Norfolk Phenoms of the Virginia League...
 

Hey all,

I was wondering if any of you guys might know anything about the old Norfolk Phenom teams of the Virginia League? Christy Mathewson was with them in 1899 and 1900, right before he started his career with the Giants. I was hoping to find out specific information about their uniforms, as I'll be making a painting of the enclosed soon.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps48d82a7e.jpg

I'm sure it's the home whites (or, creams as it were), but it's that logo that I can't seem to get any information on.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks, guys!

Graig

This may not help with your detailed uniform questions but there are two books that cover early Norfolk baseball. "Baseball in norfolk" by shampoe and "early professional baseball in hampton roads" by stewart.

I have the second book . There is a picture of the 1900 team on p63 but not sure it would give any more info than what you have. BTW, this book calls them the "mary janes".

Thank you so much for the info, celoknob. I'm definitely curious about the 'Mary Jane' moniker. The first thing I thought of were the shoes, and if memory serves me, those are traditionally black. But I think it's fair to see that the "N" on Matty's chest isn't black. For whatever reason, I keep wanting to see it as some sort of red or purple, but I don't think I could live with myself guessing...because I'm weird and all.

But seriously, thanks so much for chiming in.

Graig

Hi Celoknob

Do you have a scan of that picture to post? Am curious.

Hey Graig - I went through a bunch of articles from the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk and found plenty of articles in 1900 talking about games and players. But no information about any colors. I was hoping to find something about the Rooters banner color, etc. but didn't turn up anything useful.

Hey Jason,

Thanks so much for trying to help out, I VERY much appreciate it. I'll find that information sooner or later. I hope. :)

Out of curiosity, there were some mentions in Matty's biographies that he was often mistakenly called 'Mathews' by the press down there - any validity to that?

Thanks again,

Graig

I just pinged you with an article talking about the Portsmouth Boers game where a player named Mathews also played for the Norfolk Phenoms. Could be the same guy.

Here's another with Mathews as a pitcher...

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/...ps58430a4a.jpg

Mary Jane candy, while not produced until 1914, has a yellowish-cream color wrapper, with a red band, FWIW.

Ah-hah!!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps6c7a931e.png

Green it is. Thank you for your help, everybody.

Graig

Ah, sweet satisfaction. I was beginning to be worried for you and your sanity when this one drug out for so long. Can't wait to see that Matty rendered in Kreindlercolor(TM)!

Lance,

You of all people know that you should still be worried.

Weeeeee!

Graig

Oh yeah, I forgot that there's still the particular shade of green to be concerned with :eek: