The Danville Old Soldiers were a team in the Kitty League for only one season, 1906. Professional baseball in Danville, Illinois, had been around since 1888, when the Danville Browns played two seasons, the first in the Central Interstate League and the second in the Illinois-Indiana League. After those two seasons it was another eleven years before the Danville Champions had a one-year run in 1900.
After 1900 there was another six-year hiatus before the citizens of Danville enjoyed one year of the Old Soldiers. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the 1906 team was its name, as the club put up a pedestrian 58-69 record and it doesn't appear any of the players went on to the major leagues. The standout was the fabulously named Pearl Holycross, in the first (and best) of his five seasons as a minor leaguer, doing double duty as a pitcher and an outfielder. On the mound he posted a 19-9 record, and at the plate he batted .271 in 177 plate appearances.
The name of the team appears to have come from the home for disabled old soldiers in Danville, most likely Union veterans of the Civil War.
Baseball kept tenaciously coming back to Danville over the 20th century, even if no single edition of any team lasted more than ten years. The Danville Veterans (another play on that old soldiers' home) played in the Three-I League from 1922 to 1932. Other Danville teams went by the Dodgers, the Dans, the Speakers, and the Warriors, and lastly, for one season in 1982, the Danville Suns. That team moved to Peoria after one season and still exists as the Peoria Chiefs.
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.
