The Eagles name dates back to 1925, when Kinston fielded its first professional team in the Virginia League. A 1920s incarnation featured a young catcher named Rick Ferrell, who went on to a long major league career and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, the only former Kinston player so honored. The Eagles bounced between several Class D leagues before and after the Great Depression, winning the Coastal Plain League title in 1935 and again in 1947.
Kinston joined the Carolina League for the first time in 1956, after owner L.C. "Red" Fowler relocated his Burlington franchise there as a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate. Attendance struggled in the early going, and the city went through a couple of lean years without a stable club before the program found its footing.
By 1962, under general manager Harding "Pete" Peterson, the Eagles were a different team. They won the Carolina League championship that year, beating Durham in a seven-game series, and a June 11 game against the Bulls drew 4,537 fans, a Grainger Stadium record that stood for 37 years. Peterson left Kinston not long after to become the Pittsburgh Pirates' general manager, having sent fifteen players from the Kinston roster to the majors during his time there.
The Eagles name would return to Kinston several more times over the following decades, eventually giving way to the Kinston Indians, who played at Grainger Stadium until 2011.
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.
