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HITTERS BY POSITION - SHORTSTOP
(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)
National League
John Bass, Chicago White Stockings (3-30-.229-1) - Late in his career, he's turned into a good-field, no-hit infielder. Has been way overpaid for years, but signed a three-year contract extension with Chicago that will bring his pay down to a more reasonable level.
Ed Caskin, Troy Trojans* (0-16-.243-0) - Struggling Troy was playing musical chairs all season with the shortstop position, and it was career backup Caskin who got the most games in at the spot. His future is probably as a utility infielder.
Jack Glasscock, Cleveland Blues (2-44-.303-0) - Even though Cleveland didn't do as well as in 1882, he had another outstanding season for them. One of the best fielders in the league.
Sadie Houck, Boston Red Caps (1-46-.271-0) - He's a steady shortstop who has three pennants in his four professional seasons. He'll never be a star, but he is a consistently good player.
Arthur Irwin, Worcester Ruby Legs* (0-25-.221-0) - In late July, young Irwin suffered what is feared to be a career-ending shoulder injury. In an odd turn of events, he was replaced in Worcester by his own brother, who hit .243 although he doesn't have nearly the same instincts at shortstop.
Mike Moynahan, Buffalo Bisons (3-30-.231-2) - He's become a mainstay of the club at shortstop, though he had an off-year at the plate in 1882.
Sam Wise, Detroit Wolverines (1-41-.271-11) - This young player won a starting job early in the season and had an excellent rookie year. Look for him to be their new shortstop for years to come.
George Wright, Providence Grays* (1-28-.233-11) - He's been considered washed up for years, but got a fresh start in New England, where he starred for Boston in the early 1870s. The results weren't spectacular, but he showed that he may deserve continued big league employment.
American Association
Francis Abercrombie, Cincinnati Reds* (0-41-.193-0) - He's been hanging around the fringes of professional base ball since the early 1870s. Not a good player, but he's an adequate backup. A career .214 hitter.
Bill Gleason, St. Louis Brown Stockings (0-56-.289-1) - The only one of the AA's young shortstops with any real talent. His strong rookie year helped catapult the Browns into contention.
Wally Goldsmith, Pittsburgh Alleghenys (0-40-.238-0) - As an infielder who could both hit well enough to not hurt his team, and field his position respectably, he's what passed for a star in this inaugural AA season. The Alleghenys are the eighth team he's played for.
Bill Greenwood, Philadelphia Athletics (0-21-.187-15) - Another lousy-hitting young infielder. Don't look for him to be a starter for much longer.
Nick Scharf, Baltimore Orioles (0-18-.190-0) - Not a great hitter or a particularly good fielder. He'll be gone as soon as Baltimore can add a better shortstop.
Bill Schenck, Louisville Eclipse (0-43-.233-0) - He's not a good fielder, but is adequate enough at short to not hurt his team.
And the awards for best shortstop of 1882 go to... JACK GLASSCOCK OF THE CLEVELAND BLUES in the National League, and BILL GLEASON OF THE ST. LOUIS BROWN STOCKINGS in the American Association. This is Glasscock's second award and Gleason's first; both appear to have very bright futures ahead of them.
Shortstop
1871 - Dickie Flowers, Troy Haymakers (4-38-.374-10)
1872 - Dickie Flowers, Troy Haymakers (0-29-.407-4)
1873 - Tom Barlow, Brooklyn Atlantics (1-40-.341-3)
1874 - Tom Barlow, Brooklyn Atlantics (2-59-.316-3)
1875 - John Peters, Chicago White Stockings (1-27-.274-2)
1876 - Tom Barlow, Chicago White Stockings (1-30-.381-5)
1877 - Ross Barnes, Louisville Grays (1-37-.390-8)
1878 - Tom Barlow, Chicago White Stockings (0-24-.311-1)
1879 - Tom Barlow, Troy Trojans (1-47-.294-11)
1880 - King Kelly, Cincinnati Reds (1-36-.324-9)
1881 - Jack Glasscock, Cleveland Blues (0-51-.300-0)
1882 - NL - Jack Glasscock, Cleveland Blues (2-44-.303-0) / AA - Bill Gleason, St. Louis Brown Stockings (0-56-.289-1)
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