1894 by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.
Page 74
sophomore campaign. Playing in all 136 of Chicago’s games, Duffy batted .312, with 40 extra base hits and 89 RBIs, and placed among league leaders in runs scored - 144, second best, base hits - 182, third best , home runs - 12, fifth best, and stolen bases - 52, seventh best. But all was not well, for either the Chicago club or the National League. With a tight fisted salary classification system recently imposed atop the hated reserve clause, players were in full rebellion by season’s end. Soon thereafter, Duffy, like virtually all frontline NL players, bolted to the newly formed Players League for the 1890 season.
And much to the chagrin of captain Anson and club boss Al Spalding, he joined the new circuit’s local entry, the Chicago Pirates.
In his third major league campaign, now 23 year old Hugh Duffy became a bona fide star. In a circuit stocked with the game’s very best players, Hugh stood out. He posted a .320 batting average and ranked among Players League leaders in virtually every offensive category. He topped the league in base hits and runs scored; ranked second in extra base hits and total bases; third in stolen bases; fourth in doubles; and fifth in triples.
Hugh also shined defensively, particularly with the arm. His 34
assists ranked second most among PL outfielders.