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HITTERS BY POSITION - CENTER FIELD
(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)
Buttercup Dickerson, Worcester Ruby Legs (4-46-.262-0) - He's never recaptured the magic that got him a .365 average as an 18-year-old rookie in 1878, but he is still a solid hitter. Would be a much better fielder as a corner outfielder.
"Hartford Jack" Farrell, Troy Trojans (2-45-.263-0) - Hartford Jack continues to be a solid hitter for the Trojans.
George Gore, Chicago White Stockings (0-33-.282-0) - For the second consecutive year, his numbers dropped slightly. He is still only 24 years old, so there is hope he'll turn out to be a superstar, though. An outstanding fielder.
Ned Hanlon, Cleveland Blues (0-41-.279-0) - Young Hanlon had a good season and was one of the more dependable hitters in Cleveland's pennant-winning attack.
Pete Hotaling, Detroit Wolverines (1-36-.226-1) - Hotaling had an absolutely terrible season with Detroit this year, and seems not to have adjusted well to his move from Cincinnati. At age 24, there's still plenty of time for him to improve and show that this season was an anomaly.
Frank McCarton, Providence Grays (1-32-.292-0) - Everyone expected this talented 26-year-old to leave Providence this offseason, but after being given the center field job for most of the season and seeing the team's fortunes rise slightly, he unexpectedly signed a three-year extension.
John O'Rourke, Boston Red Caps (0-35-.221-0) - After two outstanding seasons, he suddenly was terrible for Boston. They need to hope this is a one-year fluke, because he has become an integral part of the offense.
Hardy Richardson, Buffalo Bisons (0-39-.295-0) - He finally proved himself worthy of the patience Buffalo has shown with him, and had an outstanding season for the Bisons.
And the award for best center fielder of 1881 goes to... HARDY RICHARDSON OF THE BUFFALO BISONS. There were several viable candidates for this award, but Richardson's game is the most balanced. (George Gore might have won had he not missed about 25 games due to injury.)
Center Field
1871 - Tom York, Troy Haymakers (1-19-.369-0)
1872 - Dave Eggler, New York Mutuals (1-66-.372-20)
1873 - Count Sensenderfer, Philadelphia Athletics-Brooklyn Atlantics (3-38-.354-2)
1874 - George Hall, Philadelphia Athletics (2-49-.336-4)
1875 - Frank McCarton, New York Mutuals (1-48-.354-0)
1876 - Frank McCarton, New York Mutuals (1-38-.335-0)
1877 - Frank McCarton, St. Louis Brown Stockings (0-36-.371-0)
1878 - Paul Hines, Chicago White Stockings (0-40-.250-2)
1879 - John O'Rourke, Boston Red Caps (5-69-.298-1)
1880 - John O'Rourke, Boston Red Caps (3-52-.313-0)
1881 - Hardy Richardson, Buffalo Bisons (0-39-.295-0)
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