| 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 | |
| |
Robert Clayton Shantz (born September 26, 1925) is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher. He played 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 is the last living Philadelphia Athletics player and the oldest living MLB MVP. Additionally, he and Tommy Brown, are the only two former players still alive who debuted in the 1940s.[1]
He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Colt .45s, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and the Philadelphia Phillies.[2] 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.
- ^ "The Oldest Living Major League Baseball Players | Baseball Almanac".
- ^ "Bobby Shantz Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2015.