Duffy unlikely to face Giants
SAN FRANCISCO — If the scenario could be scripted, Matt Duffy would receive a hero’s welcome from the Oracle Park patrons during Thursday night’s Giants-Cubs series opener. They would shower him with an ovation before his first plate appearance to show him that they continue to appreciate his ardor for competing.
Unfortunately for Duffy and his faithful followers, whether this scene will unfold is uncertain. He remains on Chicago’s injured list with a strained lower back. Before being sidelined, Duffy had begun to display his typical form by recording several clutch hits while batting .278 in 38 games.
“I’m not optimistic,” Duffy said regarding whether he’ll face the Giants for the first time since they traded him to Tampa Bay in the Matt Moore deal on Aug. 1, 2016. “It’s pretty frustrating.”
Duffy, who expected to accompany the Cubs to San Francisco, acknowledged that he’ll derive a special feeling from returning to his original Major League home.
“I had some of the best years of my life there, obviously,” said Duffy, who appeared in 253 games as a Giant from 2014–16. “I’m anticipating something from an emotional standpoint.”
Something from an emotional standpoint could occur on Thursday even with Duffy unavailable to play. The Giants, who cherish their distinguished alumni, could salute Duffy by presenting a between-innings video montage of selected highlights on the scoreboard. There he is again, scoring from second base on a wild pitch in Game 2 of the 2014 National League Championship Series. Or delivering any of the numerous key hits he recorded in 2015, when he finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting and became the first rookie to win the prestigious “Willie Mac” Award. Then a camera would switch live to Duffy in the Cubs’ dugout, eliciting hearty applause.
During a phone interview earlier this week. Duffy struck a philosophical chord, which always came naturally for him. Overcoming low expectations influenced his outlook. He worked diligently just to make his high school team (Lakewood, Calif.), and generated little buzz among professional scouts in three college seasons at Long Beach State, where he batted .253. The Giants drafted him in the 18th round, 568th overall, in 2012.
Adversity also shaped Duffy’s mindset. Plagued by an Achilles injury since the final weeks of his Giants tenure, he didn’t play at all in 2017 and 2020. The Cubs are the fourth organization to employ him since he left the Giants.
“No matter how well we do play, there will always be an end. Whether that’s tomorrow or five years from now, you will not play forever,” the 30-year-old said. “You’re always dreading that day, so enjoy the time you have in the big leagues … I think being out of the big leagues last year and feeling like I’m fighting for a couple of years kind of helps bring that perspective out. Hey, just being here is so frickin’ sick. Enjoy it as long as you have it.”
Soon after Duffy wrested the third-base job from Casey McGehee in May of 2015, many experts rated him, shortstop Brandon Crawford, second baseman Joe Panik and first baseman Brandon Belt as one of the best infield combinations in the Major Leagues. Duffy contributed while performing as if every game were his last.
For all he knows, each game could be. That simply raises the stakes each time he steps on the diamond.
“It wouldn’t be as cool,” he said, “if each game were guaranteed.”
