[Eckstein 4 Prez]

HITTERS BY POSITION

FIRST BASE

(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)

Cap Anson, Hartford Dark Blues* (0-26-.375-8) - Another year, another superstar season, as he had his sixth consecutive year batting .375 or better. Will be the offseason's prize free agent, and is said to prefer the east coast teams after this past six years spent in Brooklyn and Hartford.

Clipper Flynn, St. Louis Brown Stockings* (0-24-.290-4) - At age 28, he had a very respectable season. Look for him to be an attractive low-cost alternative to Anson and Foran in the free agent market.

Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps* (0-29-.300-4) - He was a decent hitter for Boston, but this season was the worst of his seven-year professional career. Still, at age 28 he's expected to get some good offers this offseason.

Ralph Ham, Cincinnati Reds (1-31-.274-5) - For a guy who hadn't been a starter since 1872, he did a pretty respectable job. Gives the Reds respectability at the position, which in their current state is something of an achievement.

Everett Mills, Louisville Grays* (0-30-.253-2) - He bounced back after four years as a bench-warmer in Gotham, but still didn't do well enough to make this a strong position for the Grays.

Joe Start, Chicago White Stockings (1-33-.347-3) - The one-year deal he signed with Chicago proved extremely successful, as he bounced back well from a down year, and signed on for three additional years, which means he will be in Chicago until age 38.

And the best-hitting first baseman for 1877 is... CAP ANSON OF THE HARTFORD DARK BLUES, for the fourth consecutive season.

First Base

1871 - Clipper Flynn, Troy Haymakers (0-20-.361-1)
1872 - Joe Start, New York Mutuals (1-51-.330-3)
1873 - Jim Foran, Philadelphia Whites (0-35-.400-7)
1874 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn Atlantics (0-44-.400-9)
1875 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn Atlantics (3-41-.417-14)
1876 - Cap Anson, Hartford Dark Blues (5-48-.383-6)
1877 - Cap Anson, Hartford Dark Blues (0-26-.375-8)