Burt Shotton
Burton Edwin Shotton (October 18, 1884 – July 29, 1962) was an American professional baseball outfielder, coach, and manager.[1][2] He played fourteen seasons in Major League Baseball from 1909 to 1923, primarily with the St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators, and St. Louis Cardinals, compiling 1,338 hits and leading the American League in walks twice.[1][2] Shotton excelled in on-base percentage, finishing in the top ten four times, and stole over 20 bases in eight seasons, showcasing his speed and plate discipline.[2] After retiring as a player, Shotton transitioned to coaching and managing, serving as the Philadelphia Phillies' manager from 1928 to 1933.[2][3] His most notable achievements came with the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he managed in 1947 following Leo Durocher's suspension and again from 1948 to 1950, guiding the team to National League pennants in 1947 and 1949.[2][3] As Jackie Robinson's first permanent major league manager, Shotton maintained a calm, even-tempered approach amid the integration era's tensions, contributing to the Dodgers' 97-57 record and first-place finish in 1947.[2] Over his managerial career spanning 1,461 games, he recorded 697 wins against 764 losses.[3]
Early Life
Birth and Family Background
Burton Edwin Shotton was born on October 18, 1884, in Brownhelm Township, Lorain County, Ohio, a rural farming community situated approximately 28 miles west of Cleveland near Lake Erie.[2][4] He was the second of four children born to John Matthew Shotton and Mary Alice (Bacon) Shotton, with an older sister named Cora and two younger brothers, Frank and Earl.[2] The family's circumstances reflected the modest means common to working-class households in late-19th-century rural Ohio, where agriculture dominated local livelihoods and formal education was often curtailed by economic necessities and the era's limited public schooling infrastructure.[2][5]Introduction to Baseball
Burt Shotton, born in rural Brownhelm, Ohio, developed a strong affinity for baseball during his youth, excelling as a left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing center fielder renowned for his exceptional speed despite documented vision impairments.[2] By his early twenties, Shotton attracted notice for his athletic potential, leading to his signing with the Erie club of the Class D Ohio-Pennsylvania League in 1908, marking his professional debut at age 23.[2][5] In 22 games that season, he batted .244 while earning a modest salary of $125 per month, demonstrating the raw talent that would propel him toward major league opportunities.[2][5]Playing Career
Minor League Beginnings and MLB Debut
 Burt Shotton began his professional baseball career in 1908 with the Erie Fishermen of the Ohio-Pennsylvania League, a Class C circuit, where he batted .244 over 22 games while earning $125 per month.[6][5] This brief minor league stint demonstrated his potential as an outfielder, leading to a rapid promotion to the major leagues the following year. Shotton made his MLB debut on September 13, 1909, with the St. Louis Browns of the American League, appearing as an outfielder who batted left-handed and threw right-handed.[1] In his first at-bat against Detroit Tigers pitcher George Mullin, he recorded a single.[6] That season, limited to 17 games primarily in center field and left field, he posted a .262 batting average in 61 at-bats, reflecting modest production in sparse opportunities.[1] After no major league appearances in 1910, likely spent in the minors honing his skills, Shotton secured a regular role with the Browns in 1911, playing 139 games in the outfield with a .255 batting average across 572 at-bats.[1] These early years highlighted his adaptability across outfield positions amid unremarkable offensive output, establishing a foundation for his big-league tenure without immediate stardom.[1]Key Teams, Statistics, and Playing Style
) Burt Shotton's primary major league affiliation was with the St. Louis Browns of the American League, where he played from 1909 and then continuously from 1911 to 1917, establishing himself as a regular outfielder.[1] In 1918, he appeared in 82 games for the Washington Senators, also in the American League, before transitioning to the National League with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1919 to 1923, concluding his playing career.[1] [6] Over 14 seasons, Shotton accumulated 1,387 games played, a .271 batting average, 1,338 hits, 290 runs batted in, 9 home runs, 747 runs scored, and 250 stolen bases in 4,336 at-bats.[1]| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 1,387 |
| Batting Average | .271 |
| Hits | 1,338 |
| RBI | 290 |
| Home Runs | 9 |
| Stolen Bases | 250 |
Notable Achievements as a Player
 During his tenure with the St. Louis Browns, Shotton established himself as a premier on-base threat and defensive standout in the American League's dead-ball era. In 1913, he led the league in bases on balls with 102, posting an on-base percentage of .405 while contributing 163 hits and 29 outfield assists—second only to Tris Speaker's 30 across [Major League Baseball](/page/Major_League Baseball).[2][1] This performance earned him 14th place in AL MVP voting, highlighting his value as a leadoff hitter who combined plate discipline with speed, stealing 35 bases that year.[7][8] Shotton's defensive prowess peaked again in 1916, when he repeated as the AL leader in walks with 110 and topped the league in at-bats with 614, slashing .282/.409/.349 over 156 games.[1][9] His 173 career outfield assists underscored a strong arm that deterred baserunners, though he never captured a league-leading single-season mark in the category. Earlier MVP consideration came in 1912, where he placed 12th after a .290 season with 168 hits and 87 runs scored.[10] These individual accolades, amid consistent play across 14 seasons totaling 293 stolen bases and a .271 batting average, defined his reputation as a reliable, unglamorous contributor rather than a star overshadowed by era icons.[1][7]Managerial Career
