1876 Mutual, Brooklyn (Mutuals, Red Stockings)

This rendering is based on partial written documentation 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:
April 25, 1876, Mutual v. Boston, at Brooklyn, Union Grounds: “The two nines looked well in their uniforms, but they were dressed too much alike. When they had their red jackets on, the Eastern nine [i.e., Boston] could of course be readily distinguished, but not otherwise, except by the caps and belts.” From the New York Clipper, May 6, 1876. The similarity of these two uniforms may imply that Mutual, like Boston, had their team name displayed across the shirt. Throughout this report, the Clipper described the Mutual team as the Brooklyn Red Stockings, and also referred to Boston as the Red Jackets. Mutual had been playing their games in Brooklyn since circa 1871. The Spalding Base Ball Guide, released at the start of the 1876 season, listed the Mutuals as the “Mutual B. B. Club of Brooklyn, N.Y.”

April 1876: “The [Mutuals of 1876] were attired in white suits, trimmed with red, and wearing red stockings. The color of the uniform of the original Mutuals was brown—they did not wear breeches and stockings then, but pantaloons. Then they changed to a white suit with green stockings. The ‘wearing of the green’ not proving satisfactory, they changed again to the old Mutual color, to the extent of putting on brown stockings. Another change was resolved upon, and this time […] they donned the red stockings.” From the New York Clipper, April 29, 1876. Research from Richard Hershberger.

April 1876: “The Mutuals have adopted the Red Stocking uniform, and are to be known as the Brooklyn Reds.” From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, April 29, 1876.

October 1876: “The base ball season of 1876 is at an end, and with it the Mutual Club. Many doubtless regret the close of the season’s play, but very few will be found to shed any tears over the demise of the club that not only represented New York, but all of the gamblers and blacklegs in the country as well. […] The present understanding is that there will be no Mutual club next year.” From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 22, 1876, citing the Chicago Tribune.

Team genealogy: Mutual, Brooklyn, 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 Peter Morris and others, Base Ball Founders (2013).

1876 Mutual summary

Uniform: white, red stockings
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: in April
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: shirt style, shirt lettering
Variation:
Other items:
Home opener report: yes, April 25 v. Boston