Style I (1928 1934) 1928-1931 The Red Wings first uniform set was simple, yet unique. While most teams at the time did not utilize a graphical brand, but rather favored plain lettering, the Red Wings used a striking ball with wings logo to convey their identity both at home and on the road. This logo and variations thereof have been used in one form or another during much of the Wings eighty-plus year existence. The 1928 1931 wool flannel jersey was cream-white at home and gray on the road and featured three-quarters-length sleeves. The ball-withwings logo resided on the left breast. The baseball was white and two red wings protruded from the right side of the ball. Pants were plain creamwhite, with red belt loops and tunnels. Hose were two-tone, red over white. 1928 logo As was common at the time, the hose featured stirrups worn over a plain white sanitary sock. In baseball s early days the dyes used to color socks were toxic and if a player was spiked in the foot, he ran the risk of poisoning if the dye from his sock leeched into the wound. Therefore it became common practice for the colored portion of the sock to be worn as a stirrup and an un-dyed white sanitary sock worn on the foot. Many variations of hats were worn in the early years, and since all of the photos are black and white, color information is difficult to discern. The first hat (1928) was likely all navy, with a plain block red R, applied in wool felt appliqué. Another hat worn in the early years (perhaps 1929 1931) consisted of a navy back with a red front and brim and a new stylized R rendered in blue. Yet another variation had a navy back and a light (perhaps gray) front and brim. It is not known if these variations are from different years, were worn at home and on the road in the same years, or were worn interchangeably for some period. 1928 home uniform (detail from team photo) 1929 Infield 1928 home uniform 1928 road uniform 1
Paul Derringer (1930). Rip Collins (1930). John Berly, in road uniform, 1931. Note light-colored hat and thicker seams on baseball chest logo. Paul Florence, in road uniform, ca. early 1930s. Note ¾-length sleeves. 2
1932 A slightly modified version of the first uniform set was introduced in 1932. Triangular pennantshaped Wings were added to the sleeves. It is not known if these inserts were red or navy, as research has yielded conflicting answers, although it is most likely that they were red, as they were most likely intended to be metaphoric for red wings. New hose were introduced, with a red body and navy and white striping. A new hat was introduced featuring a white back and red front and brim, with the same stylized R as in previous seasons. Belt loops and tunnels were red, as in previous seasons, however, for 1932, pocket flaps were red as well. 1932 uniform, rendered in red (more likely) and navy 1932 newspaper clipping (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, 5/4/1932) Photo collage, Democrat & Chronicle, May 3, 1932 3
The photo collage above, which appeared in Rochester s Democrat & Chronicle newspaper is captioned New faces will be no novelty at Red Wing Stadium this afternoon when Rochester fans will get their first look at the champions. Those pictured above, in the new snappy uniforms of the Wings, were Caught by Dan Stone and his camera during a long drill. They are from left, Bob Parham, outfielder; Jim Winford, right-handed pitcher; Blaine Kunes, injured third-sacker talking to manager Billy Southworth; Bill Windle, firstsacker; Dick Newsome, right-handed pitcher. Inserts are on, left, Clarence Heeise, left-handed hurler, and Del Wetherell, righthanded pitcher. Tony Kaufmann (Democrat & Chronicle, May, 1932). Note multi-colored hat with R insignia. 4
1933 In 1933 changes were made to the hat and hose. The new hat was solid white with a dark brim and pinstripes. It is not known if the brim and pinstripes were navy or red, although they were most likely red, patterned after the parent Cardinals hats of the 1930 s. The 1932 hose were scrapped, and the team returned to a similar style to what was worn in 1928 1931. 1933 uniform, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, May, 1933. 1933 uniform (Fritz Ostermueller). Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, May, 1933. 1933 uniform back (Tony Kaufmann & George Toporcer). Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, May, 1933. 5
1934 In 1934 the team switched back to the original 1928-1931 non-winged style of jerseys. Pants returned to the 1928-31 style as well, eliminating the red pocket flaps. A new cap was debuted, which featured a plain block red R, applied in felt appliqué. This hat was the primary hat until 1945. New socks were introduced which were dark (most likely red) with two thick white stripes. As in previous seasons, home uniforms remained cream-white and road uniforms were gray. 1934 Team photo (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, May, 1934) Johnny Mize (facing forward) (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, May, 1934) 1934 Road uniform (Jimmy Brown) (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, May, 1934) 6