David Shelley Duncan (born September 29, 1979) is an American former professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
player. He was a
left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound. In the numbering system ...
,
designated hitter
The designated hitter (DH) is a baseball player who bats in place of another position player, most commonly the pitcher. Unlike other players in a team's lineup, they generally only play as an offensive player and usually do not play defense as ...
, and
first baseman
A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...
. Duncan played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB) for the
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
,
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
, and
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...
. He was the Major League field coordinator for the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...
, and later served as the analytics coordinator for the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
.
Playing career
High school
Shelley graduated from Canyon del Oro High School, located in the Tucson suburb of
Oro Valley, in 1998. While there he was a teammate of former All Star second baseman
Ian Kinsler. He played on the school's 1997 baseball team that went on to capture the 5A State Championship title.
College career
In 1999 he was a Freshman First Team All-American outfielder while attending the
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona (Arizona, U of A, UArizona, or UA) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, it ...
. In 2001, he was named First Team College All-American outfielder and
Pacific-10 Conference
The Pac-12 Conference is a collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference in the Western United States. It participates at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NCAA Division I, Division I level for all sports, and its Co ...
All-Star. He was selected by the Yankees in the second round of the
2001 Major League Baseball draft
The 2001 Major League Baseball draft, was held on June 5 and 6.
First round selections
Supplemental First Round selections
Compensation Picks
Background
On June 1, 2001, Rolando Viera, a Cuban baseball pitcher who had recently left Cub ...
, 62nd overall.
Professional career
New York Yankees
Duncan's slugging percentage was .410 with the
Staten Island Yankees in 2001. He played outfield for the
Greensboro Bats in 2002, where he had a .375 on-base percentage and 10 assists from the outfield in 69 games.
Playing with the
Tampa Yankees of the
Florida State League
The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...
in 2004, Duncan hit 19 home runs in 424 at bats.
With the
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Trenton, New Jersey, and play their home games at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.
From 1994 to 2020, it was a Minor League Baseball team of the D ...
in 2005, he hit a league-leading 34 home runs and had 92 RBIs.
He was named an
Eastern League (AA) mid-season and post-season All-Star first baseman. He was also the winner of the 2005 Eastern League All-Star Game Home Run Derby. In 2006, he hit 19 home runs for Trenton in 351 at-bats,
and was twice the league's player of the week.
In 2007, Duncan was a member of the
International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...
All-Star Team, and was the Topps IL Player of the Month in May while playing for the
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. While with the Yankees AAA team, Duncan had 25 home runs, second in the International League at the time he was called up, and hit .295 with a .577 slugging percentage in 336 at-bats.
Duncan made his major league debut on July 20, 2007, as the
designated hitter
The designated hitter (DH) is a baseball player who bats in place of another position player, most commonly the pitcher. Unlike other players in a team's lineup, they generally only play as an offensive player and usually do not play defense as ...
against the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. They are one of two major league clubs based i ...
, and recorded his first career hit and RBI. The next day, he hit his first major league home run against the Devil Rays, and the following day had his first multi-home run game, going deep twice in front of the
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Bronx in New York City. It is the home field of Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and New York City FC of Major League Soccer.
The stadium opened in April 2009, replacing the Yankee S ...
crowd. Duncan later hit his fourth Major League home run at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2007, against the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
. He spent time in 2008 with both the major league Yankees, and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, before suffering a shoulder separation. Duncan remained in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the remainder of the season. He was
designated for assignment
Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...
that offseason, but cleared waivers and remained in the Yankees organization.
On July 31, 2009, Duncan was recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre temporarily as an extra bat. He was optioned the following day and recalled again on September 7. In each of his three starts, he went 1-for-3 and recorded one RBI. Duncan was named the
International League Most Valuable Player for 2009 leading the league in home runs and RBIs. Following the 2009 season, Duncan was outrighted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but refused the assignment and elected to become a
free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
.
Cleveland Indians
On January 4, 2010, Duncan signed a contract with the
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
. He began the season with the Triple-A
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They are located in Columbus, Ohio, and are named for speedy Merchant ship, merch ...
.
The Indians designated Duncan for assignment on August 29, 2012. In 81 games with the club during the 2012 season, he hit .203 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs.
Tampa Bay Rays
On January 22, 2013, Duncan signed a minor league deal with the
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...
. He was designated for assignment on April 30, 2013. He declared free agency on October 11.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On January 24, 2014, Duncan signed a minor league deal with the
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...
.
Cincinnati Reds
Duncan signed a minor league deal with the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
in May 2014. Duncan was released by the Reds on June 18, 2014.
Coaching career
Arizona Diamondbacks
On January 7, 2015, Duncan was announced as the new manager for the
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...
