1888 New York (Giants, New Yorks)

Left: 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

Left center: This rendering is based on visual documentation for uniform style only. An educated guess is made on uniform color and on minor details that may be missing or difficult to determine.

Rendering accuracy:  Year: documented    Team: documented

Right center: 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

Right: This rendering is based on written documentation for uniform style and color. The written documentation closely matches visual documentation that may also be from this year, and that visual documentation is the basis for this rendering.

Rendering accuracy:  Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on these uniforms:

Photo A

Dated April 25, 1888. New York and Philadelphia at New York, Polo Grounds, opening day. The New York team, at left, wore white uniforms and caps with dark-colored collars and stockings. Color illustrations from this period depict the collars and stockings as maroon in color. Game date from retrosheet.org. This image was published in The Sporting Times in 1888, Vo. II, No. 12.

Photo B

Dated April 25, 1888. Drawing of New York team posing for photograph in New York, Polo Grounds, at opening day. Drawing matches photo A, and includes the depiction of dark collars, most likely maroon in color, and arched lettering across shirt. Image from The Evening World, April 27, 1888. Image scan from Ken Samoil.

Photo C


Dated April 1888 to mid-June 1888. Two versions of identical image. Photo date determined by appearance of player Cleveland, who played for New York in 1888 only and was traded to Pittsburgh on June 16, 1888. Players wore white uniforms with dark-colored collars, white caps and dark-colored stockings in this photo. Color illustrations from this period depict the accent color as maroon. Two players wore white caps with dark horizontal bands. One of these players, Brown in back row, also wore a shirt with a white collar instead of red. Player in front row, far left, Weidman, wore light-colored stockings. Player next to Weidman, George, wore pants with a thin trim on the pant seam. Most photo references show a thick trim on the pant seam when worn in combination with the maroon-collared shirt.

Top row, arching from far left: T Keefe (NY AA 83, 84, NY NL 85-89, 91, NY PL 90), P Murphy (87-90), R Connor (NY NL 83-89, 91, 93, 94, NY PL 90), (unidentified), B Ewing (NY NL 83-89, 91, 92, NY PL 90), W Brown (NL 87-89, PL 90), G Hatfield (NL 87-89, PL 90) and G Gore (NL 87-89, 91, PL 90). Front row, from far left: S Weidman (87, 88 2 games), B George (87, 88), E Crane, behind George (NL 88, 89, 92, 93, PL 90), L Titcomb (87-89), J Ward (83-89, 93, 94), E Foster (AA 86, NL 88, 89), (J Mutrie, mgr NY AA 83, 84, NY NL 85-91), D Richardson (NL 84-89, 91, PL 90), M Tiernan (87-99), J O’Rourke (NY NL 85-89, 91, 92, NY PL 90), M Welch (83-92), E Cleveland (NY 88, Pit 88) and M Slattery (NL 88, 89, PL 90). Player IDs from photo. Years with team and Cleveland trade info from baseball-reference.com. Original photo by Joseph Hall, Brooklyn.

Dated April 1888 to mid-June 1888. Detail view of photo C. Detail view shows that the maroon collar of the shirt was divided by the shirt placket and did not connect at the neck. Detail view also shows that the cap had trim, most likely maroon, along the edge of the bill, and possibly around the entire bottom edge of the cap.

April 1888 to mid-June 1888. Another version of photo C. In this version, manager Mutrie was standing, not sitting. As with other printings from this photo session, the man in street clothes in the back row was unidentified.

April 1888 to mid-June 1888. Still another version of photo C. In this version, Mutrie is seated however the photographer has moved his camera slightly to our right. Note the position of Ewing’s head, back row center, in relation to the grandstand support behind him.

Photo D

Dated June 1888 to September 1888. New York at Boston, South End Grounds. Photo date range can be determined by appearance of player Whitney in photo. Whitney was traded to New York on June 16, 1888 and the team was photographed during one of three subsequent series when New York played at Boston: June 19-22, August 2-4, and August 30-September 1. Team wore the same maroon-collared uniform as shown in photos A and C.

