1886 Athletic, Philadelphia (Athletics)

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 1886: “The American Association players will have to pay for their uniforms this season.” From the Philadelphia Times, March 14, 1886.

April 17, 1886, Athletic, Philadelphia v. Metropolitan, New York, at Philadelphia, Twenty-sixth and Jefferson street grounds, opening day: “The players of both teams were given a royal reception as they took their positions in spic and span new uniforms.” From the Philadelphia Times, April 18, 1886.

April 17, 1886, Athletic, Philadelphia v. Metropolitan, New York, at Philadelphia, Twenty-sixth and Jefferson street grounds, opening day: “The members of both teams appeared on the field in neat new uniforms, that of the visitors [Metropolitan] being white with blue stockings and belt, while that worn by the local nine [Athletic] was light gray with dark blue hose and caps.” From the Philadelphia Inquirer, April 19, 1886. Research from Ed Morton.

June 28, 1886, Athletic, Philadelphia, v. Pittsburgh, at Pittsburgh: “The Pittsburg[h]s […] kept the Blue Stocking Philadelphians chasing the sphere all over the field.” From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 29, 1886.

Team genealogy: Athletic, Philadelphia 1880-1890
Athletic was formed in Philadelphia, PA, in 1880 as a touring team and joined the American Association (AA) in 1882. The AA was a major league operating 1882-1891. Athletic played in the AA between 1882 and 1890. The team was expelled from the AA after the 1890 season and the team subsequently folded. The Philadelphia team of the Players’ League (PL) joined the AA for the 1891 season after the PL folded in 1890 and used the Athletic name. Information from wikipedia.com.

1886 Athletic summary

Uniform: light gray, dark blue cap and stockings
First worn: April 17, Philadelphia
Photographed:
Described: April, June
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: yes, April 17 v Metropolitan