Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

These 10 hats took the crown in 2023

Minor League clubs create fan favorites with fun, fashion
@Kelsie_Heneghan
January 12, 2024

From historic to anthropomorphic, Minor League hats are something else. They can represent the city, the culture, the cuisine, and they look good doing it. For the sixth straight season, MiLB celebrates National Hat Day by looking at some of the top-selling Minor League caps per New Era and MiLBStore.com.

From historic to anthropomorphic, Minor League hats are something else. They can represent the city, the culture, the cuisine, and they look good doing it.

For the sixth straight season, MiLB celebrates National Hat Day by looking at some of the top-selling Minor League caps per New Era and MiLBStore.com.

Past lists: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022

Before we dive into the cream of the cap, a few honorable mentions. The Rocket City Trash Pandas' hat is a perennial favorite, and this year, their Copa de la Diversión identity, Lunáticos, drew in the fanatics. The Richmond Flying Squirrels' Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond look featuring a righteous rodent was one of the most popular from the superhero series. Also, the Rome Emperors made quite the entrance when the brand was unveiled in mid-November.

Buffalo Bisons

Buster is sliding into the hearts of hat wearers everywhere. The “retro slide” design -- which Buffalo first rocked from 1998-2008 -- features the mascot sliding into home plate, creating a cloud of dust in the background as "Bisons" flashes above, almost like a title card. New Era, whose headquarters is less than a mile from Sahlen Field, has created several versions of the look in a variety of colors that continue to find new audiences. The khaki and red one, for instance, was an international hit. Buffalo also has another sensation with its Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond cap, which also graced this list last year. Tapping into the icy weather Buffalo is known for, this hat features a frigid Bison that is staring you down. “It's just Buffalo's way of being able to forge through and herd on through the heavy winters and the heavy snow that we have, and maybe we can ice out our opponents and last even in the tough times,” said Theresa Cerabone, manager of retail, licensing and entertainment.

Queens Kings

The Queens Kings only played one season in the Minors, but their reign continues 23 years later. Meant to be a temporary stop before the Brooklyn Cyclones’ home in Coney Island was ready, Queens brought it with the design from the jump. As part of Minor League Baseball’s Hometown Collection, brands like the Kings live on and even get updated looks, like this Queen of Hearts cap. As with most of the club’s designs, the playing card king pops out of the Q. In this case, the logo is surrounded by a yellow glow against the stark white backdrop. This crown features a heart in one of the eyelets, as well as a hand of cards on the side that is one shy of a royal flush.

Sacramento River Cats

Since 2019, the River Cats have rocked Cardinal red as their primary cap. The deep color and monotone bill make for a unique twist on a classic look. The black RC is lined with River Cats Gold to complete the club’s signature color palette. “Because that's the one that the team wears the most on our field, I think that's the one that our fans recognize the most as River Cats,” said Erin Kilby, Sacramento’s director of merchandise. “Both the black and the cardinal RC are very classic and seen all over our ballpark.” Kirby has also heard from several people with the initials RC that are drawn to the hat.

Tacoma Rainiers

After making a splash in 2021, the Rainiers’ navy on-field home cap returns to this list and brings the alternate red hat with it. An homage to the defunct, yet beloved Rainier Brewing Company, the “iconic” Rainier R has been with the club since its 1995 inception, while the red was incorporated in 2009. “People are proud to wear it,” said Ashley Schutt, the club’s director of baseball ops and merchandise. “We have over 30 different variations of our hat in our store right now, but I think people will always gravitate toward that navy and red just with that simple and classic design.”

Hartford Yard Goats

Is this the GOAT of goat hats? Yes. Hartford’s home cap makes this list for the second straight season, this time with the green bill, which not only adds a pop of color, but a local flair. Green and blue are a popular combo in the city of Hartford, first worn by the also defunct, yet beloved, Whalers, and now by the USL’s Hartford Athletic. The cap combines the history of the area -- a yard goat is a railroad term -- while bringing the whimsy of a fierce goat chewing a bat. “I'm very happy that people are also admiring what we do here in Hartford,” said merchandise manager Ryan Sandler, who grew up in the area. “We ship around the country; we ship around the world as well. … I think it just really embodies Hartford as a whole from the colors to just the pride that the city of Hartford has for people, the team and everything else in between.”

