The Mattoon-Charleston Canaries played the 1906 season in the Kitty League. The team was owned by the Mattoon City Railway Company, which ran an interurban service between the two cities. The railway had also built an amusement park between the cities, and that is where the Canaries' ballfield was located.
Though they lasted only one season (the original Kitty League folded at the end of 1906), the Canaries produced one prominent major league ballplayer. Larry Doyle made it to the majors with John McGraw's New York Giants the very next year. He went on to a long and distinguished career for a Giants team that was a powerhouse in the early 20th century. In 1912 Doyle hit .330 and won the Chalmers Award as the National League's best player for the pennant-winning Giants, and in 1915 he won the National League batting championship with a .320 average. Across a 14-year major league career Doyle batted .290, which at the time of his retirement placed him fourth all-time among second basemen with at least 1,000 at bats. He also played on four National League pennant winners.
Mattoon and Charleston continued to have a team during the 1907 and 1908 seasons, but it was not called the Canaries and it did not play in the Kitty League. The Charleston Broom Corn Cutters played in the Eastern Illinois League in 1907, followed by the Charleston Evangelists (yes, really) in 1908. After that 1908 season minor league baseball left the Mattoon-Charleston area and, to date, has not returned.
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.
