The Joplin Miners were named for the lead and zinc mines of the Tri-State district that made Joplin, Missouri a boomtown, and they were one of the most durable identities in minor league baseball, playing 49 seasons between 1902 and 1954, mostly in the Western Association with two stints in the Class A Western League. In 1917 the club opened a new Miners Park, the ballpark known today as Joe Becker Stadium, which still stands. In April 1920, Ty Cobb brought the Detroit Tigers to Joplin for an exhibition game against the Miners.
The franchise's golden era came as a New York Yankees affiliate. In 1950 the Miners went 90-46 and won the Western Association pennant with an 18-year-old shortstop named Mickey Mantle, who hit .383 with 199 hits and 26 home runs to win the league batting title. The storyline wrote itself: Mantle of the Miners was himself the son of a lead and zinc miner, raised in Commerce, Oklahoma, 25 miles down Route 66. He committed 55 errors at shortstop that year, which is why the Yankees moved him to the outfield. Whitey Herzog, another future Hall of Famer, came through Joplin the following season, and Ralph Houk, who would later manage the Yankees to two World Series titles, played for the Miners in 1940.
The Miners became the Cardinals for a final season in 1954, and Joplin's professional era ended. A 2018 attempt to revive the Miners name for an independent league team collapsed before ever playing a game.
The Western League was a Class A circuit for most of its life, operating from 1900 through 1937 and again from 1947 through 1958, fielding teams across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states, including Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma, and later Texas and New Mexico. For its first decade it stood just one step below the major leagues. An earlier league of the same name, which ran from 1885 to 1899, renamed itself the American League in 1900 and lives on today as one half of Major League Baseball.
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 standard tees are classic, heavyweight t-shirts that are durable and thick. They are looser fitting and run true to size.
Size Guide: True to size
- Brand: Gildan | Product ID: 5000
- Made with medium fabric (5.3 oz/yd² (180 g/m²)) consisting of 100% cotton for year-round comfort that is sustainable and highly durable.
- The classic fit of this shirt ensures a comfy, relaxed wear while the crew neckline adds that neat, timeless look that can blend into any occasion, casual or semi-formal.
- The tear-away label means a scratch-free experience with no irritation or discomfort whatsoever.
- Made using 100% US cotton that is ethically grown and harvested. Gildan is also a proud member of the US Cotton Trust Protocol ensuring ethical and sustainable means of production. This blank tee is certified by Oeko-Tex for safety and quality assurance.
- Non-chlorine: bleach as needed; Do not iron; Do not dryclean; Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F); Tumble dry: low heat.
