The Deadwood Metropolitans, based in Deadwood, South Dakota, played the 1891 and 1892 seasons in the Black Hills League, an independent circuit drawing on the gold mining towns of the western Dakotas and the Nebraska panhandle. Home games were at Olympic Park.
The name goes back further than the professional club. When the first Black Hills Base Ball League organized on August 11, 1885, Deadwood's entry was already called the Metropolitans, alongside the Eighty-Stamps of Rapid City, the Athletes of Fort Meade, Central City's Belt Club, the Spearfish Red Stockings, Terraville and the Sturgis Nine. That 1885 league was formed partly to bring order to the existing town teams and partly to curb the violence and gambling that came with them. The problem did not disappear quickly. The Black Hills Daily Times reported that a fight broke out during a game on August 5, 1890 after an attempted steal of second, and that a spectator drew a revolver on the field before the local marshal stepped in.
The 1891 professional league fielded four clubs, with Deadwood joined by Lead, Hot Springs and a team from Chadron, Nebraska. The same four returned in 1892, though the Chadron franchise moved to Fort Meade during the season. Records and standings from both seasons have not survived.
Two names on the 1892 Deadwood roster reached the major leagues. Catcher Bill Traffley had played five big league seasons in the 1870s and 1880s, and Kid Mohler, one of the very few left-handed second basemen in professional baseball history, went on to a long career out west. The league folded after 1892 and Deadwood has not hosted a professional team since, though a semiprofessional league carried the Black Hills name into the 1950s.
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.
