[Powderguy]

It seems the league may have found some form of stability as only one team failed to make it through the 1879 campaign, that being the Syracuse Stars. Their departure left just 7 teams, so the Worcester Ruby Legs stepped up to the plate and were admitted into the National League.

Boston Red Caps: With star players manning down nearly every position, how can the club from Boston not win their 9th title in 10 years? Well, the last 2 years they have struggled down the stretch including this past year when they won the league by a mere 1.5 game margin.

C: Jim O’Rourke (.282, 3 HR & 46 RBI, 63 R)
1B: Charlie Gould (.303, 1 HR & 42 RBI, 52 R)
2B: Jimmy Wood (.298, 37 RBI, 16 SB, 115 H)
3B: Cap Anson (.372, 50 RBI, 76 R, 138 H, 16 SB)
SS: Andy Leonard (.304, 35 RBI, 16 SB)
LF: Paul Hines (.247, 2 HR & 54 RBI)
CF: John O’Rourke (.319, 6 HR & 62 RBI, 27 2B)
RF: Levi Meyerle (.339, 1 HR & 54 RBI, 73 R)

CF: Charley Jones (.290 average in 5 years)
CF: George Hall (.283, 15 RBI)
RF: Ezra Sutton (.197 in 66 AB last yr)

SP: Will White (12-10, 2.27 ERA in 28 G)
SP: Curry Foley (34-14, 2.44 ERA in 50 GS)

Buffalo Bisons: The inaugural season for the Bison was as bad as it gets. The club went on a 21 game slide from May 22 to July 9. For the year, they wound up 18-61, good for 34.5 games out of first. The outlook for this year doesn’t get much better as a rookie named Stump Wiedman will start the year on the mound for the club. If you ask me, whenever anyone named Stump plays for your team, the result wont be good.

C: John McGuinness (.204, 24 RBI)
1B: Jake Goodman (.218, 1 HR & 27 RBI for SYR last yr)
2B: John Richmond (1-10 for PRO last yr)
3B: Orator Shaffer (.209, 28 RBI)
SS: Mike Moynahan (rookie)
LF: Joe Hornung (.256, 32 RBI, 81 H)
CF: Hardy Richardson (.288, 30 RBI, 98 H)
RF: Blondie Purcell (.289, 16 RBI)

SP: Stump Wiedman (rookie)
SP: Tricky Nichols (13-46, 3.05 ERA in 69 GS)

Chicago White Stockings: A team that came one game away from winning the title in 1878 took a big step backwards this past year as they finished in 5th place, 11.5 games out of first. Then, they go and make a questionable move in the offseason trading away all time Wins leader Al Spalding to Cleveland.

C: Charlie Bennett (.285, 2 HR & 45 RBI, 104 H)
1B: Bill Boyd (.220, 9 RBI in 59 AB)
2B: Lip Pike (.292, 1 HR & 40 RBI, 107 H, 17 SB)
3B: Fred Waterman (.295, 46 RBI, 108, 11 SB)
SS: George Wright (.241, 42 RBI, 16 SB)
LF: Fred Treacey (.272, 21 RBI)
CF: George Gore (.313, 1 HR & 38 RBI, 100 H)
RF: Doc Kennedy (.265, 20 RBI with CLV last yr)

SP: Larry Corcoran (rookie)

Cincinnati Reds: Since the Reds came into the league 4 years ago, it has been up and down for them. Their inaugural year they finished 5th, the next year 2nd, then 6th, and last year 2nd, just 1.5 games out of first. They rely on workhouse pitcher John Cassidy who started a league record 75 games last year. On offense, they are led by the trio of King Kelly, Ross Barnes, and Buttercup Dickerson.

