The Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut, arrived in 1995 when the owners of the Albany-Colonie Yankees, most of them Long Islanders, moved the franchise to a mill city on the Thames River that had not hosted a professional club since the Norwich Bon Bons folded in July 1910. Dodd Stadium was built in five months, and attendance peaked that first season at 281,473.
The Yankees connection was what drew. Norwich made the playoffs four times in six years with rosters that featured big league names: Mike Lowell, Nick Johnson, Alfonso Soriano, and Marcus Thames. Johnson's 1999 season is the statistical marvel, a .345 average with a .525 on-base percentage, 123 walks and 37 hit-by-pitches. Two hours from the Bronx, the park also became the Yankees' rehab stop, with Roger Clemens, David Cone, Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry all making cameos.
The team would win the league title in 2002. The Navigators won a five-game series at home over Harrisburg under rookie manager Luis Sojo, in what turned out to be the Yankees' last season as parent club. The Giants took over in 2003, ticket sales fell 30 percent, and by 2004 Norwich had the worst attendance in the league. The team would be sold and re-brand in 2005, before leaving town completely in 2009.
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.
