1876 Athletic, Philadelphia (Athletics)

This rendering is based on partial written documentation for uniform color only. An artist’s conceptualization is used to create the rendering based on this and documentation of uniform style from a related year.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on this uniform:
None

Written documentation on this uniform:
June 22, 1876, Athletic, Philadelphia, v. St. Louis, at St. Louis, Grand Avenue Park: “Fisler, Hall and Malone were the only Blue legs who could do anything with the stick, while all of the Browns, except Blong, got in a safe hit.” From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 23, 1876, and also the Chicago Tribune, June 23, 1876. A reference to the stocking color of the Athletics. As the Browns shout out the A’s on this day, 5 to 0, the Globe made note by saying, “Twelve hundred spectators witnessed the reappearance of that St. Louis goose. […] The Athletics were made painfully aware of the presence of the bird of ill-omen.”

Team genealogy: Athletic, Philadelphia 1859-1876
Athletic was formed in 1859 in Philadelphia, PA, and began playing the New York-style game about 1860. Athletic belonged to the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP), baseball’s first organization operating 1857-1870. Athletic joined the National Association (NA), the first baseball league, in 1871 at its inception and competed in every year of league’s existence, 1871-1875. Athletic then 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. The Athletic name was used by subsequent teams in Philadelphia, including the American Association team (1882-1890) and the American League team (1901-1954). Information from William J Ryczek, Peter Morris and others, Base Ball Founders (2013).

1876 Athletic summary

Uniform: white, light blue stockings
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: June
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style and color, shirt style and color, pant color
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, April 22 v. Boston