' Low-A affiliate, the
Hillsboro Hops
The Hillsboro Hops are a Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Northwest, northwest United States, located in Hillsboro, Oregon, a city in the Portland metropolitan area. The Hops are members of the Northwest League and are the High-A affilia ...
of the
Northwest League
The Northwest League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. A Class A Short Season league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseba ...
. On February 6, 2017, Duncan was named the manager of the Diamondbacks' High-A affiliate, the
Visalia Rawhide
The Visalia Rawhide are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are located in Visalia, California, and have played their home games at Valley Strong Ballpark since their ...
. Duncan was the manager of the Diamondbacks' Double-A affiliate, the
Jackson Generals
The Jackson Generals were a professional baseball team located in Jackson, Tennessee. From 1998 to 2020, they were a part of Minor League Baseball's Southern League (SL) as the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs (1998–2006), Seattle Mari ...
, for the 2018 season. They subsequently won the 2018 Southern League Championship.
Toronto Blue Jays
On November 26, 2018, Duncan was hired by the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...
to be their Major League field coordinator.
Chicago White Sox
On December 1, 2020, Duncan was hired by the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
to be their analytics coordinator.
New York Yankees
Duncan was hired to manage the
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, often abbreviated to SWB RailRiders, are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They are located in Moosic, Pen ...
, the Triple-A affiliate for the
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
, for the 2023 season.
Controversies
Duncan was involved in some minor controversy on September 14, 2007, when, before the game between the Yankees and Red Sox at Fenway Park, Duncan wrote "Red Sox Suck!" along with his autograph on a 10-year-old Red Sox fan's notebook.
During a spring training game on March 12, 2008, against the
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...
, after safely reaching first due to an error, Duncan continued on to second base, spiking second baseman
Akinori Iwamura who had caught the ball well before Duncan arrived. Iwamura sustained a cut above his right knee but was otherwise fine, and Duncan was tagged out regardless. This followed the Rays’
Elliot Johnson's aggressive hit on Yankee catcher
Francisco Cervelli, which resulted in a broken wrist for the catcher. A
bench-clearing brawl
A bench-clearing brawl is a form of fighting that occurs in sports, most notably baseball and ice hockey, where most or all players on both teams leave their Dugout (baseball), dugouts, bullpens, or benches, and charge onto the playing area in or ...
ensued, after which Duncan and Rays right fielder
Jonny Gomes
Jonathan Johnson Gomes (; born November 22, 1980) is an American professional baseball coach and former outfielder. He is the minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He play ...
were ejected, as were two of the Yankees' coaches,
Bobby Meacham
Robert Andrew Meacham (born August 25, 1960) is an American former professional baseball shortstop, who spent his entire six-year big league playing career with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Since retiring from active play ...
and
Kevin Long. On March 14, Duncan, teammate
Melky Cabrera
Melky Cabrera Astacio (born August 11, 1984), nicknamed "the Melkman", is a Dominican former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blu ...
and Gomes were suspended for their actions on the field.
Each of these three players' suspensions was reduced one day in length after they decided to drop their appeal of the suspensions.
Personal life
Duncan is the oldest son of
Dave Duncan, an MLB
catcher
Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the catc ...
and
pitching coach
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, who determines the starting lineup and batting order, decides how to substitute players during the game, and makes strategy decision ...
. His younger brother,
Chris
Chris is a short form of various names including Christopher, Christian, Christina, and Christine. Chris is also used as a name in its own right, however it is not as common.
People with the given name
* Chris Abani (born 1966), Nigerian autho ...
, was also an MLB first baseman and outfielder. As of 2018, Duncan is married to his wife Kirsten Duncan. They live in
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson (; ; ) is a city in Pima County, Arizona, United States, and its county seat. It is the second-most populous city in Arizona, behind Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix, with a population of 542,630 in the 2020 United States census. The Tucson ...
.
See also
*
List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
Dozens of father-and-son combinations have played or managed in Major League Baseball (MLB).
The first was Jack Doscher, son of Herm Doscher, who made his debut in 1903.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. became the first father-and-son duo t ...
References
External links
Minor League Baseball profile
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Duncan, Shelley
1979 births
Living people
American expatriate baseball people in Canada
Baseball coaches from Arizona
Baseball players from Tucson, Arizona
Chicago White Sox coaches
Cleveland Indians players
Columbus Clippers players
Durham Bulls players
Greensboro Bats players
Gulf Coast Yankees players
Hillsboro Hops
International League MVP award winners
Louisville Bats players
Major League Baseball first basemen
Major League Baseball left fielders
Minor league baseball managers
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders managers
New York Yankees players
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees players
Staten Island Yankees players
Tampa Bay Rays players
Tampa Yankees players
Toronto Blue Jays coaches
Trenton Thunder players
Arizona Wildcats baseball players