For His 100th Birthday, A Guide to Bobby Shantz Baseball Cards
Many collectors have acquired Bobby Shantz baseball cards over the years, but as the former major-league star turns 100 years old today, those cards take on new meaning as he becomes only the 25th former big-leaguer to become a centenarian.
Shantz, who stands only 5 feet, 6 inches tall, enjoyed a career that was anything but pint-sized. After serving in the military, Shantz began his quest to the majors in 1947 on the Pennsylvania sandlots and caught the attention of a Philadelphia Athletics scout during a high-profile exhibition game played for charity.
With 18 wins and 212 strikeouts in his lone minor-league season in 1948, the Pennsylvania native earned a roster spot with the A’s the next spring and never looked back.
1949 Philadelphia Athletics Team Issue #27
The 1952 American League MVP later helped the New York Yankees make three World Series appearances, got selected in back-to-back expansion drafts (Washington Senators in 1960 and Houston Colt .45s in 1961), and has become a fan favorite in retirement.
While not enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Shantz is known as a Hall of Famer in through-the-mail autograph circles. Even as he reaches 100 years old, Shantz continues to elegantly sign items fans send him through the mail, making him one of the most generous signers in all of sports.
1956 Topps #261 with multiple inscriptions
Over the years, he has often added numerous inscriptions to items – be it a baseball, a photo, an index card, or a baseball card – and those extra words always help tell the story of his career.
To honor of Shantz’s milestone birthday, we are celebrating some of his best baseball cards.
A Guide to Bobby Shantz Baseball Cards
Bobby Shantz appeared on many baseball cards throughout his time in the major leagues, which help paint a picture of his 16-year major-league career.
1950 Bowman #234 RC
Shantz made his major-league debut with the Philadelphia Athletics on May 1, 1949, pitching two-thirds of a relief inning, but he followed that inconsequential outing with a brilliant showing that proved he belonged.
Shop for Shantz’s 1950 Bowman RC on eBay
Five days later, he entered in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers and promptly fired nine straight no-hit innings – an effort memorialized on the flip side of his 1950 Bowman rookie card, which can be found with or without copyright text. On it, a young Shantz smiles against a green backdrop, which complements the colors of his Philadelphia A’s uniform.
1952 Topps #219
The 1952 Topps baseball set is iconic for many reasons. It marked the company’s first full-scale baseball set, and for many players on the checklist – Shantz included – their 1952 issue is their first Topps card. Shantz poses for a photo that appears to be from spring training, and a Topps artist painted over the image to create this simple masterpiece.
Shop for Shantz’s 1952 Topps card on eBay
In 1951, Shantz made his first All-Star team but did not pitch in the game. He had an even better second half – 10 wins in his final 12 starts – which propelled him to tremendous heights during 1952 and likely made this card a popular one among Pennsylvania kids all summer long.
1953 Bowman Color #11
Armed with a knuckleball former manager Connie Mack refused to let him use, Shantz had a season for the ages in 1952. He won 15 of his first 18 starts, leading the press to speculate that he could win 30 games. He didn’t get there, but his 24-7 record and 152 strikeouts were enough for two-thirds of the first-place votes in MVP balloting, giving the A’s their first MVP since 1933. His accomplishments were lauded by the Bowman Gum Co. on the back of his 1953 Bowman Color issue, a classic card from an iconic set.
Shop for Shantz’s 1953 Bowman card on eBay
The 1953 Bowman Color set was the first major issue to utilize actual color photographs for the cards, and collectors continue to give each card from the set plenty of attention today. It also marked the first time Bowman used statistics on the card backs – one year after Topps did so in its 1952 release. Because Shantz has been so gracious with his signature over the years, many collectors own an autographed example with a “1952 AL MVP” inscription, which adds a level of elegance to the already-beautiful card.
