Bernie Duffy

Bernard Allen "Bernie" Duffy (August 18, 1893 – February 9, 1962) was a right handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1912 to 1919. Also known as Barney Duffy and Dan Duffy, Barney played alongside famous Pittsburgh Pirate Honus Wagner (known as the Flying Dutchman). The Oklahoma native began his baseball career in 1910 in Helena, Montana.He was purchased by the Pirates in the fall of 1913. He then was sent to St. Joe in the Western League where he played during 1914. Recalled that fall, he was turned over to Youngstown in the Central league, remaining there until the club disbanded. In 1916 he was with Grand Rapids and then sold to Wheeling. The pitcher was 5'11" and weighed around 180 lbs.

In 1913 Barney played for the Great Falls Electrics. The September 5, 1913 Salt Lake Tribune reports that Barney "started under a handicap. He was unknown, and there were those who predicted his early finish. The things that were said to him would have taken the heart out of any 19 year old lad. But Barney Duffy was different. He told 'em that he was going to go in and pitch ball and show 'em that he was there. And her certainly has made good. Now there isn't a man in the Union association who doubts for a minute that Duffy will stick with the Pirates."

In 1913, the Pirates owner received a letter from a former major league manager who was piloting a club in the Union Association from which came the pitcher Barney Duffy. He is quoted in the January 31, 1914 edition of the Pittsburgh Press as writing, "I was certainly glad to hear that you had secured E. Konetchy. that was a great deal for your club. I consider Koney the best first baseman I have ever seen, and I have looked at a few of them in my time. Am also glad that you got Barney Duffy from Great Falls. Hang onto him whatever you do. He is the makings of one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He beat my club out of the pennant last summer, and did it in a single week. I watched him closely, and believe he will make you a genuine world-beater for you. Whatever you do don't let him get away from you."

Duffy quit baseball in 1919 to enter into the oil business in Texas. He was an independent operator at Wichita Falls and Burkburnett and then moved to Abilene, Texas where he settled down with his wife Merle Hart Duffy.

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Category:1893 births
Category:1962 deaths
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Baseball players from Oklahoma
Category:People from Harmon County, Oklahoma
Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players
Category:Great Falls Electrics players
Category:Des Moines Boosters players
Category:Youngstown Steelmen players
Category:Montreal Royals players