Below is some information I included in a recently evaluated major league uniform that was tagged just like the one you depicted. This is a fascinating aspect (evolutions and changes in fabrics) of 20th century major league baseball uniforms and one I have spent a good deal of time on.
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Contemporary Accounts of Lighter/Cooler Fabrics and Other Uniform Innovations in Major League Baseball Uniforms During This Period
The Lethbridge Herald (March 12th, 1932) Article recounts that the Boston Red Sox began wearing numbers on the back of their uniforms in during the 1931 season. The article makes note of the fact that with the advent of numbers on uniforms, this created problems if a particular player’s jersey was not ready for game time. The detachable numbers made it possible to overcome this. As a side note, this article confirms that both the Braves and Red Sox were outfitted by Horace Partridge for the 1932 season.
NOTE: Provided to add context to the fact that there is a lot about uniforms and styles from this period that is not commonly known within the accepted body of knowledge relating to uniforms from this period. This too is a style of uniform that I have never seen or heard of being in any collection.
Hutchinson Kansas News (February 22nd, 1934): Article recounts how the Detroit Tigers will feature new lighter weight uniforms for the 1934 season. This was an idea brought about by manager Mickey Cochrane. The article goes on to say that “the uniforms will be much lighter in weight than the ones used in the past. Cochrane believes a light-weight uniform will help some of his charges maintain stamina during the hot summer months. He reduced the weight of the shirts five ounces and took two and one-half ounces from the weight of those pants”.
NOTE: To date, I have not seen these Detroit Tigers lightweight uniforms or know of any that have survived, but here we have an account for them that actually indicates that they were produced based on the fact that a statement is made for exactly how much lighter they are.
The Iola Daily Register (October 22nd, 1935): Brief mention at the end of an article titled “Hooks and Slides” mentions that “Taking their cue from those of the National, American' League umpires will wear lightweight uniforms next summer”.
NOTE: Another reference on period lighter fabrics at the major league level.
The Piqua Daily Gale (April 14th, 1936): Article titled Cincinnati Fans Will See Red When Reds Flash New Color Scheme. The article goes on to recount that “The Reds will be togged out In red pants during the nocturnal engagements, and on the bench will wear blue silk windbreakers with colors and cuffs striped red, white, and blue. The traditional red stockings are to be striped with white and blue. Daytime suits will be white Palm Beach affairs, designed to provide the players with cooler uniforms”.
NOTE: Continued mention of lighter fabrics and actual naming convention of “Palm Beach” being used.
The Sporting News (November 25th, 1937) “The Cincinnati Reds have used have used Palm Beach equipment the last two seasons. Last year, the Chicago Cubs wore uniforms made of this material, both at home and on the road. Two of the regular Cubs used their Palm Beach uniforms in the last series in Cincinnati late in September.” J.M. Crowley, P. Goldsmith & Sons.
NOTE: Another example of Palm Beach fabric uniforms. There is a 1937 Chicago Cubs Gabby Hartnett Goldsmith Palm Beach Home Jersey in the hobby (Mastro, 17 March 2001, obtained from Hartnett Family). Also may imply limited use and wear by less than a full team as may be the case here.
Lewiston Evening Journal (March 26th, 1938) The article states that “Those Dodgers are letting themselves in for it this year, Executive Leland Stanford MacPhail has ordained uniforms of crinkly Palm Beach material for extra hot days (St. Louis) and for the second games of double bills. The next step? Can they make shorts?”
NOTE: Another reference for “Palm Beach” uniforms that have yet to have surfaced in the hobby. Also interesting to note that the “hot location” is listed as being St. Louis. Stands to reason that if other clubs felt St. Louis was unseasonably warm in the summer, the Cardinals might have as well. This would be consistent with the c1935 St. Louis Cardinals home Palm Beach style uniform in my exemplar uniform library.
The Charleston Gazette (August 3rd, 1941) “The Zanesville Cubs, farm club for the Chicago National league club, has inherited a set of those palm beach uniforms now being worn by Jimmy Wilson's major leaguers. . . . They are sleeveless and said to be much cooler than the old flannels now worn by other clubs.”
NOTE: A related article, a contemporary newspaper account describe the Cub’s uniforms as a combination of “wool & rayon.” (Madison, WI Capital Times: July 29th, 1941).
The Bismarck Tribune (11 June 1941) Article titled “Cards Take Double Precautions For Mid-Summer Double Headers” makes note that an addition set of lightweight home and road uniforms so the players have something cooler to wear during the second game of a twin bill contest.
The Sporting News (June 26th, 1946) Article titled “Cards Sell Satin Suits”. Article conveys that “Red satin suits purchased by the Cardinals for night games on the road will be worn instead by the North Side Teen Town Team of the St. Louis Muny League. Manager Eddie Dyer felt the uniforms were too fancy for the present day successors of the old Gas House Gang. The uniforms were purchased from the Redbirds by Fred C. Steffens, a St. Louis Sportsman who donated them to the Teen Town players.”
NOTE: Example of Cardinal’s experimental/trial uniforms.
It is equally interesting to note the references for why a lighter fabric may have been preferred at this time as well in St. Louis. According to John Heidenry as he recalls the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals season in “The Gas House Gang”, the author noted that during the summer of 1934, the temperatures in St. Louis topped 100 degrees for thirty consecutive days. He also makes note of the fact that on 24 June of 1934, with the temperatures soaring to over a hundred degrees at game time, umpires Bill Klem, George Barr, and Bill Stewart removed their jackets and called the game in their shirt sleeves; a first in major league history. (For a detailed read, see pages 138-139, and 141-142).
Dave Grob