For these nine potential breakthrough players, 2016 could be the start of great things.
Nine MLB players who could be breakout stars in 2016
For these nine potential breakthrough players, 2016 could be the start of great things.
Author: rfagan@sportingnews.com (Ryan Fagan)
The best and worst of MLB’s new spring training caps
{“items”:[{“image_id”:0,”title”:”The best and worst of MLB’s new spring training caps”,”description”:”MLB released its new spring training caps designs on Thursday.\u00a0\n\nThe internet reacted, as the internet is wont to do. So why not join the fray,…
{“items”:[{“image_id”:0,”title”:”The best and worst of MLB’s new spring training caps”,”description”:”
MLB released its new spring training caps designs on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
The internet reacted, as the internet is wont to do. So why not join the fray, eh?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
I\u2019m not going to bother with these 10 teams \u2014 the Orioles, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros, Angels, Marlins, Phillies, Padres, Pirates, Giants \u2014 because their spring training cap designs are so very much like their regular-season cap designs. They\u2019re fine, not great or awful.<\/p>\n\n
MORE: A ’90s kid ranks ’70s MLB cap<\/a>s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
I am going to look at the other 20 teams, though, and offer my (unsolicited) gut reactions\/opinions. Sorry in advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n”,”rank”:0,”number”:0,”image_url”:””,”image_source”:””,”image_caption”:””,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”cover”},{“image_id”:”432335″,”title”:”\u200bDiamondbacks”,”description”:”
Gut reaction: <\/strong>Nope<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> I’m not opposed to the idea of a snake on the hat. I like the idea, actually. But trying to sneak in the baseball and the fangs and everything feels like a bit much. Be better (and not so cartoonish). <\/p>\n”,”rank”:1,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/47\/84\/diamondbacks-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_1t99qjbboknaa11c2pwy8u85p0.jpg?t=-1987329134″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/47\/84\/diamondbacks-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_1t99qjbboknaa11c2pwy8u85p0.jpg?t=-1987329134″,”image_caption”:”Diamondbacks cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432336″,”title”:”\u200bWhite Sox”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> It’s brilliant in its simplicity. The White Sox have a long history of awful uniform ideas\/combos (the collars? the shorts?) but that guy with his bat is beautiful.<\/p>\n”,”rank”:2,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/1c\/4f\/white-sox-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-ftrjpg_1ljpylwnw514d1qenu667jbeb0.jpg?t=-1987687166″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/1c\/4f\/white-sox-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-ftrjpg_1ljpylwnw514d1qenu667jbeb0.jpg?t=-1987687166″,”image_caption”:”White Sox cap”,”image_credit”:”(MLB)”,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432337″,”title”:”\u200bIndians”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Nope <\/p>\n\n
Thoughts: <\/strong>Gotta be honest … not a fan of the two-tone hats. Kudos for going with the classic “C” instead of Chief Wahoo, at least.<\/p>\n”,”rank”:3,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/89\/3d\/indians-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_13ydb5ijw1h4q1im437cuhvwtp.jpg?t=-1987693134″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/89\/3d\/indians-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_13ydb5ijw1h4q1im437cuhvwtp.jpg?t=-1987693134″,”image_caption”:”Indians cap”,”image_credit”:”(MLB)”,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432338″,”title”:”\u200bBraves”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> Gotta love the lowercase “a.” Reminds a baseball fan of a time when Hank Aaron was hammering home runs in Atlanta, and allows for Braves fans to momentarily gloss over the rebuilding process that the franchise is going through right now.<\/p>\n”,”rank”:4,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/40\/94\/braves-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_p0bjln2c2i8h1bup9k4g6igj1.jpg?t=-1988179166″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/40\/94\/braves-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_p0bjln2c2i8h1bup9k4g6igj1.jpg?t=-1988179166″,”image_caption”:”Braves hat”,”image_credit”:”(MLB)”,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432339″,”title”:”\u200bBlue Jays”,”description”:”
