texas rangers' helmets!?

[momen55]

this threw me off today. they are both from the same era, so i thought. as i kept looking at them, i noticed the logos are different. the one pictured on the left is from 86, as i found a card with player wearing this helmet, or at least, this style. notice the T logo. the other has the T logo colors reversed, which were used prior to 85. the rangers didn't start solid blue until 85 but there was an overlap. perhaps they used what they had in terms of logos?
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[Hoosier39]

Are you sure the second helmet isn't from a turn back the clock game, perhaps from 2012?

[momen55]

no. these are old 80's abc helmets. the early rangers one that is red and blue, is a small shell helmet, that was recycled, painted and reused in 86, according to kim stigall, by orlando mercado. i found a card of him wearing this helmet, or this small style, with that logo.

the other, has the logo that was used prior to 85. i thought it was darryl porter's catcher's helmet, being that it is #17. at that time, perhaps the team just used whatever they had to put equipment together and used old logos. i don't know. maybe someone here knows. quite interesting.

[momen55]

c'mon now. i'm sure someone has insight on this. i'd love to hear it. i've been searching photos and don't find any with this "mistake".

[momen55]

well here is what i found. these cards are topps from 87. note the T logos. the mcdowell is a spring training photo. i have seen other cards of his wearing helmets with the opposite logo like the one on mercado's helmet, which is the helmet i have. there are other players that have this switcharoo as well.
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look at jerry browne's helmet. same earlier logo.
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[Hoosier39]

If you want more ppl to comment, you'll probably want to add more photos, like the insides and labeling

[momen55]

there aren't that many card photos. i was fortunate to find these. i did see other players on fleer and donruss cards with the same issue. pretty interesting. they used what they had i guess.

[Hoosier39]

Oh, I thought you owned these. Yeah, the provided photos don't tell much

[momen55]

i do own the helmets. photos of the inside don't do much. the mercado i have has his name on red dymo tape on back and matches the one on the card. the other flapless one from what i have researched was probably used by darrell porter. i want to know if anyone else has seen this variation.

[Hoosier39]

You're right, the flip side of the helmets won't determine what you have.

Moving on....