1884 Detroit (Detroits)

These renderings are based on visual documentation for uniform style and written documentation for color. Important details may be undocumented or difficult to determine. An educated guess is made to complete the rendering.

Rendering accuracy:Year: confirmed    Team: confirmed

Visual documentation on this uniform:

Photo A

Dated 1884. Photo date is unconfirmed. Based on appearance of manager Chapman, standing in middle, this photo could be dated 1883 or 1884, his two-year tenure as Detroit manager. Players wore a white or light-colored uniform in this photo. The shirts had lace ties, and the belts and stockings were dark in color. A preseason newspaper report from 1884 said the Detroit team planned to wear two uniforms for the upcoming season, one light gray with red stockings and one white with brown stockings.

Identifiable players in photo are: standing second from left, G Wood (81-85); standing in center, J Chapman (mgr 83, 84); and standing sixth from left, N Hanlon (81-88). Player IDs from Carson Lorey and Nigel Ayres. Lorey offers the following suggestions for player identities, though unconfirmed: standing, from left: S Weidman, G Wood, F Meinke, C Bennett, J Chapman, N Hanlon, B Geiss, M Scott and W Prince; sitting on ground: D Shaw and J Farrell.

Dated 1884. Detail view of photo A. Detail view showed the uniform had a thick, dark band around the cap, a shirt with darklace ties, and dark trim down the pant seam.

Written documentation on this uniform:
December 1883: “[At a meeting of the National League] the uniform committee recommended that the 1883 uniform be retained [for 1884].” From Base Ball’s 19th-Century Winter Meetings, 1857-1900 (SABR, 2018), citing the New York Clipper, December 1, 1883, and stating that the uniform committee was [John B.] Day, [George W.] Howe and [Al] Reach. Research from Michael R. McAvoy. The committee was most likely responsible for selecting and/or approving the stocking color for each team.

February 1884: “Manager Chapman writes to a friend in this city [Detroit]: ‘I have written to all the players for their measurements and shall order the new uniforms of Spalding & Bro. next week. Each player will have two uniforms, of the very best flannel, made up handsomely. One will be a lighter shade of gray than last season, with red trimmings, belt and stockings. The other white, with brown trimmings, belt and stockings, etc. The gray will be worn all through April. I have ordered of A. J. Reach & Co., Philadelphia, a crate of their red-band bats, to be forwarded to Detroit for us. They are a special lot, good shape, and well balanced.’” From the Detroit Free Press, February 17, 1884. Research from Don Stokes.

June 2, 1884, Detroit v. Cleveland, at Detroit, home opener: “Bennett [Detroit catcher] says the inflated rubber chest protector is the greatest thing out.” From the Detroit Free Press, June 3, 1884.

Team genealogy:
 Detroit 1881-1888
Detroit joined the National League (NL) in 1881. The NL began operation in 1876. Detroit played in the NL between 1881 and 1888. The team disbanded after the 1888 season. Information from wikipedia.

1884 Detroit summary

Uniform: white, brown stockings
First worn:
Photographed: team photo from year
Described: February
Material: flannel
Manufacturer: Spalding & Bro.
Supposition:
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: yes, June 2 v. Cleveland

Uniform: gray, red stockings
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: February
Material: flannel
Manufacturer: Spalding & Bro.
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations:
Other items: