{{Short description|American baseball outfielder (1890–1941)}} {{Use American English|date=October 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name=Howie Shanks |image="The Climbers" Howard Shank, 1913 LCCN2016844664 (cropped).jpg |caption=Shanks in 1913 |position=Outfielder / Third baseman |birth_date={{Birth date|1890|7|21}} |birth_place=Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |death_date={{death date and age|1941|7|30|1890|7|21}} |death_place=Monaca, Pennsylvania, U.S. |bats=Right |throws=Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate=May 9 |debutyear=1912 |debutteam=Washington Senators |finalleague = MLB |finaldate=October 3 |finalyear=1925 |finalteam=New York Yankees |statleague = MLB |stat1label=Batting average |stat1value=.253 |stat2label=Home runs |stat2value=25 |stat3label=Runs batted in |stat3value=620 |teams= * Washington Senators ({{mlby|1912}}–{{mlby|1922}}) * Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|1923}}–{{mlby|1924}}) * New York Yankees ({{mlby|1925}}) }} '''Howard Samuel Shanks''' (July 21, 1890 – July 30, 1941) was an American professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1912 to 1925 for the Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees.
Shanks made his professional baseball debut in 1909. The Senators drafted him and he played for them from 1912 until they traded him to the Red Sox after the 1922 season. After two seasons with Boston, he was traded to the Yankees for his final MLB season. Regarded as one of the better defensive players in baseball, Shanks began his MLB career as an outfielder, but he also played as shortstop for Washington and as a utility infielder for Boston and New York. He was considered an "ordinary hitter". After his playing career, Shanks served as a coach for the Cleveland Indians and coached and managed in the minor leagues.
==Early life== Shanks was born on July 21, 1890, in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Samuel Shanks, immigrated to the United States from Ireland and lived in Youngstown, Ohio, before moving to Chicago. He was the second oldest of five children born to Samuel and Elizabeth (née Oatey) Shanks. After living in Chicago, the family moved to Monaca, Pennsylvania.<ref name=sabr/>
Shanks attended public schools in Monaca, including Monaca High School.<ref name=obit>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110430883/howard-shanks-dies-long-diamond-star/ |title=Howard Shanks Dies, Long Diamond Star |newspaper=Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph |via=Newspapers.com |date=July 31, 1941 |page=23 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929224139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110430883/howard-shanks-dies-long-diamond-star/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1907, he began playing semi-professional baseball in Monaca. Shanks played for a semi-professional team in Rochester, Pennsylvania, in 1908 that was run by former Major League Baseball player Tom McCreery.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=switch>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/85907368/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=Howard Shanks Pleased with Switch to Red Sox|page= 14|work=The Gazette Times|location=Pittsburgh|via=Newspapers.com |date=February 13, 1923 |accessdate=September 28, 2022}}</ref>
==Career== ===Early career=== The East Liverpool Potters of the Class C Ohio–Pennsylvania League signed Shanks as a left fielder for the 1909 season on the recommendation of McCreery,<ref name=switch/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3175459/1909-east-liverpool-roster-info/ |title=1909 East Liverpool roster info |newspaper=The Evening Review |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 7, 2015 |page=6 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928223920/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3175459/1909-east-liverpool-roster-info/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Shanks made his professional baseball debut that year, finishing the season with a .240 batting average.<ref name=sabr/> In 1910, he returned to East Liverpool,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/228065246/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20youngstown&match=1 |title=8 Feb 1910|page= 6|work=The Akron Beacon Journal|via=Newspapers.com |date=February 8, 1910 |accessdate=September 27, 2022}}</ref> where he batted .223.<ref name=sabr/> After the 1910 season, East Liverpool sold the rights to Shanks and seven other players to the Youngstown Steelmen of the Ohio–Pennsylvania League for the 1911 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/87695297/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20youngstown&match=1 |title=15 Feb 1911|page= 9|work=Pittsburgh Daily Post|via=Newspapers.com |date=February 15, 1911 |accessdate=September 28, 2022}}</ref>
After the 1910 season, Shanks was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given "a couple of weeks to live."<ref name="tuberculosis">{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/606260459/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20%22a%20couple%20of%20weeks%20to%20live%22&match=1 |title=24 Jan 1915, 11 |work=The Birmingham News |via=Newspapers.com |date=January 24, 1915 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051229/https://www.newspapers.com/image/606260459/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20%22a%20couple%20of%20weeks%20to%20live%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Pittsburgh Pirates expressed interest in selecting him in the upcoming Rule 5 draft, but after seeing his medical report, they opted not to.<ref name=sabr/><ref name="tuberculosis"/> Shanks returned to Monaca, where he recovered. He reported to Youngstown in 1911 and regained {{convert|40|lbs}} of lost weight before the end of the season. He batted .291 for Youngstown in the 1911 season.<ref name=sabr/> He also had a .990 fielding percentage and committed only three errors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/65281766/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=3 Feb 1912 |page=6 |work=The Evening Review |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 3, 1912 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051338/https://www.newspapers.com/image/65281766/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Major league career=== Jimmy McAleer, manager of the Washington Senators of the American League, scouted Shanks during the 1911 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/80688680/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20mcaleer%20youngstown&match=1 |title=14 Jul 1911 |page=14 |work=The Washington Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=July 14, 1911 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051141/https://www.newspapers.com/image/80688680/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20mcaleer%20youngstown&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/80696026/?terms=%22howard%20shank%22&match=1 |title=2 Sep 1911 |page=13 |work=The Washington Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 2, 1911 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051231/https://www.newspapers.com/image/80696026/?terms=%22howard%20shank%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 1, 1911, Washington selected Shanks from Youngstown in the Rule 5 draft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/76006934/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=5 Sep 1911 |page=8 |work=The Washington Herald |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 5, 1911 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051347/https://www.newspapers.com/image/76006934/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He competed for a role with the Senators in spring training in 1912 and made their roster as a backup outfielder.