Don Shaw – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Shaw’s name probably doesn’t jump out to most baseball fans, but this left-handed reliever managed to carve out a solid five-year career in Major League Baseball during one of the sport’s most electric eras. Born Donald Wellington Shaw on February 23, 1944, he pitched for four teams between 1967 and 1972—the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, and Oakland Athletics.

Shaw even holds the quirky distinction of picking up the very first victory in Montreal Expos franchise history during their 1969 debut season.

Shaw’s path through pro baseball really mirrors what a lot of journeyman pitchers experience—he found success by sticking with it and adapting. The New York Mets picked him in the 35th round of the 1965 amateur draft. He worked his way up through the minors and eventually became a reliable relief pitcher.

He played in 138 big league games, putting up a 14-13 record and a 4.01 ERA. Shaw served as a steady bullpen guy for every team that gave him a shot.

Don Shaw’s story shines a light on the life of a pro athlete in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Those were years full of expansion teams, military service, and the unique challenges faced by relief pitchers—especially when closers were just starting to matter.

From his early days learning under legendary baseball minds to his post-baseball move into business after 1972, Shaw’s journey offers a fascinating look at what pro baseball was really like during a time of big changes.

Don Shaw’s Early Life and Path to the Majors

Don Shaw grew up in Pittsburgh before heading west to California’s baseball-rich scene and San Diego State’s competitive program. Born in 1944, he sharpened his skills as a left-handed pitcher through high school and college ball before getting his shot in pro baseball during the first-ever MLB draft.

Childhood and Background

Donald Wellington Shaw was born on February 23, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His family moved to California, and Shaw attended Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda, about 25 miles from Los Angeles.

That move to Southern California turned out to be a huge break for Shaw’s baseball growth. The warm weather let him play ball pretty much all year, which was a big step up from the short seasons back in Pittsburgh.

Shaw filled out to a solid 6-foot, 180-pound lefty by his high school years. His talent really showed during his senior year when he threw a no-hitter for Grover Cleveland High.

He also pitched for Chatsworth in the local American Legion league. That extra experience helped him hone his skills and face tougher competition throughout the year.

College Baseball Experience

After high school, Shaw accepted a baseball scholarship to San Diego State College, now San Diego State University. He played for coach Charlie Smith in the California College Athletics Association.

San Diego State’s program was a regional powerhouse in the ’50s, winning the NAIA baseball championship in 1958. That competitive atmosphere gave Shaw a taste of high-level college baseball.

During his four years with the Aztecs, Shaw had a reputation as a raw pitcher with inconsistent control. One season, he even led the team in walks—definitely an area he needed to work on.

Even with those struggles, college ball prepared him for the pros. His teammate Graig Nettles got drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round in 1965, so there was real talent on that squad.

Entry Into Professional Baseball

The New York Mets picked Shaw in the 35th round of the very first MLB draft in 1965. He was the 636th player taken, which tells you he was more of a project than a finished product.

Shaw reported to the Marion, Virginia Mets in the Appalachian League for rookie ball in 1965. He joined other future stars there, including a young Nolan Ryan.

Mets farm director Eddie Stanky made a key call about Shaw’s future. Stanky liked Shaw’s rubber arm and told him, “If you want to get to the big leagues, you better become a short relief man.”

Shaw took that advice and ran with it. In his first pro season, he made 14 appearances, showed surprisingly good control, and posted a sharp 2.49 ERA in 49 innings across two minor league stops.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Don Shaw put up a 13-14 record with a 4.01 ERA over 138 games in his five MLB seasons from 1967 to 1972. He played for four teams and even made baseball history by getting the first win in Montreal Expos franchise history.

MLB Debut and Rookie Years

Shaw made his big league debut on April 11, 1967, at age 23 with the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. That first outing was rough—he entered a tied game in the ninth and ended up letting the winning runs score.

He struggled early on, with his ERA close to 6.00 through his first 11 games. But Shaw settled down and posted a strong 2.08 ERA in his final 29 appearances, holding hitters to a .201 average.

His rookie season ended suddenly on August 13 due to military service. Shaw wrapped up 1967 with a solid 2.98 ERA in 40 games, showing he could be a dependable lefty out of the pen.

In 1968, Shaw hurt his back during spring training. He spent most of that year with Triple-A Jacksonville, making just seven appearances for the Mets but putting up a 2.07 ERA in the minors.

Teams Played For and Transitions

The Montreal Expos picked Shaw in the 1968 expansion draft with their 20th pick. Manager Gene Mauch put him in as the team’s closer for their first season in 1969.

The Expos started their first year at Shea Stadium against the Mets. Shaw pitched three scoreless innings in that historic game, then gave up four runs in the ninth, but still got credit for the win when Carroll Sembera saved it.

His time in Montreal was tough. He struggled with control, walking 37 batters in 65⅔ innings and posting a 5.21 ERA. The Expos sold him to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970.

After some time in the minors, Shaw made it back to the majors with St. Louis in 1971. That season turned out to be his best—he appeared in 45 games, won seven, and had a career-best 2.65 ERA.

