1886 Boston (Bostons, Beaneaters, Reds)
Left: This rendering is based on written documentation 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
Right: 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
Why did Charles Radbourn flip us the finger on opening day, 1886?
Most of us know the image below. It included Boston Hall-of-Fame pitcher Charles Radbourn, standing top left in his white team sweater, smugly saying “f-you” to the world — his inappropriate gesture (enlarged in the red inset) forever preserved for all of time. The photo was made on opening day, April 29, 1886, and some have speculated that this was the earliest known recorded visual of this kind of demonstration.
So, why exactly did Radbourn flip us the bird? I have a new theory to offer.
The Radbourn character.
Author and Radbourn aficionado Edward Achorn has noted that Charles was “an ornery character,” and “famous for being a tough, cantankerous guy.” Radbourn was also a drinker, and would subsequently flip off a photographer more than once in his career. He does so on his Old Judge baseball card from circa 1887, and was seemingly ready to do the same in several other Boston team photos from 1887, 1889 and 1890. Giving the finger, it seemed, was his own personal running joke. An amazing gesture considering the propriety of the gilded age.
It’s safe to say that Radbourn may have been a little grumpy in the 1886 photo above. He could also have been a little hungover, too. However, in reading the newspaper accounts of the game, I’d like to offer another reason for Radbourn’s rudeness: he was simply losing his patience with the photographer.
Let’s set the scene.
The start of the 1886 baseball season had arrived on April 29, on a sunny Thursday afternoon at New York’s Polo grounds. Boston had come to town to face the Giants and also the 11,946 “enthusiasts” in the stands, many of whom wore top hats and fancy mustaches. The New York Sun described the crowd as an “ocean of faces.” The teams received huge ovations as they marched in front of the grandstand. The players warmed up and the game was about to begin.
That’s when, as the New York Herald reported, “an enterprising photographer” came onto the field and “got the boys as nines and then in a group.”
The photographer was Frederick L. Howe, a New Yorker working at West 23rd street. Howe proceeded to setup up his glass-plate camera and equipment near home plate and in the shadows of the two-tiered grandstand. His ensuing photograph captured a wonderful view of both teams– Boston, at left, “a little unnatural in gray suits,” and New York, at right, in “new white suits” with lace ties. What the Boston club was wearing then is noteworthy today, for this was baseball’s first-ever uniform dedicated exclusively for road use.
Delay of game.
Photography was not a quick process back in 1886, and Mr. Howe unwittingly was slowing things down. The Boston Globe noted that there was “a few minutes’ delay while an artist photographed the two teams.” Likewise, the New York Tribune stated that “a photographer caught both clubs in a group, not instantaneously by any means.” The two teams were ready to start, but instead they found themselves stuck in front of a camera.
The New York Times described the delay in more detail, stating that the photographer “was compelled to take several plates,” and that the process “was annoying to the spectators.” After a few more minutes passed, the New Yorkers “gave evidence of their feelings by shouting at the gentleman who had charge of the camera.” One impatient fan yelled, “‘Three strikes, photographer’s out.’” At last, when the exposures had all been made and “the cloth was finally removed” from the camera, “a chorus of ‘Aha!’ went up from the assemblage.”
The photo above may have been the very last image taken that day – and it may have been the very moment when Radbourn simply had enough. So, out came the bird.
“Old Hoss” was the Boston starting pitcher and, of course, pitched all of the frames in a 5-4 Boston loss in 11 innings. He walked none and stuck out three in a game that lasted 2 hours and 13 minutes. He probably felt the photo session before the game took just as long as the game itself.
Therefore, I don’t think Radbourn was mad at the world on that sunny day in April 1886. Instead, I think his “f-you” was meant for the photographer who was delaying the start of the contest. Charley just wanted to play some ball.
Thanks for listening. If you don’t like this viewpoint, I refer you back to Radbourn’s gesture.
—Craig
Achorn quotes from interview with Steve Annear, AmericanInno, bizjournals.com, posted February 7, 2013 and retrieved August 11, 2023. Game reports from the New York Herald, New York Sun, New York Times, New York Tribune, and Boston Globe, April 30, 1886, all of which make for fascinating reading in describing the pregame atmosphere.
