Quite a scene was enacted at the Directors' headquarters at Sportsman's Park yesterday, as President Von der Ahe displayed the magnificent new uniforms of the St. Louis and Reserve players...Those of the St. Louis players are beauties. They are of the purest white flannel, the shirts being of a soft, smooth texture, with the "St. Louis Browns" in brown cashmere handsomely woven across the center. Pretty silkcord lacings are used, giving the shirts a very attractive and handsome appearance. The breeches are of the blouse pattern, and look elegant on the players. The stockings are a beautiful brown, while the belt if of a fine brocaded silk woven material. Each player receives two suits, with each one of which goes a pair of garters and a pretty necktie. The caps have two brown stripes around them...
-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, April 6, 1884
4 comments:
This description of their uniforms is so perfect. Is there any chance The St. Louis paper described the look of the Detroit Wolverines' uniforms during the 1887 World Series games? I'm working on a research design project and have been trying to dig up any info i can on the team's (colors).
Thanks
I covered the 1887 World Series day by day but I don't remember if the papers gave a description of Detroit's uniforms. All of those posts were tagged with "1887" and you can find those by clicking on the link in the right-hand side bar. Also, have you checked the Hall of Fame's Dressed to the Nines website? I'm not sure how far back it goes or if it would cover the 1887 Wolverines but they have team uniforms going back to the 19th century. Might be worth taking a look.
Thanks. I'll have to do some more digging. I've been to the dressed to the nines site before - it has been helpful, but it does not go back that far - as most of the illustrations are from the 20th century baseball uniforms book. my assumption is that until 1886-1888 there was no 'standard' uniform, so the idea that "old gold" was the Wolverines' stocking color is mostly irrelevant by 1887 when in their team photo cabinet, their stockings are brown and they've got pinstriped shirts.
In one search i found on google books - it stated that Charlie Ganzel wore the Detroit uniform in 1888 and the colors were blue and white; but that's the only place i've ever seen that mentioned (though the socks appear white or gold?).
i was always under the impression the major color was red or maroon or possibly brown based on all the evidence and research i've done.
anyways, i appreciate the response. thanks!
Not a problem. I went back and checked the game accounts I have from game one of the series and neither the StL Globe-Democrat nor the Boston Globe mentions Detroit's uniform. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
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