1867 National, Washington DC (Nationals)

This rendering is based on written documentation only for uniform style and color. No visual documentation is known and an artist’s conceptualization is used to create the rendering.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on this uniform:
None

Written documentation on this uniform:
July 15, 1867, National, Washington, v. Cincinnati at Cincinnati, recounted in 1890: “The Nationals appeared in their regular suits of blue pantaloons and caps, with white shirts.” From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 1890, exact date was included on the newspaper scan.

July 25, 1867, National, Washington, v. Forest City, Rockford, at Chicago, Dexter Park: “[National wore] dark blue pants, white shirt with blue cord trimming, ‘Shakespeare’ collars, ornamented on either side with letter ‘N’, and white jockey cap ribbed with blue cord.” From the Louisville Journal, July 29, 1867, as researched by Peter Morris and others, Base Ball Pioneers, 1850-1870 (2012).

July 29, 1867, National, Washington, v. Atlantic, Chicago, at Chicago, Dexter Park: “Uniform of Nationals was blue pants, white shirt with blue shield, and a white cap.” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1845-1881 From Newspaper Accounts (1961). No specific documentation given.

Team genealogy: National, Washington DC, 1859-1870
National was formed in Washington, DC, in 1859. The club was noted for its tour of the “west” in 1867, visiting Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Chicago. National became inactive after the 1870 season. A team using the National name joined the National Association (NA) in 1872. The NA was the first baseball league, operating 1871-1875. The National name has been used by subsequent teams in Washington, including the Washington Nationals, which entered the National League in 2005. Information from Peter Morris, Base Ball Pioneers 1850-1870 (2012).