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Nick Soulis · 03-16-2023, 06:38 PM

This Month In Baseball
January 1876
Edition 6.1

The Best Nine

Catcher - Deacon White - Washington Nationals

White brought home his first MVP in what has been an excellent five year career. He had a WAR of 5.0 to lead the league including a 191 OPS+ not to mention the excellent job he does defensively and off the field. In a league that really has some up and coming catchers, White remains head of the class.

First Base - Levi Meyerle - Hartford Dark Blues

Long Levi followed up his MVP season with another good effort including 65 runs and 20 doubles. Some felt that the long season took its toll on the 26 year old Philadelphia product, but across the league, few players are more effective and popular then Meyerle.

Second Base - Ross Barnes - Washington Nationals

Another season and nothing changes in regards to Barnes and his status in the game. The three time MVP almost helped carry the Nats to a pennant that came one game short. He his .338 with 55 RBI and 150 hits. He walked only twice all season, but still stole 33 bases and scored 92 times. There is no slowing down in his game at 25 years old.

Third Base - Cap Anson - Chicago White Stockings

Anson has felt the wrath of many of his critics after he was never able to duplicate his 1872 season and hit just .279 last year. Still, third is a weaker position across the league and when it comes to raw talent, few can match the skill of Anson. He is 7th alltime in hits with 490 and can play numerous positions. The question by everyone, is why does he tend to be so inconsistent with so much talent?

Shortstop - Joe Battin - Hartford Dark Blues

Battin makes the best nine for the first time and did so leading the league in runs with 94. The scrappy short stop seems to get to every ball hit to him and improved his average by 98 points from last season. The 23 year old has alot of great years ahead of him and almost no one works harder.

Left Field - Lip Pike - Philadelphia Whites

Mr Everything for Philadelphia, Pike was the best player in the land in 1875. He hit .410 for his second batting title and finished with 7.1 WAR. His amazing impact on the field included 80 steals which is by far a new record as well as a 39 game hitting streak. Along with all that, Pike is a great manager and lead his club to within one game of the title.

Center Field - Paul Hines - Chicago White Stockings

Hines has taken over as the darling of Chicago baseball and fans flock from all over to see him play. He hit .372 with 84 runs and makes excellent decisions in the outfield seemingly getting to the ball faster then most. At 21 years old, Hines could be the best player in the entire league for years to come.

Right Field - Bill Boyd - Mutuals Of New York

Boyd showed flashes last season but put it all together in 1875 to become a real force. He came two RBI short of getting to 100 and lead the league in extrabase hits including 36 doubles. Boyd is a New York native and plays with an obvious pride for the name on his shirt. A big bat in the bi apple.

Pitcher - Albert Spalding - Boston Red Stockings

Many choices to make for the best pitcher in the legue but the champions get the final say as Spalding makes the best list. He went 26-8 with a 2.04 ERA and for the fifth season in a row had a WAR over 4. He is among the smartest players in general the league has, and there seems to be an aura about him when he does take the mound.

03-16-2023, 06:38 PM	#69
Nick Soulis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,265	This Month In Baseball January 1876 Edition 6.1 The Best Nine Catcher - Deacon White - Washington Nationals White brought home his first MVP in what has been an excellent five year career. He had a WAR of 5.0 to lead the league including a 191 OPS+ not to mention the excellent job he does defensively and off the field. In a league that really has some up and coming catchers, White remains head of the class. First Base - Levi Meyerle - Hartford Dark Blues Long Levi followed up his MVP season with another good effort including 65 runs and 20 doubles. Some felt that the long season took its toll on the 26 year old Philadelphia product, but across the league, few players are more effective and popular then Meyerle. Second Base - Ross Barnes - Washington Nationals Another season and nothing changes in regards to Barnes and his status in the game. The three time MVP almost helped carry the Nats to a pennant that came one game short. He his .338 with 55 RBI and 150 hits. He walked only twice all season, but still stole 33 bases and scored 92 times. There is no slowing down in his game at 25 years old. Third Base - Cap Anson - Chicago White Stockings Anson has felt the wrath of many of his critics after he was never able to duplicate his 1872 season and hit just .279 last year. Still, third is a weaker position across the league and when it comes to raw talent, few can match the skill of Anson. He is 7th alltime in hits with 490 and can play numerous positions. The question by everyone, is why does he tend to be so inconsistent with so much talent? Shortstop - Joe Battin - Hartford Dark Blues Battin makes the best nine for the first time and did so leading the league in runs with 94. The scrappy short stop seems to get to every ball hit to him and improved his average by 98 points from last season. The 23 year old has alot of great years ahead of him and almost no one works harder. Left Field - Lip Pike - Philadelphia Whites Mr Everything for Philadelphia, Pike was the best player in the land in 1875. He hit .410 for his second batting title and finished with 7.1 WAR. His amazing impact on the field included 80 steals which is by far a new record as well as a 39 game hitting streak. Along with all that, Pike is a great manager and lead his club to within one game of the title. Center Field - Paul Hines - Chicago White Stockings Hines has taken over as the darling of Chicago baseball and fans flock from all over to see him play. He hit .372 with 84 runs and makes excellent decisions in the outfield seemingly getting to the ball faster then most. At 21 years old, Hines could be the best player in the entire league for years to come. Right Field - Bill Boyd - Mutuals Of New York Boyd showed flashes last season but put it all together in 1875 to become a real force. He came two RBI short of getting to 100 and lead the league in extrabase hits including 36 doubles. Boyd is a New York native and plays with an obvious pride for the name on his shirt. A big bat in the bi apple. Pitcher - Albert Spalding - Boston Red Stockings Many choices to make for the best pitcher in the legue but the champions get the final say as Spalding makes the best list. He went 26-8 with a 2.04 ERA and for the fifth season in a row had a WAR over 4. He is among the smartest players in general the league has, and there seems to be an aura about him when he does take the mound.