Visual documentation on these uniforms:
Photo A
Dated April 29, 1886, Boston v. New York, at New York, Polo Grounds, opening day. Boston players are at left and wearing gray uniforms and caps. Six of the Boston players wore a white pullover sweater.
Top row, from left: C Radbourn (Bos NL 86-89, PL 90), S Wise (Bos 82-89), C Daily (Bos 86, 87), B Ewing (NY 83-89, 91, 92, PL 90), R Connor (NY 83-89, 91, 93, 94, PL 90), M Dorgan (NY 83-87), P Gillespie (NY 83-87), J O’Rourke (NY 85-89, 91, 92, PL 90) and D Esterbrook (NY AA 83, 84, 87, NL 85, 86, 90). Middle: T Poorman (Bos 85, 86), B Nash (Bos NL 85-89, 91-95, PL 90), E Sutton (Bos 77-88), J Morril (Bos NL 76-88, PL 90), (J Mutrie, NY mgr, AA 83, 84, NL 85-91), J Ward (NY 83-89, 93, 94), J Gerhardt (NY 85-87, AA 87), T Keefe (NY AA 83, 84, NL 85-89, 91, PL 90), P Deasley (NY 85-87) and D Richardson (NY 84-89, 91, PL 90). Front: J Hornung (Bos 81-88), D Johnston (Bos NL 85-89, PL 90), (W Curry, umpire), M Welch (NY 83-92), L Corcoran (NY 85, 86, Was 86) and (– Goulding, mascot). Player IDs from Mark Fimoff, SABR 19th-century Pictorial Committee. Assistance with player IDs also from Tom Sheiber and John Thorn. Years with team from baseball-reference.com. Game date from retrosheet.org. Identification of umpire Wes Curry and mascot Goulding from the New York Times, April 30, 1886. A newspaper report of this game stated that “after [the teams] had batted and tossed the ball around for fifteen minutes […] a photographer caught both clubs in a group, not instantaneously by any means.” Another report said the game began after “a few minutes delay while an artist photographed the two teams.” A third reported that “an enterprising photographer got the boys as nines and then in a group,” indicating that additional images were taken on the field. Original photo by Frederick L. Howe, New York.
Dated April 29, 1886. Detail view of photo A. Note lace ties extending down to top of city name.
Photo B
Dated April 29, 1886, Boston v. New York at New York, Polo Grounds, home opener, 4th inning action. This photo was made the same day as photo A. New York players in photo were Welch at bat and Ward on deck wearing a dark sweater. Most likely this sweater was similar to the sweater worn by Ewing as shown in photo A. Boston players in photo were Radbourn pitching and Daily catching. Umpire Currey stood at far right. Image, game info and player info from SABR, The National Pastime, Vol. 3 (1984). Image from the collection of the New York Historical Society. Original photo by Richard Hoe Lawrence.
Dated April 29, 1886. Detail view of photo B. Detail view shows the light gray uniform of the Boston team in comparison to the white uniform of New York. The light gray color is most notable in the pants of the catcher and the shirt and pants of the first baseman at far right.
Photos C & D
Left: published April 1886, based on a photo from circa 1879. Boston team schedule card sponsored by Red Stocking Cigar and that featured a drawing of J Morrill (NL 76-88, PL 90). Right: dated 1876 to April 1886, possibly 1879 to 1881, photo of Morrill which was used to create the drawing on the card. An April 1886 publish date can be suggested for the card as the back of card (not shown) listed the entire Boston schedule for 1886, including the season opener on April 29, 1886 at New York. The uniform Morrill wore in the photo at right did not match visual documentation of the 1886 Boston uniform and was more consistent with the uniform Boston wore in 1879. Years Morrill with team from baseball-reference.com. Image scan of card from oldcardboard.com.
