Joe Shaute
Joseph Benjamin Shaute (August 1, 1899 in Peckville, Pennsylvania – February 21, 1970 in Scranton, Pennsylvania) was a 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.
Joe Shaute | |||
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Pitcher | |||
Born: Peckville, Pennsylvania | August 1, 1899|||
Died: February 21, 1970 70) Scranton, Pennsylvania | (aged|||
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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 | |||
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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]
Notes
- Kashatus (2002), p. 99.
References
- Kashatus, William C. (2002). Diamonds in the Coalfields: 21 Remarkable Baseball Players, Managers, and Umpires from Northeast Pennsylvania. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-1176-4.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)