Bobby Shantz

Robert Clayton Shantz (born September 26, 1925) is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1949 through 1964. Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, to Wilmer A. and Ruth E. (Ebert) Shantz, he was the son of a semi-pro ballplayer of the 1920s.

Standing only 5 feet 6 inches, Shantz won the 1952 American League Most Valuable Player Award as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics. He began his career as a starting pitcher and, about halfway through, converted to a competent relief role; in 1951 he added the knuckleball to his repertoire. A three-time All-Star, he won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards and a World Series championship with the 1958 New York Yankees.

Beyond the Athletics and Yankees, Shantz pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Colt .45s, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies. He compiled a career record of 119 wins and 99 losses with a 3.38 earned run average.

Shantz is the last living Philadelphia Athletics player, the oldest living MLB MVP, and the last surviving major leaguer who played in the 1940s.