"Bobby Shantz, junior of the Athletics' lefties, was shunted to Buffalo as a short weight pitcher (153 pounds) who had a sore arm and much to learn. Called back in a spring emergency, he pitched nine no-hit innings in relief against the Tigers.
On first inspection, Bobby was belittled by scouts as a clever youngster, too small for the majors. He fooled the experts with an 18-7 record for Lincoln last year- earned run average of 2.82, second best in the league; 212 strikeouts in 214 innings, walked only 35.
A Pottstown-born Pennsylvania Dutchman, he now lives in Frankford."
-1949 Philadelphia Bulletin Athletics-Phillies
"Bobby pitched for Lincoln of the Western League in 1948. The A's brought him to the majors in 1949. His most remarkable performance was on May 6 of that year when the A's were playing the Tigers.
Bobby relieved with none out in the third inning and pitched nine consecutive no-hit, no-run innings. He gave up two hits and one run in the 13th, but won."
-1950 Bowman No. 234
Bobby stepped into organized baseball with Lincoln of the Western League in 1948. He won 18, lost 7, and struck out 212 to lead the league.
He was with the A's in '49, winning 6 and losing 8. Bobby pitched nine straight no-hit, no-run innings in a game in which he relieved in the third. He won in the 13th, though giving up two hits and a run."
-1951 Bowman No. 227 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)
"Bobby's big league debut with the A's in 1949 was a sparkling one. He came in to relieve in the third inning and pitched nine straight no-hit, no-run innings against Detroit.
Although he's the smallest pitcher in the majors, his 1951 record, including three shutouts, indicates his ability to win. One of the best fielding pitchers in the game had 6-8 and 8-14 marks with the A's in '49 and '50.
In '48 at Sioux City, Bobby won 18 and led the Western League in strikeouts with 212."
-1952 Topps No. 219
"The little lefty appeared in 32 games for the Athletics in 1951, winning 18 and losing 10. His earned run average was 3.95.
He began in baseball in 1948 with Lincoln in the Western League, then hit the majors with the A's the next season. That year he pitched nine consecutive no-hit, no-run innings, after relieving in the third inning. He won the game in the 13th, after giving up two hits and one run in that last inning."
-1952 Red Man No. AL-20
"Little Bobby had a great season in 1952, which was climaxed when he was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player. He won 24 games, the most in the league, and he lost only 7. He was the top fielder among pitchers, handling 78 total chances without a miscue.
Bobby is a great team man. He's been in baseball since 1948, and with Philadelphia since 1949. He won 18 and lost 10 in 1951."
-1953 Bowman No. 11
"Little Bobby was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League in 1952. He topped AL hurlers in wins and handled 78 chances in the field without an error. Bobby ranked second in complete games, third in strikeouts and had the third-best ERA in the league.
He's been in pro ball since 1948 when he broke in with an 18-7 mark at Lincoln. For the A's, Bobby was 6-8 in 1949, 8-14 in '50 and 18-10 in '51.
He's one of the smallest men in the majors."
-1953 Topps No. 225
"Little Bobby had a great season in 1952, and he was named the American League's Most Valuable Player. He won the most games in the league, 24, losing only 7, for a percentage of .774, also best in the league. His earned run average of 2.48 was third-best in the league. In addition, he was the top fielder among pitchers, handling 78 errorless chances."
-1953 Red Man No. AL-20
"Injuries made the 1953 season one Bobby would like to forget because he had a 5-9 record. However, a winter of rest and treatment should make him up to par in 1954.
1952 was the year that showed his capabilities. It was a year in which he was named the American League's Most Valuable Player after winning 24 games while losing only 7. His earned run average was only 2.48 and his 24 wins for high for the League.
Bobby is a great little fielder."
-1954 Bowman No. 19
"Bothered by a bad shoulder, the 'Mighty Mite' saw little action last year. In 1952 when he topped American League hurlers both in victories (24) and won-lost percentage (.774), Bobby was voted the Most Valuable Player. He was a standout in the '52 All-Star Game when he struck out three of the National League's heaviest hitters in one inning.
Most major league scouts thought Bobby was too small for major league baseball. But in '52, after only five years of pro ball, Bobby was AL MVP!"
-1954 Topps No. 21
"Bobby worked in only two games for the Athletics during the 1954 season, winning one and losing none. Injuries kept him out of action, and greatly hampered the A's pitching staff, because the little fellow, when he's right, is one of the league's best.
He was the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1952. He had a 24-7 record that season, leading the league in wins and winning percentage. His earned run average was a low 2.48, he was in 33 games and he pitched 280 innings.
Bobby is a fine fielder and can hit well."
-1955 Bowman No. 140
BOBBY AND BILLY SHANTZ
"If Bobby can make a comeback in 1955, and recover from the sore arm which hampered him during 1953 and 1954, baseball will have its first brother battery since the days when Mort and Walker Cooper were burning up the National League with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Bobby proved his worth in 1952 when he won 24 games, the most in the league. His .774 percentage was also tops in the league, and his earned run average was a low 2.48.
Bobby appeared in only two games in 1954. Billy was with the A's in 1954 and appeared in 51 games."
-1955 Bowman No. 139
"In 1952, Bobby won 24 games and was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player. For the past three years, he has been plagued with arm trouble.
Bobby is also a fine fielding hurler and a good base runner."
-1956 Topps No. 261
"If Bobby's arm heals this year, the Yankees have another ace left-hander on their mound staff. Before the injury jinx hit him, he was a sensation.
In 1952 he led the American League with the most victories and best won-lost percentage. For this excellent performance, he was named the Junior Circuit's Most Valuable Player. In 1949, he hurled nine no-hit innings in a relief appearance."
-1957 Topps No. 272
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