Nashua 1946 Cap

In 1945 – Brooklyn Dodgers President Branch Rickey explored the creation of a new farm team to play in the recently formed New England League.  Rickey had just signed Jackie Robinson to spearhead the integration of major league baseball so was looking to expand African American representation across the Dodger’s player system. Believing Nashua to have the right combination of a supportive community and a progressive newspaper – Rickey signed catcher Roy Campanella & pitcher Don Newcombe and developed his new Class-B team.

With Jackie Robinson dispatched to the Montreal Royals to play in the International League – Campanella and Newcombe were sent to the the Nashua Dodgers, making it the first professional baseball team based in the United States in the twentieth century to play with a racially integrated roster. The team was based at Holman Stadium in Nashua for 3 seasons and ultimately folded in 1949 with the demise of the New England League.

Our replica cap reflects the original design, complete with felt stitched "N" and honors the players, coaches, management & fans that contributed to this important milestone in sports.

Made exclusively by and for New England Sketch Book