1876: A New League Begins

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Most Valuable Hitter - Nominees

Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps - 3B (2-64-.356-11) - Another amazing year from this superstar, who despite the fact that he has been dominating professional base ball for a decade is still only 29 years old.

Ross Barnes, Boston Red Caps - 2B (1-49-.368-9) - He looked headed for a certain MVH when he went down for a month with a knee injury. However, when Boston went 9-10 in his absence and basically lost the pennant in that month, his candidacy if anything may have looked stronger.

Cal McVey, Boston Red Caps - C (1-41-.334-13) - After a couple years as the forgotten man of Boston's Big Three, he returned to form with a big season. He, Anson and Barnes are all equally deserving of the MVH this season.

"Orator Jim" O'Rourke, Chicago White Stockings - C (2-54-.310-1) - Although Chicago is no longer the powerhouse it once was, O'Rourke reminded the world why he has been considered such an excellent player since turning pro in 1872.

Lip Pike, Buffalo Bisons* - 2B (2-43-.315-3) - At age 36 and in the final year of his huge contract with Buffalo, a lot of people thought Pike no longer had the skills to star in the National League. He proved the doubters wrong in a big way this season, and now he gets to test the market and see if anyone wants to take a flyer on a 37-year-old star.

And the 1881 Most Valuable Hitter award goes to... ROSS BARNES, in another razor-thin vote. Last year it was Anson narrowly defeating Barnes; this year it was the reverse. This is Barnes' third MVH Award. Between them Anson and Barnes have seven of the eleven that have been given, including five in a row. This year it was an all-Boston top three, as McVey took third in the voting.

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

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Offseason Retirements

There was really only one big retirement this offseason: second baseman Jimmy Wood, a 39-year-old veteran who played in 1881 for the Troy Trojans. Wood has been a base ball player since the early 1860s, when he broke in with the Eckford club of Brooklyn. After nearly a decade with this pre-Association powerhouse, he joined the Chicago White Stockings as their player-manager in 1870, and immediately came up with the interesting innovation of having the team practice in New Orleans prior to the start of the season.

However, the team's future was cut short by the tragic Chicago Fire of 1871. In its aftermath, the team suspended operations for two seasons, leaving its players in need of a new home. Wood first found his place in the Forest City of Cleveland, where he hit .360 for the Cleveland club in 1872.

Once again, though, Wood's team folded underneath him following the 1872 season. After these two seasons of frustration, Wood returned to Brooklyn, this time to play for the Atlantic club. For the remainder of the Association era, Wood would star at second for the Atlantics, who were often close to an Association championship but never quite achieved that pinnacle.

In 1874, Jimmy Wood suffered a near-tragedy in the offseason. He developed an abscess on his left leg, and lanced it himself with a pocketknife. This led to an infection, and for a time doctors thought they would need to amputate Wood's leg. However, he managed to recover, and in fact did not even miss any in-season time due to the injury.

When the National League formed and the Brooklyn Atlantics did not join the new organization, Wood found himself a new home out west with the St. Louis Brown Stockings. In two seasons there, he hit .304 and .251 respectively, but the team found little success and dropped out of the NL prior to the 1878 season.

By this point, Wood was a bit long in the tooth. He managed to get a spot on Harry Wright's Boston Red Caps for the 1878 campaign, but he was projected to be reserve there. When he batted .198 in limited duty in 1878, it seemed the end was near for Jimmy Wood.

However, early in the 1879 season, Boston found that they were having trouble filling the shortstop position. Although Wood was considered too old to learn a new position, they started playing star second baseman Ross Barnes at short for some games and starting Wood at second. Given this second chance at age 36, Wood thrived, hitting .287 and helping Boston achieve a National League pennant - Wood's first professional championship.

In 1880, Wood reprised his role as Boston's part-time second baseman, but his batting average fell to .244. Although the team won its second consecutive pennant, Wood was allowed to leave as a free agent after the season, and signed with the Troy Trojans to start at second base. He batted only .215 in 1881, and gradually was eased out of regular playing time. Knowing the end was near, he asked the club to let him finish out the year before retiring.

On the whole, Wood's career has been an excellent one, spanning the pre-professional era of athletic clubs, the National Association years, and now the National League. Although he hasn't been a first-tier star, he's still been a very productive player for a long time.

Wood retires at 36th on the all-time list in batting (.281), 29th in OBP (.301), 27th in slugging (.373), 27th in OPS (.673), 20th in VORP (69.54), 21st in games played (552), 20th in at-bats (2,239), 17th in runs scored (423), 20th in hits (628), 17th in total bases (834), 23th in singles (468), 14th in doubles (120), tied for 9th in triples (34), tied for 20th in home runs (6), 18th in RBI (310), 6th in steals (73), and 11th in walks (75).

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

THE 1882 SEASON BEGINS

There are big changes in professional base ball for the 1882 season. For the first time, a new league has sprung up to challenge the supremacy of the National League. The new American Association has teams in six cities, all of which are currently unoccupied by the NL - Cincinnati, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Louisville. (There have been previous teams in each of these cities, with the exception of Pittsburgh, which gets its first professional team.)

Although the AA plans to sign established players from the NL, this season's rosters are mostly filled with young up-and-coming players, with a handful of veteran NL stars who have jumped leagues. In addition, the AA has scandalized many NL observers because of its plans to play base ball on Sundays where permitted, to sell alcohol at its parks, and to reduce admission prices.

