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HITTERS BY POSITION - CATCHER
(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)
John Clapp, Troy Trojans (0-33-.204-5) - Troy thought they'd engineered a steal when they got Providence to hand over Clapp for the washed-up George Wright. However, he never did hit his stride in his first season for the Trojans. He has one more year remaining on his contract.
Barney Gilligan, Cincinnati Reds* (0-35-.177-1) - After a couple seasons as the backup in Cincinnati, he was promoted to replace the departed Dick Higham. However, his performance was so weak Cincinnati would have been better served if they'd marooned him on an island.
Emil Gross, Providence Grays (1-35-.251-0) - This 22-year-old had a lot of Providence's hopes invested in him, then had a sophomore slump season. Of course, they don't have much else to look forward to in Providence, so they'll probably end up just hoping he regains his rookie form.
Dick Higham, Worcester Ruby Legs (1-31-.266-1) - He was Worcester's biggest free agent signing, and while he did a solid job, there's no indication that he can be franchise player he needs to be for what he'll be making through the 1884 season. Then again, maybe this year was an anomaly - it was his first season ever hitting below .300.
Doc Kennedy, Cleveland Blues (1-36-.310-0) - After a poor rookie season in 1879, he was benched when the team acquired Charlie Bennett. However, Bennett went down for the year with an injury, and then a funny thing happened - Kennedy ended up having an outstanding year as the interim catcher. His status as a starter for 1881 is uncertain at this point.
Cal McVey, Boston Red Caps (0-40-.285-11) - Despite becoming the first (and still only) player to reach 1,000 hits, he had a down year by his standards. Next season he will turn 32, and with two more years on his contract with Boston he is looking to play well enough to get resigned to one more big contract.
"Orator Jim" O'Rourke, Chicago White Stockings (1-51-.298-5) - This veteran hitter bounced back from a weak 1879 to be one of the key hitters keeping Chicago in the hunt this season. He has been given high marks from management for his handling of the phenom pitcher Larry Corcoran.
Frank Selman, Buffalo Bisons (0-32-.236-1) - After having played on six different clubs from 1871-78, he appears to have finally found a home on Buffalo. He'll need to do better than that .236 average, though, which is his lowest since 1871. Although he's been in pro ball since the beginning, he is still only 27 years old.
And the award for best catcher of 1880 goes to... JIM O'ROURKE OF THE CHICAGO WHITE STOCKINGS. It's a close call, but McVey had just enough of a down year to allow O'Rourke to grab the spot. Doc Kennedy might have won this if he hadn't spent the first quarter of the season parked on Cleveland's bench. It's the third award of O'Rourke's career.
Catcher
1871 - Deacon White, Cleveland Forest Citys (0-28-.389-1)
1872 - Cal McVey, Boston Red Stockings (3-52-.405-18)
1873 - John Clapp, Baltimore Canaries (0-45-.345-4)
1874 - Jim O'Rourke, New York Mutuals (2-68-.365-3)
1875 - Cal McVey, Boston Red Stockings (1-79-.329-14)
1876 - Jim O'Rourke, New York Mutuals (1-32-.374-3)
1877 - Cal McVey, Boston Red Caps (3-46-.375-9)
1878 - Cal McVey, Boston Red Caps (0-41-.355-9)
1879 - Cal McVey, Boston Red Caps (0-62-.333-11)
1880 - Jim O'Rourke, Chicago White Stockings (1-51-.298-5)
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