Why is the New York Yankees cap so famous? A look into the legacy behind the iconic headwear

The New York Yankees are among the most famous and globally recognizable sports teams in the world. Although the Yankees have been the most successful club in MLB history, their dominance on the field over the decades only plays a small part in why the team is such a global institution.

One of the reasons behind the Yankees' fame is the fact that the team, more specifically their logo, has transcended the sport itself and become a global phenomenon.

If you were to spend any amount of time in a busy public space, such as an airport or shopping mall, it might take only a few minutes before seeing a Yankees hat.

There is no guarantee that the person wearing the New York Yankees hat is a fan of the team, or has even watched a baseball game in their life. The Yankees logo has become a prominent symbol in the world of fashion and pop culture.

“Made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can," rapper Jay-Z said in the hit song 'Empire State of Mind'.

So, how did this happen? In an interview with Esquire, New Era CEO Chris Koch attributed the culture shift around the Yankees hat to filmmaker Spike Lee.

Koch explained that in the 90s, Lee contacted the company to make him a red Yankees cap, something that had never been done before. Traditionally, all New York Yankees hat were made with navy wool, until Spike Lee changed the game.

After Spike Lee had the red Yankees cap made for him, it changed the way that sports memorabilia and personalization were utilized in the world of fashion.

Soon after this time, the Yankees hat became a staple of fashion across the globe. It brought more eyes and attention to the club and helped create the legends of Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter.

The origin of the New York Yankees logo dates back to the 1800s

Although the Yankees logo may be known across the globe on hats, jackets, and shirts, many people may not know the history of the logo.

The iconic interlocking NY in the logo dates back to 1877, when the jewelry powerhouse Tiffany & Co. created the symbol to honor fallen New York police officer John McDowell.

Even though the logo was made by a well-known company and designed for a noteworthy cause, no one could have seen how prominent it would become across the globe.