Dated June 1888 to September 1888. Detail view of photo D. Detail view shows thick trim on pant seam of player standing far right.

Photo E

Dated 1888. Promotional poster for Old Judge baseball cards. Full view at left, detail view of player T Keefe (NY AA 83, 84, NY NL 85-89, 91, NY PL 90) at right. Illustration of Keefe was based on Old Judge baseball card dated 1887 and colorized to reflect the 1888 uniform. Illustration shows maroon bands on cap, maroon collar, maroon lettering, and maroon red belt and stockings. Years Keefe with team from baseball-reference.com. Image from Jay Miller, Joe Gonsowski and Richard Masson, The Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Company, 1886-1890 (2008).

Photo F

Dated circa 1888. E & J Burke advertisement featuring Anson of Chicago, left, and Ewing of New York. Full view at left, detail view of Ewing (NY NL 83-89, 91, 92, NY PL 90) at right. The illustration shows the maroon-collared uniform.

Photo G

Dated circa 1888. Allen & Ginter baseball card of B Ewing (NY NL 83-89, 91, 92, NY PL 90). Card shows maroon-collared uniform.

Photos H & I

Dated circa 1888. Playing cards of R Connor (NY NL 83-89, 91, 93, 94, NY PL 90) and J Ward (83-89, 93, 94). Cards show maroon-collared uniform, thick maroon stripe on pant leg, and white cap with maroon horizontal bands.

Photo J

Dated April 1888 to June 1888. Old Judge baseball card of E Cleveland (NY 88, Pit 88). Full view at left, detail view at right. Photo date can be confirmed as Cleveland played for New York in 1888 only and was traded to Pittsburgh on June 16, 1888. Photo shows a white cap with colored bands and a white or light gray uniform with collars to match. This uniform may be the alternate to the maroon-collared uniform and possibly what the team wore on the road for the first half of the 1888 season. Year Cleveland with team and trade info from baseball-reference.com. Image from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Photo K

Dated April 1888 to June 1888. Old Judge baseball card of L Titcomb (87-89). Full view at left, detail view at right. Photo date can be confirmed as background matches that shown in photo J. Photo shows a lettering across chest. This uniform may be the alternate to the maroon-collared uniform. Years Titcomb with team from baseball-reference.com. Image from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Photo L

Dated April 1888 to June 1888. Old Judge cabinet card of M Slattery (NL 88, 89, PL 90). Full view at left, detail view at right. Photo date can be confirmed as background matches that shown in photo J. Photo shows sleeve cuffs with subtle pointed design, and thin trim on pant seam.This uniform may be the alternate to the maroon-collared uniform. Years Slattery with team from baseball-reference.com. Image from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Photo M

Dated April 1888 to June 1888. Photo date determined by appearance of player Cleveland, who played for New York in 1888 only and was traded to Pittsburgh on June 16, 1888.Players wore a light gray uniform in this photo, with a collar to match. Player standing at far right wore pants with thin trim on the pant seam. This may be the same uniform shown in photos J thru L and was possibly the alternate to the maroon-collared uniform also worn in 1888.

Top row, from left: E Cleveland (NY 88, Pit 88), P Murphy (87-90), M Slattery (NL 88, 89, PL 90), G Gore (NL 87-89, 91, PL 90) and E Foster (88, 89). Middle: G Hatfield (NL 87-89, PL 90), (J Mutrie, mgr NY AA 83, 84, NY NL 85-91) and M Tiernan (87-99). Front, on ground L Titcomb (87-89) and E Crane (88, 89). Years with team and Cleveland trade info from baseball-reference.com. This image was also published in The Sporting Times in 1888, Vol. II, No. 5.

