Duffy Dyer
Encyclopedia
Donald Robert "Duffy" Dyer (born August 15, 1945 in Dayton, Ohio
) is a former American
professional
baseball
player and coach
. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for the New York Mets
(1968
-1974
), Pittsburgh Pirates
(1975
-1978
), Montreal Expos
(1979
), and Detroit Tigers
(1980
-1981
).
and Rick Monday
as a member of the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team that won the 1965 College World Series
. He was drafted by the Mets in the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft
and backed up Jerry Grote
as a member of the 1969 Miracle Mets
team that went on to win the World Series
. Dyer caught most of the Mets games in 1972
, as Grote battled injuries. In 94 games, he posted career-highs with 8 home run
s and 36 runs batted in. He also led National League catchers in double play
s and in baserunners caught stealing
, finished second in assists
and, third in fielding percentage
. In 1973
, Dyer was part of the Mets team that staged another miraculous season when they came from last place on August 30 to win the National League Eastern Division pennant
.
In October 1974
, Dyer was traded to the Pirates for Gene Clines
. He backed up Manny Sanguillen
and helped the Pirates win the 1975
National League Eastern Division. Dyer was the Pirates catcher on August 9, 1976
, when John Candelaria
pitched
a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers
. In 1977
the Pirates traded away Sanguillen, and Dyer shared catching duties with Ed Ott
in a platoon system
. Dyer led National League catchers in 1977 with a .995 fielding percentage
, committing only two errors
in 93 games.
and had 441 hits
in 1,993 at bats for a .221 Batting Average
, along with 151 runs
, 74 doubles
, 11 triples
, 30 home runs, 173 RBI, 10 stolen bases, 228 walks, .306 On-base percentage, .315 slugging percentage, 627 total bases
, 16 sacrifice bunts, 10 sacrifice flies and 49 intentional walks. In he led National League catchers in range factor
and baserunners caught stealing
, and finished second in assists
.
In , Dyer was inducted into the Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame.
, the Milwaukee Brewers
and the Oakland Athletics
.
As a minor league
manager
, he led the Class-A Kenosha Twins
to a Midwest League
championship in 1985
. In 1986
he managed the El Paso Diablos
to a first place finish in the Texas League
.
Dyer was hired by the San Diego Padres
in as a catching coordinator.
", Ben (Rob Morrow) refers to Duffy Dyer as "a cultural icon". Dyer's nickname came from the popular radio show Duffy's Tavern
. His mother had been listening to the show when she went into labor, and asked "How's Duffy?" after giving birth.
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
) is a former American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 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...
. He played 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...
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...
for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(1968
1968 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the 7th regular season for the Mets. They went 73-89 and finished 9th in the National League. They were managed by Gil Hodges...
-1974
1974 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the 13th regular season for the Mets, who played home games at Shea Stadium. Led by manager Yogi Berra, the team had a 71-91 record yielding a fifth place finish in the National League East.- Offseason :...
), Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1975
1975 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 89th in the history of the franchise. The Pirates' 92-69 record was good enough to win their fifth National League East title in six seasons by 6½ games over their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies...
-1978
1978 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* December 8, 1977: Al Oliver and Nelson Norman were traded by the Pirates to the Texas Rangers as part of a four-team trade. Bert Blyleven was traded by the Rangers to the Pirates, and John Milner was traded by the New York Mets to the Pirates...
), Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(1979
1979 Montreal Expos season
- Offseason :* November 28, 1978: Duffy Dyer was signed as a free agent by the Expos.* December 4, 1978: Ken Macha was drafted by the Expos from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1978 rule 5 draft....
), and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1980
1980 Detroit Tigers season
The 1980 Detroit Tigers finished in fourth place in the American League East with a record of 84-78, 19 games behind the Yankees. They outscored their opponents 830 to 757...
-1981
1981 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers finished in fourth place in the American League East with a record of 31-26 in the first half of the season, and in third place with a record of 29-23 in the second half, for an overall record of 60-49. They outscored their opponents 427 to 404...
).
Playing career
Dyer played alongside Sal BandoSal Bando
Salvatore Leonard Bando is a former third baseman and executive in professional baseball who played for the Kansas City & Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw right-handed. During the A's championship years of 1971-75, he captained the team and led the club in runs batted...
and Rick Monday
Rick Monday
Robert James "Rick" Monday, Jr. is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcast announcer. From 1966 through 1984, Monday, a center fielder for most of his career, played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
as a member of the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team that won the 1965 College World Series
1965 College World Series
The 1965 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 7 to June 12. The nineteenth tournament's champion was Arizona State University, coached by Bobby Winkles...
. He was drafted by the Mets in the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft
1966 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :A January free agent amateur draft was added for the first time in 1966. Ninety-five prospects were selected in the regular phase and 102 in the secondary phase of the...
and backed up Jerry Grote
Jerry Grote
Gerald Wayne Grote is a former professional baseball player. He played the majority of his Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the New York Mets and was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.-Early life:...
as a member of the 1969 Miracle Mets
1969 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the eighth season for the Mets franchise, which played its home games at Shea Stadium. Managed by Gil Hodges, the team went 100-62, finishing first in the newly-established National League East by eight games over the Chicago Cubs...
team that went on to win the World Series
1969 World Series
The 1969 World Series was played between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, with the Mets prevailing in five games to accomplish one of the greatest upsets in Series history, as that particular Orioles squad was considered to be one of the finest ever...
