On April 22, 1959, a nineteen-year-old infielder making his professional debut went 1-for-4 with a run-scoring single for the Raleigh Capitals. His name was barely known to sportswriters at the time, who occasionally got it wrong in print, but Carl Yastrzemski would go on to a 23-year Hall of Fame career with the Boston Red Sox, winning the Triple Crown in 1967.
Yastrzemski hit .377 for the Capitals in 1959, leading the Carolina League in hits, doubles, and batting average, and was named the league's Player of the Year, an award presented to him mid-game when a contest at Devereux Meadow was paused in the third inning so he could accept it. Raleigh finished the regular season in first place, six and a half games ahead of the Wilson Tobs, only to be swept by Wilson in the best-of-seven playoffs.
The Capitals name had been used by Raleigh teams as far back as the 1920s Piedmont League, and Raleigh had also won Carolina League titles in 1946 and 1947 under an earlier postwar incarnation of the team. After the Capitals' run ended in 1962, the same Raleigh franchise was renamed the Mets, then the Cardinals, then the Pirates, before merging into the Durham Bulls in 1968.
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.