Dated April 1888 to June 1888. Detail view of photo M. Detail view show shirt lettering, placket and pocket for light gray uniform. Detail image scan from Mark Fimoff, SABR 19th-century Pictorial Committee.

Photos N & O

Dated October 1888. Drawings of T Keefe (NY AA 83, 84, NY NL 85-89, 91, NY PL 90) and B Ewing (NY NL 83-89, 91, 92, NY PL 90). Drawings were most likely based on photographs and show that players wore a tight-fitting black uniform, with black cap, white belt and black stockings. From newspaper accounts, this black uniform was first introduced in late July 1888 and was described as a “Nadjy”-style uniform. This term, borrowed from the world of theatre, came into the baseball parlance at this time as a way to describe a tight-fitting and dark-colored uniform. To learn more on the term Nadjy and its origins, see the July 1888 entries below in “written descriptions.” Drawing published in Harper’s Weekly, October 20, 1888. Publish date from Ken Samoil.

Dated October 1888. Detail view of photo O. Detail view shows shirt was a tight-fitting pullover, with absence of shirt buttons or laces. Also note large white lettering across chest.

Photo P

Dated November 1888. Painting of B Ewing (NY NL 83-89, 91, 92, NY PL 90). Full view at left, detail view at right. Detail view shows player wore tight-fitting black pants and black stockings. This uniform appears to match that shown in photos N & O. The black uniform was first introduced in late July 1888, see newspaper accounts below. Illustration was published in Harper’s Weekly, November 9, 1888. Publish date from Ken Samoil.

Photo Q

Dated August 1888 to October 1888. Photo date of August 1888 can be suggested by a newspaper account from this month that stated the team was to wear new tight-fitting cream-colored uniforms with maroon belt and stockings, as an alternative to the black uniforms introduced in late July 1888. The uniforms in this photo appear to be tight-fitting and have a dark belt and stockings. Photo date of August 1888 can be further determined by appearance of player Whitney in photo who was traded to New York on June 16, 1888. This team photo was printed in Spalding’s 1889 Base Ball Guide, issued before the start of the 1889 season. Based on all of this, a photo date of August 1888 to October 1888 can be determined. Note that the photo backdrop included a depiction of a grandstand at far left. This grandstand was very similar to the Polo Grounds facade (compare to photo A). Also note that this same backdrop was used for the 1888 Indianapolis team photo and that both team photos were made by Joseph Hall, Brooklyn.

Top row of four players, from left: D Richardson (NL 84-89, 91, PL 90), E Crane (NL 88, 89, 92, 93, PL 90), B George (87, 88) and G Hatfield (NL 87-89, PL 90). Middle row of five players and manager: M Slattery (NL 88, 89. PL 90), E Foster (AA 86, NL 88, 89), (J Mutrie, mgr NY AA 83, 84, NY NL 85-91), R Connor (NY NL 83-89, 91, 93, 94, NY PL 90), J O’Rourke (NY NL 85-89, 91, 92, NY PL 90) and G Gore (NL 87-89, 91, PL 90). Front row of ten players: L Titcomb (87-89), T Keefe (NY AA 83, 84, NY NL 85-89, 91, NY PL 90), A Whitney (NL 88, 89, PL 90), J Ward (83-89, 93, 94), M Welch (83-92), B Ewing (NY NL 83-89, 91, 92, NY PL 90), M Tiernan (87-99), P Murphy (87-90) and W Brown (NL 87-89, PL 90). Player IDs from image. Years with team and Whitney transaction info from baseball-reference.com. Original photo by Joseph Hall, Brooklyn.

Photo R

Dated late 1888 or early 1889. Cigar advertisement in which the illustration was based on a team photo made between August 1888 to October 1888, see photo Q. Note that some of the players were in slightly different positions in this drawing when compared to the original photo. The cigar advertisement was created to promote New York’s 1888 championship in which the last game was played October 27, 1888. Drawing shows that players wore a tight-fitting white uniform with a pullover shirt, and white caps. This may be the cream-colored uniform mentioned in newspaper accounts from August 1888. Game date from wikipedia.com.

