1885 Boston (Bostons, Red Stockings, Beaneaters)

This rendering is based on incomplete 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 1885: “The dressing rooms of the Boston club at the South End grounds have been enlarged, the washroom extended, and the entrances so made that one can enter the dressing-rooms without passing through the washroom.” From the Boston Globe, March 29, 1885.

April 2, 1885, Boston v. picked nine, at Boston, South End grounds, exhibition game: “The Bostons appeared in their new uniforms, which are similar to those of last year [1884]. The clean white suits of the Bostons loomed up like lilies in a pond when they appeared in the field, but after the game some of them looked as though they hadn’t seen a washtub for a year.” From the Boston Globe, April 3, 1885.

May 11, 1885, Boston v. St. Louis (NL) at Boston, South End grounds, home opener: “The uniforms of the Bostons and St. Louis are so much alike that it is hard to distinguish the players apart.” From the Boston Globe, May 12, 1885.

June 13, 1885, Boston v. New York, at Boston, South End grounds: “[New York] Manager Mutrie again saw his ‘pets’ down the Red Stockings yesterday.” From the Boston Globe, June 14, 1885. Included use of the team nickname, based on the color of the stockings.

June 18, 1885, Boston v. Providence, at Providence: “Boston could do nothing with Shaw today, and only three scattering hits were made off him, while ten red-stocking struck out.” From the Chicago Tribune, June 19, 1885.

August 8, 1885, Boston v. St. Louis (NL) at Boston: “[St. Louis pitcher] Boyle was more effective, and the bean-eaters made but four scattering hits.” From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 10, 1885. An example of the “Beaneaters” nickname in use.

September 1885: “New York’s chances for the championship do not look so bright this morning [on September 17]. Chicago retaliated on the bean-eaters.” From the Boston Globe, September 17, 1885. An example of a Boston newspaper using the “Beaneaters” nickname. Chicago had defeated Boston on Saturday, September 15, after losing the day before.

Team genealogy: Boston 1871-1952
Boston was formed to enter the National Association (NA) in 1871. The NA was baseball’s first league, operating 1871-1875. Boston played in the NA in every year of the league’s existence and moved to the National League (NL) upon its start in 1876. Boston played in the NL from 1876 to 1952 and moved to Milwaukee for the 1953 NL season. Information from Paul Batesel, Players And Teams of the National Association, 1871-1875, from baseball-reference.com and from wikipedia.com.

1885 Boston summary

Uniform: white, red stockings and caps
First worn: April 2, Boston
Photographed: April, May, June
Described:
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style and color, shirt style
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: yes, May 11 v. St. Louis