I bought a new Pirates cap today. This is a big event for me. Over the past 11 years I have had a total of three. Sure I went through several as a kid, I remember one where the bill was all bent up like Stan Belinda's hat, but regardless the three Pirates hats of my adult years have a lot of memories attached to them.

The first of the trio I bought while attending my last game at Three Rivers, that was in August of 1999. It was alternate/red bill cap (the first go-around) and lastest me quiet a few years until an ex-girlfriend decided to mutalate it in one of her not-unusual fists of rage.

The second was a one of those floppy fitted jobs, solid black with the 'P.' That didn't last too long because unlike the authentics the cotton hats quickly fade in the sun. My once black hat turned to brown, to a greenish color, to tan, in a matter of a summer or two.

Number three has been my favorite. Solid black, authentic. Unfortunately due to too many bouts in the rain the 100% wool hat has shrunk a couple of sizes and I really can only comfortably wear it after getting a fresh haircut.

Number 4 - the new guy. Solid black with the gold 'P' again, but this is one of those new polyester jobs, not the tradional wool. We are still getting aquainted. To quote Garth from Wayne's World, "A first it's constrictive, but after a while it becomes a part of you." Hopefully we'll be together for a long time and maybe, MAYBE, this hat will get to see something that the others haven't, a winning season.