C: King Kelly (.344, 59 RBI, 58 R, 122 H)
1B: Jim Foran (.263, 45 RBI, 69 R)
2B: Wes Fisler (.315, 39 RBI)
3B: Steve Bellan (.310, 1 HR & 37 RBI, 74 R)
SS: Ross Barnes (.376, 1 HR & 44 RBI, 86 R, 141 H, 21 SB)
LF: Buttercup Dickerson (.329, 1 HR & 54 RBI)
CF: Pete Hotaling (.293, 1 HR & 56 RBI)
RF: Count Sensenderfer (.309, 1 HR & 39 RBI)

SP: John Cassidy (45-27, 2.27 ERA in 75 GS)

Cleveland Blues: The Blues’ inaugural season in the NL saw them start off strong but fade from the midway point of the season which ultimately ended in a 39-43, 6th place, 15.0 games out of first. For the new season, they send Terry Larkin to the pen as they acquired Al Spalding in a trade.

C: John Morrill (.258, 1 HR & 42 RBI)
1B: Bill Phillips (.231, 30 RBI, 47 R)
2B: Steve Brady (.287, 1 HR & 25 RBI)
3B: Ned Williamson (6-16 for CIN last yr)
SS: John Radcliff (.246, 27 RBI)
LF: Abner Dalrymple (.381, 46 RBI, 135 H, 52 R)
CF: Ned Hanlon (rookie)
RF: George Bechtel (.254, 19 RBI)

SP: Al Spalding (34-31, 2.86 ERA for CWS in 70 GS)

Providence Grays: Coming off a 3rd place finish and sporting one of the finest pitchers in the game in Harry Wheeler, the Grays could surprise some people and end the Red Caps run. One of the biggest questions is their lack of offensive power as Cal McVey and Mike Dorgan can’t lead the team alone.

C: Cal McVey (.330, 1 HR & 50 RBI, 127 H, 67 R, 11 SB)
1B: Frank Heifer (.341, 52 RBI, 59 R)
2B: Bob Addy (.280, 1 HR & 21 RBI)
3B: Mike Dorgan (.315, 49 RBI, 57 R)
SS: Ham Allen (.300, 41 RBI, 120 H)
LF: Ned Cuthbert (.222, 1 HR & 10 RBI with CWS last yr)
CF: Harry Little (4-18 in 2 yrs)
RF: William Coon (.259, 11 RBI)

SP: Harry Wheeler (40-27, 2.08 ERA, 389 K in 72 GS)

Troy Trojans: The club from Troy, New York was a pleasant surprise as they arrived into the league and took home a 4th place finish. With veterans like Davy Force and Deacon White on the team, they have experience. But the real numbers will come from Dan Brouthers and amateur ball sensation Roger Connor.

C: Deacon White (.323, 1 HR & 36 RBI)
1B: Dan Brouthers (.345, 1 HR & 54 RBI, 62 R, 23 SB)
2B: Ed Beavens (.277, 1 HR & 39 RBI, 54 R)
3B: Davy Force (11-36 with BOS last yr)
SS: Tom Barlow (.302, 30 RBI with CWS last yr)
LF: Pete Gillespie (rookie)
CF: Roger Connor (rookie)
RF: Ralph Ham (.276, 13 RBI)

SP: Harry Salisbury (34-28, 1.68 ERA, 287 K in 64 GS)
SP: Tim Keefe (rookie)

Worcester Ruby Legs: The newest entry into the league this year will most likely struggle to compete. With veteran names such as Tommy Bond, Dick McBride, and Charles Witherow in the pitching rotation, not to mention The Only Nolan, they have experience there. Their two best offensive players are both rookies, Harry Stovey and Arthur Irwin.

C: Harry Schafer (.232, 32 RBI, 58 R last yr with CLV)
1B: Harry Stovey (rookie)
2B: Joe Gerhardt (1-3 for CWS in 2 yrs)
3B: Ed Pinkham (.211, 24 RBI with SYR last yr)
SS: Arthur Irwin (rookie)
LF: George Wood (rookie)
CF: Tom Foley (.273, 14 RBI with CLV last yr)
RF: Tom York (.269, 29 RBI with SYR last yr)