Billy Shantz
Born: 7/31/1927 in Pottstown, PA, USA
Died: 12/13/1993 in Lauderhill, FL, USA
MLB Debut: 1954-04-13 | Final Game: 1960-06-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 160 lbs
Full name: Wilmer Ebert Shantz
Biography
Billy Shantz, born in 1927, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the Major Leagues from 1954 to 1960. Primarily known as a position player, Shantz played in a total of 131 games during his career. He recorded 98 hits, achieving a batting average of .257, and contributed to his teams with 29 RBIs and 2 home runs. Despite his modest power numbers, Shantz was notable for his consistent contact hitting and versatility on the field.
Shantz's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, marked by the post-war expansion of the game and the growing popularity of television. While he may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, his contributions on the diamond were appreciated by teammates and fans alike. He played a role in the evolution of baseball in the late 1950s, a time characterized by shifting player dynamics and strategies, and his legacy remains a testament to the dedication and skill of the players who shaped the sport during that period.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 131 | 381 | 31 | 98 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 28 | 37 | 0.257 | 0.307 | 0.328 | 0.635 | -871.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | PHA | AL | 51 | 164 | 13 | 42 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 23 | 0.256 | -128.8 |
| 1955 | KC1 | AL | 79 | 217 | 18 | 56 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 11 | 14 | 0.258 | -742.3 |
| 1960 | NYY | AL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 130 | 110 | 432 | 55 | 8 | 9 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | PHA | C | 51 | 49 | 170 | 28 | 5 | 1 |
| 1955 | KC1 | C | 78 | 61 | 261 | 27 | 3 | 8 |
| 1960 | NYA | C | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 130 |