NEEDHAM — The bell still rings off in the distance.
The leaves on the trees start to bloom.
Matt Duffy walks into the dugout at St. Sebastian’s, and the first-year coach finds himself back where the journey first began — at peace as he opens a new chapter at his alma mater.
“Very special place,” Duffy (Class of 2007) said of his former school. “My family, and my brothers went here, so it means a lot to me, what this school did for me. The opportunities it gave me. Great to be back, and it keeps me young in a sense, to see these kids. Know that I was in their shoes. To give back to them on the coaching side has just been awesome.”
Duffy went on to play collegiately at the University of Vermont. Drafted by the Houston Astros in 2011, he made his Major League debut in 2015, and continued his career with the Texas Rangers in 2016, most frequently in their minor league system.
After some time playing in Japan, Duffy opted to return home, and was soon coaching as an assistant alongside fellow alum Michael Calabro.
“I had helped out as a volunteer for a year, just throwing batting practice,” Duffy said. “Just being around the guys during practice, then I became the assistant last year. So I was with them full-time, at all the games, all the practices. Then, when the vacancy became available, I had already been around the guys for two years. I knew the school, kind of know what it stands for. I thought: ‘Why wouldn’t I do it?”
In short order, Duffy was behind the bench. “It was a no-brainer for me,” he said.
St. Sebastian’s is 10-3-1 on the year, 10-1 in Independent School League play. The Arrows have been propelled by a rising star with freshman ace Gavin Wainwright dominating. The West Roxbury native has yet to allow a run against an ISL foe.
Sophomore catcher Brett Gallo has also performed well, and senior captains such as third baseman and Cornell commit Aidan Barclay (.378 batting average, 10 RBI) have taken on lead roles this season.
“(Matt) has helped me a lot,” Barclay said. “We have a great friendship. On and off the field, he is my go-to guy. In terms of in the winter and into the spring, he’s kind of always there to help. Baseball-wise, or just as a person. It’s been very special having him this year.”
Not to mention, having a former MLB player at the helm certainly has benefits unto itself.
“It was super cool, obviously,” laughed Barclay. “Very special to have that, and that voice. He certainly has done a good job this year.”
Is it a different feeling? Sure. But would Duffy rather be somewhere else? Unlikely.
Now, we might be witnessing a movement at the ISL school for the next few years.
“As a coach, it’s obviously a lot different from being a player,” said Duffy. “You’re responsible for all these guys, and they have lives too. I was blessed to play for so many great coaches. Some coaches who were great, but not might be my favorites. You just try to take a little bit of what you like from all these guys, try to remember it and pass it along.
“Baseball? Showing up everyday (is key). It’s a game of failure. Just trying to let these guys know that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. So, if they can show up everyday, work hard, push themselves and get the best out of one another everyday, we will see where the chips fall at the end of the season. I honestly think they’ve done that, and it’s why they’ve had so much success in the win-loss column.”
