Eddie Shokes

Edward Christopher Shokes

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 170 lb.
• School Duke University
• Debut June 9, 1941
• Final Game September 29, 1946
• Born January 27, 1920 in Charleston, SC USA
• Died September 14, 2002 in Winchester, VA USA

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Biographical Information

South Carolina native Eddie Shokes played three years (1939-1941) of college baseball for Duke University and was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cincinnati Reds on June 4, 1941. Eddie made his Big League debut on June 9, 1941 but failed to hit in one at-bat and was sent to the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association for the remainder of the season. The first baseman appeared in 88 games for the Indians and hit at a .237 clip in 283 at-bats.

Eddie spent the 1942 season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League, still at the first base position; the 22-year-old appeared in 149 games with 494 at-bats and 129 base-hits, that included 12 home runs, for a .261 batting average.

Shortly thereafter, Eddie was inducted into the United States Navy and he spent the next three years (1943-1945) in the South Pacific during World War II. Shokes returned from the service in time for the 1946 season and spent 31 games with the Crosley Field club, picking up ten hits in 83 at-bats for a .120 average and played his last game in the Big Leagues on September 29, 1946.

Eddie was sent back to the Syracuse club for the 1947 year and wound up spending the last five years (1947-1951) of his pro baseball career with the Chiefs. Eddie ended his baseball career at the end of the 1951 season with seven years in the minor leagues and 3,144 at-bats with 793 base-hits, including 60 home runs, for a .252 minor league career batting average.

Edward Christopher Shokes died September 14, 2002 at his home in Winchester, VA at the age of 82.