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PROVIDENCE GRAYS (38-46 in 1881)
This team unexpectedly improved in 1881, and now they plan to shoot for their club's first-ever winning record. Frankly it looks like a stretch; if this club can even finish near .500 it will be a significant accomplishment.
15 C Emil Gross (0-29-.238-0) - This young catcher was hailed as the hope of the future when he hit .304 as a rookie in 1879, but since then he has failed to live up to that promise.
7 1B Ed Cogswell (0-15-.250-2) - He's a reasonably good if unmemorable first baseman.
20 2B Andy Leonard (0-41-.240-6) - He's a pretty good fielder and not a terrible hitter, but he's also going to be 36 this season and isn't really all that good.
4 SS George Wright (0-6-.253-4) - For the first time in a half-decade, he made himself useful to his team in 1881. Now that he's going to be starting full time, they're hoping he'll recharge his career still further.
89 3B Jerry Denny (2-31-.248-0) - He had a pretty solid rookie year in 1881, and they think he can grow into a very good hitter. That would certainly help this team.
28 LF Charley "Baby" Jones (2-41-.251-1) - A steady, solid hitter, who is also a pretty good fielder from the corner outfield position.
22 CF Frank McCarton (1-32-.292-0) - He unexpectedly resigned with Providence, and now seems hopeful that their blend of young and old players can get the team over .500 for the first time.
68 RF Joe Sommer (0-25-.236-6) - An adequate outfielder, but nothing special.
43 P Harry Wheeler (14-15, 2.29 in 1881; lifetime 40-81 record) - He continues to toil with Providence in one of the most hard-luck spots out there for a pitcher.
49 P Tom Healey (7-6, 2.90 in 1881; lifetime 8-7 record) - He did well in 1881 filling in for injured pitchers. As a result, he's been rewarded as the new #2 starter.
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