodgers, Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs, and Chris Denorfia of the Padres. No, it's not comparable to the Dominican Republic or the United States rosters, but stranger things have happened in baseball than an upset. The games still need to be played.

     The Italians, however, do have one of the nicest on field 59/50 New Era Caps in the entire tournament. Above, is the official WBC cap of Italy. It features a royal blue cap and crown, with a sleek looking capital "I" centered on the front. On the left side, is the Italian flag of green, white, and red. On the back is the WBC logo. HERE  is where you can buy the cap if you'd like.

     Tomorrow, we feature Puerto Rico. See you then.

     

World Baseball Classic Preview: United States of America National Team

     In a mere 48 days, the United States of America will try to capture the ever-elusive crown of World Baseball Classic Champion. For this group of state-side all-stars, let's hope that the third time really is the charm.

     Over the two previous installments of the WBC (World Baseball Classic), The United States has fielded very talented teams, by standards, but has fallen short of the ultimate goal each time. Regardless of names like Griffey and Rodriguez on the team in 2006, and Jeter and Rollins in 2009, the Red, White, and Blue has had no one to blame but themselves for their shortcomings. With a second round elimination in 2006, and a fourth place finish in 2009, a better result is expected by all from the nation credited for the invention of the game.

     In this years edition, The U.S. will begin play in Pool D, against Mexico, at Chase Field, in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, March 8 at 9 P.M. (ET). Along with those two clubs, Pool D consists of Canada's and Italy's National Teams. Once again, there seems to be no shortage of talent on the U.S.A. Roster this time around.

     In 2013, The United States pitching rotation will consist of starters the likes of R.A. Dickey, Derek Holland, and 2012 World Series Champion Ryan Vogelsong. The bullpen features notables such as Heath Bell, Craig Kimbrel, and Kris Medlen. In the field, We'll see players such as Mark Teixeira, David Wright, Giancarlo (Mike) Stanton, Adam Jones, and Ryan Braun. Rounding out the field, behind the plate, the U.S. will feature former batting champion Joe Mauer. If all that wasn't enough, the team is expected to be coached by former 9 time All-Star and 2 time manager of the year Joe Torre.

     Needless to say, for the U.S. National Team, failure is most certainly not an option. Teams to look out for this WBC will undoubtedly be Cuba, Japan, and as always the Dominican Republic. 

     Although baseball is widely considdered to be "America's Game", the World Baseball Classic is as good of a reminder as anything of how quickly and vastly this game has grown. It truly is an amazing sight to see places like Great Britain and Pakistan ranked in the top 25 of National Baseball Teams in the world. The sky really is the limit. (Full rankings here).

     The cap above, which is the official on-field fitted of team USA, features a navy blue brim and crown, with an interlocking "U" and "S" in front of a silver star centered on the front. on the cap-bearers left side-pannel the flag of the United States of America is stitched on. On the back is the logo of the World Baseball Classic, centered across the two back-pannels. 

     The official New Era Cap can be found HERE. 

     The tournament begings Saturday, March 2, with Japan, a host nation, playing Brazil in group A. Let the debate begin ladies and gentleman. Oh, and by the way; BASEBALL IS BACK.

World Baseball Classic Preview: Dominican Republic National Team

The history of the Dominican Republic in the world of baseball is one with much success, talent, and many Hall of Famers. However, in the two previous installments of the World Baseball Classic (W.B.C.), fate has not been as kind to the island-nation. 

In 2006 and 2009, the Dominican Republic was represented by talented coaches and players alike, only to stumble across the finish line both years. In 2006, the D.R. finished the competition in fourth place, as a semi-finalist. The next time around in 2009 they continued to stuggle, despite fielding arguably the best team in the tournament, being eliminated in the first round. Needless to say, they have their work cut out for them come March seventh.

