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Dave Duncan (baseball)
Encyclopedia
David Edwin Duncan is an American
former professional
baseball
player and current pitching coach
for the St. Louis Cardinals
. He played as a catcher
in Major League Baseball
in 1964 and from 1967-1976 for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics
, Cleveland Indians
and the Baltimore Orioles
.
by the Kansas City Athletics
in 1963
. In his first at-bat as a professional baseball player, he hit a home run
for the Daytona Beach Islanders
of the Florida State League
. Duncan made his major league
debut on May 6, 1964
at the age of 18, becoming the youngest player in the American League
at the time. He was kept in the major leagues to protect him from being drafted by another team under baseball rules. Duncan returned to the minor leagues
for the next two seasons, where he led the California League
with 46 home runs for the Modesto A's
in . He began the 1967
season with the Birmingham A's
but, was brought back up to the major leagues in early June. When his batting average dropped to a .194 in early July, he was returned to Birmingham to work on his hitting. When his hitting showed signs of improvement, Duncan returned to the major leagues in September, along with Reggie Jackson
and Joe Rudi
.
Athletics' team owner Charlie Finley moved the franchise west to Oakland, California, for the 1968
season, during which Duncan caught the majority of the team's games while platooning
alongside Jim Pagliaroni
. While he possessed good defensive skills, he only managed to hit
for a .191 batting average
. His batting average fell further to .126 in 1969
and Phil Roof
took over as the Athletic's main catcher. Duncan's hitting improved in 1970
to a career-high .259 batting average along with 10 home runs and 29 runs batted in as, he shared catching duties with Frank Fernández
and Gene Tenace
, who was called up to the major leagues late in the season. He also missed time due to his commitment to the military reserves. When Duncan made adverse comments about Finley during the season, the owner fired Athletics manager John McNamara
in October for failing to control his players, despite the team's second place finish in the American League Western Division.
The 1971
season saw Duncan become the Athletics main catcher, as he guided their pitching
staff to finish second in the league in earned run average
as well as in strikeout
s. Duncan was the catcher for two twenty-game winners in 1971, as Vida Blue
won 24 games and Catfish Hunter
won 21 games. His offense continued to improve, hitting 10 home runs by mid-season and, was selected as a reserve on the American League All-Star
team, replacing Ray Fosse
who missed the game due to an injury. Duncan finished the season with a .253 average with 15 home runs, 40 runs batted in while leading American League catchers in range factor
. The Athletics would win the American League Western Division
but, were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles
in the 1971 American League Championship Series
.
1972
would be Duncan's best season offensively as he hit 19 home runs with 59 runs batted in, although his batting average slipped to a .218. He committed only 5 errors
in 113 games played
for a career-high .993 fielding percentage
, second only to Johnny Oates
among American League catchers. With Duncan calling the pitches, the Athletics' pitching staff led the league in winning percentage
and in shutout
s and, once again finished second in earned run average as, the team captured their second consecutive Western Division title. Despite Duncan's production, Athletics manager Dick Williams
, a proponent of the platoon system, began using Gene Tenace as the starting catcher during the last month of the season. The Athletics would be victorious over the Detroit Tigers
in the 1972 American League Championship Series
before going on to defeat the Cincinnati Reds
in the 1972 World Series
. Tenace would be the star of the series, hitting 4 home runs with 9 runs batted in and, was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.
Although Duncan joined the Athletics in spring training
, he became embroiled in a contract dispute with Finley and, in March he was traded along with George Hendrick
to the Cleveland Indians for Ray Fosse and Jack Heidemann
. Duncan became the Indians' starting catcher in 1973
however, he broke his wrist on June 28 and missed two months of the season. He finished the season hitting for a .233 average with 17 home runs and 43 runs batted in while leading American League catchers in range factor. He played in a career-high 136 games in the 1974
season but, the heavy workload caused his batting average to fall to .200. In February , Duncan was traded with Al McGrew to the Baltimore Orioles for Don Hood
and Boog Powell
. With the Orioles, Duncan shared catching duties with Elrod Hendricks
during the 1975
season before Rick Dempsey
took over as the Orioles starting catcher in 1976
. Duncan would be traded to the Chicago White Sox in November of that year. When the White Sox released him in March 1977
, he retired as a player at the age of 30.
