Billy Shantz

Born: 7/31/1927 in Pottstown, PA, USA

Died: 12/13/1993 in Lauderhill, FL, USA

MLB Debut: 1954-04-13 | Final Game: 1960-06-29

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 160 lbs

Full name: Wilmer Ebert Shantz

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Biography

Billy Shantz, born in 1927, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the Major Leagues from 1954 to 1960. Primarily known as a position player, Shantz played in a total of 131 games during his career. He recorded 98 hits, achieving a batting average of .257, and contributed to his teams with 29 RBIs and 2 home runs. Despite his modest power numbers, Shantz was notable for his consistent contact hitting and versatility on the field. Shantz's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, marked by the post-war expansion of the game and the growing popularity of television. While he may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, his contributions on the diamond were appreciated by teammates and fans alike. He played a role in the evolution of baseball in the late 1950s, a time characterized by shifting player dynamics and strategies, and his legacy remains a testament to the dedication and skill of the players who shaped the sport during that period.

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
131	381	31	98	13	4	2	29	0	28	37	0.257	0.307	0.328	0.635	-871.1

Career AVG .257 vs. league average .258 across their career seasons — near league average.

Career OBP .307 vs. league average .330 across their career seasons — 6.8% below league average.

Career SLG .328 vs. league average .391 across their career seasons — 16.0% below league average.

Career OPS 0.635 vs. league average 0.720 across their career seasons — 11.8% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year	Team	Lg	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	AVG	Lg AVG	Lg OBP	Lg SLG	Lg OPS	PIV
1954	PHA	AL	51	164	13	42	9	3	1	17	17	23	0.256	.261 (-2%)	.333 (-2%)	.390 (-6%)	.723 (-4%)	-128.8
1955	KC1	AL	79	217	18	56	4	1	1	12	11	14	0.258	.258 (avg)	.332 (-12%)	.393 (-24%)	.726 (-18%)	-742.3
1960	NYY	AL	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	—	—	—	—	0.0