Uniform question--not as OT as it sounds

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Posted By: Bill Todd

Does anyone know where I can find info on early unis? Okkonen's research (hence, the HoF's) begins with 1900. I'm particularly interested in Washington from the 1890s. (Now the card angle. There's a CDV I'm interested in, and "carte" = "card," so...)

Thanks,

Bill

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I know of no database other than the Hall of Fame's. I'm not sure why they don't go back further than 1900 with their photo archive it shouldn't be too difficult for them to go back to at least the beginning of the National League. The hard part I would guess would be trying to determine the uniform colors.

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Posted By: Tony Andrea

Does this help??

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Posted By: Bill Todd

Tony,

If those larger pics are from the 1890s, then I'm going to avoid spending what would be (for me, anyway) a fair amount for an item. Or maybe not that much; so far it looks like others have stayed away in droves.

Seller in this eBay auction has combined a semi-educated guess with some wishful thinking and come to the wrong conclusion, I think. Something about the pic just didn't look right--maybe only nine players?
http://tinyurl.com/5qmtwe

Thanks,


Bill

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Bill, as soon as you posed the question I knew what you were referring to. That's not Washington. Lots of minor league teams used "Senators" as their nickname and I don't even think this is a minor league club. Just a town or semi-pro team. It is a great pic and that guy sure does look like Win Mercer, but I think it's wishful thinking.

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Posted By: Bill Todd

Dan,

That was the one. I know of three teams from state capitals that have been the Senators: Albany, Harrisburg, and Salem.

I agree, that guy does look an awful lot like Mercer.

Bill

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Posted By: Vincent

Lansing Michigan had a minor league team, nicknamed the "Senators", in the Michigan State League (1895, 1897, 1902). If I were a betting man, I'd place a wager that this team photo postcard is of one of those teams (in particular, either 1895 or 1897). The ballplayer in the center row, far left may be Lansing native (and city's Mr. Baseball) Jack Morrissey.

Author Marc Okkonen's Minor League Baseball Towns of Michigan was my primary reference source.


Thanks.


Edited: After reviewing period of Mercer's playing career (1894-1899, 1901 Was.; 1900 NY Giants; 1902 Detroit), it's obvious that either the team pictured is not from Lansing Michigan, or the individual is not Win Mercer.
The SABR Minor League database does not list Mercer on either the 1897 or 1902 team rosters for Lansing either. A roster for the 1895 Lansing team was not available.

Item sold for $102.50 to ebay bidder r508771k (1).