The Yuma Sun Sox were Yuma, Arizona's professional baseball club in 1955 and 1956, the last of three names the city tried in the 1950s and the only one that produced a pennant race. Yuma had played as the Panthers from 1950 to 1952 in two short-lived circuits before sitting out two seasons.
The Sun Sox were admitted to the Class C Arizona-Mexico League just days before the 1955 opener, after promoter Dick King assembled a club on short notice, and they finished second at 83-57, three and a half games behind Cananea. Player-manager Whitey Wietelmann, a former Boston Braves shortstop, went 21-13 as a pitcher. More than 79,000 people came through the gates.
In 1956 the Sun Sox became a Cincinnati Reds affiliate, won the second-half title and were swept in the final by Cananea. Outfielder Walter Tyler hit .392 with 208 hits to lead the league. Attendance fell by more than half, and the club dropped out before the 1957 season owing about $3,000 and unable to secure a lease on the municipal park.
Wietelmann went on to spend decades with the San Diego Padres as a coach, scout, equipment manager and clubhouse cook. Yuma is often cited as the sunniest city in the United States, which explains the name.
Arizona's first league in organized baseball opened in 1928 as a Class D circuit with four clubs, in Bisbee, Miami, Phoenix and Tucson. It became the Arizona-Texas League in 1931 and the Arizona-Mexico League in 1955, and ran, with gaps, through 1958, eventually reaching into Texas, New Mexico, Nevada and northern Mexico.
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.
