1890 Chicago (Chicagos, Black Stockings, Colts)

This rendering is based on written documentation for uniform style and color. However, the written documentation closely matches a related year where visual documentation is known and that visual documentation is the basis for this rendering.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on this uniform:
None

Written documentation on this uniform:
November 1889: “When the [National] League [meeting] finally adjourned for the day, its accomplished business included […] the authorization of President Young to fix a distinctive color for each club uniform.” From the Paterson (NJ) Morning Call, November 16, 1889.

January 1890: “Ad Gumbert will pitch for the Black Stockings next season.” From the Buffalo Courier, January 27, 1890. This printed quote from Chicago player/manager Cap Anson referenced the team nickname and stocking color. Anson assured reporters that his pitcher would not be switching to the Players’ League for the 1890 season. However, Gumbert did switch and played for the Boston PL team in 1890. Gumbert info from baseball-reference.com.

January 1890: “[The National League] decided unanimously by selection of white suits to be […] worn at home at all times. Visiting teams will have their own options in selecting their dress, providing […] it is easily distinguished from the home team.” From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 30, 1890. Research from Gary Kodner.

February 1890, Chicago (NL) v. St. Augustine, exhibition game: “There was a great cheer when the Chicagos appeared on the field. Their uniform is a light gray, with black stockings, black caps and trimmings of the same color.” From the Chicago Inter Ocean, February 15, 1890. Research from Don Stokes.

April 1890: “Chicagoans may expect excellent work from the reorganized Black Stockings this season.” From The Sporting Life, April 5, 1890. Another implied description of the Chicago NL stocking color.

April 19, 1890, Chicago v. Cincinnati at Cincinnati, season opener: “More than five thousand people greeted Captain Anson and his gray uniformed Colts as they marched upon the Western Avenue grounds for the opening championship game.” From The Sporting Life, January 19, 1891. This article, which mentioned the Chicago uniform color, was contrasting the high level of enthusiasm in Cincinnati in 1890 with the lack of baseball interest in early 1891. Game date from retrosheet.org.

May 1890: “The Chicago White Stocking Club will play the Chicago Black Stockings [in] a series of four, seven, or nine games in October.” From The Sporting Life, May 10, 1890. This was part of a letter written to the public by Charles Comiskey in response to Cap Anson’s challenge for the Chicago NL and PL teams to play each other. The full report refers to the Chicago NL team as the “Black Stockings” and as Anson’s “Colt team.”

September 1890, Chicago (NL) v. Philadelphia (NL) at Philadelphia: “Philadelphia, Sept. 5– […] The local [National] league team received an awful black-eye and had their pennant chances effectually settled in the series with Anson’s black-hosed gang.” From The Sporting Life, September 6, 1890.

Team genealogy: Chicago 1874-
Chicago reformed after the Great Fire of October 1871 and rejoined the National Association (NA) in 1874 and 1875 after a two-year absence. The NA was baseball’s first league, operating 1871-1875. Chicago joined the National League (NL) at its formation in 1876 and the team has played in the NL every year since 1876. Information from Paul Batesel, Players and Teams of the National Association, 1871-1875, from baseball-reference.com, and from wikipedia.