December 2, 2025 • 33 mins
(This episode was recorded in 2024).
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From the dusty sandlots of Pottstown, PA to the storied ballparks that served as the backdrop to his remarkable career, 98 year old baseball legend and 1952 AL MVP Bobby Shantz looks back on his improbable path to the major leagues. Grab your peanuts and cracker jack and listen to one of the great stories from the golden age of baseball.
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_04 (00:00):
His name may not be as widely recognized as some of
(00:02):
the big sluggers orflamethrowers of his era, but
Bobby Shantz's impact on thegame is undeniable.
From his humble beginnings inPotstown, Pennsylvania, to the
bright lights of Shy Park andYankee Stadium, Shant's story is
one of perseverance, talent, anda whole lot of heart.
At 98 years old, Bobby Shantz isthe second oldest living former
(00:26):
Major League Baseball player.
He was born in 1925, livedthrough the Great Depression,
almost died at the age of sixfrom a serious illness.
And believe me when I tell youthis, though he loved the game
of baseball with all his heart,there was almost zero chance
that he would play beyond highschool.
That illness that he had when hewas a kid likely stunted his
growth, and at 17 years old, hestood just four feet nine inches
(00:49):
tall and weighed 110 pounds.
Miraculously, just a few yearslater, after serving his country
dutifully during World War II,Shantz had grown to five feet
six and a half inches.
Now, look, his pitching abilitywas never in question.
I mean, Bobby Shantz couldthrow.
He had a devastating curveball,but now, at 5 feet 6 12 inches,
(01:11):
he was just tall enough to catchthe eye of one generous scout
for the Philadelphia Athleticswho gave the unlikely prospect a
chance.
With the door to a major leaguecareer cracked open, Shantz did
not disappoint.
He overachieved at every singlelevel, finishing his 16-year
career a three-time All-Star,1952 AL MVP, an eight-time gold
(01:34):
glove winner, including the veryfirst gold glove ever given to a
pitcher in 1957, was a WorldSeries champion at a member of
the Philadelphia Baseball Wallof Fame.
Grab your peanuts andcrackerjack because this is the
Bobby Shantz story, a tale oftriumph, adversity, and the
enduring spirit of America'spastime.
98-year-old Bobby Shantz is myguest on this month's episode of
(01:58):
the Lost Ballparks Podcast.
SPEAKER_06 (02:00):
This is Harry Catherine with Jack Hunter
Camerie Bruce.
SPEAKER_11 (02:31):
Good afternoon, everybody.
This is Alan Halker with MikeGrayson bringing you visuals
game of the day from SundayShine Park in the city of
Philadelphia.
SPEAKER_04 (02:47):
Bobby Sands, how are you?
SPEAKER_03 (02:49):
I'm okay.
How are you?
SPEAKER_04 (02:50):
I'm doing great.
Doing great.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (02:58):
Well, you want to know how many home runs I threw?
SPEAKER_04 (03:03):
Who are some of your favorite ballplayers as a kid?
Who did you like growing up?
SPEAKER_03 (03:08):
Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio.
And I ended up trying to get himout.
SPEAKER_04 (03:13):
Yeah, not only did you try to get Joe DiMaggio out,
but then after I think it wasafter the nineteen fifty one
season, there were a team of uha group of major league
all-stars that went over to playa series of games in Japan and
Joe was on your team.
SPEAKER_03 (03:26):
Yeah, I went overnight trip.
SPEAKER_04 (03:28):
What was Joe like to play with?
SPEAKER_03 (03:30):
Nice.
He never said too much.
He was pretty quiet.
Very nice person though.
unknown (03:34):
Nice guy.
SPEAKER_04 (03:35):
He probably appreciated though that you were
on his team in Japan because youhad your way with the Yankees.
SPEAKER_03 (03:41):
Yeah, I don't know if he appreciated it or not
before.
Every once in a while I see himlater.
He he didn't like to signautographs if some I don't know
if if somebody was selling hisautograph or something, I don't
know what the hell I thought hewas talking about before.
He told me he didn't like tosign autographs anymore because
too many people were selling.
(04:02):
He didn't sign my autograph forhe was very nice to me.
SPEAKER_04 (04:06):
You were born in Pottown, Pennsylvania, and you
and your brother used to have umcatch, used to play catch in the
backyard.
Did your brother help you withyour famous curveball?
SPEAKER_03 (04:14):
Yeah, he helped with my control.
He was a very good catcher.
He caught four four years in thebig leagues almost five years in
the big leagues, too.
He was a pretty good catcher.
SPEAKER_04 (04:25):
As a kid, your daily routine would include going to
school, playing baseball, andthen listening to radio
adventure programs.
Do you remember listening toJack Armstrong, the all-American
boy?
Jack Armstrong, the all-Americanboy, yeah, I remember that.
SPEAKER_05 (04:38):
Today, Jack Armstrong starts on a brand new
radio adventure.
One of the most exciting anddangerous he's ever had.
Yeah, okay, I did remember that.
We hope that you'll all get alot of thrills and real pleasure
out of Jack Armstrong's newestadventure, and that you'll make
the acquaintance of those extragood Wheaties flakes right away.
SPEAKER_08 (05:01):
Yeah, that was nice.
I enjoyed that.
SPEAKER_04 (05:03):
Speaking of Wheaties, you and your brother
probably ate your share becausein the late twenties and early
30s, money was tough to come by,so Wheaties actually helped your
family get all the baseballequipment that you wanted balls,
bats, gloves.
How did you guys do that?
SPEAKER_03 (05:17):
We sent box tops.
Forget balls and bats and stuff.
SPEAKER_04 (05:23):
You would redeem the cereal box tops?
SPEAKER_03 (05:25):
Yeah.
That's how we got ourparaphernalia.
SPEAKER_04 (05:28):
Yeah, you probably would have to get hundreds.
SPEAKER_03 (05:31):
Yeah, we had to eat a lot of Wheaties.
SPEAKER_05 (05:34):
So, would you do this for me?
Would you eat a breakfast ofchampions the next four mornings
in a row?
Then ask yourself if you've everfound any other breakfast dish
that gives you as much realpleasure and satisfaction as
this combination of Wheaties,milk, and fruit.
They should have had you do aWheaties commercial.
SPEAKER_03 (05:55):
Yeah, well I I've been nice, but they never didn't
look for me.
I know that.
SPEAKER_04 (05:59):
They need to put you on the box now.
SPEAKER_03 (06:02):
Yeah, that would be nice.
SPEAKER_04 (06:04):
Your high school coach, is it true that he told
you to forget about being apitcher?
SPEAKER_03 (06:08):
No, he didn't tell me to forget about being a
pitcher, but he thought I wastoo small to pitch.
That's why they put me in theoutfield.
SPEAKER_04 (06:15):
Was it like part of you that thought, okay, I'm in
the outfield now, but I know Iwas meant to pitch.
Did you feel like that?
SPEAKER_03 (06:21):
I really don't know if I was meant to pitch.
I was just lucky to be anywhere.
They put me anywhere, I washappy to be there.
But I I didn't really feel aboutpitching until when I used to
throw to my brother, he used towork with me with my curve ball.
I had a pretty good curveball.
I always did have a pretty goodcurveball.
That uh I couldn't throw thathard, but I I didn't know if I
was ever going to be a pitcher,but as it ended up I ended up
(06:44):
being a pretty good pitcher, Iguess.
SPEAKER_04 (06:46):
In high school, of course, you were on the baseball
team, but you also were a diver.
SPEAKER_03 (06:51):
Yeah, yeah, I was.
I used to dive a little bit.
I used to like to swim.
We used to go up to the SonyBrook up near Potts Town with me
and my brother.
We used to go up there all thetime.
SPEAKER_04 (07:00):
You and Bill.
Yeah.
After high school in 1944, youhad such a good season with your
sandlot team, the HolmesburgRamblers that you're gramblers,
yeah.
That you you were named to theConnie Mac All-Star team.
The irony that one day you wouldactually be managed by Connie
Mack.
SPEAKER_03 (07:17):
Yeah, yeah, that was that was pretty good, I guess,
yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (07:20):
And to me, the incredible thing about you being
managed by Connie Mack is justhow far his career went back in
baseball, all the way to the tothe 1880s.
SPEAKER_10 (07:29):
Born during the Civil War, Connie Mac began
playing baseball when Army Fortstill guarded the Western
frontier.
By 1886, when folks still rodein buggies and horse cars, he
was a professional ball player,catcher for the Washington
Senators.
SPEAKER_04 (07:46):
It's just amazing when you think about how years
before you played for Connie Macthat you were on the Connie Mac
All-Star team.
So then after high school, youserved in World War II.
Thank you for your service, bythe way.
You served in the Philippines,right?
SPEAKER_03 (07:58):
Yeah, thank you.
SPEAKER_04 (08:00):
You were eventually signed by the Philadelphia
Athletics.
And you made your Major Leaguedebut on May 6th, 1949, at
Detroit's Brig Stadium, whichwould be later named Tiger
Stadium.
SPEAKER_05 (08:10):
Brig Stadium, like Wrigley Field in Chicago, is one
of the finest ballparks in thecountry.
It's packed with loyal fans.
SPEAKER_04 (08:17):
Man, what do you remember about that experience,
Bobby?
SPEAKER_03 (08:19):
Nobody's asked me about that in fifty years.
I I remember believing, I thinkI relieved Carl Scheib.
SPEAKER_04 (08:27):
That's right, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (08:27):
Was it Carl Scheib?
SPEAKER_04 (08:29):
It was Carl Scheib, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (08:30):
Yeah, and I came in pretty early in the game and I
pitched most of that game, I infact might have went into the
extra innings.
I'm not even sure, but I endedup winning that game, I think.
I'm like I'm not even sure ofthat anymore.
I think that was my first win inthe big leagues in Detroit.
SPEAKER_04 (08:45):
And tell me about coming out, uh I would
assume 'cause you came in reliefout of the bullpen and walking
out in front of a major leaguecrowd and that stadium.
