1867 Mutual, New York (Mutuals, Mutes)

This rendering is 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 rendering.

Rendering accuracy:

Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on this uniform:
None

Written documentation on this uniform:
August 26, 1867, Mutual, New York, v. National, Washington DC: “Mutuals in new uniforms of white skull caps, light blue checked shirts, blue striped pants and red vests.” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1845-1881 From Newspaper Accounts (1961). No specific documentation given.

August 26, 1867, Mutual, New York, v. National, Washington DC: “While the sixth inning was being played President Johnson made his appearance, in his carriage, and having been elected as an honorary member of the Mutual Club, he wore their badge, which was bestowed on him at an interview had by members of that club with him during the day. […] He was escorted to a comfortable seat on the balcony of the club-house by a committee from the Nationals, where he remained until the close of the game.” From the Washington Evening Star, August 27, 1867. Research submitted to protoball.org, retrieved May 31, 2025.

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).