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28139475/4612-washington-times-p-12-griffith-c/ |title=4.6.12 Washington Times p. 12 Griffith Calls McGraw A Four Flusher |newspaper=The Washington Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 7, 2019 |page=12 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-herald-4612-washington-times-p/28139475/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shanks made his major league debut on May 9, 1912. After left fielder Danny Moeller injured his shoulder in a game on May 25,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/28973806/?terms=moeller%20shanks&match=1 |title=26 May 1912 |page=1 |newspaper=The Washington Post |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 26, 1912 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051221/https://www.newspapers.com/image/28973806/?terms=moeller%20shanks&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shanks took over as the regular left fielder. When Moeller returned to the Senators, he played as a right fielder, with Tilly Walker becoming a bench player.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28821401/6212-washington-post-p-1-nats-8-brown/|title=2 Jun 1912|page=1|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 2, 1912|accessdate=September 29, 2022|archive-date=April 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051846/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-washington-post-6212-washington-po/28821401/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shanks played in 116 games in his first season with the Senators.<ref name=sabr/> He led all left fielders in the American League with a .962 fielding percentage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1912-fielding-leaders.shtml|title=1912 American League Fielding Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 29, 2022|archive-date=September 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929195312/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1912-fielding-leaders.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 31, 1913, Shanks sprained his right ankle sliding into home plate during a game, and was taken to Georgetown Hospital for treatment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/76022416/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=1 Jun 1913 |page=31 |work=The Washington Herald |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 1, 1913 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051824/https://www.newspapers.com/image/76022416/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The injury lingered for the remainder of the year. Shanks went to Bonesetter Reese after the season, who fixed Shanks's ankle by resetting a tendon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/331741699/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=11 Nov 1913, 15 |work=Evening Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=November 11, 1913 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051907/https://www.newspapers.com/image/331741699/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
thumb|Shanks with the Washington Senators By the 1914 season, Senators manager Clark Griffith said "Howard Shanks is, in my mind, the greatest fielding outfielder in baseball".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/266217109/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=25 Jun 1914, 3 |work=The Marshfield News and Wisconsin Hub |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 25, 1914 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051855/https://www.newspapers.com/image/266217109/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also considered an "ordinary hitter".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77673382/ |title=Clipping from Evening Star |newspaper=Evening Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 14, 2021 |page=18 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051653/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star/77673382/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1915, Griffith brought in Henri Rondeau, Bill Brown, and Red Massey to compete with Shanks for playing time in an attempt to improve the team's offensive output.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/397773556/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=13 Mar 1915, 12 |work=Dayton Daily News |via=Newspapers.com |date=March 13, 1915 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051652/https://www.newspapers.com/image/397773556/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rondeau made the Senators roster for the 1915 season and was given a trial in left field,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/144024342/?terms=shanks%20rondeau&match=1 |title=5 May 1915 |page=28 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 5, 1915 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429051652/https://www.newspapers.com/image/144024342/?terms=shanks%20rondeau&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> but was sent to the minor leagues in May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/144038387/?terms=shanks%20rondeau&match=1 |title=12 May 1915|page= 32|work=The Pittsburgh Press|via=Newspapers.com |date=May 12, 1915 |accessdate=September 29, 2022}}</ref> By the end of the 1916 season, Griffith experimented with Shanks as a shortstop.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/332108750/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20shortstop&match=1 |title=28 Sep 1916, 16|work=Evening Star|via=Newspapers.com |date=September 28, 1916 |accessdate=September 27, 2022}}</ref> Griffith made Shanks his regular shortstop in June 1917.