[Eckstein 4 Prez]

HARTFORD DARK BLUES (36-32 in 1876)

If any team is to challenge Chicago for supremacy in the National League this season, it will probably be this Hartford club. Although they lost the pennant by ten games in 1876, they have added some key players, including stars Deacon White and Lip Pike.

23 C Deacon White (0-42-.381-2 with Philadelphia) - This outstanding hitter was one of the free agent prizes of the offseason, and should be a big upgrade for Hartford.
5 1B Cap Anson (5-48-.383-6) - Simply put, he's the best player in professional base ball, and at age 24 he stands to continue improving.
27 2B Lip Pike (2-38-.314-6 with New York) - Hartford benefits from the fact that he did not want to leave the state of New York. He is another excellent hitter who should be a big upgrade for this club.
21 SS "Long Jim" Holdsworth (0-9-.364-0 with Philadelphia; lifetime .291 hitter) - He has been an excellent utility man for years with the Athletic club, and is now getting his first chance to be a full-time player.
8 3B Fred Waterman (1-57-.353-5) - He continues to be a star player at third base, and will be counted on as a key contributor.
4 LF Count Gedney (2-45-.342-4) - One of the big surprises of 1876. It remains to be seen whether his hot start was simply a fluke.
30 CF Henry Austin (0-3-.263-0; lifetime .246 hitter) - Veteran backup who is getting a chance to step up due to Tom Foley's departure.
26 RF Orator Shaffer (0-68-.339-0) - He is entering his fourth season with Hartford, and has blossomed into quite a quality contributor.
18 P George Zettlein (30-21, 2.85; lifetime 94-95) - Zettlein is a quality pitcher, and is one of the best players never to have won a pennant. He hopes to erase that latter distinction this season.