What was that moment like?
SPEAKER_03 (08:55):
I was scared to death.
I was shaking, I was hoping thehell I could get the ball over
the plate, that's all.
It turned out pretty good.
I I don't think I walked toomany guys.
I I don't know if I struck outtoo many, but I ended up winning
the game, I owe that.
SPEAKER_04 (09:10):
Was there always a special place in your heart for
Briggs Stadium where it allstarted?
SPEAKER_03 (09:14):
I always did like to pitch a against Detroit, but
they had a pretty good hit andball club with Al K-line and uh
Harvey Keen and guys, some ofthose guys were really tough.
I don't know how the hell Igot 'em out, but I did, I guess.
SPEAKER_04 (09:27):
And that particular ballpark, I mean fans are were
right up on you.
I it was built to be veryintimate, so they were close.
SPEAKER_03 (09:34):
Yeah, they were.
The the the fans were prettyclose to you, that ballpark.
They treated me nice.
SPEAKER_04 (09:40):
Your rookie season, your home ballpark was Shy Park
in Philadelphia.
SPEAKER_11 (09:44):
And it is sunny Shy Park here this afternoon,
everybody, with the wind blowingdirectly in from behind left
center field, blowing diagonallyacross the diamond and going out
from behind first base.
SPEAKER_04 (09:53):
Beautiful on the outside.
The outside facade was justgorgeous.
SPEAKER_03 (09:56):
You know, I I was never in the big league ballpark
until I came to Greek Stadium inShy Park.
SPEAKER_04 (10:02):
Wow, so you walk into, for instance, someplace
like Shy Park where there's thisgiant right field wall, the
so-called uh spite wall or spitefence built in right field
because fans on the other sideof the right field wall that
lived in these row houses wouldinvite their friends and family
over to watch games from theirrooftops.
And naturally, uh the team'smanagement were not thrilled
(10:25):
about that, so they built thiswall that went higher than the
roofs so that people couldn'tlook in.
Was that spite wall there whenyou were pitching?
The giant right field wall thatum Yeah, yeah, yeah, they had
that.
That probably made you feelpretty good as a pitcher, like,
okay, I can kind of get awaywith one a little inside here.
SPEAKER_03 (10:43):
Yeah.
Well, I don't know.
I I don't know what how I wasthinking.
I was just I'm just trying toget 'em out.
I didn't really think learningtoo much about the walls except
in Yankee Stadium that that wasalways so close.
And yet I really like pitchagainst the Yankees for some
reason because I beat 'em Ithink I beat 'em four times one
year.
But and I always liked the pitchthere because of if I knew if I
(11:05):
didn't let 'em pull the balldown the left field and right
field line, I could make 'em hitthe ball other than pulling the
ball.
I had a good chance of beatingthem and and that one year I
think it was fifty-two when Iwon twenty-four.
I think I beat him four times, Ibelieve.
And they had a good ball clubtoo, and Mannel and Oh, sure,
yeah.
Y Yogi and Hank Bauer and BruceGower and they were tough.
SPEAKER_04 (11:26):
And the first time you faced Mickey Manil.
SPEAKER_03 (11:29):
He was tough.
I had a hell of a time gettinghim out.
I had a rough time with him, butI really liked the pitch against
him that much.
But then I ended up gettingtraded to the Yankees and I had
to pitch against him anymore.
SPEAKER_04 (11:39):
Yeah, that that probably made you feel a lot
better, huh?
SPEAKER_03 (11:42):
Yeah, he was a good ball player.
I'll tell you a nice guy too.
SPEAKER_04 (11:45):
Bobby, June fifth, nineteen forty-nine, you beat
Bob Feller and the ClevelandIndians at Cleveland Stadium.
It was the first game of adouble header, and after the
game, you took a shower and wentout for a walk along the
lakefront.
When you returned, you tried towalk into the clubhouse and
there was an attendant there whowouldn't let you in.
Do you remember that?
SPEAKER_09 (12:04):
I there was a couple of times they wouldn't let me in
the ballpark because I was toosmall.
Bobby Shans is not the biggestman in the world, and
undoubtedly, that's a fact knownto a great many of you also.
SPEAKER_04 (12:16):
The guy said this door is for ball players only.
He thought you were a kidplaying hooky.
SPEAKER_03 (12:20):
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, I remember that.
A couple of times they wouldn'tlet me in the ballpark, but that
was in Cleveland, I think,wasn't it?
SPEAKER_04 (12:28):
It was in Cleveland, and your buddy uh teammate Sam
Chapman happened to show up andabout the same time as you and
uh he said, No, he's on ourteam.
Bobby's with us.
SPEAKER_03 (12:36):
Yeah, yeah.
I can remember who it was thatcame by, so somebody tried to
take me in.
I don't know if that was thesame night I pitched, that
wasn't cure.
SPEAKER_04 (12:46):
Your wife surely would get too nervous sometimes
to attend home games at ChivePark, but she would listen on
the radio, right?
SPEAKER_03 (12:52):
Yeah.
She used to be scared I wasgoing to get knocked out to she
that time she didn't want tolisten, I don't think.
SPEAKER_04 (12:58):
Which brings me Bobby to one day when I know she
wishes she would have eitherbeen listening or could have
been in person, August 12th,1950, at Yankee Stadium.
SPEAKER_12 (13:08):
Now up comes Bobby Chance, a very colorful little
performer.
SPEAKER_04 (13:11):
You hit the one and only home run in your career
just beyond the rail and leftfield.
SPEAKER_03 (13:16):
Yes, I can remember that.
I didn't I can forget that, I'lltell you that.
SPEAKER_04 (13:20):
Allie Reynolds was pitching, was that one of the
greatest feelings of your life?
SPEAKER_03 (13:24):
Yeah, man.
That was really good.
And then years later, we weregoing to an old timers game in
Yankee Stadium and I'm sittingthere putting my uniform on and
somebody clapped me on myshoulder.
And I looked up and it was AllieReynolds.
SPEAKER_04 (13:38):
Oh, it was Allie Reynolds?
SPEAKER_03 (13:48):
He said, I said, No, who you know, how you got home
for me.
I said, I was a pretty goodmirror.
He said, You were a pretty goodmarrow, he said.
SPEAKER_04 (14:02):
In between your 1950 and 1951 season, you and
Shirley, your wife, went back toher hometown in Lincoln,
Nebraska, and you got a jobdelivering mail for the post
office.
SPEAKER_03 (14:12):
Oh yeah, I used to deliver mail and later I got a
job.
I mean, you're I used to go backhere after the season and I get
a job in a liquor store.
SPEAKER_04 (14:20):
Lincoln, Nebraska, in I don't know, November and
December, I would imagine prettycold to be delivering mail.
SPEAKER_03 (14:26):
Yeah, it was cold.
It was really cold.
Yeah, it was very cold outthere.
Nice town, though, real verynice town.
SPEAKER_04 (14:33):
There was a curfew in Pennsylvania that would not
allow games at Scheibe Park togo past 6 59 PM on Sundays, and
I know at least there was onegame in particular where the
Philadelphia A's were beatingthe Yankees in the seventh
inning, and the game was calledbecause of the curfew.
The Yankees lost because thescore would revert back to the
last full inning of play whenthe A's I think were up seven to
four, and Yankees manager I'veleft I left out, huh?
(14:56):
Yeah, Yankees manager CaseyStengel was not happy about that
curfew.
I'm glad it happened.
In addition to your mom and dad,your grandpa loved baseball too,
didn't he?
SPEAKER_03 (15:07):
Yeah, he liked baseball.
Uh-huh.
Yeah.
In in the basement he used tomake beer.
Yeah, he he used to make beersomehow.
I don't know how the hell he wasdoing it.
My dad never drank.
But uh his uh dad uh we used tomake beer, I don't know, maybe
it was liquor too.
I don't know what the hell hewas making something down there.
SPEAKER_04 (15:26):
In 1951, Bobby, you made your first All-Star game.
That uh that year it was playedat Brig Stadium in Detroit.
SPEAKER_01 (15:32):
Brig Stadium, Detroit, for the 18th All-Star
game between Eddie Sawyer'sNational Leaguers and Casey
Stengel's American Leaguefavorites in the mid-season
classic.
Ty Cobb tosses out the firstball.
And 1951's Midsummer Thrillerunfolds for 52,000 fans.
SPEAKER_04 (15:48):
You're walking into a clubhouse with all these guys
that you probably admiredgrowing up.
SPEAKER_03 (15:53):
Yeah, I know.
You're right.
I thought, what the hell am Idoing here?
SPEAKER_04 (16:00):
And that one all-star game I I pitched what
anything You're talking aboutthe one where you struck out
Whitey Lockman, Jackie Robinson,and Stan Musil.
No, that was in that was in uhPhiladelphia at Shy Park.
SPEAKER_03 (16:12):
That was in Philadelphia, that's right.
In 52.
And then it started raining,thank God, and then they
couldn't knock me out.
SPEAKER_00 (16:29):
The Rains came to halt the classic after five
innings, and a wet but happythrong of fans grouped home.
SPEAKER_04 (16:36):
Listen, had it not rained, you might try to go for
what Carl Hubble did, you know,where he Well, yeah, well,
that's what they said in thepaper the next day, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (16:44):
But I I I it it was raining pretty hard, so I didn't
think I uh I I might have gotknocked out in the next inning
too.
Who the hell knows?
You don't know.
SPEAKER_04 (16:52):
Well, I can't imagine thinking as I'm going
back to the hotel that night,hey, I just struck out Whitey
Lockman, Jackie Robinson, andStam Usual in order.
Yeah, I bet.
Bobby, what was it like playingfor Connie Mack?
SPEAKER_03 (17:06):
Well, uh Connie didn't do much managing, you
know.
He he was very quiet, man, neversaid too much, and he I think
the first second year I was withthe A's, he had uh his son Earl
manager most of the time andConnie never said too much.