El Paso Chihuahuas

Since 2019, the Chihuahuas have taken on the Margaritas identity for Copa de la Diversión to celebrate the refreshing drink that was created in Juárez, Mexico, just across the border from El Paso. In 2023, the club gave the cocktail design a twist by making it a strawberry margarita. The bold shades of the traditional red and blue provided a more palatable look from the previous neon green -- though the shade still provides some pop on the hat. El Paso’s classic on-field cap also remains a popular choice among locals and those across the country, as well as the chihuahua swinging a bone bat. “You have a lot of people who leave El Paso but are still part of the El Paso community,” said David Apodaca, the Chihuahuas' retail and merchandise operations manager. “So for them, having a chihuahua hat only makes home closer to them.”

Albuquerque Isotopes

It’s hard to talk about Copa de la Diversión without mentioning Albuquerque’s Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico identity, which has taken home the prize in three of the five seasons a winner has been named. After initially sporting a red design, the club injected turquoise, providing another tie to the Southwest while also creating an eye-catching colorway. “The sugar skull on the front of the cap is a huge part of Hispanic culture, and it really resonates with our fan base here in Albuquerque and in the state of New Mexico,” said Forest Stulting, the club’s media relations manager. “It's become a very signature hat and logo for not only the Isotopes, but the city itself.”

Durham Bulls

Arguably the most famous Minor League hat, the snorting bull running through the D gained notoriety with the 1988 film “Bull Durham.” Both the hat and the movie have withstood the test of time well. The orange pops off the blue, while the bull brings the ferocity in this simple, yet thoughtful design. The city’s initial evokes historic origin ballcaps, while the animal speaks to the evolution of design by the industry. “It's just iconic,” said Bryan Wilson, the team’s director of merchandise. “It's a symbol of the Durham Bulls and more importantly, it's a symbol of Minor League Baseball.”

Hudson Valley Renegades

Now for something tasty. Wanting a local food identity, the Renegades turned to the cider donut, a signature fall treat that takes advantage of nearby orchards. The design stars Dusty, who, naturally, is covered in cinnamon dust. Dusty holds an apple with baseball seams in one hand and an apple cider jug in the other as he blissfully takes a stroll. Conjuring fall leaves, the dark green and burnt orange colorway provides a breath of fresh air among classic cap options. Marking the first time the Yankees’ High-A club wore an alternate identity outside of Copa, fans proved the appetite was there. On the Cider Donuts’ debut game day, the club broke a single-game sales record. “It is such a different looking, fun logo,” said team PR director Joe Vasile. “It's something that's really kind of eye-catching. … Any time I wear it, I get a bunch of random people coming up to me like, ‘What is that?’”

Eugene Emeralds

What started as a comedic tragedy in 1970 ended up as one of the most popular alternate identities in the Minors. Honoring the video of a beached whale that was blown up in a failed attempt at an efficient cleanup that eventually went viral decades later, Eugene donned the Exploding Whales persona. The hat features a whale with a “quirky smile” holding a lit stick of dynamite. “It's a unique character; it's not super angry like these typical logos you see,” general manager Allan Benavides said. “I think the color combination of the light blue and the red just pops really well along with the hat. And it's just been a dynamic piece.”

Kelsie Heneghan is a writer for MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kelsie_Heneghan.

2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved

July 2, 2020

Minor League Baseball has announced that the 2020 Minor League Baseball season has been shelved, due to the impacts of COVID-19, therefore, Major League Baseball will not be sending players to Minor League affiliates this summer. As a result, there will not be a 2020 Minor League Baseball season, including

2020 Season Update

June 9, 2020

We hope everyone and their loved ones are doing well and staying safe during the current pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 precautions, the Governor’s guidelines for reopening, and the fact that MLB has not yet announced when or under what conditions it will supply minor league players to our club,

Staten Island Yankees Announce Partnership with “Feeding Our Frontline” Campaign

April 20, 2020

STATEN ISLAND - The Staten Island Yankees and the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation are pleased to announce they have partnered with Staten Island Borough President James S. Oddo, the Federation of Teachers, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce's "Feeding Our Frontline" Campaign. Most recently, they have donated $5,000