1953 Topps #225
Not to be forgotten among Shantz’s breakout 1952 MVP season is his first on-field All-Star appearance. Entering in the bottom of the fifth inning, Shantz struck out Whitey Lockman, Jackie Robinson, and Stan Musial in consecutive at-bats. How many more sluggers could he have punched out? We’ll never know, as the game was called off due to the rain before the sixth inning began.
Shop for Shantz’s 1953 Topps card on eBay
There’s no mention of his All-Star accolades on the flip side of his 1953 Topps card, as it also focuses on his breakout season and MVP award. Featuring a gorgeous illustration and the well-known “White Elephant” team logo, this condition-sensitive issue includes the prominent red nameplate given to AL players on the checklist.
1955 Bowman #139 (Shantz Brothers)
When Shantz signed with the Athletics in November 1947, he demanded his brother, Billy, also be signed as a catcher. Philadelphia obliged, and the pair finally took the field together as the starting battery in the third game of the 1955 season, a 7-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. They had much better luck the second time out, with Billy calling the pitches during Bobby’s three-hit shutout of the New York Yankees on April 29.
Shop for Shantz’s 1955 Bowman cards on eBay
In 1953, Bowman began putting multiple players on the same card, and the company gave the Shantz brothers the same treatment two years later. Set to the classic “Color TV” design inspired by the new technology of the time, the Shantz brothers stand side-by-side – showcasing the height differential between the older Bobby and the younger, 6-foot-1 Billy. They are the only duo featured in Bowman’s final issue before Topps bought out the manufacturer.
1956 Topps #261
The Philadelphia Athletics relocated to Kansas City for the 1955 season. Arm injuries ailed Shantz during his first season in Missouri, but Topps still captured him with a brilliant card in its 1956 Topps set.
Shop for Shantz’s 1956 Topps card on eBay
Shantz’s card from the classic horizontal set shows him following through on a pitch with a wide view of Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium in the background. It’s just one of many beautiful cards on the checklist.
1957 Topps #272
On February 17, 1957, the Yankees and Athletics agreed to the framework of a 13-player trade that sent Shantz to the Big Apple and led to his resurgence. Pitching with a healthy arm again, Shantz had a 9-1 mark at the All-Star break and returned to the Midsummer Classic. By season’s end, his 11-5 record and league-leading 2.45 ERA helped push the Yankees into the World Series.
Shop for Shantz’s 1957 Topps card on eBay
Always a standout on defense, Shantz also won the first AL Gold Glove award for a pitcher in 1957, starting a streak of eight straight honors. That remains the fourth-most ever recorded by a pitcher, as of 2025.
1958 Topps #289 (Series Hurling Rivals)
Shantz made one start in the 1957 World Series, taking the hill against Milwaukee Braves veteran Lew Burdette in Game 2. Shantz struggled in three innings, while Burdette fired a complete game in a 4-2 Braves victory.
Shop for Shantz’s 1958 Topps cards on eBay
A year later, Topps released a card featuring the two starters sharing a laugh. Shantz was injured and could not pitch during the 1958 World Series but later made three appearances during the 1960 World Series for the Yankees, his final time playing in a Fall Classic.
1964 Topps #278
In the 1960 expansion draft to stock the new Washington Senators and Los Angeles Angels franchises, Shantz was taken as Washington’s first pick. But, they traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates two days later. Then, Shantz was selected away from the Pirates by the Houston Colt .45s with their 11th pick in the 1961 expansion draft. Shantz is one of two players ever to be selected in two expansion drafts.
Shop for Shantz’s 1964 Topps card on eBay
Ultimately, Shantz pitched for five teams in his final three seasons from 1961-64 – with the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies joining the Pirates and Colt .45s. Shantz spent the entirety of 1963 with the Cardinals, hence his final Topps card in 1964 pictures him with the Redbirds. During the 1960s, players did not have cards released the year after retiring, so Shantz never got the chance to have a playing-days card showing him on either the Cubs or Phillies, who he split time with during the ’64 campaign.
In all, Shantz went 119-99 with 1,072 strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA over a 16-year career and has continued living a remarkable and long life after baseball.