. Dyer caught most of the Mets games in 1972
1972 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the 11th regular season for the Mets, who played home games at Shea Stadium. Led by manager Yogi Berra, the team had a 83-73 record yielding a third place finish in the National League's Eastern Division.- Death of Gil Hodges :...
, as Grote battled injuries. In 94 games, he posted career-highs with 8 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 and 36 runs batted in. He also led National League catchers in double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s and in baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
, finished second in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and, third in 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...
. In 1973
1973 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the 12th regular season for the Mets, who played home games at Shea Stadium. Manager Yogi Berra led the team to a National League East title with an 82–79 record, the National League pennant and a defeat at the hands of the Oakland Athletics in the World Series...
, Dyer was part of the Mets team that staged another miraculous season when they came from last place on August 30 to win the National League Eastern Division pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
.
In October 1974
1974 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*1974 World Series: Oakland Athletics over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Rollie Fingers, MVP*All-Star Game, July 23 at Three Rivers Stadium: National League, 7-2; Steve Garvey, MVP-Other champions:...
, Dyer was traded to the Pirates for Gene Clines
Gene Clines
Eugene Anthony Clines is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, Clines played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Mets , Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs . He was also the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs from 2005-2006...
. He backed up Manny Sanguillen
Manny Sanguillen
Manuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland...
and helped the Pirates win the 1975
1975 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 89th in the history of the franchise. The Pirates' 92-69 record was good enough to win their fifth National League East title in six seasons by 6½ games over their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies...
National League Eastern Division. Dyer was the Pirates catcher on August 9, 1976
1976 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 90th in the National League, and the 95th in franchise history. The Pirates compiled a 92-70 record during the season, as they finished in second place in the NL East, nine games behind their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. As a result, their...
, when John Candelaria
John Candelaria
John Robert Candelaria . He attended The Caton School P.S. 249. Nicknamed "The Candy Man," is a former professional left-handed pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles...
pitched
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers
1976 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the season in second place in the western division of the National League. The big news was when long-time manager of two decades Walter Alston resigned abruptly near the end of the season and was replaced by Tommy Lasorda who would manage the team for two decades...
. In 1977
1977 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* November 5, 1976: Manny Sanguillén was traded by the Pirates to the Oakland Athletics for manager Chuck Tanner.* December 10, 1976: Richie Zisk and Silvio Martínez were traded by the Pirates to the Chicago White Sox for Goose Gossage and Terry Forster.* March 15, 1977: Rick Langford,...
the Pirates traded away Sanguillen, and Dyer shared catching duties with Ed Ott
Ed Ott
Nathan Edward Ott is a former professional baseball catcher and coach who played in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels between 1974 and 1981...
in a platoon system
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...
. Dyer led National League catchers in 1977 with a .995 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...
, committing only two 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 93 games.
Career statistics
In 14 seasons Dyer played in 722 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,...
and had 441 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 1,993 at bats for a .221 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 :...
, along with 151 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 74 doubles
Double (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....
, 11 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 30 home runs, 173 RBI, 10 stolen bases, 228 walks, .306 On-base percentage, .315 slugging percentage, 627 total bases
Total bases
In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total....
, 16 sacrifice bunts, 10 sacrifice flies and 49 intentional walks. In he led National 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...
and baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
, and finished second in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
.
In , Dyer was inducted into the Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame.
Managing and coaching career
After his playing career, Dyer worked as a coach for the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and the 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....
.
As a minor league
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...
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...
, he led the Class-A Kenosha Twins
Kenosha Twins
The Kenosha Twins began play in the Midwest League in 1984 when the club relocated from Wisconsin Rapids. In 1992, the team was sold, and the following year, they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where they became known as the Fort Wayne Wizards. They played their home games at Simmons Field, located...
to a Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
championship in 1985
1985 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Kansas City Royals over St. Louis Cardinals ; Bret Saberhagen, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: George Brett*National League Championship Series MVP: Ozzie Smith...
. In 1986
1986 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox ; Ray Knight, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marty Barrett*National League Championship Series MVP: Mike Scott...
he managed the El Paso Diablos
El Paso Diablos
The El Paso Diablos are a professional baseball team based in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The Diablos are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2005 season to the...
to a first place finish in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
.
Dyer was hired by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in as a catching coordinator.
Popular culture
In the film "Into My HeartInto My Heart
Into My Heart is a 1998 motion picture featuring Rob Morrow and Claire Forlani. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 9, 1998, the drama documents a love triangle involving a woman and two childhood friends, focusing on the themes of marriage, adultery and betrayal. It was written...
", Ben (Rob Morrow) refers to Duffy Dyer as "a cultural icon". Dyer's nickname came from the popular radio show Duffy's Tavern
Duffy's Tavern
Duffy's Tavern was a popular American radio situation comedy which ran for a decade on several networks , concluding with the December 28, 1951 broadcast....
. His mother had been listening to the show when she went into labor, and asked "How's Duffy?" after giving birth.