[Eckstein 4 Prez]

TEAM-BY-TEAM PROFILES - 1879 BEADLE BASE BALL PLAYER

BOSTON RED CAPS (36-24 in 1878)

Harry Wright's "Team of Stars" ended up being a three-headed monster, as Anson, McVey and Barnes were as great as expected. However, the rest of the team was somewhat disappointing. During the offseason, Wright was able to come up with the funding to sign Anson to a long-term deal, which means the three stars will be able to play together for at least four more seasons. However, this also means they will not have much money to sign other players, so they are going to need to find some cheap talent to supplement the offense.

8 C Cal McVey (0-41-.355-9) - He won the batting title in 1878, and continues to be one of the league's best hitters.
6 1B Ed Cogswell (rookie) - Since Anson is moving to third to make room for this young player, he'd better be as advertised.
11 2B Ross Barnes (1-46-.338-7) - All he's done is win back-to-back MVH Awards. Either he, McVey or Anson is the best player in the league.
50 SS John Morrill (0-26-.302-0) - Wright managed to develop this hotshot young infielder himself. The team hopes this will be a model they can follow with other players.
5 3B Cap Anson (1-35-.343-8) - He's a better fielder at first than third, and if Cogswell starts slowly look for him to head back across the diamond.
37 LF Mike Dorgan (0-45-.243-8) - Nothing great, but he's an adequate outfielder and still young enough to improve.
13 CF John O'Rourke (rookie) - This 29-year-old rookie is the older brother of Orator Jim O'Rourke of Chicago, so the pennant race will be something of a family feud.
24 RF Jack Manning (1-18-.223-0) - As a longtime Boston utility man, he's become something of a fan favorite, although it's hard to see why. He's neither a great hitter nor a great fielder.
9 P Curry Foley (rookie) - He won the job from Foghorn Bradley during the offseason, so he'll get a chance to show his stuff.