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/143587280/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20shortstop&match=1 |title=The Pittsburgh Press 29 Jun 1917 |page=40 |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 29, 1917 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928034002/https://www.newspapers.com/image/143587280/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20shortstop&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He returned to playing as a left fielder in 1918, and Griffith had him play shortstop again in the 1919 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/332631733/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20shortstop&match=1 |title=5 Mar 1919, 18 |work=Evening Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=March 5, 1919 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429052917/https://www.newspapers.com/image/332631733/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20shortstop&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1920, Shanks set a career high with a .264 average and tied a career high with four home runs. In {{mlby|1921}}, Shanks hit .302 and led the American League in triples with 18.<ref name=sabr/> He also led all American League third baseman with a .960 fielding percentage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1921-fielding-leaders.shtml|title=1921 American League Fielding Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 29, 2022|archive-date=September 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929195309/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1921-fielding-leaders.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/376281861/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20finger&match=1 |title=8 Sep 1922, 4 |work=The Hesston Gazette |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 8, 1922 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429052728/https://www.newspapers.com/image/376281861/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20finger&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On April 30, 1922, a line drive hit by Walker, Shanks' former teammate, now playing for the Philadelphia Athletics, broke Shanks' index finger. It was estimated that he would require three weeks to recover.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/170690003/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20finger&match=1 |title=19 Apr 1922 |page=18 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 19, 1922 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429052737/https://www.newspapers.com/image/170690003/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20finger&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He returned as the starting shortstop, but broke a bone in his left hand.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/448036348/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=1 Jun 1922, 7 |work=Republican and Herald |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 1, 1922 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429052822/https://www.newspapers.com/image/448036348/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/57866757/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=25 Oct 1922 |page=15 |work=The Evening News |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 25, 1922 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429052924/https://www.newspapers.com/image/57866757/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In his time with Washington, Shanks played every outfield and infield position, but did not play as a pitcher or a catcher.<ref name=sabr/><ref name="newspapers1">{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/64682250/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=2 Apr 1925 |page=13 |work=The Evening Review |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 2, 1925 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429052937/https://www.newspapers.com/image/64682250/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Senators traded Shanks, Ed Goebel, and Val Picinich to the Boston Red Sox for Muddy Ruel and Allen Russell on February 10, 1923.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/585858500/?terms=Ed%20Goebel%20Val%20Picinich%20Muddy%20Ruel%20Allen%20Russell&match=1 |title=11 Feb 1923, 3 |work=Johnson City Chronicle |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 11, 1923 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429052813/https://www.newspapers.com/image/585858500/?terms=Ed%20Goebel%20Val%20Picinich%20Muddy%20Ruel%20Allen%20Russell&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shanks opened the 1923 season as an outfielder for the Red Sox,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/431065767/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=15 Apr 1923, 31 |work=The Boston Globe |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 15, 1923 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053518/https://www.newspapers.com/image/431065767/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> but he played 37 games as a second baseman and 83 games as a third baseman in the 1923 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/767554020/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=5 Dec 1923, 12 |work=Evansville Courier and Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 5, 1923 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053356/https://www.newspapers.com/image/767554020/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 1924, the Red Sox dealt third baseman Norm McMillan and played Shanks at third base.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/430927539/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=15 Apr 1924, 12 |work=The Boston Globe |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 15, 1924 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053438/https://www.newspapers.com/image/430927539/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also played second base in the 1924 season.<ref name=sabr/>
On December 10, 1924, the Red Sox traded Shanks to the New York Yankees for Mike McNally.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/410980213/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20%22mike%20mcnally%22&match=1 |title=11 Dec 1924, 115 |work=Daily News |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 11, 1924 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053419/https://www.newspapers.com/image/410980213/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20%22mike%20mcnally%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He succeeded McNally as the utility infielder for the Yankees during the 1925 season.<ref name=sabr/><ref name="newspapers1"/> After the 1925 season, the Yankees released Shanks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/62134318/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=21 Dec 1925 |page=16 |work=The Evening Review |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 21, 1925 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053430/https://www.newspapers.com/image/62134318/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Later career=== Shanks signed a contract with the Louisville Colonels of the Class AA American Association for the 1926 season as their regular third baseman.