Step back in time with this authentic Wytheville Braves Baseball team t-shirt, celebrating one of the most notable franchises in Appalachian League history. The Braves took Virginia by storm from 1971-1973, bringing professional rookie league baseball excitement to the heart of Wytheville as part of the Atlanta Braves' minor league system.
The Wytheville Braves burst onto the baseball scene in 1971 as a Rookie-level affiliate of the Atlanta Braves in the Appalachian League. Playing their home games at Withers Field, the team served as an initial stepping stone for many young prospects in the Atlanta organization, including notable players like Biff Pocoroba, who began his professional baseball career with the Wytheville Braves after being drafted by Atlanta in the 17th round of the 1971 MLB draft. During his time in Wytheville, Pocoroba showed promising talent, hitting .298 with 3 home runs and 19 RBIs in 42 games, while demonstrating good discipline at the plate with 11 walks against just 13 strikeouts.
The Wytheville Braves represented part of a rich baseball tradition in the small Western Virginia town, which hosted professional baseball off and on from 1948 until 1989. Like many minor league affiliations in the region, major league parent clubs typically didn't stay long—throughout 25 summers with baseball, the Wytheville club changed names 11 times as different MLB organizations established affiliations with the team. The Atlanta Braves' three-season stint from 1971-1973 was one of the more stable periods in the town's baseball history, providing fans with the opportunity to see future major leaguers at the beginning of their professional careers.
Though relatively short-lived, the Wytheville Braves played an important role in the development system of the Atlanta Braves organization during the early 1970s. Players like Biff Pocoroba would go on to have significant major league careers—in Pocoroba's case, parts of ten seasons with Atlanta from 1975-1984, including an All-Star appearance in 1978 and participation in the 1982 National League Championship Series. The team represented the first professional experience for many young players who would later contribute to the parent club in Atlanta during the 1970s and early 1980s.
This premium quality throwback tee features the iconic Wytheville Braves logo on the front, reproduced with a deliberately distressed, cracked, vintage feel that captures the nostalgic essence of this beloved team. The back remains blank, keeping the focus on the legendary emblem that represents an important chapter in Appalachian League baseball history.
Product Specifications:
- Printed on premium Gildan 5000
- 5.3 oz, 100% preshrunk cotton for comfort and durability
- Tear-away label for maximum comfort
- Classic unisex fit looks great on everyone
- Available in sizes S-5XL
- Variety of popular colors available
- Created using cutting-edge direct-to-garment printing technology for exceptional detail and wash-resistance
Whether you were there cheering from the stands at Withers Field during the early 1970s, or you're just discovering the legend of the Wytheville Braves, this shirt lets you carry a piece of Virginia baseball history wherever you go.
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