The Harlan Smokies were a minor league baseball team from Harlan County, Kentucky, first competing in the Mountain States League (1948–1954) and later in the Appalachian League (1961–1962). Harlan, once known as “Bloody Harlan” for the violent mine wars of the 1930s, had settled by 1948, and the Smokies became a welcome source of entertainment for a county of 70,000. Early on, they drew nearly 47,000 fans annually to Browning-Leonard Park, but declining population and interest saw attendance drop to about 10,000 by their final Mountain States League season. The first Smokies iteration produced just one major leaguer, Roger McCardell, who appeared in four MLB games in 1959.
The Smokies returned in 1961–62, affiliated with the Yankees and White Sox, wearing White Sox uniforms at home and Yankees uniforms on the road. This second stint produced notable alumni like Mel Stottlemyre, a five-time All-Star pitcher for the Yankees, and Denny McLain, who famously threw a no-hitter in his Smokies debut before winning 31 games for the 1968 Detroit Tigers. McLain’s career later imploded due to injuries and off-field scandals. In 1963, the team became the Harlan Yankees, then the Harlan Red Sox in 1964, their final season. Today, with Harlan County’s population down to about 25,000, the Smokies remain a cherished memory for locals who long for the return of pro 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. Our Mountain State League collection features 100% original designs based on the history and nicknames of the league's historic 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.
