page_title: Major League Baseball uniforms
section_title: Early days
hierarchical_section_title: Major League Baseball uniforms / Uniforms / Early days
caption_attribution_description: English: 1882 Cincinnati Red Stockings baseball teamBack row, left to right: Harry McCormick, Phil Powers, Dan Stearns, Bid McPheeMiddle row, left to right: Hick Carpenter, Pop Snyder, Will White, Chick Fulmer, Joe SommerFront row, left to right: Jimmy Macullar, Harry Wheeler
context_page_description: The uniforms worn by Major League Baseball teams have changed significantly since professional baseball was first played in the 19th century. Over time they have adapted from improvised, wool uniforms to mass-produced team brands made from polyester. The official supplier for Major League Baseball uniforms is Nike, who has held the contract since 2020.
context_section_description: The official rules of Major League Baseball require that all players on a team wear matching uniforms, although this rule was not enforced in the early days. Originally, teams were primarily distinguished by the colors of their stockings and the success of the Cincinnati Red Stockings popularized the adoption of sock color as the explicit identity of the club. The 1876 Chicago White Stockings actually wore caps of different colors. In 1882, the National League assigned stocking colors to the member clubs: red for Boston, white for Chicago, grey for Buffalo, blue for Worcester, gold for Detroit, green for Troy, and so on. That year, the league also assigned jersey and cap colors, but by player position rather than by club.
caption: The Cincinnati Red Stockings (here pictured in 1882) popularized the adoption of sock color as the explicit identity of the club
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