Before the season began, the Red Stockings named catcher Pop Snyder as the player-manager. Snyder spent the 1881 season with the Boston Red Caps of the National League, hitting .228 with 16 RBI. Cincinnati also signed some familiar players, as Will White and Hick Carpenter spent time with the Cincinnati Reds of the National League. White saw limited action with the Detroit Wolverines, while Carpenter hit .216 with two home runs and 31 RBI with the Worcester Worcesters during the 1881 season.