The Merrillville Muddogs of Merrillville, Indiana are the only professional baseball team the town has had, and they lasted one summer. They were one of four clubs in a new independent league that played entirely within Indiana in 1995, alongside the Lafayette Leopards, Anderson Lawmen and East Chicago Conquistadors. The season opened June 13 and ended August 28.
The draw was the manager. Ron Kittle ran the club, twelve years after he won the 1983 American League Rookie of the Year award with the White Sox and next door to his hometown of Gary. He also put himself on the mound for the Muddogs that summer. His pitching coach was Steve Trout, who was fired before the season ended. Trout was another familiar Chicago name, having pitched five seasons each for the White Sox and Cubs.
Home games were played at Merrillville High School. The Muddogs finished third at 27-31, 6.5 games behind pennant winner Lafayette, in a league that held no playoffs. They scored 267 runs and allowed 310. They led the league in attendance at 18,351, which was more than Lafayette (7,624) and East Chicago (5,444) combined.
Five Muddogs were named All-Stars: catcher Donnie Diffenbaugh (.322), third baseman Craig Tucker (.276), shortstop Jeff Laschinski, and pitchers Ryan Lewis (3-2, 4.08) and Javier Gomez (5-4, 2.43). Gomez led the league in ERA and was named pitcher of the year.
There was no second season. Two of the four clubs carried on in the Heartland League in 1996: Lafayette and Anderson. Merrillville and East Chicago did not.
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.