Dated late 1888 or early 1889, and based on a photo taken August 1888 to October 1888. Detail view of photo R. Detail view shows a cap with subtle horizontal bands. Detail view also appears to show a shirt with no lace ties or buttons.

Photo S

Dated August 1888 to mid-May 1889. Two version of identical photo. Photo date range beginning in August 1888 can be determined by newspaper reports from this month that team was to wear new cream-colored tight-fitting uniforms with maroon belts and stockings. Date also confirmed by appearance of player Whitney in photo who was traded to New York on June 16, 1888. Photo date range ending in mid-May 1889 determined by appearance of players Foster and Titcomb who were released by New York during this month. Titcomb was released May 15, 1889 and Foster was released May 16, 1889. All players shown in this photo played for New York in both late 1888 and early 1889, and there are strong similarities between this photo and a similar team photo, see photo Q. The similarities suggest the two photos were made at the same time, most likely in late 1888. One common element in both photos is that the players wore the same tight-fitting uniforms with dark belts, dark stockings and arched lettering across the shirt. A second common element is that the players in both photos looked very similar in their physical appearance, not only in the style of hair and how they wore their cap, but also in the direction each player was looking when the two photos were taken. Even when noting that the players were arranged in drastically different positions in each photo, the heads of each player seem to be almost identical from one photo to the next. To detail one example, note how player Ward was one of the few players looking camera left in these two photos, and that his body position and arm rest seem very similar. A third common element is that both photos utilized the same studio lighting and the same painted background. Note the identical painted trees and the same depiction of a grandstand, possibly the Polo grounds, at far left, in both photos. (Note that the first Polo Grounds was demolished by city planners beginning in February 1889 and that the 1889 team played at a variety of New York sights until the second Polo Grounds opened July 8, 1889.) Though there are many similarities between the two photos, there are a few notable differences (beside the arrangement of players). Note the different dress of manager Mutrie in each photo (wardrobe change?) and that a flag pole and pennant have been added to the background of photo S. The pennant included the words ‘League Champions 1889’ and presumably this was painted onto the photo backdrop to signify the team was recognized as champions for the 1889 season. This same backdrop was used again for a New York team photo in 1890 and it can be speculated that the canvas may have been commissioned or purchased by the team.

Top row, from left: G Gore (NL 87-89, 91 PL 90), E Foster (AA 86, NL 88, 89 2 gms), M Slattery? (NL 88, 89 12 gms, PL 90), B Ewing (NL 83-89, 91, 92, PL 90), W Brown (NL 87-89, PL 90), B George (NY 87-89, Col AA 89), G Hatfield (NL 87-89, PL 90), J O’Rourke (NL 85-89, 91, 92, PL 90), M Tiernan (87-99) and E Crane (NL 88, 89, 92, 93, PL 90). Front row: D Richardson (NL 84-89, 91, PL 90), L Titcomb (NY 87-89, Tor IL 89), R Connor (NL 83-89, 91, 93, 94, PL 90), M Welch (83-92), (J Mutrie mgr AA 83, 84, NL 85-91), A Whitney (NL 88, 89, PL 90), T Keefe (AA 83, 84, NL 85-89, 91, PL 90), P Murphy (87-90, 89 9 gms) and J Ward (83-89, 93, 94). Years with team and release dates of Foster and George from baseball-reference.com. Titcomb release date from the New York Press, May 17, 1889. Polo Grounds dates from wikipedia. Bottom image scan from Mark Fimoff, SABR 19th-century Pictorial Committee. Original photo by Joseph Hall, Brooklyn.

Dated August 1888 to mid-May 1889. Detail view of photo S. Detail view shows uniform shirt with no lace ties or buttons.