In March, National League President William Hulbert said of the new Association, "We are not concerned with this new organization. The fact that a few river cities are championing an inferior brand of play together with loose morals will have no effect whatsoever on the National League." Perhaps this jaunty confidence would have carried the day, but Hulbert tragically passed away on April 10, leaving a void in the senior circuit's leadership.

On the field, the Cleveland Blues will be attempting to defend their first-ever pennant. Their primary competition is again expected to be Harry Wright's Boston Red Caps, which still has its Big Three of Anson, Barnes and McVey driving in runs.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

TEAM-BY-TEAM PROFILES - 1882 BEADLE BASE BALL PLAYER

NATIONAL LEAGUE

BOSTON RED CAPS (49-34 in 1881; champions in 1879-80)

They were a little off their 1879-80 pace last year, but could be right back on top if the Big Three can get some help with the hitting.

8 C Cal McVey (1-41-.331-13) - One of the best hitters in base ball, and the career leader in hits with 1,146. At age 32, he still seems to have some good years left, although this is the last year of his contract with Boston.
50 1B John Morrill (2-25-.219-3) - He's had two straight dismal seasons for the Red Caps, and seems to be hurting rather than helping the team.
11 2B Ross Barnes (1-49-.368-9) - He won his third MVH Award last season, and is without question of the league's best hitters.
29 SS Sadie Houck (2-27-.267-1) - He's a solid starter at shortstop.
5 3B Cap Anson (2-64-.356-11) - He and Barnes are the premier players in professional base ball.
37 LF Mike Dorgan (1-50-.267-1) - A solid part of Boston's attack, but nothing particularly special.
13 CF John O'Rourke (0-35-.221-0) - What happened? He was great for his first two seasons, and suddenly fell apart last year in his third season.
19 RF Fred Lewis (0-18-.200-0) - They've had trouble filling the third outfield spot, so this 23-year-old is going to get a chance to step up.

9 P Curry Foley (27-21, 2.36; lifetime 89-58 record) - He's gradually gaining recognition as one of the very best left-handed pitchers out there.
17 P Jim Tyng (0-0, 3.00 in 3 IP; lifetime 1-0 record) - Their #2 pitcher Foghorn Bradley jumped to the new Association, so the untested Tyng will get a chance to start for Boston.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

BUFFALO BISONS (37-46 in 1881)

The good news is that they are no longer burdened by the ruinous contracts of Lip Pike and Deacon White. The bad news is that those were their two best hitters last season, so now they are expected to really struggle at the plate. Don't expect them to even reach last season's record, as this young team continues with its seemingly perpetual rebuilding.

18 C Frank Selman (1-36-.243-2) - A steady, solid veteran catcher. This is the final year of his contract.
44 1B Ecky Stearns (1-23-.219-4) - This 20-year-old has been pretty mediocre for his two previous seasons, but he is improving slightly from year to year.
20 2B Tom Kearns (1 for 10 for his career) - This 22-year-old will be replacing Lip Pike. Good luck with that.
0 SS Mike Moynahan (1-40-.281-0) - He is a very, very good hitter - one of the few young Buffalo players who has panned out as expected.
22 3B Arlie Latham (0-19-.247-8) - He improved a great deal in his second season, and went from being one of the worst players in the league to being... well, adequate.
6 LF Jack Rowe (0-8-.186-0) - He's been a backup for Buffalo the past couple of seasons, and now is getting a starting opportunity.
35 CF Hardy Richardson (0-39-.295-0) - He ended up being the best center fielder in the National League last year. This season, he'll be the focal point of the team's offense.
19 RF Tom Poorman (0-9-.235-8) - This young speedster will get the chance to prove himself.

39 P Bill McGunnigle (15-19, 2.74; lifetime 33-31 record) - He's done a solid job since winning the primary pitching job for Buffalo.
47 P Jack Lynch (6-4, 3.20 as rookie) - Lynch is a promising young pitcher who will be given an opportunity this season for the young Buffalo club.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

CHICAGO WHITE STOCKINGS (39-45 in 1881; champions from 1876-78)

After falling below .500 and out of contention in 1881, the team is hoping to regain their former position as contenders this season. It appears to be a longshot, though; they lost one of their best young players in Paul Hines, and they really seem to be a collection of mediocre position players held together by a couple of stars (O'Rourke, Meyerle) and pitcher Larry Corcoran.

30 C "Orator Jim" O'Rourke (2-54-.310-1) - He's one of the best hitters out there, and continues to be one of the best players for Chicago. He's still only 31, but this is the last year of his contract, so he may be moving on after the season.
12 1B Tom Burns (2-36-.257-1) - He's a pretty solid player who has been in search of a permanent position for some time now. They seem to have settled on first base for now, but since he can play all four infield positions, time will tell.
43 2B Bill McClellan (1-19-.245-3) - He was a part-time starter last season, but since Paul Hines signed with the new American Association he's been given the full-time job.
17 SS John Bass (3-25-.230-0) - Chicago just signed him to a contract extension that will keep him in the Windy City until the end of the 1885 season, so they'd better hope his slump last season wasn't due to age.
6 3B Frank Hankinson (0-6-.167-0) - He will split time with the veteran star Levi Meyerle at third, so they are obviously hoping he'll be the future for the team.
34 LF Charlie Eden (0-33-.247-0) - An adequate hitter, but nothing great. This is the final year of his contract, so he'll need to produce if he wants an extension.
7 CF George Gore (0-33-.282-0) - He's one of the league's better young players, but his batting average has declined every year since his rookie season.
26 RF Hugh Nicol (0-28-.227-17) - This Scottish speedster could be an important player for them if he can just learn to make a little more contact.

