Wearing Another Team's Hat

[monty57]

I live in Illinois and wear Brewer gear all the time. It often starts conversations, and any bad feelings are usually dismissed when the Cub fans realize that I usually know more about their team (or at least the players on their team) then they do.

 

As to what other people wear, I really don't care, that's their business.

 

Off topic, but this thread made me think of one time at a Spring Training game years ago when I was completely "homered up" in Brewer gear and a nice couple of ladies behind me asked who I liked. I assumed they had little knowledge of the team, so I said "I'm cheering for the Brewers." They replied that they got that, but asked if there were any players I liked. I started in on how the Brewers were rebuilding (last rebuild, not this one) and that they had some good players coming up. Before I could get too far, one of them stopped me and said "I know, I'm JJ Hardy's aunt, and this is his mom." Lesson about making assumptions learned :-)

[rickh150]

I think the difference is, at the stadium, everyone there is going to a baseball experience where a game will be played between two teams. If someone is wearing the logo of one of those two teams, it is assumed that he wants that team to win that game today.

 

At Target, there is no competition. Some people there love the Brewers, others are indifferent towards them. It doesn't matter who they root for, they're just buying laundry detergent.

 

The hat that I wear to the stadium is part of the experience of attending the game. The hat that I wear to Target is just to cover my head.

 

Completely disagree with this.... my fandom doesn't begin or end at the stadium. It isn't based on what others are wearing; no need for competitors' stuff.

Oh, yea, that is an opinion.

And turborickey is my new hero.

[yfinn6]

This thread had drama written all over it from the beginning. Anytime someone asks for opinions, there are always those that can't accept any way other than their own, and drama soon follows.

 

What I'm about to say is my opinion, I don't hold anything against anyone who's opinion differs from my own.

 

That being said, I would NEVER wear the hat of a team I do not back, period. I have one team in every sport I follow, just one, and it would be embarrassing for me to be seen in anything other than a Brewers hat. I don't care what reasons have been given, I am a one hat wearing true blue loyal to the hilt fan of one team, and one team only. I will never understand why anyone would wear the hat of any other team than the one they claim fandom of. I can not split my loyalties in any way, just doesn't work in my chemistry. Just doesn't make sense. I do not have an American league team, I do not have a National League East team, I have only one team, and I wouldn't be caught dead in anyone else's colors, jerseys, hats, or whatever...

 

I would never wear another team's hat because they had great colors, or a cool logo.

 

I would never wear another team's hat because I moved to another city.

 

I would never wear another team's hat because I am a Brewers fan to the core, and wearing another team's hat would be against my Brewers religion.

 

I don't understand when people say they are fans of more than one team... I just don't see how that is possible. There is one league, Major League Baseball. There is one team, the Milwaukee Brewers. I am against every other team, and nothing would or could make me done their hat.

 

One team, one hat, and that is that...

 

Phew, thankfully there are people like you around to set the record straight on trivial matters such as wearing a hat.

[Patrick425]

In the green sheet yesterday there was a story about the last opening day at Borchert field in 1952. There was a picture of the fans in the stands. Lots of suits, ties, fedora hats.

 

Got me thinking, I'm not sure how people were supposed to judge the level of fandom of others in attendance at these games during this era? How did they have any idea what team you supported? I guess they actually had to watch your reaction to what was happening on the field and make some sort of crazy assumption based on that. It must have been a burden to go out in public and not have anyone know what sports team you supported. I'm guessing they must have had to illustrate their support for a team by having conversations with others regarding that team. I'm also guessing that during that era that what you said during those conversations was enough to satisfy others on your level of fandom for any particular team. Man..those were crazy times!

[pitchleague]

In the green sheet yesterday there was a story about the last opening day at Borchert field in 1952. There was a picture of the fans in the stands. Lots of suits, ties, fedora hats.

 

Got me thinking, I'm not sure how people were supposed to judge the level of fandom of others in attendance at these games during this era? How did they have any idea what team you supported? I guess they actually had to watch your reaction to what was happening on the field and make some sort of crazy assumption based on that. It must have been a burden to go out in public and not have anyone know what sports team you supported. I'm guessing they must have had to illustrate their support for a team by having conversations with others regarding that team. I'm also guessing that during that era that what you said during those conversations was enough to satisfy others on your level of fandom for any particular team. Man..those were crazy times!