Dated August 1888 to mid-May 1889. Another detail view of photo S. Detail view shows 1889 date on pennant, possibly signifying that the team was to be recognized as the reigning champion for the 1889 season.

Photos T, U & V

Dated circa 1888. S. F. Hess & Co. baseball cards of, from left, B Ewing (NL 83-89, 91, 92, PL 90), E Crane (NL 88, 89, 92, 93, PL 90) and B George (NY 87-89, Col AA 89). Issue date of 1888 from oldcardboard.com and vintagecardprices.com. Though the Hess cards were undated, the New York players shown in this series included player A Whitney (not shown here) who was traded to New York on June 16, 1888. An issue date of August 1888 to October 1888 is most likely. This date range is based on newspaper reports from August 1888 stating that the team had begun to wear new cream-colored tight-fitting uniforms. The shirt shown in the Hess cards had no buttons or lace ties and the letters in the city name were arched and openly spaced. These features matched the tight-fitting uniforms shown in team photos from late 1888, see above. Years with team from baseball-reference.com. Image scans from vintagecardprices.com.

Photos W & X

Dated August 1888 to mid-May 1889. Cabinet cards of L Titcomb (NY 87-89, Tor IL 89), left, and M Welch (83-92), right. Photo date range of Titcomb image beginning in August 1888 based on newspaper reports from that month that team was to wear new cream-colored tight-fitting uniforms. Photo date range ending mid-May 1889 determined by fact that Titcomb was release from team on May 15, 1889. These portraits of New York players in oval frames were used on baseball cards produced by Hess & Co. that are believed to have been issued in 1888. Similarity in studio lighting and background may suggest same date range for Welch card, as well as other New York players from this photo series featuring oval frames. Uniforms worn by Titcomb and Welch appear to have no lace ties or buttons, matching team photos from late 1888. Years with team from baseball-reference.com. Titcomb release date from the New York Press, May 17, 1889. Original photos by Joseph Hall, Brooklyn NY.

Photo Y

Dated August 1888 to mid-May 1889. Cabinet card of J O’Rourke ( NL 85-89, 91, 92, PL 90). Full view at left, detail view at right. Photo date range may be suggested by similarity to the Titcomb card, see photo W. These portraits of New York players in oval frames were used on the Hess & Co. baseball cards, believed to have been issued in 1888. Uniform appears to match that shown in photos T thru X. Note the odd formation of the letter ‘k’ in ‘New York” on the shirt suggesting hand-cut letter forms. Detail view shows a white or cream-colored cap with subtle horizontal bands and colored trim, probably maroon, along the edge of the bill and around the bottom of the body. Years O’Rourke with team from baseball-reference.com. Original photo by Joseph Hall, Brooklyn NY.

Photo Z

Dated August 1888 to early 1889. Cabinet card of R Connor (NL 83-89, 91, 93, 94, PL 90). Full view at left, detail view at right. This portrait was one of many of New York players with oval frames that were used on the Hess & Co. baseball cards, believed to have been issued in 1888. Uniform appears to match that shown in photos T thru Y. Detail view shows a shirt with no buttons or lace ties. Note odd formation of letter “k” on city name suggesting hand-cut letter forms. The studio lighting on Connor was different than that shown in other oval framed portraits, possibly suggesting some of the team portraits from this series were not made during the same session. Years Connor with team from baseball-reference.com. Original photo by Joseph Hall, Brooklyn NY.

Photo AA

Dated October 1888. World Championship Series score card, New York (NL) v. St. Louis (AA). Full view at left, detail view at right. Championship series was played between October 16 and October 25, 1888. Printed score card included the year “1889” as both teams, having won their respective leagues in 1888, would be recognized as league champion throughout the following 1889 season. Detail view depicts New York players with horizontal bands around a white cap and white pin-striped shirts and collars. No supporting evidence has been found to suggest the New York team wore pin-striped uniforms for this series. Series dates from wikipedia.

