Best MLB Players of 1881, Ranked by NUT
1881 seasonCap Anson (CHC) was the most productive hitter in MLB in 1881 by NUT at +3.8, and George Derby (DET) the most productive pitcher at +1.8.
0 of 89 qualified hitters and 0 of 24 qualified pitchers graded S for the season.
Chicago White Stockings (56-28) had both the best record and the highest team NUT at +7.7.
19th century. Short schedules, rule changes nearly every year, pitchers throwing from 50 feet until 1893.
Best by league
League by the player's final club. By NUT, not award voting.
Top 10 hitters and pitchers
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cap AnsonCHC · 1B | +3.8 | |
| 2 | Dan BrouthersBUF · X | +2.3 | |
| 3 | Fred DunlapCLE · 2B | +2.0 | |
| 4 | King KellyCHC · X | +1.8 | |
| 5 | Charlie BennettDET · C | +1.8 | |
| 6 | Tom YorkPRO · X | +1.8 | |
| 7 | Abner DalrympleCHC · X | +1.6 | |
| 8 | George GoreCHC · X | +1.6 | |
| 9 | Jim O'RourkeBUF · 3B | +1.5 | |
| 10 | George WoodDET · X | +1.4 |
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George DerbyDET · P | +1.8 | |
| 2 | Pud GalvinBUF · P | +1.3 | |
| 3 | Jim McCormickCLE · P | +1.0 | |
| 4 | John WardPRO · SS | +0.9 | |
| 5 | Lee RichmondWOR · P | +0.6 | |
| 6 | Old Hoss RadbournPRO · P | +0.6 | |
| 7 | Jim WhitneyBSN · P | +0.3 | |
| 8 | George WiedmanDET · P | +0.1 | |
| 9 | Fred GoldsmithCHC · P | +0.0 | |
| 10 | Blondie PurcellBUF · LF | -0.2 |
All 8 teams by NUT
| # | Team | W-L | Hit | Pitch | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHC | 56-28 | +8.1 | -0.3 | +7.7 | B |
| 2 | DET | 41-43 | +2.9 | +0.8 | +3.7 | C |
| 3 | BUF | 45-38 | +2.2 | +0.5 | +2.8 | C |
| 4 | CLE | 36-48 | +0.3 | +0.5 | +0.8 | C |
| 5 | PRO | 47-37 | -1.0 | +1.5 | +0.5 | C |
| 6 | WOR | 32-50 | -2.4 | -0.3 | -2.7 | D |
| 7 | BSN | 38-45 | -2.2 | -1.1 | -3.3 | D |
| 8 | TRO | 39-45 | -3.2 | -1.5 | -4.6 | F |
How the 1881 season is ranked
Season NUT is one number for production against that season's league average. 0.0 is league average; defense is left out. Players need 100 plate appearances or 25 innings to qualify. Team NUT is the sum of its qualified players. Seasons before 1901 ran 60 to 140 games, so values sit lower than in a 162-game season.