1869 National, Washington DC (Nationals)

These renderings are 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 renderings.

Rendering accuracy:
Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on these uniforms:
None

Written documentation on these uniforms:
June 25, 1869, National, Washington DC, v. Cincinnati at Washington DC: “The Nationals […] wore as uniform white cap and shirt and black pants.” From the National Republican (Washington DC), June 26, 1869. Research and game date from Brian McKenna.

August 20, 1869, National, Washington DC, v. Oriental, New York, at National’s ground, Washington DC: “At 3:30 o’clock the contending nines appeared on the field. The Nationals dressed in their usual uniform.” From the National Republican (Washington DC), August 21, 1869. Research from Ed Morton.

August 31, 1869, National, Washington DC, v. Athletic, Philadelphia: “A great many were disappointed at the Nationals appearing in their old uniform, it being generally understood that they would be on the grounds in their new suits. Their uniforms will be ready, however, in time for the game with Haymakers tomorrow.” From the Philadelphia Press, September 2, 1869. Research from Ed Morton. Morton adds that this “September 2nd account appears to be a reprint of an article from the Washington Chronicle, presumably from the day before [published September 1].” Note that National played Union (aka Haymaker) on September 1, see reports below. Athletic won the August 31st game by a score of 32 to 20, and the Press reported that “the result of the game is not as satisfactory to the many admirers of the Nationals,” noting that the team “played a game throughout which was quite inferior to many that the same nine have played.”

August 1869: “The new uniform of the National club will be of similar material [to that of the Olympic team, i.e., white flannel], with plaid stockings, green belt and green letter N, worked in old English in the breast of the shirt. The Nationals don their new habiliments in their game with the Haymakers on Wednesday [September 1st]. Messrs. A. Saks & Co. have the contract for manufacturing all the uniforms.” From the National Republican (Washington DC), August 30, 1869. National Republican research from Brian McKenna. An almost identical story was published in the Evening Star (Washington DC), August 30, 1869. Evening Star research from Ed Morton.

August 1869: “The Nationals’ new green trimmed uniforms did not arrive for their game versus the Haymakers [on September 1].” From the National Republican (Washington DC), August 31, 1869. Research from Don Stokes.

September 1, 1869, National, Washington DC, v. Union, Lansingburgh NY, (aka Haymaker), at Washington DC: “The National boys were greatly vexed at the failure of the contractors in not having their new uniform completed, and great dissatisfaction was expressed at having to appear in their ‘old clothes.’” From the National Republican, September 2, 1869. Research from Ed Morton.

September 3, 1869, National, Washington DC, v. Jefferson, Washington DC, at Washington: “The Nationals made their appearance in their new uniform for the first time. The result greatly surprised the friends of both clubs.” From the National Republican (Washington DC), September 4, 1869. Research from Ed Morton.

September 1869: “The National uniform is dark blue pants, white shirts and caps and a red ‘N’ for a breast plate.” From the Cambridge (IN) City Tribune, September 9, 1869, reported as correspondence from “Washington City’, September 2, 1869. Research from Don Stokes. This report was, in all likelihood, a reprint of information published before the team changed their uniform on September 3rd.

Team Genealogy: National, Washington DC, 1859-1870
National was formed in Washington, DC, in 1859. The club was noted for its tour of the “west” in 1867, visiting Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Chicago. National became inactive after the 1870 season. A team using the National name joined the National Association (NA) in 1872. The NA was the first baseball league, operating 1871-1875. The National name has been used by subsequent teams in Washington, including the Washington Nationals, which entered the National League in 2005. Information from Peter Morris, Base Ball Pioneers 1850-1870 (2012).