1893 Philadelphia (Philadelphias, Phillies)

These renderings are based on written documentation for uniform style and color. No visual documentation is known and an artist’s conceptualization is used to create the renderings.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on these uniforms:

Photo A

Dated April 28, 1893. These cartoons of opening day in Philadelphia were published the following day in a newspaper. The Philadelphia players were depicted as wearing a white or light-colored uniform, with a white or light-colored cap and dark stockings. The uniform on the right had the city abbreviation of “Phila” across the chest. It is unknown if the drawings were representative of elements from the Philadelphia uniform. Images from the Philadelphia Inquirer, April 29, 1893. Research from Ed Morton.

Photo B

Dated April 29, 1893. This illustration was published the following day as a header to a newspaper report on the second game of the opening series in Philadelphia against Brooklyn. It is unknown if this illustration was as a specific depiction of the Philadelphia-Brooklyn game or simply a generic baseball drawing. Image from the Philadelphia Times, April 30, 1893. Research from Ed Morton.

Written documentation on these uniforms:
April 1893: “With the exception of the stockings, which will be black instead of red, the Phillies’ home suits will be practically the same as those of last season [1892]. From the Washington (DC) Evening Star, April 28, 1893. Research from Ed Morton.

April 28, 1893, Philadelphia v. Brooklyn, at Philadelphia, opening day: “The Phillies were resplendent in brand new suits of white, with black stockings and belts, while the visitors were attired in gray suits and blue stockings and belts.” From the Philadelphia Inquirer, April 29, 1893. Research from Ed Morton.

May 5, 1893, Philadelphia v. Brooklyn, at Brooklyn, opening day: “The Phillies were out [on the field] in suits of gray.” From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 6, 1893. Research from Ed Morton.

Team genealogy: Philadelphia 1882-
Philadelphia was formed to play in the League Alliance (LA) in 1882. The team joined the National League (NL) in 1883. The NL began operation in 1876 and Philadelphia has played in the league every year since 1883. Information from wikipedia.com and Robert D. Warrington.