Frank ‘Spec’ Shea, 81; Yankee Rookie Won 2 Games of ’47 Series

Frank “Spec” Shea, 81, who won two games in the 1947 World Series as a rookie pitcher for the New York Yankees, died Friday in New Haven, Conn., a month after having valve replacement surgery.

Shea, whose career with the Yankees and Washington Senators spanned 1947 to 1955, was known as the “The Naugatuck Nugget” for his hometown in Connecticut.

He joined a Yankee team that included Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto and ace pitcher Allie Reynolds in 1947.

Shea was the starting pitcher for Game 1 of the 1947 World Series and beat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 5-3, at Yankee Stadium.

Two days after his 27th birthday, Shea pitched a four-hitter in defeating the Dodgers, 2-1, at Ebbets Field in Game 5 of the Series.

The Yankees went on to win the championship.

Shea pitched for the Yankees from 1947 to 1949 and in 1951.

He finished with four years for the Senators, and had a career record of 56-46, with a 3.80 ERA.