1882 Chicago (Chicagos, White Stockings)
Left: Uniforms color-coded by position and worn by players from April to July 1882. These renderings are 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 renderings.
Rendering accuracy:Year: documented Team: documented
Center and right: Uniforms worn by entire team, July 1882 and after. These renderings are based on written documentation 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:
Photo A
Dated 1882, possibly April 1882 to early June 1882. Year of photo determined by an engraving of a similar image published in October 1882, see photo B. Possible date range of April to early June determined by an ad published on June 17, 1882, in the New York Clipper that read: “Large pictures of the ‘Chicago Nine,’ 17 x 24 in., mailed upon receipt of $1; Cabinet size, 25 cts. Address, A. G. Spalding & Bros., 108 Madison street, Chicago. Ill.” Photo A was most likely the image referenced in the ad. Photo date range can also be determined by the uniforms the players wore in this photo. In 1882 the National League mandated that color-coded uniforms be worn by the players to signify their individual positions in the field. Chicago discarded these uniforms and wore a new uniform in a game played on July 11. Some of the players in the photo wore striped shirts, some wore solid shirts, see written descriptions below for more information. The color of the caps was mandated to match the shirts, and the neckties, belts and pants were mandated to be white in color. The stockings for the Chicago team were also white in color, also mandated by the league. Player Flint, middle row second from left, was the only member of the team not wearing a jacket. Flint was the catcher on the team and the color of his shirt, which featured lace ties down the front, was mandated to be scarlet in color. The other players wore color-coded jackets, however players Anson (first base), Dalrymple (left field), Goldsmith (pitcher), Quest (substitute) and Williamson (third base) appeared to be the only members wearing jackets that match their field position (as the positions are listed in the photo caption of photo B). Some of the remaining jackets do not appear to match exactly the league mandate for color. As an example, the color-coding system stipulated that four of the field positions would be identified by striped uniforms. However only Anson, sitting, and Williamson, standing, appeared to be wearing striped jackets.
Top row, from left: J Quest (79-82), G Gore (79-86), N Williamson (NL 79-89, PL 90) and T Burns (80-91). Middle: A Dalrymple (79-86), S Flint (79-89), C Anson (76-97), F Goldsmith (80-84) and M Kelly (80-86). Front: H Nicol (81, 82) and L Corcoran (80-85). Player IDs from Harper’s Weekly, October 24, 1882. Years with team from baseball-reference.com. Image scan from Mark Fimoff, SABR 19th-century Pictorial Committee. Original photo by the Chicago Photographic Studios, Photo-Mechanical Printing and Publishing Company, Chicago.
Dated 1882, possibly April 1882 to early June 1882. Detail view of photo A. Detail view shows variety of jackets worn by players and the lace ties worn by player Flint, sitting at left.
Dated 1882, possibly April 1882 to early June 1882. Detail view of a different printing of photo A. This version showed more image in the foreground of the photo, including a variety of pill-box style caps in different colors and stripes. Each cap matched a specific player’s shirt and denoted each position in the field.
Photo B
Dated October 24, 1882. This engraving was published on this day and made from photo similar to that of photo A. However, the players were shown in this version to be sitting in different positions. This engraving was printed in reverse in the publication. This was most obvious when comparing the hair parts of certain players to that of photo A, especially Anson seated in the middle. See image below for correct orientation.
Photo B – correct orientation
Dated October 24, 1882. This engraving was published on this day and made from photo similar to that of photo A. This is the same engraving as shown as photo B, only the image has been flipped to show correction orientation. The players wore the same jackets in both photos, and player Flint, standing second from left, was the only player not to wear a jacket in both photos.
Top row, from left: F Goldsmith (80-84), S Flint (79-89), M Kelly (80-86) and N Williamson (NL 79-89, PL 90). Middle: G Gore (79-86), A Dalrymple (79-86), C Anson (76-97), T Burns (80-91) and J Quest (79-82). Front: L Corcoran (80-85) and H Nicol (81, 82). Image and player IDs from Harper’s Weekly, October 24, 1882. Years with team from baseball-reference.com.