, accumulating 617 hits
in 2,885 at bats for a .214 career batting average along with 109 home runs, 341 runs batted in and an on base percentage
of .279. While he was a light-hitting
player, he excelled as a defensive catcher, ending his career with a .984 fielding percentage
. He was respected during his playing career for his defensive skills and for his knowledge of the game of baseball. In spite of his low average he hit 109 home run
s, one for every 26.5 at bat
s. During his time with the Athletics, he first met future manager
Tony La Russa
, then a utility
infielder
with the club.
in , he joined former teammate La Russa, then manager
of the Chicago White Sox
. Since that time they have worked together as manager and pitching coach, joining Oakland in and the Cardinals in .
Pitchers on Duncan's staffs have won four Cy Young Award
s: LaMarr Hoyt
in ; Bob Welch in ; Dennis Eckersley
in ; and Chris Carpenter
in . From through , his Oakland pitchers had the lowest ERA
in the American League, and in 2005 the St. Louis staff
had the lowest ERA in the majors. La Russa regularly credits Duncan as being a key factor in the success of the teams he has managed over the last 25 years.
In October 2010
Duncan signed a 2-year contract extension, keeping him with the Cardinals through 2012 with an option for the 2013 season.
.
His younger son, Chris
, was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and made his major league debut in 2005
. His older son, Shelley
, was selected in the second round of the 2001 draft
by the New York Yankees
and had his major league debut on July 20, 2007. His nephew, Eric Duncan
, was selected in the first round of the 2003 draft
by the New York Yankees and currently plays for the Mississippi Braves
.
lb manager by team}}
Category:1945 births
Category:Living people
Category:People from Dallas, Texas
Category:Sportspeople from San Diego, California
Category:American League All-Stars
Category:Baltimore Orioles players
Category:Chicago White Sox coaches
Category:Cleveland Indians players
Category:Cleveland Indians coaches
Category:Kansas City Athletics players
Category:Oakland Athletics players
Category:Oakland Athletics coaches
Category:Major League Baseball catchers
Category:Major League Baseball pitching coaches
Category:Baseball players from Texas
Category:Seattle Mariners coaches
Category:St. Louis Cardinals coaches
Category:Daytona Beach Islanders players
Category:Lewiston Broncs players
Category:Birmingham Barons players
Category:Modesto Reds players
Category:Birmingham A's players
Category:Vancouver Mounties players
fr:Dave Duncan (baseball)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player and current pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. He played as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
in 1964 and from 1967-1976 for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
Playing career
Duncan was signed as an amateur free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in 1963
1963 Kansas City Athletics season
The Kansas City Athletics season involved the A's finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.- Regular season :...
. In his first at-bat as a professional baseball player, he hit a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
for the Daytona Beach Islanders
Daytona Beach Islanders
Daytona Beach Islanders was the name used by several different minor league baseball teams that have all played in the Florida State League.-History:...
of the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. Duncan made his major league
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
debut on May 6, 1964
1964 Kansas City Athletics season
The Kansas City Athletics season involved the A's finishing 10th in the American League with a record of 57 wins and 105 losses.- Offseason :...
at the age of 18, becoming the youngest player in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
at the time. He was kept in the major leagues to protect him from being drafted by another team under baseball rules. Duncan returned to the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for the next two seasons, where he led the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
with 46 home runs for the Modesto A's
Modesto Nuts
The Modesto Nuts are a minor league baseball team in Modesto, California, USA. They are a Class A - Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Colorado Rockies. The Modesto Nuts play home games at John Thurman Field. Opened in 1955 and renovated in 1997, the park seats 4,000 fans...
in . He began the 1967
1967 Kansas City Athletics season
The Kansas City Athletics season involved the A's finishing 10th in the American League with a record of 62 wins and 99 losses. This was the franchise's 13th and final season in Kansas City. After the season, the team relocated from Kansas City to Oakland. The paid attendance for the season was...
season with the Birmingham A's
Birmingham A's
The Birmingham A's was a former minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team was named for its major league affiliate, the Kansas City Athletics, later the Oakland Athletics, and played for nine seasons from to in the Double-A Southern League....
but, was brought back up to the major leagues in early June. When his batting average dropped to a .194 in early July, he was returned to Birmingham to work on his hitting. When his hitting showed signs of improvement, Duncan returned to the major leagues in September, along with Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
and Joe Rudi
Joe Rudi
Joseph Oden Rudi is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City & Oakland Athletics , California Angels and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
.
