Nap Shea

John Edward Shea
(Napoleon, Shorty, or Red)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 5", Weight 155 lb.

• Debut September 11, 1902
• Final Game September 15, 1902
• Born May 23, 1874 in Ware, MA USA
• Died July 8, 1968 in Bloomfield Hills, MI USA

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Biographical Information

"Manager Shettsline is now experimenting right along with youngsters and last week dug up a very good young catcher in John Shea, of the Ilion team. . ." - Sporting Life, Sept. 20, 1902

John "Nap" Shea was with the 1902 Phillies for three games. A long-time minor leaguer, he was 28 when he came to the majors. In the minors, he spent five years with the Brockton Shoemakers, three years with the Rome Romans and five years with the Newark Sailors, among other stops. He played for Barre-Montpelier in 1907.

Through 2019, he is one of seven major leaguers born in Ware, MA, the most famous of which is Hall of Famer Candy Cummings.