SAN FRANCISCO – Matt Duffy made the Giants’ opening day roster in March merely hoping to get at-bats as a utility infielder. The impact he ended up making as a rookie was measurable – and immeasurable.
His coaches and teammates were so impressed that they voted him the 2015 Willie Mac Award winner – the first time in its 35-year history that the honor went to a rookie.
Duffy stood on the field alongside former winners including Jack Clark, Darrell Evans J.T. Snow, Bengie Molina and Shawon Dunston – and Willie McCovey, of course – and thanked his family, coaches, teammates and “all the coaches who taught me how to play the game the right way.