1884 Louisville (Louisvilles, Eclipse)

These renderings are based on written documentation for uniform style and color. No visual documentation is known and an artist’s conceptualization is used to create the renderings.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on these uniforms:
None

Written documentation on these uniforms:
March 1884: “A Cincinnati firm will manufacture the uniforms for the players in the Louisville team.” From the Cincinnati Enquirer, March 9, 1884.

March 1884: “The uniforms of the Eclipse will be the same as last year [1883.]” From the Louisville Courier-Journal, March 23, 1884.

April 1884: “The new uniforms for the Louisvilles were delivered yesterday, and will be worn in the game today [April 6, exhibition game]. They consist of white shirts and pants, with wine-colored belts, caps and stockings.” From the Louisville Courier-Journal, April 6, 1884.

April 1884: “The jackets for the Louisvilles have arrived and the uniforms are now complete.” From the Louisville Courier-Journal, April 26, 1884.

June 1884: “The Louisvilles will be furnished with new suits next week.” From the Louisville Courier-Journal, June 26, 1884.

July 1884: “Louisville’s team now plays in a handsome pearl-gray uniform.” From The Sporting Life, July 1, 1884. Research from Ed Morton.

July 1884: “The Louisville players were photographed last week.” From The Sporting Life, July 23, 1884. Research from Ed Morton.

1884, referenced in April 1885: “The Louisville Club don new uniforms this week. They will be like those of last season [1884] except the caps will be of different shapes, and the word Louisville appearing across the breast of the shirts.” From The Sporting Life, April 22, 1885. Research from Chuck McGill.

Team genealogy: Louisville 1870s-1899
Louisville began as Eclipse, a semi-pro team in Louisville formed in the late 1870s. As Eclipse, they joined the American Association (AA) at its formation in 1882. The AA was a major league operating between 1882 and 1891. Eclipse was known as Louisville by 1884 and the team played in the AA through the 1891 season. The team joined the National League (NL) in 1892 when the AA and NL merged, and was disbanded after the 1899 season when the NL contracted from twelve to eight teams. Information from wikipedia.com and Ken Samoil.

1884 Louisville summary

Uniform: white, red stockings and cap
First worn: April 6, Louisville
Photographed:
Described: March, April
Material:
Manufacturer: made in Cincinnati
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations:
Other items: jacket
Home opener report: no, May 1 v. Toledo

Uniform: gray, red stockings
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: July
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style and color, shirt style, stocking color
Variations:
Other items: jacket