Spec Shea
Encyclopedia
Francis Joseph "Spec" Shea (October 2, 1920 - July 19, 2002) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
from 1947-1955. He played for the New York Yankees
from 1947–1951 and the Washington Senators
from 1952-1955. He was known as "The Naugatuck Nugget" as a result of him being from Naugatuck, Connecticut
, and was named as such by Yankees broadcaster Mel Allen
, and was nicknamed "Spec" because of his freckles.
Shea originally signed with the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1940. He spent the 1940 season playing in Amsterdam, winning 11 and losing four while pitching 137 innings. 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. He was a member of the United States Military, serving in World War II
. He joined in 1943 and served for three years, where he served solely as a soldier and did not play baseball.
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. He made his debut against the Boston Red Sox
, which was so looked forward to that Naugatuck High School
, his alma mater, that the school suspended operations for the day because most of the student body went to New York to root for Spec. 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. The same year MLB instated 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. 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 game
s, three shutout
s, and had an ERA
of 3.07. 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. In the 1947 World Series
, Shea pitched in games one and seven, winning the first two en route to the Yankees' World Series victory.
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. Instead of it being arm trouble as the Yankees believed, it was an issue that was solved by Shea visiting a chiropractor during the winter before the 1951 New York Yankees season
. On May 3, 1952, Shea was traded by the Yankees with Jackie Jensen
, Jerry Snyder
, and Archie Wilson
to the Washington Senators
for Irv Noren
and Tom Upton
. In 1952 he had an 11–7 record with a 2.93 ERA, and in 1953 he had a 12–7 record with a 3.94 ERA. He was used in his final two seasons primarily as a relief pitcher
, and pitched his final major league game on August 27, 1955.
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. Shea died in New Haven, Connecticut
on July 19, 2002 at the age of 81 after having heart valve replacement surgery.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
from 1947-1955. He played for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
from 1947–1951 and the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
from 1952-1955. He was known as "The Naugatuck Nugget" as a result of him being from Naugatuck, Connecticut
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Naugatuck is a consolidated borough and town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town spans both sides of the Naugatuck River just south of Waterbury, and includes the communities of Union City on the east side of the river, which has its own post office, Straitsville on the...
, and was named as such by Yankees broadcaster Mel Allen
Mel Allen
Mel Allen was an American sportscaster, best known for his long tenure as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. During the peak of his career in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Allen was arguably the most prominent member of his profession, his voice familiar to millions...
, and was nicknamed "Spec" because of his freckles.
Shea originally signed with the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1940. He spent the 1940 season playing in Amsterdam, winning 11 and losing four while pitching 137 innings. 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. He was a member of the United States Military, serving in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He joined in 1943 and served for three years, where he served solely as a soldier and did not play baseball.
He was promoted to the Yankees' major league roster at the start of the 1947 New York Yankees season
1947 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 45th season in New York, and its 47th season overall. The team finished with a record of 97-57, winning their 15th pennant, finishing 12 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers. New York was managed by Bucky Harris. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee...
, and made his debut on April 19, 1947. He made his debut against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, which was so looked forward to that Naugatuck High School
Naugatuck High School
Naugatuck High School is a high school in Naugatuck, New Haven County, Connecticut. The school principal is Janice Saam.The school is located at 543 Rubber Avenue. The building was constructed in 1959. 3 wings were added during the 1970s and are known as Castle House, Goodyear House, And the...
, his alma mater, that the school suspended operations for the day because most of the student body went to New York to root for Spec. As a rookie, Shea played in his first and only All-Star Game, playing in the 1947 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1947 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1947 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 14th playing of the "Midsummer Classic" between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 8, 1947, at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of...
. In the game, Shea pitched the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings, relieving for Hal Newhouser
Hal Newhouser
Harold "Prince Hal" Newhouser was an American pitcher for Major League Baseball who played 17 seasons from 1939 to 1955, mostly with the Detroit Tigers of the American League...
. He allowed one earned run, and was declared the winning pitcher of the All-Star Game. The same year MLB instated 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. 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
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with .737%, threw 13 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, three shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s, and had an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.07. Shea was in the running for the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award, which went to Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
. Shea finished third in voting behind Robinson and Larry Jansen
Larry Jansen
Lawrence Joseph Jansen was an American right-handed pitcher and coach in Major League Baseball. A native of Oregon, he played minor league baseball in the early 1940s before starting his Major League career in 1947 with the New York Giants. Jansen played nine seasons in the big leagues, and was...
, but would have won the award had the American and National Leagues had separate Rookie of the Year winners. In the 1947 World Series
1947 World Series
The 1947 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers, with the Yankees winning the Series in seven games for their first title since , and the eleventh championship in team history...
, Shea pitched in games one and seven, winning the first two en route to the Yankees' World Series victory.
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. Instead of it being arm trouble as the Yankees believed, it was an issue that was solved by Shea visiting a chiropractor during the winter before the 1951 New York Yankees season
1951 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 49th season for the team in New York, and its 51st season overall. The team finished with a record of 98-56, winning their 18th pennant, finishing five games ahead of the Cleveland Indians. New York was managed by Casey Stengel. The Yankees played at Yankee...
. On May 3, 1952, Shea was traded by the Yankees with Jackie Jensen
Jackie Jensen
Jack Eugene Jensen was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for three American League teams from 1950 to 1961, most notably the Boston Red Sox...
, Jerry Snyder
Jerry Snyder
Gerald George Snyder is an American former infielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Washington Senators from 1952 to 1958. Listed at , , he batted and threw right-handed....
, and Archie Wilson
Archie Wilson
Archibald Clifton Wilson was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for three teams from 1951-52. Listed at , , Wilson batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Los Angeles, California....
to the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
for Irv Noren
Irv Noren
Irving Arnold Noren is a retired American professional baseball and basketball player. He played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1950-1960. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and Tom Upton
Tom Upton
Thomas Herbert "Muscles" Upton is a former right-handed Major League Baseball shortstop who played for the St. Louis Browns from 1950 to 1951, and for the Washington Senators in 1952. He began his professional career in 1944, after being signed by the New York Yankees...
. In 1952 he had an 11–7 record with a 2.93 ERA, and in 1953 he had a 12–7 record with a 3.94 ERA. He was used in his final two seasons primarily as a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, and pitched his final major league game on August 27, 1955.
Robert Redford
Robert Redford
Charles Robert Redford, Jr. , better known as Robert Redford, is an American actor, film director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival. He has received two Oscars: one in 1981 for directing Ordinary People, and one for Lifetime...
called Shea during production of the film The Natural
The Natural (film)
The Natural is a 1984 film adaptation of Bernard Malamud's 1952 baseball novel of the same name, directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robert Redford, Glenn Close and Robert Duvall...
for pitching consultation, where he taught Redford how to pitch in an old-time style. Shea died in New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
on July 19, 2002 at the age of 81 after having heart valve replacement surgery.
External links
- Spec Shea at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...