Today on the blog, we spotlight my custom "19th Century Base Ball Stars" card of Hall of Famer Hugh Duffy, a fun set I produced and released back in 2018:
The outfielder put in 17
years in the Big Leagues, beginning in 1888 with Chicago of the
National League through the 1906 season when he appeared in one single
game with the Philadelphia Phillies at the age of 39.
In
between all Duffy would do it hit .326, collecting 2293 hits and score
1554 runs in 1737 games, winning two batting titles, including his
RIDICULOUS 1894 season when he hit .440, also leading the league with
237 hits, 51 doubles, 18 homers and 374 total bases, while also driving
in 145 runs for Boston.
Over the course of his career he'd win
two home run titles, an RBI crown, the aforementioned batting titles,
and one season that saw him lead the league with 161 runs scored, in
only 137 games during the Players' League's one year of existence.
In
1945, he was selected for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame by the "Old
Timers Committee", a precursor to the Veterans Committee.
After
his playing days were over, he became a fixture in Boston baseball, as a
manager, scout, batting instructor, coach and "all-around goodwill
ambassador" for baseball until his death in 1954.
True baseball "lifer"!