Staten Island Yankees Announce 2020 Coaching Staff

The Staten Island Yankees will be managed by Dan Fiorito
February 21, 2020

STATEN ISLAND - The Staten Island Yankees are excited to announce that Dan Fiorito has been named Manager for the 2020 season. Fiorito will be joined by newcomers to the coaching staff, Dustin Glant and Ryan Chipka, and some familiar faces, Teuris Olivares, Jon Becker, and Danny Smith. Ryan Shute

Staten Island Yankees Praise Congressional Effort to Save Minor League Baseball

The Staten Island Yankees today praised the newly created Save Minor League Baseball Task Force that has been organized by members of Congress
December 4, 2019

(Staten Island, NY) - The Staten Island Yankees today praised the newly created Save Minor League Baseball Task Force that has been organized by members of Congress to prevent Major League Baseball (MLB) from eliminating 42 minor league franchises, nearly one quarter of all minor league teams around the country."We

Staten Island Yankees Announce Free Shirt Fridays & Fireworks Shows for 2020

New for the 2020 season, the Staten Island Yankees are giving away free t-shirts every Friday game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George.
November 21, 2019

STATEN ISLAND - New for the 2020 season, the Staten Island Yankees are giving away free t-shirts every Friday game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. Fans will have the opportunity to receive one of five unique t-shirts for every Friday night game they attend. It all starts

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES ANNOUNCE 2020 SCHEDULE

The Staten Island Yankees are excited to announce the team's schedule for 2020 with game times
September 18, 2019

STATEN ISLAND - The Staten Island Yankees are excited to announce the team's schedule for 2020 with game times. The season begins on the road, against the defending New York-Penn League Champion Brooklyn Cyclones, on June 18th. The SI Yanks come home to Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George

Staten Island Falls To Brooklyn, Ending Playoff Hopes

The Staten Island Yankees fell to the Brooklyn Cyclones 5-4 on Sunday afternoon
September 1, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees fell to the Brooklyn Cyclones 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George.Brooklyn opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single by Luke Ritter, but the Yankees answered with a two-run RBI single by Andres Chaparro to

Staten Island Outlasts Hudson Valley To Win Vital Rubber Game

The Staten Island Yankees defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades 2-0 to win the rubber game
August 30, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades 2-0 to win the rubber game of this three-game series at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Friday night.The Yankees and Renegades were involved in another tight game on Friday with the pitchers taking center stage early on in the

Staten Island's Late Comeback Falls Short As Hudson Valley Holds On To Win 6-5

The Staten Island Yankees fell 6-5 to the Hudson Valley Renegades on Thursday night
August 29, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees fell 6-5 to the Hudson Valley Renegades on Thursday night at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.Hudson Valley got off to a good start scoring three runs in the first inning, two of which scored on an error by Andres Chaparro. The Renegades added another run

Staten Island Comes Back To Beat Hudson Valley In Series Opener

The Staten Island Yankees defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades 3-2 to win the first game of three game series
August 29, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades 3-2 to win the first game of three game series at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Wednesday night.Hudson Valley took the lead with runs in the third and fourth inning behind a sacrifice fly and an RBI from Greg

Pizza Rats Win Pitcher's Duel Over Aberdeen To Take Final Game Of Series

The Staten Island Pizza Rats, in their final game with the name this season, defeated the Aberdeen Ironbirds 1-0
August 24, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Pizza Rats, in their final game with the name this season, defeated the Aberdeen Ironbirds 1-0 in another pitcher's duel at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Saturday night.Tonight it was Blakely Brown for Staten Island and Houston Roth for Aberdeen who starred on the rubber.

