It’s freezing in D.C. right now. Like, literally. And for the hot-fitted wearer, options are limited. That’s why you need MAJOR’s Nats Elmer Fudd Fitted:

Made of Black/Red Buffalo Plaid, this fitted cap features dog ear design that can be fully extended down to cover your ears for that chilly East Coast weather.  The ears feature black faux fur, while the inside liner is quilted for your warmth.

It doesn’t appear to be available online, so you’ll have to visit the MAJOR shop in Georgetown on Wisconsin, but I think you and I both know the hat’s worth the trip. It’ll go great with your lumberjack underwear.

(Big thanks to Littles for the head’s up.)

Why this faceless Redkins fan goes with “BARACK OBAMA 08″ over simply “OBAMA 08″ — or why he chooses to merge football, politics and hot fitteds — is beyond me, but at least his timing is impeccable. And even McCainiacs can agree that this is probably better than “BRUNELL 8.”

(Found on Extreme Skins by The Mayor, who requests that we “include [his] Republican stance, I hate Obama, and I love John McCain.” I can’t picture a custom McCain jersey at a Dead Tree Crew tailgate, but whatever.)

Yo, Angel, my man, that new Yankees fitted is hot, son! For realz. Where’d you cop that joint?

[Silence]

I’m sayin’ though, it’s tight, right? You got that soil, dirt, chocolate and earf tones in there, and the mo’fuckin’ argyle and shit. Shit’s hot, aight!?

[Silence]

Angel Pantoja Medina! I’m talking to you, playboy! You just gun stand there, ain’t say shit? What’s the deal, homie?

[Silence]

Aight look, for real, you been standing in this corner for three mo’fuckin’ days and shit, wearing them same fake ass Dolce and Gabbana shades and that broke ass chain. But, best believe, that fitted is hot, yo. That’s what I’m sayin’. I’m tryin to give you some love, son. Damn.

[Silence]

Fine then, fuck you, Angel. Bitch. That fitted is played out anyways. I’m out.

[Silence]

The day before this photo was taken, I actually had the chance to talk with Sherrill during the player availability session. After every other media person was finished asking him how honored he is to be playing in the last All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, I asked him about the brim thing. I seem to have misplaced the audio, but it went something like this:

Me: So, how did the whole flat bill thing come about?

Sherrill: Well, I used to shape it in the Independent League, but one day in the minors, I just pulled a hat straight out of the box and wore it as is and pitched well. I’ve been doing it ever since.

Me: Do you think that’s, like, the best fashion statement in baseball?

Sherrill: No

Me: Cool story, Hansel.

So, that went well.

After the jump is a nice little before and after of Sherrill at the player-media clusterfuck and on the field with his hot fitted (because, let’s face it: The most interesting thing about this guy is his hat).

It’s also important to note that the movement is catching on in the stands. As well it should, given Sherrill’s 66-save pace (the MLB record is 57) during this, his first closing campaign. Absurd, though not quite so much as the O’s having the fourth-best record in the AL after 42 games.

Note: The flat-billed celebration did not debut Friday, as previously thought. They were doing it as early as Tuesday’s win over Boston.

That would be a celebratory Bob Roberts and Freddy Bynum, followed by Luuuke Scott, Gun Show Sherrill and a non-comformist Ramon Hernandez:

And, of course, “Orioles Magic 2008″ playing on the scoreboard:

Slap-ass aside, this game was a delight as MASN’s broadcast featured O’s color guy Jim Palmer and Nats’ color guy Don Sutton, and the two Hall of Famers discussed their craft the entire game. It was especially interesting during the later innings as pitching changes occurred and they tried to one-up each other with knowledge on each successive guy.

This wasn’t just surface stuff either. It was about Jim Johnson’s hard curve being nasty enough to miss in the wrong spot and still get by. It was about Jesus Colome’s slider getting sharper since he lengthened his stride. Simply put, they went in-depth on each player, not assuming that the other guy in the booth and half the viewing audience knows everything about the teams involved. Why don’t broadcasters do that more often?

/Great shame and embarrassment

It’s item 1 that remains to be seen as Sherrill (acquired in the Erik Bedard trade) hasn’t closed before, but he was superb in middle relief last season and has three saves and zero runs in his first week with the Birds. Project that across a full season, and you’re looking at Eric Gagne circa 2003 numbers. Or Chad Cordero circa 2005, for that matter.

Until the new guy carries it out, though, I’ll take the Chief and his flat-ass fitted every time. He pulls it down real nice, and he was first, plus the Nats have pulled ahead of the O’s in my fandom anyway.

(A belly bump to the Fashion Ump for the tip on Sherrill’s Beltway Brim.)