The Springfield Red Birds, based in Springfield, Illinois, were a one-season identity for a franchise that spent the 1920s and 1930s renaming itself to match its current Major League Baseball affiliation. The club played as the Senators from 1925 to 1930, became the Browns in 1931 when it affiliated with the St. Louis Browns, then took the Red Birds name in 1934, its second season as a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate, when it joined the Class B Central League.
The Red Birds were sitting in second place in the Central League standings at 14-12 under manager Joe Mathes on June 10, 1934, the day the Central League permanently disbanded. Springfield's season, and the league itself, ended there.
The franchise picked back up in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League in 1935, renamed the Senators again under a new Detroit Tigers affiliation. Springfield finished 74-45 for second place and beat the Bloomington Bloomers four games to two in the playoffs, but Bloomington was awarded the title anyway after Springfield refused to replay a protested final game, a ruling the league president upheld.
Springfield returned to the Browns name in 1938 and won the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League championship in 1939, beating the Decatur Commodores in the finals. The franchise continued on and off in Springfield, under various names, into 1950.
The Central League itself was a Class B circuit that ran, often sporadically, from 1903 into the 1930s (with a later 1948-51 revival), fielding teams mostly from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
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.
