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FINAL 1879 STANDINGS AND LEADERS

Boston Red Caps 56-28
Cincinnati Reds 49-31
Syracuse Stars 40-30
Chicago White Stockings 40-39
Troy Trojans 36-39
Cleveland Blues 35-47
Buffalo Bisons 30-48
Providence Grays 30-54

In the end, Boston didn't have any trouble at all. The hitting attack of the Red Caps was simply too much for the competition, as Harry Wright's "big three" of Anson, McVey and Barnes returned the championship of base ball to the city of Boston for the first time since 1872. With all three members of the trio under contract through at least 1882, this could be a new dynasty in the making. However, look for a big challenge next season from both the pitching-heavy Reds and a (hopefully) healthy Chicago club.

In other news, the Syracuse franchise has announced that it will be folding. To keep the National League roster at eight clubs, there will be a new team based in Worcester, MA, next season.

The final league leaders:

Batting Average - .389, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps
On-Base Percentage - .420, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps
Slugging Percentage - .511, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps
OPS - .931, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps
Hits - 135, Cal McVey, Boston Red Caps
Doubles - 22, Clipper Flynn, Cincinnati Reds
Triples - 12, Pete Hotaling, Cincinnati Reds
Home Runs - 5, John O'Rourke, Boston Red Caps
Extra Base Hits - 33, Frank Selman, Buffalo Bisons
Total Bases - 163, Cap Anson, Boston and John O'Rourke, Boston
Runs Batted In - 73, Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps
Runs Scored - 93, Cal McVey, Boston Red Caps
Stolen Bases - 14, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps
Walks - 26, Steve Bellan, Cincinnati Reds
Strikeouts - 58, Charlie Bennett, Troy Trojans
RC/27 - 8.84, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps
ISO - .143, Frank Selman, Buffalo Bisons
VORP (Batting) - 38.4, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps

Earned Run Average - 1.98, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
Wins - 33, Curry Foley, Boston Red Caps
Losses - 28, Dick McBride, Buffalo and John Montgomery Ward, Providence
Saves - 3, George Bradley, Cleveland Blues
Innings Pitched - 432 1/3, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
Shutouts - 6, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
Walks - 52, Dick McBride, Buffalo Bisons
Strikeouts - 233, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
H/9IP - 8.85, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
HR/9IP - 0.06, Harry Salisbury, Troy Trojans
BB/9IP - 0.58, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
K/9IP - 5.67, John Montgomery Ward, Providence Grays
K/BB Ratio - 7.66, John Montgomery Ward, Providence Grays
Opp. Avg. - .234, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
WHIP - 1.08, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
VORP (Pitching) - 73.9, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds

League Champions, History

National Association

1871 - Boston Red Stockings
1872 - Boston Red Stockings
1873 - Philadelphia Athletics
1874 - New York Mutuals
1875 - Philadelphia Athletics

National League

1876 - Chicago White Stockings
1877 - Chicago White Stockings
1878 - Chicago White Stockings
1879 - Boston Red Caps

Individual Awards coming soon....