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Voting underway in 'Greatest Gorra' final round

Fans selecting best cap in MiLB's Copa de la Diversión initiative
@tylermaun
June 9, 2020

And then there were two. In one corner, a two-time Copa champion and Triple-A heavyweight. In the other, the upstart short-season challenger from the Pacific Northwest with big dreams. An initial field of 92 caps has been whittled to a pair of finalists in the battle to be named the

And then there were two. In one corner, a two-time Copa champion and Triple-A heavyweight. In the other, the upstart short-season challenger from the Pacific Northwest with big dreams.

An initial field of 92 caps has been whittled to a pair of finalists in the battle to be named the "Greatest Gorra" in the Copa de la Diversión, Minor League Baseball’s initiative recognizing and honoring Hispanic and LatinX communities. Following more than two weeks of voting, the Soñadores de Hillsboro (Hillsboro Hops) and Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico (Albuquerque Isotopes) are going head-to-head after dispatching the Medusas de Lakewood (Lakewood BlueClaws) and Llamas de Hickory (Hickory Crawdads) in the semifinals.

Fans can cast their ballot in the finals through Thursday before the Greatest Gorra is revealed this Friday. Need to know a little more about both logos before making your decision? Read on.

Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico: The Copa de la Diversión initiative isn’t very old, but the Mariachis are already building a dynasty. Copa winners in the initiative’s first two seasons in 2018 and 2019, the Albuquerque team has welcomed some of the largest crowds in franchise history for its Mariachis nights. "Mariachis represent celebrations and shared experiences for family and friends; the very fabric of Minor League Baseball," the team’s Copa brand story declares. "By rebranding to the ‘Mariachis,’ the team honors the function of these musicians, celebrates their heritage and provides a communal bonding experience over dance, attire and music."

Soñadores de Hillsboro: Four levels down the Minor League ladder from the Mariachis, the Soñadores have established themselves as another crown jewel of the Copa de la Diversión, and their colorful mark helped them burst onto the scene. Featuring a dog howling skyward, the Soñadores (or “Dreamers”) embody the visions of players, fans and members of the LatinX community, "despite the risks and obstacles which lie ahead." With a color scheme featuring blues, pinks, greens and yellows, the Soñadores imagine the excitement of dreams and accomplishments ahead with obstacles overcome.

At the start of the competition, one MiLB.com staffer selected the Soñadores as her cap to pick:

"I’m tipping my cap to the underdog, the Class A Short Season Soñadores," noted editor Paige Schector. "And that’s not only because I’m an animal lover and activist, but also because it represents the sum total of all of our hopes and dreams. The very idea of working hard to achieve your goals despite all the inherent risks and obstacles is a noble outlook on life, and this particular Copa cap exemplifies that philosophy to a T. For the Soñadores, it’s about engaging in the process as a team, howling to the heavens above when it works out and even when it doesn’t. Plus, it's colorfully cool."

Now, the choice is yours.

Tyler Maun is a reporter for MiLB.com and co-host of “The Show Before The Show” podcast. You can find him on Twitter @tylermaun.