4 P Larry Corcoran (32-24, 2.63; lifetime 70-42 record) - Base ball's best young pitcher. He should keep Chicago competitive all by himself.
35 P Charlie Guth (2-15, 3.55; lifetime 4-17 record) - His poor 1881 just reinforces how important Corcoran is to this team.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

CLEVELAND BLUES (51-33 in 1881; champions in 1881)

Cleveland has had an identical 51-33 record for two years in a row, and in 1881 it was good enough to win the National League pennant. They have the same combination of good young hitters and outstanding defense this season, but they also have two new, completely untested pitchers. Whether this will cause them any serious problems remains to be seen.

21 C Charlie Bennett (0-28-.220-0) - He's a good-field, no-hit catcher, but that's really all Cleveland is looking for from the position.
26 1B Jim Foran (0-37-.263-5) - He's been declining slowly for about five years now, but he continues to be a dependable player. This is the walk year of his contract.
30 2B Fred "Sure Shot" Dunlap (2-36-.294-0) - This 22-year-old is a budding star, and is also one of the best fielders in base ball. He could be the heir to Ross Barnes as the best second baseman out there.
49 SS Jack Glasscock (0-51-.300-0) - He and Dunlap combined to be the best middle infield combination in the league. Cleveland appears to have found a combination to rival Anson and Barnes.
9 3B Fred Waterman (0-14-.298-1) - This 36-year-old went down early in 1881 with a season-ending injury. In this, the last year of his contract, Cleveland is hoping Waterman can still contribute to a winning team.
44 LF Abner Dalrymple (4-47-.296-0) - He's one of the best hitters in the league, and was key in Cleveland's rise to the pennant.
18 CF Ned Hanlon (0-41-.279-0) - He is another one of Cleveland's seemingly endless procession of young players who are great fielders and good hitters.
6 RF George Bechtel (1-26-.248-2) - He seems to be past his prime as a hitter, although he remains one of the league's leading defensive outfielders.

36 P John Schappert (rookie) - This is where Cleveland will be weak. Both of their starting pitchers from last season have left the team and signed elsewhere, so they are going to experiment with untested young players.
50 P John Doyle (rookie) - Like Schappert, he is a completely unknown commodity.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

DETROIT WOLVERINES (41-43 in 1881)

Detroit did better than expected as a new team in 1881. However, they haven't really made any significant changes this year, so it's difficult to see how they can be much better in 1882. Look for them to finish near .500 this year, possibly a little better if King Kelly and Pete Hotaling bounce back with big years.

37 C Barney Gilligan (0-22-.200-0) - A good-fielding catcher who can't hit at all.
21 1B John Reilly (0-8-.206-3) - This promising 23-year-old appears to have won the starting first base job from Martin Powell.
13 2B Bob "Magnet" Addy (0-18-.228-3) - At age 37, his best years are probably behind him. Detroit will be happy if he can just continue being a good glove man at the keystone spot.
4 2B-SS Sam Wise (1 for 5 lifetime) - The 24-year-old Wise looks like a middle infielder for the future for this club. He'll split time with Addy and King Kelly.
17 SS-RF King Kelly (0-29-.282-6) - Kelly regressed a bit in his first season in Detroit, but he is still the team's best player. He'll split time between right field (his more natural position) and shortstop.
36 3B Steve Bellan (0-29-.250-3) - He's always been a good fielder, and last year Bellan actually got his hitting back up to a productive level. He is due to become a free agent after the season.
34 LF Steve King (0-21-.224-0) - He will turn 40 in June, and appears to be at the end of his usefulness, but he insists he can be productive for Detroit this year.
43 CF Pete Hotaling (1-36-.226-1) - After having two very good seasons in Cincinnati, Hotaling was not good at all in Detroit. The team needs him to find his hitting stroke in 1882.
28 RF Orator Shaffer (0-21-.216-0) - He had a very poor 1881, but Detroit didn't exactly have a lot of options, so they brought him back to platoon in right field this season.

30 P Tommy Bond (17-16, 1.91; lifetime 51-64 record) - He had the best season of his career last year, and now Detroit is looking for him to repeat that outstanding performance.
45 P George Derby (12-12, 2.29 as a rookie) - He was the best rookie pitcher of 1881, and will likely share time with Bond in something close to a 50-50 arrangement.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

PROVIDENCE GRAYS (38-46 in 1881)

This team unexpectedly improved in 1881, and now they plan to shoot for their club's first-ever winning record. Frankly it looks like a stretch; if this club can even finish near .500 it will be a significant accomplishment.