 

This made me spit my beer all over my keyboard! Thanks for the laugh!

[MillerParkSouth]

Ok another hat related question: has anyone successfully shrunk a new era fitted cap? I've got a couple that are just a tick bigger than I'd like them to be, but I'm hesitant to toss them in the wash or something.

[rickh150]

In the green sheet yesterday there was a story about the last opening day at Borchert field in 1952. There was a picture of the fans in the stands. Lots of suits, ties, fedora hats.

 

Got me thinking, I'm not sure how people were supposed to judge the level of fandom of others in attendance at these games during this era? How did they have any idea what team you supported? I guess they actually had to watch your reaction to what was happening on the field and make some sort of crazy assumption based on that. It must have been a burden to go out in public and not have anyone know what sports team you supported. I'm guessing they must have had to illustrate their support for a team by having conversations with others regarding that team. I'm also guessing that during that era that what you said during those conversations was enough to satisfy others on your level of fandom for any particular team. Man..those were crazy times!

 

 

Twisting the thread around.... really well played, though, by the way.

Debate has been on wearing other MLB teams' gear, not the lack thereof. If you saw any Phillies or other teams' hats at Borchert Field, well then that would fit the thread. My guess is that if you did, you'd assume they were fans of that team. Whether they were/are or not, that message of fandom is being sent out to the masses in general at Miller Park or even the supermarket, yesterday, today, or tomorrow.

Elaine Benes' deserved to be kicked out of Yankee Stadium, by the way....

[TURBO]

This thread had drama written all over it from the beginning. Anytime someone asks for opinions, there are always those that can't accept any way other than their own, and drama soon follows.

 

What I'm about to say is my opinion, I don't hold anything against anyone who's opinion differs from my own.

 

That being said, I would NEVER wear the hat of a team I do not back, period. I have one team in every sport I follow, just one, and it would be embarrassing for me to be seen in anything other than a Brewers hat. I don't care what reasons have been given, I am a one hat wearing true blue loyal to the hilt fan of one team, and one team only. I will never understand why anyone would wear the hat of any other team than the one they claim fandom of. I can not split my loyalties in any way, just doesn't work in my chemistry. Just doesn't make sense. I do not have an American league team, I do not have a National League East team, I have only one team, and I wouldn't be caught dead in anyone else's colors, jerseys, hats, or whatever...

 

I would never wear another team's hat because they had great colors, or a cool logo.

 

I would never wear another team's hat because I moved to another city.

 

I would never wear another team's hat because I am a Brewers fan to the core, and wearing another team's hat would be against my Brewers religion.

 

I don't understand when people say they are fans of more than one team... I just don't see how that is possible. There is one league, Major League Baseball. There is one team, the Milwaukee Brewers. I am against every other team, and nothing would or could make me done their hat.

 

One team, one hat, and that is that...

 

Phew, thankfully there are people like you around to set the record straight on trivial matters such as wearing a hat.

 

Why even make a comment like that? The thread is about hats, I commented, and you cared enough to open the thread, read the responses (or at least mine) then make fun of my comment?

 

Phew, thankfully there are people like you around to set the record straight on trivial matters such as commenting on the original intent of this thread...

[RobDeer 45]

The intent of this thread was to get people's opinions on this topic. That's what we are getting. Opinions are good and I think we just need to remember that just because someone's opinion is different than yours, doesn't mean it's wrong. Cool to debate this topic, and others, but don't get upset with people who don't agree with you. Have fun with it.

 

Good talk.

[BillScottCanRake]

At Target, there is no competition. Some people there love the Brewers, others are indifferent towards them. It doesn't matter who they root for, they're just buying laundry detergent.

 

The hat that I wear to the stadium is part of the experience of attending the game. The hat that I wear to Target is just to cover my head.

Blasphemy, I say! When I go shopping, I always wear my best khakis and a snappy red polo to leave no doubt as to where my allegiances reside with regard to shopping. So whether I am wandering through the aisles of Target or some other lesser store, my clothing says expect more. pay less.® every time. No one who ever sees me will ever call me a Kohls man.

 

I harbor no ill will towards you, of course, because you didn't know how my competitive juices get flowing when I see that red bulls-eye.