Athletics' team owner Charlie Finley moved the franchise west to Oakland, California, for the 1968
1968 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season was the team's first season in Oakland, following their relocation from Kansas City. Their first season in the Bay Area involved the A's finishing sixth in the American League with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses, 21 games behind the eventual World Series champion...
season, during which Duncan caught the majority of the team's games while platooning
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
alongside Jim Pagliaroni
Jim Pagliaroni
James Vincent Pagliaroni was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1955-1969 for the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Pilots....
. While he possessed good defensive skills, he only managed to hit
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
for a .191 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
. His batting average fell further to .126 in 1969
1969 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's compiling a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. With its expansion to 12 teams in 1969, the American League had been divided into two 6-team divisions. In their first year in the newly-established American League West, the Athletics finished second, nine...
and Phil Roof
Phil Roof
Phillip Anthony Roof is an American former professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played for 15 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball in and from to , most notably for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins...
took over as the Athletic's main catcher. Duncan's hitting improved in 1970
1970 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's finishing secnd in the American League West with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses. In 1970, owner Charlie Finley officially changed the team name from the Athletics to the "A's"...
to a career-high .259 batting average along with 10 home runs and 29 runs batted in as, he shared catching duties with Frank Fernández
Frank Fernández (baseball)
Frank Fernández is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He signed as an amateur free agent with the New York Yankees upon graduation from Curtis High School in Staten Island in . He spent six seasons in their minor league system before debuting with the Yankees as a September call-up in...
and Gene Tenace
Gene Tenace
Fury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and...
, who was called up to the major leagues late in the season. He also missed time due to his commitment to the military reserves. When Duncan made adverse comments about Finley during the season, the owner fired Athletics manager John McNamara
John McNamara (baseball)
John Francis McNamara is a former manager and coach in Major League Baseball. He managed six major league teams, directing the 1986 Boston Red Sox to the American League pennant, only to experience an excruciating defeat in that season's World Series at the hands of the New York Mets.-Playing,...
in October for failing to control his players, despite the team's second place finish in the American League Western Division.
The 1971
1971 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 101 wins and 60 losses. In their first postseason appearance of any kind since 1931, the A's were swept in three games by the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship...
season saw Duncan become the Athletics main catcher, as he guided their pitching
Pitch (baseball)
In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. The term comes from the Knickerbocker Rules. Originally, the ball had to be literally "pitched" underhand, as with pitching horseshoes. Overhand throwing was not allowed until 1884.The biomechanics of...
staff to finish second in the league in earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
as well as in strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. Duncan was the catcher for two twenty-game winners in 1971, as Vida Blue
Vida Blue
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 17-year career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Francisco Giants , and Kansas City Royals He won the American League Cy Young award and Most Valuable Player Award in 1971...
won 24 games and Catfish Hunter
Catfish Hunter
James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter , was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1965-1979 for both the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees...
won 21 games. His offense continued to improve, hitting 10 home runs by mid-season and, was selected as a reserve on the American League All-Star
1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 42nd such game, was played on July 13, 1971. The all-stars from the American League and the National League faced each other at Tiger Stadium, home of the Detroit Tigers...
team, replacing Ray Fosse
Ray Fosse
Raymond Earl Fosse is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was drafted in the first round of the 1965 amateur draft by the Cleveland Indians. Fosse also holds the distinction of being the Indians' first ever draft pick, as 1965 was the first year of the...
who missed the game due to an injury. Duncan finished the season with a .253 average with 15 home runs, 40 runs batted in while leading American League catchers in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
. The Athletics would win the American League Western Division
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
but, were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles
1971 Baltimore Orioles season
In , the Baltimore Orioles finished first in the American League East, with a record of 101 wins and 57 losses. As of 2010, the 1971 Orioles are the last Major League Baseball club to have four 20-game winners in a season: Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, and Pat Dobson.- Offseason :*...
in the 1971 American League Championship Series
1971 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 3, 1971 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandDave McNally, a 20-game winner for the fourth season in a row, survived a rocky start to win the opener. He trailed, 3–0, after four innings pitched, giving up three doubles and a triple. The A's had McNally tottering in the...
.
