The Aberdeen Black Cats of Aberdeen, Washington, played the 1910 and 1912 seasons of the Washington State League, a Class D circuit built around southwest Washington towns such as Raymond, Chehalis, Centralia and Hoquiam. The name was already known on Grays Harbor: Aberdeen's 1907 club, managed by Bob Brown, had won the Class B Northwestern League pennant as the Black Cats at 85-51. No contemporary explanation of the name has been found.
Manager Dick Boettiger's 1910 Black Cats finished third at 24-29 in a season that saw Hoquiam and Tacoma drop out in mid-July. The roster included Jack Fournier, an Aberdeen High School product, who is credited with 48 games and a .232 average for the club. Fournier went on to 15 major league seasons, a .313 career average and the 1924 National League home run title with Brooklyn.
Aberdeen sat out 1911, when the league shrank to four teams, and came back in 1912 under manager Thomas Kelly. The Black Cats were 16-21 when they disbanded on July 10. With three clubs left, the Washington State League folded on July 14 and never returned. L.A. Giddings of Aberdeen finished tied for the league lead in hits, with 23 in the shortened season.
The name outlasted the league. Aberdeen fielded Black Cats in the Northwestern League in 1915, a club that folded on August 1, and in the Class B Pacific Coast International League in 1918. The pro clubs played at Electric Park, at Myrtle and Oak Streets on the Aberdeen-Hoquiam line. The name then carried into semipro ball; a 1925 newsreel in the University of Washington's collection shows the Black Cats clinching the Timber League pennant.
Retro Baseball Revival celebrates historic baseball teams with unique apparel, honoring their legacy and bringing history to one-of-a-kind clothing with our old school retro baseball tees from defunct Minor League Baseball teams. All of our high quality apparel is designed, printed, and shipped within the USA. This collection features 100% original designs based on the history and nicknames of historic minor league teams.
Our crewneck sweatshirts are classics that anyone is sure to recognize. They are thick, durable Gildan brand crews. They are a cotton/poly blend that stands the test of time.
Size Guide: True to size
- Made with a medium-heavy fabric blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester (8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)), this sweatshirt feels cozy and is the perfect choice for those colder months.
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- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F); Non-chlorine: bleach as needed; Tumble dry: low heat; Do not iron; Do not dryclean.