The Oakland Athletics picked up Shaw in May 1972, but things didn’t work out, and he soon found himself back in the minors.

Career Highlights and Milestones

Shaw’s biggest moment came on April 8, 1969, when he won the Montreal Expos’ first game ever. He threw three scoreless innings and even scored a run in their wild 11-10 win over the Mets.

His best season was 1971 with the Cardinals—career highs in games (45), wins (7), and a 2.65 ERA. At one point, he allowed just one earned run over his last 26⅔ innings, putting up a crazy 0.34 ERA in his final 23 outings.

Shaw’s career wrapped up after 1972 when he got traded to Detroit and finished with the Toledo Mud Hens. At 29, he switched gears and went into insurance, eventually running his own agency in St. Louis.

Key Seasons and Statistical Achievements

Don Shaw’s five-year career had its ups and downs, but 1971 was definitely his peak. His career ERA of 4.01 over 138 games hides a few pretty impressive seasons, especially with the Cardinals.

Best ERA Performances

Shaw’s best year came in 1971 with the Cardinals, where he posted a 2.65 ERA in 45 games. That was a huge turnaround from his earlier struggles and made him one of the team’s go-to relievers.

His rookie year in 1967 also showed promise with a 2.98 ERA in 40 games for the Mets. After a rocky start, he posted a 2.08 ERA in his final 29 appearances, holding opponents to a .201 average.

In 1968, Shaw kept it going at Triple-A with a 2.07 ERA in 61 innings. His brief major league stint that year included ten straight scoreless innings to close out the season.

Shaw’s command was all over the place at times, but in 1971 he really locked in, giving up just one earned run in his last 26⅔ innings.

Pitching Statistics and Records

Shaw finished his career with a 13-14 record, 4.01 ERA, and 123 strikeouts. In 1971, he set career highs for wins (7) and appearances (45).

He was especially durable in 1971, pitching in 13 games just in June. Managers liked how fast he could warm up and get in the game.

Shaw’s sinker, which Yogi Berra once called a “worm killer,” became his go-to pitch throughout his career.

Notable Games and Career-defining Moments

Shaw grabbed a spot in baseball history by notching the first win in Montreal Expos franchise history on April 8, 1969, against his old team at Shea Stadium. He tossed three scoreless innings before running into trouble in the ninth, but Carroll Sembera held on for the 11-10 win.

His most impressive run came in 1971, when Shaw posted a 0.34 ERA over his last 23 games. That stretch included five wins in seven decisions and helped the Cardinals stay in the hunt in the NL East.

Shaw’s big league debut on Opening Day 1967 was memorable, but not in a good way. He came in for a 3-3 tie in the ninth, gave up two hits and a walk, and let the inherited runner score.

He made his final MLB appearance on May 19, 1972, against Kansas City, giving up nine runs on nine hits in three innings of relief. That outing pretty much marked the end of his major league days at age 28.

Role With the New York Mets

Don Shaw pitched for the New York Mets from 1967 to 1968, serving as an important lefty reliever during the team’s rebuilding phase. He broke into the majors alongside future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver and added real depth to the bullpen.

Tenure and Performance

Shaw’s debut came on April 11, 1967, at Shea Stadium during the Mets’ Opening Day against Pittsburgh. The 23-year-old lefty entered in the ninth inning of a tie game but struggled, letting inherited runners score.

His rookie season got off to a rough start, with his ERA near 6.00 after 11 games. But Shaw turned things around over his last 29 appearances, posting a 2.08 ERA and holding hitters to a .201 average.

He left the team early on August 13 for six months of military duty during the Vietnam War. Even with the shortened season, he finished with a solid 2.98 ERA in 40 games.

The 1968 season was tough for Shaw. A back injury in spring training under new manager Gil Hodges limited his chances. He spent time in Jacksonville but got called up twice for short stints and as a September call-up.

Shaw only appeared in seven games for the Mets in 1968. In his last ten innings, he didn’t allow a run and gave up just one hit over five September outings.

Important Contributions to the Team

Shaw took on a critical role as the Mets’ main left-handed reliever in 1967. The team badly needed bullpen depth, and Shaw stepped up to provide valuable innings with Ron Taylor and Cal Koonce.

Manager Yogi Berra loved Shaw’s sinker ball and even called it a “worm killer” because of how it forced ground balls. That pitch really became Shaw’s calling card against opposing hitters.

On August 1, 1967, Shaw delivered his most memorable outing against the Houston Astros. He tossed five scoreless innings out of the bullpen, gave up just three hits, and struck out five, picking up one of his four wins that year.

The Mets held onto Shaw during the 1968 offseason. General Manager Johnny Murphy turned down several trade offers, including one from the Chicago White Sox for reliever Hoyt Wilhelm and other deals involving Tommie Agee.

Shaw’s run with the Mets wrapped up when they exposed him to the expansion draft. The Montreal Expos grabbed him with their 20th pick on October 14, 1968, as they geared up for their debut season.

