1885 Providence (Grays)

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

This rendering is included in the book, BASEBALL THREADS.

Visual documentation on this uniform:
None

Written documentation on this uniform:
March 1885: “Wright & Ditson are making the uniforms for the Providence players. They will wear the best, as usual, the cloth for the suits being manufactured particularly for that purpose. The uniforms will be gray, with blue stockings and belts.” From the Boston Globe, March 1, 1885. Research from Ed Morton.

March 1885: “The uniforms of the Providence club this year [1885] will be of heavy gray flannel which will be specially manufactured. The stockings and belt will be blue, and what little trimming there is will be of the same color.” From the Buffalo Daily Republic, March 6, 1885, page 1.

May 11, 1885, Providence v. Buffalo, at Providence, Messer Park, home opener: “The Grays had the champion nine in the field, and, upon entry, the handsome pennant was unfurled mid great enthusiasm.” From the Boston Globe, May 12, 1885.

June 1885: “All of the [National] League teams have nicknames. The Bostons are known as the ‘Bean Eaters,’ the Philadelphias as the ‘Phillies,’ the New Yorks as ‘Giants,’ the Providences as ‘Champions,’ the Buffaloes as ‘Bisons,’ the Detroits as ‘Wolverines,’ the St. Louis team as ‘Lucas’ Pets,’ and the Chicagos as ‘Anson’s Babies.’” From the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, June 5, 1885, page 1. Research from Tom Shieber.

July 11, 1885, Providence v. Chicago, at Chicago: “The Providence Grays were in fine trim yesterday and they succeeded in defeating the Chicagos at Chicago.” From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 12, 1885. Use of the Providence team nickname, based on the uniform color.

1885, referenced in February 1886: “The [Washington] Nationals will have two different styles of uniforms next season, one of […] gray and red, like that worn by the Providences [in 1885].” From the Washington (DC) Sunday Herald, February 28, 1886. Research from Don Stokes. This report may have included an error by the Herald. Pearl gray and blue were the traditional colors of the Providence team, possibly not “gray and red.”

Team genealogy: Providence 1878-1885
Providence joined the National League (NL) in 1878. The NL was organized in 1876. Providence played in the NL for 8 years, disbanding after the 1885 season. Information from wikipedia.com.

1885 Providence summary

Uniform: light gray, light blue stockings
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: March
Material:
Manufacturer: Wright & Ditson
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, May 11 v. Buffalo