John Shelby
Encyclopedia
John T. Shelby is a former center fielder
in Major League Baseball
who played from 1981–1991. His nickname was "T-Bone" for his slight frame. He currently is a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers
in Lexington, KY, where he played baseball (shortstop) and basketball and was an all-area performer. After high school he played one year of baseball at Columbia State Community College
in Tennessee.
(1981–1987), Los Angeles Dodgers
(1987–1990) and Detroit Tigers
(1990–1991). Shelby was a member of two World Series
-winning teams, the 1983 Orioles
and the 1988 Dodgers
. When he was traded to the Dodgers during the 1987 season, the team was so desperate for a center fielder that he was rushed into uniform and into his first game. There was not even time to put his name on the back of his uniform. He played the entire game as the only member of the Dodgers without his name stitched on his uniform. During Game Four of the 1988 National League Championship Series
, he drew a crucial walk off Dwight Gooden
in the top of the ninth inning, allowing Mike Scioscia
to come up and hit a game-tying home run, paving the way for the game-winning home run by Kirk Gibson
in the top of the twelfth inning. On June 3, 1989 he batted 0 for 10 in a 22 inning game vs. the Houston Astros.
and Baltimore Orioles.
for the Birmingham Barons
, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox
. His younger son, JaVon Shelby, is a student and baseball player at another high school in Lexington, Tates Creek High School
. His nephew, Josh Harrison
, is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played from 1981–1991. His nickname was "T-Bone" for his slight frame. He currently is a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
Education
John Shelby is a 1976 graduate of Henry Clay High SchoolHenry Clay High School
Henry Clay High School is the oldest public high school in Lexington, Kentucky, opened on Main Street in 1928. It was named in honor of the Kentuckian and United States statesman, Henry Clay. The Main Street location now houses the main offices of the Fayette County Public Schools system. The...
in Lexington, KY, where he played baseball (shortstop) and basketball and was an all-area performer. After high school he played one year of baseball at Columbia State Community College
Columbia State Community College
Columbia State Community College is a two-year college located in Columbia, Tennessee. Founded in 1966, it serves nine counties in middle Tennessee through five campuses...
in Tennessee.
Playing career
Over his 11-year career he played with three different teams: the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore 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...
(1981–1987), Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(1987–1990) and 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...
(1990–1991). Shelby was a member of two 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...
-winning teams, the 1983 Orioles
1983 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses...
and the 1988 Dodgers
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1988 season was a memorable one for the Dodgers as a squad that was picked to finish fourth wound up winning the World Series, beating the heavily favored New York Mets and Oakland Athletics on the way. Kirk Gibson carried the Dodger offense, winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award...
. When he was traded to the Dodgers during the 1987 season, the team was so desperate for a center fielder that he was rushed into uniform and into his first game. There was not even time to put his name on the back of his uniform. He played the entire game as the only member of the Dodgers without his name stitched on his uniform. During Game Four of the 1988 National League Championship Series
1988 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 4, 1988 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe series opened with a classic pitching matchup, pitting the Dodgers' Orel Hershiser, who had won 23 games during the regular season and carried a Major League record 59 consecutive scoreless innings into the game,...
, he drew a crucial walk off Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
in the top of the ninth inning, allowing Mike Scioscia
Mike Scioscia
Michael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....
to come up and hit a game-tying home run, paving the way for the game-winning home run by Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
in the top of the twelfth inning. On June 3, 1989 he batted 0 for 10 in a 22 inning game vs. the Houston Astros.
Coaching career
He is currently the outfield instructor for the Brewers. He has also served as a coach for the Dodgers, Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and Baltimore Orioles.
Family
His older son, John Shelby III, is currently in playing in Minor League BaseballMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. His younger son, JaVon Shelby, is a student and baseball player at another high school in Lexington, Tates Creek High School
Tates Creek High School
Tates Creek High School is a public school in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located at 1111 Centre Parkway with a ZIP code of 40517. It is in Southeastern Lexington between Gainesway and Southeastern Hills Subdivisions. The school is one of five high schools in the Fayette County Public Schools...
. His nephew, Josh Harrison
Josh Harrison
Joshua I. Harrison aka "J-Hay" or "J-Hay da Man" is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball...
, is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.