The Dominican Republic fields over a hundred players in Major League Baseball today, along with countless minor league prospects. Today, most would argue that they the most talented athletes to the sport are from the Dominican, and with good reason. That being said, let's meet some of the representatives who will wear the cap above, this year:

Robinson Cano: Robinson is currently the second baseman for the New York Yankees. He has appeared in 4 All-Star Games, 2 Home-Run Derbies (winning one), captured 2 Gold Gloves, and 4 Silver Sluggers Awards. Additionally he was part of the 2009 World Series Champion Yankees team. 

Jose Bautista: Jose is a current outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays. In past years he has provent to be a threat at the plate, posting home run totals over the past 3 years in the 50's, 40's and high 20's accordingly. Over the past three seasons, he has made 3 All-Star Game appearances, captured 2 home run titles, and 2 Silver Sluggers Awards.

David Ortiz: David is currenlty a member of the Boston Red Sox of the American League. In his career, he has been part of 2 World Series Champion teams. Additionally, he has made 8 All-Star Game appearances, captured 5 Silver Slugger Awards, a home run title, and currently is the all time leader in home runs and rbi's as a designated hitter. The Sporting News named David to the All-Decade Team of the 2000's. 

In addition to that big-three, the team will also feature notable players this W.B.C. such as Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Ubaldo Jiminez, and Nelson Cruz. 

 The cap above features a red brim, blue crown and an interlocking "R" and "D" on the front in red and white (traditionally read as Republica Dominicana). On the side, the cap features the flag of the Dominican Republic, and on the back the World Baseball Classic logo is centered. 

Play begins in group C against Venezuela, with games against Puerto Rico, and Spain to follow. 

This cap can be found HERE at New Era. 

Check back in the coming days for the preview of the next team in the series, the United States of America. 

Q & A with The Cohen Brothers of Stown LTD.

 One of the most appreciated talents in the world is artistic creativity. The tangible presentation of the inner-workings of the mind for all to see is something we often marvel at. When it's something great, we all develop a desire for it. Original works of art are often extremely pricey and frangile; 2 big reasons which might prevent you from displaying these works, or buying them to begin with. What if you could own and display great art without having to worry about it losing value? Seem too good to be true? Well, not quite.

With the fore mentioned in mind, Brandon and Spencer Cohen, of Long Island, New York, have started Stown LTD. ; a graffiti inspired streatwear company. The unique and eye opening designs come from Spencer, as Brandon handles the marketing and sales aspects of the brand. Together, they have embarked on a journey of outfitting the world with culture and inspiration. 

The following is the Q and A The Fitted Diaries conducted with the brothers earlier this week: 

TFD: Would you call yourself a sports enthusiast? If so, what are your favorite sports/teams? 

SL: Not particularly, but I have love for all New York teams!

TFD: Do you have a fitted collection of your own? If so, how many do you own? 

SL: I have an extensive hat collection to say the least. I have about 5 new era boxes filled. I haven't counted how many hats I have recently, but I would say upwards of 100.

TFD: What was your first fitted? 

SL: It was a navy blue Yankee fitted.

TFD: What would you say is your favorite fitted? 

SL: My favorite fitted is the first hat we ever put out. We refer to it as the OG Stown Fitted. It’s an all-black hat with teal accents and a green under brim. It Features a Medusa like face in yellow, which has evolved into our signature logo. I would love to bring these hats back in future.

TFD: For those who do not know, what is Stown LTD? 

SL: Stown LTD. is a Graffiti inspired streetwear brand whose goal is to create wearable art & inspire everyone our brand reaches. It was started by two brothers from Long Island, New York July of 2011.

TFD: What type of products do you offer? 

SL: We offer fitted hats, snapbacks, clothing, jewelry, and are working on a line of toys. We are however known best for our hats! We’ve put out 4 different New Era Caps to date. We’re about to produce our second run of Zephyr hats. We will be having one of our most exciting products to date coming out soon, which is a fitted hat through Grassroots California.

 

TFD: Where can the products be purchased?  

SL: www.STOWNLTD.com. You can also check out some of our gear at Karmaloop’s website for independent brands www.kazbah.com & Select Stown LTD. from the drop down.

TFD: Spencer, what would you say you use for inspiration as a designer/artist? 