Written documentation on these uniforms:
April 25, 1888, New York v. Philadelphia, at New York: “The New York and Philadelphia players were photographed in a group before yesterday’s game.” From the Philadelphia Record, April 26, 1888. Research from Ed Morton. See photo above in visual documentation.

June 8, 1888, New York v. Chicago, at New York: 13,314 saw the first Chicago game of the season at New York. The White Stockings marched from the clubhouse in their full dress coats, then came the Giants in their regular uniforms but also wearing linen dusters and high white hats in a burlesque of the Chicago costumes.” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1882-1891 From The Newspaper Accounts (1966, 1967, reprinted by SABR in 2021), pg. 362.

1888, New York v. Indianapolis at Indianapolis: “The Indianapolis Sentinel said: ‘The Giants do not travel on good luck but muscle. […] Their uniforms bear evidence of several hard campaigns. It would be a pleasant innovation to see them in clean garb.’” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1882-1891 From The Newspaper Accounts (1966, 1967, reprinted by SABR in 2021), pg. 363.

July 1888: “Next week [the New York team] will blaze forth in a uniform that Jim Mutrie says will knock the town silly. It will consist of black jersey shirts and knee pants. […] The words ‘New York’ will appear on the shirt in white letters. A black cap and belt will complete the rig. The suit has already been christened ‘The Nadjy’ uniform.” From the Philadelphia Times, July 22, 1888. Research from Peter Reitan. This black, tight-fitting uniform was ground-breaking and introduced the term Nadjy into the baseball parlance. Over 40 years later the New York Sun on June 7, 1930 remembered that “the uniforms worn in that year [of 1888] were of an unusual knitted black material, modeled after the costume worn by one of principals in the operetta ‘Nadjy’, then playing at the Casino.” Researcher Bill Grindler adds: “Nadjy refers to an operetta of the same name which opened at the Casio Theater on Broadway on May 14, 1888. (It seems the Giants of these years are often tied into the theater scene.) In this operetta, the title character of ‘Nadjy’ appears in at least one scene in an all-black ballerina costume including a hat.” Researcher Peter Reitan notes that “while the score and libretto were roundly criticized, the exposed legs in black tights received rave reviews.” Reitan has found that on the day after the premiere, the New York Evening World reported that “the gem of the opera is undoubtedly the dance at the end of the second act, which alone would make ‘Nadjy’ worth seeing. Miss [Marie] Jansen appeared in a short black net ballet dress, with pretty black silk stockings – if you will pardon me – and sweet little black boots. First she bent one dimpled elbow to touch her head, and then the other. At that moment one black-clad foot threw the gauzy blackness of her dress in clouds around her, just as she had brought the other from a similar pursuit to repose. At last, casting measured steps to the winds, she broke into a wildly vivacious dance, carrying all before her, seemingly inspiring the coryphées [dance troupe] beside her to do likewise, and bringing down the curtain with a storm of applause.” In referencing Rudolph Aronson’s Theatrical and Musical Memoirs (1913), wikipedia.com stated that “Jansen [1857-1914] created for the American stage the title role in Nadjy, adapted […] from the Francis Chassaigne operetta, Les noces improvises [or, Improvised Weddings]. Jansen performed the role after only five days rehearsal [and] went on to have a run of 256 performances.” The all-black Nadjy uniform in baseball was adopted by many teams for the following season of 1889. One of which was the recently disbanded Metropolitan baseball team of New York. The Philadelphia Record reported on March 9, 1889, that the unassigned players from the team agreed to play exhibition games during the 1889 season, and for their uniforms the team would “wear black ballet costumes, similar to that worn by Miss Fannie Rice in ‘Nadjy.’” For those keeping score, Rice (1859-1936) had replaced Jansen in the stage production in January 1889. Record research from Ed Morton.

