The jersey inspected is attributed to being issued to be worn by Rogers Hornsby. The jersey was issued as a road gray pinstripe version to be worn during the course of the regular season. The jersey is manufactured from heavy gray flannel wool blend material. The jersey is the 6-hole button down style. The buttons have been replaced with vintage examples.

Rogers Hornsby played one year for the Boston Braves, 1928. By examining the style and verifying his one year with the Boston Braves, it can be determined that his is his 1928 Boston Braves road jersey. This 1928 Boston Braves road jersey is designed in a style worn by the Braves from 1926-28. (Mark Okkonen, Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century, p 141-145.)

The style matches the following references:

1. Titled “Rogers Hornsby pitching horseshoes versus Babe Ruth”
2. Getty Image #U160728P-A
3. Getty Image #U161084P-A
4. Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century by Mark Okkonen, Page 145.
5. The Story of Baseball: A Complete Illustrated and Exciting History of America’s National Game. John M. Rosenburg, Random House 1966.
6. Picture History of Rogers Hornsby, Boston Braves, 1928, page 80.

Rogers Hornsby played on year for the Boston Braves, 1928 and this can be confirmed by any number of sources. By examining the style and verifying his one year with the Boston Braves, it can be determined that this jersey possesses all the characteristics you would expect to see in a Rogers Hornsby 1928 Boston Braves road jersey.

This is the earliest known Rogers Hornsby playing career jerseys found in the MEARS database. Other Hornsby jerseys include:

1932 Cubs Home
1932 Cardinals Home
1933 Cardinals Home
1936 Browns Home

The jersey is similar in consistency of materials to other examples of Major League jerseys we have examined.

Other period Boston Braves jersey in the MEARS database are:

1924 Boston Braves Road (Horace Partridge Manufacturer)
1930 Boston Braves Road (Horace Partridge Manufacturer)

These examples are consistent as examples both before and after this shirt, permitting some sort of trend analysis.

Manufacturers Characteristics

Horace Partridge manufactured the jersey and Horace Partridge is known supplier of Boston Braves uniforms for early 1920’s through 1950’s. The style of manufacturers tag can be found in examples as early as 1918 and as late as the early to mid 1930’s.

BRAVES appear on the front of the uniform in 3” red on navy felt stitched letters. The top of the “V” wraps around the 2nd button on jersey front.

Regarding the size of the jersey, no size tag is present. Size tags were not standard on jerseys from this period so the lack of one is not an issue. The measurement across the chest is 24” which equates to roughly a size 48.

The jersey also exhibits a under arm air vent system designed to cool the players during games played during the heat of summer. Each underarm is factory designed with a 6 hole reinforced stitched ventilation system. The holes are manufactured into a diamond shaped swatch of material, which connects the underarm sleeves to the body of the jersey.

Another feature of this jersey is the convex tail opening, which joins the side seam gusset and is attached with a reinforced triangular patch of black leather material. Also the bottom convex tail is hemmed with a reinforced seam.

The key identifier to this jersey is the player name found in the collar. The name “Hornsby” is sewn in red thread on a 1.5 ”x 3” cream colored square cloth patch. The square cloth patch is sewn through the inside neck with straight stitched white thread.

The piping of this jersey includes Tri Braid neck piping. A double row of piping flanks the front button flap panel. A 9 ½” section of piping is missing from that area. The sleeves contain a single braid of gray trim.

No player’s uniform number is found on this jersey nor should there be, as the Braves did not add them until the 1932 season. (Mark Stang, Baseball by the Numbers, page 620.)

The interior construction consists of double reinforced stitched gusset seam, which connects to the underarm 6-hole ventilation system.

Condition

Wear is consistent with use from one major league season. The jersey does not exhibit excessive use or thinning of fabric associated with being used for additional seasons or minor league use. There are 6 pin hole size holes scattered throughout the uniform, which does not affect the quality or appearance of this jersey.

Inside the neck is a small grouping of rust colored spots. Again, this does not affect the appearance or quality of this jersey.

By reversing the jersey and studying the inside, signs of puckering of the manufacturers tag and the Hornsby name identifier are present. Another positive sign attributed to game wear. Even wear found when examining the neckline.

Overall superb all original condition (with exception of replaced period buttons) with no alterations present.