The Waco Pirates, based in Waco, Texas, gave the Big State League its most dramatic story across nine seasons from 1947 through 1956. The franchise opened under the Dons name in 1947, when Monty Stratton, the Chicago White Sox pitcher who lost his leg in a hunting accident in 1938, played for the club as part of his return to baseball on an artificial leg, a comeback that inspired the 1949 Jimmy Stewart film "The Stratton Story." The franchise affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates under Branch Rickey and adopted the Pirates name in 1948.
The low point came in 1952, a 29-118 record standing as one of the worst in professional baseball history. The 1953 season brought the May 11 F5 tornado that destroyed Katy Park and forced the team to finish the season in Longview. What followed in 1954 was one of the finest seasons in minor league history: 105-42, the Big State League championship, and a 55-game hitting streak by outfielder Roman Mejias, the third longest in minor league history. Baseball historians later ranked those 1954 Pirates 25th among the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time. The site of Katy Park is now Magnolia Market at the Silos.
The Big State League was a Class B circuit that ran from 1947 through 1957, fielding teams exclusively from across Texas. Named for the state's reputation as the nation's largest, the league stretched from the Gulf Coast to the plains of West Texas, bringing professional baseball to cities the higher-classification Texas League had never reached.
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 tees are classic, heavyweight t-shirts that are durable and thick. They are looser fitting and run true to size.
Size Guide: True to size
- Brand: Gildan | Product ID: 5000
- Made with medium fabric (5.3 oz/yd² (180 g/m²)) consisting of 100% cotton for year-round comfort that is sustainable and highly durable.
- The classic fit of this shirt ensures a comfy, relaxed wear while the crew neckline adds that neat, timeless look that can blend into any occasion, casual or semi-formal.
- The tear-away label means a scratch-free experience with no irritation or discomfort whatsoever.
- Made using 100% US cotton that is ethically grown and harvested. Gildan is also a proud member of the US Cotton Trust Protocol ensuring ethical and sustainable means of production. This blank tee is certified by Oeko-Tex for safety and quality assurance.
- Non-chlorine: bleach as needed; Do not iron; Do not dryclean; Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F); Tumble dry: low heat.
