After releasing photos of their new spring training hat, San Diego Padres fans quickly noticed that the design resembled a swastika. The design combines the MLB team's notable "SD" insignia and their long-standing "Swinging Friar" icon, but unfortunately when the two elements are combined, the swastika symbol becomes a rather dominant visual.
Fans and media outlets were quick to point out the hat's design flaw which was created by the MLB and the New Era headwear company.
In response to the contoversy, the Padres have apparently scrapped the hats and in a statement released on Tuesday, said they will be wearing their regular-season brown caps, featuring a gold interlocking “S” and “D”, for the majority of spring training.
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