Gut reaction: <\/strong>Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts: <\/strong>This is my favorite of all the spring caps. The clean, crisp maple leaf design is excellent.<\/p>\n”,”rank”:5,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/f5\/57\/blue-jays-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_bsuy0k9nfrqf1civg671k5mdm.jpg?t=-1987322038″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/f5\/57\/blue-jays-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_bsuy0k9nfrqf1civg671k5mdm.jpg?t=-1987322038″,”image_caption”:”Blue Jays cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432340″,”title”:”\u200bAthletics”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Nope<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> I used to love this logo, when I was a kid and the circus was innocent in my eyes. Now, though, I can’t help but think of the reasons why Barnum & Bailey is retiring its circus elephants from its shows<\/a>. Do we really need that reminder at a spring training game? <\/p>\n”,”rank”:6,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/dc\/c0\/as-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_125qvdn2fhbpz13z7xk9exx0ic.jpg?t=-1987309134″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/dc\/c0\/as-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_125qvdn2fhbpz13z7xk9exx0ic.jpg?t=-1987309134″,”image_caption”:”A’s cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432341″,”title”:”\u200bReds”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> When you have a mustache like that in your history, you use it every time you can. Well done. <\/p>\n”,”rank”:7,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/89\/a3\/reds-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_jxotx1acxphx1ikne05wxxi3p.jpg?t=-1987693134″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/89\/a3\/reds-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_jxotx1acxphx1ikne05wxxi3p.jpg?t=-1987693134″,”image_caption”:”Reds cap”,”image_credit”:”(MLB)”,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432342″,”title”:”Rockies”,”description”:”
Gut reaction: <\/strong>Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> It’s not the greatest logo, but I’m a sucker for the Rocky Mountains (explored RMNP this summer) so this gets the thumbs up. <\/p>\n”,”rank”:8,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/2\/b0\/rockies-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-ftrjpg_123g3xg0a82251p0ke92nuzhl6.jpg?t=-1987697646″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/2\/b0\/rockies-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-ftrjpg_123g3xg0a82251p0ke92nuzhl6.jpg?t=-1987697646″,”image_caption”:”Rockies cap”,”image_credit”:”(MLB)”,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432343″,”title”:”\u200bTigers “,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Nope<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> Too damn much orange. When a design reminds a person of a traffic cone, that's less than optimal. The blue hats are solid, though. <\/p>\n”,”rank”:9,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/4\/55\/tigers-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_1bs08xokfwq161vrukn46jipro.jpg?t=-1987698678″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/4\/55\/tigers-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_1bs08xokfwq161vrukn46jipro.jpg?t=-1987698678″,”image_caption”:”Tigers cap”,”image_credit”:”(MLB)”,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432344″,”title”:”\u200bRoyals”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> When you’ve got the bling, you flaunt the bling, eh? Especially when the bling of 2015’s World Series title already fits your franchise theme of royalty.<\/p>\n”,”rank”:10,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/5\/b7\/royals-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_1h58z0m719klt1rfpoxerbouls.jpg?t=-1987706038″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/5\/b7\/royals-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_1h58z0m719klt1rfpoxerbouls.jpg?t=-1987706038″,”image_caption”:”Royals cap”,”image_credit”:”(MLB)”,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432345″,”title”:”\u200bYankees”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Nope<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> Yuck. This is easily the worst of the two-tone hats in 2016’s spring training collection. Why mess with one of baseball’s best cap designs?<\/p>\n”,”rank”:11,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/af\/18\/yankees-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_myv8ysyps0d21i14gfspkwwmg.jpg?t=-1987304134″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/af\/18\/yankees-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlbjpg_myv8ysyps0d21i14gfspkwwmg.jpg?t=-1987304134″,”image_caption”:”Yankees cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432346″,”title”:”\u200bDodgers”,”description”:”
Gut reaction: <\/strong>Yep<\/p>\n\n
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> I will always love the MB integrated into this design. I remember the first time I really noticed that, when I was busting open a box of 1987 Topps<\/a> back in the day. It’s brilliant, and it will always be brilliant. <\/p>\n”,”rank”:13,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/9b\/46\/brewers-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_19ynkddk2o1mn14bl7mc4n0qgs.jpg?t=-1987303166″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/9b\/46\/brewers-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_19ynkddk2o1mn14bl7mc4n0qgs.jpg?t=-1987303166″,”image_caption”:”Brewers cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432348″,”title”:”\u200bTwins”,”description”:”
Gut reaction: <\/strong>Nope<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> As we’ve established, I’m not a fan of the two-tone designs (when boring white is one of the tones). So this three-tone design? Ugh. The red-and-navy is OK, at best.<\/p>\n”,”rank”:14,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/c7\/5b\/twins-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_19nyopw6r6k0u1632xukcifvsq.jpg?t=-1987304134″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/c7\/5b\/twins-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_19nyopw6r6k0u1632xukcifvsq.jpg?t=-1987304134″,”image_caption”:”Twins cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432349″,”title”:”\u200bMets”,”description”:”
Gut reaction: <\/strong>Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> What more could you possibly want? I mean, Mr. Met is running. Though, I always wondered how Mr. Met could keep his balance when he’s running with that big head. Wouldn’t he topple forward into the dirt? <\/p>\n”,”rank”:15,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/91\/c0\/mets-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_26xqbfwjtqlg1hyge6o2bh6wp.jpg?t=-1987304134″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/91\/c0\/mets-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_26xqbfwjtqlg1hyge6o2bh6wp.jpg?t=-1987304134″,”image_caption”:”Mets cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432350″,”title”:”\u200bMariners”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Nope<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts: <\/strong>The logo is way too small, and it's probably too late to fix this.<\/p>\n”,”rank”:16,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/53\/3c\/mariners-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_1457kir8b3jb0zforfhnm5wry.jpg?t=-1987313646″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/53\/3c\/mariners-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_1457kir8b3jb0zforfhnm5wry.jpg?t=-1987313646″,”image_caption”:”Mariners cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432351″,”title”:”\u200bCardinals”,”description”:”
Gut reaction: <\/strong>Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> The birds on the bat is classic. Kudos for not messing with it too much. <\/p>\n”,”rank”:17,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/7\/e\/cardinals-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_3fxzlw0pght91of50feoere14.jpg?t=-1987313646″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/7\/e\/cardinals-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_3fxzlw0pght91of50feoere14.jpg?t=-1987313646″,”image_caption”:”Cardinals cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432352″,”title”:”\u200bRays”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Nope<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> This is still an inside baseball logo. How many casual fans would see this hat and have no idea which team it belongs to? <\/p>\n”,”rank”:18,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/45\/6e\/rays-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_ap21x7xegecx19oiukz4o31mo.jpg?t=-1987313646″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/45\/6e\/rays-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_ap21x7xegecx19oiukz4o31mo.jpg?t=-1987313646″,”image_caption”:”Rays cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432353″,”title”:”\u200bRangers”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Yep<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts: <\/strong>I like the shout-out to the team’s home state. And I was a bit of a maps nerd growing up, so I appreciate the nod to geography with the Texas outline. <\/p>\n”,”rank”:19,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/6b\/25\/rangers-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_n1jkinuwsqp31mq6iedihdz5p.jpg?t=-1987314678″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/6b\/25\/rangers-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_n1jkinuwsqp31mq6iedihdz5p.jpg?t=-1987314678″,”image_caption”:”Rangers cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”},{“image_id”:”432354″,”title”:”\u200bNationals”,”description”:”
Gut reaction:<\/strong> Nope<\/p>\n\n
Thoughts:<\/strong> Another two-tone. Sheesh. The red as the second color doesn’t help. <\/p>\n”,”rank”:20,”number”:null,”image_url”:”http:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/e\/55\/nationals-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_14ijhqksnzycv1citga8imgjyp.jpg?t=-1987322038″,”image_source”:”\/di\/library\/sporting_news\/e\/55\/nationals-ftr-spring-training-hats-mlb-jpg_14ijhqksnzycv1citga8imgjyp.jpg?t=-1987322038″,”image_caption”:”Nationals cap”,”image_credit”:””,”type”:”list”}],”list_ordering”:”ASC”,”version”:”V2″}