Controversial MLB Hat Has Been Pulled After Backlash

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 2:47 PM ET

An MLB hat accidentally appearing to display a Spanish vulgarity is no longer for sale.

New Era released an "Overlap" collection of MLB caps where each team's logo is imposed in the middle of its name. That created an unfortunate result for the Texas Rangers, as placing a "T" over the "X" in Texas instead conveyed a Spanish slang word for a woman's breasts.

After the hat design went viral on social media, MLB and the Rangers removed it from their online stores.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Rangers officials didn't see the design before the hats were released. MLB representatives declined to comment.

The other 29 "Overlap" hats remain for sale at $44.99 each, but the collection features some more awkward results.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 24: A general view of play between the Colorado Rockies and the Texas Rangers on Opening Day at Globe Life Field on July 24, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Houston Astros hat has the team's "H" covering the "S" and "T" in Astros, and an "A" hovers over the "G" in Angels. But at least the Diamondbacks hat could be a real hit among Arizona fans named Ariana.

This isn't even the first time an American League West team has faced ridicule for an inadvertently embarrassing cap. Last September, New Era released an A's hat that inexplicably decided to add an extra "S."

At one point, the merchandise sold out before getting permanently pulled. Some fans wore the hats to the franchise's final games in Oakland.

Meanwhile, Rangers fans can only hope that design miscue isn't a bad omen to start the 2025 season.

After winning their first World Series in franchise history, the Rangers went 78-84 in 2024. They'll hope rising young star Wyatt Langford and a returning Jacob deGrom can lead them back to postseason contention.

Texas begins its season by hosting the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, March 27. Don't be surprised if fans who purchased that hat before it was removed wear it to Globe Life Field on Opening Day.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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