Every once in a while he'd wavea scorecard and tell the
outfield that trying to get theoutfielders removed a little
(17:26):
bit, you know.
Yeah.
But he didn't really do too muchof the managing 'cause he he was
very quiet and a really a reallya nice man.
SPEAKER_04 (17:33):
Your best pitch, Bobby, your out pitch was
probably your knuckleball.
Did you see someone throw it oruh how did it come to be that
you started throwing that?
SPEAKER_03 (17:42):
I was throw White Wilhelm throwing a thing and he
was really good with it, but I Istarted messing around with it a
while and took me about three orfour years before I started
throwing it.
And then I couldn't get it overthe plate.
After I started getting over theplate, that was a very good
pitch for me because if I gottwo strikes on somebody and I I
could throw that sucker if Icould get it around the plate, I
(18:02):
could get somebody out.
I got quite a few guys out withthat knuckle ball.
SPEAKER_04 (18:06):
I imagine some of the faces of bewilderment uh
after they're watching that ballcome come dance its way across
the plate.
SPEAKER_03 (18:14):
It used to jump around pretty good.
I I ended up with a pretty goodknuckle ball, but it was the the
trouble was they'd getting itover the plate, you know.
I mean, that was a trouble.
It took me a couple years reallyto start throwing that thing,
but after I got it where I couldthrow it up near the plate, I I
got a lot of guys out with it.
SPEAKER_12 (18:32):
Chance to wind up, round comes the left arm.
The playoff pitch is in therefor cross strike three.
SPEAKER_04 (18:37):
You can't tell me that you didn't have a good
chuckle every now and then afterguys would strike out with that
pitch.
unknown (18:44):
Yeah, I struggled with quite a few guys.
SPEAKER_03 (18:46):
A lot of guys couldn't hit that sucker,
though.
A lot of guys were swinging atit when they had two strikes
with it, and it was uh someonewas in the dirt sometime and
they swung at it.
SPEAKER_04 (18:55):
August 31st, 1952, you appeared on the Ed Sullivan
show in full uniform.
SPEAKER_02 (19:00):
Yeah, I do.
I have a picture at him in myroom.
Right now on the PhiladelphiaAthletics, which was Grove's
team, there's a little fellow,much smaller than Grove, who
this year has won 22 games.
And the thing that has attractedtremendous attention, not only
his winning streak, but the factthat he's about five feet five.
And he steps in there and beatsthe big fellows.
(19:20):
Ladies and gentlemen, wepresented a lot of champions on
this stage, but here is one ofthe greatest.
Bobby Chance.
SPEAKER_04 (19:27):
You were showing Ed how to throw a fastball and a
curveball.
SPEAKER_02 (19:30):
Would you show some of the the way you grip a ball
in delivering it and explainwhat uh what the grip is for and
what pitch you're throwing?
This is the way I hold afastball and cross the seams.
And this is a curveball.
I hold that right on the seams.
Right on the seams.
SPEAKER_03 (19:45):
Yeah, yeah.
Do you have a picture of that?
SPEAKER_04 (19:48):
I actually have the video of that.
Oh, do you?
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (19:51):
One of my kids had that video and I was listening
to that, yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (19:55):
I know that you don't like public speaking, so I
imagine that was not one of yourfavorite nights.
SPEAKER_03 (20:00):
I mean, you probably liked Ed Sullivan, but to
actually, you know, no, I'msurprised I went on an Ed
Sullivan show in 1922, but thatwas right after I had had that
real good year, I guess.
SPEAKER_04 (20:09):
It was late in the summer in 52, yeah.
So it was during that year.
SPEAKER_03 (20:12):
Yeah.
Yeah, that was TV, man.
I got a picture right in my roomhere.
I'm looking at it right now.
SPEAKER_04 (20:20):
November thirteenth, nineteen fifty-two, Bill Ingram
from the Associated Press calledyour dad and mom's home to tell
you that you had been selectedAL MVP.
Some of the previous winnerswere Yogi Berra, Ted Williams,
Joe DiMaggio.
And here Bill is calling you totell you that you're the MVP.
Well, tell me about that moment.
You must have been so excited,bro.
SPEAKER_03 (20:41):
Well, yeah, I was really excited.
Yeah, I couldn't b I couldn'tbelieve it that they picked me
as an MVP before because it wasa lot of guys had real good
years that year.
SPEAKER_04 (20:50):
Mickey Mannell, Yogi Berra?
SPEAKER_03 (20:52):
Yeah, I know.
And we're good ball players too.
I was very surprised when theytook me as an MVP, but I was
very happy.
And even until today, I'm veryhappy because I'm getting
invited to a card show and Imake a few bucks out of that.
That's really that's reallynice.
I and I still get a lot of meal.
When I write my name on theball, they want me to put 1952
(21:12):
A.O.
unknown (21:13):
MVP, and that makes me feel like a million bucks.
SPEAKER_00 (21:15):
Joe Astro, the man who catches while Bobby tosses,
gave us a few tips on why Bobbyis so outstanding.
He can get any pitch he throwsover the plate, and he throws
them all.
A knuckler, a sneaky fastball, acurve, a screwball.
All of them.
Bobby has one of the best curvesin the majors, and he can throw
it from three positions.
Overhand, three quarters, andsidearm.
SPEAKER_04 (21:35):
You finished that season 24 and 7, including five
shutouts that year.
SPEAKER_03 (21:40):
Yeah.
Yeah, it's a good year.
I couldn't do anything wrong.
Pretty lucky.
SPEAKER_04 (21:44):
Do you still have that award, that plaque
somewhere?
SPEAKER_03 (21:46):
Oh, yeah, I got that right above my fireplace, down
in my den.
SPEAKER_04 (21:50):
How old is your wife?
SPEAKER_03 (21:51):
My wife?
SPEAKER_04 (21:52):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (21:53):
She's 96.
SPEAKER_04 (21:54):
Okay, now when she asks you to take out the trash,
do you walk by that MVP and go?
SPEAKER_03 (21:59):
I I'm getting so damn old.
I'm sitting on my rear endwatching TV and I I'm looking at
that MVP every minute.
Of course, I I got eight goldgloves and I I got I got them
around my dead, and I kind oflook at it, got them once in a
while.
SPEAKER_00 (22:14):
Do you have all eight still?
SPEAKER_03 (22:15):
Yeah, I still have them.
SPEAKER_00 (22:16):
Wow.
He's one of the best fieldingpitchers in the league.
He's so quick that it's almostimpossible to get a line drive
through the middle of thediamond.
SPEAKER_04 (22:23):
In 1955, the athletics moved to Kansas City.
SPEAKER_07 (22:26):
Kansas City proves its baseball pride by queuing up
for tickets whenever the A's arein town.
Spacious Municipal Stadium.
One of the most modern in thegame.
This giant arena was built inrecord time when the A's came to
town.
Did you like pitching there?
SPEAKER_03 (22:41):
Well, I was having trouble with my shoulder a
little bit.
Lou Boudreau was the uh themanager.
My arm was feeling pretty good.
It came started feeling prettygood.
He's asked me if I was all rightto pitch.
And I pitched against theYankees and and we shot him out,
believe it or not.
Six nothing.
SPEAKER_08 (22:58):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (22:59):
Not too much longer after that, I was traded to the
Yankees.
SPEAKER_04 (23:02):
Nineteen fifty seven.
That was your first year withthe Yankees, right?
Fifty seven?
SPEAKER_03 (23:05):
Yeah, fifty-seven.
Fifty-seven, fifty-eight,fifty-nine, and sixty hours with
New York.
SPEAKER_04 (23:10):
And you're playing for Hall of Fame manager Casey
Stengel.
What what did you do do you havea f I mean, 'cause he was a
character, do you have afavorite Casey story?
SPEAKER_03 (23:18):
I used to get letters in the mail and they
they say you pitch for ConnieMack and you pitch for Casey
Stengel.
He says, Well what was thedifference?
I'd always write that back tohim saying, Connie Mack never
said a damn word and sh sh andCasey never shut up.
SPEAKER_04 (23:35):
Is it true, Bobby, that there were times where
Casey would fall asleep by thesecond inning and you'd have to
wake him up?
SPEAKER_03 (23:41):
Yeah, yeah, he used to sleep every once in a while,
but he because he had prettygood coaches.
You know, I had Group Alfcoaching and and uh Jim Turner
and Frank Cassetti.
He had pretty good coaches, sohe didn't have to worry too much
about anybody.
One time I was pitching againstthe Red Sox and we won that game
the day before, so now we're I Ithink we're still playing the
Red Sox a game afterwards and wewere headed in a game in the
(24:04):
ninth inning and I had pitchedthe previous c game the day
before.
I I I didn't even take my gloveout when I was sitting in a
dugout just uh just watching thegame and Yogi came over to me
and he said, Man will have to gofor an Ed Sullivan show.
And and Casey hollered down tome and said, Shit, go out and
finish the game of center field.
He put me he put me out ofcenter field.
(24:25):
I had to go into the clubhouseand get my glove.
I didn't even have my damnglove.
So then I got my glove went offthe center field and I'm sure I
can play center field because II'm a pretty good field.
I said, Jeez, I hope nobody hitsa damn ball out here because I I
hope I can catch it.
And and you know the first thefirst hitter hit the ball right
(24:45):
to me.
Did you catch it?
I couldn't believe that.
Yeah, I caught the game big butit scared the hell out of me.
We ended up winning the game sixto three.
SPEAKER_04 (24:54):
What did you think of Yankee Stadium?
SPEAKER_03 (24:56):
You think about Luke Garrett played there and Babe
Ruth and I always liked thepitch in Yankee Stadium for some
reason.
I don't know.
Not because I thought I couldbeat the Yankees, but I did beat
the Yankees, I guess, eleven ortwelve times.
I don't I'm not sure, but itfour times that one year.
But I always liked to pitch inNew York because of down the
line there was about three nineand three three ten.
