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PROVIDENCE GRAYS (30-54 in 1879)
Now this is a poorly run franchise. It takes some doing to finish in last place when there are four brand-new clubs in your league, but that's what Providence managed in 1879. This year, they've reshuffled the deck a bit, but haven't really added any more talent, so it should again be a long season. John Clapp, who was traded out of this place, seems like the luckiest man in the world.
15 C Emil Gross (2-27-.304-0) - This 22-year-old rookie's emergence made catcher John Clapp expendable, and accordingly Clapp was traded this offseason.
9 1B Dave Eggler (1-14-.208-1 in 1879; lifetime .302 hitter) - They didn't have anyone else who could hit at first base, so they converted Eggler, who had been their fourth outfielder.
20 2B Andy Leonard (0-30-.227-6 with Syracuse; lifetime .311 hitter) - Only in Providence could the signing of a guy who's nearly 34 and looks washed up seem like a good idea.
12 SS Dickie Flowers (1-49-.218-8 with Buffalo; lifetime .273 hitter) - He'll split time at short this year after being signed as a free agent. He doesn't seem able to hit anymore, so he should fit right in here.
4 SS George Wright (0-1-.159-1 with Troy in 1879; lifetime .272 hitter) - He's the other half of the shortstop platoon, and what the Grays got back in the John Clapp trade. Yes, Providence traded away a starting catcher and all they got back was a .159-hitting backup infielder.
42 3B Tom Carey (0-37-.260-1) - He played second base and shortstop last season, but it appears their biggest need is at third, so that's where he'll open the year.
28 LF Charley Jones (0-47-.277-2) - He's one of the only good hitters this club had last year.
22 CF Frank McCarton (1-44-.299-0) - Another rare bright spot on this awful team. He is signed through the 1881 season.
6 RF John Glenn (0-19-.207-0) - Can't hit, and is only adequate in the field - the perfect Providence player.
43 P Harry Wheeler (11-18, 2.86 in 1879; lifetime 13-34 record) - Did a serviceable job last season, and is back to take more punishment this year.
2 P John Montgomery Ward (17-28, 2.42 in 1879; lifetime 31-48 record) - He's got a really good track record with this team, but for some reason they have demoted him to the second starter position. Typical.
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