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Most Valuable Hitter - Nominees
National League
Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps - 3B (3-61-.330-17) - He had another great season, although it wasn't quite as good as some of his recent ones. In fact, his .330 average, despite being good enough for third in the National League, was the lowest batting average of his 12-year career.
Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps - 2B (5-69-.340-7) - Last year's MVH had another huge year, and helped his team regain the National League pennant, which should help him in the voting.
Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans* - 1B (4-55-.358-18) - At age 24, Big Dan had the breakout season many have expected from him for years. The unfortunate thing is that it came in a year when not much else went right for the Trojans. With the team disbanding this offseason, he should command a princely sum from some team.
Fred Dunlap, Cleveland Blues - 2B (6-45-.309-0) - At age 23, he's become one of the true greats. A superstar both in the field and at the plate, and looks like he could be a leader in Cleveland for years to come.
Pete Hotaling, Detroit Wolverines - CF (6-64-.318-1) - His breakthrough season was a big surprise, and it almost catapulted the Wolverines to their first National League pennant. He's only 25 years old, so he could be a star of the next generation of players.
American Association
Tom Brown, Baltimore Orioles - OF (2-50-.323-0) - Overshadowing by Louisville's Browning, but still had a great rookie season and looks like he has a bright future ahead of him.
Pete Browning, Louisville Eclipse - OF (5-62-.403-11) - One of the greatest single seasons a base ball player has ever had. We'll see how he does when the quality of play in the AA rises a little, but there's no question we're seeing a star in the making.
Bid McPhee, Cincinnati Red Stockings - 2B (3-44-.294-5) - Went down for the season in late August, but still looks like a hell of a player with a very bright future.
Deacon White, Pittsburgh Alleghenys - C (2-47-.311-0) - Pittsburgh signed this veteran to play catcher for them, and he responded with an excellent season.
Ed Whiting, Baltimore Orioles - C (0-48-.326-0) - Did surprisingly well this season, even though the scouts didn't think much of him.
And the 1882 Most Valuable Hitter awards go to... DAN BROUTHERS in the National League, and PETE BROWNING in the American Association. Brouthers ends the five-year stranglehold Barnes and Anson have had on the award, although not by much - Barnes finished a close second in voting, and Anson took third. Browning was a unanimous winner of the award, with Ed Whiting of Baltimore in second and Tom Brown of Baltimore third.
Most Valuable Hitter Awards
1871 - Dickie Flowers, Troy
1872 - Cal McVey, Boston
1873 - Jim Foran, Philadelphia (W)
1874 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn
1875 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn
1876 - Levi Meyerle, Chicago
1877 - Ross Barnes, Louisville
1878 - Ross Barnes, Boston
1879 - Cap Anson, Boston
1880 - Cap Anson, Boston
1881 - Ross Barnes, Boston
1882 - NL - Dan Brouthers, Troy / AA - Pete Browning, Louisville
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