If you and if you keep theseguys, see these good hitters, if
(25:19):
you can keep them from pullingthe boys, you could beat the
Yankees.
SPEAKER_04 (25:22):
But center field was a mile.
So yeah, if you could keep theball.
SPEAKER_03 (25:25):
Yeah, if you could that's what I say, if you could
keep them picking the ball toleft left field, left left
center field, right centerfield, you could beat them
center guns.
Probably the reason I beat 'emlike I did.
SPEAKER_04 (25:35):
Every year for the past, I don't know how many
years, you've gone back to yourhigh school in Potsdown,
Pennsylvania and thrown out thefirst pitch for Bobby Shansday.
SPEAKER_03 (25:42):
I said to the guy, my I can't get my left arm up
because I I threw so manypitches with my left arm for
sixteen years, you know.
They call me to throw out thefirst pitch, I can't even get my
arm up, and they say, Well, justroll it in.
Don't just don't rip back.
But I I get up there and I throwthe pitch with my right hand,
and they don't even know thedifference.
SPEAKER_04 (26:01):
And you a lot of times have worn a very special
New York Yankees cap for thatthrow out, right?
SPEAKER_03 (26:06):
Yeah, I I still wear that damn thing.
I I have uh Casey Stengel gaveme that cap, and he said, always
wear that thing, and I'm stillwearing it, and it's dirty as
hell.
I gotta get my light to wash it,but I still wear it.
SPEAKER_04 (26:18):
That's so great.
Hey, Bobby, you played in the1960 World Series, one of the
most dramatic in baseballhistory.
In game seven, Jim Coates camein to relieve you.
SPEAKER_12 (26:26):
The last half of the eighth inning, Bobby Chance,
victimized by the Bad Hop, willnow depart.
SPEAKER_04 (26:33):
There was a play after you came out where Roberto
Clemente hits a ball to firstbase, and Jim Coates is supposed
to cover, but he doesn't.
SPEAKER_12 (26:40):
Hearts, race, and pulse is passed here in this
last half of the eighth inningin the final game of the World
Series.
Burton moves off third, wroteoff second, one ball, two
seconds, seven to five New York.
Runners widen their leads, andClemente hits a small driver
towards Scarfing, and nobody'sgonna get over.
Face is moving.
Check that.
One run came in on the play,Burton came on from third, wrote
(27:04):
once the third, and a seven nowto six.
SPEAKER_03 (27:08):
Yeah, he didn't get over there in time.
I think that might have been thethird out.
SPEAKER_04 (27:12):
That would have been a play that you would have made
in your sleep.
Eight-time gold glove winner.
SPEAKER_03 (27:16):
Yeah, Clemente topped that ball down at first
baseline, and Moose got it, butCoach didn't get over there in
time, but they ended up beatingus that damn series.
SPEAKER_04 (27:24):
Well, because after he doesn't get over there to
cover, he gives up that home runto Hal Smith, which changes
everything.
SPEAKER_03 (27:29):
Yeah, right.
The thing it killed us with aneight inning when Verdon kicked
a ground ball, took a bad hopand hit him in the throat.
SPEAKER_12 (27:36):
There's the ground ball hits the short, knock, and
it hits Kubak in the face, andall hands are safe.
Bobby Chance got him to come upwith what appeared to be the
double play ball.
He took the hop and hit Kubek inthe face.
SPEAKER_03 (27:48):
Double play ball.
And I was getting him out prettygood.
SPEAKER_04 (27:55):
Yeah, you were.
Yeah, I mean up through five, Ithink five innings in relief,
you had only given up one hit atone point, but Mazarowski wins
the game, uh, you know, with awalk-off.
(28:21):
Where were you at when thathappened?
SPEAKER_03 (28:23):
I was probably in the probably in the clubhouse
because they took me out.
SPEAKER_04 (28:28):
Do you remember what the clubhouse was like after
that?
SPEAKER_03 (28:31):
It was very quiet, I'm trying to.
Yeah.
I was ashamed to lose thatthing.
I'm sure if that ball don't hitKubek in the throat, I'm I'm
sure I could have pitched theninth inny and what we were won
that game.
SPEAKER_04 (28:43):
What was your favorite ballpark to play in?
Did you have one where youthought, man, I feel comfortable
here every time I play, everytime I pitch?
SPEAKER_03 (28:50):
I always did like to pitch a Yankee Stadium.
I don't know why, but they beatme just as much as I beat them,
I guess.
But I knew I had beat them quitea few times.
But I always liked to pitch inYankee Stadium for some reason.
I I didn't like to pitch inBenway Park because that wall
was too close.
SPEAKER_04 (29:06):
The Green Monster, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (29:07):
Yeah, I I never did like to pitch there, but but I
didn't uh have too much bad luckthere.
I was always a little shaky thatbecause of that wall because it
always looks so pushy stand on amountain.
It looks like it's a short stop.
SPEAKER_04 (29:20):
You were friends long, long time with Kurt
Simmons, right?
SPEAKER_03 (29:23):
Oh yeah.
Kurt Kurt and Rob and Robertshad a golf course two miles from
my house and I used to play golfover there all the time.
They used to let me play fornothing.
SPEAKER_04 (29:31):
Who was better?
Who was the better golfer?
SPEAKER_03 (29:33):
We were all pretty much the same.
I never played golf until theygot that golf course moving and
and I used to go over therealmost every day.
I I got down to a five a fivehandicap, and that was really
good.
Robin Roberts was a good golferand so was Kirk.
They were they were all prettygood golfers too.
SPEAKER_04 (29:50):
You owned your own bowling alley.
You could have done you know,you were a great bowler.
SPEAKER_03 (29:53):
I wasn't that good.
I I averaged about a hundred andsixty five but but I I wasn't
that good of a bowler.
I really
SPEAKER_04 (30:04):
And the restaurant, the little restaurant on the
side, right?
SPEAKER_03 (30:12):
I ran that for twenty three years.
SPEAKER_04 (30:14):
What was the best thing you guys served there?
SPEAKER_03 (30:17):
Cheesesteaks.
unknown (30:18):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (30:20):
We had really good cheesesteaks.
SPEAKER_04 (30:24):
Well now you've made me hungry.
SPEAKER_03 (30:27):
Yeah, I wish I could have one right now.
SPEAKER_04 (30:29):
Well, hey, listen, Bobby, I really appreciate the
time.
It's been so much fun.
Um thank you.
Looking back at a on an amazingcareer and uh and life and just
to think about all the differentpeople.
Do you have a favorite moment ofyour career?
SPEAKER_03 (30:42):
Yeah, when I was picked a most valuable player in
1952 and I won twenty-fourgames, I had twenty-seven
complete games.
SPEAKER_04 (30:50):
How many years have you been married now?
SPEAKER_03 (30:52):
Uh seventy-five.
SPEAKER_04 (30:53):
What is the key to longevity?
SPEAKER_03 (30:55):
I have no idea.
Just being lucky, I guess.
I I don't look that goodanymore.
I I never did really look thatgood.
But I still feel pretty damngood for for being ninety eight,
I'll tell you that.
SPEAKER_04 (31:10):
Is there something you do every day that you go, uh
this makes you Yeah, I'm sit I'msitting on my ass all the time.
SPEAKER_03 (31:16):
I'm watching television.
I have a my favorite seat there.
I I go down there in the morningand then I take a little ride to
Amber and then I come home and Isit till about ten o'clock and I
go to bed.
SPEAKER_04 (31:29):
I'm sure you know this, but people love you.
The number of people who listento Lost Ballparks who have asked
me to try to get you to come onand talk about I know that
because of the mail I get I gethonestly God, I can't believe I
still get all the mail I get.
SPEAKER_03 (31:49):
And that really makes me feel good.
SPEAKER_04 (31:51):
When was the last game you played?
How many years ago was that?
I mean you last year was sixtysixty-four.
SPEAKER_03 (31:57):
Sixty-four, so sixty-four was my name with the
Phillies.
SPEAKER_04 (32:00):
I'm terrible with math, but I think that's sixty
years.
So it's it's been sixty yearssince you played and you're
still getting this mail, and itI think that's great.
SPEAKER_03 (32:08):
Yeah, I I I I love to get mail, man.
I I like to s sit down andanswer those people.
I I don't let them sit here onmy desk a memoir in a couple
hours and I sign everything.
Bats to sign and gloves to signand all kind of mail.
I love that.
SPEAKER_04 (32:22):
Well, I'm sure there'll be a few more uh to
sign after this.
I tell you, Bobby Shance, I'veenjoyed every single minute of
this time that we've hadtogether.
How's your wife?
How's your wife doing?
SPEAKER_03 (32:33):
She went to a hairdresser today.
She was feeling pretty good.
So I she's we're hanging inhere.
She's 96.
She's trying to catch me.
SPEAKER_04 (32:40):
She's almost there.
SPEAKER_03 (32:42):
Yeah.
Yeah, I hope she catches me.
Well, it's nice of you told.
I appreciate it talking to me.
SPEAKER_04 (32:49):
All right.
Hey, Bobby, take care and tellyour wife I said hello.
SPEAKER_03 (32:52):
I will.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Thanks for calling.
SPEAKER_04 (32:55):
What a life.
What an incredible life.
Overcoming a childhood diseasethat nearly took his life,
living through the GreatDepression, serving in World War
II, and then against all odds,pitching 16 years in the big
leagues, finishing with 119wins, a three-time All-Star,
eight-time gold glover, winningthe 1952 AL MVP in the 1958
(33:16):
World Series, and mostimportantly of all, being
married to his sweet wife,Shirley, for 75 years.
There are so many people whowere incredibly helpful in
securing this interview withBobby Chance, but two in
particular were Tom Coyle andDick Hines.
Without those two guys, thiswould not have happened.
So thank you both, gentlemen.
The Lost Ballparks Podcast isproduced by Mike Dunn, Manny
(33:38):
Zavlakis, Xavier Guerra, JohnMcBride, Kyle Schmidt, Mike
Lipinski, Ryan Beard, JohnCarter, Alex Kemp, and Curtis
Litzenberger.
