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NEW YORK LEAGUE AWARD WINNERS

BATSMAN OF THE YEAR: Francis Smith (CF, age 35) – Metropolitan B.B.C.; 2nd B.o.t.Y. in three years

• .380/.405/.558, .963 OPS, 86 R, 128 H, 21 2B, 18 3B, 1 HR, 47 RBI, 14 BB, 33 SB, 188 TB, 5.0 WPA, 5.2 WAR
• Led N.Y.L. in SLG, OPS, H, TB, RC, & WAR; Top five in AVG, OBP, R, XBH, 3B, & WPA
• Wilbur Graff (1B, MER) 2nd – .336, .441 OBP, .872 OPS, 62 R, 92 H, 21 XBH, 1 HR, 47 RBI, 48 BB, 5.5 WPA, 3.7 WAR
• Isaac Kelly (3B, ECK) 3rd – .359, .888 OPS, 49 R, 110 H, 31 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 41 RBI, 19 BB, 1 SB, 3.3 WPA, 4.6 WAR

Francis Smith keeps getting better with age. Consistently one of the best Batsmen in the N.B.B.O. before his 1878 award, he’s now won N.Y.L. Batsman of the Year twice in the three seasons, with his 1880 performance at age 35 arguably his best yet as he set career highs in Average, OPS, Hits, Extra Base Hits, Total Bases, & Batsman WAR.

OBP master Graff had another fine season at age 41, and Kelly was again superb in all facets of the game.

PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Charles Rhodes (age 31); New York Athletic Club; 6th career P.o.t.Y. (5th straight)

• 30-11, 2.30 ERA, 356.0 IP, 32 CG, 1 SHO, 204 K, 5.2 K/9, 11.3 K/BB, 8.8 H/9, 1.03 WHIP, 12.9 WAR, 11.1 rWAR
• Won Triple Crown; Led N.Y.L. in W, ERA, K, IP, QS, CG, BB/9, K/BB, H/9, WHIP, WAR, & rWAR
• Howard Budd (EMP) 2nd – 25-12, 2.56 ERA, 351.1 IP, 26 CG, 137 K, 3.7 K/BB, 1.15 WHIP, 8.4 WAR, 8.9 rWAR
• Howard Shepherd (CON) 3rd – 22-16, 2.87 ERA, 351.1 IP, 28 CG, 145 K, 3.7 K/BB, 1.23 WHIP, 7.8 WAR, 5.5 rWAR

This was Rhodes’ greatest season yet, with Budd & Shepherd the other finalists simply for thoroughness’ sake as Rhodes took another unanimous P.o.t.Y. HE LED THE N.Y.L. IN A DOZEN PITCHING CATEGORIES while breaking the N.B.B.O. Strikeout record and shattering the single-season record for Pitcher WAR. There’s not much else that can be said about him.

FIELDER OF THE YEAR: Frank Morrison (SS, age 34) – Metropolitan B.B.C.; inaugural F.o.t.Y.

• 442 TC, 80 PO, 281 AST, 27 DP, 81 E, .817 FLD%, 5.46 RNG, 1.172 EFF, +23.6 ZR, +26.6 FldRV
• Led N.Y.L. Shortstops in Total Chances, Assists, Ramge, Zone Rating, & Fielding Run Value
• Bendt Frandson (SS, BAL) 2nd – 89 PO, 271 AST, 27 DP, 74 E, .829 FLD%, 5.33 RNG, 1.157 EFF, +19.0 ZR
• Jules Thomas (SS, MIN) 3rd – 100 PO, 277 AST, 36 DP, 69 E, .826 FLD%, 4.72 RNG, 1.162 EFF, +16.3 ZR

GREENHORN OF THE YEAR: William Napier (2B, age 26) – Bedford B.B.C.

• .320/.388/.483, .872 OPS, 61 R, 96 H, 21 2B, 14 3B, 0 HR, 68 RBI, 36 BB, 28 SB, 145 TB, 3.6 WPA, 3.0 WAR
• Made All-Star Game; Nominated to Team of the Year at 2B; Top ten in XBH, 3B, RBI, BB, & RC
• Harry Miller (P, HILL) 2nd – 19-19, 3.30 ERA, 335.0 IP, 25 CG, 181 K, 4.9 K/9, 3.9 K/BB, 1.28 WHIP, 8.5 WAR
• Arvid Walters (3B, SYR) 3rd – .281, .689 OPS, 59 R, 88 H, 16 2B, 4 3B, 53 RBI, 23 BB, 8 SB, 3.3 WPA, 2.0 WAR

While Miller’s work for Hilltop showed that he’ll soon be a legitimate five-star #1, Napier was the top Second Baseman in the N.Y.L. during his debut season, appearing on the N.Y.L. leaderboard in a number of categories.

