Duffy Lewis enjoyed a long and notable career in Major League Baseball, serving in many capacities. He started playing minor league baseball in 1907 at age 19 and left his post as the Braves traveling secretary 55 years later at age 74.

The left fielder got his start with the Alameda Grays in the independent California State League. After three seasons in the minors, Lewis joined the Red Sox in 1910 as an everyday player. He adapted well, leading American League players at his position in assists during each of his first four seasons.

When the Red Sox moved to Fenway Park in 1912, the field featured a 10-foot high incline leading to the left-field wall. Lewis worked tirelessly to learn how to manage it. Soon, he played the sloped patch of grass so well that it became known as “Duffy’s Cliff”.

Known for solid hitting and exceptional fielding, Lewis played a vital role in establishing the Red Sox as a powerhouse in the early 20th century. He helped the Sox earn World Series titles in 1912, 1915, and 1916.

Lewis’s time in Boston came to an end when was traded to the Yankees on December 18, 1918. The Red Sox sent him, along with Dutch Leonard and Ernie Shore, for three players and cash. Lewis’s departure marked the end of the great Sox dynasty.

Duffy spent two seasons in New York, hitting a respectable .272 in 248 games. Lewis’s final campaign in the majors as a player came in 1921 with the Washington Senators.

After his big league playing career ended, Lewis transitioned to a player-manager role in the minors from 1922 to 1927. Following that, he managed Maine’s Portland Eskimos through the 1929 season.

The Great Depression financially impacted Duffy and his family. In response, Lewis returned to baseball, serving as a coach for the Boston Braves from 1931 to 1935. His insights and experience proved instrumental in developing young talent during this period.

In 1936, Lewis became the traveling secretary for the Braves, holding the position for over a quarter century. In this role, he earned a reputation for spending money on first-class arrangements for his club. A snappy dresser, Lewis also became known as a big tipper. He officially left the game in 1962 at age 74.

Lifelong baseball man Duffy Lewis left an indelible mark on the sport. He made this impact through his impressive playing record and his dedication to nurturing the next generation of players. As traveling secretary, he took care of the ballplayers and everyone he interacted with.

Duffy Lewis passed away on September 5, 1979, leaving a lasting legacy in baseball.

Here is a handwritten letter from Duffy. Billy Southworth serves as the team’s skipper on the letterhead. This dates the letter between 1946 and 1951. Lewis appears as the team’s traveling secretary on the letterhead.

Duffy Lewis, Tris Speaker, and Harry Hooper formed the Red Sox “Golden Outfield” from 1910 to 1915. Together, they helped bring World Series titles to Boston in 1912 and 1915.

After Speaker was traded to Cleveland in early April 1916, Hooper and Lewis earned another championship at season’s end. Hooper won a fourth title in 1918, while Lewis served in the Navy during World War I.

Notably, Hooper is the only Red Sox player to compete in four different World Series. Although Heinie Wagner was Hooper’s teammate on all those championship clubs, he played only in the 1912 triumph.

Interestingly, Lewis mentions Hooper in the handwritten letter shown in the first image on this page. For more information on the Hall of Fame outfielder and four-time World Series champ Hooper, click here.

The postcard above is autographed by Harry Hooper.

When Duffy Lewis joined the Red Sox in 1910, Bill Carrigan served as the everyday catcher. They remained teammates until Lewis’ final year in Boston. In their last four seasons together, Carrigan also took on the role of player-manager.

After winning a World Series with manager Jake Stahl in 1912, Carrigan became the skipper. Under Carrigan’s leadership, the Red Sox captured two consecutive Fall Classic titles starting in 1915. By the end of 1916, Carrigan retired as a three-time World Series champion.

Lewis shone on baseball’s biggest stage under Carrigan. In the 1915 and 1916 Series, he went 14-for-35, adding three walks, three doubles, a triple, one home run, and six RBI. His performance produced an impressive slash line of .400/.447/.629 and an OPS of 1.076.

However, after the Sox won their fourth title of the decade in 1918, the team faced struggles. Boston finished sixth in 1919 and could not escape the second division for the next eight seasons. Consequently, the team coaxed Carrigan out of retirement in 1927. They hoped to regain their October magic, but the Sox instead finished last in the American League during all three of Carrigan’s return seasons.

Ultimately, the blame did not rest on Carrigan. Boston finished last or next-to-last every year from 1922 to 1933, showcasing twelve years of futility.

This 3×5 index card features two signatures from Carrigan.

Later in life, Duffy Lewis enjoyed sharing stories about his time in professional baseball. One of his favorites featured a young Babe Ruth pitching for the Boston Red Sox.

Before Ruth became the game’s top slugger, he excelled as on the mound. Lewis often recounted this tale about the day the Bambino debuted on July 11, 1914.

While pitching for Boston, Ruth held the Cleveland Naps scoreless through the first six innings. However, he surrendered two runs in the seventh.

In the bottom half, Lewis pinch-hit for Ruth, ending the pitcher’s day. Duffy reached base with an infield single. The Red Sox scored in that inning, giving Ruth a win in his first big league game. Lewis loved regaling anyone who would listen with how he helped the 19-year-old Ruth start his career with a victory.

This personal check, filled out and signed by Ruth on July 1, 1937, shows his payment to his wife Claire for $1,000. It bears the Bambino’s signature, “GH Ruth,” at the bottom. “Babe Ruth” is printed on the left side. One can only imagine what $1,000 could buy during the Great Depression.

Babe Ruth signed many items, and his autographs appear on nearly every medium. The value of his signatures continues to rise due to strong demand.

Autographed pictures of the Bambino are especially sought after. Ruth signed copies of this photo later in life. Most examples of his autograph on this photo are personalized and written in green ink, just like this one.