15 C Emil Gross (0-29-.238-0) - This young catcher was hailed as the hope of the future when he hit .304 as a rookie in 1879, but since then he has failed to live up to that promise.
7 1B Ed Cogswell (0-15-.250-2) - He's a reasonably good if unmemorable first baseman.
20 2B Andy Leonard (0-41-.240-6) - He's a pretty good fielder and not a terrible hitter, but he's also going to be 36 this season and isn't really all that good.
4 SS George Wright (0-6-.253-4) - For the first time in a half-decade, he made himself useful to his team in 1881. Now that he's going to be starting full time, they're hoping he'll recharge his career still further.
89 3B Jerry Denny (2-31-.248-0) - He had a pretty solid rookie year in 1881, and they think he can grow into a very good hitter. That would certainly help this team.
28 LF Charley "Baby" Jones (2-41-.251-1) - A steady, solid hitter, who is also a pretty good fielder from the corner outfield position.
22 CF Frank McCarton (1-32-.292-0) - He unexpectedly resigned with Providence, and now seems hopeful that their blend of young and old players can get the team over .500 for the first time.
68 RF Joe Sommer (0-25-.236-6) - An adequate outfielder, but nothing special.

43 P Harry Wheeler (14-15, 2.29 in 1881; lifetime 40-81 record) - He continues to toil with Providence in one of the most hard-luck spots out there for a pitcher.
49 P Tom Healey (7-6, 2.90 in 1881; lifetime 8-7 record) - He did well in 1881 filling in for injured pitchers. As a result, he's been rewarded as the new #2 starter.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

TROY TROJANS (47-37 in 1881)

The core of the third-place Troy team from 1881 is back, so they should still be a pretty solid team. However, they did have one significant loss - ace pitcher Pud Galvin. If McManus and Bradley can do the job on the mound, they could be a contender for the pennant.

17 C Tom Barlow (1-16-.261-1) - Over his ten-year career, he's mostly been a shortstop rather than a catcher, but Troy has a need behind the plate. A lifetime .312 hitter.
26 1B Dan Brouthers (1-35-.326-12) - This 23-year-old star just keeps getting better. The anchor of this club.
30 2B Buck Ewing (2-33-.286-0) - This versatile 22-year-old was one of the pleasant surprises of 1881, and he's expected to keep getting better.
34 SS Ed Caskin (1 for 2 in 1881; lifetime .286 hitter) - Troy had a hole in its infield with the departure of John Clapp, so career backup Caskin is getting a chance to start.
14 3B Roger Connor (1-45-.269-0) - This talented young hitter had a bit of a sophomore slump, but he's still one of the National League's more promising players.
62 LF/RF Tom Mansell (0-23-.249-0) - They aren't exactly sure which corner outfield position he'll play at full-time, but Mansell will definitely be one of the starting outfielders.
24 LF Pete Gillespie (0-5-.270-0) - After two years as a utility player in Troy, he's likely to see some additional playing time with the departure of Al Thake.
40 CF "Hartford Jack" Farrell (2-45-.263-0) - His three-year tenure in Troy has really improved his standing as a solid outfielder. He had the opportunity to sign elsewhere this season, but decided to re-up with the Trojans.
94 RF Chief Roseman (rookie) - He and Gillespie will end up battling for the third starting outfield spot.

56 Pat McManus (1-1, 1.45 in 1881; lifetime 3-5 record) - This 22-year-old has been waiting for a chance to be a regular starting pitcher, and when Pud Galvin signed with the American Association, he got his chance.
6 P George Bradley (33-18, 2.36 with Cleveland; lifetime 78-65 record) - Depending on who you believe, he's either an overrated, useless pitcher, or one of the keys to Cleveland's 1881 pennant.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

WORCESTER RUBY LEGS (32-50 in 1881)

They didn't improve as much as expected in 1881, and it's difficult to see why. They have some excellent pitching, good young players at a lot of key positions, and no truly awful players. This is a team that seems to have the talent to finish at least at .500 if their players just play to their career averages.

8 C Dick Higham (0-31-.281-1) - Higham is one of the NL's more dependable players. In spite of the fact that this is his 12th professional season, he's still only 30 years old.
17 1B Clipper Flynn (0-41-.258-0) - He was picked up as a free agent just before the 1881 season began and had a solid year for the Ruby Legs. A very good defender at first base.
35 2B Art Whitney (0-29-.239-0) - After missing nearly all of the 1880 season with an injury, he came back and was not as good as hoped. His future may be as a utility infielder.
31 SS Arthur Irwin (0-32-.250-0) - He's a good fielder and an adequate hitter. They are still hoping he'll improve some, since he's still only 24.
16 3B Hick Carpenter (1-17-.211-0) - Although he's a pretty good fielder, he's going to have to hit more than he does in order to be a valuable infielder.
32 LF George Wood (0-34-.251-0) - This up-and-coming young outfielder still hasn't played up to what is said to be his great potential.
30 CF Buttercup Dickerson (4-46-.262-0) - A very solid young hitter, but not a very strong fielder in center.
39 RF Harry Stovey (4-39-.281-10) - In his second year, he became one of the best outfielders in the National League. Seems to have a very bright future.

3 P Bobby Mitchell (21-29, 2.84; lifetime 120-109 record) - He had something of an off-year in 1881, but is still one of the National League's best pitchers.
28 P The Only Nolan (8-16, 2.87; lifetime 53-70 record) - He's thought to be a very good pitcher despite his rather poor record in 1881.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Like most of the AA teams, Baltimore will primarily be using untested players. They did sign a handful of NL veterans, including former pitching star J. O'Neill, but this is a team that will stand or fall based on the performance of its new players.

