Perhaps the most anticipated series of the season thus far in the MLB began on Friday night, with the Los Angeles Dodgers heading to the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees. And the Yankees organization is seemingly trying to capitalize on the two biggest stars in the sport, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.
Baseball has had an issue with producing true sports stars for years. But even the average sports fans who may not consider themselves to be a “diehard” fan of the sport is quite familiar with both Judge and Ohtani.
With this in mind, New Era, the baseball cap producer of the MLB caps, decided to make a hat for the series that had both Judge’s and Ohtani’s numbers on it. The Yankees are even selling this cap, along with Dodgers Ohtani jerseys, in their team store during Game 1 of the series.
There has always been an inherent rivalry between the Dodgers and the Yankees dating back to when the Dodgers played in Brooklyn. So naturally, many didn’t love the concept of the hat.
Horrible. I hope it doesn’t sell. This isn’t how baseball works. https://t.co/xOtpRhgpFB
— Henry Sprinkler (@Barlog_WINS) June 7, 2024
If you buy this you shouldn’t be allowed to have money https://t.co/uvlN48ctrD
— Travis
(@travisparks24) June 7, 2024
This is an actual disgrace. https://t.co/tsHhyAgVtu
— Alex Núñez (@Noonz) June 7, 2024
Reminds me of when the Orioles used to sell Jeter t-shirts *in the stadium* when the Yankees came to town. Gross. https://t.co/cnh3IqG9Vi
— Ulysses S. Grant Appreciator (@USGAppreciator) June 7, 2024
that hat is diabolical https://t.co/nyJMkyUknL
—
(@RunThaBaII) June 7, 2024
There are obviously some sports fans out there who may root for individual players like Judge and Ohtani who may not have a designated favorite team. But particularly in baseball, they are without a doubt in the minority when it comes to fandom around the sport.
Say what you will about the actual design of the hat. But the entire concept of an organization like the Yankees promoting an opposing team’s player with this cap certainly feels a bit strange, albeit likely a widely profitable decision for the organization.
[MLB on X]