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George Shuba
1924 - 2014
George Shuba
1924 - 2014
Obituary
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BORN
1924
DIED
2014
George Shuba Obituary
The Los Angeles Dodgers said Shuba died at his home in Youngstown, Ohio. No cause of death was given.
Shuba, who was white, congratulated his teammate on the Montreal Royals near home plate after Robinson hit a three-run homer on April 18, 1946, off Jersey City Giants pitcher Warren Sandell. The moment shared by a smiling Robinson and Shuba was captured in a famous photograph and dubbed "A Handshake for the Century."
Shuba reportedly hung a copy in his living room.
Robinson went on to break major league baseball's color barrier when he started at first base for Brooklyn on April 15, 1947.
Shuba had a .259 career batting average with 24 homers and 125 RBIs in 355 games as a utility outfielder with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1948-55. The left-handed hitter was the first National League pinch hitter to homer in the World Series, connecting in Game 1 against the New York Yankees in 1953.
The Dodgers said Shuba earned his nickname after someone compared his line drives with the sound of buckshot. His career was featured in a chapter of Roger Kahn's book, "The Boys of Summer," a tribute to the 1950s Brooklyn Dodgers.
Shuba appeared at Dodger Stadium in 2005 when the club marked the 50th anniversary of its only championship in Brooklyn. He was joined by Carl Erskine, Roger Craig, Don Newcombe, Johnny Podres, Clem Labine, Sandy Koufax, Don Zimmer, Tom Lasorda and Duke Snider.
Born on Dec. 13, 1924, in Youngstown, Shuba was the youngest of 10 children whose parents were Czechoslovak immigrants.
He practiced his swing for hours with a rope tied to the ceiling, making knots in the rope where the strike zone would be. He swung a bat at the rope, helping to deve lop the powerful swing that later produced line drives in the major leagues.
Shuba is survived by his wife, Kathryn; a son, Michael; daughters Marlene and Marykay; and a sister, Helen.
Services were pending.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
45 Entries
Rose D
January 30, 2015
To the Family and Friends of Mr. Scuba: May the God of all comfort, comfort each and everyone on you doing this sorrowful time 2 Con. 1:3,4.
November 1, 2014
I love baseball and I really enjoy when players like George Shuba makes the game enjoyable and memorable… He was a real “home-run” to his team… Although his death brings grief and sadness to all his fan and specially to his family, his legacy is left for others to enjoy. May Our Heavenly Father grant them strength needed during this heartbreaking period.
tyler erd
October 30, 2014
Rip george
How you can show support
Teresa "Brooks" Hayes & Family
October 6, 2014
R.I.P. Mr.Scuba....Sincere Condolences to his family... I am a huge Dodgers fan... May all the special memories help with your families grieving now and always... May GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE of his family,friends & fans...
Faith
October 6, 2014
G-d bless you Mr. Shuba, may "the Lord bless you and keep you." RIP
October 5, 2014
My early life growing up in NYC was enjoyed by listening to the radio with my father of the Dodger games. A highlight of my life was to received on my 65th birthday from my adopted son ,a Autographed copy of Shotgun's book. He made my life richer and better.
Ray Loch- Palm Beach Gardens , Fl.
October 5, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss, God does care for you
Richard Herrick
October 3, 2014
R.I.P.
I was Brooklyn Dodgers fan
Michael Barry
October 3, 2014
Our condolences to the Shuba family. I will miss George as I got to meet him at his home in the early 1990's while I was making a copy of George and Jackie from that historic first game in Jersey City in 1947. We had to re-do that old newspaper cliping and add the famous picture. George loved it. We stayed in touch for a period of two years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
A family of Baseball lovers
October 3, 2014
Mr. Shuba's smile says it all. He was a man who loved God wholly and loved his neighbor as himself. Surely his life story is safely stored in God's memory until he awakes to receive the promised blessings of endless life in Paradise. Such a man will be fondly remembered not only by a loving and devoted family but also by those who knew of the life he lived. Our deepest condolences!
October 2, 2014
May the Shuba family enjoy God's mercy.May He grant you peace according to palm.145:16....Q
October 2, 2014
My deepest sympathy is with you on your loss. It is obvious that your family will miss this special person in your lives. May the peace promised in God's word (John 14:27) be active and may you all be helped to endure these difficult times.
VSW
October 2, 2014
My condolences to the family of George Shuba. May you cherish the memories and remember that the drawing close to God in prayer will give you comfort and peace at this time.
Phil. 4:6, 7
October 2, 2014
May the peace of God be with you.
October 1, 2014
My deep condolence to you and your family,through the days ahead may almighty God strengthen you in your time of sorrow.
Bernie Weiss
October 1, 2014
Michael,
Although my connection with your father consists mostly of memories of his days as a Boy of Summer, I want to tell you of a conversation he and I (and I think, you) had six or seven years ago in Cooperstown. During Induction Weekend as I strolled along Main Street, I noticed your dad's name on a sign behind a table at which an elderly gentleman was sitting. There was no crowd; no jostling line of fevered autograph hunters. Just him, and standing behind, someone I suspect was you.
I introduced myself, and searching for a not-too-trite conversation starter asked, “How did you play the right field wall at Ebbets Field?” I could see your dad's eyes light up as instantly he replied, “Only Furillo could do that.”
