MLB All-Star Game Hats With Player Signature Side Panels, 1998-2000, 2002

[aweinrib]

Anyone remember how cool MLB used to make their All-Star Game hats, with individual player signatures on the side? They'd also sell a version to the public featuring every player you could dream of (I know because I bought a 2002 Vicente Padilla Phillies hat as a precocious 11-year-old).

I've been trying to collect these for most of my adult life, but they come up so sporadically online (and when they do come up, it's mostly unwearable sizes like 7 and it's mostly the same players - McGwire, Griffey).

Is there a good spot online/a good forum for trying to seek these out? Vintage sports clothing? Hat collectors? My desperation increases with every year that goes by - and, as sports gear becomes more and more homogenized, it's harder to believe that they EVER produced and sold individual hats for the most obscure All-Stars on the field.

[mjohnatgt]

I'm not aware of one, aside from eBay. Maybe goodwill's online site.

[ewokpelts]

Most of the ones you would see available, IF available, would be the stars and Yankees. I was at the 02 ASG/fan fest and I can’t remember if they had everyone available for purchase. It was easier for them to have custom jerseys of every player.

And with them being embroidered and not iron on, i suspect Some players only had 1-2 hats made.

The hat game Was so Much different then.

[quackhead]

Are you talking about these:

[mjohnatgt]

Zubazz bill? Nice...

[PZero]

I bought a Derek Jeter one in 2002 outside Yankee Stadium. Really cool hats. I still have it somewhere.

[cfern023]

I collected em for a little, Still hunting a 2002 (Milwaukee) Piazza, have a few 98, 99 and one 2000.

Only have a Dunn for 2002, 98 Mcgwire and Ripken I think and a Expos player that signed his- I think its Livan Hernandez. Just moved but I gotta dig em out.

Have you seen a 2002 Piazza?

Would love a 1998 Piazza or Leyland Marlins one but I doubt they got out lol

[cfern023]

Originally Posted by aweinrib

Anyone remember how cool MLB used to make their All-Star Game hats, with individual player signatures on the side? They'd also sell a version to the public featuring every player you could dream of (I know because I bought a 2002 Vicente Padilla Phillies hat as a precocious 11-year-old).

I've been trying to collect these for most of my adult life, but they come up so sporadically online (and when they do come up, it's mostly unwearable sizes like 7 and it's mostly the same players - McGwire, Griffey).

Is there a good spot online/a good forum for trying to seek these out? Vintage sports clothing? Hat collectors? My desperation increases with every year that goes by - and, as sports gear becomes more and more homogenized, it's harder to believe that they EVER produced and sold individual hats for the most obscure All-Stars on the field.

Check facebook for Team Fitted, alot of OG guys in there- but they probably all "drifted" away from the group.

[abaseballjunkie]

Originally Posted by aweinrib

Anyone remember how cool MLB used to make their All-Star Game hats, with individual player signatures on the side? They'd also sell a version to the public featuring every player you could dream of (I know because I bought a 2002 Vicente Padilla Phillies hat as a precocious 11-year-old).

I've been trying to collect these for most of my adult life, but they come up so sporadically online (and when they do come up, it's mostly unwearable sizes like 7 and it's mostly the same players - McGwire, Griffey).

Is there a good spot online/a good forum for trying to seek these out? Vintage sports clothing? Hat collectors? My desperation increases with every year that goes by - and, as sports gear becomes more and more homogenized, it's harder to believe that they EVER produced and sold individual hats for the most obscure All-Stars on the field.

Mainly eBay, from what I know. I don't have any of them, but there are one or two guys in the Pro Cap Collectors group on FB who collect them. Lots of other great on-field caps and stories in there, too, if you'd like to gander!