GOLDEN HANDS

• P: Daniel Gibson (VIC; 1st) – 26 PO, 73 AST, 16 E, .861 FLD%, 2.63 RNG, 1.087 EFF, +8.2 ZR
• C: Mark Lehmann (MET; 2nd) – 20 E, .943 FLD%, +8.4 ZR, 28 PB, 43.5 CS%, 3.16 C-ERA
• 1B: Ed Barnett (ECK; 1st) – 27 DP, 26 E, .967 FLD%, 1.097 EFF, +5.7 ZR
• 2B: Samuel Blalock (BAL; 2nd) – 155 PO, 224 AST, 31 DP, 46 E, .892 FLD%, 5.68 RNG, 1.084 EFF, +10.2 ZR
• 3B: Louis Johnson (UNI; 1st) – 56 PO, 241 ST, 10 DP, 66 E, .818 FLD%, 4.51 RNG, 1.145 EFF, +16.8 ZR
• SS: Frank Morrison (MET; 1st) – 80 PR, 281 AST, 27 DP, 81 E, .817 FLD%, 5.46 RNG, 1.172 EFF, +23.6 ZR
• LF: Murdock Whitehurst (MIN; 1st) – 6 AST, 4 DP, 21 E, .893 FLD%, 1.034 EFF, +5.6 ZR/ARM
• CF: George Whaley (FRO; 2nd) – 25 AST, 3 DP, 30 E, .898 FLD%, 1.089 EFF, +11.5 ZR/ARM
• RF: Michael Akhverdov (CON; 1st) – 11 AST, 2 DP, 21 E, .894 FLD%, 1.069 EFF, +6.8 ZR/ARM

TEAM OF THE YEAR

• P: Charles Rhodes (New York A.C., age 31; 4th)
30-11, 2.30 ERA, 356.0 IP, 32 CG, 1 SHO, 204 K, 5.2 K/9, 11.3 K/BB, 1.03 WHIP, 12.9 WAR, 11.1 rWAR
• C: Willie West (Victory, age 26; 1st)
.342, .849 OPS, 52 R, 92 H, 15 2B, 7 3B, 3 HR, 46 RBI, 9 BB, 2 SB, 3.3 WPA, 2.5 WAR
• 1B: Wilbur Graff (Mercury, age 41; 4th)
336, .441 OBP, .872 OPS, 62 R, 92 H, 15 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 47 RBI, 48 BB, 5 SB, 5.5 WPA, 3.7 WAR
• 2B: William Napier (Bedford, age 26; GH)
.320, .872 OPS, 61 R, 96 H, 21 2B, 14 3B, 0 HR, 68 RBI, 36 BB, 28 SB, 3.6 WPA, 3.0 WAR
• 3B: Isaac Kelly (Eckford, age 35; 5th)
.359, .888 OPS, 49 R, 110 H, 31 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 41 RBI, 19 BB, 1 SB, 3.3 WPA, 4.6 WAR, +12.5 ZR
• SS: Jules Thomas (Minuteman, age 28; 3rd)
.330, .792 OPS, 71 R, 111 H, 24 2B, 8 3B, 0 HR, 53 RBI, 5 BB, 34 SB, 3.2 WPA, 3.8 WAR, +16.3 ZR
• OF: Francis Smith (Metro, age 35; 6th)
.380, .558 SLG, .963 OPS, 86 R, 128 H, 40 XBH, 1 HR, 47 RBI, 14 BB, 33 SB, 188 TB, 5.0 WPA, 5.2 WAR
• OF: Ewald Schmitz (Utica, age 25; 1st)
.373, .897 OPS, 82 R, 118 H, 19 2B, 10 3B, HR, 60 RBI, 15 BB, 10 SB, 4.1 WPA, 3.1 WAR
• OF: Herb Verrett (Atlantic, age 36; 4th)
.335, .891 OPS, 74 R, 106 H, 43 XBH, 25 2B, 17 3B, 1 HR, 65 RBI, 12 BB, 7 SB, 3.4 WPA, 2.8 WAR

NORTHEASTERN LEAGUE AWARD WINNERS

BATSMAN OF THE YEAR: James Burke (CF, age 37) – Philadelphia B.C.C.; 6th career B.o.t.Y. (5 in A.P.B.L.)

