The Montgomery Billikens, based in Montgomery, Alabama, went 77-58 in the Southern Association in 1911 and finished second, a game and a half behind the New Orleans Pelicans. It was the best season Montgomery had in the Association's first decade.
The name came from a fad rather than from anything local. The Billiken was a squat, pointed-headed good luck figure designed by a Kansas City art teacher named Florence Pretz, who patented it in 1908, and it set off a national craze that ran for the next several years. Ballclubs picked it up all over the country. The Fort Wayne Billikens played in the Central League in 1909 and 1910, the McLeansboro Billikens in the KITTY League in 1910, and the Bay City Billikens in the Southern Michigan League in 1911 and 1912. Montgomery carried the name through the 1914 season.
Montgomery changed identities almost every few years in this period. The city fielded the Black Sox in 1903, the Senators from 1904 through 1908, and the Climbers in 1909 and 1910 before the Billikens arrived. Later clubs went by the Lions, who won league titles in 1928 and 1929, the Capitals, and the Bombers. The Rebels name that record books often attach to the 1912 through 1914 teams does not show up in the Montgomery papers until 1939.
The Southern Association ran from 1901 through 1961 and was the most stable minor league in the South, drawing its clubs from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas across six decades.
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.
