The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Royals’ Duffy dedicates win to boy who died of cancer
Pitcher, 8-year-old met during photo shoot for calendar.
It was a typical moment in the Royals clubhouse following a start by left-hander Danny Duffy.
While laughter echoed from the showers down the hall from Duffy’s stall, he answered questions about another stellar outing.
Duffy was talking about his slider when he stopped and made an announcement.
“I just want to say one thing, not to veer away from your question, but my effort tonight was for my buddy Liam,” Duffy said. “He lost his life ... and my heart goes to the Shipleys, they’re wonderful people and I dedicate my performance tonight to Liam, that’s for sure.”
Liam Charles Shipley of Olathe, Kansas, died July 8 at the age of 8. His obituary said that Liam had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and while he was in remission, “the effects of the chemo weakened his immune system and he developed a very rare fungal infection.”
The two met during a photo shoot for the Braden’s Hope calendar not long ago. Liam made an instant impact on Duffy.
“He was out here playing catch with me in the outfield and asking me how to throw a changeup,” Duffy said. “Kids are just the best, man. They’re just the best. They tell it like it is. He was just a kid who was so inquisitive. I really, really enjoyed my time hanging out for him.
“He’s such a good kid. I know he’s looking down on us now. Cancer is just a horrible disease. When I heard the news about my buddy, I just want his family to know we’re still thinking about him.”
Keeping options open
Red Sox management is keeping its ears open to trade offers, but president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said it’s not something he believes must happen to make a postseason push. He thinks the bullpen, which has been battered by injuries, will bounce back when Junichi Tazawa and Craig Kimbrel are back to full strength.
“I think we’re in position where we’re open-minded, but not a necessity,” Dombrowski said.
E-2, Brute?
Yankee CF Jacoby Ellsbury broke one of the more obscure season records in baseball history by reaching base for the ninth time this season via catcher interference.
Thin bench
With only one fully healthy player (Matt McBride) available off the bench, A’s manager Bob Melvin was asked if he had any pitchers he’d consider using as positional players if the need arose. “I’ve got a couple of guys that would like to do it,” Melvin said, specifically mentioning Sonny Gray and Kendall Graveman. “I hope I don’t get to that point. Position players always think they can pitch and pitchers who are athletic always think they can play positions.”
Batter up
Yankees TV commentator and ex-big-leaguer John Flaherty, when asked during a broadcast about Orioles 3B Ryan Flaherty: “No, no relation. The only relation is that he’s batting ninth.”
Trainer’s room
■ Rangers: Halfway through the minimum stay on the 60-day DL, RHP Colby Lewis (strained right lat muscle) threw from 75 feet. “He’s about where we though he would be at this point,” manager Jeff Banister said.
■ Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann, who has been sidelined since July 1 with a right neck strain, began a rehab assignment in Triple-A Toledo last week. He threw four scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out two.