1972
1972 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World...
would be Duncan's best season offensively as he hit 19 home runs with 59 runs batted in, although his batting average slipped to a .218. He committed only 5 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 113 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
for a career-high .993 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
, second only to Johnny Oates
Johnny Oates
Johnny Lane Oates was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1981...
among American League catchers. With Duncan calling the pitches, the Athletics' pitching staff led the league in winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
and in shutout
Shutout (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a shutout refers to the act by which a single pitcher pitches a complete game and does not allow the opposing team to score a run...
s and, once again finished second in earned run average as, the team captured their second consecutive Western Division title. Despite Duncan's production, Athletics manager Dick Williams
Dick Williams
Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National...
, a proponent of the platoon system, began using Gene Tenace as the starting catcher during the last month of the season. The Athletics would be victorious over the Detroit Tigers
1972 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the American League East division championship with a record of 86-70 , finishing one-half game ahead of the Boston Red Sox. They played one more game than the Red Sox due to a scheduling quirk caused by the 1972 Major League Baseball strike -- a game which turned out to...
in the 1972 American League Championship Series
1972 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 7, 1972 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CaliforniaGame 1 pitted ace pitchers Catfish Hunter for the A's and Mickey Lolich for the Tigers, and, as expected, both were brilliant...
before going on to defeat the Cincinnati Reds
1972 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season consisted of the Reds winning the National League West title with a record of 95-59, 10½ games over the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. They defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1972 National League Championship Series, but lost to the Oakland Athletics in...
in the 1972 World Series
1972 World Series
The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
. Tenace would be the star of the series, hitting 4 home runs with 9 runs batted in and, was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.
Although Duncan joined the Athletics in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, he became embroiled in a contract dispute with Finley and, in March he was traded along with George Hendrick
George Hendrick
George Andrew Hendrick Jr. is a former major league outfielder for the Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels. However Hendrick is best remembered as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, for whom he played for from 1979–84. He was a...
to the Cleveland Indians for Ray Fosse and Jack Heidemann
Jack Heidemann
Jack Seale Heidemann is a former right-handed Major League Baseball shortstop who played from to with the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He attended Brenham High School. He is also the uncle of Brett Bordes, a minor league pitcher in the Baltimore...
. Duncan became the Indians' starting catcher in 1973
1973 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was the 73rd in the franchise's history. The club finished in sixth place in the American League East.- Offseason :In January, Vernon Stouffer sold the Cleveland Indians to Nick Mileti for $10 million dollars...
however, he broke his wrist on June 28 and missed two months of the season. He finished the season hitting for a .233 average with 17 home runs and 43 runs batted in while leading American League catchers in range factor. He played in a career-high 136 games in the 1974
1974 Cleveland Indians season
- Offseason :* December 12, 1973: Roger Freed was traded by the Indians to the Cincinnati Reds for Steve Blateric.* March 19, 1974: Walt Williams and Rick Sawyer were traded by the Indians to the New York Yankees as part of a 3-team trade. The Detroit Tigers sent Jim Perry to the Indians. The...
season but, the heavy workload caused his batting average to fall to .200. In February , Duncan was traded with Al McGrew to the Baltimore Orioles for Don Hood
Don Hood
Donald Harris Hood , was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1973-1983. He played for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals.-External links:...
and Boog Powell
Boog Powell
John Wesley Powell is a former major league first baseman who played for the Baltimore Orioles , Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers...
. With the Orioles, Duncan shared catching duties with Elrod Hendricks
Elrod Hendricks
Elrod Jerome "Ellie" Hendricks was a catcher and coach in Major League Baseball. Hendricks played during a 12-year career that lasted from through for the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees...
during the 1975
1975 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 90 wins and 69 losses.- Offseason :...
season before Rick Dempsey
Rick Dempsey
John Rikard Dempsey is an American former professional baseball player. He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the Baltimore Orioles...
took over as the Orioles starting catcher in 1976
1976 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1976 Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing second in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses.- Offseason :...
. Duncan would be traded to the Chicago White Sox in November of that year. When the White Sox released him in March 1977
1977 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the American League West, 12 games behind the Kansas City Royals.- Offseason :...
, he retired as a player at the age of 30.
Career statistics
In an eleven-year major league career, Duncan played in 929 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 617 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 2,885 at bats for a .214 career batting average along with 109 home runs, 341 runs batted in and an on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
of .279. While he was a light-hitting
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
player, he excelled as a defensive catcher, ending his career with a .984 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. He was respected during his playing career for his defensive skills and for his knowledge of the game of baseball. In spite of his low average he hit 109 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, one for every 26.5 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s. During his time with the Athletics, he first met future manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
, then a utility
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
with the club.
