The 1902 Spokane Smoke Eaters of Spokane, Washington, finished last, 46-75, but their pitching staff included two notable names: 43-year-old Tony Mullane, near the end of a career that produced 284 major league wins, and 24-year-old Jack Pfiester, five years before he led the National League in ERA.
The Pacific Northwest League was a six-team Class B circuit in 1902, the first year of formal minor league classification. Butte and Helena, Montana, joined Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Spokane, and Butte won the pennant. John J. Grim managed Spokane, which played at Natatorium Park. The year before, as the Blue Stockings, Spokane had also finished last, at 41-67.
Mullane began 1902 as an umpire in the league, gave that up, and signed with Spokane as a player, appearing in 20 games. Known as "the Count" and "the Apollo of the Box," he became the first ambidextrous pitcher in major league history in 1882. Pfiester pitched the full season for Spokane, going 13-15. With the Chicago Cubs he posted a 1.15 ERA in 1907, earned the name "Jack the Giant Killer" for beating New York, and was on the mound for the 1908 Merkle game.
"Smoke eater" is American slang for a firefighter; no 1902 source explaining why Spokane used the name has been found, so the connection is unconfirmed. In 1903 the league reorganized under a new name, and Spokane's club, renamed the Indians through a Spokesman-Review contest, finished second at 82-68 under new managers. Whether the 1902 ownership carried over has not been documented.
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 standard (non-premium) hoodies are classics that anyone is sure to recognize. They are thick, durable Gildan brand hoodies. They are a cotton/poly blend that stands the test of time and feature the 'kangaroo pouch' on the front with a draw string hood.
Size Guide: True to size, roomy
- Brand: Gildan | Product ID: G18500
- Made with a medium-heavy fabric (8.0 oz/yd² (271 g/m²)) that consists of 50% cotton and 50% polyester for that cozy feel and warmth you need in a hoodie.
- The classic fit along with the pouch pocket and the tear-away label make for a highly comfortable, scratch-free wearing experience.
- The color-matched drawcord and the double-lined hood add a stylish flair and durability that tie everything together.
- 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 tee's dyes are OEKO-TEX-certified dyes with low environmental impact.
- Tumble dry: medium; Iron, steam or dry: low heat; Do not dryclean; Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F); Non-chlorine: bleach as needed.
