“ He Warms Our Hearts, Brightens Our Spirits, and Lights Our Way Still.” This is what is inscribed on each year’s award. The inscription couldn’t be more apropos for this year's recipient. He has been keeping Gil's memory and teachings alive and also bleeds orange and blue. Art has kept Gil's ideals alive and is an exemplary person.
Congrats to Art Shamsky.
About Art Shamsky from Wikipedia
New York Mets (1968–71)
The Reds traded Shamsky to the New York Mets for infielder Bob Johnson in November 1967.[5] Having suffered from back pain the prior season, he had off-season surgery to have a cyst removed from his tailbone.[1]He initially found living in New York City to be intimidating, but eventually he "fell in love with the energy, got to know the city a bit. My life changed."[9] He became a favorite of Jewish fans in New York.[10]
In 1969 Shamsky hit .300 (second on the team), with a .375 on-base percentage, a .488 slugging percentage, and 14 home runs (second on the team) as half of a right field platoon with Ron Swoboda for the World Champion Mets.[5] He did this in pain, while suffering from a slipped disk in his back that was pressing against his sciatic nerve; one doctor told him he might never play again.[1] Shamsky was the regular starter against right-handed pitchers, with Swoboda starting against lefties. He batted .385 as a pinch hitter, and .388 in games that were late and close.[11] He still gets comments about his decision to not play on Yom Kippur that year. "The funny thing was, the Mets won both ends of a double header" that day, he later said.[9]
Shamsky's torrid hitting continued into the 1969 post-season. He started all three games of the NLCS, where he batted .538 batting cleanup, leading all batters.[5][1] In the World Series, Shamsky started only in Game 3, which was played on his 28th birthday. He went hitless in six at-bats in the series.
In 1970 he hit .293 (leading the team) with a .371 on-base percentage.[5][1] Despite only 402 at bats, he was 7th in the league with 13 intentional walks.[5]
After an injury-ridden season, he was traded with Jim Bibby, Rich Folkers and Charlie Hudson from the Mets to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jim Beauchamp, Harry Parker, Chuck Taylor and Chip Coulter on October 18, 1971.[12] In April 1972 he was released by the St. Louis Cardinals, and five days later signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs.[5]
QBC NOTE- We look like we have our final guests locked in. Just waiting on a few details and the ink to dry. As soon as we get that all in order, we will announce ticket prices and on sale dates.
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