SL: I Love art, graffiti and all types of weird shit. I find inspiration in my friend’s reactions when I drop something new to keep putting out something that was doper than the last time. Seeing people rock my hats is the best reward.

TFD: What made you decide to start Stown LTD? 

SL: I started as an artist. I always tried selling my artwork and always found it to be a pain in the ass to go through the motions, and not sell dick as an un-established young artist. At the end of the day I found myself frustrated and underselling my work. At this point I decided I had to apply my artwork to a different medium. At the time, hats were becoming insanely popular, so we took a shot and tried to get some New Era hats made. The rest is history.

TFD: What do you see as the next step for the company? 

SL: I envision the next step for our company to be getting stocked in some influential brick & mortar retail locations. Having an exclusive product is great; at the same time it’s crucial to our evolution as a brand to continue to develop a strong customer base and following.

If you haven't heard of their work before, do yourself a favor and check out the links in this post. Definitely something worth looking into, that will more than likely leave you hooked. 


 

  

Breast Cancer Awareness Jets Sideline Cap

It should be no surprise to anyone at this point of the year that the New York Jets are having a...less than stellar season in the NFL. It is what it is. We, as fans, can't do anything about it, and we're just passengers of pain along for the ride (New York Jets Fan-Code Affidavit). 

That being said, let me introduce the Breast Cancer Awareness New Era NFL Sideline Cap for the fore mentioned New York Jets. This year marks the first year of New Era's outfitting partnership with the NFL, in which they are executing to perfection from most fans point of view. They have been great looking caps that represent each of the franchises, with a 59/50 fit that we all know and love. This specific cap that was released for all October games this year. It's marketed like any other New Era Cap with the size sticker and the league authenticated merchandise sticker, but has a third of a different variety. Located on the left side of the brim is a pink sticker reminding all of the pandemic of breast cancer. The sticker urges all to visit http://www.nfl.com/pink where you can bid on and buy "Pink" items where proceeds go to cancer research, schedule a yearly mamogram, and even learn about the disease. This is truly a great effort and partnership with the American Cancer Society by the NFL and New Era which I commend them both on. 

I know fashion is fashion, and a lot of people will probably just buy it for the unique colorway of gray and pink, but please remember there is a greater cause here of which you can wear the cap with pride.

The cap shown above has a gray crown, with the New York Jets logo front and center where the normally green areas are now highlighted in pink. The top and bottom of the brim is pink, and on the reverse of the cap, the breast cancer pink ribbon is centered with the NFL shield overlapping. 

You can help support and buy caps and other merchandise for your favorite franchise in support Breast Cancer Awareness HERE. 

New Era X EA Sports NFL Madden Inspired Snap-Back

It took 4 months, but it finally arrived. The New Era, NFL Madden inspired EA Sports Snap-Back is here. This cap is a mail-in exclusive offered through EA. As shown above, the EA Sports logo is located front and center, the company slogan, "It's In The Game", is located on the right side, New Era Flag on the left, and a chalk board play marked up on the under brim. The back features a khaki colored snap back clasp. Unfortunately, this cap was not for sale in stores. However, it is available on eBay, HERE. Definitely an exclusive I'm proud to have, and one I would want if I didnt own it; even if it isn't a fitted.   

Earn Your Stripes

Without a shadow of a doubt, if you're here reading this post, you've watched NCAA Athletics at some point in your life; more likely than not, it was college football. One program that constantly finds itself at the top of the rankings is the Louisiana State University Tigers. 

Perhaps this author has a soft spot in his heart for the  "Bayou Bengals" due to Louisiana being his state of birth, but it is a logo/font set that seems to excel in the unique purple and gold color-way as good as, if not better than the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. Something that speaks louder to a monarchy than the deep purple of the teams uniforms, is their prestigious history on the field. 

