Wearable Nostalgia: Military Baseball T-shirts from EFF

Want to wear your passion for military baseball without spending $200 for a reproduction jersey? These military Tees from Ebbets Field Flannels are the perfect solution.

Almost a full month of the 2016 baseball season has elapsed and we are beginning to see the alignments taking shape within the standings. My family knows that I follow three Major League Baseball teams; LA, Boston and Seattle. When I was a kid, I discovered the Blue Wrecking Crew of LA during the Cey, Lopes, Russell and Garvey era (“The Penguin,” Ron Cey was from my hometown and my favorite Dodger) watching the NBC Saturday Game of the Week which the Dodgers and my other favorite team of that time, the Red Sox, seemed to dominate the recurring programming. My passion for the Mariners didn’t materialize until the later 1970s with they came into being. Seeing these three teams perched atop their respective division standings as I write this gives me hope for an entertaining season. Heartbreak is certain to follow as the season wears on when one or all three teams will fall back to earth.

Despite dropping two straight to the Marlins at home, the Dodgers remain in front of the NL West.

Big Papi’s final ride of his career finds his Sox sharing the AL East lead spot.

The Mariners are surging and surprising the naysayers (including me).

As the season continues, my collecting interest presses onward. A few weeks ago, a package arrived from my favorite clothing manufacturer bearing five wonderfully nostalgic garments that fit directly into my area of interest and the subject of this blog. While I have referenced Ebbets Field Flannels in a few postings regarding their jerseys and caps (see: Replicating Military Baseball Style, US Marines Baseball Uniforms) and how this company does fantastic work in recreating this forgotten part of the game’s history. The five garments that arrived are part of EFF’s vintage T-shirt product line that borrows from various elements of history (logos, graphics, patches and other visual cues). The visuals from select teams are tastefully nostalgic and classic designs that are imprinted onto high-quality, domestically sourced jersey-cotton T-shirts.

When I saw the 71st Infantry Division (the “Red Circlers”) shirt, I immediately recognized the graphic from my original 1945 Third Army Baseball Championship scorecard

I managed to purchase this program and scorecard for the Third Army Championship games, hosted in early August of 1945 at Nuremberg Stadium in Germany.

The Red Circlers represented the 71st Infantry Division of the Third Army. Sergeant Ewell Blackwell (pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds), tossed a no-hitter in the 2nd game of the Third Army Championship Series against the 76th Division Onaways in Augsberg, Germany. After their 3-2 series victory over the Onaways, the Red Circlers went on to sweep the 29th Infantry Division to claim the Ground Force Championship title. (source: EFF)

I owned a T-shirt (of the Vincennes (IN) Velvets) from EFF years ago that I wore so often that it was quite literally reduced to rags after years of use (please reissue this one again, Mr. Cohen!) so I was familiar with the quality of the shirts. The very tastefully executed graphics are over-layed onto the corresponding colors creating a visually appealing garment that will make you want to wear it as often as possible. Buying the 5-pack was an obvious choice so that I can enjoy wearing a bit of history without donning a heavier wool flannel jersey.

The U.S. Navy All-Stars fielded a team that featured Cookie Lavagetto, Bill Wright, Ray Lamanno, and Joe Hatten. On June 5th, 1943- they defeated the Army All-Stars 7-6 at Seals Stadium in San Francisco, California (source: EFF)

The Pearl Harbor Submarine Base ballclub was managed by former Washington Senators pitcher, Walt Masterson. The Sub Base won the 14th Naval District League Championship game in September 1945 over the Aiea Barracks squad. Over 21,000 filled Furlong Field to watch the contest. (source: EFF)

The Seventh Air Force was stationed at Hickam Field Army Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1944, New York Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio was transferred to the Hickam Field to serve as sergeant. On June 4th, 1944, Dimaggio and the Seventh Air Force baseball team faced off against the Navy (whose roster included greats like Phil Rizzuto and Pee Wee Reese). The Navy won the game 6-2, in spite of a 453ft home run blast by Sgt. DiMaggio.(source: EFF)

The 3rd Marine Division was activated in September of 1942 in San Diego, CA at Camp Elliott. Over the next 2 years the division trained in Auckland, and then Guadalcanal, eventually taking part in the Battle of Guam. They remained on Guam until joining the Battle of Iwo Jima. The 3rd Marine Division All-Stars played a series of exhibition games at Trimble Field, and even played a few road games vs. the Second Marine Division. (source: EFF)

For a short time, EFF has introductory pricing (20% off the $30.00 price) on these Military Baseball T-shirts that would make it worth the $24 to give one a try.