Merv Shea

Merv Shea
Catcher
Born: September 5, 1900
San Francisco, California
Died: January 27, 1953 (aged 52)
Sacramento, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 23, 1927 for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
August 19, 1944 for the Philadelphia Phillies
Career statistics
Batting average .220
Home runs 5
RBI 115
Teams

Mervyn John Shea (September 5, 1900 – January 27, 1953) was a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1927 to 1944. He played for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. By his final season, Shea was the oldest player in the National League.

Early life

Shea was born on September 5, 1900 in San Francisco, California.

MLB career

In 11 seasons he played in 439 games and had 1,197 at bats, 105 runs, 263 hits, 39 doubles, 7 triples, 5 home runs, 115 RBI, 8 stolen bases, 189 walks, .220 batting average, .327 on-base percentage, .277 slugging percentage, 331 total bases and 13 sacrifice hits.

In 1933, Shea tied the American League record for fielding percentage by a catcher (.933).

Later life

After his playing days, Shea served as manager for Portland in the Pacific Coast League, then spent several years in coaching and scouting for the Chicago Cubs organization. He joined the coaching staff of the Sacramento Solons of the PCL in 1951, but was forced to retire due to illness in his second season there.[1]

Shea played himself in the Jimmy Stewart movie The Stratton Story (1949).

He died at the age of 52 in Sacramento, California.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Former Ball Player Dies". The New York Times. January 29, 1953. Retrieved August 20, 2012.

External links