The Lakeland Pilots of Lakeland, Florida got their name by contest. In January 1946, the city's new professional club chose "Pilots" from 100 submitted entries, picked by a judging panel that included big league pitchers Tommy Bridges of Detroit and Rip Sewell of Pittsburgh to honor the British and American aviators who trained during the war at Lakeland's Lodwick School of Aeronautics. The winning entrant, a railroad worker named J. L. Jarvis, received his prize in miles: a trip with the team to Havana.
That Havana trip was no gimmick. The Pilots played in the Florida International League, a Class C and later Class B circuit that stretched from Florida's Gulf Coast across the water to Cuba, one of the few minor leagues ever to cross international waters. Lakeland stayed there through 1952, with a one-year detour as the Lakeland Patriots in 1951, then moved in 1953 to the Class D circuit the city had known since 1919. The move paid off fast: the Pilots won the league championship in 1954.
Lakeland's baseball roots go deeper than the Pilots. The city fielded the Lakeland Highlanders as charter members of that same circuit from 1919 to 1926, winning the 1924 title, and Lakeland has served as the Detroit Tigers' spring training home for the better part of a century, the longest such relationship in baseball.
The Pilots folded after the 1955 season. Our design is adapted from original artwork the team used back in the day.
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.
