Semi-O/T: Thought You Might Like to See This

[z28jd]

Dots Miller's uniforms. Two different, not sure of the year, but I know that PBC on the sleeve was used in 1909 by the Pirates. Jerseys are in the family. Any help on these?

[ullmandds]

suh-weet!

[ramram]

Portrait of American baseball players, from left, Bill Abstein (1883 - 1940), Ed Abbaticchio (1877 - 1957), Dots Miller (1886 - 1923, and Chief Wilson (1883 - 1954), all of the Pittsburgh Pirates, pose on the field at West Side Grounds, Chicago, Illinois, 1909.

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Dots close up:

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[z28jd]

Certainly looks like the 1909 jersey. I screwed up the picture order a little. The bottom picture goes with the top two pics. That might be from a local team called the Parkway Athletic Club that played in Kearny, NJ

[whitehse]

I love seeing old uniforms and to see the old black and white pictures come to life like this is just simply awesome.

[ramram]

I love seeing old uniforms and to see the old black and white pictures come to life like this is just simply awesome.

I was thinking the exact same thing. I would never have pictured those colors, in my mind, for the Pirates uniforms. It seems like, outside of Graig's paintings, you very rarely get to experience the "color" of early vintage baseball. Very cool!

Rob M

[z28jd]

This was sent to me afterwards, so I'm not sure which jersey it goes with. Maybe those are some Ty Cobb spike marks on the left side :)

[btcarfagno]

I think you may have just won the internet. For me anyway.

Does the family have the jersey protected in any way? Insured? That thing is absolutely a treasure and needs to be kept safe from harm.

Tom C

[btcarfagno]

If you go to the Dressed To The Nines part of the Hall Of Fame website, it shows that the road uniforms for the 1908 and 1909 teams were nearly identical to this one. The 1909 being possibly slightly darker than the 1908, but only very slightly. Would likely need to compare to 1908 road version to see if you can tell the difference.

I'll pick myself up off the floor now.

Tom C

[kkkkandp]

...it's the 1909 uniform.

http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/uniforms.asp?league=NL&city=Pittsburgh&lowYear=1909&highYear=1913&sort=year&increment=9

[btcarfagno]

...it's the 1909 uniform.

http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/uniforms.asp?league=NL&city=Pittsburgh&lowYear=1909&highYear=1913&sort=year&increment=9

The difference between 1908 and 1909 seems very subtle. It would certainly make sense that he would save the 1909 versus the 1908, but I think you would still have to convince me further that it is definitively 1909 and not 1908.

Tom C

[Bpm0014]

That's amazing. I have no words for those uniforms. Simply amazing. But doesn't the top picture look like a coat (with all of the pockets, etc.)?

[z28jd]

I was thinking the top one was a warmup jersey like the heavier ones they wore during the spring and before games. If it is the local team, well they may have worn heavier jerseys due to the games being player up in northern NJ and it would be cold through much of the first month or so of the season.

As for the 1908-09 debate, Miller wasn't with the Pirates until 1909, though he did sign with the team in 1908 and spent some time practicing with the club, so it's possible that's what they gave him. Not sure he would have been able to keep it though as a rookie there for a couple weeks. While the 1909 jersey would have been one he wore all season and it changed the next year, so I'd say it's more likely that one.

The jerseys are wrapped up and stored away in an old family trunk. I told them about a possible value, so they might want to look into insurance. I knew they existed, but had no idea one was likely a 1909 jersey. I was thinking later years in his career, and possibly the local team

[4815162342]

suh-weet!


Don't get too excited, Pete. He doesn't have the big glove. :D

[ullmandds]

Don't get too excited, Pete. He doesn't have the big glove. :D

now that'd be sumthin!!!!!

[z28jd]

Unfortunately, the "big glove" was just the product of some poor early 20th century artwork