Ye of the Slanty-Straight Brim: One of Baseball’s Great Mysteries

It’s one of baseballs’ great mysteries. The examples are few and far between. But they are there, and they are unmistakable.

No doubt you’ve seen one. During tonight’s All-Star Game, it was Edinson Volquez. My most memorable was Mike Cameron, as a member of the New York Mets. No matter where these men travel, their distinctive and completely inexplicable style seems to travel with them.

We speak of the bearers and wearers of the straight-brimmed, oversized slightly askew cap. These men, for whatever the reason, choose to don their official New Era headgear a bit differently than the rest of their Major League counterparts — or virtually anyone else in the world.

Back when I was rocking countless sweet lids, my only concern was how I could get that perfect arc. Hell, I even used some of those hi-tech tools to help ensure it was perfect. It was also fairly important that the hat not look like an oversized bread bowl on my noggin. Not these guys.

For these few proud(?) men, the objective seemingly is the exact opposite. Do not touch the brim in any way whatsoever. Keep it untarnished and perfectly straight as if starched stiff. Go for a fitted cap that is slightly bigger than is necessary. Then, if truly ambitious, add a slight rotation. Approximately 45 degrees in either direction, up to a full 90 for those willing to push the envelope to the brink.

Some sterling examples from a few of the keepers of the flame.

Edinson Volquez

C.C. Sabathia

Sweet Lou

Fernando Rodney

David Eckstein

Shawn Chacon

Mike Cameron

Brendan Ryan

Brandan Phillips

So, who’s rockin’ the slanty-straight brim on your hometown team? Learn us. We are continually fascinated by this phenomenon.

Ed note (12:40 a.m.): Apparently, Orioles All-Star reliever George Sherrill also rocks a tremendous razor-straight brim. Impressive.