7 C Ed Whiting (rookie) - This 22-year-old from Philadelphia looks like a good-field, no-hit catcher.
23 1B Charlie Householder (rookie) - Another Philadelphia native, Householder looks like he might be a solid hitter for Baltimore.
15 2B Tom Evers (rookie) - A 30-year-old who will probably platooning at the keystone spot.
47 2B Harry Jacoby (rookie) - He and Evers will compete for the second base spot.
37 SS Nick Scharf (rookie) - This young local boy doesn't seem like a diamond in the rough, but you never know.
24 3B John Shetzline (rookie) - He's a very good fielder at third, so if he can hit that will be a bonus.
46 LF Monk Cline (rookie) - This 24-year-old looks promising.
27 CF Count Sensenderfer (0-8-.214-0 with Providence; lifetime .290 hitter) - This 34-year-old veteran was signed to help bring along some of the inexperienced Baltimore players. He's basically a player-coach.
2 RF Tom Brown (rookie) - This 21-year-old immigrant from England looks like one of the better players in Baltimore.
34 RF John Clapp (0-37-.241-3 with Troy; lifetime .263 hitter) - Clapp is another veteran signed to help out with this new team. Look for him to get some playing time at catcher as well.

40 P Terry Larkin (2-3, 1.30 with Boston in 1881; lifetime 3-9 record) - Larkin has been a fringe player for years, and now at age 34 he's getting an opportunity to be a full-time starter.
14 P J. O'Neill (1-3, 1.82 with Providence in 1881; lifetime 132-103 record) - After being the primary pitcher on the championship Chicago teams of 1876-78, he's become a forgotten man. This is probably his last chance to resurrect his career.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

CINCINNATI RED STOCKINGS

This team will probably have a tough year. They don't have many young players; instead they decided to staff their team with older National League castoffs. If Lip Pike has a big year, they might do okay; otherwise, it's going to be a long season.

5 C Tug Thompson (rookie) - An unknown, untested 25-year-old.
20 1B/LF Ralph Ham (0-4-.167-2 with Troy; lifetime .261 hitter) - He's been a utility player for many different teams over the years, and this season he'll be counted on for veteran leadership.
40 1B Bill Tierney (rookie) - This 23-year-old Bostonian is another unknown commodity.
61 2B Bid McPhee (rookie) - This slick-fielding young man is said to be a very promising player.
27 SS Francis Abercrombie (0 for 2 with Buffalo in 1881; lifetime .224 hitter) - This guy has been hanging around the fringes of the big leagues for a decade. Don't expect too much.
11 3B Charlie Hodes (appeared in one game with Troy in 1881; lifetime .237 hitter) - He was a failed starter in the mid-1870s, and now is getting another chance at age 34.
44 LF Redleg Snyder (rookie) - He's been trying to make it as a base baller for years now, and will finally get his opportunity this season.
73 CF Henry Luff (0 for 3 with Chicago in 1881; lifetime .263 hitter) - Probably the best of the castoffs Cincinnati has picked up, although he's not much of a defensive outfielder.
28 RF Lip Pike (2-43-.315-3) - They had better hope this 36-year-old can carry the team, because they are paying him top dollar and they don't exactly have a lot of other options.

34 P Dale Williams (2.30 ERA in 15.2 innings with Buffalo in 1881; lifetime 21-42 record) - His only stint as a starter was in Cincinnati (in 1876), and they're hoping he does a little better this time around.
36 P Harry Arundel (5-4, 3.21 with Cleveland in 1881; lifetime 55-37 record) - It's not clear why he's no longer with Cleveland. The Blues certainly need an experienced pitcher this season, and Arundel isn't getting big money from Cincinnati. At any rate, he'll try to amass a few wins in this new league.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

LOUISVILLE ECLIPSE

This is another team that will mainly rely on unknown quantities. How they do will in large part depend on their local boy outfield of Browning, Reccius and Wolf, who have already played together in semi-pro ball for a couple of years.

15 C Dan Sullivan (rookie) - This 24-year-old New Englander is a good fielder, although his hitting skills are suspect.
7 1B John Glenn (1-26-.227-1 with Providence; lifetime .274 hitter) - This veteran outfielder-first baseman seems to be past his prime, although this is a good opportunity for him to revive himself.
26 2B Gracie Pierce (rookie) - Doesn't appear to be much of a fielder, or much of a hitter.
38 SS Bill Schenck (rookie) - Again, a pretty non-descript player who they're hoping comes through.
47 3B Jimmy Say (rookie) - This 19-year-old is the younger brother of Lou Say, a backup infielder with Troy.
8 LF Pete Browning (rookie) - He's said to be a star in the making. They could certainly use one.
13 CF John Reccius (rookie) - A relatively unknown 22-year-old local boy.
17 RF Chicken Wolf (rookie) - A boyhood friend of Browning, he gives them an all-local outfield.

