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 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.
