The Chicago White Stockings look at a new year as they have everyother, hoping that they have the resolve and skill to win another championship. Time however has taken its toll on this particular team and many are predicting that the Chicago outfit may have its most down season in 10 years and that the side just doenst have what it takes to win anymore.
Compounding these dire predictions comes news that star second baseman Fred Dunlap will miss the entire 1886 season. Dunlap while playing in a preseason game tore his shoulder muscle while reaching for a ball and falling on his side. Dunlap is one of the leaders of this team and his leadership and influence on the team will be sorely missed. Now Frank Fennely will have a chance this season to play everyday and make the most of talent that most scouts feel he has, in three seasons however with 466 atbats the 26 year old is only batting a paltry .230.
DunLap will miss entire season
Age is also a concern for the team that is depending on such players as Cap Anson, George Derby, and Candy Cummings, all over the age of 30. Cummings was brought back for his leadership and the team also traded for reliever Fred Goldsmith from Cleveland. Chicago also offered a contract to 36 year old outfielder Count Gedney. The power rankings this season show that many believe Chicago will have a long hard season:
As can be seen the Whites rivals from Chicago, the White Sox are expected to be among the strongest teams this coming season.
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George Wright Retires
George Wright
Few in the league will be particularly sad to see that George Wright has decided to end his playing days at the age of 39. Wright played for six diffrent teams in his long career but was never really accepted or liked by fans and players due to his hot temper and outlandish style. Wright did have a world of talent however and no season was better then the one he had in 1875 when he won the MVP award and the triple crown while playing for the Philadelphia A's. Wright drove in 446 runs in his career and was a .289 career hitter. He also won two championships, one with the A's and the other with the Orioles.
Larry Corcoran moving the Field
Leaving the Mound
Another story making big news going into the new season is that of Larry Corcoran. The former star pithcher who dominated for the Reds has decided to leave the mound and continue his career as an outfielder.
Corcoran has had arm trouble in the past year and at the fresh age of 26, wants to stay in the game. The right hander will continue his career in Pittsburgh and his very small frame, 5'2, will make him an interesting target at the plate.
Corcoran is the alltime league leader in strike outs with 1462 and won 29 games in 1882 with the Reds, 135 for his career.
Larkin and Mitchell Can Play No More
Two players this offseason had their careers cut short due to major injury. Bobby Mitchell of Cincinnati who earned 123 wins in his career will not throw another pitch. Mitchell at the age of 30 tried to come back from a serious arm injury but just couldnt do it and has decided to go into business. Mitchell was a good personality for the Reds and will be missed.
In Pittsburgh the services of Henry Larkin will be lost as the 26 year old retired from the game of baseball. Larkin who played in 157 games for the Alleghenys the past two seasons tore his labrum and will not be able to grip a bat or continue to play. Larkin was a career .247 hitter and patrolled a good left field.
Other significant injuries included Philadelphia's Tom Healy who will miss the season with a major shouder tear. And a huge loss in Boston as ace pitcher Bob Barr will miss the season with chronic elbow tendinitis, the right hander just cant pitch without acute pain. Barr is among the best pitchers in the game and wonn the 1883 pitcher of the year award.