CC Sabathia narrates documentary celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 59Fifty cap
Forget watches, bracelets and high-tech fitness trackers: The most important fashion accessory is the baseball cap. Not just a critical part of a ballplayer's uniform, the humble ballcap has transformed into a crucial element of style and culture worn by musicians, artists and everyone around the world who is looking for a fashionable head covering.
While times and fashions change, the baseball cap has steadfastly remained true to itself. Ever since New Era debuted the 59Fifty in 1954 -- 70 years ago -- the look has remained the same. To celebrate its birthday, New Era came out with a documentary about the lid. Narrated by CC Sabathia and featuring the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, the Celtics' Jayson Tatum, and director Spike Lee among others, the documentary looks at New Era's influence on the cap over the decades.
What may surprise you is that New Era didn't set out to be a baseball cap company. The company originally opened in 1920 to make dress hats like fedoras that were popular at the time. It took until 1934 when New Era produced a cap for the Cleveland Indians that everything changed.
“My grandfather said we should get into the baseball cap business," Chris Koch, New Era Cap's CEO, said. "'Everybody plays baseball, it never falls out of fashion, everyone is always going to wear baseball caps. We can make baseball caps for baseball players and that can be our business.'”
Watch the short documentary below and for more on the history of the ballcap click here.