1880 Providence (Providences, Grays)

This rendering is based on partial visual and written documentation for uniform style and color. Important details may be undocumented or difficult to determine and an artist’s conceptualization is used to the complete renderings.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

This rendering is included in the book, BASEBALL THREADS.

Visual documentation on this uniform:

Dated May 9, 1880. This montage of player portraits, full view at left, detail view of player Ward at right, was published in a newspaper on this date. The portraits were most likely drawn from photographs, however based on the style of the drawings it is possible these renderings were made at different times or were based on photographs from other years. The drawings of players McGreary, Start and Ward were made based on photographs published in a portrait montage of the team from 1879. However, the drawings of Hines and York, also included in the 1879 montage, were seemingly drawn from other unknown images. Three of the players depicted, Dorgan, Peters and Bradley, were new to the team in 1880 and the photo referenced for these drawing is undetermined. Majority of players were depicted in the above montage wearing a collared shirt and a light-colored necktie. Three players, Start, Ward and York, were depicted wearing a shirt of a mid-tone color while other six players were depicted wearing a white shirt. The detail view at right showed that player Ward wore a mid-tone shirt, most likely gray in color. The cap depicted for all players was in the pillbox style without any horizontal banding. The cap in the detail view had a light-colored braid above the brim and possibly trim along the front edge of the brim. The shirt collars and button placket may also have had decorative trim. A newspaper in April 1880 reported that the Providence team wore “gray suits.” The traditional accent color of the team was light blue.

Top row, from left: M McGreary (Pro 79, 80, Cle NL 80), (R Morrow mgr) and M Dorgan (80). Second row: J Start (79-85), J Ward (78-82) and J Farrell (79-85). Third row: E Gross (79-81), J Peters (80) and P Hines (78-85). Fourth row: T York (78-82) and G Bradley (80). Image and player IDs from the Providence Sunday Dispatch, May 9, 1880. Years with team from baseball-reference.com. Image scan from Carson Lorey, citing Lelands Auctions.

Written documentation on this uniform:
April 1880: “Chicago furnishes uniforms to all the [National] League clubs; also the League ball and President.” From the Chicago Tribune, April 11, 1880.

April 8, 1880, Providence v. National, Washington, at Washington: “The Providence nine entered the grounds. […] They wore gray suits and blue stockings.” From the Cincinnati Enquirer, April 13, 1880, citing the Washington (DC) Republican.

May 1880, advertisement: “Tomorrow [May 2, 1880], P.D. and E.D. Jones, proprietors of the Sunday Dispatch, will give to every purchaser of the paper a picture of the Base Ball Nine that won the championship. Also a full account of Saturday’s League game [May 1 home opener].” From the Providence Evening Bulletin, May 1, 1880, page 4.

May 1, 1880, Providence v. Boston, at Providence, home opener: “The championship pennant was unfurled to the breeze, the nine hoisting it to its place amid great enthusiasm. It is of burgee design [i.e., triangular in shape], twenty-eight by twelve feet, with white center, blue trimmings, “Providence Champions, 1879,” in letters in the center and adorns a sixty-foot staff stationed close to the grandstand.” From the Cincinnati Enquirer, May 2, 1880, page 4.

May 1880: “The Providence Grays and the Troy Citys will amuse each other at Providence.” From the Chicago Daily Telegraph, May 13, 1880. An example of the team nickname in use, presumably based on the color of the team uniform.

June 22, 1880, Providence v. Cleveland, at Cleveland: “The Grays seemed to be very fortunate in bunching their hits, while the Blue Legs were just the opposite.” From the Cleveland Leader, June 23, 1880, page 3. Use of Grays nickname.

June 22, 1880, Providence v. Cleveland, at Cleveland: “The game between the Clevelands and the Providence Grays was played in the presence of about 1,700 spectators.” From the Boston Globe, June 23, 1880. An example of the team nickname in use, presumably based on the color of the team uniform.

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.

1880 Providence summary

Uniform: light gray, light blue stockings
First worn:
Photographed: early May
Described: April-June
Material:
Manufacturer: Spalding & Bro.
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, May 1 v. Boston