Last September I did the Not the NFL series, where I put together a football league based on dope uniforms and cool helmets. So, with not much else going on, at least until the NHL thinks they get underway in January, let's revisit that idea for baseball.
We'll be looking at my personal favorite non-Major League (and probably non-MiLB teams) uniforms. I don't know how many we'll look at. But we'll keep it fun.
Gary SouthShore Railcats
League: American Association (2011 - ), Northern League (2002-2010)
Hometown: Gary, IN
Stadium: US Steel Yard
Championships: 2005, 2007, 2013
Division Titles: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2018
Manager: Greg Tagert
The story of the RailCats starts as a travel team in the Northern League. For one season the team barnstormed the NoL waiting for US Steel Yard to open, within the decade they became a juggernaut, appearing in 5 consecutive championships.
The RailCats road the Northern League into the sunset, and were one of four teams that jumped over to the American Association in '11. After having a tough run as a league floormat under Garry Templeton, the Railcats hired Greg Tagert for 2005. One of the benefits of indie ball, Tagert was able to rebuild the RailCats into an immediate winner, taking down their first of 2 Northern League championships.
As far as the RailCats branding, the SouthShore RailCats lean on Gary's industrial history and the commuter train that runs along US Steel Yard's left field wall. The RailCats are leading us off, instead of one of my favorite (formerly) indie ball teams, the St. Paul Saints, mostly because of their third choice kit.
Their home & roads are clean looking, with their maroon & green wordmark. But their third choice jersey brings maroon & green together in a throwback that reminds you of the classic San Diego Padres 1978 look.
It's tough to make red and green work together, unless your Santa Claus or a traffic light. And forest green is not a typical color for a sports team. Especially in baseball, where like 1443% of teams are blue & red. But, Gary has made it work. The '78 style jersey could have been a garish trainwreck, but it's different without being presumptuous.
The RailCats sat out the 2020 season (thanks, COVID), as only 6 teams played in an abbreviated and unusual American Association season. But the team is in good shape to return for 2021.
If you're interested, you can catch glimses of the RailCats (as well as the Saints and the Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks) in clips during season 3 of IFC's Brockmire.
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