Friday, December 19, 2008

70's Cavs Custom Fitted


(via wikipedia)
The Cavaliers first began play in the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team under the ownership of Nick Mileti. Playing their home games at Cleveland Arena under the direction of head coach Bill Fitch, they compiled a league-worst 15–67 record. The team hoped to build around the number one 1971 draft pick Austin Carr who had set numerous scoring records at Notre Dame, but Carr severely injured his leg shortly into his pro career and did not recover sufficiently to become a great pro player.

The following seasons saw the Cavaliers gradually improve their on-court performance, thanks to season-by-season additions of talented players such as Bingo Smith, Jim Chones, Jim Cleamons and Dick Snyder. Cleveland improved to 23–59 in their sophomore season, followed by a 32–50 record in 1972–73, and a small step backwards to 29–53 in 1973–74. In 1974, the Cavaliers moved into the brand-new Richfield Coliseum, located in the cornfields thirty miles south of downtown Cleveland in Summit County. That season, the Cavaliers finished with a 40–42 record, falling just short of a playoff berth.

In the 1975-76 season with Carr, Smith, Chones, Snyder, and newly acquired Nate Thurmond; Fitch led the Cavaliers to a 49–33 record and a division title. Fitch received the league's Coach of the Year award as the Cavs made their first-ever playoff appearance.

The Cavs won the series against the Washington Bullets, 4–3. Because of the many heroics and last-second shots, the series became known locally as the "Miracle of Richfield." However, hampered by injuries, particularly to Jim Chones, the Cavs proceeded to lose to the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs.

Cleveland won 43 games the next two seasons (1976–77 and 1977–78), but both those seasons resulted in early playoff exits. After a 30–52 season in 1978-79, Fitch resigned as head coach. The following season, after going 37–45 under Fitch's successor Stan Albeck, original owner Mileti sold his shares to minority owner Joe Zingale.

Logo is hand cut and sewn felt.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Chicago American Giants Custom Fitted


Chicago American Giants were a Chicago based Negro League baseball team, formed by player-manager Andrew "Rube" Foster. From 1910 until the mid-1930s, the American Giants were the most dominant team in black baseball. Charter members of Foster's Negro National League, the American Giants won five pennants in that league, along with another pennant in the 1932 Negro Southern League and a second-half championship in Gus Greenlee's Negro National League in 1934. The team was disbanded in 1952.

Logo is hand cut and sewn felt.

Vintage '66 O's Custom Fitted





Vintage 1966 cap patch on the front, hand screened, cut and sewn patch on the back.

Holla!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Baltimore Pirates Custom Fitted



The Baltimore Pirates booked games in 1932 and 1933 against area amateur, semipro and minor league teams. The team developed a reputation for high entertainment. As a way to increase interest, they changed their name in 1934 to the Silver Moons.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Staten Island Stapletons Custom Fitted



The Staten Island Stapletons were a professional American football team founded in 1929 that played in the National Football League from 1929 to 1930. Under the shortened nickname the "Stapes" they played an additional two seasons from 1931 to 1932. The team was based in Staten Island, New York.