View source for Bobby Shantz

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1925)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Bobby Shantz
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|image=Bobby Shantz 1953.jpg
|caption=Shantz in 1953
|bats=Right
|throws=Left
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1925|9|26}}
|birth_place=[[Pottstown, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
|death_date=
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=May 1
|debutyear=1949
|debutteam=Philadelphia Athletics
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 29
|finalyear=1964
|finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=119–99
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.38
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=1,072
|teams=
* [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia / Kansas City Athletics]] ({{Baseball year|1949}}–{{Baseball year|1956}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{Baseball year|1957}}–{{Baseball year|1960}})
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{Baseball year|1961}})
* [[Houston Colt .45's]] ({{Baseball year|1962}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{Baseball year|1962}}–{{Baseball year|1964}})
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{Baseball year|1964}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{Baseball year|1964}})
|highlights=
* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1951 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1951]], [[1952 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1952]], [[1957 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1957]])
* [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1958}})
* [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|AL MVP]] (1952)
* 8× [[Gold Glove Award]] (1957–1964)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders|AL wins leader]] (1952)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders|MLB ERA leader]] (1957)
* [[Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame]]
}}

'''Robert Clayton Shantz''' (born September 26, 1925) is an American former professional [[baseball]] left-handed [[pitcher]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) from {{Baseball year|1949}} through {{Baseball year|1964}}, and won the 1952 American League [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]] as a member of the [[Philadelphia Athletics]]. A three-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]], Shantz won eight consecutive [[Gold Glove Award]]s and won a World Series championship with the 1958 [[New York Yankees]]. He is the last living Philadelphia Athletics player, the oldest living MLB MVP, and the last surviving [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] player who played in the [[1940s]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/Oldest_Living_Baseball_Players.php | title=The Oldest Living Major League Baseball Players &#124; Baseball Almanac }}</ref>

He also played for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], [[Houston Astros|Houston Colt .45s]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Chicago Cubs]], and the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref name=data>{{cite web|title=Bobby Shantz Statistics and History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shantbo01.shtml|website=baseball-reference.com|publisher=sports-reference.com|access-date=November 8, 2015}}</ref> 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 {{convert|5|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}, Shantz had a career record of 119 games won, 99 games lost, and an [[earned run average]] (ERA) of 3.38.

== Early life ==
Shantz was born on September 26, 1925, in [[Pottstown, Pennsylvania]], to Wilmer A. and Ruth E. (Ebert) Shantz.<ref name="data" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Bradford |date=2025-01-23 |title=Remembering the career of Bobby Shantz |url=https://www.royalsreview.com/2025/1/23/24347796/remembering-the-career-of-bobby-shantz |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Royals Review |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1964 |title=Wilmer A. Shantz Dies; Father of 2 Athletes |work=Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania) |pages=1}}</ref> His father was a semi-pro baseball player in the 1920s. During the [[Great Depression]], Wilmer found the means to take Shantz and his younger brother [[Billy Shantz|Bill (Wilmer Jr.)]] to baseball games in Philadelphia. Shantz attended [[Pottstown Senior High School|Pottstown High School]], where he starred in multiple sports (including at least baseball, basketball and swimming), graduating in 1943. Shantz played semi-pro and sandlot baseball during and after high school, with his father’s encouragement. Shantz also worked at an aircraft plant and then at a saw company in [[Philadelphia]]. He was drafted during [[World War II]] and assigned to serve in the [[Philippines]] toward the War's end. He played baseball on military teams, some of which included major league players.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wheaton |first=Evan |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Undeterred at 97, former AL MVP Bobby Shantz makes annual visit to Pottstown |url=https://www.pottsmerc.com/2023/05/03/undeterred-at-97-former-al-mvp-bobby-shantz-makes-annual-visit-to-pottstown/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 4, 1943 |title=Scorpions Defeat Reading By 44–35 |work=Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania) |pages=6}}</ref><ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lucas |first=Paul J. |date=March 9, 1942 |title=Swimming Monopoly |work=Pottstown Mercury |pages=7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lucas |first=Paul J. |date=March 22, 1943 |title=PHS, With Vets In Fold, Hopes To Regain Baseball Spotlight |work=Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania) |pages=7}}</ref>

