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Duffy Dyer
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 82 of 1233 players
Don Robert Dyer
Born: August 15, 1945 at Dayton, O.
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Height: 6.00 Weight: 200

Duffy Dyer was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on August 15, 2006, August 15, 2015, August 17, 2015, September 6, 2019, May 2, 2021, May 12, 2021, and October 22, 2021.

First Mets game: September 21, 1968
Last Mets game: October 2, 1974

Share your memories of Duffy Dyer HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY: Matt Ward I remember watching the Mets during the '72 season and he spent a lot a time behind the dish....and I got so used to seeing number 10 from that behind the plate view on TV. That was my first season as a Mets fan and I think I remember Dyer more fondly than even Grote. Anyway, it's a pleasure to be the first to post memories of the Duffster....I wonder what he's doing these days anyway. Is he a coach? Is he involved in those fantasy camps...or is he a used car salesman? Hmmmmmm. Bob Hackett Duffy's managing for the Bluefield Orioles in the Appalachian League this year (2000). Bob Koenig January 23, 2001 Took my girlfriend to Opening Day in 1969 to see the new NL team, the Expos. The Mets never won on Opening Day, but this seemed like their best chance ever. After all, the Expos have never played before. Naturally, the new team pounded the Mets. We were heading for the exits in the 9th when Hodges sent Duffy Dyer up to pinch-hit. "Duffy Who?" I said. I told Patty, "Let's go, this one's over." I no sooner had the words out of my mouth then Duffy launched a homer over the right field wall. We still lost that day, 11-10, when the ninth inning rally fell short, but Duffy Dyer made a fan for life of Patty Tunnock. Charlie June 5, 2001 I grew up in Long Island in the 60's and 70's. I was a big Mets fan and a Little League catcher. I tried to model myself after Jerry Grote and Johnny Bench. J.C. Martin and Duffy Dyer were also favorites of mine. In 74 I moved to Phoenix AZ and went to Cortez High Scool and found out that Duffy Dyer had graduated from there in the 60's. I saw him at the school at a ballgame in 76. I walked up and introduced myself and told him I was a fan. He seemed shocked that anyone would recognize him. Bill Demory who played QB for the Jets also graduated from Cortez High in Phoenix. (Alice Cooper too) Andrew Jarosh August 30, 2001 I remember Duffy having some key hits down the stretch in that amazing, 1973 "You Gotta Believe" season. I still don't believe Yogi gets the credit he deserves as a manager; he won that year with a team kept together with baling wire, and decent pitching, to almost winning the World Series. Up 3-2, before losing to Reggie Jackson and the A's, with a very hurt Rusty Staub playing heroically in the series. Timothy H. Chappell November 7, 2001 Not many remember it was Duffy who caught John Candelaria's no-hitter against the Dodgers when he was with the Pirates. He was also catching the game for the Mets against the Pirates when Roberto Clemente collected his 3,000 and final hit. Duffy is a great guy who is very down to earth and loves the game of baseball. I would love to see him become manager of an MLB team. Al M. November 23, 2001 I became a Met's fan in 1964 due to my dad being a frustrated Brooklyn Dodger fan. Of course, I always took to the catchers on the Mets because I caught in the Ozone Howard Little League in Queens, NY. Dyer was one of my favorites... but I really couldn't tell you why. Move to Father's Day 2001 in Bridgeport, CT. I go to a one day fantasy camp with the Bluefish, and who is pitching BP? Dyer, of course, who manages for the B'Fish. Robert W. Byrne January 27, 2002 I have been a loyal Duffy Dyer fan since the early 70's. As a catcher, I was proud to wear number 10 on my jersey in little league right through college. My father often took us to Mets games at Shea. I would get to the stadium with great anticipation of seeing Duffy play, but my heart was usually broken when I'd look up at the scoreboard to see that number 15 was catching instead. I really hated Jerry Grote, only because I sincerely felt that Duffy was a billion times better! At the end of the games, we waited behind the stadium for the players to exit to their cars, and I'd scream and shout for Duffy's attention when he came into view, hoping he'd come over to the fence and sign my catcher's mitt. Though he never did, I was still thrilled to see him up close, and that thrill lasted for several days afterwards! My many post-game fan letters were always