Ben Joyce 2026 Angels/Ducks Signed Batting Practice Worn New Era 59FIFTY Hat

Description

Ben Joyce, widely known by his explosive nickname “The Volunteer Fireman,” is an American professional baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. Born on September 17, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Joyce has captured the baseball world’s attention with historical, triple-digit pitch velocities that rank among the fastest ever recorded in the sport.

Before making it to the major leagues, Joyce starred locally at Farragut High School before attending Walters State Community College and later transferring to the University of Tennessee. Playing for the Tennessee Volunteers, he became a viral sensation on May 1, 2022, when he unleashed a 105.5 mph fastball against Auburn, marking the fastest pitch in college baseball history. His combination of a massive 6’5″ frame and an electric arm led the Los Angeles Angels to select him in the third round (89th overall) of the 2022 MLB June Amateur Draft.

Joyce made a rapid ascent through the minor leagues, making his official MLB debut on May 29, 2023. He quickly cemented his position as a high-leverage late-inning weapon in the Angels bullpen. During his 2024 campaign, Joyce recorded the fastest MLB strikeout pitch since 2008 by firing a 104.7 mph heater to JD Martinez, later matching his personal best with a 105.5 mph pitch in September of that year.

Despite navigating through some right shoulder injuries—including a premature end to his 2026 season due to a shoulder impingement—Joyce remains one of baseball’s most feared relievers. Across his first few major league seasons, he has accumulated a career ERA of 3.36 with 62 strikeouts over 64.1 innings pitched.

This official Los Angeles Angels / Anaheim Ducks New Era 59FIFTY hat is a premier piece of authentic baseball memorabilia, issued to and worn during batting practice by flame-throwing pitching prospect Ben Joyce during the 2026 MLB season. Despite a significant stint on the injured list, the high-velocity reliever made an electric impact for the Angels, racking up 5 saves across 16 game appearances and unleashing 131 pitches clocked at 100 mph or faster to cement his status among baseball’s elite power arms. This rare, dual-branded crossover cap is personally autographed by Joyce in bold black ink, featuring a pristine signature alongside his player number “#44” and a custom “Worn for BP” inscription, making it a must-have, game-issued collectible for any serious Angels fan or sports memorabilia investor.

The Los Angeles Angels first started wearing the co-branded Anaheim Ducks mashup hat on August 16, 2016. The special hats and jerseys were introduced for the inaugural “Ducks Night” at Angel Stadium. The original 2016 design featured a red and cream cap blending the Angels’ haloed “A” logo inside the outline of the Ducks’ “D”. The players wore them on-field during pre-game batting practice before playing the Seattle Mariners, and the game-worn gear was later auctioned off for charity. The teams continue the tradition today, with the co-branded gear returning as limited-edition stadium exclusives or fan giveaways during annual cross-promotional nights. Awesome Hat obtained directly from the Angels’ Top Prospect!