Highlights
- Six two-home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
games, his team winning all six - One five-hit game, including four singleSingle (baseball)In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
s and a home run against the Boston Red Sox1972 Boston Red Sox seasonThe 1972 Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 85 wins and 70 losses...
(July 12, 1972) - A pair of four-hit games, including two doublesDouble (baseball)In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and two singles against the New York Yankees1970 New York Yankees seasonThe New York Yankees season was the 68th season for the franchise in New York, and its 70th season overall. The team finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 93-69, 15 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. The 93 wins were the most for the Yankees since 1964. New York...
(May 5, 1970) and a record-tying four consecutive doubles off of Luis TiantLuis TiantLuis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels...
of the Boston Red Sox (June 30, 1975). In the other 95 games he played in 1975 he hit only three other doubles. - Nineteen three-hit games, with the most impressive being two home runs and a double against the California Angels1971 California Angels seasonThe California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses.- Opening Day starters :*Sandy Alomar*Ken Berry*Tony Conigliaro*Jim Fregosi*Alex Johnson*Ken McMullen*Jerry Moses...
(May 25, 1971) - One five-RBIRun batted inRuns batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
game, including a three-run home run, a bases loadedBases loadedIn the sport of baseball, the bases are loaded when there is a runner on each base . This presents a great scoring opportunity for the batting team, but it also presents an easy double play opportunity for the defense. Causing the bases to become loaded is called loading the bases...
walkBase on ballsA base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, and an RBI single against the California Angels1969 California Angels seasonThe California Angels season was a season in American baseball. In the first season following the split of the American League into two divisions, the Angels finished third in the newly-established American League West with a record of 71 wins and 91 losses....
(September 21, 1969) - Four four-RBI games
- Named to the American League All-Star1971 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 42nd such game, was played on July 13, 1971. The all-stars from the American League and the National League faced each other at Tiger Stadium, home of the Detroit Tigers...
team
Coaching career
Duncan began his coaching career in with the Cleveland Indians. After a stint as a pitching coach for the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in , he joined former teammate La Russa, then manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Since that time they have worked together as manager and pitching coach, joining Oakland in and the Cardinals in .
Pitchers on Duncan's staffs have won four Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
s: LaMarr Hoyt
LaMarr Hoyt
Dewey LaMarr Hoyt is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who won the American League Cy Young Award.-Chicago White Sox:...
in ; Bob Welch in ; Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
in ; and Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
in . From through , his Oakland pitchers had the lowest ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in the American League, and in 2005 the St. Louis staff
2005 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 2005 season was the team's 124th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 114th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 100-62 during the season and won the National League Central division by 11 games over the NL Wild-Card Champion and eventual NL Champion Houston...
had the lowest ERA in the majors. La Russa regularly credits Duncan as being a key factor in the success of the teams he has managed over the last 25 years.
In October 2010
2010 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2010 season was the 129th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri and the 119th season in the National League. The Cardinals began their season on the road against the Cincinnati Reds on April 5. St...
Duncan signed a 2-year contract extension, keeping him with the Cardinals through 2012 with an option for the 2013 season.
Personal life
Duncan and his wife, Jeanine, have two sons and two daughters. They live in Kimberling City, MissouriKimberling City, Missouri
Kimberling City is a city in Stone County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,253 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Kimberling City is located at ....
.
His younger son, Chris
Chris Duncan
Christopher Edwin Duncan is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman who is currently a free agent.He is the youngest son of Dave Duncan, a former catcher and current pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
, was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and made his major league debut in 2005
2005 Major League Baseball season
Click on any series score to link to that series' page.Higher seed had home field advantage during Division Series and League Championship Series.The American League champion had home field advantage during the World Series as a result of the AL victory in the 2005 All-Star...
. His older son, Shelley
Shelley Duncan
David Shelley Duncan is a Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians.-Personal:Duncan is the oldest son of Dave Duncan, a MLB catcher and pitching coach...
, was selected in the second round of the 2001 draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and had his major league debut on July 20, 2007. His nephew, Eric Duncan
Eric Duncan
Eric Anthony Duncan is an American baseball player who is currently in the Kansas City Royals organization.-Amateur career:...
, was selected in the first round of the 2003 draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
by the New York Yankees and currently plays for the Mississippi Braves
Mississippi Braves
The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and plays in the Southern League. The team is owned and operated by Liberty Media, which...
.
See also
External links
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