Since the football programs inaugural season in 1893, the Tigers have accumulated an all time record of 733-390-47 , good for a winning percentage of .647%. The teams current head coach, Les Miles, has personally accounted for 81 victories over an 8 season career in the Bayou State. The team has captured 8 division titles (competing in the SEC West), eventually leading to 3 claimed national titles; the most recent of which was in 2007. 

The programs only Heisman Trophy winner came in the form of running back Billy Cannon, in the 1959 season. Cannon has had his number 20 retired by the Tigers since the conclusion of the '59 season, and was the only player to receive the honor until 2009 when former defensive back Timmy Casanova joined the exclusive club. 

Unfortunately, the most recent LSU star to draw national attention, was 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist,  cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. Following a stellar campaign, concluding with a 21-0 loss to Alabama in the national title game in '11, Mathieu was dismissed from the program for misconduct of team policies. Following multiple reports of said violations possibly being failed drug tests, the rumors were confirmed when the young star checked into a drug rehab center in Houston, Texas. 

Now that you have a brief history of one of the most presigious programs in the land, lets review the cap. The crown and top of the brim are both purple, while the underside of the brim is yellow. On the front, we see the "LSU" word-mark in purple, with the "Tiger Face" logo inlaid, while resisting an overflow of the letters. On the rear, the "Tiger Face" is centered across the back 2 panels. 

Overall, a great non on-field 59/50 cap. It's clean, not too busy, with an all time classic logo and color-way. What else could you really ask for? 

Until next time, hope you enjoyed. 

Looking Forward into The Past

Some may love them, some may hate them, but all must acknowledge them; throwback uniforms. They are an undeniable feature of sports Americana. Certain teams choose to don uniforms from their heyday, others prefer to bring back looks from darker days and brighter colors, and some just simply do what they want. That being said, feast your eyes on the Tampa Bay Rays 2012 "Throwback Cap". 

The fore mentioned "Throwback Cap" is in quotes for a good reason. The club decided to represent an era in sports-logo design history relevant to the 1970's, when in fact the franchise was still more than 20 years away from existence. Strange idea without a doubt, but still one with much potential. This is perhaps the wildest concept in Major League Baseball since the 1998 season, when the marketing geniuses over at league headquarters decided to attempt a "Turn Forward The Clock" uniform project. That venture was nothing short of a train wreck. They used colors with no presence of team history, at times no sleeves, and even vertically aligned nicknames. Now that all of that is once again fresh in your mind, I must say Tampa Bay has (big sigh) avoided the root-canal-like pain of it. 

As a matter of fact, some would say the Rays did a pretty damn good job with it. HERE is what the total package looked like, as worn by team manager Joe Maddon. After digesting that, it is probably fair to say some of it looks questionable; but hey, so were the 70's. Luckily, they were nice enough to stick to the teams actual current color scheme. Conveniently, the powder blue does lend it self back to the intended era. The differentiation in sleeve and body color of the uniform, along with the cap's crown panels, really brings back memories from certain looks of the past. The only thing that seems off, however, is the choice in color of the pants. I understand the 70's were a time of pastel colors, however, along with the navy blue top, it makes the whole look seem "top-heavy" to me. But hey, if you take a peek at other teams during the decade, they didn't shy away from the concept either. Maybe it's something you just have to get used to. 

Going back to the cap, and cap alone, take a look at the style and font chosen on the letter mark and logo. I get the concept of the yellow circle with black lines dividing it into proverbial slices. It definitely references the roof of Tropicana Field, where the Rays play their home games, seen HERE. Could it also be representing a simplistic depiction of the sun and it's "Rays"? Perhaps. Either way, well done. The soft cloud-like font of the "T" and "B" looks similar to the current Tennessee Smokies 70's inspired home cap.

In review, the Tampa Bay Rays came pretty close to hitting the nail on the head with this unique project. It's certainly period correct, reminiscent of simpler times in the game we call America's Pastime, and an inspiration for teams that may attempt this in the future. I can think of a few who would entertain it off the bat. How about the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Miami Marlins with their vibrant colors, or even the Washington Nationals? A whole lot of interesting thoughts to ponder about throughout a relaxing weekend. 

