Jim Duffalo
Encyclopedia
James Francis Duffalo is a retired American
professional baseball
player. A right-handed relief pitcher
, Duffalo played all or part of five seasons (1961–65) in Major League Baseball
, and 18 years in organized baseball as a whole. He was a member of the 1962 National League champion San Francisco Giants
, but did not appear in the 1962 World Series
.
Listed at 6 in 1 in (1.85 m) and 175 pounds (79.4 kg), Duffalo entered the professional ranks as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates
' farm system in 1955, winning 17 games as a rookie in the Class D Georgia-Florida League
in 1955, then another 16 games in the Class B Carolina League
the following season. But the Pirates sent him to the Giants during the 1958 season, and Duffalo would play 119 of his 141 MLB games in a San Francisco uniform. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
for left-handed relief specialist Bill Henry
on May 4, 1965 — in what would be Duffalo's last major league season. However, he spent another seven seasons in minor league baseball
before his retirement in 1972 at age 36.
He compiled a 15–8 won/lost mark, with an earned run average
of 3.39 during his MLB career, starting
only 14 games, all for the Giants. As a minor league hurler, Duffalo was 110–72 with an ERA of 3.48 in 387 games and 1,655 innings pitched. He briefly coached in the Giants' farm system after his playing career ended.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
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....
player. A right-handed relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, Duffalo played all or part of five seasons (1961–65) 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...
, and 18 years in organized baseball as a whole. He was a member of the 1962 National League champion San Francisco Giants
1962 San Francisco Giants season
The 1962 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in first place in the National League with a record of 103 wins and 62 losses. They finished the season tied with their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, for first place in the league, necessitating a three-game tiebreaker playoff to...
, but did not appear in the 1962 World Series
1962 World Series
The 1962 World Series matched the defending American League and World Series champions New York Yankees against the National League champion San Francisco Giants, who had won their first NL pennant since 1954 and first since moving from New York in 1958, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a...
.
Listed at 6 in 1 in (1.85 m) and 175 pounds (79.4 kg), Duffalo entered the professional ranks as a member of the 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...
' farm system in 1955, winning 17 games as a rookie in the Class D Georgia-Florida League
Georgia-Florida League
The Georgia-Florida League was a minor baseball league that existed from 1935 through 1958 and in 1962–1963...
in 1955, then another 16 games in the Class B Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. 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...
the following season. But the Pirates sent him to the Giants during the 1958 season, and Duffalo would play 119 of his 141 MLB games in a San Francisco uniform. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for left-handed relief specialist Bill Henry
Bill Henry
William Rodman Henry is a retired American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, he appeared in Major League Baseball between and for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Houston Astros...
on May 4, 1965 — in what would be Duffalo's last major league season. However, he spent another seven seasons in minor league baseball
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...
before his retirement in 1972 at age 36.
He compiled a 15–8 won/lost mark, with an 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...
of 3.39 during his MLB career, starting
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
only 14 games, all for the Giants. As a minor league hurler, Duffalo was 110–72 with an ERA of 3.48 in 387 games and 1,655 innings pitched. He briefly coached in the Giants' farm system after his playing career ended.