Join me again on the firstWednesday of next month for
another episode of the LostBallparks Podcast.
His name may not be as widely recognized as some of
(00:02):
the big sluggers orflamethrowers of his era, but
Bobby Shantz's impact on thegame is undeniable.
From his humble beginnings inPotstown, Pennsylvania, to the
bright lights of Shy Park andYankee Stadium, Shant's story is
one of perseverance, talent, anda whole lot of heart.
At 98 years old, Bobby Shantz isthe second oldest living former
(00:26):
Major League Baseball player.
He was born in 1925, livedthrough the Great Depression,
almost died at the age of sixfrom a serious illness.
And believe me when I tell youthis, though he loved the game
of baseball with all his heart,there was almost zero chance
that he would play beyond highschool.
That illness that he had when hewas a kid likely stunted his
growth, and at 17 years old, hestood just four feet nine inches
(00:49):
tall and weighed 110 pounds.
Miraculously, just a few yearslater, after serving his country
dutifully during World War II,Shantz had grown to five feet
six and a half inches.
Now, look, his pitching abilitywas never in question.
I mean, Bobby Shantz couldthrow.
He had a devastating curveball,but now, at 5 feet 6 12 inches,
(01:11):
he was just tall enough to catchthe eye of one generous scout
for the Philadelphia Athleticswho gave the unlikely prospect a
chance.
With the door to a major leaguecareer cracked open, Shantz did
not disappoint.
He overachieved at every singlelevel, finishing his 16-year
career a three-time All-Star,1952 AL MVP, an eight-time gold
(01:34):
glove winner, including the veryfirst gold glove ever given to a
pitcher in 1957, was a WorldSeries champion at a member of
the Philadelphia Baseball Wallof Fame.
Grab your peanuts andcrackerjack because this is the
Bobby Shantz story, a tale oftriumph, adversity, and the
enduring spirit of America'spastime.
98-year-old Bobby Shantz is myguest on this month's episode of
(01:58):
the Lost Ballparks Podcast.
SPEAKER_06 (02:00):
This is Harry Catherine with Jack Hunter
Camerie Bruce.
SPEAKER_11 (02:31):
Good afternoon, everybody.
This is Alan Halker with MikeGrayson bringing you visuals
game of the day from SundayShine Park in the city of
Philadelphia.
SPEAKER_04 (02:47):
Bobby Sands, how are you?
SPEAKER_03 (02:49):
I'm okay.
How are you?
SPEAKER_04 (02:50):
I'm doing great.
Doing great.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (02:58):
Well, you want to know how many home runs I threw?
SPEAKER_04 (03:03):
Who are some of your favorite ballplayers as a kid?
Who did you like growing up?
SPEAKER_03 (03:08):
Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio.
And I ended up trying to get himout.
SPEAKER_04 (03:13):
Yeah, not only did you try to get Joe DiMaggio out,
but then after I think it wasafter the nineteen fifty one
season, there were a team of uha group of major league
all-stars that went over to playa series of games in Japan and
Joe was on your team.
SPEAKER_03 (03:26):
Yeah, I went overnight trip.
SPEAKER_04 (03:28):
What was Joe like to play with?
SPEAKER_03 (03:30):
Nice.
He never said too much.
He was pretty quiet.
Very nice person though.
unknown (03:34):
Nice guy.
SPEAKER_04 (03:35):
He probably appreciated though that you were
on his team in Japan because youhad your way with the Yankees.
SPEAKER_03 (03:41):
Yeah, I don't know if he appreciated it or not
before.
Every once in a while I see himlater.
He he didn't like to signautographs if some I don't know
if if somebody was selling hisautograph or something, I don't
know what the hell I thought hewas talking about before.
He told me he didn't like tosign autographs anymore because
too many people were selling.
(04:02):
He didn't sign my autograph forhe was very nice to me.
SPEAKER_04 (04:06):
You were born in Pottown, Pennsylvania, and you
and your brother used to have umcatch, used to play catch in the
backyard.
Did your brother help you withyour famous curveball?
SPEAKER_03 (04:14):
Yeah, he helped with my control.
He was a very good catcher.
He caught four four years in thebig leagues almost five years in
the big leagues, too.
He was a pretty good catcher.
SPEAKER_04 (04:25):
As a kid, your daily routine would include going to
school, playing baseball, andthen listening to radio
adventure programs.
Do you remember listening toJack Armstrong, the all-American
boy?
Jack Armstrong, the all-Americanboy, yeah, I remember that.
SPEAKER_05 (04:38):
Today, Jack Armstrong starts on a brand new
radio adventure.
One of the most exciting anddangerous he's ever had.
Yeah, okay, I did remember that.
We hope that you'll all get alot of thrills and real pleasure
out of Jack Armstrong's newestadventure, and that you'll make
the acquaintance of those extragood Wheaties flakes right away.
SPEAKER_08 (05:01):
Yeah, that was nice.
I enjoyed that.
SPEAKER_04 (05:03):
Speaking of Wheaties, you and your brother
probably ate your share becausein the late twenties and early
30s, money was tough to come by,so Wheaties actually helped your
family get all the baseballequipment that you wanted balls,
bats, gloves.
How did you guys do that?
SPEAKER_03 (05:17):
We sent box tops.
Forget balls and bats and stuff.
SPEAKER_04 (05:23):
You would redeem the cereal box tops?
SPEAKER_03 (05:25):
Yeah.
That's how we got ourparaphernalia.
SPEAKER_04 (05:28):
Yeah, you probably would have to get hundreds.
SPEAKER_03 (05:31):
Yeah, we had to eat a lot of Wheaties.
SPEAKER_05 (05:34):
So, would you do this for me?
Would you eat a breakfast ofchampions the next four mornings
in a row?
Then ask yourself if you've everfound any other breakfast dish
that gives you as much realpleasure and satisfaction as
this combination of Wheaties,milk, and fruit.
They should have had you do aWheaties commercial.
SPEAKER_03 (05:55):
Yeah, well I I've been nice, but they never didn't
look for me.
I know that.
SPEAKER_04 (05:59):
They need to put you on the box now.
SPEAKER_03 (06:02):
Yeah, that would be nice.
SPEAKER_04 (06:04):
Your high school coach, is it true that he told
you to forget about being apitcher?
SPEAKER_03 (06:08):
No, he didn't tell me to forget about being a
pitcher, but he thought I wastoo small to pitch.
That's why they put me in theoutfield.
SPEAKER_04 (06:15):
Was it like part of you that thought, okay, I'm in
the outfield now, but I know Iwas meant to pitch.
Did you feel like that?
SPEAKER_03 (06:21):
I really don't know if I was meant to pitch.
I was just lucky to be anywhere.
They put me anywhere, I washappy to be there.
But I I didn't really feel aboutpitching until when I used to
throw to my brother, he used towork with me with my curve ball.
I had a pretty good curveball.
I always did have a pretty goodcurveball.
That uh I couldn't throw thathard, but I I didn't know if I
was ever going to be a pitcher,but as it ended up I ended up
(06:44):
being a pretty good pitcher, Iguess.
SPEAKER_04 (06:46):
In high school, of course, you were on the baseball
team, but you also were a diver.
SPEAKER_03 (06:51):
Yeah, yeah, I was.
I used to dive a little bit.
I used to like to swim.
We used to go up to the SonyBrook up near Potts Town with me
and my brother.
We used to go up there all thetime.
SPEAKER_04 (07:00):
You and Bill.
Yeah.
After high school in 1944, youhad such a good season with your
sandlot team, the HolmesburgRamblers that you're gramblers,
yeah.
That you you were named to theConnie Mac All-Star team.
The irony that one day you wouldactually be managed by Connie
Mack.
SPEAKER_03 (07:17):
Yeah, yeah, that was that was pretty good, I guess,
yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (07:20):
And to me, the incredible thing about you being
managed by Connie Mack is justhow far his career went back in
baseball, all the way to the tothe 1880s.
SPEAKER_10 (07:29):
Born during the Civil War, Connie Mac began
playing baseball when Army Fortstill guarded the Western
frontier.
By 1886, when folks still rodein buggies and horse cars, he
was a professional ball player,catcher for the Washington
Senators.
SPEAKER_04 (07:46):
It's just amazing when you think about how years
before you played for Connie Macthat you were on the Connie Mac
All-Star team.
So then after high school, youserved in World War II.
Thank you for your service, bythe way.
You served in the Philippines,right?
SPEAKER_03 (07:58):
Yeah, thank you.
SPEAKER_04 (08:00):
You were eventually signed by the Philadelphia
Athletics.
And you made your Major Leaguedebut on May 6th, 1949, at
Detroit's Brig Stadium, whichwould be later named Tiger
Stadium.
SPEAKER_05 (08:10):
Brig Stadium, like Wrigley Field in Chicago, is one
of the finest ballparks in thecountry.
It's packed with loyal fans.
SPEAKER_04 (08:17):
Man, what do you remember about that experience,
Bobby?
SPEAKER_03 (08:19):
Nobody's asked me about that in fifty years.
I I remember believing, I thinkI relieved Carl Scheib.
SPEAKER_04 (08:27):
That's right, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (08:27):
Was it Carl Scheib?
SPEAKER_04 (08:29):
It was Carl Scheib, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (08:30):
Yeah, and I came in pretty early in the game and I
pitched most of that game, I infact might have went into the
extra innings.
I'm not even sure, but I endedup winning that game, I think.
I'm like I'm not even sure ofthat anymore.
I think that was my first win inthe big leagues in Detroit.
SPEAKER_04 (08:45):
And tell me about coming out, uh I would
assume 'cause you came in reliefout of the bullpen and walking
out in front of a major leaguecrowd and that stadium.
What was that moment like?
SPEAKER_03 (08:55):
I was scared to death.
I was shaking, I was hoping thehell I could get the ball over
the plate, that's all.