The cap above was purchased at the New Era Cap Flagship Store: Miami. I'm sure it can been found in stores near you, as it is indeed different and interesting. It features two powder blue front panels, four navy blue panels, and a navy blue brim. The logo on front is a navy "T" and "B" for Tampa Bay, with a yellow circle divided into 12 slices. 

Love it or hate it, it certainly is worth admiring for a minute. Good job, Rays. Can't wait to see who tries it next.

A First Impression Is Everything

     It's happened to all of us at least once. You've walked into a cap store, perused the selection, and then had one in particular caught your eye. You've never seen it before, to your knowledge, but for some reason it appeals to you like no other before. Given the scenario, the odds are you couldn't resist and you added it to your collection. From then on, everyone stops you to ask what team is emblazoned on the crown and where they can buy it.

     The Clink Room, of San Diego, Calif. has been creating memories, such as the fore mentioned, since 2009. Jason and Casey, the originators of the modern day baseball logo revolution, have re-branded over 12 professional clubs in their careers. The most notable would be their work on the "re-imagined" Mr. Red Legs of the Cincinnati Reds. Additionally, the guys and their team have worked on teams such as the: Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Mobile Bay Bears, among others. As if they weren't impressive enough to this point, periodically they accept submissions from readers to create their own team concepts for New Era Caps, in "Fantasy-Leagues" (Check their website for details, it's certainly worth a look).    

     Recently, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to shoot the guys a few E-Mail questions in regard to their baseball-filled youth, admiration of the fitted cap culture, and incredible successes within the industry. It was honestly an honor to talk to the guys behind some of my favorite logos. I wish them the best success in the future, and assure them that I will be a fan for life. Keep it up guys.

The following is the Q & A from last week, as responded by Casey. Hope you all enjoy:

The Fitted Diaries: Growing up, were you an avid baseball fan?

The Clink Room: Yeah, Jason and I grew up loving the Padres and played Little League. Summers at Jack Murphy Stadium are some of our favorite memories.

TFD: If so, what teams did you grow up rooting for? (Major League and/or Minor League teams)

TCR: We're from San Diego, so we grew up Padres fans. Because we work for so many different MLB and MiLB teams, we're now sort of team agnostic. But whenever I see the Pads take the field in their bean & cheese on a retro-night I still feel that loyalty to our hometown team.

TFD: Have you been a fan of fitted baseball caps since you were young?

TCR: Yeah, we used to pour over the Starstruck catalog picking our favorite fitted MiLB logos. Of course getting the fitted meant you had the official hat not a giveaway. It always felt special.

TFD: Do either of you remember what your first baseball cap was? Do you still own it?

TCR: Mine was probably a Padres giveaway hat, but sadly I don't know where it is. The first fitted I had was a Kansas City Royals hat. I was probably 7 or 8 and because it had the "KC" on it and my name is Casey I thought I was pretty cool.

TFD: How many fitteds do you currently own?

TCR: I try to keep the collecting down to a minimum otherwise it could get out of hand. I have a box of a couple dozen that I keep for sentimental reasons. But other than that, once I've worn a hat for a couple months I donate it. Keep it fresh.

TFD: What was the first professional team design that you had ever worked on?

TCR: Our first team we worked for was the West Tenn. Diamond Jaxx in Jackson, Tenn. They gave us our first shot at branding a team. We'll forever be grateful to them for that. They have since been sold a few times and are under a different name and management.

TFD: What is your favorite professional team logo/design that you have created?

TCR: Too difficult to pick. They're like our kids. They each have a special place in our history. But a few notables, to me, are the Cincinnati Reds, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Clearwater Threshers, Lakeland Flying Tigers, and the Asheville Tourists. I'm leaving so many that I love out, it makes me feel bad.

TFD: What is your favorite "Fantasy-League" cap that has been produced through The Clink Room?

TCR: Also too tough to call. Let's say Clink Kong (below) is my favorite. He was named by Gyula Nemeth of Hungary and was designed by Kevin Werther of Webster, NY. He is Clink's mascot and I love everything about him. I love that he was created through collaboration and that represents what I love about The Clink Room.