==Professional career==

=== Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics ===
He signed with the [[Philadelphia Athletics]] as a [[free agent]] in 1948.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Bobby Shantz Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=shantbo01 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=www.baseball-almanac.com}}</ref> He played one year of minor league baseball, for the [[Single-A|Class A]] [[Lincoln A's]] in 1948. He was a [[starting pitcher]], with an 18–7 [[Winning percentage|win–loss record]], 2.82 [[earned run average]] (ERA), 212 [[Strikeout|strikeouts]] in 214 [[innings pitched]], 19 [[Complete game|complete games]], and two [[Shutout (baseball)|shutouts]]. He had a 3.85 [[strikeout-to-walk ratio]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1948 Lincoln A's Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Shantz made his MLB debut on May 1, 1949 with the Athletics, pitching .2 innings in relief.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bobby Shantz 1949 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=shantbo01&t=p&year=1949 |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Athletics Box Score: May 1, 1949 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA194905011.shtml |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He pitched in 33 games for the 1949 A's, starting seven; with a 6–8 record and 3.40 ERA. The next season he started 23 of the 36 games in which he appeared, with an 8–14 record and 4.61 ERA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1949 Philadelphia Athletics Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHA/1949.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1950 Philadelphia Athletics Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHA/1950.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

Shantz was a control pitcher who relied on a keeping hitters off balance with a variety of [[Curveball|curveballs]], [[Fastball|fastballs]] and [[Changeup|changeups]]. As his pitching career progressed, Shantz learned the value of studying each batter’s unique weaknesses in determining how to pitch to them.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":9" /> In 1951, Shantz added a [[knuckleball]] to his pitching repertoire.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Powers |first=Jimmy |date=May 22, 1957 |title=The Powerhouse |work=Daily News (New York, New York) |pages=767}}</ref> His record improved to 18–10 , with 25 starts and a 3.94 ERA on a team that only won 70 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1951 Philadelphia Athletics Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHA/1951.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

In 1952, Shantz led the [[American League]] (AL) in wins (24) and won the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|AL Most Valuable Player Award]].<ref name="data" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=1952 American League Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1952-pitching-leaders.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award Winners {{!}} History |url=https://www.mlb.com/awards/most-valuable-player |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athletics Team History & Encyclopedia |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/index.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> His 9.4 WAR ([[wins above replacement]]) led all major league players, and his 8.8 WAR for pitchers led all major league pitchers. His 2.48 ERA was fourth best among all major league pitchers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1952 Major League Baseball Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1952-pitching-leaders.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

On August 5, 1952, 35,000 A’s fans came to [[Shibe Park]] to watch Shantz win his 20th game, their highest game attendance in four years. It was the earliest an A's pitcher had won 20 games since Hall of Fame pitcher [[Lefty Grove]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grove, Lefty {{!}} Baseball Hall of Fame |url=https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/grove-lefty |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=baseballhall.org}}</ref> in 1931. The financially distressed A’s averaged nearly 18,000 attendees per game when Shantz pitched that year, but fewer than 8,000 for their other games.<ref name=":2" /> 

In a late September 1952 game, Shantz's left wrist was broken by a pitch thrown by [[Walt Masterson]] of the Senators.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shantz Suffers Broken Wrist As A's Nip Nats|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zKxHAAAAIBAJ&pg=4058,2152381&dq=bobby+shantz+broken+wrist&hl=en|access-date=November 8, 2015|agency=[[Associated Press]] (AP)|work=Meriden Record|date=September 24, 1952|location=Meriden-Wallingford, Connecticut|page=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Athletics Box Score: September 23, 1952 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA195209230.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The following season, Shantz injured his shoulder in a game against the [[Boston Red Sox]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bobby Shantz Is Sidelined With Injured Shoulder|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19530522&id=RIgzAAAAIBAJ&pg=3748,5532350&hl=en|access-date=November 8, 2015|agency=[[United Press International]] (UP)|work=Lodi News-Sentinel|date=May 22, 1953|location=Lodi: CA|page=10}}</ref> Shantz saw only limited action for the rest of 1953 and pitched only eight innings in 1954.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fraley|first1=Oscar|title=Bobby Shantz Apparently Has Made It All The Way Back|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LVJgAAAAIBAJ&pg=2287,3751727&dq=bobby+shantz+wrist&hl=en|access-date=November 8, 2015|agency=[[United Press International]] (UP)|work=The Wilmington News|date=May 19, 1955|location=Wilmington, North Carolina|page=17}}</ref> At the end of the 1954 season the Athletics were sold and moved to Kansas City for the 1955 season.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kopp |first=John |date=2024-07-12 |title=MLB's most nomadic team, the Oakland Athletics, are abandoning another city, like they did to Philly 70 years ago |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/philadelphia-athletics-history-kansas-city-connie-mack-oakland/ |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=PhillyVoice |language=english}}</ref> In his first season in Kansas City, Shantz started 17 of the 23 games in which he pitched, with a 5–10 record and 5.10 ERA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1955 Kansas City Athletics Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCA/1955.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Shantz's brother Bill played on the Philadelphia A's in 1954 and the Kansas City A's in 1955.<ref name="data" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Billy Shantz Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shantbi01.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

In late April 1956, Shantz pulled a back muscle. Based on Shantz's injury history, A's manager [[Lou Boudreau]] concluded it was best to use Shantz as a late inning relief pitcher.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=June 5, 1956 |title=Bobby Shantz Now Becoming Reliefer |work=The Amarillo Globe-Times |pages=9}}</ref> Shantz pitched 43 of his 45 games in relief that season, pitching 101.1 innings. He had a 2–7 record, nine saves and a 4.35 ERA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1956 Kansas City Athletics Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCA/1956.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== New York Yankees ===
On February 19, 1957, the Athletics traded Shantz, [[Art Ditmar]], [[Wayne Belardi]], [[Jack McMahan]], and a [[player to be named later]] to the [[New York Yankees]] for [[Rip Coleman]], [[Milt Graff]], [[Billy Hunter (baseball)|Billy Hunter]], [[Mickey McDermott]], [[Irv Noren]], [[Tom Morgan (baseball)|Tom Morgan]], and a player to be named later.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/02/20/archives/noren-coleman-go-to-kansas-city-players-in-athleticsyankees-trade.html|title=Yankees Obtain Ditmar and Shantz in Thirteen-Player Deal With Athletics – Athletics Also Get Morgan, McDermott, and Hunter in Trade With Yanks|first=William J.|last=Briordy|work=The New York Times |date=February 20, 1957|page=29|access-date=October 1, 2025}}</ref> The Yankees sent [[Jack Urban]] to the Athletics and the Athletics sent [[Curt Roberts]] and future Gold Glove third baseman [[Clete Boyer]] to the Yankees to complete the trade.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Clete Boyer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boyercl02.shtml |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In 1957, the Yankees used Shantz as a starter again in 21 of his 30 appearances. Shantz led the league and all major league pitchers in ERA in his first year with the Yankees (2.45), and had an 11–5 record with five saves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1957 New York Yankees Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1957.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1957 American League Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1957-pitching-leaders.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1957 Major League Baseball Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1957-pitching-leaders.shtml |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

After the 1957 season, however, he was never a regular starting pitcher for the remainder of his career.<ref name="data" /> He started 13 games out of 36 appearances for the [[1958 New York Yankees season|1958 World Champion Yankees]], going 7–6 with a 3.36 ERA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1958 New York Yankees Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1958.shtml |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He pitched almost entirely in relief the next season with a 7–3 record and 2.38 ERA for the [[1959 New York Yankees season|1959 Yankees]]; and entirely in relief with a 5–4 record and 11 saves with a 2.79 ERA for the [[1960 New York Yankees season|1960 Yankees]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1959 New York Yankees Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1959.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1960 New York Yankees Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1960.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Shantz appeared in relief three games each in the 1957 and 1960 [[World Series]] with the [[Casey Stengel]] managed [[New York Yankees]].<ref name="data" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=1957 World Series - Milwaukee Braves over New York Yankees (4-3) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1957_WS.shtml |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1960 World Series - Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees (4-3) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1960_WS.shtml |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Later years (1961-64) ===
Shantz was selected in the December [[1960 MLB expansion draft]] by the [[Washington Senators (1961–71)|Washington Senators]]. Two days later, the Senators traded Shantz to the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] for [[Bennie Daniels]], [[Harry Bright]], and [[R. C. Stevens]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=November 8, 1992 |title=1st Expansion Draft a Slap-Dah Affair |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/11/08/1st-expansion-draft-a-slap-dash-affair/ |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |agency=Scripps Howard News Service}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> The [[Houston Astros|Houston Colt .45s]] selected Shantz from the Pirates in the [[1961 MLB expansion draft]].<ref name=":3" /> As the Colt .45s [[List of Houston Astros Opening Day starting pitchers|Opening Day starting pitcher]] during their [[1962 Houston Colt .45s season|inaugural season]] of 1962, he became the first pitcher in franchise history, and tossed a complete game as Houston defeated the [[1962 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]], 11–2.<ref>{{cite news |date= |title=Highlights from Houston's first major league baseball game |url=https://abc13.com/baseball-astros-colt-45s-film/1031166/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[KTNV-TV]] ABC-13}}</ref> On May 7, 1962, the Colt .45s traded Shantz to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for [[John Anderson (pitcher)|John Anderson]] and [[Carl Warwick]].<ref>{{Cite newspaper |date=May 7, 1962 |title=Colts send Shantz to Cardinals in deal for Anderson, Warwick; Keane to Use left-hander, 36, in relief Houston acquires outfielder and pitcher |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/05/07/archives/colts-send-shantz-to-cardinals-in-deal-for-anderson-warwick-keane.html |work=The New York Times |via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> In 1962, he had a career-low ERA of 1.95 in 78.1 innings pitched (1.31 with Houston, and 2.18 with the Cardinals).<ref name="data" />