Philadelphia Phillies Tenure
Burt Shotton was named manager of the Philadelphia Phillies before the 1928 season, recommended by Branch Rickey after his success with the minor-league Syracuse Stars.[2] He took over a franchise with limited talent and resources, finishing last in the National League that year with a 43–109 record.[3] Over six seasons through 1933, Shotton compiled a 370–549 record (.403 winning percentage), with the team losing more than 100 games twice (109 in 1928 and 102 in 1930).[3] The Phillies placed no higher than fourth, achieving that position in 1932 with a 78–76 mark amid an offense led by players like Chuck Klein but hampered by pitching and fielding inconsistencies.[3] Earlier years reflected deeper struggles, such as the 52–102 finish in 1930, when the roster's weaknesses were exacerbated by ineffective performances from key pitchers.[3] Shotton's managerial style was calm and serious, prioritizing fundamentals like baserunning and situational play over aggressive tactics.[2] This low-key approach, described contemporaneously as that of a "strong silent man," proved insufficient against the Phillies' inherent deficits, including subpar talent inherited from prior regimes and financial constraints under owner William Baker until his death in 1931, followed by president Gerry Nugent's frugal operations during the Great Depression.[2][11] Shotton was dismissed in December 1933 after the team's 60–92 seventh-place season, as Nugent sought new leadership for the uncompetitive club.[2]Brief Stints with St. Louis Browns and New York Giants
 During his playing tenure with the St. Louis Browns, Shotton served in a limited managerial capacity as the team's "Sunday manager" in 1914 and 1915. This role arose because manager Branch Rickey, a devout Christian, refused to work on Sundays in observance of the Sabbath, entrusting Shotton—his trusted center fielder—with handling those games.[2] [11] The Browns languished in last place in the American League both years, posting records of 57–96 in 1914 and 54–100 in 1915, underscoring the franchise's organizational challenges rather than any deficiency in Shotton's part-time oversight. Decades later, amid instability at the New York Giants, Shotton emerged as a candidate for their managerial position in July 1948 after Mel Ott's dismissal following a dismal 36–67 start. Giants owner Horace Stoneham contacted Branch Rickey—by then general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, where Shotton was a coach—to inquire about approaching him for the role.[2] Stoneham opted instead for Leo Durocher, preferring his aggressive style, which left Shotton in Brooklyn as a caretaker figure for teams in transition but highlighted his perceived steadiness for troubled franchises.[11] These episodes reflect Shotton's recurring availability for interim duties amid league-wide managerial turnover, bridging periods of his longer engagements without yielding notable on-field success attributable to his involvement.[3]Brooklyn Dodgers Management
1947 Interim Role Replacing Leo Durocher
Burt Shotton assumed the role of interim manager for the Brooklyn Dodgers on May 24, 1947, following the suspension of Leo Durocher by Commissioner Albert "Happy" Chandler for the entire 1947 season due to associations with gamblers.[2] Clyde Sukeforth had managed the two preceding games with a 2-0 record, but Shotton, then a 62-year-old scout and coach, took over and guided the team to a 92-60 finish under his tenure, clinching the National League pennant on September 22, 1947.[3][12] This marked the Dodgers' first pennant since 1941 and the debut full season for Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in modern MLB, whom Shotton managed permanently throughout the year.[2] In the World Series against the New York Yankees, Shotton's Dodgers lost in seven games, 4-3, despite strong performances from players like Robinson and Pete Reiser.[13] Shotton's mild-mannered approach contrasted sharply with Durocher's fiery style; he often managed in street clothes rather than a uniform and emphasized discipline without confrontation, earning him the nickname "kindly old Burt" among observers.[2] Despite initial skepticism about his appointment given his age and lack of recent full-time managing experience—his last such role was with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1928—Shotton stabilized the team amid the integration milestone and internal tensions from Durocher's absence.[14]1948–1950 Seasons and Pennants
With Durocher reinstated for the 1948 season, Shotton initially transitioned to scouting duties, but returned as manager on July 16 after Durocher's mid-season dismissal amid a 35-37 start and ongoing conflicts with general manager Branch Rickey; Shotton compiled a 48-33 record over the remaining 81 games, helping the Dodgers finish third in the NL with an overall 84-70 mark.[3][2] Retained for 1949, Shotton led the Dodgers to another NL pennant with a 97-57-2 record, securing first place by one game over the St. Louis Cardinals; however, they fell to the Yankees in the World Series, 4-1.[15][13] In 1950, Shotton's final year, the Dodgers finished second in the NL at 89-65, three games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, prompting his resignation at age 65 after the season; his overall Dodgers record stood at 326 wins and 215 losses, yielding a .603 winning percentage, with two pennants but no championships.[3][16] Shotton's tenure is credited with providing steady leadership during a transitional era, particularly in supporting Robinson's integration, though some players and analysts questioned his tactical acumen compared to more aggressive managers like Durocher.[2]1947 Interim Role Replacing Leo Durocher
