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HITTERS BY POSITION - LEFT FIELD
(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)
Abner Dalrymple, Cleveland Blues (4-47-.296-0) - After having MVH-type numbers in 1880, he hit a bit of a slump this year. Still one of the best young hitters in base ball, and was one of the key figures in Cleveland's surprising pennant win.
Charlie Eden, Chicago White Stockings (0-33-.247-0) - He's not terrible as a starter, although "barely adequate" is probably accurate.
Dude Esterbrook, Buffalo Bisons (1-36-.234-2) - Buffalo isn't exactly sure what position he'll ultimately play, as he's a bad fielder no matter where you put him. However, he seems to be a somewhat promising young hitter.
Frank Heifer, Boston Red Caps (0-29-.222-0) - After several seasons as a backup for Boston, this 27-year-old got his first chance at a starting role in 1881, but didn't do much with it. Look for him to return to the understudy job soon.
Charley Jones, Providence Grays (2-41-.251-1) - He's one of the few Providence players who isn't laughably bad, so that's something. Still, he's never really lived up to the potential he seemed to have coming out of Keokuk, Iowa in 1875.
Steve King, Detroit Wolverines (0-21-.224-0) - This 39-year-old looked ready for retirement, but Detroit needed an outfielder and asked him to fill the role. He didn't hurt himself or the team too much, but he really looks done. Supposedly he will return to play next year at age 40.
Al Thake, Troy Trojans* (0-31-.220-1) - After two disastrously bad seasons for Troy, Thake will hit the free agent market this year. The new league may offer him the best hope for rejuvenating his career.
George Wood, Worcester Ruby Legs (0-34-.251-0) - In his second season, this 22-year-old improved enough to give the club hope that he will be a first-rate player in the future.
And the award for best left fielder of 1881 goes to... ABNER DALRYMPLE OF THE CLEVELAND BLUES. Dalrymple has played in the big leagues for four years, and won this award every time. There just aren't any other left fielders even close to his level at this point.
Left Field
1871 - George Bechtel, Philadelphia Athletics (1-22-.333-6)
1872 - George Bechtel, Philadelphia Athletics (1-33-.333-9)
1873 - Al Thake, Brooklyn Atlantics (1-49-.344-5)
1874 - Steve King, New York Mutuals (1-71-.359-2)
1875 - Andy Leonard, Philadelphia Athletics (0-56-.309-13)
1876 - Count Gedney, Hartford Dark Blues (2-45-.342-4)
1877 - George Bechtel, Cincinnati Reds (0-34-.298-6)
1878 - Abner Dalrymple, Milwaukee Grays (0-23-.303-1)
1879 - Abner Dalrymple, Cleveland Blues (1-31-.332-0)
1880 - Abner Dalrymple, Cleveland Blues (1-51-.353-0)
1881 - Abner Dalrymple, Cleveland Blues (4-47-.296-0)
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