Evening star., 1954-10-20


There all ball players should set model
don't any who uniform with pride
than Duff"
Huge rarely of his record 4as set back in 1894
but he would laugh when others accused him of using fiat
bat counting bases balls hits which, of course was
done jest Du big the batting averages
computed as they are today
HUGH DUFFY SIMPLY a very good hitter, Clark
Griffith Mack willing and able to attest He
little fellow standing 5-feet-6 Fred Tenney once
Duffy right handed Mel OFT. He little
that purchased by Chicago for $4,000 in 1888
Cap Anson who believed that beef pennants snorted
Duffy fall about inches and rs pounds short OF major
league size"
Duffy never took his record batting average very seriously
properly proud of it, be sure, and pressed he
would admit that he good hitter. But wasn't the
best" would say There others better in time
and the best of all is Ted Williams First Williams next
Shoeess Joe jackson"
Implausible as it may when players hold down
regular jobs with of 200 220 Duys 236 hits in
$50 times at bat did precisely sensation in 1894
other players all representing Philadelphia hit 400
better that while fourth Billy Hamilton batted 1898
and stole 80 bases Anson who had soed at Du lack OF
size, hit 1894.
AS THE YEARS SPED by and 400 hitters became less
frequent finally almost existent Hughes 43S became
impausbe players like uths so home
in Cobbs 4191 hits in lifetime and Johnsons S497
strikeouts.
Many years ago. but long he was player
Duffy helping Bill Carrgan train the Red Sox in Florida
of the rockies whose hitting he trying to improve
was Roge to play shortstop pennant
Detroit a rookie, Rogel had ability than
background for he became xasperated at his little instructor
and queruousy snapped:
who this old fossil thinks he knows much about
hitting?" E
His name is Duny' carrigan told Rogen acdly aHe
leaguer and pretty good hitter He only hit
438 season.. Do know who has ever done
better?" .#5 sss.~ ~4ss,as,.ss
Rogen gulped and returned to his batting lessons
****
GENERAL MANAGER CRONIN's fondness for the merry
little fellow partly by his nsence that Duffy
sign an annual contract same as any player 1t was another
of the little jokes in the Red sox camp for Hughe to hold
out each winter
Duff is the only who is giving trouble" Cronin
would to I'm not worried about anybody
else"
Later all the players terms Duffy would
capulate at special beer party that considered
annual social event in Sarasota.
Hughes main job to sandlo schools and to scout
for the Red sox but when his late s and Cronn
field manager Hughie carried Western swing
baselne coach, undoubtedly the Oldest in history e
great job oo, Cronin saying yesterday "e
like of As in the coaching box and off the field he
was father-confessor to all the fellows
***
THE ONE HITTER whom Duffy refused to advise tech
ncally, Williams Ted great there's nothing any
body to help hurt his swing Hughe would say
when you like him, let him alone"
Behind Hughes pride in the uniform he was a
philosophy that different Not only he opposed to
big bonuses for unried hooboys but he rowned dressing
up Little Laguers fancy garb simply they
right age play "Bascaly it's wrong" Duffy
s would be better off playing in dungarees and sneakers
Then the who deserve will rise to the top and when
VI
of accomplishment 1t won't be just another uniform
to them"
High salaries for established players he favored "The
the oldtmers drank caroused would say
because they making only $40 month
and there nothing look forward Good money
self-respect"
Unlike many old timers, Eughie refused live
past and would gently squelch those tried beltte
moderns 1t not uncommon after player struck out
caught stealing, for Duffy to hear prompt
HE doesn't remind you of old Billy Hamilton, does he,
Hughie?"
NO." Duffy would reply BILLY Hamilton is dead"