[monty57]

I wear hats in the summer mainly because after about 20 minutes in the sun my head burns. I usually have an ample selection of hats from which to choose, but if I were in a situation where I was going to be in the sun and the only hat offered to me was that of a non-Brewer baseball team, I would gladly wear it. The actual pain of sunburn and the potential for skin cancer is a far bigger concern for me than any worry of a stranger thinking I might be the fan of another team.

 

Honestly, the worry of a stranger thinking I might be the fan of another team is far down the list of my concerns in life. It's not non-existent, as I would certainly choose to wear just about anything other than Chicago sports related clothing, but it isn't something I'd lose sleep over.

[yfinn6]

This thread had drama written all over it from the beginning. Anytime someone asks for opinions, there are always those that can't accept any way other than their own, and drama soon follows.

 

What I'm about to say is my opinion, I don't hold anything against anyone who's opinion differs from my own.

 

That being said, I would NEVER wear the hat of a team I do not back, period. I have one team in every sport I follow, just one, and it would be embarrassing for me to be seen in anything other than a Brewers hat. I don't care what reasons have been given, I am a one hat wearing true blue loyal to the hilt fan of one team, and one team only. I will never understand why anyone would wear the hat of any other team than the one they claim fandom of. I can not split my loyalties in any way, just doesn't work in my chemistry. Just doesn't make sense. I do not have an American league team, I do not have a National League East team, I have only one team, and I wouldn't be caught dead in anyone else's colors, jerseys, hats, or whatever...

 

I would never wear another team's hat because they had great colors, or a cool logo.

 

I would never wear another team's hat because I moved to another city.

 

I would never wear another team's hat because I am a Brewers fan to the core, and wearing another team's hat would be against my Brewers religion.

 

I don't understand when people say they are fans of more than one team... I just don't see how that is possible. There is one league, Major League Baseball. There is one team, the Milwaukee Brewers. I am against every other team, and nothing would or could make me done their hat.

 

One team, one hat, and that is that...

 

Phew, thankfully there are people like you around to set the record straight on trivial matters such as wearing a hat.

 

Why even make a comment like that? The thread is about hats, I commented, and you cared enough to open the thread, read the responses (or at least mine) then make fun of my comment?

 

Phew, thankfully there are people like you around to set the record straight on trivial matters such as commenting on the original intent of this thread...

 

I don't tell people my opinion, and then say, "and that is that" as if it's fact.

[monty57]

Guys, this shouldn't be something to get too worked up over. We're talking about wearing hats here.

[yfinn6]

Guys, this shouldn't be something to get too worked up over. We're talking about wearing hats here.

 

It's the interwebs: we get worked up over the trivial.

[monty57]

Guys, this shouldn't be something to get too worked up over. We're talking about wearing hats here.

 

It's the interwebs: we get worked up over the trivial.

 

 

:-)

[Patrick425]

Guys, this shouldn't be something to get too worked up over. We're talking about wearing hats here.

 

It's the interwebs: we get worked up over the trivial.

 

Yes...isn't that what the internet is all about? If there is a story on the internet about a cat being saved from a tree, then it's perfectly acceptable to use the comments section to go on a tirade about world politics...correct?

 

Anyways...I guess the reason I'm a little "worked up" is this...When I go to a Brewer game I always wear a Brewer hat and I also usually wear a Brewer tee-shirt or pullover. If there was someone sitting in front of me with a Rangers hat (or some other team that they were not currently playing against), yes, I would probably assume that person is not a huge Brewer fan. I think that's somewhat of a fair assumption. However, if I struck up a conversation with the person and they went on about how many Brewer games they attend every year and that they have followed them for many years and that they are their favorite team and details about current and former Brewers and other evidence pointing to the fact that they are actually good Brewer fans, then I would assume that they are good Brewer fans. Regardless of why they are wearing a Rangers hat and how odd it seems, I wouldn't use an item of clothing to completely dismiss all other information regarding their fandom and have some hard rule in my head that if you wear a hat of another team (especially a non-rival) there is no way you can be a true Brewer fan. That's the argument that some seem to be making and that I'm having trouble understanding.

[yfinn6]

Same here, Patrick.