He had another good year with the Cardinals in 1963, going 6–4 with 11 saves and a 2.61 ERA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1963 St. Louis Cardinals Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/1963.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On June 15, 1964, the Cardinals traded Shantz, recent NL wins leader [[Ernie Broglio]], and [[Doug Clemens]] to the [[Chicago Cubs]] for then undistinguished but future [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] outfielder [[Lou Brock]], [[Jack Spring]], and [[Paul Toth]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1964 |title=Jun 15, 1964: Brock for Broglio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-jun-15-1964-br/5098246/ |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |pages=20 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The centerpiece of the trade was [[Brock for Broglio]], and it is considered one of the most lopsided trades in MLB history (in the Cardinals favor).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldsher |first=Alan |date=2025-07-20 |title=Fixing the Second-Worst MLB Trade Ever—The Cubs/Cardinals Heist That Changed Baseball |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/fantasy/mlb/fixing-the-second-worst-mlb-trade-ever-the-cubs-cardinals-heist-that-changed-baseball |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Fantasy Sports On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> The Cubs sold Shantz's contract rights to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in August 1964. He retired after the 1964 season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 12, 1964 |title=Shantz Quitting Baseball After 16 Years in Majors |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/12/archives/shantz-quitting-baseball-after-16-years-in-majors.html |work=The New York Times |via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

Shantz pitched well for the [[1964 Philadelphia Phillies season|1964 Phillies]] over the final month-and-a-half of his 16-year career, only giving up eight runs in 32 innings pitched (2.25 ERA),<ref>{{Cite web |title=1964 Philadelphia Phillies Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1964.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> and played an important role in the team's pursuit of the National League pennant. Among other things, in a September 17 game against the [[1964 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]], he came into the game with one out in the first inning, and pitched 7.2 innings of 3-hit baseball to defeat future Hall of Fame pitcher [[Don Drysdale]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Marmer |first=Mel |title=Bobby Shantz – Society for American Baseball Research |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bobby-shantz/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=SABR.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 17, 1964 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196409170.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Drysdale, Don {{!}} Baseball Hall of Fame |url=https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/drysdale-don |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=baseballhall.org}}</ref> However, he also played a part in that team's notorious collapse at the end of the season. 

On September 20, the Phillies were in first place with a 6{{fraction|1|2}}-game lead in the National League with just 12 games remaining in the season. The Phillies then lost 10 consecutive games and the pennant. On September 26 (Shantz's 39th birthday), manager [[Gene Mauch]] brought Shantz in to relieve in the eighth inning with the Phillies holding a 4–3 lead in a game against the [[Milwaukee Braves]]. Mauch sent the left-handed Shantz back out in the ninth inning, and he loaded the bases after two singles and an error. Braves' rookie [[Rico Carty]] then hit a [[bases-loaded]] [[Triple (baseball)|triple]] off of Shantz, making him the losing pitcher in what was the last appearance of Shantz's career. One of the questions raised about the Phillies collapse was why Mauch used the left-handed Shantz against the right-handed Carty (who had a .330 [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]] that season).<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |last=Shenk |first=Larry |date=June 20, 2024 |title=Catching Up With Art Mahaffey |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-alumni-art-mahaffey |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name="data" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Milwaukee Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score: September 26, 1964 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI196409260.shtml |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Legends">Gordon, Robert. [https://books.google.com/books?id=VeyuZSvEcFgC&dq=%22Art%20Mahaffey%22%20%22curt%20flood%22%20%22bill%20white%22&pg=PA97 "Legends of the Philadelphia Phillies"], p. 97. Sports Publishing LLC, 2005. {{ISBN|1-58261-810-0}}. Accessed July 6, 2009.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rico Carty Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cartyri01.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

In his 16-year major league career, he was 119–99, with a 3.38 ERA and 34.6 WAR.  Shantz recorded a .195 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] (107-for-548) with 60 [[run (baseball)|runs]], 20 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], one [[home run]], 46 [[runs batted in]] and 47 [[bases on balls|walks]]. Defensively, he posted a .976 [[fielding percentage]] which was 19 points higher than the league average at his position.<ref name="data" />

== Legacy and honors ==
A highly skilled fielder, Shantz won eight consecutive [[Gold Glove Award]]s from 1957 to 1964 ([[List of Gold Glove Award winners at pitcher|American League]], 1957–60; [[List of Gold Glove Award winners at pitcher|National League]], 1961–64). In 1957, he was the inaugural Gold Glove winner as a pitcher, when only a single award was given for both leagues.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |date=2025-08-27 |title=‘Boy, what a life’: A visit with Bobby Shantz, MLB’s oldest living MVP, as he nears his 100th birthday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6571608/2025/08/27/bobby-shantz-mlb-mvp-100-years-old/ |access-date=2025-08-31 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Gold Glove Award Winners {{!}} History |url=https://www.mlb.com/awards/gold-glove |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Jim Kaat]], who won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards as a pitcher, considered Shantz to be the superior fielder. Kaat has stated that if the award had existed for Shantz’s entire career he would have won as many, or more, than Kaat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wohl |first=Dan |date=2013-11-07 |title=Happy 75th birthday to Jim Kaat, who won 16 Gold Gloves in a row |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/happy-75th-birthday-to-jim-kaat-who-won-16-gold-gloves-in-a-row/c-63755496 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1956, A's manager [[Lou Boudreau]], a Hall of Fame shortstop who had been an excellent fielder,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boudreau, Lou {{!}} Baseball Hall of Fame |url=https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/boudreau-lou |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=baseballhall.org}}</ref> called Shantz the best fielding pitcher in baseball.<ref name=":6" /> [[Bobby Richardson]], who was Shantz’s teammate on the Yankees and won five consecutive American League Gold Glove Awards as a [[second baseman]], said Shantz could probably field better than most [[Infielder|infielders]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

Shantz also was selected for the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] in 1951, 1952 and 1957.<ref name="data" /> In the fifth and final inning of the 1952 [[All Star Game]], the left&ndash;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]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |date=2025-08-27 |title=‘Boy, what a life’: A visit with Bobby Shantz, MLB’s oldest living MVP, as he nears his 100th birthday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6571608/2025/08/27/bobby-shantz-mlb-mvp-100-years-old/ |access-date=2025-08-31 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Shantz played in the major leagues at 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) or 5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m) 139 lb. (63 kg).<ref name="data" /><ref name=":9" /> In his best season (1952), Shantz was the smallest MLB pitcher. His size was frequently mentioned in describing him as a player, with such phrases as “little Bobby Shantz”, “bitsy Bobby Shantz”, “mighty little southpaw”, “mighty mite” or worse commonly used when describing Shantz. More insulting language about his size was used by other teams’ [[Glossary of baseball terms|bench jockeys]] to taunt Shantz, but he did not let this affect him.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilks |first=Ed |date=April 30, 1958 |title=Shantz and Skowron Keep Hex on Tigers |work=The Austin Daily Herald (Austin, Minnesota) |pages=10}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Richman |first=Milton |date=July 9, 1952 |title=Bobby Shantz Gets Big Cheers In All-Star Game |work=The Daily News (Lebanon, Pennsylvania) |pages=10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=August 6, 1952 |title=Little Bobby Shantz Wins No. 20 Without Aid of ‘Good Knuckler’ |work=The South Bend Tribune (South Bend Indiana) |pages=41 |agency=United Press}}</ref> Other than Shantz, no pitcher 5 ft 6 in or shorter has pitched over 200 innings in a season during his lifetime, which he did three times.<ref name=":0" /> After his stellar 1952 All-Star Game performance, and league leading 14–3 record, one sports editor said Shantz was the best pitcher of such short stature ever, with the only challenger being the 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) [[Dickey Kerr]] of the early 1920s Chicago White Sox.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ruby |first=Earl |date=July 9, 1952 |title=Athletics Little Bobby Shantz Is Smallest Pitcher Ever To Take Starring Role In Major Leagues |work=The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) |pages=19}}</ref>[[File:Bobby_Shantz_Day.jpg|thumb|239x239px|Ambler Mayoral Proclamation of Bobby Shantz Day, September 26, 2025]]Ambler, Pennsylvania has officially proclaimed September 26, 2025, as "Bobby Shantz Day" in honor of Mr. Shantz's 100th birthday. 

