Shelby Reds

• Location: Shelby, NC
• League: Western Carolinas League 1977-1978
• Affiliation: Cincinnati Reds 1977-1978
• Ballpark:

Team History

After a 8-year break, minor league ball returned to Shelby, NC with the creation of the Shelby Reds in 1977. Managed by Jim Lett, the Reds finished 60-79, 5th in the six-team Western Carolinas League. They were last in attendance (22,576) and were outscored 674-564. All-Stars were 2B Don Carr (.272/~.318/.332) and OF Paul Herring (.302/~.389/.455, 16 HR, 16 SB, 19 errors, the most of any outfielder). OF Paul Householder (.232/~.319/.358) tied for the league lead in triples (9), one ahead of fellow flyhawk Eddie Milner (.268/~.359/.365, 35 for 44 in SB). Householder also led the WCL in strikeouts (130). Bruce Berenyi (10-8, 2.30) led the league in ERA while M. John Gosse (11-12, 2.53) was third.

They improved the next year, finishing second in both halves behind the Greenwood Braves with a 75-64 record on the year under Lett's leadership. 22,058 fans showed up, putting them 5th in the league, and they outscored their opponents 594-532, allowing the fewest runs in the circuit. They had six All-Stars - 3B Tom Watkins (.222/~.292/.330, 16-17 in SB), OF Reggie Waller (.260/~.403/.416, a league-leading 102 walks and 7 triples), C Steve Christmas (.250/~.356/.355), P Paul Gibson (9-6, 3.02, 3rd in ERA), P Greg Hughes (11-5, a league-best 2.14 ERA) and P Doug Neuenschwander (8-7, 15 Sv, 2.72, 48 H in 76 IP, a league-leading 53 games pitched). Goose (7-12, 3.09) was 4th in ERA but led the league in losses and tied for the lead in hits allowed (162).

In 1979, they became the Shelby Pirates.

Sources: 1978-79 Baseball Guides

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1977	60-79	5th	Jim Lett
1978	75-64	2nd	Jim Lett	none