1895 Scranton PA (Scrantons, Coal Heavers)

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:
None

Written documentation on these uniforms:
March 1895: “Scranton’s home uniform of the team will be gray with blue cap and stockings. When away from home the team will wear navy blue, including caps and stockings of that color.” From the Wilkes-Barre Times, March 19, 1895. Research from Richard Kane.

March 1895: “The Scrantons will have two uniforms this season. That for the home grounds will be gray, with royal blue cap and stockings; the traveling uniform will be of navy blue, with caps and stocking of the same color.” From The Sporting Life, March 30, 1895, with research from Chuck McGill. An identical report appeared in the Syracuse Courier on April 15, 1895 and an almost identical report was printed in the Buffalo Morning Express and Illustrated Express, April 16, 1895. Buffalo Express research from Peter Reitan.

July 30, 1895, Scranton v. Syracuse at Scranton: “The Scranton Coal Heavers knocked [Syracuse pitcher] Barnett out.” From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, July 31, 1895. Research from Richard Kane. This report mentioned the team’s unique nickname.

1895, referenced in April 1896: “In selecting uniforms [for 1896], blue has been chosen for home games and gray for the games abroad. […] Last year [in 1895] the blue uniforms were worn away from home.” From the Scranton (PA) Tribune, April 11, 1896. Research from Don Stokes.

Team genealogy: Scranton PA, 1892-1897
Scranton joined the Pennsylvania State League (PSL) upon its formation in 1892. The PSL operated between 1892 and 1895. Scranton played in the PSL between 1892 and 1894 when they jumped to the Eastern League (EL) on August 2, 1894 replacing Troy. The EL operated between 1891 and 1911 and became the International League in 1912. Scranton played in the EL between 1894 and 1897, dropping out after the 1897 season. Information from Baseball America, Inc., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (1997), and from Bill O’Neal, The International League (1992).