Mule Shirley

Ernest Raeford Shirley

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
• School University of North Carolina
• Debut May 6, 1924
• Final Game July 12, 1925
• Born May 21, 1901 in Snow Hill, NC USA
• Died August 4, 1955 in Goldsboro, NC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Mule Shirley had exactly 100 at-bats in regular season play in the major leagues. He came up at the right time, playing as a rookie for the winners of that year's World Series, the Washington Senators managed by Bucky Harris in 1924.

In the World Series, he came in as a pinch-hitter for Walter Johnson in the 12th inning of Game 1 on October 4th, reached on an error, and scored a run, although it wasn't enough as Washington lost the game to the New York Giants, 4-3. In Game 3, he came in in the 8th inning as a pinch-hitter for Joe Martina and hit a single. He also came in as a pinch-runner in Game 7, running for pinch-hitter Bennie Tate who had reached on a walk in the 8th. One out later, Bucky Harris singled to drive in two runs (but not Shirley) as Washington tied the game, before eventually winning the game and the series in the 12th inning.

He had been at the University of North Carolina from 1921-23 (one source says 1920-23), where he belonged to the Theta Chi fraternity.

In 1929 he hit .330 in 47 games with the Minneapolis Millers.

He managed the 1938-1939 Goldsboro Goldbugs in the Coastal Plain League.

Notable Achievement

• Won a World Series with the Washington Senators in 1924