Borden Living History: CHRISTOPHER DUFFY – OUR BORDEN FAMILY BASEBALL ALL STAR

Previously Posted on May 13, 2013 by suebeewrites on Blog: “suebeewrites Explores Her Borden Family Roots”

Every once in a while I am blessed with a present that is totally unexpected, incredibly special, more precious than silver or gold and “All the Way Live”. And so it was for ten short days in April 2013 I got to spend some “God Special” time with my cousin Christopher Duffy, baseball player and human dynamo extraordinaire. Chris is the son of Sarah Borden Duffy (James Duffy), grandson of Joshua E. Borden, Jr. (Evelyn), and Great Grandchild of Joshua Edward Borden, Sr. (Channie Bessie Cox). Early one morning, as I was buried in my “ancestry” research, I received a call from cousin Sarah. It wasn’t a total surprise since I “conjured” her up. I’d been thinking about Sarah for several weeks and in fact had been on the verge of calling her as well as looking up her son Chris’ team status to see where he was playing baseball this season….with the hope that he would be playing nearby so I could actually get to see him in action. Sarah informed me that Chris had been released from his Phillies Minor League Team and picked up by an Independent League Team in New Jersey. He needed a place to lay his head until his next team started practice (just a couple of weeks) …. so enter cousin Susan from stage right. A more delightful visit I have never had. Cousin Chris is one of the most positive, energetic, helpful and focused young men that I have ever met. Between his daily workouts and gym visits we had great conversations about our family history. In keeping with general genealogical protocol regarding capturing living history, Chris recorded his story, which is inspirational, however, we know for sure the best is yet to come. Chris spoke reverently of his dad, James, who started Chris and his younger brother Justin, in baseball at a very young age. They progressed from Little League and Travel Baseball to their High school varsity teams where they excelled at every level and travelled the world. Upon Chris’ graduation from high school he was drafted by the White Sox Baseball Team, an offer which he turned down. He and his family decided rather than go pro at that time he would attend the University of Central Florida on a full scholarship. Chris had an “All Star” College career graduating in 2010 and breaking many of his college’s records and was a Golden Spikes nominee (similar to being nominated for the Heisman in football). He was drafted by the Phillies out of College and has had a standout career. Some baseball aficionados were surprised and disappointed that the Phillies didn’t promote him since his play and statistics were outstanding. Chris is now playing with the New Jersey Jackals in Little Falls, NJ. He anticipates eventually being picked up by a Pro Team. In his “free time” Chris works with a motivational speaking program, “ABOVE .500″, for middle school and high school youth. His non profit organization has pep rallies called “Dream Rallies” to encourage youngsters to pursue their dreams. Other members of the family including Belladelphia (LiRon, Glenn, Asa and Bradleigh Bell), John Borden (Sr.), Carter Borden, and Brittany Borden met and broke bread with Chris. There are many other members of the family that are poised to go out to the ball park and cheer Chris on. Our guy, Christopher Duffy, is on his way and the Borden family is very proud of our very own ALL Star!
Family Love.

*Chris is currently playing his 2014 season with an Independent League in South Dakota.

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Chris is the son of Sarah Borden Duffy (husband, James Duffy); grandson of Joshua Edward Borden, Jr. (Evelyn); Great Grandson of Joshua Edward Borden, Sr. (wife, Channie Bessie Cox Borden); Great Grandson 2X John Louis Borden (wife, Cottie Elvira Eason Borden); Great Grandson 3x Joshua Borden (wife, Judah Austin Borden); Great Grandson 4X Ben Holden (wife name unknown)