Bobby Shantz

From BR Bullpen

Robert Clayton Shantz

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 6", Weight 142 lb.
• High School Pottstown High School
• Debut May 1, 1949
• Final Game September 29, 1964
• Born September 26, 1925 in Pottstown, PA USA

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[edit] Biographical Information

Bobby Shantz, the brother of Billy Shantz, graduated from Pottstown High School and entered the Army in 1944. He weighed only 109 pounds at the time. He served in a motor outfit in the Pacific with the 25th Chemical Division and the 86th Infantry. He was in the Philippines for 16 months. He worked for Disston Saw Works and Exide Battery Plant before being signed by Harry O'Donnell of the Philadelphia Athletics (TSN 6/2/48) in the Spring of 1948 and played for the Lincoln A's in the Class A Western League where he led the league in wins and strikeouts. He pitched in 537 major league games from 1949 through 1964 for seven different teams. He appeared in two World Series for the New York Yankees in 1957 and 1960.

Bobby Shantz was the first selection by the Washington Senators in their 1960 expansion draft. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bennie Daniels, Harry Bright, and R.C. Stevens before appearing in a game for the Senators.

On April 10, 1962, Shantz started for the Houston Colt .45s in the first game in franchise history. He pitched and won an 11-2 complete game victory over the Chicago Cubs. It was the only game he ever won for the Colt .45s.

Shantz was considered the greatest fielding pitcher of his time as he won 8 consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1957-1964 despite being primarily a relief pitcher. He likely would have won more awards had they been awarded prior to 1957.

[edit] Notable Achievements

• 3-time AL All-Star (1951, 1952 & 1957)
• AL MVP (1952)
• 8-time Gold Glove Winner (1957/ML, 1958-1960/AL & 1961-1964/NL)
• AL ERA Leader (1957)
• AL Wins Leader (1952)
• AL Winning Percentage Leader (1952)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 2 (1951 & 1952)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1952)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1950-1952)
• Won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1958 (he did not play in the World Series)

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