TFD: What is your favorite baseball related logo past or present?

TCR: The Padres Swingin' Friar (below).

TFD: What do you feel makes a team logo a quality design?

TCR: From most important to least...

1. Story

2. History

3. Design

TFD: Is there anything in particular that you try to take inspiration from for a design/logo?

TCR: Research is the most important part of design. We travel to all the cities that our clubs play in and become honorary citizens for a few days. We talk to historians and take tours. We eat at the local joints and attend the game. A good sports design has to represent the city that the team plays in.

TFD: What made you decide to get into designing baseball logos?

TCR: We love sports. But what we love most about sports is fandom. Going to a baseball game, having a beer, talking to you buddies. Tailgating before a football game. This is what we wanted to be apart of. Seeing a uniform that you designed on the field is great. But the best thing is seeing a parent and their kid decked out in gear you designed. You really feel like you're part of something bigger. That's the best.

TFD: If you had your own baseball team, what would they be called?

TCR: The San Diego Scribblers

TFD: Are there any plans on expanding The Clink Room to sports other than baseball?

TCR: The hat has really become our specialty and I love exploring all the possibilities that a hat can have. That, of course, means that baseball will always be a huge part of our story. But Brandiose has grown a lot in the last year or two and you'll be seeing some of those changes in the next few months. We've got a lot of exciting things to unveil for Brandiose and The Clink Room.

TFD: Finally, What size fitted do you wear?

TCR: I'm a size 7 5/8 and Jason is a 7 3/8. I wear mine fresh out of the box and Jason likes to beat his up before wearing it. 

-Matt Aballi,

The Fitted Diaries

A Peek Inside The Workshop

It's apparent at this point that if you've found yourself reading today's post that you, like me, are an avid New Era Cap fan. You probably wear one every day, know all about the teams on the front of them, and even where they are produced (It's Derby, New York, if you weren't sure).

That being said, the great people at New Era are offering an opportunity to witness the making of their ever popular 59Fifty fitted cap. This upcoming Thursday, July 26 at 10 A.M., New Era is letting you take a peak at the process which results in something near and dear to us.

This LIVE chat, which will be conducted on Twitter through their official account @New_Era_Caps , will give you a chance to have all your questions answered in regards to the 22 step process to perfection. Remember to use #22steps leading up to and during the chat to spread the word about this unique experience.

Enjoy, Everyone. Hopefully this will make the ever-long work week go a little quicker.

Runnin' Up and Down The Hardwood

 Sure, your run of the mill gambler on the Las Vegas strip can walk into any casino, into any sports book, and place a bet on almost any mainstream franchise or athlete in the wide world of sports. However, one must wonder, does the home team bias play any role in the process? There aren't any professional sports franchises (Outside of the AAA level Las Vegas 51's) that call the Clark County city home, but there does happen to be one prominent division one college program in town.

The University of Las Vegas, Nevada has called the desert home since 1957. Sports weren't initially a priority for the school. None the less, it didn't take long for the administration to try their hand at being one of the many eye opening attractions in town. The schools basketball program, which will be the main focus of today's post, joined division one competition for the start of the 1970 academic season. Following 6 seasons of poor to mediocre play, the Runnin' Rebels found their stride in the 1977 season. That year, the club made it all the way to the Final Four. Time would tell that that certainly wouldn't be the last time America a go around with a grouping of twelve from the Sin City.

Since then, the Rebels have amassed 19 NCAA Tournament appearances, made 10 Sweet Sixteens, traveled to five Elite Eights, appeared in a total of 4 Final Fours, and even captured the National Title in 1990, defeating the Duke Blue Devils. Not too shabby for a D1 program that just short of its 45th birthday.

The Rebels play their home games at the Thomas & Mack Center, which they have called home since 1983. In addition to Rebels games, the 18,000-plus seat facility has hosted events such as the NBA All-Star Game in 2007, multiple guest speaking appearances, and a plethora of concerts. In it's time, the building has also seen plenty of stars pass through it's doors wearing the Scarlet and Gray.

