MLB Umpire Caps

The MLB umpire in the picture on the left is Marty Foster.  He is irrelevant to this post, but his cap is not.  The only reason he is used in this post is because of the cap that he is wearing.

This cap has been appearing on ebay recently and has been selling in the 200-300$ range.

Why?

I wanted to know myself.  I do own one..but never understood the history behind it until I did the research for this post.

This cap is unique because it was only worn by MLB umpires for the 2000 regular season only.

I have watched numerous youtube  videos of the 2000 NL and AL playoffs and World Series...and this cap is never worn.

Why 2000 only?

Here is what I found out from some internet research:

In 1999,the Major League Umpires Association had a mass strike in which 68 MLB umpires resigned in an attempt to force negotiations in a labor dispute.

MLB accepted some of the resignations and hired new replacements, thus breaking the union.

The Major League Umpires Association was decertified and the World Umpires Association was formed (WUA).

The tags on this cap clearly indicate that the cap was made from 1999-2004.

It's hard to see, but the leather band is a staple of umpire caps and was not used for MLB player caps since the 1980's

As for the post-season in 2000, every picture and video that I have seen, has the MLB umpires wearing this logo:

If you have one of the MLB Umpire caps from the 2000 season, hold onto it.  It's a rare collectible.

If you are inclined to sell it, bidding should start at a minimum of 300 dollars.

Ebbets Field Flannels, Lids, Ideal Cap Company... this cap would sell.. I've done the work for you.

If you are going to sell it, don't be a jackass and use the same pictures from the same person who sold it to you!