MLBVideoWeird But True

I Just Want That Hat: My Journey To Find A New York Mets Cap With Two Gold Stars On The Back

Our story begins with an apprehensive desire from the protagonist (me)—a young New York Mets fan—who wanted a new hat. My old Mets hat was broken down and tattered, sort of like many of the Mets teams of my youth. With a fresh 2012 team that has Mets fans alike quite optimistic at the All-Star break, I thought now was a good as time as any to christen this new team with a new hat.

I did my research. I looked at countless Mets hats. I looked at blue hats and black hats. Flat brims and snapbacks. Hats that featured the Mets logo, and hats that simply said “Mets.” There were so many different hats. Oh were there so many different hats. It was almost overwhelming. But I made my decision.

In the week leading up to the All-Star Game, when players were selected for the mid-summer classic, they were given special hats and jerseys to wear. The distinction was two small gold stars. The stars were not obtrusive or tacky, not too big, but not too small. They sat on either side of the trademark MLB logo that is featured on the backs of hats and jerseys. That was it; I wanted that hat.

I furiously combed the furthest reaches of the Internet. I Googled, Froogled, Amazon’d, and whored out my browser to anything that carried the slightest scent of what I was looking for. No dice. But I would not be easily deterred or defeated. MLB’s online store had hats very close to what I wanted—All-Star hats that indeed had the gold stars, but also had the large 2012 All-Star Game patch on the left side. I was not a fan of the patch. But it was the first instance of the gold stars I had seen. My eyes glimmered with hope. This lead had potential!

I quickly did what any good journalist would do; I asked a question. I went onto the contact section of the website, and sent this message to the head honchos of baseball.

Wrote: Dear shop.MLB.com,
I am very interested in purchasing a New York Mets hat. The specific
hat I want is the hat the players wore before the All Star Game—the blue
hat with the two gold stars on the back. I do not want a hat with the
All-Star patch. Is there any way to purchase a hat with just the two
gold stars. This is a serious request; as a Mets fan finally able to
feel some pride about his team, please help me to express my pride with
one of your fine products. Thank you, I look forward to your response.

- Evan

Maybe it was the hour of Fresh Prince I had just watched, or maybe it was my giddy excitement at the prospect of locating my hat, but I lay in bed sleeplessly all night. This is it, maybe I finally found it, I thought.

I woke up this morning and made my way to the SportsGrid headquarters (aka, our office in Manhattan). I checked my email to see a reply from MLB.com. I assumed it would be an auto-reply message telling me I should expect to hear from them within 2-7 days. But instead, I was greeted by this.

Dear Evan,

Thank you for contacting Customer Support at www.shop.mlb.com.

We apologize that we do not have the specific cap you are looking for.
The New York Mets Authentic Game Performance 59FIFTY On-Field Cap with
2012 All-Star Patch has the stars located on rear of the caps on either
side of the MLB Batterman logo. However, it also has the All-Star Patch.
This is the only cap that comes close to what you have requested.

Item Description:
2012 All- Star Patch on left side, as worn on-field
All on-field caps made with enhanced performance fabric, sweatbands, and
undervisors
Stars located on rear of caps on either side of the MLB Batterman logo
<------------
100% polyester

http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12897187

Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you, and
thank you again for contacting Customer Support at www.shop.mlb.com.

Sincerely,

Scott J.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Support at www.shop.mlb.com

My dreams were dashed; no I don’t want a hat with the patch on the side. Who do I look like, Steven Glansberg?

David Wright, I know you’re probably reading this article right now, and if you could just find it in your enormous heart to send me one of these hats, it will only further your 2012 National League MVP campaign. And Internet, if you have the whereabouts of said hat, and can provide me with such, I will be eternally grateful.

That is all.

…Probably how you all feel right now after having read this:

Follow Evan Sporer