The McAlester Rockets, based in McAlester, Oklahoma, were the most successful franchise in Sooner State League history, winning five league championships in seven seasons as a New York Yankees affiliate, capturing the title in 1947 and then four consecutive years from 1950 through 1953. The Rockets played at Jeff Lee Stadium, drawing between 40,000 and 63,000 fans per season, strong attendance for a Class D market.
The franchise's most enduring piece of history came in 1949, when a 17-year-old outfielder from New Athens, Illinois named Dorrel Herzog arrived as one of the Yankees' top young prospects. Herzog hit .279 in his first season with the Rockets and .351 the following year, and it was during his time in McAlester that the local radio announcer gave him the nickname "Whitey" for his light blond hair. That nickname followed Herzog through a long career as a player and manager, including a 1982 World Series title managing the St. Louis Cardinals and a 2010 induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Sooner State League was a Class D circuit that operated from 1947 through 1957, fielding teams from across Oklahoma along with several northern Texas cities. In the years before television brought major league baseball into American homes, minor leagues like the Sooner State League were a central part of community life across small-town America. At the peak of the minor league era in the late 1940s, more than 50 leagues and nearly 500 clubs operated across the country, giving fans in hundreds of cities and towns their only connection to professional baseball.
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.