Photo C
Dated circa 1881, published 1882. Rendering of C Anson (76-97), full view at left, detail view at right. It is possible this rendering was based on a photograph made in 1880 or 1881. Rendering showed a pillbox-style cap with two dark horizontal bands, one of which encircled the top edge of the cap. The shirt had a series of small buttons down the center and an old-English “C” on the left breast. The long sleeves were rolled up. The belt was worsted fabric with bands of colors and the pants had a line of trim running down the seam. The stockings were white as were the shoes. Of course, Anson held a Spalding trade-marked bat. Rendering from the Spalding Base Ball Guide 1882, published at the start of the 1882 season. Years Anson with team from baseball-reference.com. Image scan from Ed Morton.
Written documentation on these uniforms:
December 1881: “The Committee on Uniforms presented the following agreement [on December 9 at a National League meeting in Chicago], which was duly signed. The parties hereto agree that in all championship games during this year 1882 they will present the nines […] in uniforms consisting of the following specified articles and colors:
–Catcher: scarlet shirt, white pants, scarlet belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–Pitcher: light blue shirt, white pants, light blue belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–First Base: scarlet and white shirt, white pants, scarlet and white belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–Second Base: orange and black shirt, white pants, orange and black belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–Third Base: blue and white shirt, white pants, blue and white belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–Short-stop: maroon shirt, white pants, maroon belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–Right field: gray shirt, white pants, gray belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–Middle field: red and black shirt, white pants, red and black belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–Left field: white shirt, white pants, white belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–First substitute: green shirt, white pants, green belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.
–Second substitute: brown shirt, white pants, brown belt, leather shoes, white tie, square-top cap [in] color of shirt.”
From the Chicago Inter Ocean, December 10, 1881.
December 1881: “[The adopted agreement] is an entirely new departure in the way of uniforming, in which the vari-colored cap system the Chicago Club, adopted for giving players an individuality, is enlarged, and the club uniform restricted to the mere item of stockings. The new system uniforms by position. All the catchers in the league will be dressed precisely alike with the exception of their hose, which will be of their club color, and so for all the pitchers, first basemen, and so on through the list. The report fixes the color of each article of dress for each player. The shirts, belts and caps for the various positions are to be as follows: catcher, scarlet; pitcher, light blue; first base, scarlet and white; second base, orange and black; third base, blue and white; shortstop, maroon; right field, gray; center field, red and black; left field, white; first substitute, green; second substitute, brown. The trousers and neckties of all the players are to be white, and the shoes leather. In the matter of the colors of stockings, the committee, as far as possible, allowed each to retain the hosiery which has, in some cases, become its trade-mark. The stockings to be worn are as follows: Boston, red; Chicago, white; Detroit, old gold; Troy, green; Buffalo, gray; Cleveland, navy blue; Providence, light blue; Worcester, brown. This will give a rainbow hue to the diamond and make the spectators wish they were color blind.” From the Detroit Free Press, December 11, 1881. Portions of this entry were also included by Peter Morris in A Game Of Inches, (2006, 2010).
January 1882: “The third-basemen of the [National] League will have gray and white for their next season’s uniforms [1882], it being found impossible to obtain the blue and white material which was originally chosen to designate the players at third base.” From the Buffalo Commercial, January 5, 1882.
