Joe Shaute
| Joe Shaute | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 1, 1899 Peckville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| Died: February 21, 1970 (aged 70) Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 6, 1922, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 24, 1934, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 99–109 |
| Earned run average | 4.15 |
| Strikeouts | 512 |
| Teams | |
Joseph Benjamin Shaute (August 1, 1899 – February 21, 1970) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1922 to 1934, and during his 13-year career, he played primarily for the Cleveland Indians.[1] He attended Juniata College and Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.
He made his major league debut in September 1922, and threw his first pitch to legendary swatter Babe Ruth.[1] Baseball historian William C. Kashatus noted that when Shaute came to the pitching mound, "the Indians were clinging to a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth with two outs and bases loaded with Yankees".[1] Shaute gained notoriety when he struck out Ruth on four pitches to end the inning.[1] In the following inning, he faced another powerful hitter, Bob Meusel, who "swung so hard on Shaute's first offering that he whirled completely around and fell to the ground".[1] The pitcher next struck out Yankee catcher Freddie Hoffman.[1] Kashatus observed that Shaute "continued to dominate Ruth for the next three years".[1]
The situation changed in 1927, however, when Ruth hit 60 home runs, setting a major league record that stood for more than seven decades.[1] Ruth hit three of those home runs—numbers 30, 40, and 52—off of Shaute.[1] Nevertheless, during his 13-season career, Shaute struck out Ruth on more than 30 occasions.[1]
Shaute enjoyed his best season in 1924, "when he won 20 games for the lowly Indians who finished sixth that year".[1]
As a hitter, Shaute was a better than average hitting pitcher, posting a .258 batting average (170-for-660) with 63 runs, 1 home run, 64 RBI and drawing 40 bases on balls.[2]
Born in Peckville, Pennsylvania, Shaute died of cancer in nearby Scranton on February 21, 1970, aged 70.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kashatus, William C. (2002). Diamonds in the Coalfields: 21 Remarkable Baseball Players, Managers, and Umpires from Northeast Pennsylvania. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7864-1176-4.
- ^ "Joe Shaute Statistics and History". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ Browne, Paul. "Joe Shaute". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
External links[edit]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- 1899 births
- 1970 deaths
- Baseball players from Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Brooklyn Robins players
- Brooklyn Dodgers players
- Cleveland Indians players
- Cincinnati Reds players
- Juniata Eagles baseball players
- Mansfield Mounties baseball players
- Minor league baseball managers
- Chattanooga Lookouts players
- Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) players
- Scranton Miners players
- Minneapolis Millers (baseball) players
- Wilkes-Barre Barons (baseball) players