1879 Syracuse (Stars)
This rendering is based on visual documentation for uniform style and written documentation for color. Minor details may be undocumented or difficult to determine. An educated guess is made to complete the rendering.
Rendering accuracy:Year: documented Team: documented
Visual documentation on this uniform:
Photo A
Dated April 1879 to June 1879. Two versions of the identical image. The top image is a scan of an original print, the bottom image is a second-generation scan of a newspaper print. Photo date determined by appearance of player Allen, who only played for Syracuse in 1879 and was signed away by Cleveland (NL) in June 1879. An undocumented research report stated the Syracuse team was photographed on April 25, 1879, see written documentation below. Players wore a white or light-colored uniform in this photo, with a white cap, dark belt and stockings. The buttoned shirt did not display the team name. The pants had a dark-colored cord on the seam. This uniform was described in a newspaper account from 1879 as being white in color with brown stockings and trimmings. Brown was the traditional color for Syracuse in the 1870s.
Top row, from left: B Purcell (Syr NL 79, Cin NL 79), H Carpenter (LA 77, IA 78, NL 79), K Kelly (Syr NL 79, Try NL 79) and B Holbert (Syr NL 79, Try NL 79). Middle: J Allen (Syr NL 79, Cle NL 79), M Dorgan (76, LA 77, IA 78, NL 79, AA 90), J Farrell (Syr 76, Syr LA 77, Syr IA 78, Syr NL 79, Pro NL 79), H McCormick (75, 76, LA 77, IA 78, NL 79) and J Richmond (79). Front, on ground: J Macullar (IA 78, NL 79) and M Mansell (LA 77, IA 78, NL 79). Images scan (top) from Hunt Auctions, research by Carson Lorey. Image scan (bottom) and player IDs from the Syracuse Journal, February 24, 1937, research from Justin Mckinney. Years with team (1877 and after) and Allen transaction info from baseball-reference.com. Years with team (1866-1876) from Ron Gersbacher, The History of Syracuse Baseball (2012), retrieved online June 2017. Gersbacher research is undocumented. Note that the background in this team photo displayed other team photographs and portraits of Syracuse players. Original photo may have been taken by Philip S. Ryder, Syracuse.
Dated April 1879 to June 1879. Detail view of photo A. Detail view shows a plain shirt with a button placket. Detail view also shows an indication that the shirt collars and cuffs had dark-colored trim, most likely brown in color.
Written documentation on this uniform:
January 1879: “The Syracuse Stars are to have a new grounds and new uniforms. The suits will be made of white Canton flannel, trimmed with brown, with ‘Syracuse’ (probably) on the breast of the shirts, caps to match, and brown stockings.” From the Buffalo Commercial, January 20, 1879.
March 1879: “There will be four red-stocking clubs in the [National] league, viz.: Cincinnati, Boston, Cleveland and Buffalo. The Chicagos will wear white stockings and the Syracuse Stars brown.” From the Chicago Daily Tribune, March 23, 1879. Research by Don Stokes. A similar report was published in the New York Daily Tribune, March 29, 1879.
March 1879: “The Cincinnati, Boston, Cleveland and Buffalo clubs will all glory in garish red hosiery this coming season. The fatted calves of the Chicagos will be cased in pure white […] and the shapely shins of the [Syracuse] Stars in puritanical brown. How the Providence will be stockinged remains a secret locked in the bosom of George Wright.” From the Syracuse Daily Courier, March 30, 1879.
April 1879: “The following will be the uniforms of the [National] League clubs this season: Chicagos, white suits with different colored caps, belts, neckties and stockings. Bostons, white suits, white caps, red stockings, belts and neckties. Buffalos, white suits, white caps, blue stockings, belts and neckties. Cincinnatis, white suits, white caps, red stockings, belts and neckties. Troys, light gray suits and caps, cardinal red belts and stockings, ‘T. C.’ on shirt front. Clevelands, black and white checkered suits, blue trimmings, white caps, blue belts and stockings, ‘Clevelands’ on shirt front. Syracuse, white suits, white caps with brown trimmings, brown stockings. Providence, light gray suits with blue trimmings, blue belts, stockings and caps.” From the Buffalo Courier, April 13, 1879.
April 1879: “The new uniform of the Stars arrived yesterday morning [April 23], and is similar to the uniform of ’78. From the size of the shirts, it is evident the manufacturers thought the Stars were the big nine of the season.” From the Syracuse Morning Standard, April 24, 1879. Research from Ed Morton. This report was also published in the Buffalo Commercial, April 24, 1879, citing the Cincinnati Enquirer who also ran the story on this day.
April 1879: “New uniforms arrived [in 1879] with white center flannels trimmed with brown, brown stockings and white hats trimmed with brown. Philip S. Ryder’s name was missing for the first time from the Stars Board of Directors but he did capture a team photo on April 25.” From Ron Gersbacher, The History of Syracuse Baseball (2012), retrieved online June 2017. Research documentation not provided.
May 1879: “Syracuse throws in a score card, now that she charge[s] fifty cents admission.” From the New York Clipper, May 3, 1879. Not uniform related, but we here at Threads like to take note of these kinds of things.
May 1879: “The uniforms of the eight [National] League teams are as follows: Boston, white trousers, shirts and caps, with red stockings, neckties and belts; Cleveland, black and white checked suits, white caps, blue stockings and trimmings; Providence, light gray trousers, jackets and caps, with blue stockings, belts and neckties; Chicago, white suits with different colored caps, belts and neckties, and white stockings; Buffalo, white suits, and white caps with blue trimmings, neckties and blue stockings; Cincinnati, white suits and caps, with red trimmings, belts, neckties, and red stockings; Troy, light gray suits and caps, cardinal red belts and stockings, and ‘T.C.’ on shirt front; Syracuse, white suits, white caps with brown trimmings, and brown stockings.” From the New York Tribune, May 14, 1879. Research from Richard Hershberger.
Team genealogy:
Star/Syracuse, 1866-1879
Star was formed in Syracuse in 1866 and began as a junior team. During the 1870s Star played as an independent and in 1877 they joined the League Alliance (LA). The LA was an organization of independent teams playing in cooperation with the National League. The LA dissolved after one year. Star joined the International Association (IA) for the 1878 season and then, as Syracuse, joined the National League (NL) in 1879. The NL had begun operation in 1876. Syracuse folded before the end of the 1879 season and disbanded. Information from Ron Gersbacher, The History of Syracuse Baseball (2012), retrieved online June 2017.
1879 Syracuse summary
Uniform: white, brown stockings
First worn: arrived April 23
Photographed: June or before, possibly April 25
Described: January-May
Material: flannel
Manufacturer:
Supposition:
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, May 28 v. Cleveland
Rendering posted: February 24, 2019
Diggers on this uniform: Don Stokes, Ed Morton, Justin Mckinney, Richard Hershberger,