45 P Foghorn Bradley (17-6, 2.06 with Boston; lifetime 128-94 record) - Bradley, long a star pitcher with Boston, will take on the challenge of getting this new team to the top of the standings.
12 P Guy Hecker (rookie) - He seems to have some real potential, and will team with the established Bradley as a one-two punch.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS

This team is made up almost entirely of semi-pro players hailing from Philadelphia. Sensing that this was not exactly a recipe for success, ownership spent top dollar to bring in ace pitcher Pud Galvin, fresh off his Cartwright Award with Troy. Still, don't expect too much from this club.

40 C Tug Arundel (rookie) - An unknown 19-year-old from upstate New York.
39 1B Jack O'Brien (rookie) - A 21-year-old local boy who can also play catcher or outfield.
24 2B Cub Stricker (rookie) - Another local Philadelphian, this 22-year-old is said to have some real potential.
8 SS Bill Greenwood (rookie) - A switch-hitting young Philadelphian.
25 3B "Long Jim" Holdsworth (0-7-.217-0 with Worcester in 1881; lifetime .277 hitter) - Did a decent job in the late 1870s starting with a succession of mediocre teams.
18 LF Jud Birchall (rookie) - He's the oldest and probably the most skilled of the semi-pro Philadelphians this club has signed for the year.
15 CF John Mansell (rookie) - His two older brothers are mediocre outfielders, so he's just continuing the family tradition.
79 RF Bob Blakiston (rookie) - He was supposedly one of the best players in California, but who knows whether people from that wilderness can make it in pro ball?

46 P Pud Galvin (37-20, 2.48 with Troy in 1881; lifetime 162-181 record) - It's hard to tell whether he'll add legitimacy to this team, or subtract it from himself with this move. At any rate, one of the true stars of the National League will try to make it in Philadelphia.
41 P Doc Landis (rookie) - Another semi-pro Philadelphian.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENYS

Pittsburgh, like the rest of the AA, is made up of cast-offs and semi-pro players. However, their castoffs seem to be of slightly higher quality than most of the league, so they may actually be relatively competitive, especially if Deacon White has a big year.

29 C Deacon White (3-49-.306-0 with Buffalo; lifetime .320 hitter) - After a big year with Buffalo, he was lucky enough to find another team willing to sign him to a huge contract.
31 1B Chappy Lane (rookie) - A 27-year-old who is basically a complete unknown.
25 2B Jack Manning (appeared in 9 games with Detroit in 1881; career .257 hitter) - After many years as the worst starter on the Boston club, Manning finally left the club before the 1881 season and has been looking for a home ever since.
21 SS Wally Goldsmith (0-0-.188-0 with Troy; career .224 hitter) - He's been an on-again, off-again starter over the years, mostly with desperate teams.
8 3B Charlie Morton (rookie) - Another unknown who doesn't look too promising.
33 LF Mike Hooper (0-5-.250-0 with Buffalo; lifetime .244 hitter) - He's had a couple stints as a starter before, but they haven't gone well.
30 CF Art Allison (0 for 11 with Troy in 1881; lifetime .286 hitter) - His last productive year was 1877, but he has been a pretty good player before so they are hoping for a career renaissance.
87 RF Bill Morgan (rookie) - An unknown 28-year-old from Washington.

19 P John "Lefty" McMullin (3-4, 3.26 with Chicago in 1881; lifetime 78-83 record) - He hasn't been a full-time starter for several years, but he still seems to be somewhat effective as a pitcher.
28 P Morrie Critchley (rookie) - This 32-year-old will fill in when McMullin needs a rest.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

ST. LOUIS BROWN STOCKINGS

Although St. Louis is made up of the same collection of spare parts as the other AA teams, their parts seem to be a little better than most of the Association. If their pitching can get the job done, look for St. Louis to challenge for the first AA pennant.

24 C Eddie Fusselback (rookie) - A 25-year-old from Philadelphia who looks like a good defensive catcher.
31 1B Charlie Comiskey (rookie) - A 22-year-old from Chicago who's said to be relatively promising.
29 2B George Fair (0-6-.254-0 with Cleveland; lifetime .240 hitter) - A utility infielder with the Blues who is getting his first starting opportunity.
13 SS Bill Gleason (rookie) - A 23-year-old local boy who looks pretty good.
27 3B Ed Brown (rookie) - This 27-year-old is essentially a place-filler until they get someone better.
36 LF Al Thake (0-31-.220-1 with Troy; lifetime .275 hitter) - He's coming off two terrible seasons with Troy and badly needs a good season to revive his career.
12 CF Paul Hines (8-46-.253-1 with Chicago; lifetime .273 hitter) - The single-season home run champion brings his power stroke to the AA. With the less experienced opposition, he hopes to greatly improve on his 1881 numbers.
26 RF Harry McCaffery (rookie) - Another local boy who seems to be fairly good.

46 P Bert Dorr (rookie) - This hotshot 20-year-old is a complete unknown.
47 P Jumbo McGinnis (rookie) - This 28-year-old from the Ozarks seems to be a fairly steady hand.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Predicted order of finish, 1882:

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cleveland Blues
Boston Red Caps
Troy Trojans
Worcester Ruby Legs
Detroit Wolverines
Chicago White Stockings
Providence Grays
Buffalo Bisons

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

St. Louis Brown Stockings
Louisville Eclipse
Pittsburgh Alleghenys
Baltimore Orioles
Cincinnati Red Stockings
Philadelphia Athletics

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 7, 1882 - Sunday Base Ball Report

National League

Detroit Wolverines 4-1
Troy Trojans 4-1
Boston Red Caps 3-2
Cleveland Blues 3-2
Providence Grays 3-2
Chicago White Stockings 2-2
Buffalo Bisons 0-4
Worcester Ruby Legs 0-5

There haven't been any huge surprises in the National League yet, unless you consider Troy taking back-to-back games from the Boston Red Caps a huge surprise. Detroit also looks like they might be better than expected, as they won two of three in an opening series in Cleveland.

