Summary
Robert Clayton Shantz (born September 26, 1925) is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1949 through 1964, and won the 1952 American League Most Valuable Player Award as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics. A three-time All-Star, Shantz won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series championship with the 1958 New York Yankees. He remains the last living Philadelphia Athletics player and the oldest living MLB MVP.
| Bobby Shantz | |
|---|---|
 Shantz in 1953 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: September 26, 1925 Pottstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 1, 1949, for the Philadelphia Athletics | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 29, 1964, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 119–99 |
| Earned run average | 3.38 |
| Strikeouts | 1,072 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Colt .45s, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and the Philadelphia Phillies.[1] Shantz began his career as a starting pitcher, but about halfway through he converted to a competent relief pitcher. In 1951, he added the knuckleball to his repertoire. Standing only 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m), Shantz had a career record of 119 games won, 99 games lost, and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.38.
Career edit
In 1952, Shantz led the American League in wins (24) and won the MVP Award.[1] In the process, he led the A's to a 79–75 record and fourth-place finish in the American League, their last winning season in Philadelphia. In a September 1952 game, Shantz's left wrist was broken after he was hit by a pitch thrown by Walt Masterson of the Senators.[2] The following season, Shantz injured his shoulder in a game against the Boston Red Sox.[3] Shantz saw only limited action for the rest of 1953 and pitched only eight innings in 1954.[4] After the 1954 season was complete, the Athletics were sold and moved to Kansas City for the 1955 season.
In 1957, Shantz was traded to the New York Yankees as part of a 13-player deal.[5] He led the league in ERA in his first year with the Yankees, but was never a regular starting pitcher afterwards.
A highly skilled fielder, Shantz won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1957 to 1964 (American League, 1957–60; National League, 1961–64; in 1957 the award was rendered for both leagues). Shantz also was selected for the All-Star Game in 1951, 1952 and 1957.[1] In the fifth and final inning of the 1952 All Star Game, the left–handed Shantz exhibited his distinctive sidearm delivery and sharp curve and control and struck out three consecutive National League hitters: Whitey Lockman, Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial.
Shantz appeared in relief three games each in the 1957 and 1960 World Series with the Casey Stengel managed New York Yankees.[1]
Shantz had the distinction of being selected in expansion drafts in consecutive seasons. He was selected in the 1960 MLB expansion draft by the Washington Senators from the New York Yankees, and in the 1961 MLB expansion draft by the Colt .45s from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In his 16-year major league career, Shantz recorded a .195 batting average (107-for-548) with 60 runs, 20 doubles, 1 home run, 46 RBI and 47 bases on balls. Defensively, he posted a .976 fielding percentage which was 19 points higher than the league average at his position.[1]
Personal life edit
He is the brother of former Major League catcher Billy Shantz. He is married to Shirley Vogel, and they have four children, Bobby, born in 1954, followed by Kathy, Teddy, and Danny, born in 1965.[6]
As of April 2024, Shantz is the third-oldest living Major League player.[7] Following the death of Bill Harrington in January 2022, Shantz became the last surviving player managed by Connie Mack.[8]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Bobby Shantz Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ "Shantz Suffers Broken Wrist As A's Nip Nats". Meriden Record. Meriden-Wallingford, Connecticut. Associated Press (AP). September 24, 1952. p. 4. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ "Bobby Shantz Is Sidelined With Injured Shoulder". Lodi News-Sentinel. Lodi: CA. United Press International (UP). May 22, 1953. p. 10. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ Fraley, Oscar (May 19, 1955). "Bobby Shantz Apparently Has Made It All The Way Back". The Wilmington News. Wilmington, North Carolina. United Press International (UP). p. 17. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ Yankees obtain Ditmar and Shantz in thirteen-player deal with Athletics
- ^ Marmer, Mel. "Bobby Shantz". sabr.org. SABR. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "The Oldest Living Major League Baseball Players". baseball-almanac.com. Baseball Almanac, Inc. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Kepner, Tyler (February 8, 2023). "With One More Title, the Eagles Would Finally Match the A's". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
Further reading edit
- Mercury staff (May 27, 1952). "Shantz Night' Is Set July 18". The Pottsdown Mercury. p. 16
External links edit
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Bobby Shantz at the SABR Baseball Biography Project
- Bobby Shantz at Astros Daily
