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James Shields (pitcher)
Encyclopedia
James Anthony Shields nicknamed "Big Game James", is a Major League Baseball
right-handed starting pitcher
for the Tampa Bay Rays
.
. He made his Major League debut against the Baltimore Orioles
on May 31, . He surrendered five runs over five innings as he earned a no-decision. On June 5, Shields picked up his first big league win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
, striking out six over six innings of work. On June 21, 2006, Shields became the first Devil Rays pitcher to start his career with 4 straight wins.
In high school he was named the Los Angeles Times
' Valley Player of the Year in , his junior season after leading William S. Hart High School (CA) to the Division II championship. He was 11–0 with a 2.35 ERA striking out 123 batters in 71.1 innings pitched and also batted .478 with a then-school record 11 home run
s and 45 RBI
, being named the Southern Section's Division II Player of the Year. He was offered a full scholarship to play baseball at Louisiana State University
. Baseball America
ranked him the 16th best high school prospect in 2000.
Shields' rookie season with Tampa Bay was relatively unimpressive. He finished with a 6–8 record and an ERA of 4.84. However, his 104 strikeouts in just under 125 innings was promising. In , Shields began to emerge as a legitimate top of the rotation starter to complement Scott Kazmir
. On May 9, he pitched nine shutout, 3-hit innings, only to receive a no decision due to lack of run support in an eventual 10-inning loss. Later, on May 30, he pitched a complete game in a 5–3 win vs the Detroit Tigers
in which after a 3-run first inning, he retired 13 straight batters. Shields finished the season 12–8 with a 3.85 ERA in 31 starts. His 184 strikeouts in 215 innings places him among the league leaders. He was also second-best in the AL in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.11 K/BB) and third-best in walks per 9 innings (1.51 BB/9) and WHIP
(1.107).
Based on less than two full years of major league work with Tampa Bay, the Rays signed him to a 4-year, 11.25 million dollar contract after the 2008 season. This deal contains 3 team options and multiple performance bonuses, that could expand the deal to 7-years and upwards of $44 million dollars.
After an injury to Tampa Bay's ace, Scott Kazmir
, Shields made the 2008 Opening Day start for the Rays against Baltimore, earning the win by giving up two runs in seven innings in the 6–2 victory.
On April 27, 2008, Shields threw a two-hit complete game shutout against the Boston Red Sox
, throwing only 98 pitches for his first of his career. On May 9, 2008 (exactly one year after his gem against Detroit) Shields had a one-hit shutout against the Angels, posting a Game Score
of 93.
Shields was suspended for six games by the league for his role in a brawl during a game against the Boston Red Sox. Shields hit Red Sox batter Coco Crisp
with a pitch and Crisp charged the mound. Shields threw a punch and missed, while Crisp countered with a punch at Shields that also missed. Moments later, both teams' benches emptied onto the field. Shields stated afterward that he was protecting his teammates, believing he did the right thing following an incident the night before involving Crisp.
Shields threw a changeup
26.3% of the time in 2008, tops in the AL.
Shields is the first and only Tampa Bay Rays pitcher to win a World Series
game (2008). The Rays ended up losing the 2008 World Series
to the Philadelphia Phillies
. Shields led the Rays in innings pitched in 2008 with 215, and also tied Edwin Jackson
to lead the Rays with 14 wins, which also tied the record for most wins by a Rays pitcher.
In 2009, Shields was the Opening Day starter for the Rays. The Rays fell, 5–3, to the Red Sox, in an ALCS rematch.On August 3, James had a no-hitter going into the 8th inning against the Kansas City Royals. It was snapped by John Buck.
On August 7, 2010, Shields gave up 6 home runs to the Toronto Blue Jays
(2 by Aaron Hill, and 1 by Edwin Encarnacion
, Adam Lind
, Jose Bautista, and J.P. Arencibia), tying a modern-day record of home runs allowed in one game. Arencibia's home run was the first of his career, hit in his first at-bat off Shields' first pitch.
Shields was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his Major League career in 2011. He was named the 2011 Tampa Bay Rays
team MVP by the Tampa Bay chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America
, compiling a 16–12 win-loss record, 2.82 ERA
, a career-high 225 strikeouts, and a team-record 11 complete game
s. The 11 complete games earned him the nickname "Complete Game James" among fans and local media.
, during the offseason with his wife, Ryane (nee Barber), and their daughter Ashtyn. The name of the couple's second daughter has not been released to the media. They married in November 2007 in Kauai
, Hawaii
.
Shields is the first cousin of former San Francisco Giants
outfielder, Aaron Rowand
. Shields is not related to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
reliever, Scot Shields
.
Shares the same nickname with former Lakers player James Worthy
of Big Game James.
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...
right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
Professional career
Shields was drafted in the amateur baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Devil RaysTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
. He made his Major League debut against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on May 31, . He surrendered five runs over five innings as he earned a no-decision. On June 5, Shields picked up his first big league win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, striking out six over six innings of work. On June 21, 2006, Shields became the first Devil Rays pitcher to start his career with 4 straight wins.
In high school he was named the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
' Valley Player of the Year in , his junior season after leading William S. Hart High School (CA) to the Division II championship. He was 11–0 with a 2.35 ERA striking out 123 batters in 71.1 innings pitched and also batted .478 with a then-school record 11 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 45 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, being named the Southern Section's Division II Player of the Year. He was offered a full scholarship to play baseball at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
. Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
ranked him the 16th best high school prospect in 2000.