On April 9, 1947, Major League Baseball Commissioner Albert "Happy" Chandler suspended Brooklyn Dodgers manager Leo Durocher for the entire 1947 season, citing his "association with known gamblers" and other conduct deemed detrimental to baseball, including prior disputes with league officials and unsportsmanlike behavior.[17][18] The decision followed investigations into Durocher's off-field associations, such as with actor George Raft and gambling figures, amid broader scrutiny of baseball's integrity post-1919 Black Sox scandal.[19] Dodgers president Branch Rickey appointed team scout Burt Shotton as interim manager on April 17, 1947, to fill the vacancy left by Durocher's suspension.[20] Shotton, a 62-year-old former player and coach known for his calm demeanor contrasting Durocher's combative style, had been scouting for Brooklyn and previously managed other clubs with mixed success.[2] Coach Clyde Sukeforth handled the first two games of the season on April 15 and 16, securing victories over the Boston Braves (3-1 and 4-2), before Shotton assumed full duties starting April 17.[21] Under Shotton's leadership, the Dodgers compiled a 92-60 record in 153 games, contributing to the team's overall 94-60 mark and clinching the National League pennant on the final day of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals.[3][21] Shotton managed from the dugout in business attire rather than a uniform, a personal choice reflecting his elder statesman role, and emphasized steady leadership amid roster integration challenges, including Jackie Robinson's debut.[2] The team advanced to the World Series but lost to the New York Yankees in seven games, with Shotton's interim tenure proving unexpectedly successful despite his lack of prior Dodgers managing experience.[21]1948–1950 Seasons and Pennants
In 1948, Burt Shotton replaced Leo Durocher as Brooklyn Dodgers manager on May 24 after Durocher's dismissal amid ongoing investigations into gambling associations, with the team holding a 26-22 record at the time; an interim game was managed by coach Ray Blades.[22] Under Shotton, the Dodgers posted a 48-33 record in his 81 games, rallying from a deficit to briefly lead the National League standings by late August before a September slump dropped them to third place with an overall mark of 84-70-1, six and a half games behind the pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals.[22][2] Key contributors included outfielder Pete Reiser and rookie pitcher Rex Barney, but the team's inconsistency, exacerbated by injuries and pitching depth issues, prevented a postseason berth.[22] Shotton returned for the full 1949 season, guiding the Dodgers to the National League pennant with a franchise-record 97 wins against 57 losses, edging the Cardinals by one game in a tight race that came down to the final day.[2][3] The team featured strong offensive output from Jackie Robinson, who batted .342 with the league-leading batting title, alongside reliable pitching from Preacher Roe (15-9, 2.91 ERA) and Carl Erskine.[2] In the World Series, however, Brooklyn fell to the New York Yankees in five games, with Shotton's conservative strategies criticized for not fully leveraging the lineup's speed against Yankee pitching dominance.[2][13] The 1950 campaign saw Shotton manage the Dodgers to 89 wins and 65 losses, securing second place two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who clinched the pennant on the season's final day.[23] Despite a talented roster including Robinson and Duke Snider, the team struggled with late-season fatigue and bullpen unreliability, finishing with a .578 winning percentage but unable to overcome Philadelphia's momentum.[23][2] Shotton was released after the season, replaced by Chuck Dressen, amid reports of player dissatisfaction with his low-key, non-confrontational style compared to predecessors.[2] Over these three years, Shotton's Dodgers achieved one pennant and 271 total wins, reflecting organizational talent but highlighting challenges in sustaining peak performance.[3]Overall Managerial Statistics and Evaluation
Burt Shotton's overall managerial career spanned 11 seasons from 1928 to 1950, compiling a record of 697 wins and 764 losses for a .477 winning percentage.[3] He managed three teams, with his performance varying significantly by roster quality: a dismal mark with the talent-poor Philadelphia Phillies, a negligible single-game stint with the Cincinnati Reds, and strong results with the competitive Brooklyn Dodgers.[3] His two National League pennants came exclusively with the Dodgers in 1947 and 1949, though both World Series appearances ended in defeats to the New York Yankees (4 games to 3 and 4 to 1, respectively).[3][2] The following table summarizes his records by team:| Team | Years | Wins-Losses | Winning Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Phillies | 1928–1933 | 370–549 | .403 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 1934 | 1–0 | 1.000 |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | 1947–1950 | 326–215 | .602 |
| Career Total | 1928–1950 | 697–764 | .477 |