1886 Baltimore (Baltimores, Orioles)

These renderings are based on written documentation for uniform style and color. No visual documentation is known and an artist’s conceptualization is used to create the renderinsg.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

These renderings are included in the book, BASEBALL THREADS.

Visual documentation on these uniforms:
None

Written documentation on these uniforms:
March 1886: “The Baltimore Club will be fitted out with two uniforms next season. One will be white flannel with maroon stockings, caps and belts. The other is to be a pearl gray with navy blue stockings, belts and caps. The latter uniform is to be a facsimile of the Providence uniform.” From The Sporting Life, March 10, 1886. Research from Chuck McGill and from Ed Morton.

March 1886: “The American Association players will have to pay for their uniforms this season.” From the Philadelphia Times, March 14, 1886.

April 15, 1886, Baltimore v. Boston (NL), at Baltimore, Oriole Park, exhibition game: “The Baltimores appeared in their new of gray, with blue stockings and belts.” From the Baltimore American, April 16, 1886. Research from Ed Morton.

April 22, 1886, Baltimore v. Brooklyn, at Brooklyn, Washington Ball Grounds, home opener: “The home team [Brooklyn] appeared in their new uniform of light brown and red, […] the Baltimores wearing their bluish gray uniform, making a pleasant contrast between the opposing nines.” From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 23, 1886.

June 8, 1886, Baltimore v. Metropolitan, New York, at Baltimore, Oriole Park: “[Buster] Hoover of the Orioles fell down while chasing a ball; when he got up he stopped to brush his uniform off before giving pursuit. The result a home run [for Metropolitan] and a suspension for Hoover.” From Preston D. Orem, Baseball 1882-1891 From The Newspaper Accounts (1966, 1967, reprinted by SABR in 2021), pg. 230. No citation was given for this entry by Orem, however related reports have been found. The Baltimore American reported on June 9 that “the ball went to center field, and, bounding over Hoover’s head, quieted down in front of the Bay Ridge sign. Hoover, in attempting to pick the ball up, fell down, but he never could have thrown the runner out.” The Baltimore Sun reported that the ball was “a daisy cutter down to right-centre [sp] field, which, unfortunately, bounded over Hoover’s head, and rolled very affectionately up alongside the fence. Hoover tried hard to get it, but only took a plump seat on the grass for his pains.” The St. Louis Globe-Democrat on June 13 said simply that “the ball bounded over Hoover’s head and rolled into deep middle field.” Baltimore American research by Ed Morton.

1886, referenced in February 1887: “The Baltimore Club, instead of wearing the regular uniforms of light gray, will this season [1887] be called upon to wear blue pants, white shirts, maroon stockings. […] Their other suit will be plain white, the same as last year [1886].” From the Philadelphia Times, February 20, 1887. Research from Don Stokes.

1886, referenced in a game played July 27, 1887, Baltimore v. St. Louis, at Baltimore: “The [Baltimores] wore the gray suits of last year’s Baltimore team [1886].” From the Baltimore Sun, July 28, 1887.

Team genealogy: Baltimore 1882-1899
Baltimore was formed to join the American Association (AA) in 1882. The AA was a major league operating 1882-1891. Baltimore played in the AA from 1882 to 1889 and then joined the Atlantic Association, a minor league, for the 1890 season. The team rejoined the American Association in late 1890 when the Brooklyn AA team failed. Baltimore played in the American Association for the 1891 season and when the AA folded, Baltimore was added to the National League (NL) for the 1892 season. The NL began operation in 1876. Baltimore played in the NL from 1892 to 1899. After the 1899 season, Baltimore was dropped by the league and the team disbanded. Information from wikipedia.

1886 Baltimore summary

Uniform: white, red cap, belt and stockings
First worn:
Photographed:
Described: March
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations:
Other items:
Home opener report: no, April 17 v Brooklyn

Uniform: light gray, blue cap, belt and stockings
First worn: April 15, Baltimore, exhibition game
Photographed:
Described: March, April, and in 1887 in July
Material:
Manufacturer:
Supposition: cap style, shirt style
Variations: