Bobby Shantz

Bobby Shantz was a crafty, undersized left-hander whose heart and determination made him one of the most beloved pitchers of the 1950s. Standing just 5'6", Shantz defied expectations by winning the 1952 American League MVP after going 24 wins against 7 losses with a league leading ERA for the Philadelphia Athletics. He played 16 seasons, won 119 games, and earned eight Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess on the mound.

In the second half of his career, Shantz made almost all of his appearances in relief. Bouncing around from the Yankees to the Pirates, Colt 45’s, Cardinals, Cubs, and eventually the Phillies, Shants maintained his skill in the field and his reliability as a pitcher. Though he rarely earned the acclaim of many of his teammates across the fifties and sixties, his career is a testament to versatility over years of play.