Spec Shea
Spec Shea | |
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Pitcher | |
Born: Naugatuck, Connecticut, U.S. | October 2, 1920|
Died: July 19, 2002 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. | (aged 81)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 19, 1947, for the New York Yankees | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 27, 1955, for the Washington Senators | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 56–46 |
Earned run average | 3.80 |
Strikeouts | 361 |
Teams | |
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Career highlights and awards | |
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Francis Joseph "Spec" Shea (October 2, 1920 – July 19, 2002) was an American
Biography
Shea originally signed with the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1940.[2] He spent the 1940 season playing in Amsterdam, winning 11 and losing four while pitching 137 innings.[3] In 1941, he was promoted to Norfolk, where he struck out 154 in 199 innings, and in 1942 he played in Kansas City, where he improved upon his earned run average.[3] He was a member of the United States Armed Forces, serving in World War II.[4] He joined in 1943 and served for three years, where he served solely as a soldier and did not play baseball.[3]
He was promoted to the Yankees' major league roster at the start of the 1947 New York Yankees season, and made his debut on April 19, 1947.[2] His debut against the Boston Red Sox was so strongly anticipated at Naugatuck High School, his alma mater, that the school suspended operations for the day so the student body could travel to New York to root for Spec.[3] As a rookie, Shea played in his first and only All-Star Game, playing in the 1947 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In the game, Shea pitched the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings, relieving for Hal Newhouser. He allowed one earned run, and was declared the winning pitcher of the All-Star Game.[5]
The same year, MLB established the Rookie of the Year Award. In the middle of the season, however, Shea was sidelined for seven weeks due to a pulled neck muscle.[1] Shea finished the season with a 14–5 record in 27 appearances, had the lowest hits allowed per nine innings pitched in the majors with 6.4, had the best win–loss record in the American League with .737%, threw 13 complete games, three shutouts, and had an ERA of 3.07.[2] Shea was in the running for the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award, which went to Jackie Robinson. Shea finished third in voting behind Robinson and Larry Jansen, but would have won the award had the American and National Leagues had separate Rookie of the Year winners.[1][2] In the 1947 World Series, Shea started games one, five and seven, winning the first two en route to the Yankees' World Series victory.[6]
From 1948 to 1951, however, Shea had a combined 15-16 record, continuing to pitch in pain due to a nagging neck injury suffered in 1947.
As a hitter, Shea posted a .195
Robert Redford called Shea during production of the film The Natural for pitching consultation, where he taught Redford how to pitch in an old-time style.[7] Shea died in New Haven, Connecticut, on July 19, 2002, at the age of 81 after having heart valve replacement surgery.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Spec Shea". Baseball Biography. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Spec Shea Statistics – Baseball-Reference.com". Retrieved July 30, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Spink, J. G. Taylor (May 21, 1947). "Looping the Loops". The Sporting News. pp. 1–2.
- ^ Bedingfield, Gary. "Baseball in Wartime – Those Who Served A to Z". Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
- ^ "July 8, 1947, All-Star Game Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
- ^ "1947 World Series - NYY vs. BRO". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
- ^ a b "Ex-Yankee Frank 'Spec' Shea Dies". Associated Press. July 20, 2002. Archived from the original on November 13, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
Further reading
- Harrison, Don (2013). "Spec Shea". SABR. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Spec Shea at Find a Grave