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HITTERS BY POSITION - SECOND BASE
(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)
National League
Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (5-69-.340-7) - This perennial superstar again helped lead Boston to the pennant. He's been a star since the beginning of professional base ball, and is still only 32 years old.
George Creamer, Buffalo Bisons (0-15-.253-0) - He came over in a trade from Cleveland in midseason and did a solid job. Generally considered more of a fielder than a hitter.
Fred "Sure Shot" Dunlap, Cleveland Blues (6-45-.309-0) - Dunlap is establishing himself as one of the best young players in base ball, although at second base he's still overshadowed by Boston's Barnes.
Buck Ewing, Troy Trojans* (1-45-.275-0) - This versatile 22-year-old has played his way into a starting job at second base, although it remains to be seen how his new team will use him, as he is also a catcher and outfielder who can play all four infield spots.
Andy Leonard, Providence Grays* (0-44-.243-7) - Although he's going to turn 37 next season, Leonard is still an adequate hitter and a very good fielder. No doubt he'll find a team to latch on with.
Bill McClellan, Chicago White Stockings (2-36-.255-1) - He's always been a solid utility man for Chicago, and this year with Paul Hines' departure he got a chance to start and did an adequate job.
Pop Smith, Detroit Wolverines (0-15-.185-0) - The thinking was that he would make a good replacement for the aging Bob "Magnet" Addy. While Smith is as slick a fielder as Addy, he just doesn't seem to have the hitting ability. They'll probably continue looking for an answer at this position.
Art Whitney, Worcester Ruby Legs* (1-28-.218-0) - He just doesn't seem to have the hitting ability to be a truly effective second baseman. Remains to be seen whether he'll find a starting job in 1883.
American Association
Tom Evers, Baltimore Orioles (0-16-.201-0) - This scrappy second baseman is rather short on ability, but plays hard enough to merit a spot as a utility man.
George Fair, St. Louis Brown Stockings (0-17-.185-0) - He bombed in his first chance at a starting role, and is not expected to get a second one.
Jack Manning, Pittsburgh Alleghenys* (1-46-.182-1) - He was a poor player in Boston, but Pittsburgh thought the change in scenery would do him good. They have announced they will make no attempt to resign him, so it's back to the drawing board.
Bid McPhee, Cincinnati Red Stockings (3-44-.294-5) - This budding star had his season cut short early by a back injury that will probably keep him out of action for part of 1883 as well. If he can come back from this injury, he looks like a very good player.
John Strick, Louisville Eclipse (0-28-.205-0) - A pretty useless player who's probably better in the outfield than at second base.
Cub Stricker, Philadelphia Athletics (0-29-.221-1) - This 22-year-old showed some potential this season, but needs to get better with the bat in order to retain his starting job.
And the best second basemen of 1882 are... ROSS BARNES OF THE BOSTON RED CAPS and BID McPHEE OF THE CINCINNATI RED STOCKINGS. It is Barnes' eleventh award and McPhee's first.
Second Base
1871 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-31-.336-12)
1872 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-52-.429-12)
1873 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-49-.360-8)
1874 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (0-45-.331-11)
1875 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-71-.347-13)
1876 - Lip Pike, New York Mutuals (2-38-.314-6)
1877 - Lip Pike, Hartford Dark Blues (0-39-.323-10)
1878 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (1-46-.338-7)
1879 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (1-73-.354-3)
1880 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (2-64-.342-9)
1881 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (1-49-.368-9)
1882 - NL - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps (5-69-.340-7) / AA - Bid McPhee, Cincinnati Red Stockings (3-44-.294-5)
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