Some of the more notable Rebels over the years that have had theirs jersey retired by the university are Larry Johnson, Reggie Theus, Greg Anthony, and Armen Gilliam. There are also multiple players who have played or currently play in the NBA, who have also run a fast break of two in the desert; some being: Joel Anthony, Louis Amundson, Marcus Banks, Shawn Marion, and even Isaiah "J.R." Rider.

The cap shown above was sent to me by a friend and avid reader of TFD, Angel Del Rosario, who you may remember from previous posts. Angel was recently featured by New Era in a Collectors feature video, which we shared a couple days ago on the blog. Angel was kind enough to pick this up from the UNLV bookstore, and send it my way a few months back. Props to him for that. It was much appreciated. The cap features a Scarlet and black crown, with a black brim. On the front, the UNLV Rebel caricature is centered in all his glory. On the reverse, the name "Rebels" is simply spelled out in Scarlet, over a black backdrop. Overall, an incredibly classic cap not to be overlooked.

Hope you all enjoy your Sunday, and distract yourself briefly from the unavoidable realization of yet another Monday being just around the corner.

To Hell and Back

Today, on TFD, we take a closer look at the New Jersey Devils. The Devils, as you may or may not know, are currently in the Stanley Cup Finals of the NHL, against the Los Angeles Kings. Game two of the 2012 Finals is tomorrow night at 8 P.M., when the Devils get their shot at redemption in this best of 7 series, following a game 1 overtime loss. The Devils, who are currently in their 30th season in the Garden State, are vying for their fourth Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history, let alone the past 17 seasons. 

In this years NHL post season, the Devils have outlasted the Florida Panthers in round one, blown past the Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games in the second round, and even defeated the cross-river rival New York Rangers in 6 games to reach the Finals. This is nothing short of remarkable after you reflect on the undeniable difficulties the Devils have faced: 

1.) Regardless of being perhaps the most successful and talented goalie in NHL history, Martin Brodeur turned 40 years old in the beginning of May. He is also in his 20th season on the ice, which undoubtedly has taken a toll on his mind and body. The teams success this season, and in seasons of past, is a true testament to his professionalism and personal preparation.  

2.) The Devils head coach this year, Peter DeBoer, is in his first season at the helm of the New Jersey franchise. Despite not having an abundance of familiarity with his roster, he managed to lead the team into the postseason with 41 regular season wins, and a 12 and 7 postseason record to this point. 

3.) Lastly, the fore mentioned three series victories in the playoffs so far. In the first round, the Devils were pushed to the brink of elimination by the Florida Panthers. The New Jersey club won back to back overtime thrillers in games 6 and 7 to advance. In the second round the Devils made quick work of the Flyers. After stumbling briefly in game 1, the Devils won 4 straight to close out the series. In the Eastern Conference Finals the Rangers pushed the Devils to the furthest extent of their talent. It took 6 games, but New Jersey was able to advance to the Stanley Cup, topping a 1 seed and perhaps the best team in the league. 

The Devils have certainly paid their dues this postseason, however they most certainly face a worth opponent in the Kings. The Kings have beaten a 1, 2, and 3 seed in succession to make it to the finals as an 8 seed. All we can do is wait to see if the Cinderella story will play its course, or if the glass slipper will remain off the West Coast franchises proverbial foot. 

The cap featured above is a throwback colorway for the New Jersey Devils, dating back to the period in the teams history from 1982-1992. Those were certainly the early foundation stages of a franchise that has risen to prominence through trial and tribulation. The cap features a Devil red brim, and a kelly green crown. Located symmetrically on the front is the Devils logo, which many feel is one of the best sports logos of all time. On the rear, is the NHL Shield shaded with the same kelly green. I found this cap at Cap City, located in West New York, New Jersey. The fitted is not available on the website currently, however that may change so check back regularly if interested. 

Have a great weekend, and GO DEVILS!!!