On This Day
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Philadelphia A's pitcher Bobby Shantz wins American League MVP

Robert Clayton Shantz is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher.

Robert Clayton Shantz is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1949 through 1964, and won the 1952 American League Most Valuable Player Award as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics. A three-time All-Star, Shantz won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series championship with the 1958 New York Yankees. He is the last living Philadelphia Athletics player, the oldest living MLB MVP, and the last surviving MLB player who played in the 1940s.

He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Colt .45s, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and the Philadelphia Phillies. Shantz began his career as a starting pitcher, but about halfway through he converted to a competent relief pitcher.

Historical Significance

Robert Clayton Shantz is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher.

Events Before

  1. American actor Burgess Meredith (43) weds (his 4th and final time) Swedish-American ballerina Kaja Sundsten (21), until

    American actor Burgess Meredith (43) weds (his 4th and final time) Swedish-American ballerina Kaja Sundsten (21), until his death in 1997

  2. "La Vie Commence Demain," the first X-rated movie depicting artificial insemination, opens in London

    "La Vie Commence Demain," the first X-rated movie depicting artificial insemination, opens in London

  3. English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 1st divorce from American hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr. after nearly 9 months

    English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 1st divorce from American hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr. after nearly 9 months of marriage

  4. American civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois (83) weds award-winning author Shirley Graham (54) in Queens, New York

    American civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois (83) weds award-winning author Shirley Graham (54) in Queens, New York

  5. American actress and singer Doris Day (29) weds American film and television producer Martin Melcher (35) in Burbank, Ca

    American actress and singer Doris Day (29) weds American film and television producer Martin Melcher (35) in Burbank, California, until his death in 1968

Events After

  1. Hank Williams dies

    Hank Williams, American singer, songwriter, and musician, known for american singer, songwriter, and musician, died on 1953-01-01.

  2. Ernest Bloch's work for viola and piano, "Suite Hébraïque," part of his "Jewish Cycle," premieres in Chicago

    Ernest Bloch's work for viola and piano, "Suite Hébraïque," part of his "Jewish Cycle," premieres in Chicago

  3. US President Harry Truman announces the United States’ development of the hydrogen bomb

    Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953.

  4. Cricketer Richie Benaud (22) weds Marcia Lavender at the Wesley Church in Sydney, Australia

    Cricketer Richie Benaud (22) weds Marcia Lavender at the Wesley Church in Sydney, Australia

  5. US Court of Appeals rules that organized baseball is a sport and not a business, affirming the 25-year-old Supreme Court

    US Court of Appeals rules that organized baseball is a sport and not a business, affirming the 25-year-old Supreme Court ruling

More from the 1950s

Sputnik 1 Launch

The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.

space explorationscience technology

"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)

"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)

death

Emil Jannings dies

Emil Jannings, Swiss-born German actor, known for german actor, died on 1950-01-02. Emil Jannings was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s.

The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market

The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 12, 1952?
Robert Clayton Shantz is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1949 through 1964, and won the 1952 American League Most Valuable Player Award as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics. A three-time All-Star, Shantz won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series championship with the 1958 New York Yankees.
Why is Philadelphia A's pitcher Bobby Shantz wins American League MVP significant?
Robert Clayton Shantz is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher.

Explore More

November 12 in HistoryYear 1952