1881 Cleveland (Clevelands, Blue Legs)

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

This rendering is included in the book, BASEBALL THREADS.

Visual documentation on this uniform:
None

Written documentation on this uniform:
April 1881: “[National] League Uniforms. — The uniform of the Detroits will be light gray cloth, trimmed with cardinal red, gray box-topped caps, red belts and red stockings; Buffalos, gray, with navy blue stockings; the Worcesters, white with brown stockings and trimmings; the Clevelands, white, with blue stockings and trimmings; Providence, gray, with pale blue stockings.” From the Boston Globe, April 24, 1881. Research from Chuck McGill.

May 6, 1881, Cleveland v. Chicago, at Cleveland, home opener: “Shortly before 3 o’clock [Cleveland] Captain McGeary and his men stepped into the ring. […] Their uniforms, which are neatly made, are nearly like those of last season [1880], the only noticeable difference being the letter ‘C’ which is inscribed on the shirt front.” From the Cleveland Leader, May 7, 1881, page 8. The Leader also made use of the Blue Legs nickname when the team had the bases loaded: “The sawdust of the three cushions was now being stamped on by three blue legs, and Jonathan Clapp stepped up to the plate. Jonathan had blood in his eye. He awaited the arrival of the ball. It came, it went — away into center field over Gore’s head, and the blue legs came galloping in amid long and tremendous cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.”

July 22, 1881, Cleveland v. Buffalo, at Buffalo: “[Cleveland] appeared in white uniforms, with black belts and blue stockings. […] The Clevelands are not very natty in appearance, but they get in their work all the same.” From the Buffalo Morning Express, July 23, 1881.

Team genealogy: Cleveland 1879-1884
Cleveland joined the National League (NL) in 1879. The NL began operation in 1876 and Cleveland played in the NL through the 1884 season. The team disbanded prior to the 1885 NL season. Information from wikipedia.com.

1881 Cleveland summary

Uniform: white, blue stockings
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: April, July
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations: wore black belt in July
Other items:
Home opener report: no, May 6 v. Chicago