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HITTERS BY POSITION - LEFT FIELD
(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)
Abner Dalrymple, Milwaukee Grays* (0-23-.303-1) - This hotshot rookie will certainly be sought after in the free agent market this offseason. If this year is any indication, this 21-year-old has a very bright future in base ball.
Mike Dorgan, Boston Red Caps (0-45-.243-8) - They had hoped for more from this young outfielder, but since he's only 24 there's still time for him to improve.
Ralph Ham, Indianapolis Blues* (0-17-.257-0) - The Blues needed an infielder/corner outfielder, so he came over to the team in an early season trade with Cincinnati for Art Allison. He generally performed capably in left field, and might be able to get a starting job for 1879 despite spending most of his career as a backup.
Charley Jones, Providence Grays (1-31-.291-0) - He was the best hitter on a truly terrible Providence club, and is hoping the team will get some help for him next season.
Steve King, Cincinnati Reds (0-32-.249-2) - He was hoping to bounce back from the injury that kept him out for most of 1877 with a big season, but it didn't quite work out. At age 36, it's starting to look like he doesn't have much left.
Al Thake, Chicago White Stockings* (0-29-.232-10) - He had the worst year of his career in this, the walk year of his contract, which probably caused Chicago not to renew him. He's now had two full seasons where he's hit over .340 and two full seasons where he couldn't manage .240, so what happens with him in 1879 is anyone's guess.
And the award for best left fielder of 1878 goes to... ABNER DALRYMPLE OF THE MILWAUKEE GRAYS. Close call between Dalrymple and Jones, but the nod goes to the heralded rookie.
Left Field
1871 - George Bechtel, Philadelphia Athletics (1-22-.333-6)
1872 - George Bechtel, Philadelphia Athletics (1-33-.333-9)
1873 - Al Thake, Brooklyn Atlantics (1-49-.344-5)
1874 - Steve King, New York Mutuals (1-71-.359-2)
1875 - Andy Leonard, Philadelphia Athletics (0-56-.309-13)
1876 - Count Gedney, Hartford Dark Blues (2-45-.342-4)
1877 - George Bechtel, Cincinnati Reds (0-34-.298-6)
1878 - Abner Dalrymple, Milwaukee Grays (0-23-.303-1)
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