== Personal life ==
His younger brother [[Billy Shantz]] also became a professional baseball player, at [[catcher]], and later a coach with the [[New York Yankees]].<ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=June 3, 1955 |title=Heart of America Sportsbeat |work=The Lebanon Daily Record (Lebanon, Missouri) |pages=5 |agency=United Press}}</ref><ref name=":42">{{Cite web |title=Billy Shantz Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shantbi01.shtml |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":112">{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1964 |title=Wilmer A. Shantz Dies; Father of 2 Athletes |work=Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania) |pages=1}}</ref> Even after becoming professional baseball players, both sons kept in regular contact with their father to let him know how they were doing.<ref name=":112" /> Shantz’s father Wilmer died while attending a 1964 exhibition basketball game in which Shantz was playing.<ref name=":112" /> 

Shantz is married to Shirley Vogel, and they have four children, Bobby, born in 1954, followed by Kathy, Teddy, and Danny, born in 1965.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marmer |first1=Mel |title=Bobby Shantz |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bobby-shantz/ |website=sabr.org |publisher=SABR |access-date=November 30, 2023}}</ref>

Shantz became the last surviving player who played for the [[Philadelphia Athletics]] after the death of [[Bill Harrington (baseball)|Bill Harrington]] in 2022, and the last living player to debut in MLB in the 1940s after the death of [[Tommy Brown (baseball)|Tommy Brown]] in 2025. Shantz is the last living player to have played for long-time MLB manager [[Connie Mack]]. Following the death of [[Art Schallock]] in March 6, 2025, Shantz became the second-oldest living MLB player after [[Bill Greason]], and the oldest living World Series champion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kepner |first1=Tyler |title=With One More Title, the Eagles Would Finally Match the A's |work=The New York Times |date=February 8, 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/sports/baseball/philadelphia-athletics-eagles.html |access-date=November 30, 2023}}</ref><ref name="balmanac">{{cite web |title=Oldest Living Major League Baseball Players |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/Oldest_Living_Baseball_Players.php |website=Baseball Almanac |access-date=16 January 2025}}</ref>

According to an interview with ''[[The Athletic]]'', as of August 2025, Shantz lives in [[Ambler, Pennsylvania]] with his wife Shirley. They own a dog named Jake. He formerly operated a bowling alley and a dairy bar in nearby [[Chalfont, Pennsylvania]], with his former Athletics teammate, [[Joe Astroth]]. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing golf. Health limitations include a bad hip, and he can no longer travel, but overall, he "feels good". He frequently watches baseball on television.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |date=2025-08-27 |title=‘Boy, what a life’: A visit with Bobby Shantz, MLB’s oldest living MVP, as he nears his 100th birthday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6571608/2025/08/27/bobby-shantz-mlb-mvp-100-years-old/ |access-date=2025-08-28 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders]]
* [[Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award]]
* [[List of centenarians (Major League Baseball players)]]
* [[List of centenarians (sportspeople)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Mercury staff (May 27, 1952). [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85959759/the-mercury/ "Shantz Night' Is Set July 18"]. ''The Pottsdown Mercury''. p.&nbsp;16

==External links==
*{{baseballstats|mlb=122060|espn=27391|br=s/shantbo01|fangraphs=1011804|brm=shantz001rob|retro=S/Pshanb102}}
*{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|22649411}}

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{{AL MVPs}}
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{{AL ERA champions}}
{{Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year Award}}
{{Philly Baseball Wall of Fame}}
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{{Oakland Athletics Opening Day starting pitchers}}

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[[Category:1925 births]]
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