Bob Shaw, former pitcher in ’59 World Series against Dodgers, dies at 77

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Former major league pitcher Bob Shaw, who defeated Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers in Game 5 of the first World Series played in Los Angeles, has died. He was 77.

Shaw died Thursday, said a spokeswoman for the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home in Jupiter, Fla. No cause was given.

Shaw had the best season of his 11-year major league career in 1959 when the Chicago White Sox won the American League pennant. The right-hander was 18-6.

He started Game 2 of the World Series and lost, 4-3. But he pitched a gem in Game 5 in front of a record crowd of 92,706 at the Coliseum. Shaw gave up nine hits but no runs, pitching into the eighth inning. The White Sox won, 1-0, with Koufax taking the loss.

The Dodgers won the series, however, in six games.

Robert John Shaw was born June 29, 1933, in Bronx, N.Y. He also pitched for the Tigers, Athletics, Braves, Giants, Mets and Cubs, retiring after the 1967 season.

-- Keith Thursby