Back in the day, Major League catchers used to wear a backwards helmet with a separate mask strapped to it.
The beginning of the end of those masks was September 13, 1996 in Toronto, when Charlie O’Brien introduced the hockey goalie-style catcher’s mask.
Remember that guy?
Charlie O’Brien was born May 1, 1960 in Tulsa, OK. He was originally drafted in 1978 out of Bishop Kelley (Tulsa) High School by the Rangers in the 14th round, then again out of Wichita State in the 21st round in 1981 by the Mariners (that same year his college teammate Joe Carter was taken in the 1st round by the Cubs).