1890 Baltimore (Baltimores, Orioles)

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 21, 1890, Baltimore v. Richmond College, at Richmond, exhibition game: “Manager Barnie’s Baltimore boys […] were clad in neat gray uniforms, gray caps, maroon stockings and bright red belts.” From the Baltimore Sun, March 22, 1890, page 4, citing a special dispatch from Richmond. Research from Terry Sloope.

March 1890: “The Oriole players spent Sunday [March 23] developing budding friendships among themselves and visiting the grounds of the Richmond club.” From the Baltimore Sun, March 24, 1890, page 6. Use of the Orioles nickname.

August 27, 1890, Baltimore v. St. Louis, at Baltimore, first game in AA: “Two small blue banners with a bright ‘W.’ worked in their centers, trimmed with oriole fringes, floated from the grandstand yesterday. They were presented to Manager Barnie by a friend, who said ‘W.’ signified winners.” From the Baltimore Sun, August 28, 1890, page 3.

Team genealogy: Baltimore 1882-1899
Baltimore was formed to join the American Association (AA) in 1882. The AA was a major league operating 1882-1891. Baltimore played in the AA from 1882 to 1889 and then joined the Atlantic Association, a minor league, for the 1890 season. The team rejoined the American Association in late 1890 when the Brooklyn AA team failed. Baltimore played in the American Association for the 1891 season and when the AA folded, Baltimore was added to the National League (NL) for the 1892 season. The NL began operation in 1876. Baltimore played in the NL from 1892 to 1899. After the 1899 season, Baltimore was dropped by the league and the team disbanded. Information from wikipedia.com.