Rally cap
Encyclopedia
A rally cap is a baseball cap
worn while inside-out and backwards or in another unconventional manner by players or fans, in order to will a team into a come-from-behind rally late in the game. The rally cap is primarily a baseball superstition
.
fans of the 1940s recall certain players wearing their caps inside-out or in other fanciful ways, but it was not particularly linked to its current usage as a way to urge their teammates to "buck up" and come from behind. The Rally Cap as a good luck talisman
is said to have made its first appearance in the Major Leagues during the 1977 and 1978 Texas Rangers
seasons, when the team finished second in their division, and the cap was employed in several of their come-from-behind victories. But most fans and baseball writers trace their first awareness of the Rally Cap to the 1985 Major League Baseball season
, when fans of the New York Mets
, while in attendance at Shea Stadium
, occasionally would wear their baseball caps inside-out as a makeshift talisman
to generate a come-from-behind victory in the late innings of a baseball game. The superstition spread from the fans to the Mets players themselves, and subsequently to fans and players of the opposing teams when the Mets played on the road. The use of the Rally Cap rose to national awareness during the 1986 World Series
when the New York Mets were playing the Boston Red Sox
. The Mets were trailing in Game 6 with the Red Sox leading series three games to two. In the sixth inning of that game, the television cameras showed certain Mets players in the dugout
wearing their caps inside out. Subsequently, later in that game, the Mets scored four runs after a ball rolled between the legs of Boston first baseman Bill Buckner
, and the Mets went on to win the game and the series.
The rally cap subsequently was adopted by baseball fans internationally, being used to give their team a little extra mojo and come from behind.
players and managers has come be referred to by some fans as the Rally Chew. Boston Red Sox
manager Terry Francona
's chewing habits were attributed by some fans to his use of tobacco. When, in 2008, the Red Sox came up short against the Tampa Bay Rays
in their division, some blamed Francona's effort to kick his addiction to tobacco, and his switch to chewing bubble gum instead.
The Detroit Tigers are said to have resorted to Rally gum during their 2006 run to the World Series. In Detroit, the superstition began with Nate Robertson chewing massive amounts of bubble gum, sometimes so large that they barely were able to stay in his mouth. It appeared that the more gum he chewed, the better the Tiger's chances for a comeback. It eventually was picked up by the rest of the pitching staff. Big Nate brought it back briefly in 2007 to less effect.
in shootout situations. Instead of a traditional cap, however, hockey players will place their helmets on their heads backwards. Marc Savard
, during his stay with the Atlanta Thrashers
, is the originator of this tradition.
began using the rally cap in their advertising campaigns due to the fact that they were in serious financial trouble, along with much of the world's economy.
Baseball cap
A baseball cap is a type of soft cap with a rounded stiff brim. The front of the cap typically contains designs or logos of sports teams ,...
worn while inside-out and backwards or in another unconventional manner by players or fans, in order to will a team into a come-from-behind rally late in the game. The rally cap is primarily a baseball superstition
Superstition
Superstition is a belief in supernatural causality: that one event leads to the cause of another without any process in the physical world linking the two events....
.
History
The original appearance of the Rally Cap is a subject of some debate. Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
fans of the 1940s recall certain players wearing their caps inside-out or in other fanciful ways, but it was not particularly linked to its current usage as a way to urge their teammates to "buck up" and come from behind. The Rally Cap as a good luck talisman
Talisman
Talisman have several meanings:*TalismanBooks and novels* The Talisman , a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott* The Talisman , a novel by Stephen King and Peter Straub...
is said to have made its first appearance in the Major Leagues during the 1977 and 1978 Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
seasons, when the team finished second in their division, and the cap was employed in several of their come-from-behind victories. But most fans and baseball writers trace their first awareness of the Rally Cap to the 1985 Major League Baseball season
1985 Major League Baseball season
In 1985, the Major League Baseball season ended with the Kansas City Royals defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh game of the I-70 World Series. Bret Saberhagen, the regular season Cy Young Award winner, was named MVP of the Series...
, when fans of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, while in attendance at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
, occasionally would wear their baseball caps inside-out as a makeshift talisman
Amulet
An amulet, similar to a talisman , is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—, to...
to generate a come-from-behind victory in the late innings of a baseball game. The superstition spread from the fans to the Mets players themselves, and subsequently to fans and players of the opposing teams when the Mets played on the road. The use of the Rally Cap rose to national awareness during the 1986 World Series
1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
when the New York Mets were playing the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. The Mets were trailing in Game 6 with the Red Sox leading series three games to two. In the sixth inning of that game, the television cameras showed certain Mets players in the dugout
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
wearing their caps inside out. Subsequently, later in that game, the Mets scored four runs after a ball rolled between the legs of Boston first baseman Bill Buckner
Bill Buckner
William Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6...
, and the Mets went on to win the game and the series.
The rally cap subsequently was adopted by baseball fans internationally, being used to give their team a little extra mojo and come from behind.
Origins of belief
The belief behind the rally cap is generally to sacrifice a small amount of one's dignity in exchange for a little luck for one's team. It is widely understood that the baseball cap must be one depicting the logo of the team in order to be used as a rally cap.Other uses of "rally" items
The use of chewing tobacco as a good luck talisman by Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
players and managers has come be referred to by some fans as the Rally Chew. Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
manager Terry Francona
Terry Francona
Terry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a former Major League Baseball manager and a former player. He was a first baseman and outfielder in the majors from 1981 to 1990. After retiring as a player, he managed several minor league teams in the 1990s before managing the Philadelphia Phillies for...
's chewing habits were attributed by some fans to his use of tobacco. When, in 2008, the Red Sox came up short against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in their division, some blamed Francona's effort to kick his addiction to tobacco, and his switch to chewing bubble gum instead.
The Detroit Tigers are said to have resorted to Rally gum during their 2006 run to the World Series. In Detroit, the superstition began with Nate Robertson chewing massive amounts of bubble gum, sometimes so large that they barely were able to stay in his mouth. It appeared that the more gum he chewed, the better the Tiger's chances for a comeback. It eventually was picked up by the rest of the pitching staff. Big Nate brought it back briefly in 2007 to less effect.
Use in the NHL
The rally cap has also been used recently in the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
in shootout situations. Instead of a traditional cap, however, hockey players will place their helmets on their heads backwards. Marc Savard
Marc Savard
Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome...
, during his stay with the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
, is the originator of this tradition.
Use in the media
In 2009, General MotorsGeneral Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
began using the rally cap in their advertising campaigns due to the fact that they were in serious financial trouble, along with much of the world's economy.