The crooked witch hat is a popular symbol of Halloween and witches. This iconic accessory is often seen in movies, costumes, and decorations during the spooky season. The crooked witch hat is characterized by its pointed top and wide brim. However, unlike a regular hat, the crooked witch hat is intentionally designed to be lopsided or tilted to one side, giving it a whimsical and mysterious appearance. The history of the crooked witch hat can be traced back to ancient times when witches were feared and believed to possess magical powers. In medieval Europe, women accused of practicing witchcraft were often depicted wearing pointed hats with wide brims.
Matthew J. Prigge is a freelance author and historian from Milwaukee. He is the author of four books, and wrote two weekly blogs for shepherdexpress.com on topics of local history.
Stay on top of the news of the day Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee s latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays. If I lived in Milwaukee and went to baseball games, I would have prayed for home runs, just to see anyone, much less a guy in a foam suit, slide into a mug of beer.
In medieval Europe, women accused of practicing witchcraft were often depicted wearing pointed hats with wide brims. These hats were seen as a sign of their alliance with dark forces and were used to identify witches in society. Over the years, the crooked witch hat has become a quintessential part of the Halloween aesthetic.
Bernie Brewer: Mascot, Cheerleader… Spy?
With a 7-3 win on July 8, 1973, the Brewers completed a resounding doubleheader sweep of the Texas Rangers and climbed above .500 at the latest point in any of their three seasons of existence. The Brewers were one of the AL ’s surprise teams that year. They had opened June by winning 15 of 16 games and were now only four games behind the first-place Yankees as the all-star break neared. The Rangers lingered pathetically in last place, already 24 games below .500. The pounding of the Rangers by the Brewers, in this context, seemed nothing out of the norm. Texas manager Whitey Herzog, however, still felt that his team had been cheated. Suffering from either the strain of a miserable Rangers team or the 90-plus degree summer heat in Milwaukee that afternoon, Herzog unloaded in the clubhouse following the losses. It was not the Brewers hitters, he claimed, but their mascot, who had beaten him.
“Can you imagine a damn team that has to cheat to beat us?” Herzog howled to reporters after the game. Herzog went on to explain that during the second game of the doubleheader – the third in a row in which Milwaukee blasted Texas pitching – Rangers first base coach Jackie Moore noticed some strange activity in the centerfield bleacher chalet of mascot Bernie Brewer. The chalet, with its now-famous slide and giant beer mug, had been installed earlier that season as a promotional gimmick. The lederhosen-clad Bernie, played by Marquette University student Dan McCarthy, cheered on the home team while they were batting and slid into the mug after each home run. But Moore and Herzog soon noticed him doing something else. He clapped once – so the two claimed – before a Texas pitcher threw a curveball and not at all when the pitcher delivered a fastball.
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Sign-stealing is an old (and somewhat accepted) practice in baseball. Tipping off a batter to a breaking pitch could give him an advantage. The Rangers also noticed what appeared to be a man, who appeared to have a set of binoculars, hiding in the chalet. If this man was spying on the catcher’s signs to the pitcher and then relaying those signs to the Brewers batters, so Herzog thought, it could explain the Brewers’ recent hit barrage. Convinced he was being had, Herzog sent pitcher Jim Bibby, who had been shelled in game one, to go investigate. According the Mike Shropshite’s Seasons in Hell, a recounting of the 1973-75 Rangers, Herzog said “I wanted to send Bibby up there to Bernie Brewer’s little house and kick his gooddamn ass.” Instead Herzog sent the pitcher on a recon mission. A team official prevent Bibby from going up to the chalet, but Bibby told Herzog he had seen two boxes and a telephone being removed from the house. “Watergate has nothing on Bernie’s chalet at County Stadium , to hear the Texas Rangers tell it,” the Milwaukee Sentinel observed.
Herzog took his complaints to the umpiring crew, screaming at them about the conspiracy. Mid-game, they ordered the second man out of the chalet and had McCarthy remove his white gloves – a part of the costume Herzog thought were used to better relay his clapping. The second man, the Brewers claimed, was an assistant who inflated the balloons that flew out of the mug after each home run. Herzog continued his rage after the game, blaming that “little asshole in the costume” for his pitching staff’s sour luck.
McCarthy, the “little asshole” in question, later denied any role in sign-stealing, “I played outfield in Little and Babe Ruth leagues and I can’t tell one sign from another. I wouldn’t know what to look for.” Brewers manager Del Crandall cheekily admitted the team did have a spy in Bernie’s roost and “revealed” the identity of the mysterious second man. “It’s Bud Selig,” he said with a laugh. “Who’d you think we’d send up there?”
If Bernie was stealing signs back in 1973, it didn’t do much good. The Brewers scored 10 fewer runs at home that season as they did on the road. And a week after the incident, they beat the Rangers three more times in a row – in Texas .
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Matthew J. Prigge
Matthew J. Prigge is a freelance author and historian from Milwaukee. He is the author of four books, and wrote two weekly blogs for shepherdexpress.com on topics of local history.
Miller Park. J. Meiers, via WIkimedia Commons.
It has developed into a fun and playful symbol, often associated with magical abilities and spellcasting. In modern times, people of all ages wear crooked witch hats during Halloween parties and events, embracing the spirit of the holiday and adding a touch of whimsy to their outfits. The crooked witch hat has also influenced popular culture, appearing in various forms of media. It is commonly depicted in movies, TV shows, and books as a key element of a witch's ensemble. Its distinctive shape and tilting angle instantly evoke an image of a mischievous and powerful sorceress. In addition to its significance in costume design, the crooked witch hat has also inspired creative decorations. It is often depicted in festive Halloween displays, with its tilted angle adding an element of charm and intrigue. These whimsical decorations can be found in homes, storefronts, and public spaces, creating a festive atmosphere during the Halloween season. Overall, the crooked witch hat has become an iconic symbol of Halloween and witches. Its unique design and lopsided appearance add a touch of magic and mystery to the holiday, making it a favorite choice for costume parties and decorations. Whether worn as part of a spooky ensemble or used as a decorative element, the crooked witch hat is sure to evoke a sense of fun and enchantment during the Halloween season..
Reviews for "From Witch Trials to Fashion: The Journey of the Crooked Witch Hat"
1. Jane - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with "Crooked Witch Hat". The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were one-dimensional. I also found the pacing to be extremely slow, and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. Overall, it just didn't hold my attention, and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable read.
2. Mark - 1 star: I can honestly say that "Crooked Witch Hat" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The writing was simplistic and lacked depth, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises, which made the whole reading experience feel like a chore. I struggled to connect with any of the characters, as they were poorly developed and lacked any real motivation. I would advise others to steer clear of this book unless they're looking for a complete waste of time.
3. Sarah - 2 stars: I regret picking up "Crooked Witch Hat". The world-building was weak and lacked detail, leaving me feeling disconnected from the setting. The main character was unlikable and lacked any redeeming qualities, making it hard to root for her or care about her journey. The plot was filled with clichés and lacked originality, and the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, it was a forgettable read that I wouldn't recommend to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging story.
4. David - 1 star: "Crooked Witch Hat" was a complete letdown. The writing was dry and lacked any sort of spark or imagination. The characters were flat and uninteresting, with no growth or development throughout the story. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself constantly checking how much more there was left to read. The whole book felt like a wasted opportunity with its uninspired plot and lackluster execution. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless they're in need of a cure for insomnia.