Northern Kentucky was blocked from getting a minor league team in the early 1900s because it fell within the territory of the Cincinnati Reds. In order to get around this, Covington's leading men had the audacity to join the outlaw Federal League and place a team in Covington for the 1913 season, named the Covington Blue Sox. They built a 6,000-seat ballpark named Federal Park at Second and Scott Streets, just across the river from downtown Cincinnati, and figured that if fans wanted to see baseball, they'd rather pay a nickel to cross the river than the fifty cents it cost to watch the Reds. (Federal League games were in fact fifty cents as well.) Covington was granted a Federal League franchise on March 8, 1913, and the Blue Sox were the shining hope of Covington's business elite, who wanted to establish the city as a heavyweight in its own right.
The park was thrown together in a matter of months but wasn't ready when the season opened, so the Blue Sox started on the road, playing in Indianapolis and St. Louis. On their return, Covington Mayor George Phillips declared a citywide holiday, and the Blue Sox took the field on May 9, 1913, in front of a huge crowd. The park was so packed that fans were turned away at the gate.
That didn't last long. Attendance slid to a couple hundred a game in short order, and by June the team's fate was sealed. The Blue Sox were sold and moved to Kansas City, where they became the Kansas City Packers. Covington's grand experiment lasted all of two months, and it hasn't seen professional baseball since.
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.
