1884 Indianapolis (Hoosiers)

This rendering is based on 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:
March 1884: “The [Indianapolis] base ball directory last night […] selected a uniform — white flannel, with red belts, stockings and caps.” From the Indianapolis News, March 18, 1884. A similar report was published in the Cincinnati Enquirer on the same day, March 18, 1884.

March 1884: “The Indianapolis Club directors were is session March 17. […] The uniforms were selected and are white flannel shirts and pants, with red bets, stockings and caps.” From The Sporting Life, March 26, 1884. Research from Ed Morton.

April 27, 1884, Indianapolis v. Louisville, at Louisville, exhibition game: “The representatives of Hoosierdom were defeated by a score of 13 to 2. […] If yesterday’s game at Louisville is an indication of the relative strength of the two clubs, the Hoosiers will probably not win the Association championship this season.” From the Indianapolis Journal, April 28, 1884. An entry using the Hoosier nickname. Some 21st-century listings state the team nickname as “Blues,” however no contemporary use from 1884 has been found to date.

June 12, 1884, Indianapolis v. Athletic, Philadelphia, at Philadelphia; “The Indianapolis nine, in a pretty combination uniform of red and white, made its first appearance in this city yesterday and was beaten by the champion Athletics by a score of 11 to 3.” From the Philadelphia Times, June 13, 1884. Research from Ed Morton.

September 22, 1884, Indianapolis v. Boston (NL), at Indianapolis, exhibition game: “The Bostons themselves played along as though they had a dead sure thing on the game and would allow the Hoosier chumps to make a run or two.” From the Indianapolis Journal, September 23, 1884. An example of the Hoosier nickname in use.

Team genealogy: Coming soon

1884 Indianapolis summary

Uniform: white, red stockings and cap
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: March, June
Material: flannel
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, May 14 v. St. Louis