1888 St. Louis (Whites)

These renderings are based on visual documentation for uniform style and written documentation for color. Minor details may be undocumented or difficult to determine. An educated guess is made to complete the renderings.

Rendering accuracy:

Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on these uniforms:

Photo A

Dated 1888. Old Judge baseball card of J Herr (StL WA 88, StL AA 88). Full view at left, detail view at right. Photo date can be confirmed as this was the only year Herr played for team. Photo shows a uniform style similar to that worn by the St. Louis American Association team in 1888. However, the Western Association uniform had different coloring. The uniform consisted of a dark-colored shirt and pants, with a white cap, shirt lacing, lettering, belt, pant trim and stockings. The uniform also had wide decorative trim around the shirt placket. Similar to the AA uniform, the city name was displayed with large lettering that extended across the chest to the arms. Photo also show the uniform had detachable sleeves. A newspaper report from early 1888 said the team planned to have two different color schemes for their uniforms, and it is possible Herr was wearing the blue uniform in this photo. Year Herr with team from baseball-reference.com. Image from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Photo B

Dated 1888. Old Judge baseball card of C Alcott (StL WA 88, 3 other teams in 88). Full view at left, detail view at right. Photo date can be confirmed as this was the only year Alcott played for team. Detail view shows thicker placket trim when compared to Herr card, see photo A. Year Alcott with team from baseball-reference.com. Image from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Photo C

Dated 1888. Old Judge baseball card of B Cantz (StL WA 88, Bal AA 88). Full view at left, detail view at right. Photo date can be confirmed as this was the only year Cantz played for team. Photo shows side view of uniform including white trim on pant seam. Detail view shows two subtle horizontal bands on the cap, and also one of the belt loops on the back side of the pants. Year Cantz with team from baseball-reference.com. Image from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Written documentation on these uniforms:
March 1888: “Tom Loftus’ team will have two uniforms. One will be of navy blue, something of the style of the Chicago [National] League team, and the other will be a pretty wine color. White stockings will be worn with both uniforms.” From The Sporting Life, March 7, 1888. Research from Chuck McGill.

April 1888: “The St. Louis Whites are to be clad in navy blue uniforms, trimmed with white, with white hose, belts and caps.” From the St. Paul Globe, April 8, 1888. Research from Don Stokes.

Team genealogy:
 Coming soon