Saturday: 1 August 2009
Forgotten Birds : 1903-1953.
The Minor League Orioles won International League championships ( Hanlon trophy ) in 1908, 1919 through 1925 ( 7 straight ) and 1944.
Baltimore had minor league Baseball for nearly 50 years, and were one of the best teams ever. These teams helped bring major league Baseball back to Baltimore.They had more home ( Baltimore ) attendance in 1944 Junior World Series and outdrew the Major League World Series.
New products that are arriving.
In this small factory in the hills around Cooperstown, NY the Cooperstown Ball Cap Co. recreates ball caps of the bygone eras of baseball (1860-1930).Whenever possible the original machines are used. They sew 12-13 ounce wool athletic flannel, horsehide leather sweatbands with SHORT BILLS (because that is what the real ones used).
For more teams Click Here.
Stars and Stripes.
While the Pittsburgh Pirates of 1976-1986 wore the old-fashioned, striped 'pill box' cap, their most innovative alteration to the baseball cap was introduced during their championship season of 1979. In a practice reminiscent of the merit badges doled out by Coach Woody Hayes of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, Willie Stargell handed out gold 'Stargell Stars' to teammates in recognition of various on-field achievements. The stars were then sewn to the honored player’s cap, either between the horizontal stripes or on the bill. Stargell later introduced stars with a small letter 'S' in the center, but the merit badges lasted just a few seasons. When Stargell passed away in 2001, the Pirates donned a 'Stargell Star' on the front of their jersey in memory of 'Pops.'
At left: Pirates infielders Phil Garner (left) and Dale Berra with 'Stargell Stars' on their striped caps, 1980
Click here > for more of cap trivia.
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Cooperstown Gift Mall !!
Colt Stadium was one known as one of the hottest ballparks for both players and fans during its existence. When MLB awarded the Houston area a National League franchise in 1960, the team needed a home until a planned dome stadium could be built.
Colt Stadium remained standing for five years after the Colt .45s left as it served mainly as a storage yard. Team owner Roy Hofheinz had the entire stadium painted grey so it would not stand out in aerial photos of the Astrodome. In the late 1960s Colt Stadium was sold to a minor league Mexican team for $100,000. The stadium was disassembled and moved to Torreon, Mexico. The stadium was moved once again to Tampico, Mexico where it stills sits today and is part of a public playground.