acknowledged with an autographed photo. I will always remember the sadness I felt in 1972, when Duffy was put in right field at the end of a game. I thought that was such an insult to him. When a shot was hit to him, and he missed it, I felt even worse. I guess that was the first and last time he played the outfield. Duffy often came through in the pinch, hitting homers and base hits that scored needed Mets runs. At times like that, I stayed glued to the TV to watch him on Kiner's Korner! When Duffy was traded to Pittsburgh in 1975, I stopped being a Mets fan out of a sense of loyalty and solidarity; the team was just not the same without him. It angered me that Rusty Staub took Duffy's number the following season. I was always very proud of Duffy, whether he was behind the plate, in the bullpen, or sitting in the dugout. I guess I felt a lot of connection with Duffy because I, like him, was the "second string" catcher whose talents just never seemed to be fully appreciated.Nevertheless, Duffy will always be first string in my memory and in my heart...a perfect 10. I wish him well in his current coaching career and in anything else he undertakes. I hope if he ever reads this, he'll know that he is not forgotten by those of us who remain his biggest fans Jim Snedeker March 11, 2002 Good old Duffy. I remember how when we used to play a double-header (remember them?), Grote would always catch the first game and Duffy the second. I recall one stretch of games sometime in the early 70's when Duffy was hitting everything in sight, game after game. Grote musta been injured. My little sister had a big crush on him, too. Larry Burns June 14, 2002 The Duff-Man. He was the perennial backup to Jerry Grote. I remember many people liked him---there is some weird attraction for fans to backup catchers. He was an average major league backup with a pretty cool nickname. He certainly gains points because he was the guest speaker at my Little League graduation. He was the 1st major leaguer I saw and heard live, for that I will always fondly think of Duffy! Mike Harrison August 7, 2002 Everyone has a favorite nondescript player that we root for. Growing up in the Bronx in the early 70's it was Duffy Dyer. I remember the one game he played right field. Injuries were killing the Mets in 72. In an emergency situation against the Giants, Grote was playing 3rd, Joe Nolan was catching, and Duffy was forced into the game in right. He butchered the only ball hit to him. To this 10 year old boy a catcher going to the outfield was some remarkable feat of heroism. In 1983 I attended a game at Wrigley, Cubs vs Mets. Lo and behold Duffy was a coach for the Cubs. My friend gave him a softball (why he came with a softball I don't know) to sign. Duffy looked at it and yelled over to Seaver who was taking batting practice and said "Seaver, looks like one of your fastballs." Metsmind December 23, 2002 I also saw Duffy as a soft player as a Met. But on a recent trip to Tempe, Az., I was surprised to learn he had been a star player for the Sun Devils mets May 29, 2003 I met Duffy Dyer at Donovan's Pub in Jackson Heights one night. A real class individual. I remember him hitting a home run opening day in 1969 against the Expos. The Expos were an expansion team and beat the Mets 11-10 that day. Frank September 19, 2003 Duffy Dyer got the biggest hit in Met history - regular season. I describe this in detail in the fan memory section of the game with Pittsburgh on September 20, 1973. It was a pinch-hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth with the Mets down by a run and a man on second. It tied the game. They would not have won the division without this incredible clutch hit in the most remarkable Met game in regular season team history. I will never forget it. Kevin McLaughlin October 3, 2003 I hate to be the wet blanket, but Dyer was awful. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he was an average (at best) fielder, and a terrible hitter. If Grote didn't keep getting hurt during those years, Dyer would never have played. I couldn't stand him, because he was as close to an automatic out as the Mets had in their lineup. And better than Grote? You've got to be kidding! Ron Hodges was a step up from him. I think that says it all. Roman Ganuza October 10, 2003 I don't know what it is about Duffy Dyer that stands out for me during my early years of watching the Mets. But to me, Duffy was just as much a part of the 72 - 73 Mets as any other Met was. I don't remember Duffy as being a spectacular player, but he definitely was part of the Mets family. I was saddened when the Mets traded him away (to the Pirates I