1884 Cleveland (Clevelands, Blues)

This rendering is based on visual documentation for uniform style and partial written documentation for color. Important details may be undocumented or difficult to determine. An educated guess is made to complete the rendering.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

This rendering is included in the book, BASEBALL THREADS.

Visual documentation on this uniform:

Photo A

Dated circa 1884, possibly mid-August 1884 to October 1884. Studio portrait of G Pinkney (Cle 84, Peo NWL 84). Full view at left, detail view at right. The photo frame has the identity of a Cleveland photographer, suggesting the image was made in Cleveland. Pinkney’s only year in Cleveland was 1884. Date range beginning at mid-August determined by the fact that Pinkney joined the team by this time. He was described as the “new man” in a game played on August 18, 1884, v. Philadelphia. Player wore a white or light gray uniform in the photo with subtle pinstripes. The shirt had dark lace ties and a shirt pocket. The belt and stockings were dark in color. In 1884, the team was occasionally nicknamed the “Blues” by out-of-town newspapers, suggesting the team wore blue accents. Image scan from REA Auctions, and from Carson Lorey. Original photo by John H. Ryder, Cleveland. A newspaper ad in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on August 20, 1884, listed the photographer’s studio as Ryder & Marceau, located at 211 Superior Street in Cleveland, and offering “crayon portraits, panel portraits [and] fine cabinets.”

Dated circa 1884. Another detail view of photo A. Detail viewed showed that the uniform had dark trim on the visor and body of the cap, and down the seam of the pants.

Written documentation on this uniform:
April 1884: “The Cleveland Club has bought fifty new uniforms this season, two for each of the twenty-five players under contract with the club.” From the Cincinnati Enquirer, April 6, 1884.

April 9, 1884, Cleveland Reserves v. Cincinnati (AA), at Cincinnati, American Ball Park: “The uniforms worn by the visitors [Cleveland Reserves] are counterparts of the ones worn by the regular Cleveland team.” From the Cincinnati Enquirer, April 10, 1884. On May 1, 1884, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that “the Cleveland Base Ball Club has a reserve team no longer.”

July 11, 1884, Cleveland v. Buffalo, at Cleveland: “Twenty-one errors were made by the Cleveland Blues in Friday’s game with the Buffalos, whereat the Clevelandites guyed the home team, in spite of the fact that the local papers warn them to avoid kicking.” From the Buffalo Express, July 13, 1884. An example of an out-of-town newspaper using the Blues nickname.

Team genealogy: Cleveland 1879-1884
Cleveland joined the National League (NL) in 1879. The NL began operation in 1876 and Cleveland played in the NL through the 1884 season. The team disbanded prior to the 1885 NL season. Information from wikipedia.com.

1884 Cleveland summary

Uniform: white with pinstripes, blue stockings
First worn:
Photographed: mid-August or later
Described:
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition:
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, May 21 v. Chicago