[chuckiehacks]

I'm all for wearing just Brewer hats to Brewer games, but I'll admit to having a closet full of other hats that I think are cool. Mostly throwbacks, like the Mariners trident M or this one:

 

[gypcasino]

The only way this thread could be more epic would be if this guy weighed in on the subject

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae282/gypcasino99/39537b0f-ca59-4db3-a646-86d1178b82a6_zps9wrprbv2.png

[homer]

The only way this thread could be more epic would be if this guy weighed in on the subject

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae282/gypcasino99/39537b0f-ca59-4db3-a646-86d1178b82a6_zps9wrprbv2.png

 

 

Chris Coghlan?

 

[Bikeage77]

 

I harbor no ill will towards you, of course, because you didn't know how my competitive juices get flowing when I see that red bulls-eye.

 

I read the rest of the replies after reading this one, and I'm still laughing. Thanks for that!

[TURBO]

 

 

I don't tell people my opinion, and then say, "and that is that" as if it's fact.

 

Maybe you could just lighten up.........a little. Why people get offended with other people's opinions on a message board is beyond me. I stated from the beginning my post was an opinion.

[JimH5]

At Target, there is no competition. Some people there love the Brewers, others are indifferent towards them. It doesn't matter who they root for, they're just buying laundry detergent.

 

The hat that I wear to the stadium is part of the experience of attending the game. The hat that I wear to Target is just to cover my head.

Blasphemy, I say! When I go shopping, I always wear my best khakis and a snappy red polo to leave no doubt as to where my allegiances reside with regard to shopping. So whether I am wandering through the aisles of Target or some other lesser store, my clothing says expect more. pay less.® every time. No one who ever sees me will ever call me a Kohls man.

 

I harbor no ill will towards you, of course, because you didn't know how my competitive juices get flowing when I see that red bulls-eye.

 

 

My Mets hat and I applaud you!

 

GO BREWERS!

[BillScottCanRake]

Thanks Bikeage and Jim. The real games can't start soon enough!

[rickh150]

Guys, this shouldn't be something to get too worked up over. We're talking about wearing hats here.

 

It's the interwebs: we get worked up over the trivial.

 

Yes...isn't that what the internet is all about? If there is a story on the internet about a cat being saved from a tree, then it's perfectly acceptable to use the comments section to go on a tirade about world politics...correct?

 

Anyways...I guess the reason I'm a little "worked up" is this...When I go to a Brewer game I always wear a Brewer hat and I also usually wear a Brewer tee-shirt or pullover. If there was someone sitting in front of me with a Rangers hat (or some other team that they were not currently playing against), yes, I would probably assume that person is not a huge Brewer fan. I think that's somewhat of a fair assumption. However, if I struck up a conversation with the person and they went on about how many Brewer games they attend every year and that they have followed them for many years and that they are their favorite team and details about current and former Brewers and other evidence pointing to the fact that they are actually good Brewer fans, then I would assume that they are good Brewer fans. Regardless of why they are wearing a Rangers hat and how odd it seems, I wouldn't use an item of clothing to completely dismiss all other information regarding their fandom and have some hard rule in my head that if you wear a hat of another team (especially a non-rival) there is no way you can be a true Brewer fan. That's the argument that some seem to be making and that I'm having trouble understanding.

 

I wouldn't completely dismiss him either! Wow! Talk about trying to put those on the other side of this debate in a negative light. This fictional man would seem to have a love for the Brewers, and he sounds like a man I'd like to talk baseball with, sure. But, sorry, I have reservations about his heart when his head has a big T on it.

 

In a nutshell.....

You believe one can be a true Brewers fan and wear pretty much whatever whenever (wearing other MLB gear when fixing a septic tank, scooping pig crap from a pen, or entering a cat lady's residence is permissible). I can't bring myself to that point. I believe "true" (my definition-only love Brewers) fans will want to NOT wear other MLB teams' stuff out for show. Why would they want it to be assumed that they have another allegiance?

 

A fringe fan has many other interests, fallbacks, and hedges when one team of theirs is down. The Brewers are on a losing streak so wear that Padre hat a bit more. Axford or K-Rod blew a save.... where is that Royals lid? On a losing streak, missing the playoffs again, don't like the manager's moves, get me anything to put on my head. Band wagon hoppers...

 

A great MLB fan who loves the game and certain players, but not necessarily always one team over another fits here too. Those people love the game, but depending on moves made or not made by the Brewers, their loyalty can shift on a dime. Front runners....

 

So overall, the key term is "true" and how you define it. Perhaps that is where some of the division in this thread lies.