July 28, 1888, New York v. Philadelphia, at New York, Polo Grounds: “The New York Club created a sensation today by appearing on the Polo Grounds in stunning suits of coal-black, tight-fitting Jersey trunks and shirts, over which the words New York were worked in heavy white letters. Black caps, white belts, with silver buckles, and black stockings complete the outfit.” From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 29, 1888. This same report was published in the Washington Post, July 29, 1888. Washington Post research from Tom Shieber.

July 28, 1888, New York v. Philadelphia, at New York, Polo Grounds: “At 3:40 o’clock a dozen black bodies, with two broad white lines across them, made their appearance in the direction of the New York club house. This was the New Yorks’ team making its appearance for the first time in its new uniform. The cold, black, tight-fitting uniforms with white belts, and the words ‘New Yorks’ across the breast, were very striking. The lettering on the breast is a little too large, but, altogether, the change is a delightful one, and much credit is due to Tim Keefe, whose idea the new uniform is.” From the New York Sun, July 29, 1888. Research from Don Stokes and Graig Kreindler.

July 28, 1888, New York v. Philadelphia, at New York, Polo Grounds: “The Giants wore new uniforms, and not of the conventional baseball cut which insists upon loose shirts, baggy knee-breeches and gaudy-colored long stockings. When Capt. Ewing and eleven others of New York’s coming champions came out from their club-house the spectators didn’t exactly know what the order of the afternoon was to be. Some thought the Cuban Giants had struck town, but when the array drew near, and the Giants were recognized, a shout went up from the great crowd. The boys wore the costumes mentioned some time ago as like unto ‘nadgy.’ They are black…none of the boys wore those light and airy things termed shirts, and the black woolen jerseys were cut modestly high in the neck and are topped by broad rolling collars. ‘New York’ is worked in large white letters across the chest. Black jersey trunks and stockings, together with black caps and white belts fastened by large silver buttons, complete a costume as striking as it is handsome.” From the New York Evening World, July 28, 1888.

July 1888: “Pitcher Keefe, in suggesting the new uniform of black Jersey material with white belts and trimmings, deserves to be congratulated. The suit is the neatest worn here this season.” From the New York Evening Telegram, July 30, 1888.

July 1888 or after, Chicago v. New York, at New York, Polo Grounds: “On another visit to New York, the White Stockings poked fun at the Giants’ garb…all-black, tight-fitting outfits for the 1888 season. The Chicagos wore their traditional white flannel uniform, accessorized with black silk ties, silk caps, and formal swallow-tailed coats with white boutonnieres. The next day, the Giants showed they could take the ribbing by adding white linen dusters ans white top hats to their uniforms for their grand entrance.” From Bryan Di Salvatore, A Clever Base-Ballist: The Life and Times of John Montgomery Ward (1999), pg. 22, and from Mike Roer.

August 2, 1888, New York v. Boston, at Boston: “The new uniform of the New Yorks is very much admired by Boston people.” From the New York Sun, August 3, 1888.

August 4, 1888, New York v. Boston, at Boston: “The New York players were afraid to don their new uniforms last Saturday [August 4, 1888]. Black suits and a big crowd they regarded as Jonahs. But the victory was a triumph over superstition.” From The Sporting Life, August 8, 1888.

August 1888: “The New York’s new uniforms make them look much taller than the old loose ones…and all the men look somewhat bowlegged.” From the Topeka (KS) Daily Capital, August 9, 1888. Research from Don Stokes and Graig Kreindler.

August 1888: “Jim Mutrie is overflowing with happiness and has promised the Giants another new uniform. This time it will be of white belts, caps and hose and maroon letters on shirt. The exact date of the appearance of the new rig is not given, but it will probably be worn during the Detroit series.” From the Philadelphia Times, August 12, 1888.

August 1888: “The New Yorks are to have another new uniform. This time it will be cream white, tight fitting knit goods, with maroon belt and stockings and maroon striped cap. The name ‘New York,’ in maroon letters, will adorn the breast of the shirt. The date on which the team will appear in its new uniform has not as yet been stated. There is no doubt but that the new suits will be more attractive than the present ones, and at the same time give more satisfaction to everybody than do the present funeral looking uniforms the men wear.” From the New York Clipper, August 18, 1888.