It turned out pretty good.
I I don't think I walked toomany guys.
I I don't know if I struck outtoo many, but I ended up winning
the game, I owe that.
SPEAKER_04 (09:10):
Was there always a special place in your heart for
Briggs Stadium where it allstarted?
SPEAKER_03 (09:14):
I always did like to pitch a against Detroit, but
they had a pretty good hit andball club with Al K-line and uh
Harvey Keen and guys, some ofthose guys were really tough.
I don't know how the hell Igot 'em out, but I did, I guess.
SPEAKER_04 (09:27):
And that particular ballpark, I mean fans are were
right up on you.
I it was built to be veryintimate, so they were close.
SPEAKER_03 (09:34):
Yeah, they were.
The the the fans were prettyclose to you, that ballpark.
They treated me nice.
SPEAKER_04 (09:40):
Your rookie season, your home ballpark was Shy Park
in Philadelphia.
SPEAKER_11 (09:44):
And it is sunny Shy Park here this afternoon,
everybody, with the wind blowingdirectly in from behind left
center field, blowing diagonallyacross the diamond and going out
from behind first base.
SPEAKER_04 (09:53):
Beautiful on the outside.
The outside facade was justgorgeous.
SPEAKER_03 (09:56):
You know, I I was never in the big league ballpark
until I came to Greek Stadium inShy Park.
SPEAKER_04 (10:02):
Wow, so you walk into, for instance, someplace
like Shy Park where there's thisgiant right field wall, the
so-called uh spite wall or spitefence built in right field
because fans on the other sideof the right field wall that
lived in these row houses wouldinvite their friends and family
over to watch games from theirrooftops.
And naturally, uh the team'smanagement were not thrilled
(10:25):
about that, so they built thiswall that went higher than the
roofs so that people couldn'tlook in.
Was that spite wall there whenyou were pitching?
The giant right field wall thatum Yeah, yeah, yeah, they had
that.
That probably made you feelpretty good as a pitcher, like,
okay, I can kind of get awaywith one a little inside here.
SPEAKER_03 (10:43):
Yeah.
Well, I don't know.
I I don't know what how I wasthinking.
I was just I'm just trying toget 'em out.
I didn't really think learningtoo much about the walls except
in Yankee Stadium that that wasalways so close.
And yet I really like pitchagainst the Yankees for some
reason because I beat 'em Ithink I beat 'em four times one
year.
But and I always liked the pitchthere because of if I knew if I
(11:05):
didn't let 'em pull the balldown the left field and right
field line, I could make 'em hitthe ball other than pulling the
ball.
I had a good chance of beatingthem and and that one year I
think it was fifty-two when Iwon twenty-four.
I think I beat him four times, Ibelieve.
And they had a good ball clubtoo, and Mannel and Oh, sure,
yeah.
Y Yogi and Hank Bauer and BruceGower and they were tough.
SPEAKER_04 (11:26):
And the first time you faced Mickey Manil.
SPEAKER_03 (11:29):
He was tough.
I had a hell of a time gettinghim out.
I had a rough time with him, butI really liked the pitch against
him that much.
But then I ended up gettingtraded to the Yankees and I had
to pitch against him anymore.
SPEAKER_04 (11:39):
Yeah, that that probably made you feel a lot
better, huh?
SPEAKER_03 (11:42):
Yeah, he was a good ball player.
I'll tell you a nice guy too.
SPEAKER_04 (11:45):
Bobby, June fifth, nineteen forty-nine, you beat
Bob Feller and the ClevelandIndians at Cleveland Stadium.
It was the first game of adouble header, and after the
game, you took a shower and wentout for a walk along the
lakefront.
When you returned, you tried towalk into the clubhouse and
there was an attendant there whowouldn't let you in.
Do you remember that?
SPEAKER_09 (12:04):
I there was a couple of times they wouldn't let me in
the ballpark because I was toosmall.
Bobby Shans is not the biggestman in the world, and
undoubtedly, that's a fact knownto a great many of you also.
SPEAKER_04 (12:16):
The guy said this door is for ball players only.
He thought you were a kidplaying hooky.
SPEAKER_03 (12:20):
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, I remember that.
A couple of times they wouldn'tlet me in the ballpark, but that
was in Cleveland, I think,wasn't it?
SPEAKER_04 (12:28):
It was in Cleveland, and your buddy uh teammate Sam
Chapman happened to show up andabout the same time as you and
uh he said, No, he's on ourteam.
Bobby's with us.
SPEAKER_03 (12:36):
Yeah, yeah.
I can remember who it was thatcame by, so somebody tried to
take me in.
I don't know if that was thesame night I pitched, that
wasn't cure.
SPEAKER_04 (12:46):
Your wife surely would get too nervous sometimes
to attend home games at ChivePark, but she would listen on
the radio, right?
SPEAKER_03 (12:52):
Yeah.
She used to be scared I wasgoing to get knocked out to she
that time she didn't want tolisten, I don't think.
SPEAKER_04 (12:58):
Which brings me Bobby to one day when I know she
wishes she would have eitherbeen listening or could have
been in person, August 12th,1950, at Yankee Stadium.
SPEAKER_12 (13:08):
Now up comes Bobby Chance, a very colorful little
performer.
SPEAKER_04 (13:11):
You hit the one and only home run in your career
just beyond the rail and leftfield.
SPEAKER_03 (13:16):
Yes, I can remember that.
I didn't I can forget that, I'lltell you that.
SPEAKER_04 (13:20):
Allie Reynolds was pitching, was that one of the
greatest feelings of your life?
SPEAKER_03 (13:24):
Yeah, man.
That was really good.
And then years later, we weregoing to an old timers game in
Yankee Stadium and I'm sittingthere putting my uniform on and
somebody clapped me on myshoulder.
And I looked up and it was AllieReynolds.
SPEAKER_04 (13:38):
Oh, it was Allie Reynolds?
SPEAKER_03 (13:48):
He said, I said, No, who you know, how you got home
for me.
I said, I was a pretty goodmirror.
He said, You were a pretty goodmarrow, he said.
SPEAKER_04 (14:02):
In between your 1950 and 1951 season, you and
Shirley, your wife, went back toher hometown in Lincoln,
Nebraska, and you got a jobdelivering mail for the post
office.
SPEAKER_03 (14:12):
Oh yeah, I used to deliver mail and later I got a
job.
I mean, you're I used to go backhere after the season and I get
a job in a liquor store.
SPEAKER_04 (14:20):
Lincoln, Nebraska, in I don't know, November and
December, I would imagine prettycold to be delivering mail.
SPEAKER_03 (14:26):
Yeah, it was cold.
It was really cold.
Yeah, it was very cold outthere.
Nice town, though, real verynice town.
SPEAKER_04 (14:33):
There was a curfew in Pennsylvania that would not
allow games at Scheibe Park togo past 6 59 PM on Sundays, and
I know at least there was onegame in particular where the
Philadelphia A's were beatingthe Yankees in the seventh
inning, and the game was calledbecause of the curfew.
The Yankees lost because thescore would revert back to the
last full inning of play whenthe A's I think were up seven to
four, and Yankees manager I'veleft I left out, huh?
(14:56):
Yeah, Yankees manager CaseyStengel was not happy about that
curfew.
I'm glad it happened.
In addition to your mom and dad,your grandpa loved baseball too,
didn't he?
SPEAKER_03 (15:07):
Yeah, he liked baseball.
Uh-huh.
Yeah.
In in the basement he used tomake beer.
Yeah, he he used to make beersomehow.
I don't know how the hell he wasdoing it.
My dad never drank.
But uh his uh dad uh we used tomake beer, I don't know, maybe
it was liquor too.
I don't know what the hell hewas making something down there.
SPEAKER_04 (15:26):
In 1951, Bobby, you made your first All-Star game.
That uh that year it was playedat Brig Stadium in Detroit.
SPEAKER_01 (15:32):
Brig Stadium, Detroit, for the 18th All-Star
game between Eddie Sawyer'sNational Leaguers and Casey
Stengel's American Leaguefavorites in the mid-season
classic.
Ty Cobb tosses out the firstball.
And 1951's Midsummer Thrillerunfolds for 52,000 fans.
SPEAKER_04 (15:48):
You're walking into a clubhouse with all these guys
that you probably admiredgrowing up.
SPEAKER_03 (15:53):
Yeah, I know.
You're right.
I thought, what the hell am Idoing here?
SPEAKER_04 (16:00):
And that one all-star game I I pitched what
anything You're talking aboutthe one where you struck out
Whitey Lockman, Jackie Robinson,and Stan Musil.
No, that was in that was in uhPhiladelphia at Shy Park.
SPEAKER_03 (16:12):
That was in Philadelphia, that's right.
In 52.
And then it started raining,thank God, and then they
couldn't knock me out.
SPEAKER_00 (16:29):
The Rains came to halt the classic after five
innings, and a wet but happythrong of fans grouped home.
SPEAKER_04 (16:36):
Listen, had it not rained, you might try to go for
what Carl Hubble did, you know,where he Well, yeah, well,
that's what they said in thepaper the next day, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (16:44):
But I I I it it was raining pretty hard, so I didn't
think I uh I I might have gotknocked out in the next inning
too.
Who the hell knows?
You don't know.
SPEAKER_04 (16:52):
Well, I can't imagine thinking as I'm going
back to the hotel that night,hey, I just struck out Whitey
Lockman, Jackie Robinson, andStam Usual in order.
Yeah, I bet.
Bobby, what was it like playingfor Connie Mack?
SPEAKER_03 (17:06):
Well, uh Connie didn't do much managing, you
know.
He he was very quiet, man, neversaid too much, and he I think
the first second year I was withthe A's, he had uh his son Earl
manager most of the time andConnie never said too much.
Every once in a while he'd wavea scorecard and tell the
outfield that trying to get theoutfielders removed a little
(17:26):
bit, you know.
Yeah.
