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Ex-Yankee
Frank 'Spec' Shea Dies
.c The Associated
Press
07/20/02 15:48
EDT
NEW YORK (AP) - Frank ``Spec'' Shea, who won two games in
the 1947 World Series as a New York Yankees rookie and coached Robert
Redford for the movie ``The Natural,'' has died. He was
81.
Shea died Friday in New Haven, Conn., four weeks after
having valve replacement surgery, the Yankees said.
Shea was 56-46 with a 3.80 ERA for the Yankees and
Washington Senators in a career that spanned 1947-55. Later on, he taught
Redford how to throw in an old-time style for ``The
Natural.''
Also known as ``The Naugatuck Nugget'' for his hometown in
Connecticut, Shea made an immediate impact in the
majors.
Shea joined a Yankees team that included Joe DiMaggio, Phil
Rizzuto and ace Allie Reynolds in 1947 and went 14-5 with a 3.07 ERA. He
also was the winning pitcher for the American League in the All-Star
game.
Shea started Game 1 of the World Series and beat Brooklyn
5-3 at Yankee Stadium. Then, two days after his 27th birthday, he pitched
a four-hitter and defeated the Dodgers 2-1 at Ebbets Field in Game
5.
The right-hander also started Game 7, but was pulled in the
second inning as Brooklyn took a 2-0 lead. The Yankees rallied for a 5-2
victory and the championship.
Shea pitched for the Yankees from 1947-49 and in 1951. He
finished with four years for the
Senators. |
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