In MLB, when did the "rally cap" become popular with fans, and who is given credit for starting it?

rb6359

According to Wikipedia it was started by Detroit Tigers fans in 1942: "The first appearance of the Rally Cap was during the 1942 baseball season[citation needed], when fans of the Detroit Tigers, while in attendance at Tiger 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 Tigers players themselves, and rose to national awareness during the 1945 World Series when the Detroit Tigers were playing the Chicago Cubs. The Tigers were tied in Game 5 with the series tied at 2-2. In the sixth inning of that game, the radio announcer mentioned certain members of the Tigers in the dugout wearing their caps inside out. Subsequently, in that inning of that game, the Tigers scored four runs after a ball rolled between the legs of Chicago first baseman Phil Cavarretta. The Tigers then went on to win the game 8-4. The historic rally led to a Game 7 win, allegedly with the prominent assistance of their "Rally Caps" allowing them to become the 1945 World Series Champions. The Rally Cap subsequently was adopted by baseball fans internationally, being used to give their team a little extra mojo and come from behind. The Rally Cap is especially popular among Little League players as a way to spark a comeback." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rally_cap#History 2 votes. Aug 08 09, 5:24 AM