Tuesday, September 30, 2014

R.I.P. George "Shotgun" Shuba

From a Dodgers press release:

DODGERS' GEORGE "SHOTGUN" SHUBA PASSES AWAY AT 89

Brooklyn Dodger George "Shotgun" Shuba passed away at the age of 89 at his home in Youngstown, OH.

It was George who extended his hand, "A Handshake for the Century", in offering congratulations near home plate to Jackie Robinson, his Montreal Royals teammate, who hit a home run on Opening Day 1946 at Roosevelt City in Jersey City. Robinson, the African-American infielder, was breaking the sport's color barrier that afternoon.

Photographers captured a smiling Robinson shaking hands with Shuba after Robinson's three-run home run in the third inning against Jersey City pitcher Warren Sandell.

Shuba's nickname was born after someone compared his line drives to the sound of buckshot. Shuba compiled a lifetime .259 batting average in 355 games with Brooklyn from 1948-55 with 24 home runs and 125 RBI. He was the first National League pinch-hitter to hit a home run in World Series history, connecting against the Yankees in 1953.

Shuba returned to Dodger Stadium in 2005 when the club staged a 50th anniversary celebration of the team's first and only championship in Brooklyn. Twelve of the 13 living members attended: Shuba, Carl Erskine, Roger Craig, Bob Borkowski, Don Newcombe, Johnny Podres, Clem Labine, Sandy Koufax, Ed Roebuck, Don Zimmer, Tommy Lasorda and Duke Snider (the only player not present was Billy Loes).

Shuba is survived by his wife, Kathryn, his son, Michael, daughters Marlene and Marykay and his sister, Helen.

Funeral services are pending.

Earlier at SoSG: George "Shotgun" Shuba

32 comments:

Fred's Brim said...

RIP Shotgun

Fred's Brim said...

Shutgun or Shotgun?

Fred's Brim said...

I initially read that as Shogun, like somebody who's been reading a lot of James Clavell

Fred's Brim said...

And could anybody be nicknamed that anymore? Everybody is so sensitive about guns (except Hollywood and the gaming industry and Washington and... ) that a nickname like that would get squashed before he left Double-A

Orel said...

Fixed, dammit

karen said...

Mr. Shuba showed what a classy man he was way back in 1946 with "The Handshake".

RIP Shotgun. God speed to the Shuba family.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Coco "Shotgun" Loco

Hideo Nomo said...

Howie Kendrick is sometimes referred to as "HK47." I don't think it's a REAL nickname, though.

Fred's Brim said...

Jesus "Shuba" Colorado

Fred's Brim said...

Andrei Kirilenko goes by AK-47 (and has 47 as his number) but when the Nets did nickname jerseys last season, the league said no to putting AK-47 on the jersey.

I was a little worried the other night that people would be outraged (OUTRAGED I TELL YOU!) with Dee and Yasiel firing finger pistols at each other after Yas gunned down Blanco at third

QuadSevens said...

People being outraged by that would be funny since the phrases "gunned down at third," "canon for an arm," or "throws a bullet" are used so often in baseball.

Fred's Brim said...

Royals tie up the game, Cain with a double off Lester, then scores on a Hosmer bloop. It's great to see KC fans happy

Fred's Brim said...

now that's a blue-out

Fred's Brim said...

The Homer bloop allowed them to take the lead. Sorry, that all happened as I was typing

Fred's Brim said...

white spikes

Fred's Brim said...

It's live in KC, fans are amped and standing and it's only the 4th

spank said...

yeah. Got me by surprise that KC is in the playoffs. Ramshackle offense reminds me of the '88 Dodgers. Good to see them have the lead.

spank said...

I'm also surprised there is no GT for this game.

Hideo Nomo said...

We may all be on vacation.
Or busy.
Or drunk.

Let's go with drunk.

Fred's Brim said...

damn, Moss with his second homer of the game, 5-3 Atleticos

Fred's Brim said...

Royals can't get anybody out in the 6th

Fred's Brim said...

Yordano Ventura is not having a good night

Fred's Brim said...

6-3 As after a Norris single
This is getting me nervous about our bullpen again

Fred's Brim said...

Coco with an RBI single, 7-3

Cliff Beefpile said...

Wow, the A's are falling apart here in the 8th. Nice start to the playoffs.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Tie game!

Steve Sax said...

Wow, A's were up 7-3 and now it's 7-7 going to extras? Crazy.

Steve Sax said...

Hey, on behalf of the Sons, sorry for missing the GT today. That intern has been flogged, drawn, quartered, and fired (not necessarily in that order).

spank said...

i bet Gnomes puts up a GT tomorrow for the Giants game.

spank said...

8-7 A's top of the 12th

Cliff Beefpile said...

Great game, but KC doesn't seem to have much chance of beating the Angels...whereas I think the A's could have.

spank said...

True dat,Cliffy.