Photos E & F
Left: published April 1886, based on a photo from circa 1879. Boston team schedule card sponsored by Red Stocking Cigar and that featured a drawing of C Radbourn (Bos NL 86-89, PL 90). Right: published 1885, engraving of Radbourn from Harpers Weekly. The drawing at left was very similar to the drawing used on the schedule card featuring player Morrill, see photo C above. The head of Morrill was replaced with the head of Radbourn, which was drawn based on the engraving shown at right. The engraving of Radbourn was made between 1881 and 1885 when he was with the Providence team. Notable differences between the Morrill card and the Radbourn card were that the latter did not include a bat in the player’s hand, but did include a pillbox-style cap with horizontal bands positioned near the player’s feet. An April 1886 publish date can be suggested for the Radbourn card as the back of card (not shown) listed the entire Boston schedule for 1886, including the season opener on April 29, 1886 at New York. Years Radbourn with teams from baseball-reference.com.
Written documentation on these uniforms:
February 1886: “The old time favorites [of Boston] will again wear the white suits and red stockings, with two or three exceptions.” From the New York Herald, February 7, 1886.
March 1886: “Manager Morrill has paid more attention to the uniforms this year than formerly. He came to the conclusion that a Boston player would hardly be recognized in a suit of Providence gray flannel without some familiar mark, and consequently the shirt will bear the word Boston, in red letters across the breast. The traveling uniform complete, as now ordered, consists of gray flannel, hat, shirt and breeches, with red belt and stockings. In 1883, when the Bostons won the championship, they wore blue hats with white stripes, and Captain Morrill has decided to try this style again, with the white suit for home use.” From the Boston Globe, March 21, 1886. Research from Ed Morton.
March 1886: “The Bostons will try a new method in uniforms this year. Heretofore they have worn the same style at home and abroad. This year the familiar and favorite red-stocking uniform will be worn in home games, but in games away from home suits of Providence gray, with red trimmings and stockings, and ‘Boston’ in red letters across the shirt, will be worn.” From The Sporting Life, March 31, 1886.
April 1886: “The Bostons are immensely pleased with their new away-from-home uniform. [Boston captain] Morrill says it is the best he ever saw. Owing to the non-arrival of their white uniforms the nine will wear the gray in all games played this week on the home grounds.” From the Boston Globe, April 6, 1886.
April 1886: “Captain Morrill of the Bostons has ordered the men to wear blue caps with white stripes, the same as worn in 1883, when the nine held the championship. He think the change might bring good luck.” From the Macon (GA) Telegraph, April 6, 1886. This was likely a pick-up from the Boston Globe report of March 21.
April 1886: “Boston, April 2. — […] I took a stroll out to the South End Grounds this afternoon and found sixteen players who are under contract with the Boston Club, all at work. It was a motley gathering of uniforms that they wore. The relics of by-gone seasons had been shaken out. […] There were regular Boston uniforms of various dates — Providence suits of last year [1885], which Radbourn and Daily had as mementoes of the defunct Grays, and several outfits which were worn by the Boston Reserves in 1884.” From The Sporting Life, April 7, 1886. This correspondence to the newspaper was submitted by “Mugwump.”
April 1886: “The Bostons will wear their new gray uniforms in all their exhibition games. […] Captain Morrill says the new gray suits are the best and finest uniforms the Bostons have ever worn.” From The Sporting Life, April 14, 1886.
April 1886: “Capt. Morrill, of the Bostons, will have his men wear blue caps with white stripes this season. The club wore these colors in 1883, when it won the championship. It is hoped that they will bring good luck again this year.” From the Louisville Courier-Journal, April 26, 1886. A newspaper report from the following season of 1887 suggested the Boston home cap in 1886 was white and “red trimmed,” not blue with white stripes. If Boston was a superstitious club, and it seems they were, they most likely abandoned the blue cap by the middle of the 1886 season. On July 4, 1886, Boston had a record of 17-30, 13 games below .500. They then improved and finished the season only 5 games under .500. Record info from retrosheet.org.
April 29, 1886, Boston v. New York, at New York, Polo Grounds, home opener: “The Seventh Regiment band […] escorted the ball players from Boston, who marched in fours along the left field, but swung into line and crossed the diamond. […] They looked a little unnatural in gray suits, but everyone cheered. […] The men from Boston peeled off their heavy white sweaters and began to practice.“ From the Boston Globe, April 30, 1886.
April 29, 1886, Boston v. New York, at New York, Polo Grounds, home opener: “The Bostons wore gray jackets and knee trousers, red stockings and red belt.” From the New York Herald, April 30, 1886.
