When it comes to sports-centered fashion statements, basketball sneakers are king. New Era baseball caps, however, can't be far behind when it comes to ubiquity. The 59/50 caps are a part of everyday life, whether it's for someone supporting their local nine or someone looking to complete an outfit. Because people wear the hats for a variety of reasons, I had always wondered what the top 10 best-selling caps list looked like. After all, this isn't like the best-selling NFL jersey list, which is largely dominated by success on the field. A different set of factors including colors, street influence and pop culture references can shoot a hat into the best-selling category. Our friends over at Cardboard Connection recently obtained a list of the 10 best-selling New Era caps in 2011 , which we confirmed with the company. Before we get to the top 10, a couple of thoughts about the teams that aren't listed. • The most conspicuous absences are two classics: The Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers didn't make the top 10. While it's easy to figure why Cubs sales have sagged, the Tigers won a division title in 2011 and still have that Kid Rock/Eminem/Ty Cobb street cred. Maybe the addition of Prince Fielder will push them into the field next year? • On-field success also didn't translate to bigger sales for the Texas Rangers or Milwaukee Brewers. I've never been a big fan of the Rangers "T," but you would have figured that two straight World Series trips and playing in such a populated market would've made a difference. As for the Crew, they keep drawing 3 million to Miller Park every year and it seems like everyone's wearing the old ball-and-glove cap each time I visit. • We don't have access to the least-selling hats, but that would be an interesting list to view. I'd also be interested in knowing how team merchandisers view a spot at the bottom. Does that translate into uniform and logo changes? OK, on to the 10 best-selling New Era hats for 2011:

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Enough is enough already.

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Philadelphia Phillies longtime shortstop Jimmy Rollins was put back into his familiar leadoff slot by manager Charlie Manuel for the team's game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

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Maybe I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm pretty confident when I say that the 2012 Chicago Cubs will never have to worry about accusations of steroid usage amongst the players on their roster. What I'm starting to wonder is whether Sammy Sosa will be recognized for hitting more home runs in one season than this entire 2012 roster.

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BOSTON (AP) The Boston Red Sox acquired center fielder Marlon Byrd from the Chicago Cubs on Saturday in an attempt to shore up their injury-plagued outfield and reverse an early season slide.

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The Cincinnati Reds may be struggling in the early stages of 2012 to live up the the lofty expectations engendered by the team's off-season spending spree, but the franchise nonetheless vaulted into rarefied air on April 20. In a swing through the Windy City, the free-swinging Reds banged out a parade of singles in cozy Wrigley Field to defeat the Chicago Cubs by a score of 9-4. In the process, Cincinnati became just the sixth Major League team to notch 10,000 all-time regular season victories. ...

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The 2012 MLB regular season is finally underway. It will be a long road to October baseball but one every team and fan is excited to travel this season. The beginning of the year brings promise, as many memories will surely be created this season. At this point, anything can happen!

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On Sunday, April 8, Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro collected two hits, two runs, two stolen bases and an RBI in the team's 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals. Amazingly Castro has now reached base in 43 consecutive games and is potentially one game away from tying the team's on-base streak record.

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A league pennant and a World Series title is the ultimate measure of success for a Major League Baseball franchise. Teams such as the New York Yankees have won an abundance of both in their storied history, while others such as the Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series title in...

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While Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes (pictured) got a lot of attention this offseason for his potentially mighty bat, visit with the Miami Marlins and eventual signing with the Oakland Athletics, there is another young fellow from Cuba who has been occupying some space in the minds of a few of baseball's general managers. While Jorge Soler c an't be offered a contract yet since he hasn't been cleared by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan reports that teams have surreptitiously let it be known what they're willing to pay. The word was that the Chicago Cubs want to sign the 19-year-old outfielder for four years and $27.5 million, Passan notes, but since he can't actually sign just yet, other teams are still calling on him. Two of those teams, according to two sources to Passan, are the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. It is unpredictable when Soler will hit free agency, Passan notes; it could be next week or next month. But when he does, Passan predicts the offers will be for six and seven years rather than four. Find out before your friends. Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook .

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