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CHICAGO WHITE STOCKINGS (48-36 in 1880; champions from 1876-78)
This club continues to age at some key positions, and to come up with less-than-stellar replacements at others. However, they remain dangerous thanks to their 21-year-old sophomore pitcher, Larry Corcoran. Corcoran had what is probably the best pitching season of all time last year, and if he can deliver again the team has a chance at the pennant. Last year, the team was 38-18 when Corcoran got the decision, and 10-18 when he did not.
30 C "Orator Jim" O'Rourke (1-51-.298-5) - He's entering his tenth professional season this year, and he continues to be one of the league's better players. He's been a rock for this club for years now.
43 1B Bill McClellan (0-25-.229-2) - He took over the starting job from the now-retired Joe Start in midseason. Although he's young and versatile, there are serious doubts about his ability to hit well enough to keep the starting job.
11 2B Paul Hines (2-56-.248-5) - It seems like he's been around forever - this will be his tenth season in pro ball - but he just turned 26 years old. He will be a free agent following this season, so Chicago needs to decide whether he will be part of the future.
17 SS John Bass (1-43-.294-0) - After losing almost 1 1/2 seasons to injury, he returned and did quite well. They are planning on platooning him this season, which seems an odd choice for someone as highly paid as he is.
12 SS Tom Burns (0-35-.311-1) - He had a fantastic rookie year last season, so they need to find somewhere for him to play. At the moment, they aren't sure where that will be against right-handers. By next season, there are several holes that could open up, as Meyerle could get too old, Hines could leave as a free agent, and McClellan could turn out not to be much of a hitter.
27 3B Levi Meyerle (2-45-.299-5) - At 35, he isn't getting any younger, but he still seems to be a very capable hitter. As long as he can keep hitting, this team will do all right this year.
34 LF Charlie Eden (2-35-.234-0) - Eden is an adequate player, but nothing great. Fortunately, they aren't really looking for him to be one of their key players.
7 CF George Gore (1-39-.290-0) - A very good young hitter. He is going to be one of the foundations of this club's next generation of players.
26 RF Hugh Nicol (rookie) - They don't have much else out here, so they are going to try this 23-year-old Scotsman.
4 P Larry Corcoran (38-18, 1.83 as a rookie) - What an amazing year he had last season. At age 20, he kept the club in the hunt for the pennant all season, despite not getting much in the way of run support. He looks like he'll be one of the league's stars for years to come.
35 P Charlie Guth (2-2, 3.57 as a rookie) - Since O'Neill left the team this offseason, young Guth got the #2 starter spot almost by default.
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