Earl Sheely

Earl Homer Sheely (Whitey)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
• High School North Central High School (Spokane)
• Debut April 14, 1921
• Final Game September 27, 1931
• Born February 12, 1893 in Bushnell, IL USA
• Died September 16, 1952 in Seattle, WA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Earl Sheely had a .300 lifetime major league batting average in nine seasons in the big leagues. He spent most of that time with the Chicago White Sox, for whom he was the Opening Day clean-up hitter in 1921 and 1924-26.

Sheely had a pro playing career that lasted from 1911 to 1934. He collected 2,319 minor league hits to go with his 420 2B, 117 SB, and .324 average.

Sheely came to the White Sox after the Black Sox Scandal, but the person he replaced at first base, Shano Collins, was not one of those banned. Collins was traded to Boston in early 1921 for Harry Hooper.

After his playing days, Sheely was a scout for the Boston Red Sox (1935-1943), a manager for the Sacramento Solons (1944-1946), and was general manager of the Seattle Rainiers prior to his death (1947-1952). He also served as baseball coach at St. Mary's College of California. In 1943 Sheely was elected to the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. He suffered a heart attack and later died of a "heart ailment".

• Father of Bud Sheely.

• Led league in HR: 1914 Western Tri-State League (11), 1918 Pacific Coast League (12), 1919 Pacific Coast League (28), 1920 Pacific Coast League (33)
• Led league in BA: 1920 Pacific Coast League .371, 1930 Pacific Coast League .403
• Led league in RBI: 1930 Pacific Coast League 180

Notable Achievements

• 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1924 & 1925)