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TEAM-BY-TEAM PROFILES - 1883 BEADLE BASE BALL PLAYER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
BOSTON BEANEATERS (52-30 in 1882 (won NL); champions in 1879, 1880, 1882)
The rumor is that there is financial trouble in Boston, and ownership is looking to get rid of their expensive stars to save money. Thus, it is very popular to pick some other team - Cleveland, Detroit, Providence, or even the new New York club - as the team to beat in 1883. However, Boston really only lost two players to the salary purge - catcher Cal McVey, who is a legend but had a down year in 1882, and first baseman John Morrill, who will be missed but wasn't a key player. It's entirely possible this team could be better than 1882, although the expiring contract of Cap Anson will be on supporters' minds all season.
52 C Lew "Blower" Brown (1-25-.319-0) - He did a good job playing mostly at first base last season, and now with the departure of Cal McVey this 25-year-old gets to share the starting catching duties.
38 C Doc Bushong (lifetime .189 hitter) - He's been a fringe player in Brooklyn, St. Louis and now Boston, and this season his defensive catching abilities will probably be put to use for the Beaneaters.
5 1B Cap Anson (3-61-.330-17) - After four years as a starting third baseman, he returns to first base this year for Boston with the departure of John Morrill to free agency. Wherever he plays, he's one of the best hitters base ball has ever seen. This is the final year of his contract with the club.
11 2B Ross Barnes (5-69-.340-7) - This three-time MVH is still at the top of his game, and any team with him and Anson on it is sure to be near the top of the standings.
29 SS Sadie Houck (1-46-.271-0) - He's been a steady starter in Boston for half a decade now. He'll never be a star, but is a consistent solid player.
26 3B Joe Gerhardt (lifetime .234 hitter; last big league hit in 1874) - This National Association relic is still only 28 years old and a slick fielder, but there are grave doubts about whether he can hit well enough to hold down the position.
37 LF Mike Dorgan (1-29-.219-5) - He had the worst season of his career last year, in what should be the prime of his career. Now the Beaneaters are struggling to figure out what to do in their outfield.
13 CF John O'Rourke (2-40-.289-0) - He regained his hitting stroke in 1882, but also suffered a serious shoulder injury that ended his season prematurely. If he can bounce back at 100% from the injury, he'll be a big asset to the team.
19 RF Fred Lewis (2-48-.243-4) - This lightly-regarded young man actually was better than expected for Boston in 1882, and may be a starter for years to come rather than a stopgap.
51 RHP Charlie Buffinton (6-5, 2.32 as a rookie in 1882) - He looked good as a first-year player, so this 21-year-old has won the right to split playing time with ace Curry Foley.
9 LHP Curry Foley (27-12, 2.10; lifetime 116-70 record) - Even though Foley won his first Cartwright Award in 1882, some suggest that the younger Buffinton might be the real future of the club. Some people just can't get any respect.
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