April 29, 1886, Boston v. New York, at New York, Polo Grounds, home opener: “Over from the club house in the far corner comes a flaming band […] and behind it nine men in red and gray, […] the Boston nine.” From the New York Sun, April 30, 1896.
May 21, 1886, Boston v. Kansas City, at Kansas City: “The uniforms of the Bostons are not very pretty, but the adage, ‘Fine feathers make fine birds,’ doesn’t apply to base ball players.” From the Kansas City Times, May 22, 1886.
May 27, 1886, Boston v. Detroit, at Boston, South End grounds, home opener, game stopped by rain: “The Bostons wore their new white uniforms for the first time, and their brightness served to light somewhat the general gloomy aspect [of the rainy weather]. Many eyes searched among the red legs for the broad shouldered form of Radbourn, but searched in vain. They saw eleven men in white and red, but ‘Rad’ was not of them.” From the Boston Globe, May 28, 1886. The home opener was replayed the following day on May 28 and Radbourn was the starting pitcher. Reporting on this game, the Boston Globe on May 29 commented that “‘Rad’ managed to get around in time for the game today.” This possibly suggested that Radbourn, who had a history of being over-served, was intoxicated and unable to pitch for Boston on May 27.
May 27, 1886, Boston v. Detroit, at Boston, South End grounds, home opener, game stopped by rain: “There is no lack of animation on the Boston base ball grounds. First the crowd is very demonstrative and keeps up an almost continual yell. Then a railroad track runs along just outside the left field fence, and the shrieks of the locomotive fill in the time during which the lungs of the crowd get tired. […] The Hubites have not lost confidence in the club and when they walked on to the diamond yesterday [May 27] attired in new white suits and gaudy blue caps they received a hearty welcome.” From the Detroit Free Press, May 28, 1886.
May 28, 1886, Boston v. Detroit, at Boston, South End grounds, replay of home opener: “Detroit’s mild-mannered pitcher [Baldwin] seemed to relent when he saw how hard the players with the red stockings were trying to hit the ball.” From the Boston Globe, May 29, 1886. A reference to the color of the stockings worn by Boston.
June 1886: “The Boston management refuse to divulge the batteries in advance, owing to the rival score cards that are given away and sold outside the grounds.” From the Boston Globe, June 1, 1886.
June 1886: “The new home uniforms of the Bostons, pure white with red trimmings, are very handsome and well made. The caps are blue with white bands.” From the Washington (DC) Critic, June 1, 1886, and The Sporting Life, June 2, 1886. Research from Ed Morton.
1886, referenced in 1887: “[The Boston] uniform is in general style as old as the club itself. Red stockings are still the most striking tenure of their rig [in 1887]. The suit is white, or cream-color, with red trimmings and bearing the name of the club in red letters across the breast. The only change made this season [1887] is the substitution of a white cap for a red-trimmed one of last year [1886].” From the St Louis Post-Dispatch, June 14, 1887, and originally written for the New York Sun. Research from Todd Radom.
Team genealogy:
Boston 1871-1952
Boston was formed to enter the National Association (NA) in 1871. The NA was baseball’s first league, operating 1871-1875. Boston played in the NA in every year of the league’s existence and moved to the National League (NL) upon its start in 1876. Boston played in the NL from 1876 to 1952 and moved to Milwaukee for the 1953 NL season. Information from Paul Batesel, Players And Teams of the National Association, 1871-1875, from baseball-reference.com and from wikipedia.com.
1886 Boston summary
Uniform: white, white cap with red bands, red stockings
First worn: May 28, Boston
Photographed:
Described: March, May, June
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style, shirt style, lettering
Variations: wore blue cap with white bands early in season
Other items: white sweater
Home opener report: yes, May 28 v. Detroit
Uniform: light gray, red stockings
First worn: first week of April, Boston
Photographed: team photo, April 29
Described: March-May
Material: flannel
Manufacturer:
Supposition:
Variations:
Rendering posted: August 23, 2020
Diggers on this uniform: Ed Morton, John Thorn, Mark Fimoff, Todd Radom, Tom Shieber,