1869 Mutual, New York (Mutuals, Mutes, Green Stockings)

These renderings are 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 renderings.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on these uniforms:
None

Written documentation on these uniforms:
July 21, 1869, Mutual, New York, v. Maryland, Baltimore, at Brooklyn, Union Grounds: “The Mutuals appeared in a new rig, said to have been presented to them by [New York State] Senator [Michael] Norton. The new uniform is of the knickerbocker style—knee breeches, shirt and cap of white flannel, and green stockings.” From the New York Clipper, August 7, 1869. Historian William J. Ryczek wrote in Base Ball Founders (2013) that “Michael Norton became a well-known boxer and then used Tammany connections to become a state senator in 1867.” Ryczek added that “in January of 1870, [Norton] was named to the Mutuals’ board of directors,” as published in the New York Times, January 14, 1870. Wikipedia.com tells us that Michael Norton was born in 1837 in County Roscommon, Ireland, and that the color green had been associated with Ireland as early as the 1640s, when the “green harp flag” was used by the Irish Catholic Confederation, a self-governing body of aristocrats and land gentries. Wikipedia info retrieved February 27, 2023.

July 1869: “A new uniform has been adopted, to consist of blue shirt and kneebreeches and green stockings. A system of fines will probably be instituted, and players […] not having their uniform in good condition and committing such like offences [sp] will be obliged to suffer some pecuniary loss.” From the New York Herald, July 24, 1869. This article talked about the Mutual’s need to be put “under the control of one person, who should see that the players are properly trained to the working of their respective positions. […] The efficacy of this system has been amply demonstrated in the Cincinnati ‘Red Stocking’ nine and others.” This description of the Mutual uniform was also included by Preston D. Orem in Baseball 1845-1881 From Newspaper Accounts (1961). No specific reference given however this entry matched the New York Herald account.

July 1869: “Today [July 31] the Marylanders will play the Mutuals at the Union grounds [in Brooklyn]. The Mutuals will appear in their new uniform (green stockings) and intend to make a good appearance.” From the New York Herald, July 31, 1869.

July 1869: “The reconstructed Mutual Nine will make its first appearance this week. […] It is understood that the Nine will don a new uniform on the occasion of their first appearance to consist of knee breeches, and shirt of blue, and green stockings.” From the New York Clipper, July 31, 1869.

July 31, 1869, Mutual, New York, v. Maryland, Baltimore, at Brooklyn, Union Ground: “About 2,000 spectators assembled on the Union Ground on Saturday to witness the game between the reorganized Mutual Nine and the crack Southern Nine. […] The [Mutual] nine appeared for the first time in their new uniform.” From the New York Daily Tribune, August 2, 1869.

July 31, 1869, Mutual, New York, v. Maryland, Baltimore, at Brooklyn, Union Ground: “The Mutuals, in their new uniform of white, with green stockings, looked very fine and presented even a better appearance than ‘red stockings’ on the field.” From the Baltimore Sun, August 3, 1869, citing the New York Herald.

August 25, 1869, Mutual, New York, v. Maryland, Baltimore, at Baltimore: “On Wednesday the Mutuals met the Maryland Club. […] The New Yorkers were uniformed in white caps, shirts, and knee breeches, with green stockings and belts.” From Wilkes Spirit Of The Times, 1869, exact issue date not provided on newspaper scan. Game date from Marshall D. Wright, The National Association of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870 (2000). The Spirit Of The Times article called Mutual the “Green Stockings” and Maryland the “Marylanders.”

September 1869: “The uniform of the Mutuals [of New York] is a cream colored suit, red belt, green ‘socks,’ buff shoes and scarlet ‘M’ to the fore.” From the Cambridge (IN) City Tribune, September 9, 1869. Research from Don Stokes. The newspaper noted this report came from the Washington (DC) Tribune in reference to an upcoming game between Mutual and National of Washington on September 21, 1869. Game date from Marshall D. Wright, The National Association of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870 (2000).

November 1869: “The Mutuals are the Club of New York City proper, and are the real representatives of the metropolis in the base-ball area. […] They come to win, if it be in their famous nine to do it, and disfigure the whole laurel wreath of their opponents [i.e., Cincinnati on November 6, at Cincinnati], by tearing from it one of its sixty, more or less hardly earned leaves, and to make their own soubriquet ‘Green Stockings,’ as famous as that of their rivals.” From the Cincinnati Enquirer, November 6, 1869, reprinting a report from an unnamed New York paper.

December 27, 1869, Mutual, New York, v. Southern, New Orleans, at New Orleans, Fair Grounds: “The Mutuals when [dressed] in their uniform, (which is a neat one of white flannel, with dark green stockings) showed a magnificent physique.” From the New Orleans Daily Picayune, December 28, 1869.

December 29, 1869, Mutual, New York, v. Lone Star, New Orleans, at New Orleans: “The first incident of the day was the starting of both cubs from the City Hotel [in New Orleans] — the head-quarters for the past week of base-balldom. A number of cabs and carriages were in attendance to discharge this duty, and at one time the streets were absolutely blockaded by spectators anxious to see the men in their respective uniforms. When they did, the sight paid them for the seeing. The Mutuals still towered up a body of tall and stalwart men in a white jacket, pants and cap, with black leggins [sp], to which we have before alluded. On this occasion, too, were visible the white and spiked shoes which have thus far contributed so much to their victories.” From the Brooklyn (NY) Union, January 6, 1870, and submitted by the newspaper’s “New Orleans correspondent Mr. Raker.” Research from Ed Morton.

1869, referenced in May 1870: “The Forest City lads [of Rockford, IL, in 1870] were accoutred [i.e., notably clothed] in a costume similar to that worn by the Mutual last year [in 1869]—green stockings and white shirt and pants.” From the New York Herald, May 31, 1870. This report was also researched by Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1845-1881 From Newspaper Accounts (1961).

Team genealogy: Mutual, New York, 1857-1876
Mutual was formed in New York, NY, in 1857 and was named after the Mutual Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, New York. Mutual belonged to the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP), baseball’s first organization operating 1857-1870. Mutual played in the National Association (NA), competing in every year of league’s existence, 1871-1875, and joined the National League (NL) in 1876 for its inaugural season. The club was removed from the NL before the 1877 season and subsequently disbanded. Information from William J Ryczek, Peter Morris and others, Base Ball Founders (2013).