The Deadwood Metropolitans, based in Deadwood, South Dakota, played the 1891 and 1892 seasons in the Black Hills League, an independent circuit drawing on the gold mining towns of the western Dakotas and the Nebraska panhandle. Home games were at Olympic Park.
The name goes back further than the professional club. When the first Black Hills Base Ball League organized on August 11, 1885, Deadwood's entry was already called the Metropolitans, alongside the Eighty-Stamps of Rapid City, the Athletes of Fort Meade, Central City's Belt Club, the Spearfish Red Stockings, Terraville and the Sturgis Nine. That 1885 league was formed partly to bring order to the existing town teams and partly to curb the violence and gambling that came with them. The problem did not disappear quickly. The Black Hills Daily Times reported that a fight broke out during a game on August 5, 1890 after an attempted steal of second, and that a spectator drew a revolver on the field before the local marshal stepped in.
The 1891 professional league fielded four clubs, with Deadwood joined by Lead, Hot Springs and a team from Chadron, Nebraska. The same four returned in 1892, though the Chadron franchise moved to Fort Meade during the season. Records and standings from both seasons have not survived.
Two names on the 1892 Deadwood roster reached the major leagues. Catcher Bill Traffley had played five big league seasons in the 1870s and 1880s, and Kid Mohler, one of the very few left-handed second basemen in professional baseball history, went on to a long career out west. The league folded after 1892 and Deadwood has not hosted a professional team since, though a semiprofessional league carried the Black Hills name into the 1950s.
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 premium lightweight shirts are the hugely popular Bella+Canvas brand 3001 tees. They are much lighter and thinner feeling than a traditional heavyweight tee. They also are more form fitting and feel more snug. These are generally 90% to 100% cotton, although please note that heather colors in this item are 52% cotton.
Size Guide: Fit is true to size or a little snug. Considering ordering one size up if you are normally between sizes.
Brand: Bella Canvas | Product ID: 3001
- Made with 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²)) that is easy to layer, breathable. Perfect for active and leisure wear.
- The retail fit that is perfect for casual and semi-formal settings. The crew neckline adds a classic, neat style that's perfect for accessorizing.
- Bella+Canvas manufactures all its products in the US and internationally in humane, no-sweat-shop, sustainable way and is part of the Fair Labor Association as well as Platinum WRAP certified.
- The tear-away label minimizes skin irritations.
- Fabric blends: Ash and Heather Prism colors - 99% cotton, 1% polyester; Heather and Solid Blend colors - 52% cotton, 48% polyester; Athletic Heather and Black Heather - 90% cotton, 10% polyester.