The current league leaders:

Batting Average - .444, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
On-Base Percentage - .524, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
Slugging Percentage - .762, John Reilly, Detroit Wolverines
OPS - 1.197, John Reilly, Detroit Wolverines
Hits - 8, 5 players tied
Doubles - 4, Pete Hotaling, Detroit Wolverines
Triples - 3, John Reilly, Detroit Wolverines
Home Runs - 2, Harry Stovey, Worcester Ruby Legs
Extra Base Hits - 5, John Reilly, Detroit and Harry Stovey, Worcester
Total Bases - 17, Harry Stovey, Worcester Ruby Legs
Runs Batted In - 5, 8 players tied
Runs Scored - 9, John Reilly, Detroit Wolverines
Stolen Bases - 4, John Reilly, Detroit Wolverines
Walks - 5, Pete Hotaling, Detroit Wolverines
Strikeouts - 7, Sam Wise, Detroit Wolverines
RC/27 - 14.13, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
ISO - .381, John Reilly, Detroit Wolverines
VORP (Batting) - 4.9, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans

Earned Run Average - 0.00, 4 players tied
Wins - 2, 6 players tied
Losses - 3, Bill McGunnigle, Buffalo Bisons
Saves - 1, Jim McCormick, Cleveland and Pidgey Morgan, Troy
Innings Pitched - 27, John Schappert, Cleveland Blues
Shutouts - 1, Larry Corcoran, Chicago and Harry Wheeler, Providence
Walks - 6, 3 players tied
Strikeouts - 11, John Schappert, Cleveland Blues
H/9IP - 2.84, Harry McCormick, Worcester Ruby Legs
HR/9IP - 0.00, many players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, Tim Keefe, Troy Trojans
K/9IP - 8.00, Tim Keefe, Troy Trojans
K/BB Ratio - can't be computed for players with 0 walks
Opp. Avg. - .100, Harry McCormick, Worcester Ruby Legs
WHIP - 0.47, Harry McCormick, Worcester Ruby Legs
VORP (Pitching) - 9.1, John Schappert, Cleveland Blues

American Association

Philadelphia Athletics 3-0
Pittsburgh Alleghenys 2-1
St. Louis Brown Stockings 3-2
Louisville Eclipse 2-3
Cincinnati Red Stockings 1-2
Baltimore Orioles 0-3

Thanks to some very strong pitching by Pud Galvin, the surprising Athletics are in the very early lead. So far, the leaderboard is a mixture of NL veterans and new players.

The current league leaders:

Batting Average - .500, Bid McPhee, Cincinnati Reds
On-Base Percentage - .538, Jack O'Brien, Philadelphia Athletics
Slugging Percentage - .800, Mike Hooper, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
OPS - 1.300, Mike Hooper, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
Hits - 12, Chicken Wolf, Louisville Eclipse
Doubles - 3, Charlie Comiskey, St. Louis and Lip Pike, Cincinnati
Triples - 2, Pete Browning, Louisville Eclipse
Home Runs - 1, Mike Hooper, Pittsburgh and Dan Sullivan, Louisville
Extra Base Hits - 4, Charlie Comiskey, St. Louis and Dan Sullivan, Louisville
Total Bases - 15, Chicken Wolf, Louisville Eclipse
Runs Batted In - 8, 3 players tied
Runs Scored - 9, Al Thake, St. Louis Brown Stockings
Stolen Bases - 2, Charlie Comiskey, St. Louis and John "Lefty" McMullin, Pittsburgh
Walks - 4, Jack Manning, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
Strikeouts - 6, Pete Browning, Louisville Eclipse
RC/27 - 20.69, Mike Hooper, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
ISO - .333, Mike Hooper, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
VORP (Batting) - 4.1, Chicken Wolf, Louisville Eclipse

Earned Run Average - 0.00, 3 players tied
Wins - 2, Pud Galvin, Philadelphia Athletics
Losses - 2, Terry Larkin, Baltimore Orioles
Saves - 1, Charlie Bohn, Louisville Eclipse
Innings Pitched - 18 2/3, Bert Dorr, St. Louis Brown Stockings
Shutouts - 0
Walks - 5, Bobby Mathews, Cincinnati Red Stockings
Strikeouts - 12, Bert Dorr, St. Louis Brown Stockings
H/9IP - 5.00, Doc Landis, Philadelphia Athletics
HR/9IP - 0.00, many players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, 5 players tied
K/9IP - 6.35, Guy Hecker, St. Louis Brown Stockings
K/BB Ratio - can't be computed for players with 0 walks
Opp. Avg. - .143, Doc Landis, Philadelphia Athletics
WHIP - 0.56, Doc Landis, Philadelphia Athletics
VORP (Pitching) - 4.9, Bert Dorr, St. Louis Brown Stockings

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 14, 1882 - Sunday Base Ball Report

National League

Boston Red Caps 6-2
Troy Trojans 6-2
Detroit Wolverines 5-1
Cleveland Blues 5-2
Providence Grays 3-5
Chicago White Stockings 2-4
Worcester Ruby Legs 1-7
Buffalo Bisons 0-5

The National League seems to have very quickly separated itself into the haves (Boston, Troy, Cleveland and Detroit) and the have-nots (Providence, Chicago, Worcester and Buffalo). This week Detroit will visit Cleveland, which might help break the logjam at the top.

