Savannah Bears Negro League - Full Button Front Jersey
Pay homage to the stars of the Negro League with this stunning Savannah Bears Full Button Front jersey from Headgear Classics. It features classic jersey construction with a rounded droptail hem. Vintage tackle-twill Savannah Bears logos offer a throwback-inspired jersey that showcases the rich and inspirational history of the Negro League.
The Savannah Bears was the most prominent team in the Savannah Negro Leagues and was founded by several prominent African American business leaders, including William D. Washington, a prominent local businessman and politician. The team was initially composed of local players, many of whom had been excluded from the opportunity to play professional baseball because of their race. There were other teams that played in Sportsman Park like the Savannah Kilowatts which was sponsored by Savannah Electric and Power, the Black Sox, and a host of other teams on almost that played every Sunday.
Over time, the Savannah Bears became a powerful force in Negro League Baseball, attracting top talent from around the country and regularly competing against other top Negro League teams such as the Birmingham Black Barons and the Homestead Grays. Two players that actually left the Savannah Bears went on the play in the Majors Negro Leagues with the Indianapolis Clowns which were Bobo Smalls, and “Crazy Legs’ Patterson. The team was known for its talented players, including pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige, who went on to become one of the most famous pitchers in baseball history.
The Savannah Bears were also known for their dedicated and enthusiastic fans, who filled Sportsman Park Stadium for every home game. The stadium, which was built in 1926 specifically for the team, was a source of pride for the African American community in Savannah and was widely considered to be one of the finest ballparks in the country.
Despite the success of the Savannah Bears and other Negro League teams in the city, the integration of Major League Baseball in the 1940s and 1950s spelled the end of the Negro Leagues. Many of the best players from the Savannah Bears and other Negro League teams went on to play in the major leagues, including Hank Aaron, who went on to become one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.