1881 Providence (Providences, Grays)

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: “Eleven of the players engaged by the Providence Base-ball Association for the season of 1881 reported for duty on April 1st. […] The Grays will adopt the same uniform as worn last year, believing it to be the most attractive and serviceable.” From the Cincinnati Enquirer, April 10, 1881.

April 1881: “[National] League Uniforms. The uniforms 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; 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 1881: “The Chicagos, who start today on their Eastern trip, will play Troy […] returning home in time to meet the Providence Grays in this city [Chicago] June 24, 25, an 27.” From the Chicago Inter Ocean, May 28, 1881. This entry included the Providence nickname, a possible reference to the team’s uniform color.

September 21, 1881, Providence v. Chicago, at Providence: “Both nines wore crape upon their left arms in thoughtful recognition of the national calamity.” From the Providence Evening Bulletin, September 22, 1881, page 6. The calamity was the death of President Garfield, who died September 19.

Team genealogy: Providence 1878-1885
Providence joined the National League (NL) in 1878. The NL was organized in 1876. Providence played in the NL for 8 years, disbanding after the 1885 season. Information from wikipedia.com.

1881 Providence summary

Uniform: light gray, light blue stockings
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: April, May
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, May 2 v. Boston