The Cleveland Spiders were a major league baseball team from Cleveland, Ohio, that played in the National League for eleven seasons (1889–1899). The club originated in 1887 as the Cleveland Blues of the American Association, a short-lived but rival major league. Upon joining the National League in 1889, the team was given new black uniforms. A local sportswriter noted the long, tall, and skinny appearance of many players, and combined with their new uniforms, joked the team should be called "Spiders." The name stuck! The Spiders were one the league's best during the 1890s, with seven straight winning seasons and three second place finishes. They also appeared in three postseason championship contests, all predating the modern World Series: the 1892 World Series, as well as both the 1895 & 1896 Temple Cup series. The Spiders beat the Baltimore Orioles (not today's club) four games to one in a best-of-seven game series to claim the Temple Cup in 1895 -- Cleveland's first major league sports title. Six Spiders were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, including legendary pitcher Cy Young and Jesse "The Crab" Burkett. Louis Sockalexis also played for the Spiders during the club's final three seasons, and is often credited as the first Native American to play major league baseball. Despite success, owner Frank Robison was frustrated with the city of Cleveland's Sunday blue laws: games were prohibited on what was generally the league's biggest-drawing day of the week. Robison therefore bought a second National League team in St. Louis -- the future Cardinals. (During the "syndicate baseball" era, it was legal to own two teams at the same time.) He then transferred all of the Spiders' best talent, including Cy Young and two other future hall of famers, to St. Louis just before the 1899 season. The decimated Spiders roster finished the 1899 season 20–134, the worst for a single season in major league history. As a result, the Spiders were one of four teams contracted by the National League, and "syndicate ownership" was later banned.

A super soft triblend crewneck tee shirt (50% Polyester / 25% Cotton / 25% Rayon) construction. Polyester retains shape and elasticity; Cotton lends both comfort and durability; addition of Rayon makes for a unique texture and drapes against the body for a slimming look. Durable rib neckband.

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