The Idaho Falls Russets, based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, played 19 seasons between 1940 and 1961 and began the longest continuous run of one city in one league in professional baseball history. They took their place in 1940 by inheriting the franchise that had spent the previous season in Lewiston, and the city has never given it back.
The Russets opened on April 26, 1940 with a 10-4 loss at Pocatello and closed on September 4, 1961 with a doubleheader sweep at Boise. In between they won a league championship in 1952 behind pitcher Ken Kimball, who won 26 games that year. The 1960 club posted the best regular-season record in the league and then lost the title in the playoffs to Boise.
A skinny 18-year-old second baseman named Billy Martin played for Idaho Falls in 1946, six years before he reached the New York Yankees and decades before the managing career that made him one of the most combustible figures in the sport. The Russets were a Yankees farm club in their first two seasons and cycled through Brooklyn, New York, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Chicago affiliations after the war.
Home was Highland Park, where a covered wooden grandstand went up in 1940 and stood until fire destroyed it in the mid-1970s. Every professional team in the city's history has played on that same site.
Idaho Falls had a club before the Russets. The Idaho Falls Spuds played in the Class C Utah-Idaho League from 1926 through 1928, winning back-to-back championships in 1926 and 1927 at that same Highland Park diamond. When the Yankees returned as the parent club in 1962 the Russets name was retired in favor of the parent's.
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.
