Hanlon joined the newly formed Detroit Wolverines in 1881.
 He is one of only two players, along with Charlie Bennett, who played for the Wolverines during all eight years of the team's existence.
 In his eight seasons with the Wolverines, Hanlon compiled a .261 batting average, which was boosted to a .318 on-base percentage by 271 bases on balls and six times hit by pitch.
 He hit over .300 only once in his career, compiling a .302 batting average (.372 on-base percentage) in 1885.

During his time with Detroit, Hanlon was considered to be an excellent base-runner.
 Although stolen base records are not available for the years before 1886, Hanlon stole 329 bases (an average of 55 per year) in his last six years as a full-time player.
His base-running prowess is also evidenced by his scoring 623 runs on only 879 hits for the Wolverines.
The Sporting News called him a "wonderful base runner and a spark plug."
In October 1885, The Sporting Life wrote that it was a "striking illustration of Ned Hanlon's daring and speed that for two years Buck Ewing has never once succeeded in throwing him out at second on a steal.
And Buck is one of the best throwers in the League."

Hanlon had excellent range in center field, leading the league in outfield putouts in 1882 and 1884 and ranking among the league leaders every year from 1882 to 1887.
He also led the league in double plays turned from the outfield in 1882 (eight) and 1883 (six) and ranked among the leading outfielders in range factor five times from 1882 to 1887.
 Perhaps as a result of his extensive range, Hanlon was also regularly among the leaders in outfield errors and led the league with 35 errors in 1880, 38 in 1885 and 31 in 1891.
 In 1886, The Sporting Life wrote: "Ned Hanlon never played a more brilliant fielding game than now.
It is doubtful if any other fielder ever did, either."
 Decades later, The Sporting News opined that Hanlon was "one of the greatest ground coverers the game ever had."

Hanlon became captain of the Wolverines in 1885, and during the 1886 and 1887 seasons, led teams that rank among the greatest in Detroit baseball history.
 After acquiring sluggers Sam Thompson, Dan Brouthers and Hardy Richardson, and with pitcher Lady Baldwin winning 42 games, the 1886 Wolverines compiled an 87–36 (.707) record, but finished 2½ games behind the Chicago White Stockings.
The 1887 Wolverines won the pennant with a 79-45 record.

In 1888, the Wolverines finished in fifth place with a 68-63 record.
 The team folded in October 1888, and Hanlon was sold to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.
Hanlon joined the newly formed Detroit Wolverines in 1881.  He is one of only two players, along with Charlie Bennett, who played for the Wolverines during all eight years of the team's existence.  In his eight seasons with the Wolverines, Hanlon compiled a .261 batting average, which was boosted to a .318 on-base percentage by 271 bases on balls and six times hit by pitch.  He hit over .300 only once in his career, compiling a .302 batting average (.372 on-base percentage) in 1885.
During his time with Detroit, Hanlon was considered to be an excellent base-runner.  Although stolen base records are not available for the years before 1886, Hanlon stole 329 bases (an average of 55 per year) in his last six years as a full-time player. His base-running prowess is also evidenced by his scoring 623 runs on only 879 hits for the Wolverines. The Sporting News called him a "wonderful base runner and a spark plug." In October 1885, The Sporting Life wrote that it was a "striking illustration of Ned Hanlon's daring and speed that for two years Buck Ewing has never once succeeded in throwing him out at second on a steal. And Buck is one of the best throwers in the League."
Hanlon had excellent range in center field, leading the league in outfield putouts in 1882 and 1884 and ranking among the league leaders every year from 1882 to 1887. He also led the league in double plays turned from the outfield in 1882 (eight) and 1883 (six) and ranked among the leading outfielders in range factor five times from 1882 to 1887.  Perhaps as a result of his extensive range, Hanlon was also regularly among the leaders in outfield errors and led the league with 35 errors in 1880, 38 in 1885 and 31 in 1891.  In 1886, The Sporting Life wrote: "Ned Hanlon never played a more brilliant fielding game than now. It is doubtful if any other fielder ever did, either."  Decades later, The Sporting News opined that Hanlon was "one of the greatest ground coverers the game ever had."
Hanlon became captain of the Wolverines in 1885, and during the 1886 and 1887 seasons, led teams that rank among the greatest in Detroit baseball history.  After acquiring sluggers Sam Thompson, Dan Brouthers and Hardy Richardson, and with pitcher Lady Baldwin winning 42 games, the 1886 Wolverines compiled an 87–36 (.707) record, but finished 2½ games behind the Chicago White Stockings. The 1887 Wolverines won the pennant with a 79-45 record.
In 1888, the Wolverines finished in fifth place with a 68-63 record.  The team folded in October 1888, and Hanlon was sold to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.
Ned Hanlon (baseball)