The San Francisco Wasps, based in San Francisco, California, played in the California circuit from 1899 through 1902, holding down its biggest market during its turn-of-the-century revival. San Francisco was the one constant across every incarnation of the early California circuit, and in an era when the league's clubs regularly carried sponsor names, from brewery-backed champions to whiskey brands, the Wasps name may well have nodded to The Wasp, San Francisco's famous satirical weekly of the day, though the naming record is not definitive.
Wasps box scores read like a preview of West Coast baseball's next two decades. Outfielder George Hildebrand left San Francisco for Brooklyn after the 1901 season, and though his major league playing career lasted only 11 games, he is credited with helping originate the spitball and went on to spend 22 years as an American League umpire, working four World Series. Jack Dunleavy departed for four seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, and first baseman Lou Nordyke became a West Coast league standout; a June 1901 account has Nordyke leading a 9-3 win over Oakland with a home run, triple, and double.
The Wasps' final season proved historic. After 1902, the circuit's leading operators reorganized it into the new West Coast league, with San Francisco's entry reborn as the Seals, the franchise that would dominate West Coast baseball for the next half century. The Wasps were the end of the line for the old league as a top-level operation; everything after 1902 played in the new league's shadow.
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 crewneck sweatshirts are classics that anyone is sure to recognize. They are thick, durable Gildan brand crews. They are a cotton/poly blend that stands the test of time.
Size Guide: True to size
- Made with a medium-heavy fabric blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester (8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)), this sweatshirt feels cozy and is the perfect choice for those colder months.
- The classic fit along with the crew neckline deliver a comfy wearing experience with a clean-cut style. Meanwhile, the double-needle stitching at the shoulder, armhole, neck, waistband, and cuff seams add top-tier durability.
- Say goodbye to itchiness thanks to the gray, pearlized tear-away label.
- Made using 100% ethically grown US cotton. Gildan is also a proud member of the US Cotton Trust Protocol ensuring ethical and sustainable means of production. The blank shirt's dyes are OEKO-TEX-certified dyes with low environmental impact.
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F); Non-chlorine: bleach as needed; Tumble dry: low heat; Do not iron; Do not dryclean.