Aberdeen Edges Staten Island In Friday Night Pitcher's Duel

The Staten Island Yankees dropped the second game of a three-game set 1-0 in a Friday night
August 23, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees dropped the second game of a three-game set 1-0 in a Friday night pitcher's duel at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.Staten Island's Nelvin Correa and Aberdeen's Jake Lyons matched each other pitch for pitch and both put up five scoreless innings in what turned into

Staten Island Yankees Announce 2019 Pride Night Promotion

Pride Night returns to Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Friday, August 30th
August 20, 2019

STATEN ISLAND - Pride Night returns to Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Friday, August 30th as the Staten Island Yankees host the Hudson Valley Renegades at 7:00 p.m. Gates to the ballpark open at 6:00 p.m.The promotion will feature a game-worn jersey auction as the Staten Island Yankees will wear

Staten Island falls to Aberdeen in rain shortened game 4-1

The Staten Island Yankees fell 4-1 in game one a three-game series with the Aberdeen Ironbirds
August 22, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees fell 4-1 in game one a three-game series with the Aberdeen Ironbirds in a rain shortened affair on Thursday night at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.The Yankees took the lead in the first inning on a home run by Ezequiel Duran, but the Ironbirds responded

Team Oddo defeats Team Rose to win fun and entertaining New York-Penn League All-Star Game

Team Oddo defeated Team Rose 7-3 on a fun and entertaining night of baseball
August 21, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees were the hosts of the 2019 New York-Penn League All-Star Game and it did not disappoint at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Wednesday night.Team Oddo defeated Team Rose 7-3 on a fun and entertaining night of baseball on Staten Island with Tri-City ValleyCats catcher

Staten Island Falls To Lowell In Final Game Of Series

The Staten Island Yankees fell to the Lowell Spinners 7-6 in the final game of their three-game home series
August 16, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees fell to the Lowell Spinners 7-6 in the final game of their three-game home stand at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Friday night.The Spinners opened the scoring in the first inning with a Joe Davis sacrifice fly RBI, but the Yankees would answer with

2019 All Star Game Rosters Announced

August 15, 2019

On August 4th Staten Island Borough President James Oddo and United States Congressman Max Rose (NY, 11th District) selected their rosters for the 2019 New York-Penn League All Star Game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, which will take place on Wednesday, August 21st. Team Blue was selected

Staten Island Yankees Announce All-Star Team Selection Format and Event Details

On Sunday the teams were selected by United States Congressman Max Rose (NY, 11th District) and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo.
August 5, 2019

STATEN ISLAND - The New York-Penn League's 15th annual All-Star game will be played at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George on Staten Island on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. On Sunday the teams were selected by United States Congressman Max Rose (NY, 11th District) and Staten Island Borough President

Staten Island Sweeps Doubleheader Against Lowell Behind Late Game Heroics

The Staten Island Yankees swept the doubleheader with the Lowell Spinners
August 15, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees swept the doubleheader with the Lowell Spinners on Thursday afternoon at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George.The Yankees won the opener 3-0 behind a fantastic start from Nelvin Correa who threw a complete game shutout and allowed just three hits in the victory.Isaiah

August 14th Postponed

Tonight's game (August 14) against the Lowell Spinners has been postponed due to continual storms
August 14, 2019

Tonight's game (August 14) against the Lowell Spinners has been postponed due to continual storms. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow on Thursday, August 15th, beginning at 12:00 p.m. with gates opening at 11 a.m. Tickets purchased for the Thursday, August 15th game will

Sanford's Extra Inning Walk-off Home Run Lifts Yankees Over Cyclones In Epic Game

The Staten Island Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones 7-5 in 11 innings
August 13, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones 7-5 in 11 innings to win the final game of the three-game set at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Tuesday night.The Yankees opened the scoring in the first inning as they put two runs on the board with the big

Staten Island Falls To Brooklyn In Opening Game Of Series

The Staten Island Yankees fell to the Brooklyn Cyclones 11-4 on Sunday
August 11, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees fell to the Brooklyn Cyclones 11-4 on Sunday at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.It started off well for the Baby Bombers as Mitchell Robinson gave the Yankees the lead in the first inning with a two-run double. They added another on a Brooklyn error to

Staten Island's Pitching Outduels Mahoning Valley As Yanks Sweep Series

The Staten Island Yankees defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 1-0
August 4, 2019

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-The Staten Island Yankees defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 1-0 at Richmond County Bank Ballpark to complete a sweep of the weekend series.It was all about the pitching on Sunday as Blakely Brown threw six shutout innings of one hit ball for the Yankees and the bullpen backed