Shields' rookie season with Tampa Bay was relatively unimpressive. He finished with a 6–8 record and an ERA of 4.84. However, his 104 strikeouts in just under 125 innings was promising. In , Shields began to emerge as a legitimate top of the rotation starter to complement Scott Kazmir
Scott Kazmir
Scott Edward Kazmir is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Kazmir made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004 when he was only 20 years old and at one time held many of the franchise's career pitching records...
. On May 9, he pitched nine shutout, 3-hit innings, only to receive a no decision due to lack of run support in an eventual 10-inning loss. Later, on May 30, he pitched a complete game in a 5–3 win vs the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in which after a 3-run first inning, he retired 13 straight batters. Shields finished the season 12–8 with a 3.85 ERA in 31 starts. His 184 strikeouts in 215 innings places him among the league leaders. He was also second-best in the AL in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.11 K/BB) and third-best in walks per 9 innings (1.51 BB/9) and WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
(1.107).
After an injury to Tampa Bay's ace, Scott Kazmir
Scott Kazmir
Scott Edward Kazmir is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Kazmir made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004 when he was only 20 years old and at one time held many of the franchise's career pitching records...
, Shields made the 2008 Opening Day start for the Rays against Baltimore, earning the win by giving up two runs in seven innings in the 6–2 victory.
On April 27, 2008, Shields threw a two-hit complete game shutout against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, throwing only 98 pitches for his first of his career. On May 9, 2008 (exactly one year after his gem against Detroit) Shields had a one-hit shutout against the Angels, posting a Game Score
Game Score
Game Score is a metric devised by Bill James to determine the strength of a pitcher in any particular baseball game.To determine a starting pitcher's game score:# Start with 50 points....
of 93.
Shields was suspended for six games by the league for his role in a brawl during a game against the Boston Red Sox. Shields hit Red Sox batter Coco Crisp
Coco Crisp
Covelli Loyce "Coco" Crisp is an American professional baseball center fielder. Crisp is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed...
with a pitch and Crisp charged the mound. Shields threw a punch and missed, while Crisp countered with a punch at Shields that also missed. Moments later, both teams' benches emptied onto the field. Shields stated afterward that he was protecting his teammates, believing he did the right thing following an incident the night before involving Crisp.
Shields threw a changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
26.3% of the time in 2008, tops in the AL.
Shields is the first and only Tampa Bay Rays pitcher to win a World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
game (2008). The Rays ended up losing the 2008 World Series
2008 World Series
The 2008 World Series was the 104th World Series between the American and National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies as champions of the National League and the Tampa Bay Rays, as American League champions, competed to win four games out of a possible...
to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Shields led the Rays in innings pitched in 2008 with 215, and also tied Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...
to lead the Rays with 14 wins, which also tied the record for most wins by a Rays pitcher.
In 2009, Shields was the Opening Day starter for the Rays. The Rays fell, 5–3, to the Red Sox, in an ALCS rematch.On August 3, James had a no-hitter going into the 8th inning against the Kansas City Royals. It was snapped by John Buck.
On August 7, 2010, Shields gave up 6 home runs to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
(2 by Aaron Hill, and 1 by Edwin Encarnacion
Edwin Encarnación
Edwin Elpidio Encarnación , is a Dominican Republic Major League Baseball utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6 ft 2 in, 235-pound Encarnación bats and throws right-handed....
, Adam Lind
Adam Lind
Adam Alan Lind is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He was drafted in the third round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft and was signed on June 30, 2004. He was first drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round of...
, Jose Bautista, and J.P. Arencibia), tying a modern-day record of home runs allowed in one game. Arencibia's home run was the first of his career, hit in his first at-bat off Shields' first pitch.
Shields was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his Major League career in 2011. He was named the 2011 Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
team MVP by the Tampa Bay chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America
Baseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
, compiling a 16–12 win-loss record, 2.82 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, a career-high 225 strikeouts, and a team-record 11 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s. The 11 complete games earned him the nickname "Complete Game James" among fans and local media.
Scouting report
Shields has great command of his fastball and changeup. His 4-seamer sits around 90 while his less used 2-seamer is in the mid-to-upper 80s. His changeup is top notch when he keeps it down in the zone and sits in the low 80s. Shields also throws a cut fastball that has superb movement. He also occasionally mixes in an average curve.Personal life
Shields lives in Clearwater, FloridaClearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
, during the offseason with his wife, Ryane (nee Barber), and their daughter Ashtyn. The name of the couple's second daughter has not been released to the media. They married in November 2007 in Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
Shields is the first cousin of former San Francisco 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....
outfielder, Aaron Rowand
Aaron Rowand
Aaron Ryan Rowand is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who has played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was released by the Giants in September 2011.-Early life and college career:...
. Shields is not related to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
reliever, Scot Shields
Scot Shields
Robert Scot Shields is a former American Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He played his entire baseball career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, serving as their setup man since...
.
Shares the same nickname with former Lakers player James Worthy
James Worthy
James Ager Worthy is a retired Hall of Fame American college and professional basketball player. Named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, "Big Game James" was a seven-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion...
of Big Game James.