Duffy, Hugh
Baseball
b. Nov. 26, 1866, Cranston, RI
d. Oct. 19, 1954
Only 5-foot-7 and 168 pounds, Duffy arrived in the major leagues with the National League's Chicago team during the 1888 season and was accosted by legendary manager Cap Anson, who said, "We've got a bat boy. What are you doing here?"
The right-handed outfielder spent just a season and a half in the league before jumping the Chicago team in the new Players' League in 1890. He led the PL in runs scored with 161 and hits with 191.
The league folded after one season and Duffy went to the Boston team in the American Association, then a major league, in 1891, and had 161 RBI to lead the league. The American Association merged into the NL in 1892. with Boston moving into the 12-team league.
After batting .301 and .363, Duffy had one of the greatest seasons in history in 1894. His .440 average that year is an all-time record. He also led the league in hits with 237, doubles with 51, home runs with 18, RBI with 145, and slugging percentage with .694.
He never came close to such figures again, although he hit over .300 each of the next three seasons and again led the league in home runs with 11 in 1897.
Duffy became a part-time player in 1900. The following season, he helped organize a Boston team for the American League, which claimed major-league status for the first time. Duffy became playing manager of the league's Milwaukee team.
The team moved to St. Louis in 1902, but Duffy remained in Milwaukee as manager of a minor league team for two seasons, then became manager of the NL's Philadelphia franchise from 1904 through 1907. He played occasionally during his first three seasons in Philadelphia.
Duffy also managed the Chicago White Sox in 1910 and 1911 and the Boston Red Sox in 1921 and 1922. He later served the Red Sox as a scout.