1893 Baltimore (Baltimores, Orioles)

This rendering is based on partial visual documentation for uniform style only. Color information is unknown and the uniform is rendered in values of gray. Important details may also be undocumented or difficult to determine and an educated guess is made to complete the rendering.

Rendering accuracy:Year: undocumented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on this uniform:

Photo A

Dated early 1890s. Studio portrait of J McGraw (AA 91, NL 92-99, AL 01, 02). Full view at left, detail view at right. The exact date of this portrait is unknown. It is possible it was made in 1893, a year when there currently are no known photographs of the Baltimore uniform. The uniform shown above does not match photos of the Baltimore uniform from 1892, 1894 or 1895. McGraw also appears to be of a young age in this portrait, further suggesting an early 1890s date. McGraw wore a white or light-colored short-sleeved shirt that displayed the city name across the button placket. The cap was made from a matching material and included four subtle horizontal bands or pleats. Years McGraw in Baltimore from baseball-reference.com. Original photo from William Ashman, Baltimore.

Written documentation on this uniform:
March 1893: “Mr. Hanlon will go to Philadelphia today to order the Orioles’ uniforms. The team will wear white and maroon when at home and gray and maroon when abroad.” From the Baltimore Sun, March 17, 1894.

May 1893: “Today [on May 1, third baseman] Shindle will be measured for two Oriole uniforms and tomorrow he will report.” From the Baltimore Sun, May 1, 1893. Report possibly suggested Baltimore had a home and road uniform in 1893.

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.