In 1951, Shantz went to his first All-Star Game and had an 18-6 record. This was a good year, but he would exceed that in 1952. Not only did Shantz return to the All-Star Game, but he would also lead the AL in Wins (24), WHIP (1.048), BB/9 (2.0), and SO/BB (2.41), and he would win the MVP in the process. The sky seemed to be the limit for the hurler, but he suffered a shoulder injury, and he was no longer the same pitcher. From 1953 to 1956, he had a losing record and a ballooning ERA, and the A's would give up on him and dealt him to the Yankees.
After being traded, his career would rebound, and he would be reinvented as a quality reliever. With the Athletics, he would have a record of 69 and 65 with a 3.80 ERA. His overall career with the Athletics was one great year, one good year, and a lot of struggles, but that great year and MVP lands him on this list.Philadelphia later honored Shantz by placing him into their Baseball Wall of Fame in 1994.
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