1930s Stein's Baseball Team

Earlier today MLB Historian John Thorn tweeted:

That reminded me of a team in Knoxville, probably in the early 1930s.  Stein's.

image N-4677 "Stein's baseball players showing backs of uniforms."

from The Thompson Photograph Collection

part of the Calvin M. McClung Digital Collection

The player on the front row, left (below), reminds me a bit of Ted Kluszewski, what with his torn sleeves and all.

image N-4678 "Stein's baseball players wearing uniforms with $12.50 on front."

from The Thompson Photograph Collection

part of the Calvin M. McClung Digital Collection

I haven't yet researched the team in the local newspapers.  My assumption is that it was one of many factory teams that played in the city leagues.

Another photo from the Calving M. McClung Digital Collection shows the Stein's store, but by 1937 the suit prices had risen to $16.50

image N-5904 "East side of Market Square from Union Avenue to Wall Avenue, Knoxville, TN. October 28, 1937.
Partial view of Market House at left. T.E. Bruns Co. in center. At left: Corkland's, Stein's All Wool Clothes, Miller's Annex, French Booterie. Trucks and cars parked in front of stores. Ordered by Wallace & Wallace."

from The Thompson Photograph Collection

part of the Calvin M. McClung Digital Collection

The 1933 Knoxville City Directory shows that Stein Brothers was located at 10 Market Square.

Knoxville, Tennessee, City Directory, 1933
Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line].
Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Stein's was a staple across the nation, at least in principal cities.

The Augusta Chronicle - November 1, 1931

A few years later we learn that Steins had two factories.  One in Knoxville and the other in Syracuse.  I have yet to determine the location of the Knoxville factory.

The State-Times (Baton Rouge) - April 18, 1933

If Stein's were around today, I'd support them.  A suit for $12.50?  And they have a baseball team?  I'll take two.

Newspaper images from GenealogyBank.com