San Jose Bees

The San Jose Bees, based in San Jose, California, played in the California League from 1962 through 1976 and again from 1983 through 1987, two eras that could hardly have less in common. The first Bees arrived as a Los Angeles Angels affiliate and won the pennant in their debut 1962 season, then took another title in 1967. The Angels years gave way to Kansas City Royals and Cleveland affiliations, and the most famous alumnus of the era is Hall of Famer George Brett, who played at Municipal Stadium for the 1972 Bees.

The second Bees era produced one of the strangest teams in baseball history. Operating as an independent club, the Bees signed players on loan from Japan's Seibu Lions, including future Japanese Baseball Hall of Famers Koji Akiyama and Kimiyasu Kudo. Then, in 1986, the club added five former major leaguers who had been effectively blacklisted over drug and alcohol problems, including former Rookie of the Year Steve Howe and 20-game winner Mike Norris. The resulting "Bad News Bees," a mix of banished big leaguers and Japanese prospects riding a 1956 GMC bus between Class A towns, drew coverage from Rolling Stone and The New York Times, and Howe pitched well enough (3-2, 1.47 ERA) to earn his way back to the majors.

When the San Francisco Giants affiliated with San Jose in 1988, the Bees became the San Jose Giants, the identity the city's team still carries today.

Our design is adapted from original Bees artwork found in vintage team programs and scoresheets, a genuine piece of San Jose baseball graphics brought back to life rather than a modern invention.