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HITTERS BY POSITION - RIGHT FIELD
(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)
National League
George Bechtel, Cleveland Blues (0-29-.218-4) - A dismal year for this 33-year-old. He holds a contract option for 1883, which he will presumably exercise - he won't get a big contract on the open market after a year like this.
King Kelly, Detroit Wolverines (2-36-.252-8) - A couple years ago he looked to be on the verge of stardom. Now he's heading into what should be the prime of his career, but no longer looks like a superstar.
Fred Lewis, Boston Red Caps (2-48-.243-4) - This 23-year-old isn't a favorite of the scouts, but he had an adequate season in right for the pennant-winning Red Caps.
Tom Mansell, Troy Trojans* (0-21-.239-0) - He's the oldest and most experienced of the three Mansell brothers, though he's not really a great starter for a good team. Look for him to be a fourth outfielder somewhere next year.
Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings* (1-35-.260-1) - This 37-year-old veteran was moved from third base to right field as his range started to decline. However, he was a .300 hitter two years ago, so he should have some teams willing to sign him as a free agent.
Tom Poorman, Buffalo Bisons (1-37-.158-26) - He's fast and he fields his position well, but none of that is going to matter if he doesn't learn to hit a little better. A complete disaster at the plate in 1882.
Joe Sommer, Providence Grays (3-43-.256-10) - This young player was surprisingly good for Providence. Not a household name, but had a better year than several outfielders who are.
Harry Stovey, Worcester Ruby Legs* (5-41-.282-4) - He struggled with injuries in 1882, but is still one of the best young outfielders in the game. He'll be highly sought-after this offseason.
American Association
John Clapp, Baltimore Orioles* (1-37-.238-3) - This veteran was not rewarded with a new contract with Baltimore, although he did an adequate job for them in the team's first season.
Jerry Dorgan, Philadelphia Athletics (0-24-.301-0) - He came over in mid-season in a controversial player swap with the National League's Worcester Ruby Legs, and ended up being one of Philadelphia's best players. He will probably be someone they build around.
Harry McCaffery, St. Louis Brown Stockings (0-47-.265-0) - Young McCaffery did a solid job in his first professional season, and looks like he's earned a starting spot in the Gateway City for years to come.
Bill Morgan, Pittsburgh Alleghenys (0-29-.209-1) - He had a full-time job in 1882 only because there were six new teams. Don't expect this to continue.
Lip Pike, Cincinnati Red Stockings (2-37-.253-10) - At age 37, he is no longer a star, but he was popular in Cincinnati nevertheless and wasn't a bad right fielder.
Chicken Wolf, Louisville Eclipse (0-37-.314-0) - This 20-year-old missed time with a muscle tear, but still had an outstanding rookie season for the pennant-winners in Louisville.
And the awards for best right fielder of 1882 go to... HARRY STOVEY OF THE WORCESTER RUBY LEGS in the National League, and CHICKEN WOLF OF THE LOUISVILLE ECLIPSE in the American Association. Neither of these young players have ever won this award before.
Right Field
1871 - Lip Pike, Troy Haymakers (0-22-.317-6)
1872 - George Heubel, Philadelphia Athletics (0-50-.333-4)
1873 - Lip Pike, New York Mutuals (1-48-.341-7)
1874 - Gat Stires, New York Mutuals (1-35-.312-7)
1875 - Orator Shaffer, Hartford Dark Blues (0-42-.257-4)
1876 - Orator Shaffer, Hartford Dark Blues (0-68-.339-0)
1877 - John Glenn, Hartford Dark Blues (0-24-.291-0)
1878 - Buttercup Dickerson, Cincinnati Reds (0-30-.365-0)
1879 - Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings (1-41-.310-4)
1880 - George Bechtel, Cleveland Blues (1-39-.248-3)
1881 - Deacon White, Buffalo Bisons (3-49-.306-0)
1882 - NL - Harry Stovey, Worcester Ruby Legs (5-41-.282-4) / AA - Chicken Wolf, Louisville Eclipse (0-37-.314-0)
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