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Duffy 2500 Hits
DUFFY CLAIMS 2,500TH SAFETY AS REDS DEFEAT CARDINALS
By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
September 22nd, 1902
St. Louis, Mo.—Another page was written into the chronicles of base ball yesterday, as veteran outfielder Hugh Duffy of the Cincinnati Reds collected the 2,500th hit of his illustrious career. The milestone came during the Reds’ 8–5 triumph over the Cardinals, a victory that lifted Cincinnati’s mark to 64–67.
The historic blow came in the third inning, a clean safety that set in motion a two-run rally. Duffy himself crossed the plate in that frame, putting the visitors ahead 3–1. He would finish the afternoon two-for-five, scoring twice and reminding all that even in the twilight of his career, he remains a dangerous presence at the dish.
Since being traded mid-summer from St. Louis, the 35-year-old centerfielder has given the Reds both experience and fire. Despite playing only 69 games this season, Duffy has struck at a remarkable .330 clip, adding to his lifetime average of .325 amassed since his debut in 1888.
Speaking afterward, Duffy was modest in his reflection:
“I never set out to reach numbers, only to do my duty each day with bat and glove. Still, 2,500 hits is a fine mark, and I’m grateful to have shared this day with my teammates. To be traded midseason and still feel so at home here in Cincinnati speaks to the character of this club.”
Manager Bid McPhee, himself a legend of the game now guiding the Reds from the bench, praised his veteran star:
“Hugh Duffy has been everything we hoped for and more since joining us. His bat remains lively, his example steady, and his spirit infectious. Any young player in this club need only watch Duffy to learn what it means to be a professional.”
As the season winds down, Duffy’s accomplishment will stand as one of the shining highlights, a reminder of a career marked by consistency, skill, and determination.
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