Tommy Shields

From BR Bullpen

Tommyshields1.jpg

Thomas Charles Shields

BR page

Biographical Information[edit]

Infielder Tommy Shields played college ball at the University of Notre Dame and graduated with a degree in economics. He later earned a master's degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him for a second time in the 15th round of the 1986 amateur draft and he played in their minor league system from 1986-1990. Shields was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the spring of 1991 and he made his major league debut with the Orioles a year later. He spent 1993-1994 playing in the Chicago Cubs organization and opened the 1993 season with the Cubs.

Following his playing career, Shield worked as a coach, manager, scout, and player development coordinator.

Shields' career path was shaped to a considerable degree by his desire to spend time with his wife and children. It also reflects his attitude towards a baseball career. After his second year of managing, he told a reporter that "'Anybody who thinks they know where they're going in baseball is a wizard ... I don't even know if I want to manage in the big leagues. Maybe, I want to be a general manager. I just worry about taking it one year at a time. You really do, but you try not to tell your wife that."

Source: Linker, A. (1997, December 16). Former Senator Shields has budding new career. The Patriot-News, C01.

Year-By-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs
1996 GCL Orioles Gulf Coast League 36-24 4th Baltimore Orioles
1997 Delmarva Shorebirds South Atlantic League 77-65 5th Baltimore Orioles League Champs
1998 Frederick Keys Carolina League 64-76 6th Baltimore Orioles
2002 New Jersey Cardinals New York-Penn League 39-37 6th St. Louis Cardinals
2003 New Jersey Cardinals New York-Penn League 31-42 10th St. Louis Cardinals
2004 New Jersey Cardinals New York-Penn League 41-34 5th St. Louis Cardinals
2012 Burlington Royals Appalachian League 41-25 2nd Kansas City Royals Lost League Finals
2013 Burlington Royals Appalachian League 29-38 8th Kansas City Royals
2014 Burlington Royals Appalachian League 28-40 9th Kansas City Royals
2021 Wilmington Blue Rocks High-A East 52-64 9th Washington Nationals
2023 Northwest Arkansas Naturals Texas League 64-74 10th Kansas City Royals

Related Sites[edit]