The Danville Old Soldiers were a team in the Kitty League for only one season, 1906. Professional baseball in Danville, Illinois, had been around since 1888, when the Danville Browns played two seasons, the first in the Central Interstate League and the second in the Illinois-Indiana League. After those two seasons it was another eleven years before the Danville Champions had a one-year run in 1900.
After 1900 there was another six-year hiatus before the citizens of Danville enjoyed one year of the Old Soldiers. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the 1906 team was its name, as the club put up a pedestrian 58-69 record and it doesn't appear any of the players went on to the major leagues. The standout was the fabulously named Pearl Holycross, in the first (and best) of his five seasons as a minor leaguer, doing double duty as a pitcher and an outfielder. On the mound he posted a 19-9 record, and at the plate he batted .271 in 177 plate appearances.
The name of the team appears to have come from the home for disabled old soldiers in Danville, most likely Union veterans of the Civil War.
Baseball kept tenaciously coming back to Danville over the 20th century, even if no single edition of any team lasted more than ten years. The Danville Veterans (another play on that old soldiers' home) played in the Three-I League from 1922 to 1932. Other Danville teams went by the Dodgers, the Dans, the Speakers, and the Warriors, and lastly, for one season in 1982, the Danville Suns. That team moved to Peoria after one season and still exists as the Peoria Chiefs.
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.
