1870 Atlantic, Brooklyn (Atlantics)

Left: This rendering is based on visual documentation for uniform style and 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

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

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

Visual documentation on these uniforms:

Photo A

Dated June 25, 1870. Left: drawings of R Ferguson of Atlantic, Brooklyn, left, and H Wright of Cincinnati. Right: detail view of Ferguson (67-70, 72-74) who was described in the photo caption as the “Captain and Catcher of Atlantic Club.” Detail view shows that the Atlantic uniform consisted of a white shirt with a rectangular bib, a belt with horizontal bands, and dark pants. Years Ferguson with team from Marshall D. Wright, The National Association of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870 (2000) and baseball-reference.com. Illustration from the New York Clipper, June 25, 1870. Issue date from Jean-Pierre Caillault, The Complete New York Clipper Baseball Biographies (2009).

Photo B

Dated July 8, 1870. This illustration (detail view shown) was published on this date and was a depiction of Atlantic, Brooklyn, v. Cincinnati, at Brooklyn, Capitoline Grounds, on June 14, 1870. Drawing shows Atlantic in the field, Cincinnati at bat, and the Cincinnati bench in the foreground. The Atlantic catcher was depicted wearing a white shirt and cap, with dark pants and white shoes. The Atlantic pitcher was depicted wearing a collarless shirt or t-shirt. A newspaper reported on an Atlantic game played on June 28, 1870, that “some” of the Atlantic players wore “pink short-sleeved undershirts, while others wore the usual white flannel shirts.” Image from Harper’s Weekly, July 8, 1870. Original drawing by Charles S. Reinhart.

Written documentation on these uniforms:
April 1870: “The grand opening day of the Atlantic Club will be Monday, April 17th [Monday’s date was April 18th] on which occasion they will appear on the field in their new uniform of blue pants, white shirt and cap. They will play their nine against the Union nine of Morrisania.” From the New York Clipper, April 9, 1870.

April 1870: “The Union Club, of Morrisania, will visit the Atlantic Club of Brooklyn on Monday afternoon, next [April 18, 1870], at the Capitoline Grounds to assist the Atlantics in their opening game. The Atlantics will appear in their new uniform.” From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 13, 1870.

June 14, 1870, Atlantic, Brooklyn v. Cincinnati at Brooklyn, Capitoline Grounds: “The Atlantics in their neat dress of white shirts, blue pants, with white stripes, white caps, and red belts, were greeted with applause.” From the Cincinnati Enquirer, June 15, 1870. Research from Richard Hershberger.

June 28, 1870, Atlantic, Brooklyn, v. Mutual, New York, at Brooklyn, Union Grounds: “The Atlantic nine were dressed in a parti-colored costume, some having pink short-sleeved undershirts, while others wore the usual white flannel shirts, and dark blue or black trousers.” From Wilkes Spirit of the Times, July 2, 1870. Game date from Marshall D. Wright, The National Association of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870 (2000). The short-sleeved shirt mentioned in this report may be the same that was depicted in the Harper’s Weekly illustration published during this time, see photo B.

August 29, 1870, Atlantic, Brooklyn, v. Forest City, Rockford, at Rockford, Fair Grounds: “The Atlantics arrived [in Rockford] on the 2 o’clock train [and] proceeded to the Holland Hotel and [then] went to the field at once after donning their uniforms.” From the Chicago Tribune, August 30, 1870.

Team genealogy: Atlantic, Brooklyn, 1854-1875
Atlantic was formed in Brooklyn, NY, in late 1854. The club was one of 16 charter members of the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP), baseball’s first organization, operating 1857-1870. The club initially chose not to enter the National Association (NA), baseball’s first professional league, operating 1871-1875. However, Atlantic did join the NA in 1872 and played in the league until 1875, when they disbanded. The success and popularity of the club during the 1860s led to the frequent use of the Atlantic name by other clubs. Information from Craig B. Waff, William Ryczek, Peter Morris and others, Base Ball Founders (2013).