January 1882: “The parti-color position uniform adopted by the [National] League […] is generally recognized to be a good idea, and one which is sure to become popular. Frequently three or four fielders run together to make a play. One handles the ball, but scorers differ as to which one it was, so thoroughly are the players jumbled together. All being uniformed alike, it is hard sometimes to say whether the second baseman, short-stop, left-fielder, middle-fielder or third baseman caught a short fly. Under the new plan every position in every club will be uniformed alike from the knees up. The distinguishing difference between players of different clubs will be in the color of their stockings alone. Thus the Chicagos will wear white stockings, the Bostons red, the Providence gray, etc. The pants in every Club will be white. In this respect the seventy-two uniforms will be alike. The shirts, belts and caps will be made to suit positions. Thus there will be four solid colors. All the catchers will wear blue shirts, belts and caps, all the left fielders will wear red shirts, belts and caps, all the third basement will wear gray and white striped shirts, caps and belts, and the second basement black and yellow stripes, and so on, each position differing. The stripes run up and down in the shirt, and around in the cap and belt. A. G. Spalding & Co. will manufacture the uniforms. The material had to be manufactured to order, and it was secured only by a good deal of trouble. It comes from a Quaker factory somewhere up in Iowa. The gentlemen have ordered enough so as to provide the American [Association] Clubs also, if the latter fall in with the plan, and will make the uniforms at the same price charged to the [National] League Clubs. […] The plan is Al. Spalding’s, having been fermenting in his fertile brain for several years.” From the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, January 15, 1882. Research from Richard Hersberger, as posted to protoball.org.
March 1882: “The new parti-colored uniforms for [National] League players were exhibited at the Osburn House yesterday [at a National League meeting in Rochester].” From the Buffalo Commercial, March 8, 1882.
March 1882: “How very aesthetic and picturesque the [National] League players will look this year? – like an animated bouquet or kaleidoscope. The catchers will appear in scarlet shirts, caps and belts; the pitchers in light blue; first basemen in scarlet and white; second basemen, orange and blue; third basemen, blue and white; short stop, maroon; right fielder, gray; center fielder, red and black; left fielder, white; substitutes, green and brown. The pants and ties will all be white and the shoes of leather. The Buffalos will wear gray hose, the Bostons red, Chicago white, Detroit old gold, Troys green, Clevelands navy blue, Providence light blue, and Worcesters brown.” From the Buffalo Commercial, March 11, 1882.
April 1882: “The Chicago base ball correspondent of the Cleveland Leader must be color blind. He speaks of the ‘green’ blouse worn by the Chicago pitchers. Blue would come a little nearer the facts in this case.” From the Providence Sunday Star, April 20, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
May 1, 1882, Chicago v. Buffalo, at Buffalo, Riverside grounds, opening day: “All the players [on both teams] wore crape [sp] yesterday in memory of President Hulbert.” From the Buffalo Express, May 2, 1882. William Hulbert, a founder of the National League and president of the Chicago team, died on April 10, 1882, at age 49.
May 1882: “Every time a league team appears on the ball field…the uniform is universally commented upon and condemned. None feel more sensitive over the situation than the players themselves. The sentiment will be overwhelmingly in favor of the repeal of the rule at the next meeting of the [National] League.” From the Cleveland Leader, May 4, 1882. Research from Peter Morris, A Game Of Inches, (2006, 2010).
May 10, 1882, Chicago v. Cleveland, at Chicago, Base Ball Park, home opener: “The air suddenly turned from the warmth of midsummer to the temperature of a raw March day and the players shivered in their thin and damp uniforms.” From the Chicago Inter Ocean, May 11, 1882.
May 1882: “[By Memorial Day] the varied colors of the League uniforms were not popular and a change was already rumored.” From Preston Orem, Baseball From Newspaper Accounts, 1882. No specific documentation given by Orem. Research from John Thorn.
June 1882: “Large pictures of the ‘Chicago Nine,’ 17 x 24 in., mailed upon receipt of $1; Cabinet size, 25 cts. Address, A. G. Spalding & Bros., 108 Madison street, Chicago. Ill.” Advertisement from the New York Clipper, June 17, 1882.