• .384/.436/.581, 1.016 OPS, 92 R, 119 H, 35 2B, 10 3B, 2 HR, 70 RBI, 29 BB, 51 SB, 180 TB, 5.0 WPA, 5.7 WAR
• Led N.E.L. in OBP, SLG, OPS, R, XBH, 2B, TB, RC, & WAR; 6th B.o.t.Y. in 8 years between A.P.B.L. & N.B.B.O.
• Leroy Moore (RF, PBCC) 2nd – .404, 1.003 OPS, 76 R, 126 H, 37 XBH, 1 HR, 94 RBI, 19 BB, 16 SB, 5.4 WPA, 4.6 WAR
• John Schultz (CF, SUS) 3rd – .338, .826 OPS, 85 R, 116 H, 14 2B, 12 3B, 2 HR, 49 RBI, 42 SB, 4.7 WPA, 3.6 WAR

We now know what it takes to beat out someone with a .400+ Average and 1.000+ OPS for B.o.t.Y.: just be James Burke. While Moore led the N.E.L. in four major categories, Burke topped the N.E.L. batting charts in NINE different areas while putting up the highest Batsman WAR seen in the N.B.B.O. since the league split.

Susquehanna star Schultz had another great season, but there are numerous reasons why Burke & Moore became the first pair of teammates in N.B.B.O. history to go 1-2 in their league’s B.o.t.Y. vote.

PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Francis Molinari (age 35) – Portland B.C.; 1st career B.o.t.Y.

• 28-10, 2.59 ERA, 337.2 IP, 28 CG, 1 SHO, 194 K, 5.2 K/9, 4.4 K/BB, 8.7 H/9, 1.10 WHIP, 9.8 WAR, 8.4 rWAR
• Led N.E.L. in CG, K, WHIP, WAR, & rWAR; Top five in W, IP, QS, K/BB, H/9, & K/9; 25-7 thru July 31
• William Burrow (PBCC) 2nd – 32-10, 2.85 ERA, 347.0 IP, 23 CG, 96 K, 2.0 K/BB, 1.24 WHIP, 5.7 WAR, 6.7 rWAR
• Ben Lauppe (NAT) 3rd – 26-11, 3.10 ERA, 348.2 IP, 28 CG, 185 K, 4.4 K/BB, 1.18 WHIP, 8.9 WAR, 6.3 rWAR

Molinari managed to beat out 32-win Burrow for P.o.t.Y. because his secondary number were far superior to that of any other N.E.L. Pitcher while also going 28-10 on the season. He was brilliant from start to finish, sporting an ERA under 3.00 in every month.

While Burrow did have that 32-10 record, his secondary numbers were almost identical to those of last year, his W/L figure buoyed by P.B.C.C.’s #1 overall offense. Lauppe barely beat out William Hawk for the #3 spot.

FIELDER OF THE YEAR: Earl Seals (SS, age 33) – Trenton United; inaugural F.o.t.Y.

• 422 TC, 92 PO, 272 AST, 32 DP, 58 E, .863 FLD%, 5.40 RNG, 1.258 EFF, +33.2 ZR, +36.3 FldRV
• Led N.E.L. Shortstops in Assist, Double Plays, Zone Rating, & Fielding Run Value
• William Cruise (SS, PORT) 2nd – 96 PO, 209 AST, 17 DP, 32 E, .905 FLD%, 4.45 RNG, 1.339 EFF, +30.7 ZR
• Moody Steiger (SS, QUI) 3rd – 80 PR, 273 AST, 25 DP, 51 E, .874 FLD%, 5.63 RNG, 1.248 EFF, +29.7 ZR

GREENHORN OF THE YEAR: Francis Edwards (LF, age 22) – Quinnipiac B.C.

• .368/.393/.478, .871 OPS, 61 R, 110 H, 25 2B, 4 3B, 0 HR, 40 RBI, 12 BB, 10 SB, 143 TB, 2.8 WPA, 2.5 WAR
• Made All-Star Game; Was #1 Batsman prospect in N.B.B.O. entering season
• Edgar Hearst (CF, MLD) 2nd – .359, .871 OPS, 56 R, 102 H, 27 2B, 5 3B, 59 RBI, 10 BB, 1 SB, 3.7 WPA, 2.1 WAR
• Henry Pittman (LF, NAT) 3rd – .282, .748 OPS, 71 R, 85 H, 33 XBH, 2 HR, 38 RBI, 18 BB, 17 SB, 2.9 WPA, 2.0 WAR

Edwards was consistently excellent during 1880, batting over .325 in every month and living up to the considerable hype that was attached to his name ahead of the season. It was a close vote between he and Hearst, with Edwards winning out because he made the All-Star Game while Hearst didn’t. Pittman was a fine addition to the National Outfield.

