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 premium lightweight shirts are the hugely popular Bella+Canvas brand 3001 tees. They are much lighter and thinner feeling than a traditional heavyweight tee. They also are more form fitting and feel more snug. These are generally 90% to 100% cotton, although please note that heather colors in this item are 52% cotton.
Size Guide: Fit is true to size or a little snug. Considering ordering one size up if you are normally between sizes.
Brand: Bella Canvas | Product ID: 3001
- Made with 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²)) that is easy to layer, breathable. Perfect for active and leisure wear.
- The retail fit that is perfect for casual and semi-formal settings. The crew neckline adds a classic, neat style that's perfect for accessorizing.
- Bella+Canvas manufactures all its products in the US and internationally in humane, no-sweat-shop, sustainable way and is part of the Fair Labor Association as well as Platinum WRAP certified.
- The tear-away label minimizes skin irritations.
- Fabric blends: Ash and Heather Prism colors - 99% cotton, 1% polyester; Heather and Solid Blend colors - 52% cotton, 48% polyester; Athletic Heather and Black Heather - 90% cotton, 10% polyester.