June 1882: “The [National] league has voted unanimously to allow each club to select its own colors and material for uniforms for the remainder of the season. Most of them will retain the white pants, and adopt an inexpensive white or gray shirt, much lighter in weight than the resent cumbersome garments. The new uniform was a failure in point of appearance, and should never have been adopted.” From the Chicago Tribune, June 18, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
June 24, 1882 Chicago v. Providence at Chicago: “The Providence team appeared on the field in their old-style gray uniforms, and looked far better than the Chicagos in their motley garb.” From the Chicago Tribune, June 25, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
June 24, 1882, Chicago v. Providence at Chicago: “The Providence team appeared in their gray uniforms, and looked much better that the Chicago players in their potato-bug suits.” From the Chicago Daily Inter-Ocean, June 26, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
June 1882: “The [National] League clubs have decided to dispense with the ‘clown costumes’ and return to the old style uniforms.” From the Daily Memphis Avalanche, June 25, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
July 1882: “Chicago is contemplating a new uniform. President Spalding keeps it dark – the secret, not the uniform.” From the Chicago Tribune, July 2, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
July 1882: “Chicago is going to have a new uniform.” From the Philadelphia Times, July 5, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
July 1882: “The zebra uniform is doomed. Cleveland is going to join Providence and dress in white and Chicago is going to have a new outfit.” From the Albany (NY) Argus, July 7, 1882.
July 11, 1882, Chicago v. Detroit at Chicago: “The champions [Chicago] appeared on the field for the first time in their new uniform. […] It is white as to stockings, pants, and shirts, with red belts and red caps edged tastefully in white. The team now presents the best appearance it has done since the introduction of variegated colors in the caps three years ago [in 1879].” From the Chicago Tribune, July 12, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
July 1882: “Cleveland, Providence and Chicago are going to have new uniforms.” From the Boston Globe, July 16, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
July 1882: “The Alleghenys [of Pittsburgh] today jump into a new uniform, which is identical with the zebra suits worn by the Chicagos.” From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 25, 1882.
July 1882: “The Chicagos have appeared in a new uniform […] consisting of a short-sleeved, close-fitting shirt trimmed with red, and on the breast a large ‘C’ in red.” From the Buffalo Morning Express, July 27, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
September 5, 1882, Chicago v. Troy, at Chicago: “Change of caps brings a change of luck to the Chicago team. […] The original champion team of 1880 and 1881 was on the field. […] The team also reappeared in the parti-colored caps and close-fitting shirts.” From the Chicago Tribune, September 6, 1882.
September 5, 1882, Chicago v. Troy, at Chicago: “The Chicagos played in great form, and with all their old-time dash and confidence. […] The change of caps had probably something to do with the change of luck, as the Chicagos appeared in their old harlequin headgear. If changes of this kind are to win games, it might be well for the club to change all their clothes next week. […] The same two clubs will play again tomorrow, when Goldsmith will pitch, and, with that exception, the nine will be constituted as yesterday, including the variegated caps, which will probably be worn for the remainder of the season ‘for luck.’” From the Chicago Daily Ocean, September 6, 1882. Research from Ed Morton.
September 5, 1882, Chicago v. Troy, at Chicago: “The superstitious White Stockings appeared for the game […] wearing the old tri-colored caps of the year 1876. They had discarded these caps for 1877 and did not wear them again until 1880 when they won their second League championship. With the caps they repeated in 1881.” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1882-1891 From The Newspaper Accounts (1966, 1967, reprinted by SABR in 2021), pg. 44.
December 1882: “A return to the old distinguished colors in the uniforms of the older clubs was agreed upon [at a league meeting.]” From the Philadelphia Item, December 10, 1882. Research from Richard Hershberger, as posted to protoball.org.
Circa 1882, recalled in 1885: “The Chicago Club once introduced a crazy idea of having every man wear a different color cap. Then they were instrumental in having a regulation uniform adopted all through the [National] League, which made the ballplayers look like a lot of escaped convicts.” From the New York National Police Gazette, August 22, 1885. Note that this report implied the Chicago franchise was responsible for the notion of individual uniform colors identifying players’ position in the field.
Team genealogy:
Chicago 1874-
Chicago reformed after the Great Fire of October 1871 and rejoined the National Association (NA) in 1874 and 1875 after a two-year absence. The NA was baseball’s first league, operating 1871-1875. Chicago joined the National League (NL) at its formation in 1876 and the team has played in the NL every year since 1876. Information from Paul Batesel, Players and Teams of the National Association, 1871-1875, from baseball-reference.com, and from wikipedia.
Rendering posted: August 12, 2022
Diggers on this uniform: Ed Morton, John Thorn, Mark Fimoff, Peter Morris, Richard Hershberger,