But he didn't really do too muchof the managing 'cause he he was
very quiet and a really a reallya nice man.
SPEAKER_04 (17:33):
Your best pitch, Bobby, your out pitch was
probably your knuckleball.
Did you see someone throw it oruh how did it come to be that
you started throwing that?
SPEAKER_03 (17:42):
I was throw White Wilhelm throwing a thing and he
was really good with it, but I Istarted messing around with it a
while and took me about three orfour years before I started
throwing it.
And then I couldn't get it overthe plate.
After I started getting over theplate, that was a very good
pitch for me because if I gottwo strikes on somebody and I I
could throw that sucker if Icould get it around the plate, I
(18:02):
could get somebody out.
I got quite a few guys out withthat knuckle ball.
SPEAKER_04 (18:06):
I imagine some of the faces of bewilderment uh
after they're watching that ballcome come dance its way across
the plate.
SPEAKER_03 (18:14):
It used to jump around pretty good.
I I ended up with a pretty goodknuckle ball, but it was the the
trouble was they'd getting itover the plate, you know.
I mean, that was a trouble.
It took me a couple years reallyto start throwing that thing,
but after I got it where I couldthrow it up near the plate, I I
got a lot of guys out with it.
SPEAKER_12 (18:32):
Chance to wind up, round comes the left arm.
The playoff pitch is in therefor cross strike three.
SPEAKER_04 (18:37):
You can't tell me that you didn't have a good
chuckle every now and then afterguys would strike out with that
pitch.
unknown (18:44):
Yeah, I struggled with quite a few guys.
SPEAKER_03 (18:46):
A lot of guys couldn't hit that sucker,
though.
A lot of guys were swinging atit when they had two strikes
with it, and it was uh someonewas in the dirt sometime and
they swung at it.
SPEAKER_04 (18:55):
August 31st, 1952, you appeared on the Ed Sullivan
show in full uniform.
SPEAKER_02 (19:00):
Yeah, I do.
I have a picture at him in myroom.
Right now on the PhiladelphiaAthletics, which was Grove's
team, there's a little fellow,much smaller than Grove, who
this year has won 22 games.
And the thing that has attractedtremendous attention, not only
his winning streak, but the factthat he's about five feet five.
And he steps in there and beatsthe big fellows.
(19:20):
Ladies and gentlemen, wepresented a lot of champions on
this stage, but here is one ofthe greatest.
Bobby Chance.
SPEAKER_04 (19:27):
You were showing Ed how to throw a fastball and a
curveball.
SPEAKER_02 (19:30):
Would you show some of the the way you grip a ball
in delivering it and explainwhat uh what the grip is for and
what pitch you're throwing?
This is the way I hold afastball and cross the seams.
And this is a curveball.
I hold that right on the seams.
Right on the seams.
SPEAKER_03 (19:45):
Yeah, yeah.
Do you have a picture of that?
SPEAKER_04 (19:48):
I actually have the video of that.
Oh, do you?
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (19:51):
One of my kids had that video and I was listening
to that, yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (19:55):
I know that you don't like public speaking, so I
imagine that was not one of yourfavorite nights.
SPEAKER_03 (20:00):
I mean, you probably liked Ed Sullivan, but to
actually, you know, no, I'msurprised I went on an Ed
Sullivan show in 1922, but thatwas right after I had had that
real good year, I guess.
SPEAKER_04 (20:09):
It was late in the summer in 52, yeah.
So it was during that year.
SPEAKER_03 (20:12):
Yeah.
Yeah, that was TV, man.
I got a picture right in my roomhere.
I'm looking at it right now.
SPEAKER_04 (20:20):
November thirteenth, nineteen fifty-two, Bill Ingram
from the Associated Press calledyour dad and mom's home to tell
you that you had been selectedAL MVP.
Some of the previous winnerswere Yogi Berra, Ted Williams,
Joe DiMaggio.
And here Bill is calling you totell you that you're the MVP.
Well, tell me about that moment.
You must have been so excited,bro.
SPEAKER_03 (20:41):
Well, yeah, I was really excited.
Yeah, I couldn't b I couldn'tbelieve it that they picked me
as an MVP before because it wasa lot of guys had real good
years that year.
SPEAKER_04 (20:50):
Mickey Mannell, Yogi Berra?
SPEAKER_03 (20:52):
Yeah, I know.
And we're good ball players too.
I was very surprised when theytook me as an MVP, but I was
very happy.
And even until today, I'm veryhappy because I'm getting
invited to a card show and Imake a few bucks out of that.
That's really that's reallynice.
I and I still get a lot of meal.
When I write my name on theball, they want me to put 1952
(21:12):
A.O.
unknown (21:13):
MVP, and that makes me feel like a million bucks.
SPEAKER_00 (21:15):
Joe Astro, the man who catches while Bobby tosses,
gave us a few tips on why Bobbyis so outstanding.
He can get any pitch he throwsover the plate, and he throws
them all.
A knuckler, a sneaky fastball, acurve, a screwball.
All of them.
Bobby has one of the best curvesin the majors, and he can throw
it from three positions.
Overhand, three quarters, andsidearm.
SPEAKER_04 (21:35):
You finished that season 24 and 7, including five
shutouts that year.
SPEAKER_03 (21:40):
Yeah.
Yeah, it's a good year.
I couldn't do anything wrong.
Pretty lucky.
SPEAKER_04 (21:44):
Do you still have that award, that plaque
somewhere?
SPEAKER_03 (21:46):
Oh, yeah, I got that right above my fireplace, down
in my den.
SPEAKER_04 (21:50):
How old is your wife?
SPEAKER_03 (21:51):
My wife?
SPEAKER_04 (21:52):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (21:53):
She's 96.
SPEAKER_04 (21:54):
Okay, now when she asks you to take out the trash,
do you walk by that MVP and go?
SPEAKER_03 (21:59):
I I'm getting so damn old.
I'm sitting on my rear endwatching TV and I I'm looking at
that MVP every minute.
Of course, I I got eight goldgloves and I I got I got them
around my dead, and I kind oflook at it, got them once in a
while.
SPEAKER_00 (22:14):
Do you have all eight still?
SPEAKER_03 (22:15):
Yeah, I still have them.
SPEAKER_00 (22:16):
Wow.
He's one of the best fieldingpitchers in the league.
He's so quick that it's almostimpossible to get a line drive
through the middle of thediamond.
SPEAKER_04 (22:23):
In 1955, the athletics moved to Kansas City.
SPEAKER_07 (22:26):
Kansas City proves its baseball pride by queuing up
for tickets whenever the A's arein town.
Spacious Municipal Stadium.
One of the most modern in thegame.
This giant arena was built inrecord time when the A's came to
town.
Did you like pitching there?
SPEAKER_03 (22:41):
Well, I was having trouble with my shoulder a
little bit.
Lou Boudreau was the uh themanager.
My arm was feeling pretty good.
It came started feeling prettygood.
He's asked me if I was all rightto pitch.
And I pitched against theYankees and and we shot him out,
believe it or not.
Six nothing.
SPEAKER_08 (22:58):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (22:59):
Not too much longer after that, I was traded to the
Yankees.
SPEAKER_04 (23:02):
Nineteen fifty seven.
That was your first year withthe Yankees, right?
Fifty seven?
SPEAKER_03 (23:05):
Yeah, fifty-seven.
Fifty-seven, fifty-eight,fifty-nine, and sixty hours with
New York.
SPEAKER_04 (23:10):
And you're playing for Hall of Fame manager Casey
Stengel.
What what did you do do you havea f I mean, 'cause he was a
character, do you have afavorite Casey story?
SPEAKER_03 (23:18):
I used to get letters in the mail and they
they say you pitch for ConnieMack and you pitch for Casey
Stengel.
He says, Well what was thedifference?
I'd always write that back tohim saying, Connie Mack never
said a damn word and sh sh andCasey never shut up.
SPEAKER_04 (23:35):
Is it true, Bobby, that there were times where
Casey would fall asleep by thesecond inning and you'd have to
wake him up?
SPEAKER_03 (23:41):
Yeah, yeah, he used to sleep every once in a while,
but he because he had prettygood coaches.
You know, I had Group Alfcoaching and and uh Jim Turner
and Frank Cassetti.
He had pretty good coaches, sohe didn't have to worry too much
about anybody.
One time I was pitching againstthe Red Sox and we won that game
the day before, so now we're I Ithink we're still playing the
Red Sox a game afterwards and wewere headed in a game in the
(24:04):
ninth inning and I had pitchedthe previous c game the day
before.
I I I didn't even take my gloveout when I was sitting in a
dugout just uh just watching thegame and Yogi came over to me
and he said, Man will have to gofor an Ed Sullivan show.
And and Casey hollered down tome and said, Shit, go out and
finish the game of center field.
He put me he put me out ofcenter field.
(24:25):
I had to go into the clubhouseand get my glove.
I didn't even have my damnglove.
So then I got my glove went offthe center field and I'm sure I
can play center field because II'm a pretty good field.
I said, Jeez, I hope nobody hitsa damn ball out here because I I
hope I can catch it.
And and you know the first thefirst hitter hit the ball right
(24:45):
to me.
Did you catch it?
I couldn't believe that.
Yeah, I caught the game big butit scared the hell out of me.
We ended up winning the game sixto three.
SPEAKER_04 (24:54):
What did you think of Yankee Stadium?
SPEAKER_03 (24:56):
You think about Luke Garrett played there and Babe
Ruth and I always liked thepitch in Yankee Stadium for some
reason.
I don't know.
Not because I thought I couldbeat the Yankees, but I did beat
the Yankees, I guess, eleven ortwelve times.
I don't I'm not sure, but itfour times that one year.
But I always liked to pitch inNew York because of down the
line there was about three nineand three three ten.
If you and if you keep theseguys, see these good hitters, if
(25:19):
you can keep them from pullingthe boys, you could beat the
Yankees.
SPEAKER_04 (25:22):
But center field was a mile.
So yeah, if you could keep theball.
