TTM Stats
- Sent: 6/21/2022 | Received: 7/2/2022 | 11 Days
- ’69 Topps, ’72 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Dave Duncan, born David Edwin Duncan on September 26, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, is a notable figure in baseball history, recognized for his contributions as both a player and a coach. His career, spanning over five decades, reflects his dedication and impact on the sport.
Duncan attended Crawford High School in San Diego, California, where he showcased his baseball talents. He began his professional journey when he signed with the Kansas City Athletics in 1963. Duncan made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on May 6, 1964, at the age of 18, making him the youngest player in the American League at that time.
Primarily serving as a catcher, Duncan played for several teams during his 11-year MLB career:
- Kansas City/Oakland Athletics (1964, 1967–1972): Duncan was part of the Athletics during their transition from Kansas City to Oakland. He played a role in the team’s success, contributing to their World Series championship in 1972.
- Cleveland Indians (1973–1974): After his tenure with the Athletics, Duncan joined the Cleveland Indians, where he continued to demonstrate his skills as a reliable catcher.
- Baltimore Orioles (1975–1976): Duncan concluded his playing career with the Orioles, sharing catching duties and providing veteran leadership to the team.
Over 929 MLB games, Duncan achieved a batting average of .214, with 109 home runs and 341 runs batted in (RBI). Despite a modest batting average, his power-hitting ability was notable, with a home run every 26.5 at-bats—a ratio surpassing some Hall of Famers.
Following his retirement as a player, Duncan embarked on a prolific coaching career, primarily focusing on developing pitchers. He began coaching with the Cleveland Indians in 1978 and later served with the Seattle Mariners in 1982. His most significant coaching tenures were alongside manager Tony La Russa with the Chicago White Sox (1983–1986), Oakland Athletics (1986–1995), and St. Louis Cardinals (1996–2011).
Duncan’s expertise as a pitching coach was instrumental in the success of several pitchers, leading to four Cy Young Awards under his guidance:
- LaMarr Hoyt (1983): Chicago White Sox
- Bob Welch (1990): Oakland Athletics
- Dennis Eckersley (1992): Oakland Athletics
- Chris Carpenter (2005): St. Louis Cardinals
His coaching contributions were pivotal in securing World Series championships for the Athletics in 1989 and the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011.
Duncan’s personal life has been intertwined with baseball. His sons, Chris and Shelley Duncan, both pursued professional baseball careers, reflecting the family’s deep connection to the sport. Tragically, his wife, Jeanine, passed away in 2013 after battling brain cancer, and his son Chris died in 2019 from the same illness.
In recognition of his significant contributions to baseball, Duncan was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, underscoring his impact as both a player and a coach.
Dave Duncan’s enduring legacy in baseball is marked by his transition from a power-hitting catcher to a revered pitching coach, leaving an indelible mark on the teams and players he mentored throughout his extensive career.
The Score on Dave Duncan – 8.0
Dave has been such a big part of the pitching in baseball over the years – it’s so great to have cards of his signed. I think that 1972 Topps card looks really great of these two, but in the end both are pretty great.
Thanks Mr. Duncan! I’m giving this return an 8 overall.
This is my second successful return from him. To see the first return, check out my post from September 2022.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.