Phillies ear-flap caps due next week

Next weekend, fans will finally be able to buy Phillies ear-flap caps, like the one Jimmy Rollins wore during the victorious World Series homestand in late October.

At first, however, they'll only be sold at the team's Majestic Clubhouse store at Citizens Bank Park.

Vistitors there next weekend can also gawk at the World Series trophy, grab a copy of the new Perfect Season DVD, or get a photo taken with Phanta Claus.

Other retailers won't get the caps until March, according to New Era, the exclusive provider of caps for Major-League Baseball.

Originally, the players weren't supposed to have those caps till next year either, according to Francis Winkey, the Majestic store manager.

But seeing the chilly forecasts, New Era jumped the gun and shipped the new style to the Phillies and their foes, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Fans have been asking for them ever since.

"We get requests every day," said Angela Stanton, a sales associate at the Modell's sporting goods store on Chestnut Street.

"Many, many, many," Winkey responded, when asked about the number who have asked.

Since New Era had hadn't cranked up production, nobody had the hats. Not even baseball's and New Era's online stores (at mlb.com and neweracaps.com), which expect to offer them by Dec. 15.

There was only one exception: The Phillies store at Citizens Bank had 144. But only briefly.

They were put out before Game 3 of the World Series, and sold out within three hours, Winkey said.

At $40 each.

A shipment of caps is expected at the Majestic store next week, perhaps by next Friday.

"The infamous flaps are actually not in stock right now," Winkey said.

But count on them being available Dec. 13, when the store will present the trophy and a variety of holiday events, he said.

The store will also have The Perfect Season, the championship-story DVD, which becomes available next Friday at retailers throughout the area.

The tough-to-get black World Series locker room hat is also available at Majestic, Winkey said.

As "Phanta Claus," the Phanatic will pose in pictures from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13; 11 to 1 on Sunday, Dec. 14.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, he'll light up a holiday tree and the ballpark.

Ballgirls and broadcasters should also be in attendance.

The trophy will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 14.

Store hours: 9 to 6 Dec 13, 9 to 3 Dec. 14.