think). But I do remember Duffy homering at Shea when he returned that same year. As Duffy rounded second he waved a fist. I was very happy for him. Many other fans were happy too. I don't know where you are now Duffy, but I hope you're happy. Thanks for the memories. Bob P October 21, 2003 Roman, according to the most recent info I could find, Duffy is a Major League scout with the Mets. He is an advance scout covering the National League. Duffy managed the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League in 2001 and 2002, and left that team to re-join the Mets in February 2003. He also managed at Bluefield in the Appalchian Rookie League (1999-2000), and then back in the 1980s he managed three years in the Brewers organization and two years in the Twins organization. His minor league managing record is 574- 496. Stu Paul August 3, 2004 Bob P. is absolutely right. Duffy is a Mets scout. I live and work in San Antonio, Texas (where Jerry Grote is from and where he still lives) and I am the broadcaster for the San Antonio Missions, the Mariners' Double A affiliate. In the press box, through glasses, a moustache, and gray hair, lo and behold, it was Duffy. I introduced myself to him tonight, as a matter of fact. Great guy. I reminded him of the home run he hit in one of the games of the Banner Day Doubleheader on August 17, 1969 against the Padres at Shea. He just got recalled from Triple A Tidewater and was sent up to pinch hit. He hit a three-run homer to help the Mets win. He remembers that home run well. He still wears his World Series ring. Still looks great for a man soon to be 59 (next month on August 15th). Good luck to Duffy with the Mets. Welcome back. Hope he can recruit great talent that can help the Mets get back on track. Bob P August 10, 2004 Stu, thanks for sharing the information about Duffy! I just looked up the game you mentioned and it was game one of the doubleheader that Sunday, August 17. The Mets fell behind early, 2-0, but in the fifth inning with one out Donn Clendenon and Bud Harrelson singled and then Duffy hit his three run homer off Joe Niekro. The only thing to change in the story is that it was not a pinch-homer. Duffy was in the starting lineup that day, batting eighth. He flied out in the third and grounded out in the eighth in addition to the homer. The next time you see Duffy please tell him that there are many Mets fans who remember him fondly, and that we wish him well!! Kiwiwriter September 8, 2004 I remember he had to do a lot of the catching in 1973 when Jerry Grote was hurt, and he played hard. Joe P. September 12, 2004 I will always remember Duffy because I had his baseball card as one of my "2 head loaded" cheat card for flipping (you guys that played the same game know what I am talking about) . KMT March 31, 2005 He did a great job in '72 filling in for Grote. Actually held the Met record for homers by a catcher with 8 until Carter broke it years later! I remember Duffy stealing a win. He was on third with less than 2 outs, someone hit a pop-up between the mound and third. Duffy starts down the line, yelling I got it, I got it! Both players let the ball drop, and Duffy scored the run. Pretty funny after all these years! George Felonbrenner May 12, 2005 His biggest accomplishment was leading the Mets in getting beaned by a pitch 5 times in 1972. That should tell you something about his career. Buzz May 13, 2005 Duffy had a huge hit in one of the most exciting Mets games ever during the pennant drive of 1973. It came in the Mets-Pirates game of September 20th which the Mets won in extra-innings 4-3. In the bottom of the ninth the Mets were losing 3-2 and there were 2 outs and a man on second when Dyer pinch hit a double to left center that scored the tying run and the Mets went on to win the game in the bottom of the 13th on rookie Ron Hodges single to left. Dyer's double was a high fly ball that was perfectly placed between the left and center fielders that didn't even roll to the wall but it got the job done. And that's what Dyer was: he wasn't flashy but got the job done. Not only did Hodges' game-winning hit overshadow Dyer's heroics that day but this was also the game where in the top of the 13th the Pirates' Dave Augustine hit a double off the left field fence that popped high into the air landing in Cleon Jones' glove in left then Jones relayed to Garrett who nailed the go-ahead run at the plate (Hodges made the tag). What a great game with lots of heroes and the unsung Duffy Dyer was one of them. Bob P May 18, 2005 The May 12 post is totally uncalled for. Duffy Dyer played over 700 major league games and was on one World Series champion, one