SPEAKER_03 (25:25):
Yeah, if you could that's what I say, if you could
keep them picking the ball toleft left field, left left
center field, right centerfield, you could beat them
center guns.
Probably the reason I beat 'emlike I did.
SPEAKER_04 (25:35):
Every year for the past, I don't know how many
years, you've gone back to yourhigh school in Potsdown,
Pennsylvania and thrown out thefirst pitch for Bobby Shansday.
SPEAKER_03 (25:42):
I said to the guy, my I can't get my left arm up
because I I threw so manypitches with my left arm for
sixteen years, you know.
They call me to throw out thefirst pitch, I can't even get my
arm up, and they say, Well, justroll it in.
Don't just don't rip back.
But I I get up there and I throwthe pitch with my right hand,
and they don't even know thedifference.
SPEAKER_04 (26:01):
And you a lot of times have worn a very special
New York Yankees cap for thatthrow out, right?
SPEAKER_03 (26:06):
Yeah, I I still wear that damn thing.
I I have uh Casey Stengel gaveme that cap, and he said, always
wear that thing, and I'm stillwearing it, and it's dirty as
hell.
I gotta get my light to wash it,but I still wear it.
SPEAKER_04 (26:18):
That's so great.
Hey, Bobby, you played in the1960 World Series, one of the
most dramatic in baseballhistory.
In game seven, Jim Coates camein to relieve you.
SPEAKER_12 (26:26):
The last half of the eighth inning, Bobby Chance,
victimized by the Bad Hop, willnow depart.
SPEAKER_04 (26:33):
There was a play after you came out where Roberto
Clemente hits a ball to firstbase, and Jim Coates is supposed
to cover, but he doesn't.
SPEAKER_12 (26:40):
Hearts, race, and pulse is passed here in this
last half of the eighth inningin the final game of the World
Series.
Burton moves off third, wroteoff second, one ball, two
seconds, seven to five New York.
Runners widen their leads, andClemente hits a small driver
towards Scarfing, and nobody'sgonna get over.
Face is moving.
Check that.
One run came in on the play,Burton came on from third, wrote
(27:04):
once the third, and a seven nowto six.
SPEAKER_03 (27:08):
Yeah, he didn't get over there in time.
I think that might have been thethird out.
SPEAKER_04 (27:12):
That would have been a play that you would have made
in your sleep.
Eight-time gold glove winner.
SPEAKER_03 (27:16):
Yeah, Clemente topped that ball down at first
baseline, and Moose got it, butCoach didn't get over there in
time, but they ended up beatingus that damn series.
SPEAKER_04 (27:24):
Well, because after he doesn't get over there to
cover, he gives up that home runto Hal Smith, which changes
everything.
SPEAKER_03 (27:29):
Yeah, right.
The thing it killed us with aneight inning when Verdon kicked
a ground ball, took a bad hopand hit him in the throat.
SPEAKER_12 (27:36):
There's the ground ball hits the short, knock, and
it hits Kubak in the face, andall hands are safe.
Bobby Chance got him to come upwith what appeared to be the
double play ball.
He took the hop and hit Kubek inthe face.
SPEAKER_03 (27:48):
Double play ball.
And I was getting him out prettygood.
SPEAKER_04 (27:55):
Yeah, you were.
Yeah, I mean up through five, Ithink five innings in relief,
you had only given up one hit atone point, but Mazarowski wins
the game, uh, you know, with awalk-off.
(28:21):
Where were you at when thathappened?
SPEAKER_03 (28:23):
I was probably in the probably in the clubhouse
because they took me out.
SPEAKER_04 (28:28):
Do you remember what the clubhouse was like after
that?
SPEAKER_03 (28:31):
It was very quiet, I'm trying to.
Yeah.
I was ashamed to lose thatthing.
I'm sure if that ball don't hitKubek in the throat, I'm I'm
sure I could have pitched theninth inny and what we were won
that game.
SPEAKER_04 (28:43):
What was your favorite ballpark to play in?
Did you have one where youthought, man, I feel comfortable
here every time I play, everytime I pitch?
SPEAKER_03 (28:50):
I always did like to pitch a Yankee Stadium.
I don't know why, but they beatme just as much as I beat them,
I guess.
But I knew I had beat them quitea few times.
But I always liked to pitch inYankee Stadium for some reason.
I I didn't like to pitch inBenway Park because that wall
was too close.
SPEAKER_04 (29:06):
The Green Monster, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (29:07):
Yeah, I I never did like to pitch there, but but I
didn't uh have too much bad luckthere.
I was always a little shaky thatbecause of that wall because it
always looks so pushy stand on amountain.
It looks like it's a short stop.
SPEAKER_04 (29:20):
You were friends long, long time with Kurt
Simmons, right?
SPEAKER_03 (29:23):
Oh yeah.
Kurt Kurt and Rob and Robertshad a golf course two miles from
my house and I used to play golfover there all the time.
They used to let me play fornothing.
SPEAKER_04 (29:31):
Who was better?
Who was the better golfer?
SPEAKER_03 (29:33):
We were all pretty much the same.
I never played golf until theygot that golf course moving and
and I used to go over therealmost every day.
I I got down to a five a fivehandicap, and that was really
good.
Robin Roberts was a good golferand so was Kirk.
They were they were all prettygood golfers too.
SPEAKER_04 (29:50):
You owned your own bowling alley.
You could have done you know,you were a great bowler.
SPEAKER_03 (29:53):
I wasn't that good.
I I averaged about a hundred andsixty five but but I I wasn't
that good of a bowler.
I really
SPEAKER_04 (30:04):
And the restaurant, the little restaurant on the
side, right?
SPEAKER_03 (30:12):
I ran that for twenty three years.
SPEAKER_04 (30:14):
What was the best thing you guys served there?
SPEAKER_03 (30:17):
Cheesesteaks.
unknown (30:18):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (30:20):
We had really good cheesesteaks.
SPEAKER_04 (30:24):
Well now you've made me hungry.
SPEAKER_03 (30:27):
Yeah, I wish I could have one right now.
SPEAKER_04 (30:29):
Well, hey, listen, Bobby, I really appreciate the
time.
It's been so much fun.
Um thank you.
Looking back at a on an amazingcareer and uh and life and just
to think about all the differentpeople.
Do you have a favorite moment ofyour career?
SPEAKER_03 (30:42):
Yeah, when I was picked a most valuable player in
1952 and I won twenty-fourgames, I had twenty-seven
complete games.
SPEAKER_04 (30:50):
How many years have you been married now?
SPEAKER_03 (30:52):
Uh seventy-five.
SPEAKER_04 (30:53):
What is the key to longevity?
SPEAKER_03 (30:55):
I have no idea.
Just being lucky, I guess.
I I don't look that goodanymore.
I I never did really look thatgood.
But I still feel pretty damngood for for being ninety eight,
I'll tell you that.
SPEAKER_04 (31:10):
Is there something you do every day that you go, uh
this makes you Yeah, I'm sit I'msitting on my ass all the time.
SPEAKER_03 (31:16):
I'm watching television.
I have a my favorite seat there.
I I go down there in the morningand then I take a little ride to
Amber and then I come home and Isit till about ten o'clock and I
go to bed.
SPEAKER_04 (31:29):
I'm sure you know this, but people love you.
The number of people who listento Lost Ballparks who have asked
me to try to get you to come onand talk about I know that
because of the mail I get I gethonestly God, I can't believe I
still get all the mail I get.
SPEAKER_03 (31:49):
And that really makes me feel good.
SPEAKER_04 (31:51):
When was the last game you played?
How many years ago was that?
I mean you last year was sixtysixty-four.
SPEAKER_03 (31:57):
Sixty-four, so sixty-four was my name with the
Phillies.
SPEAKER_04 (32:00):
I'm terrible with math, but I think that's sixty
years.
So it's it's been sixty yearssince you played and you're
still getting this mail, and itI think that's great.
SPEAKER_03 (32:08):
Yeah, I I I I love to get mail, man.
I I like to s sit down andanswer those people.
I I don't let them sit here onmy desk a memoir in a couple
hours and I sign everything.
Bats to sign and gloves to signand all kind of mail.
I love that.
SPEAKER_04 (32:22):
Well, I'm sure there'll be a few more uh to
sign after this.
I tell you, Bobby Shance, I'veenjoyed every single minute of
this time that we've hadtogether.
How's your wife?
How's your wife doing?
SPEAKER_03 (32:33):
She went to a hairdresser today.
She was feeling pretty good.
So I she's we're hanging inhere.
She's 96.
She's trying to catch me.
SPEAKER_04 (32:40):
She's almost there.
SPEAKER_03 (32:42):
Yeah.
Yeah, I hope she catches me.
Well, it's nice of you told.
I appreciate it talking to me.
SPEAKER_04 (32:49):
All right.
Hey, Bobby, take care and tellyour wife I said hello.
SPEAKER_03 (32:52):
I will.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Thanks for calling.
SPEAKER_04 (32:55):
What a life.
What an incredible life.
Overcoming a childhood diseasethat nearly took his life,
living through the GreatDepression, serving in World War
II, and then against all odds,pitching 16 years in the big
leagues, finishing with 119wins, a three-time All-Star,
eight-time gold glover, winningthe 1952 AL MVP in the 1958
(33:16):
World Series, and mostimportantly of all, being
married to his sweet wife,Shirley, for 75 years.
There are so many people whowere incredibly helpful in
securing this interview withBobby Chance, but two in
particular were Tom Coyle andDick Hines.
Without those two guys, thiswould not have happened.
So thank you both, gentlemen.
The Lost Ballparks Podcast isproduced by Mike Dunn, Manny
(33:38):
Zavlakis, Xavier Guerra, JohnMcBride, Kyle Schmidt, Mike
Lipinski, Ryan Beard, JohnCarter, Alex Kemp, and Curtis
Litzenberger.
Join me again on the firstWednesday of next month for
another episode of the LostBallparks Podcast.
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