GOLDEN HANDS

• P: William Hawk (SUS; 1st) – 34 PO, 60 AST, 11 E, .895 FLD%, 1.189 EFF, +5.0 ZR
• C: Hal Brinks (SotO; 1st) – 11 E, .950 FLD%, +7.2 ZR, 31 PB, 48.8 CS%, 3.36 C-ERA
• 1B: Mack Davis (CAN; 1st) – 22 DP, 29 E, .963 FLD%, 1.088 EFF, +5.7 ZR
• 2B: Lennon Haley (LBR; 2nd) – 134 PO, 220 AST, 26 DP, 31 E, .919 FLD%, 5.27 RNG, 1.133 EFF, +14.6 ZR
• 3B: Lorik van Unen (PIO; 1st) – 57 PO, 234 AST, 11 DP, 82 E, .780 FLD%, 4.22 RNG, 1.091 EFF, +10.4 ZR
• SS: Earl Seals (TU; 3rd) – 92 PO, 272 AST, 32 DP, 58 E, .863 FLD%, 5.40 RNG, 1.258 EFF, +33.2 ZR
• LF: Sandy Young (DS; 1st) – 2 AST, 1 DP, 12 E, .928 FLD%, 1.052 EFF, +5.1 ZR/ARM
• CF: William White (LBR; 2nd) – 19 AST, 3 DP, 17 E, .944 FLD%, 1.067 EFF, +12.1 ZR/ARM
• RF: Leroy Moore (PBCC; 1st) – 9 AST, 1 DP, 26 E, .864 FLD%, 1.064 EFF, +5.5 ZR/ARM

TEAM OF THE YEAR

• P: Francis Molinari (Portland, age 35; 1st)
28-10, 2.59 ERA, 337.2 IP, 28 CG, 1 SHO, 194 K, 5.2 K/9, 4.4 K/BB, 1.10 WHIP, 9.8 WAR, 8.4 rWAR
• C: Elton Heywood (Bunker Hill, age 33; 1st)
.373, .939 OPS, 32 R, 75 H, 14 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 41 RBI, 10 BB, 2 SB, 3.3 WPA, 2.5 WAR
• 1B: Jesse Craig (S.o.t.O., age 33; 2nd)
.359, .921 OPS, 62 R, 108 H, 29 2B, 9 3B, 1 HR, 76 RBI, 21 BB, 2 SB, 3.2 WPA, 3.4 WAR
• 2B: Frederick Pike (Philadelphia B.C.C., age 29; 1st)
.343, .856 OPS, 92 R, 113 H, 34 2B, 7 3B, 1 HR, 47 RBI, 8 BB, 45 SB, 3.8 WPA, 4.3 WAR, +10.2 ZR
• 3B: Phillip Little (Lancastra Brit., age 25; 1st)
.349, .902 OPS, 63 R, 109 H, 26 2B, 12 3B, 2 HR, 79 RBI, 11 BB, 7 SB, 3.5 WPA, 3.8 WAR
• SS: Earl Seals (Trenton Utd., age 33; 4th)
.308, .720 OPS, 51 R, 90 H, 14 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 53 RBI, 12 BB, 19 SB, 3.3 WPA, 4.6 WAR, +33.2 ZR
• OF: James Burke (Philadelphia B.C.C., age 37; 12th)
.384, .436 OBP, .581 SLG, 1.016 OPS, 92 R, 47 XBH, 35 2B, 10 3B, 2 HR, 70 RBI, 51 SB, 180 TB, 5.0 WPA, 5.7 WAR
• OF: Leroy Moore (Philadelphia B.C.C., age 26; 2nd)
.404, 1.003 OPS, 76 R, 126 H, 23 2B, 13 3B, 1 HR, 94 RBI, 19 BB, 16 SB, 5.4 WPA, 4.6 WAR
• OF: John Schultz (Susquehanna, age 33; 5th)
.338, .826 OPS, 85 R, 116 H, 14 2B, 12 3B, 2 HR, 49 RBI, 8 BB, 42 SB, 4.7 WPA, 3.6 WAR