Milt Shoffner
Encyclopedia
Milburn James Shoffner was a Major League Baseball
pitcher. He played seven years in the majors, from until , then again from until .
Shoffner debuted in the majors with the Cleveland Indians
in 1929 and pitched three seasons for them. In and 1931, his ERA was over 7.00, and by mid-season he was pitching for the Toledo Mud Hens
. Shoffner did not return to the major leagues until 1937, with the Boston Bees
. That season, he made six appearances—five of them starts—with an impressive 2.53 ERA.
That performance led to a larger role on the team, and while his performance slipped a bit, his record was a respectable 8-7 with a 3.54 ERA. Despite getting off to a good start in , Shoffner was waived by the Bees and claimed by the Cincinnati Reds
. Overall that season, Shoffner finished 6th in the league in ERA at 3.18 in 170 innings (a career high). Despite this, he did not appear in the 1939 World Series
for the Reds.
The following season, Shoffner had a rougher go, as his ERA slipped back to 5.63 and he was mostly limited to mop-up duty. Once again, he did not appear in the 1940 World Series
, which the Reds won. During the offseason, Shoffner was traded to the New York Giants
for infielder Wayne Ambler
, and after pitching one last season in the minors he retired.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher. He played seven years in the majors, from until , then again from until .
Shoffner debuted in the majors with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in 1929 and pitched three seasons for them. In and 1931, his ERA was over 7.00, and by mid-season he was pitching for the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
. Shoffner did not return to the major leagues until 1937, with the Boston Bees
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. That season, he made six appearances—five of them starts—with an impressive 2.53 ERA.
That performance led to a larger role on the team, and while his performance slipped a bit, his record was a respectable 8-7 with a 3.54 ERA. Despite getting off to a good start in , Shoffner was waived by the Bees and claimed by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. Overall that season, Shoffner finished 6th in the league in ERA at 3.18 in 170 innings (a career high). Despite this, he did not appear in the 1939 World Series
1939 World Series
The 1939 World Series featured the three-time defending champion New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds, who were making their first Series appearance since the scandal-tainted 1919 World Series. The Yankees swept the Series in four games for the second time in a row, winning their record...
for the Reds.
The following season, Shoffner had a rougher go, as his ERA slipped back to 5.63 and he was mostly limited to mop-up duty. Once again, he did not appear in the 1940 World Series
1940 World Series
The 1940 World Series matched the Cincinnati Reds against the Detroit Tigers, with the Reds winning the Series in seven games for their second championship, their first since the scandal-tainted victory in...
, which the Reds won. During the offseason, Shoffner was traded to the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for infielder Wayne Ambler
Wayne Ambler
Wayne Harper Ambler was an American professional baseball player whose career spanned six season, including three in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics . Over his career in the majors, Ambler player second base and shortstop...
, and after pitching one last season in the minors he retired.