My question was that of a baseball person of a certain age and from a certain baseball town. The right field corner in Brooklyn had an oddly shaped concrete support at the base of the fence. Batted balls caroming of the concrete would bounce in a seemingly unpredictable way.
The fan in me was genuinely interested in what a Dodger outfielder might say about that arcane fielding challenge. Beyond “inside baseball” though, it was heartwarming to see your father's reaction to a query that seemed to transport him back to a good time so long passed.
Then, you thanked me. For giving him that opportunity to however briefly, recall a moment from the old days, and for stopping by when so few others did. Which made our few minutes together even more poignant and memorable for me.
October 1, 2014
Darlene Hodges
John
October 1, 2014
Sorry for the loss of your dear loved one, he was a man of great kindness and understanding, I wish you the Shuba family the peace and comfort that comes from God
October 1, 2014
Please accept my condolences. He gave many wonderful memories to so many. Let these memories always remain. May God grant you peace and comfort.
Terry Pope
October 1, 2014
Mr "Shotgun" was friendly to the baseball fans. He grew up hard, worked hard and played ball hard. Everyone should read his autobiography. I ordered the book from Michael after a nice conversation. George is now with The Boys of Summer. Jackie,Duke, Roy, Gil,Pee Wee,Carl Furillo, and Zim. God Bless you.
Paul Roggemann
October 1, 2014
Another one of our BOY'S OF SUMMER that inspired us in our youth. My condolences to his family, friends and other BROOKLYN DODGER fans.
October 1, 2014
My condolences to the Shuba Family and for the loss of someone who imitated God in not be partial (Acts 10:34,35). May the peace and comfort of God and friends be with you during this time of sorrow ~ Linda
October 1, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
A
October 1, 2014
My condolences to the family for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you all during this difficult time.
G J.
October 1, 2014
"A Handshake for the Century"!... What a wonderful way to be remembered :) Please accept my condolences. May the God who gives peace be with you all in this time of sorrow. Rom 15:33.
September 30, 2014
May you have peace and the God of all comfort be with your family 2Cor 1:4.
September 30, 2014
Comfort from knowing that God feels for us when we suffer. Zechariah 2:8.
R
September 30, 2014
I am sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Shuba.
May God of a time when death will no more comfort you
Cindy and Keith Polster
September 30, 2014
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of Mr. Shuba...a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother. We wish the Shuba family strength at this most difficult time. We offer our love and support.
Wright
September 30, 2014
Our heartfelt condolences to the Shuba family. MLB has lost a great and courageous player.Draw close to God during the days ahead
September 30, 2014
God promised none of us a long life but George was certainly blessed with one.
What a honor to be one of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
May the God of all comfort strengthen his family and friends during this time of sorrow. "Those who die God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes." (Psalms 116:15)
karl w
September 30, 2014
My sincere condolences to the Shuba family and friends.
R.I.P. Shotgun.....We will always have those wonderful memories of the Boys of Summer..
A Brown
September 30, 2014
Please allow me to extend my heartfelt condolences for the recent loss of your dear love one. I know what an empty and helpless feeling a death in one's family can cause. Be assured that God is willing and able to assist us when we are facing difficult times such as this. Psalms 46:1
Marilynn
September 30, 2014
My sincere condolences to the Shuba family and friends. Never may you feel that you're alone, for God hears your cry for help Corinthians 1:4.
Harry Simpson
September 30, 2014
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
September 30, 2014
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Peter Cullen
September 30, 2014
Sorry to learn an old time Brooklyn Dodger has passed away,hearing Mr. Shuba's name brings me back to the magical 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers team who won the world series that year after many tries vs the vaunted Yankees,the Dodgers were an all star time of sorts from 1947 to 1956.New York City was baseball heaven during the golden age of NYC baseball 1947 to 1956,that baseball era is frozen in time and can never be re-peated.The players of that era were idols to young boys like myself,when the Giants and Dodgers left in 1957 it left a huge sports void in the NYC area that could never be filled ,the passion,intensity,and the colorful players of those teams was truly a glorious age that vanished in the Fall of 1957 when the" Boys of Summer" departed for sunny California.R.I.P. "Shotgun " Shuba!
September 30, 2014
H was my favorite Dodger. I was at a game at Ebbets Field in 1952 or 1953 and he hit a Pinch hit homer to win the game against Pittsburgh. Iwore a Dodger uniform with number 8 on the back. He was a good player but an excellent man. God Bless you George and may we all meet up in HEAVEN.
Larry Moore
September 30, 2014
May the god of all comfort be with the family in your time of great sorrow, my deepest condolenses. 2Corn. 1:3,4
B Lucas
September 30, 2014
How do we continue after the loss of a loved one. By loving, being kind, being patient, and most of all knowing the peace of God. My sincere condolence.
Ron Tank Rotunno
September 30, 2014
God bless! George "Shotgun" Shuba.
September 30, 2014
May your memories bring you comfort.
My heartfelt condolences to the family during this time of sorrow. (1Corinthains 15:26)
J Jones
September 30, 2014
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Our prayers are with you.
Psalm 23:17,18
September 30, 2014
I am sorry for your loss please take comfort in knowing that God Cares personally for you and your family. 1 Peter 5 : 7.
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