The Aberdeen Black Cats of Aberdeen, Washington, played the 1910 and 1912 seasons of the Washington State League, a Class D circuit built around southwest Washington towns such as Raymond, Chehalis, Centralia and Hoquiam. The name was already known on Grays Harbor: Aberdeen's 1907 club, managed by Bob Brown, had won the Class B Northwestern League pennant as the Black Cats at 85-51. No contemporary explanation of the name has been found.
Manager Dick Boettiger's 1910 Black Cats finished third at 24-29 in a season that saw Hoquiam and Tacoma drop out in mid-July. The roster included Jack Fournier, an Aberdeen High School product, who is credited with 48 games and a .232 average for the club. Fournier went on to 15 major league seasons, a .313 career average and the 1924 National League home run title with Brooklyn.
Aberdeen sat out 1911, when the league shrank to four teams, and came back in 1912 under manager Thomas Kelly. The Black Cats were 16-21 when they disbanded on July 10. With three clubs left, the Washington State League folded on July 14 and never returned. L.A. Giddings of Aberdeen finished tied for the league lead in hits, with 23 in the shortened season.
The name outlasted the league. Aberdeen fielded Black Cats in the Northwestern League in 1915, a club that folded on August 1, and in the Class B Pacific Coast International League in 1918. The pro clubs played at Electric Park, at Myrtle and Oak Streets on the Aberdeen-Hoquiam line. The name then carried into semipro ball; a 1925 newsreel in the University of Washington's collection shows the Black Cats clinching the Timber League pennant.
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.