NL champion, and one NL East Division champion. He also was on the 1965 and 1966 College World Series champion Arizona State teams (with Sal Bando and Reggie Jackson). Duffy was a role player and a fine backup to Jerry Grote in an era where teams did not look to catchers (except Johnny Bench) to provide a lot of offense. He has stayed in baseball to this date. Bill Nahabedian June 8, 2005 I remember my 1969 Little League awards banquet where he was the guest speaker. He not only spoke, but stuck around and answered questions and signed baseballs. I still have mine! We didn't care that he was only a back-up, he was a ballplayer! Mary Ann P. April 19, 2006 I was a huge fan of Duffy Dyer. I was 14 years old in 1972 and had a big crush on him. I had autographed pictures of him on my bedroom wall. Years later, I even named my dog after him. It wasn't easy since my brothers were Yankee fans. They wanted to name him Bucky (after Bucky Dent), but I won. Anyway, I also wonder what he's been doing nowadays. Hank M April 28, 2006 Duffy was one of my Mets favorites. His lifetime statistics may not be very impressive, but his career was not about numbers. It was about being a player, developing special skills and doing things for the team when called upon. This last part was never more evident than in 1972. Taking over for an injured Jerry Grote, Duffy did more than just fill a void. He became the Mets' top slugger, giving the team some offensive punch that it didn't normally have at that time. He had a total of 8 homers that season, the same total Grote had from '70 to '73 combined. A student of the game, Duffy was trained well at Arizona State and in the major leagues, where he spent 14 seasons. He's had success managing in the minor leagues. It's a shame that he has never gotten a major league manager's job. Being a true baseball professional, he would be a good one. Mari July 17, 2007 Duffy was my favorite Met player back in the 70's. He is a great guy, always nice and made time for all of his fans. We still kept in touch for quite some time after he was traded to the Pirates and his wife would send us Pirate memorabilia. It was great when he got to play and he was always ready and played hard. Things were just different then, they weren't paid as much and they didn't complain and gave way more of themselves that the players of today. You just don't find guys like him anymore - they broke the mold. George Paduano July 17, 2007 Back in the 70s, I spent the day on a promotional train from station to station between the Mets and the Long Island Rail Road. I asked Duffy if I could get a picture of the two of us and I guess I got him at the wrong time, because he refused. Later in the day he apologized and he had someone take a picture of the two of us. CB October 19, 2007 I met Duffy while attending the banquet after my brother participated with Mets fantasy camp a few years ago. I was about 40 and when I met him I was 8 all over again. He was an ABSOLUTE GENTLEMAN! I was concerned that my childhood hero may turn out to be anything else but pleasant - he exceeded all my expectations. After shaking my hand (yes he was wearing his 69 ring) and autographing a photo of him and Grote (who by the way was another great guy to meet) for me, he introduced himself to my 10-year old son. That was perhaps, next to the birth of my son, one of the best days of my life. Thanks Duffy! Bob Webster December 18, 2007 My favorite memories of Duffy Dyer go all the way back to high school. He was two years ahead of me at Cortez High School (yes, the same that spawned the Earwigs and Alice Cooper). My freshman year, he led our team to State Championship and became the hero of my own burgeoning but short-lived catching career. I really admired him for his discipline, focus, and work ethic and was so proud of his achievements with the ASU Sun Devils after he left Cortez. I'll always remember him for his bellowed "Holy cow!" and the rifle shots he used to send down to second. Hope life is good for you wherever you are, Duffy. Ken Akerman March 30, 2008 Duffy Dyer played collegiate baseball at Arizona State University (ASU) and is a member of ASU's Hall of Fame. Thomas McIntire August 6, 2013 I became a Mets fan because of Duffy. He came to Kendall Park shopping center to sign autographs in 1971. I believe I was 6. It was a memory I will never forget. Mets fan forever. Jim Snedeker June 1, 2022 Duffy's nickname came from the popular 1940s radio show "Duffy's Tavern." His mother had been listening to the show when she went into labor, and asked "How's Duffy?" after giving birth.

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