Robert Clayton “Bobby” Shantz (September 26, 1925-) was said to have possessed the best curve ball in baseball by Hall of Fame hitter Ted Williams during his time as well as a knuckle ball that manager Connie Mack refuse to let him pitch. Bobby signed with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1948 and went 18-7 with a 2.82 ERA with the Class-A Lincoln A’s before becoming a key reliever with the big club in 1949. He played six seasons n Philadelphia and relocated with the team in 1955 to Kansas City (1949-1954/1955-1956). Bobby’s best season came in 1952, when used as a starter, he led the American League in wins (24) and winning percentage (.774) with a record of 24-7, earned his second of three All-Star appearances and won the AL MVP award as he helped the A’s to their last winning record in Philadelphia. In 1957, he was traded to the New York Yankees (1957-1960) and then pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1961), the Houston Colt .45’s (1962), the St. Louis Cardinals (1962-1964), the Chicago Cubs (1964) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1964). In 1957, Shantz led the American League in ERA (2.45) and helped the Yankees win the 1957, 1958 and 1960 AL pennants. That year, Bobby also began a streak of six consecutive years winning the Gold Glove and finished with eight overall. The Yankees beat the Milwaukee Braves in the 1958 World Series; however, Bobby did not pitch in the Fall Classic. Bobby Shantz retired in 1964 having posted a 119-99 record with 1,072 strikeouts, 78 complete games, 15 shutouts, 48 saves and a 3.38 career ERA in 171 starts, 192 games finished and 537 appearances. He is the brother of former A’s and Yankees catcher Bill Shantz.
