This uniform is from the Mohawk Colored Giants of Schenectady (New York) baseball team. The uniform in the museum’s collection consists of three pieces: jersey, pants and belt. The wool uniform shows the wear and tear of many hard fought games and is from the 1930’s.

Mohawk Colored Giants 1913

The Mohawk Colored Giants team was originally founded in 1913 by Bill Wernecke. The team was managed by Phil Bradley. Wernecke raided other teams to sign Negro League superstars: George “Chappie” Johnson and Frank Wickware. “Smoky Joe” Williams and Grant “Homerun” Johnson also played several games for the 1913 Mohawk Giants team. After a tremendously successful first season record of 52 wins 22 losses and 2 ties, Wernecke left town with the team’s money and headed west and then to South America, never to be heard from again. During 1914 and 1915 the Mohawk Giants played a very limited schedule due to lack of management and promotion.

It wasn’t until 1929 when Hank Bozzi, a local barber, revived the team. Under Bozzi’s ownership and the play of Negro league superstar William “Buck” Ewing, the Mohawk Colored Giants were the most successful independent black team in the eastern New York area. From 1929 to 1943 the Mohawk Colored Giants posted a won-loss record of 791 wins 306 losses and 44 ties. During these years, the Mohawk Giants played an independent schedule throughout the northeast, but they also played in the Schenectady Twilight League and Eastern New York State League.

For more information on the Mohawk Colored Giants, please refer to Frank M. Keetz’s book The Mohawk Colored Giants of Schenectady. Keetz’s book is thoroughly researched and an excellent treatment of the history of an outstanding independent black baseball team.