1864 Mutual, New York (Mutuals, Mutes)

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. New color rendering coming soon.

Rendering accuracy:

Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on this uniform:

Photo A

Dated 1864. Players wore a white uniform in this photo, with a buttoned shirt and the team name across the belt. Identification of players in photo confirm this was a photo of the Mutual team from New York.

From left: (W Brennan), (R Lindsay), (E Taylor), J Zeller (62-67), J Goldie (61-66), Harris (59-65),  B Wansley (62-65), (A Taylor 58-61), (J Wildey 60), (W Dongan), E Brown (61-65), E Ward (62), T Devyer (64,65,67-69), D Patterson (64-66), B McMahon (59-70), (S Burns 61, 62), (J Graham) and (J Doyle). Player IDs from photo. Years with team from Marshall D. Wright, The National Association Of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870 (2000), and Peter Morris, Base Ball Founders (2013). Image scan courtesy of Mark Fimoff, SABR 19th-century Pictorial Committee.

Dated 1864. Detail of photo A. Detail view shows that many players wore their shirt open at the neck and the cap, held in each player’s hand, was white with a star on top.

Written documentation on this uniform:
August 30, 1864, Mutual, New York, at Utica, NY: “The Mutuals […] donned their new uniforms—white flannel suits, with cap trimmed with blue–which is similar to that of the Newark Club. The shirt and caps are very suitable, but some dark color is better for the pants, as white flannel so soon becomes soiled.” From the New York Clipper, September 10, 1864. Research from Brian McKenna.

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).