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/502554619/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=31 Dec 1925, 6 |work=News-Democrat |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 31, 1925 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053444/https://www.newspapers.com/image/502554619/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/107535282/?terms=%22howARD%20shanks%22%20louisville&match=1 |title=5 Apr 1926 |page=9 |work=The Courier-Journal |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 5, 1926 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053449/https://www.newspapers.com/image/107535282/?terms=%22howARD%20shanks%22%20louisville&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He returned to Louisville for the 1927 season,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/186791569/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20louisville&match=1 |title=9 Apr 1927 |page=17 |work=The Minneapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 9, 1927 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053933/https://www.newspapers.com/image/186791569/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20louisville&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> but he struggled and was released in June when Louisville signed Ed Sicking.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/107053793/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=19 Jun 1927 |page=58 |work=The Courier-Journal |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 19, 1927 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053928/https://www.newspapers.com/image/107053793/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He signed with the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AA International League in July 1927.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/146207840/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=7 Jul 1927 |page=26 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=July 7, 1927 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053941/https://www.newspapers.com/image/146207840/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Before the 1928 season, Shanks became a coach for the Cleveland Indians of the American League under manager Roger Peckinpaugh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/61252513/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=19 Jan 1928 |page=14 |work=The Evening Review |via=Newspapers.com |date=January 19, 1928 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053931/https://www.newspapers.com/image/61252513/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was charged with coaching the team's infielders and outfielders.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/307228689/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20%22boy%20scouts%22&match=1 |title=31 Dec 1927, 13 |work=The Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 31, 1927 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053953/https://www.newspapers.com/image/307228689/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20%22boy%20scouts%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shanks coached for Cleveland until July 1932, when the team transitioned him into their scouting department.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/577129792/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=12 Jul 1932, 11 |work=Times Union |via=Newspapers.com |date=July 12, 1932 |accessdate=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053957/https://www.newspapers.com/image/577129792/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shanks managed the Beaver Falls Browns of the Class D Pennsylvania State Association in 1938.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/523215388/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |title=8 May 1938, 22 |work=Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 8, 1938 |accessdate=September 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053952/https://www.newspapers.com/image/523215388/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1939, he became a coach and scout for the New Orleans Pelicans of the Class A1 Southern Association, which were managed by Peckinpaugh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/297746863/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20%22new%20orleans%22&match=1 |title=18 Mar 1939, 10 |work=The Miami News |via=Newspapers.com |date=March 18, 1939 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429054434/https://www.newspapers.com/image/297746863/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20%22new%20orleans%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Personal life== Shanks married Wilhelmina (née Wagner), a resident of Monaca, on February 24, 1915.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/143779809/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20Wilhelmina&match=1 |title=25 Feb 1915 |page=21 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 25, 1915 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429054449/https://www.newspapers.com/image/143779809/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20Wilhelmina&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Shanks died of a coronary occlusion at his home in Monaca on July 30, 1941.<ref name=sabr>{{cite web |last=Nowlin |first=Bill |title=Howie Shanks |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/howie-shanks/ |publisher=Society for American Baseball Research |access-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127041554/https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/howie-shanks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=obit/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/559861773/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20Wilhelmina&match=1 |title=2 Aug 1941, 8 |work=Lancaster New Era |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 2, 1941 |accessdate=September 27, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429054451/https://www.newspapers.com/image/559861773/?terms=%22howard%20shanks%22%20Wilhelmina&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== *List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== {{Commons cat}} {{Baseballstats|br=s/shankho01}} * {{Find a Grave|6815535}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shanks, Howie}} Category:1890 births Category:1941 deaths Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:Major League Baseball third basemen Category:Baseball players from Chicago Category:Washington Senators (1901–1960) players Category:20th-century American sportsmen Category:New York Yankees players Category:Boston Red Sox players Category:Cleveland Indians coaches Category:Minor league baseball managers Category:East Liverpool Potters (baseball) players Category:Youngstown Steelmen players Category:Louisville Colonels (minor league) players Category:Rochester Tribe players Category:People from Monaca, Pennsylvania Category:Baseball players from Beaver County, Pennsylvania Category:American people of Irish descent