Individually, Dan Brouthers of Troy is off to a magnificent start. Brouthers has been a top-notch hitter for years, but seems to be coming into his own as a potential MVH candidate.

The current league leaders:

Batting Average - .545, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
On-Base Percentage - .605, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
Slugging Percentage - .879, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
OPS - 1.484, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
Hits - 18, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
Doubles - 5, Harry Stovey, Worcester Ruby Legs
Triples - 5, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps
Home Runs - 3, Harry Stovey, Worcester Ruby Legs
Extra Base Hits - 8, Harry Stovey, Worcester Ruby Legs
Total Bases - 29, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
Runs Batted In - 13, Roger Connor, Troy Trojans
Runs Scored - 14, Cap Anson, Boston Red Caps
Stolen Bases - 4, Dan Brouthers, Troy and John Reilly, Detroit
Walks - 5, 3 players tied
Strikeouts - 7, Charley Jones, Providence and Sam Wise, Detroit
RC/27 - 25.30, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans
ISO - .378, Harry Stovey, Worcester Ruby Legs
VORP (Batting) - 11.6, Dan Brouthers, Troy Trojans

Earned Run Average - 0.00, Charley "Old Hoss" Radbourn, Providence Grays
Wins - 3, 3 players tied
Losses - 4, Bill McGunnigle, Buffalo Bisons
Saves - 1, 3 players tied
Innings Pitched - 39 2/3, Curry Foley, Boston Red Caps
Shutouts - 1, Larry Corcoran, Chicago and Harry Wheeler, Providence
Walks - 10, John Schappert, Cleveland Blues
Strikeouts - 17, John Schappert, Cleveland Blues
H/9IP - 4.66, Charley "Old Hoss" Radbourn, Providence Grays
HR/9IP - 0.00, many players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, Tim Keefe, Troy Trojans
K/9IP - 8.00, Tim Keefe, Troy Trojans
K/BB Ratio - can't be computed for players with 0 walks
Opp. Avg. - .143, Tim Keefe, Troy Trojans
WHIP - 0.56, Tim Keefe, Troy Trojans
VORP (Pitching) - 12.9, John Schappert, Cleveland Blues

American Association

Philadelphia Athletics 4-0
St. Louis Brown Stockings 4-3
Cincinnati Red Stockings 3-2
Louisville Eclipse 3-4
Pittsburgh Alleghenys 2-3
Baltimore Orioles 0-4

Veterans Lip Pike and Pud Galvin are starring early, and both their teams are looking pretty good. This week, Philadelphia will battle with Louisville and their talented home-grown outfield.

The current league leaders:

Batting Average - .500, Lip Pike, Cincinnati Red Stockings
On-Base Percentage - .560, Lip Pike, Cincinnati Red Stockings
Slugging Percentage - .680, Bid McPhee, Cincinnati Red Stockings
OPS - 1.210, Lip Pike, Cincinnati Red Stockings
Hits - 15, Chicken Wolf, Louisville Eclipse
Doubles - 3, 3 players tied
Triples - 2, Pete Browning, Louisville Eclipse
Home Runs - 1, 6 players tied
Extra Base Hits - 5, Dan Sullivan, Louisville Eclipse
Total Bases - 18, Dan Sullivan, Louisville and Chicken Wolf, Louisville
Runs Batted In - 11, Mike Hooper, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
Runs Scored - 11, Al Thake, St. Louis Brown Stockings
Stolen Bases - 2, 3 players tied
Walks - 4, Jack Manning, Pittsburgh and Lip Pike, Cincinnati
Strikeouts - 7, Pete Browning, Louisville Eclipse
RC/27 - 20.85, Lip Pike, Cincinnati Red Stockings
ISO - .235, Dan Sullivan, Louisville Eclipse
VORP (Batting) - 5.6, Lip Pike, Cincinnati Red Stockings

Earned Run Average - 0.00, 3 players tied
Wins - 3, Pud Galvin, Philadelphia Athletics
Losses - 3, Terry Larkin, Baltimore Orioles
Saves - 1, Charlie Bohn, Louisville Eclipse
Innings Pitched - 27 2/3, Bert Dorr, St. Louis Brown Stockings
Shutouts - 0
Walks - 6, Dale Williams, Cincinnati Red Stockings
Strikeouts - 16, Bert Dorr, St. Louis Brown Stockings
H/9IP - 3.86, Len Lovett, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
HR/9IP - 0.00, many players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, 4 players tied
K/9IP - 6.48, Eddie Hogan, St. Louis Brown Stockings
K/BB Ratio - can't be computed for players with 0 walks
Opp. Avg. - .111, Len Lovett, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
WHIP - 0.43, Len Lovett, Pittsburgh Alleghenys
VORP (Pitching) - 7.2, Bert Dorr, St. Louis Brown Stockings