August 28, 1888, New York v. Boston, at New York: “The New Yorks made their appearance in their new uniforms, consisting of white, tight-fitting Jersey shirts, knickers and pants, maroon belts and stockings, with the club’s name done in heavy maroon letters.” From the St. Paul Globe, August 29, 1888. This article had the headline: “Jonahed by new uniforms–Giants receive a calcimining at the hands of the Beaneaters.”

August 1888: “The Giants have nice uniforms, even if they do not win the pennant. Their white uniforms are very neat.” From the New York Evening Telegram, August 29, 1888.

August 1888: “Those new white uniforms of the New Yorks must be hoo-doos.” From The Sporting Life, August 29, 1888.

September 13, 1888, New York v. Chicago, at Chicago: “The giants wore one black and one maroon stocking for luck yesterday but it did them no good.” From the Little Falls (NY) Evening Times, September 15, 1888. Game date from retrosheet.org.

September 13, 1888, New York v. Chicago, at Chicago: “The New Yorks were beaten again, although they did their best to win. They even went so far as to wear a maroon stocking on one leg and a black stocking on the other leg. They wore white belts and black belts, and caps that must have belonged to a dozen uniforms. All this was done to destroy the baleful influence of some unknown hoodoo. But it was no avail.” From The Sporting Life, September 29, 1888. Research from Chuck McGill.

October 1888: “As cold weather set in, the Giants played in two uniforms, looking like jolly fat men.” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1882-1891 From The Newspaper Accounts (1966, 1967, reprinted by SABR in 2021), pg. 367.

1888: “From the St. Louis Republican—The [American] association clubs should follow the example of the [National] league and have uniforms made to fit the players. The trim appearance of the ‘Giants’ was highly commended when they played here. The Browns, Brooklyn and Cincinnati are the only teams whose uniforms approach a fit. Baltimore and Louisville played in bathing suits that would fit anybody.” From the Buffalo Courier, December 30, 1888.

1888: “Cincinnati [of the American Association] thought base running must be weaker in the [National] League as New York and Chicago still wore skin-tight uniforms, now abandoned by the Reds. A player could not slide in them without leaving big patches of cuticle around the lot.” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1882-1891 From The Newspaper Accounts (1966, 1967, reprinted by SABR in 2021), pg. 352.

1888, New York v. Indianapolis at Indianapolis: “The Indianapolis Sentinel said: ‘The Giants do not travel on good luck but muscle. […] Their uniforms bear evidence of several hard campaigns. It would be a pleasant innovation to see them in clean garb.’” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1882-1891 From The Newspaper Accounts (1966, 1967, reprinted by SABR in 2021), pg. 363. New York played at Indianapolis twice during the second half of the season, July 11-13, 1888, and September 10-12, 1888.

1888, referenced in 1889: “The famous ‘Nadjy’ uniform of the [1888] New York team were, of course, our product. These Jersey Suits, which up to date, have been solely manufactured by us, are the only ones of that material which we believe will last.” From a Spalding Brothers ad printed in The Sporting Life, March 27, 1889.

1888, referenced in 1889: “The Cincinnati Enquirer remarks maroon has hoodooed every base-ball team that included it in its make-up. New York wore the maroon season after season and never won the championship until it dropped the color and selected black Nadjys.” From the Topeka (KS) State Journal, June 22, 1889. Research from Chuck McGill.

Team genealogy:
 New York 1883-1957
New York was formed to join the National League (NL) in 1883, with many of its players coming from a disbanded NL team in Troy, NY. The NL began operation in 1876 and this New York team played in the NL from 1883 to 1957. The team moved to San Francisco after the 1957 season. Information from wikipedia.