1885 Detroit (Detroits)

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

These renderings are included in the book, BASEBALL THREADS.

Visual documentation on these uniforms:
None

Written documentation on these uniforms:
April 1885: “The new [Detroit] uniforms arrived yesterday. One is white and the other gray, with red belts and stockings for each.” From the Detroit Free Press, April 1, 1885. Research from Ed Morton.

June 1885: “The Detroits donned a new uniform last week — white with red stockings.” From The Sporting Life, June 3, 1885. This entry may suggest the gray uniform, mentioned in the April 1 report, was used in games played in May. The Detroit regular season started on May 1, 1885. Start date from retrosheet.org.

June 1885: “All of the [National] League teams have nicknames. The Bostons are known as the ‘Bean Eaters,’ the Philadelphias as the ‘Phillies,’ the New Yorks as ‘Giants,’ the Providences as ‘Champions,’ the Buffaloes as ‘Bisons,’ the Detroits as ‘Wolverines,’ the St. Louis team as ‘Lucas’ Pets,’ and the Chicagos as ‘Anson’s Babies.’” From the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, June 5, 1885, page 1. Research from Tom Shieber.

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.

1885 Detroit summary

Uniform: white, red stockings
First worn: late May
Photographed:
Described: April, June
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style and color, shirt style, lace color
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, May 1 v. Buffalo

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