The Fort Wayne Chiefs were a minor league team from Fort Wayne, Indiana, that played eight seasons between 1917 and 1935, mostly in the Central League. The Chiefs were an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers at various times.
In 1928 the Chiefs were the subject of a ruling by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Landis discovered that the Cardinals owned two teams in the Central League, the Chiefs and the Dayton Aviators, and ordered them to sell the Chiefs and their players. This put Chuck Klein, who had hit 26 home runs in 88 games for the Chiefs with a .336 average, up for bid, and he was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies. Klein went on to a Hall of Fame career, twice leading the National League in home runs, RBI, and runs, and winning the 1932 NL MVP. Despite losing Klein, the Chiefs finished third in 1928 and won the league playoffs, and in 1934 they won an abbreviated Central League season with a 19-4 record.
The Chiefs were one of many teams in smaller towns and cities during this era, as Americans looked for recreational outlets and America's pastime swept the country. Today Fort Wayne is home to the TinCaps.
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.
