[Eckstein 4 Prez]

HITTERS BY POSITION - SECOND BASE

(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)

Bob "Magnet" Addy, Cincinnati Reds (0-25-.256-1) - Another solid season from this slick-fielding veteran.

Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (1-73-.354-3) - Another first-rate season from the Boston superstar. Also, he won his first championship as a National Leaguer this season, and Boston looks to be on the verge of establishing a dynasty.

Tom Carey, Providence Grays (0-37-.260-1) - An adequate hitter, and an excellent fielder. Providence has many serious problems, but he doesn't appear to be one of them.

Ed Caskin, Troy Trojans (0-18-.288-1) - Another solid rookie for Troy. At age 27, he isn't expected to develop much more, and probably will be a reserve long-term, but still this was a nice debut.

George Creamer, Cleveland Blues (0-13-.218-0) - They were searching for an answer at this position all season. Unless this 23-year-old develops further, he isn't it.

Andy Leonard, Syracuse Stars* (0-30-.227-6) - He's 33 years old, and two years removed from a .374 season. So is he going to be one of the great free-agent bargains of the offseason, or is he washed up as a player?

Bill McClellan, Chicago White Stockings (0-39-.272-4) - At the start of the season, the plan was for this 23-year-old to spend another year as a utility man before taking moving into a starting role. However, injuries forced him into full-time duty, and he did rather well. Now the dilemma involves his future - it's unlikely that he'll agree to be a substitute after this solid season as a regular.

Lip Pike, Buffalo Bisons (1-36-.261-4) - This veteran is one of the highest-paid players in the league, and he simply didn't do enough to justify that salary this season. He's hit over .300 seven times, so there is certainly hope for next season, but at age 34 he could simply be winding down.

And the best second baseman of 1879 is... ROSS BARNES OF THE BOSTON RED CAPS. Another easy call, as Barnes has been the dominant middle infielder of the 1870s.

Second Base

1871 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-31-.336-12)
1872 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-52-.429-12)
1873 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-49-.360-8)
1874 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (0-45-.331-11)
1875 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-71-.347-13)
1876 - Lip Pike, New York Mutuals (2-38-.314-6)
1877 - Lip Pike, Hartford Dark Blues (0-39-.323-10)
1878 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (1-46-.338-7)
1879 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (1-73-.354-3)