Ron Shelton
From BR Bullpen
Ronald Shelton
- Bats Right, Throws Left (as pitcher), Right (as infielder)
- School Westmont College
- High School Santa Barbara High School
- Born September 15, 1945 in Whittier, CA USA
Ron Shelton is a movie director and screenwriter responsible for Bull Durham and Cobb, among other, non-baseball, titles. He played six years in the minor leagues, reaching AAA.
Shelton was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 39th round in 1966. Initially a pitcher, he debuted with the Bluefield Orioles, going 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA and one shutout in 8 games (4 starts). In 1967, he had a 2-4 record with a 4.17 ERA in 17 games for Bluefield. He was 4 for 7 at the plate with four runs, though, convincing the O's to move him to the field. With the Stockton Ports that year, he hit .213/~.284/.244 in 48 games and stole 9 bases in 10 tries.
In 1968, he was back with Stockton and fielded .969, the best of any California League second baseman to play 80 or more games. A left-handed pitcher, he was now throwing from the right side as a second baseman. He batted .240/~.305/.282 and stole 20 bases in 27 tries. He tied for 7th in the California League in stolen bases.
Shelton remained in Stockton in 1969 and continued to make strides. He led Cal League second basemen in putouts (342), assists (361), double plays (82) and fielding percentage (.974). At the plate, he batted .277/~.363/.382 with 87 runs and 32 steals in 39 tries. He led the league in doubles (29), times hit by pitch (14) and sacrifice hits (17) and tied for the lead in games played (140). He was second in stolen bases behind Albert Holland.
In 1970, Ron spent most of the year with the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs, hitting .244/~.337/.299 with 22 steals in 33 tries in 104 games for them. His .978 fielding percentage was third among Texas League second basemen. He tied for the TL lead with 9 sacrifice hits. He also made his AAA debut with the Rochester Red Wings, going 6 for 29 with 3 walks and one steal in 2 tries.
Shelton spent all of 1971 with the International League champion Rochester Red Wings, where he played for Joe Altobelli and with teammates including Bobby Grich, Don Baylor, Johnny Oates, Ray Miller and Mike Ferraro. Ron hit .260/~.352/.305 in 66 games, fielding .982 in 42 at second base.
