Mike Shannon

Thomas Michael Shannon
(Moonman)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
• School University of Missouri
• High School Christian Brothers College High School
• Debut September 11, 1962
• Final Game August 12, 1970
• Born July 15, 1939 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died April 29, 2023 in Marion, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Shannon (right) in the broadcast booth

Mike Shannon worked as a broadcaster for the St. Louis Cardinals starting in 1972, staying behind the microphone for 50 seasons before retiring in 2021. Before that, he was a third baseman and outfielder for the team from 1962 to 1970, including for their three appearances in the World Series during the 1960s, in 1964, 1967 and 1968. His playing career was cut short by kidney disease in 1970. He also owned a very popular bar and restaurant in the St. Louis area.

Bob James pointed out in one of his Baseball Abstracts that Shannon was one of a very small number of outfielders to make a successful transition to third base. Until 1966, he played exclusively in the outfield (except for a handful of games at catcher), then starting in 1967, he was almost exclusively a third baseman. While many teams have pushed an outfielder to make such a transition, usually to have an extra bat in the line-up, it is very rare that it works successfully.

Notable Achievements

• Won two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals (1964 & 1967)

Further Reading

• John Denton: "Shannon, iconic Cardinals announcer & player, dies at 83", mlb.com, April 30, 2023. [1]
• Mike Shannon (as told to Al Doyle): "The Game I'll Never Forget", Baseball Digest, December 2003, pp. 78-81. [2]

Related Sites

• Mike Shannon at the SABR Bio Project