The Topeka Hawks, based in Topeka, Kansas, played in the Class A Western League from 1956 to 1958 as a Milwaukee Braves affiliate, then joined the Class B Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League for the 1959 season as a Cincinnati Reds affiliate. They were one chapter in a franchise that had carried professional baseball in the Kansas state capital under more than a dozen different names since 1886, shifting leagues and affiliations roughly every decade.
The Western League years were modest. The 1956 Hawks went 70-68 and finished fourth. The 1958 club dropped to 65-82, seventh in the league, with attendance of just 43,686. Moving to the Three-I in 1959 placed the Hawks in Class B competition for a single season before the franchise rechristened itself the Topeka Reds for 1960. That Reds team had considerably more success: manager Dave Bristol led the 1961 Topeka Reds to the Three-I League pennant with a 79-50 record, 6.5 games ahead of Cedar Rapids. Tommy Harper won the league MVP that year and went on to a long major league career; Tommy Helms, Art Shamsky, and Vic Davalillo were also on that 1961 roster. Bristol himself managed over 1,900 games at the big-league level.
By the time the Hawks entered the Three-I, the league had expanded well beyond its original geography. With no Illinois or Indiana teams left after 1957, clubs from Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin filled the rosters. The Three-I League folded after the 1961 season, ending professional baseball in Topeka.
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.
