1894 by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

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begun working in the River Point mills by age 9. Although short in stature at 5 foot 7, long hours of heavy lifting endowed young Hugh with broad shoulders and a powerful upper torso, physical attributes that he soon put to good use on the diamond.

Duffy’s life in baseball followed a familiar trajectory. As a youth, he played in local sandlots, then graduated to action in faster venues. Originally a catcher, the righty throwing and batting Duffy began playing semipro ball in 1884 with the River Point entry in the Rhode Island State Association, drawing down $5 per week. The following year, he relocated to Jewett City in eastern Connecticut, working in a linen dye factory and playing for the company team for a reported $30/week, plus room and board. In 1886, Duffy worked and played for a company club in Winsted, Connecticut, his recompense rising to $50 perweek, again plus room and board. Late that year, Duffy entered the professional ranks, signing with the Hartford Dark Blues of the Eastern League. He debuted in an October 1 game against Newark.

Starting at catcher and then moving to second base, he earned the distinction of being the only Dark Blues player not to commit a fielding miscue in a 24-8 drubbing. In all, Duffy saw action in seven Hartford contests, batting .278, 5 for 18, for a middling 40-48 club.

1894