Experiences With the Montreal Expos

Shaw’s time with the Montreal Expos really shifted his career, starting when the Mets left him unprotected in the expansion draft on October 14, 1968. He made his mark by earning the first win in Expos history and took over as their main closer during the team’s first season in 1969.

Joining the Montreal Expos

The Expos picked Shaw with their 20th expansion draft selection. Honestly, it made sense since the Mets had a lot of young arms back then.

Manager Gene Mauch immediately slotted Shaw in as the closer. For Shaw, this was a big chance to prove himself as a key piece on a brand-new team.

The Expos leaned on Shaw’s experience and his left-handed delivery. His solid 2.98 ERA in 40 games for the Mets back in 1967 made him stand out as a solid option for the new club.

Shaw’s acquisition gave Montreal a reliever with real experience closing out games. The Expos clearly needed steady hands to get through that first rough season in the majors.

Impact During the Expansion Era

On April 8, 1969, Shaw made history when he picked up the first win ever for the Montreal Expos. The game happened at Shea Stadium, and he faced his old Mets teammates.

He came in during the sixth inning with the score tied at 6-6. Montreal then piled on five unanswered runs, including one scored by Shaw himself, just his second of three career runs.

Shaw threw three scoreless innings before the ninth, when things got messy. He gave up four runs to the Mets before Carroll Sembera came in and closed out the win.

Even with that historic moment, Shaw couldn’t find much consistency during the 1969 season. He finished with a 5.21 ERA and walked 37 batters in 65⅔ innings.

A two-week military reserve stint in July interrupted his season. He also spent three weeks in August with the Vancouver Mounties.

Shaw ended up with a 2-5 record over 35 games for Montreal. That didn’t quite match his earlier success with the Mets.

Transition From the Expos

Heading into 1970, Shaw’s future with Montreal looked shaky. He didn’t have a guaranteed spot on the Opening Day roster at spring training in Daytona Beach.

He fought for a bullpen job alongside Gary Waslewski, Mike Wegener, and Carroll Sembera. The competition was tough.

After losing out, Shaw got optioned to the Buffalo Bisons in the International League. That move pretty much signaled the end of his time with the Expos.

After just 12 games with Buffalo early in the season, the Expos sold Shaw’s contract to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 15, 1970. Cardinals GM Bing Devine saw him as a potential reclamation project.

Shaw’s exit from Montreal closed the book on a short but memorable stint. That first Expos win stayed his biggest moment with the team.

Retirement From Baseball in 1972 and Life After

Don Shaw’s baseball journey wrapped up suddenly in 1972 after a rough spell with the Oakland Athletics. That marked the end of five seasons in the majors. After retiring at 29, Shaw switched gears and built a successful career in the insurance business for more than 20 years.

Final MLB Season and Circumstances of Retirement

Shaw’s final season started with some hope but went downhill fast. The St. Louis Cardinals traded him to the Oakland Athletics on May 15, 1972, after he struggled and managed just three innings in a month.

Things with the A’s went south quickly. In only his third appearance, Shaw had a brutal game against the Kansas City Royals, giving up nine hits, nine runs, two homers, two walks, and a wild pitch in three innings.

That outing ended up being Shaw’s last MLB game. The Athletics sent him to the Iowa Oaks in the American Association, where he actually posted a solid 2.31 ERA in 32 games. Even though the A’s recalled him during the last week of the season, Shaw never pitched for Oakland again.

The Detroit Tigers traded for him on April 3, 1973, but Shaw didn’t make it back to the majors. He finished his pro career with the Toledo Mud Hens, putting up a 3.82 ERA in 38 games before retiring at 29.

Post-Retirement Activities

Shaw made a pretty smooth transition out of baseball and into business. He worked as a regional manager for an employee benefits company, kicking off a long insurance career.

His post-baseball success showed the same work ethic he brought to the mound. Over time, he started his own health-insurance agency in St. Louis, and by 2013, he was running it himself.

After baseball, Shaw kept a pretty low profile. The Sporting News once called him “easygoing, quiet, and always smiling,” and those qualities probably helped in his business life too.

Unlike a lot of former players, Shaw didn’t stick around the baseball world. He focused on building his insurance business and finding a stable life away from the game.

Legacy and Influence on Baseball

Shaw’s biggest mark on baseball? He earned the first win in Montreal Expos franchise history. On April 8, 1969, he threw three scoreless innings at Shea Stadium against his old team, the New York Mets, and locked down that historic victory.

His stats tell the story of a journeyman reliever. Shaw finished with a 13-14 record and a 4.01 ERA in 138 appearances.

In 1971, he had his best season with the Cardinals. That year, he posted a 2.65 ERA and picked up seven wins.

Shaw faced the same tough road as many expansion-era relievers. He played during the early days of specialized bullpen roles, working as a left-handed specialist before teams really defined that job.

His career was short but definitely had its moments. Shaw tasted both impressive highs, like that scoreless run with St. Louis, and tough lows that eventually closed the book on his MLB days.