1896 Indianapolis

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:
April 22, 1896, Indianapolis v. Detroit, at Indianapolis, opening day: “[Owner] John T. Brush dug up a couple of antiquated four-in-hand brakes [i.e., a carriage drawn by four horses] and perched on these the players followed the band to his park. There they repaired to the club house and soon the band struck up a lively tune and an even dozen Detroits marched company front to the home plate. The men doffed their caps and ran to their places to practice. When the time came the gong was struck and out came the [Indianapolis] champions of 1895 in brand new white uniforms with brown trimmings.” From the Detroit Free Press, April 23, 1896. Research from Peter Reitan, and also from Ed Morton.

April 22, 1896, Indianapolis v. Detroit, at Indianapolis, opening day: “The Indianapolis players looked like champions in their spotless white uniforms and brown caps.” From the Indianapolis Journal, April 23, 1896. Research from Ed Morton.

June 1896: “The Hay & Willits Manufacturing Company have ordered for the members of the Indianapolis base-ball team handsome traveling coats. They will be pearl gray with brown trimmings, and the boys will have them before they start on their next Western trip.” From the Indianapolis News, June 6, 1896. Research from Peter Reitan. The coats described in this report were for street dress. Hay & Willits was a bicycle manufacturer in Indianapolis operated by Thomas Hay and V.B.Willits. Info from the Hyman’s Hand Book of Indianapolis (1897).

August 17, 1896, Indianapolis v. Detroit, at Detroit, Bennett Park: “The Detroit players’ uniforms looked shabby and slovenly in contrast with the natty appearance of the Indians. [Detroit’s Art] Twineham wore brown stockings. Indianapolis also had on brown stockings, so it is fair to suppose ‘Old Hoss’ borrowed a pair for the occasion.” From the Detroit Free Press, August 18, 1896.

1896, referenced in February 1900: “The uniforms for the coming season [of 1900] will be similar to those used by the Indianapolis since 1895. White uniforms will be used at home and probably a gray uniform on the road.” From the Indianapolis Journal, February 25, 1900 Research from Ed Morton.

Team genealogy: Indianapolis 1894-1900
Indianapolis joined the Western League (WL) in 1894 when the league reformed. The reorganized WL operated between 1894 and 1899 and reformed again as the American League (AL) for the 1900 season. Indianapolis played in the WL between 1894 and 1899 and in the American League in 1900. The team was dropped when the AL declared major-league status in 1901. Information from wikipedia.com.