The Merced Fig Growers, based in Merced, California, played in the California State League in 1910, arriving mid-season when the Oakland Invaders franchise relocated to the San Joaquin Valley. The name saluted the fig orchards then spreading across Merced County, part of the great agricultural boom that gave the early California minors some of the best team names ever recorded: the Fig Growers joined the Raisin Growers, Prune Pickers, and Melon Rollers in a league that read like a farmers market.
The Fig Growers were Merced's first professional baseball team, and their single partial season stood as the city's only professional baseball until the Merced Bears joined the new California League as a charter member in 1941. Between the two clubs, Merced's entire professional baseball history spans parts of just two seasons, three decades apart, under two agricultural names.
In the first half of the 1900s, professional baseball reached into towns of every size across America, with leagues rising and folding year to year as cities looked for entertainment in the era before television, and the 1910 California State League was among the many circuits that didn't survive their own ambitions.
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.
